Money should go to citizens
The Record (New Westminster)
January 31, 2009
Opinion By: William Zander

Dear Editor:

The question is being asked who should get the government bailout money.

Over a number of years, particularly since the Federal Liberal budget cutbacks of 1995, billions of dollars of transfer payments to the provinces were cut. The provinces then downloaded on the municipalities.

….Therefore, rather than bailing out the financial institutions such as the banks that, for the most part, are responsible for the crisis, why not put the money in the hands of municipal governments that are accountable to, and under the watchful eye of, the local citizens and businesses?

I agree with recent comments … that investing in the social infrastructure in our communities is the way to go.

If we want people to spend as the political and financial gurus suggest, then people must have paycheques. Putting money into health care, services, education and infrastructure, financially strapped social services, much-needed day care, seniors' care and projects to build affordable housing, particularly for the countless homeless that all levels of government have been talking about, makes absolute sense….

If we are going to dip into our government coffers, then let it go to the engine of our economy - the country's citizens who need it and will spend it on the necessities of life rather than to the rich and their financial institutions, who created this crisis….