The Stel Salaried Pensioners Organization wishes to thank The Hamilton Spectator for permission to post the following article by Reporter Chinta Puxley published in the June 30, 2004 edition
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Jun. 30, 2004. 02:55 PM |
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Christopherson aims to deliver for
city |
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By Chinta Puxley |
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Hamilton's newest powerbroker says the Liberals need to fix the city's crumbling infrastructure and protect Stelco workers or risk losing the co-operation of the NDP. The Liberals won a slim minority government Monday night and Prime Minister Paul Martin said yesterday he is not seeking a formal coalition with any of the parties. Instead, he will likely seek support from the Conservatives, NDP and the Bloc Quebecois depending on the legislation. David Christopherson, NDP candidate who knocked off Liberal cabinet minister Stan Keyes in Hamilton Centre in Monday's election, said he is prepared to work with local Liberals to advance the city's cause in Ottawa. But Christopherson said there are a few "deal-breaker" issues -- federal help for cities and pension protection for Stelco workers. He said any lack of movement from the Liberals on either issue would throw a wrench in any potential Liberal-NDP collaboration. "I'm going to be very difficult to get along with if serious money coming into municipalities isn't a priority on the agenda," he said, adding the same goes for pension protection of Stelco workers. "I'm not going to back off that, no matter what." With a precarious Liberal minority and the NDP playing "a central role" on Parliament Hill, Christopherson and Liberal Tony Valeri are expected to determine what local issues get attention and how they are addressed. Valeri -- who was Transport Minister when the election was called and sat on virtually every important cabinet committee -- is widely expected to continue being Hamilton's voice at the cabinet table. Christopherson is expected to wield his fair share of power within the NDP caucus, helping to decide what issues to press the Liberals on. He said his voice, combined with those of three government MPs, puts Hamilton in a powerful position. "That gives us more leverage than many other communities," he said. For his part, Valeri's priorities seem to mirror those of Christopherson. He said he is also looking forward to Martin's promised "new deal for cities" which he said should result in extra federal cash for Hamilton. "That additional revenue is very badly needed to make the kind of reinvestments the city needs to make in infrastructure," said Valeri, who barely hung onto his Hamilton East-Stoney Creek seat Monday night. But Valeri said protecting Stelco pensions is a provincial issue. He said the federal government is willing to step in and help Stelco but it needs to wait until the company emerges from bankruptcy and asks for help. Still, Valeri said he has high hopes local MPs can set their partisan differences aside and work together. "I don't play politics with my local community and I wouldn't expect anybody that's elected to Parliament to do so," he said. "I would expect we will see Members of Parliament from our community all pulling in the same direction to ensure there is benefit coming to our area." Russ Powers, newly elected Liberal for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, didn't return phone calls yesterday. Liberal Beth Phinney, who was narrowly re-elected on Hamilton Mountain, said she expects local MPs will work well together. "I think it will be good for Hamilton," Phinney said. Still, local Liberals will be closely watched given their narrow victory. Tony DePaulo, NDP candidate in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek and union organizer with the Steelworkers, said he'll be watching to see if the Liberals fulfill their promises to the steel industry. DePaulo said he hopes Valeri's close brush at the polls "is a wake-up call and I hope he delivers." cpuxley@thespec.com 905-526-3468 --With files from John Kernaghan |