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Local News . Local Matters
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Candidates react to leaders’ debate
Federal politicians spar over jobs, energy, infrastructure JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com
As politicians of all party stripes know, “It’s the economy, stupid!” On Thursday night, political leaders of three
national parties took part in a debate on economic issues aimed at telling voters where they stand on jobs, housing, taxes and infrastructure spending. Party leaders sparred on whether the Canadian
economy is doing alright compared to the rest of the world, or failing to help most families get ahead. On Friday, local candidates from all four major parties shared their views on why voters should trust them with these bread-and-butter issues. Conservative candidate Andrew Saxton, running for re-election in North Vancouver, stressed his
party’s prudent, measured approach to shepherding the economy. As a trading nation, Canada’s economy is subject to volatility in global markets, but Conservatives have proven they can lead through tough economic times, said Saxton. “We are a model the rest of the world is looking to. It didn’t happen by accident.” Saxton said the
Conservatives cut accumulated debt during their first two years in office which allowed the federal government to invest in successive infrastructure programs. “North Vancouver has done very well under the stimulus program,” he said, pointing to projects like the recently announced upgrades to highway interchanges.
Saxton said the main difference between the Conservatives’ and Liberals’ infrastructure plans is that the Conservatives won’t raise taxes to pay for them. He said tax cuts and credits under the Conservatives have resulted in more disposal income for most Canadians. “We See Green page 9
Fraudster jailed for two years JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com
CIRCLE OF LIFE Lions Gate Hospital CT scanner technologists Zahra Kurji and Claire Sommer check out the newest addition to their department: a $2.2-million GE Revolution CT scanner. Employing state-of-the-art technology, the imaging machine, funded by the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, uses up to 80 per cent less radiation, provides quicker scan times, sharper images and features a larger tube for patient comfort. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN
The ringleader of a fraud scheme that bilked several Lower Mainland banks — including three on the North Shore — out of $1.3 million will spend another two years in jail on top of two years he’s already spent in prison, a B.C. Supreme Court justice ruled Friday. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Arne Silverman handed down the sentence to Robert Irama, 43, who pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud over $5,000 and one count of money laundering. Silverman also ordered Irama to pay back nearly $700,000 to five different banks and investment companies. At a sentencing hearing Thursday, Crown counsel See Soldiers page 5