Tories shovel $1.3 million into Surrey before writ was dropped

SURREY — The Conservative government started shoveling money into Surrey on Friday, two days before the federal election writ was dropped.

On Friday Nina Grewal, MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells announced $1.1 million has been earmarked for six community projects in Surrey, under the Government of Canada’s Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

Grewal said $250,000 will be spent on renovations to the Newton Seniors’ Centre, $150,000 on upgrades to the Newton Cultural Centre, $100,000 to replace Bridgeview Community Hall’s roof, and $300,000 to replace Newton Library’s roof. Also, $225,000 will be spent upgrading and renovating the Guildford Recreation Centre and $75,000 will be spent to replace the climate control system at the Surrey Art Centre.

“As we look towards the 150^th anniversary of Confederation, we are helping all Canadians celebrate this important milestone, while leaving a lasting legacy of improved local infrastructure,” Grewal said.

“Infrastructure has always been a priority for me, whether it has been roads, bridges, public buildings or public transit.”

Also on Friday, Delta-Richmond East Conservative MP and Minister of National Revenue Kerry-Lynne Findlay was at the Centre for Child Development in Whalley to announce $220,000 in funding over two years to support Sophie’s Place Child Advocacy Centre. The plan is to provide the centre with $110,000 in 2015-16 and $110,000 in 2016-17.

The Governor General dissolved Canada’s 41^st Parliament on Sunday, at Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s request, launching an 11-week federal election campaign with Canadians going to the poll stations on Oct. 19.

Meanwhile, Grewal’s NDP rival Garry Begg, who is hoping to unseat her in Fleetwood-Port Kells, is slamming the Tories “failure to tackle Surrey crime.

“I’ve been a police officer for over 38 years,” the retired Surrey Mountie said. “The Conservatives don’t seem to be serious about tackling crime in Surrey. The Conservatives promised 100 additional RCMP officers after repeated calls from the NDP but they just aren’t delivering.”

Only six of 94 have been deployed to date, he noted.

“Residents of Fleetwood-Port Kells are demanding answers from the Conservatives and Ms. Grewal but it seems like they are more concerned about their re-election,” Begg charged. “It’s time the Conservatives stop playing games and get serious about crime in Surrey.”

tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com