Stephen Harper finally decided to unveil his party's platform and it is a modest one at that compared to the lavish ones of the NDP and the Liberals. The $8.7 Billion platform includes such things as a $200 million investment over four years to the struggling automotive industry and $200 million over four years to the aerospace industry. It also reaffirms Harper's intention of cutting in half the diesel tax over four years, a $566 million initiative.

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He will also abolish tariffs on imported machinery and equipment to help boost the bottom line of some manufacturers. Harper states that "A Conservative government will not be raising taxes. We will not impose a carbon tax. We will not cancel planned tax reductions for business.We will not be running a deficit. We will keep our spending within our means."

Other than monies going to help out industry, not much else came out of the new platform, no new spending, no new taxes, nothing that would seriously help the manufacturing industry, and nothing that will satisfy those that think Harper isn't doing enough about the economy.

I for one, think that this platform is the more realistic of the election, not that I support good ole Steve, but he seems to be thinking logically, and not lavishly the way others are. One thing though, instead of bailing out the auto industry with more money, why not tackle the real issue, and that is unfair trade policies. I do not condone giving money to corporations who fail, just like what is going on in the USA, it's bullshit. But our industry is sucking, and for many reasons. So instead of handing them more money Steve, Get to the heart of the matter, foreign manufacturers. They love this one-way auto trade, it is good for them, bad for us. If this was in your platform, I am sure that you'd be gaining a tonne of votes, but since you chose to offer cash instead of a real solution, I for one am left unimpressed.

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