Tories tally $3B in funding on cross-country tour

David Akin, The Ottawa Citizen Monday, July 14, 2008

Three weeks into their summer break, Conservative government MPs have been busy crossing the country handing out cash some hope will boost their party's political fortunes. Yesterday, for example, the Conservatives announced they'd sealed a deal with Nova Scotia that will see the province keep $867 million in energy royalties that otherwise would have gone to the federal government. And, as soon as aircraft maker Bombardier announced a new jet yesterday at an air show in England, Industry Minister Jim Prentice put out a news release reminding voters in Quebec that the federal government was giving the company $350 million to ensure it made those planes near Montreal.

Mr. Prentice was among 62 Conservative MPs who have put their names on more than 130 news releases in which they announced, re-announced or otherwise took credit for more than $3 billion in spending announcements that have gushed forth since MPs broke for the summer recess 24 days ago. "It's an essential part of the game," said Geoff Norquay, who served as Stephen Harper's director of communications when Mr. Harper was opposition leader. MPs believe these announcements boost their chances locally of getting re-elected while regional and national party strategists hope it boosts their government's popularity. An analysis by Canwest News Service shows the bulk of these spending announcements have been made in regions and ridings where the Conservatives need to win new seats to gain a majority. But in those areas of the country that are already bedrocks of Conservative support, such as Alberta or Saskatchewan, the money is barely trickling in.