Wild Rose Conservative MP Blake Richards has wrapped up his annual pre-budget consultation tour in the riding, saying he received various comments and suggestions from the 60 or so residents who attended four open houses.
"I found it was a good exercise and an opportunity for people to have input,î said Richards. "The face-to-face meetings give people a change to share their ideas. I've been able to get some good suggestions. I got some good ideas this year. It's good to get that feedback.î
Wrapping up in Olds on Jan. 16, consultations also took place in Canmore, Cochrane and Airdrie. The annual consultation tours have been held in the riding since 2008.
Richards said several of those in attendance "wanted to see the federal budget balanced as quickly as it can be and I assured them that that would be the plan. They want us to balance the budget in such a way that it isn't going to harm important social programs, such as health and education.
"Another big thing I was hearing this year was people asking that government red tape be reduced. People had specific suggestions on that. They felt that red tape could be reduced.î
Regarding agriculture, several residents "raised concerns about what impact legislation in the United States could have on our beef industry. And I heard a few times concerns about the capacity of the rail industry to ship grain.î
Richards says he will be writing a report on the consultation meetings for presentation to the finance minister and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The Wild Rose riding includes Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs, Sundre and surrounding areas.
