Lise Zarac insists on Green Shift importance

“The green plan’s vision is good. Thinking of future generations, we must make that shift now”, explained Mrs. Zarac in an interview in which ex-Prime Minister and outgoing MNA Paul Martin also participated. This plan will be fiscally neutral. While a carbon tax – a price to pay for pollution – would be imposed for purposes of reducing greenhouse emissions, the proceeds from this tax will be re-distributed to lower taxes and to contribute to the fight against poverty. “We do not impose additional taxes”, Lise Zarac pointed out and estimated that “if we didn’t have these measures, it will be more difficult to achieve the objective (of reducing greenhouse emissions).” “At the end of the year, residents will have more money in their pockets”, Paul Martin added.

The candidate had harsh criticism for the Harper government’s budget cuts for cultural programmes. “It’s something that struck me because these programmes should not be subject to budget cuts”, she pleaded. “Culture is important. It’s also an economic question”, Paul Martin explained, saying that a dollar invested in culture generates major benefits.

The candidate is worried about the fact that the policies of the Harper government are bordering close to a possible deficit, which was eliminated under the Liberals when Paul Martin was Minister of Finance. “Canada is a member of the G7 countries in terms of economic development”, Mr. Martin indicated. If the country comes out unscathed despite the crisis in the United States which will affect the rest of the world, it’s partly because it did not have to drag the cannonball representing the deficit, Martin mentioned.

Municipal councillor since 2001, Lise Zarac, who continues in this position as allowed by electoral law, believes that she has much to contribute to the federal level. “I can still serve at another level. I know the needs of the public. I have the means to get to that level”.

Paul Martin believes in her abilities. “I’ve known Lise for a long, long time. I have seen her love for the riding”, he confided. “It takes someone like her who knows the riding well. That’s paramount.”

Asked if long time Liberal militant Antoine Kaluzny, who decided to run as an independent candidate, might upset her chances, she did not offer any comment. “There’s only one candidate for the Liberal Party and that’s Lise”, Paul Martin stated.