Dhaliwal Named as Critic for Western Economic Diversification and the Asia Pacific Gateway

OTTAWA - Sukh Dhaliwal is one of two Members of Parliament from BC to be named to the new Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet under its new leader Michael Ignatieff. Dhaliwal will now serve as the Critic for Western Economic Diversification (WD) and continue as critic for the Asia Pacific Gateway.

In Ignatieff’s first press conference as Liberal leader, he identified Western Canada as “the beating economic heart of our country’s future” where “the destiny of our country’s economy will be played out.” Dhaliwal recognizes the additional weight that will now be placed on his shoulders in holding the government to account.

“Western Economic Diversification and the Asia Pacific Gateway strategy are the lifeblood of the government’s economic involvement in British Columbia and Western Canada,” Dhaliwal said. “As Chair of the North and Western Liberal Caucus these roles only add to my ability to serve as the leading voice in representing the interests of Western Canada in Ottawa.”

WD works to improve the long-term economic competitiveness of the West and the quality of life of its citizens by supporting a wide range of initiatives targeting three inter-related strategic priorities: innovation, entrepreneurship and community economic development. Together, these priorities create a foundation to build the prosperity and competitiveness of the West in the 21st century.

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is an integrated set of federal government investment and policy measures focused on trade with the Asia-Pacific Region. Its mission is to establish Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor as the best transportation network facilitating global supply chains between North America and Asia.

In 2007, the Conservative government announced the new $8.8-billion Building Canada Fund. In its first year, the Building Canada Fund flowed 0 dollars into the economy. Last month, 71,000 full-time jobs were lost across Canada, 44,000 in the construction industry alone. Dhaliwal says that for Western Canada to weather our current economic storm, the Government of Canada must step up and do a lot more.

“This government’s ‘laissez-faire, I don’t care’ attitude regarding the economy is unacceptable,” Dhaliwal concluded. “WD and the Gateway are essential tools for the government to provide a kickstart to western economies, and I will be fighting to ensure that the West is fairly treated in next week’s budget.”

- 30 -

For further information:
media@sukhdhaliwal.ca
(604) 506-0735