As 2013 inches closer, the federal government is preparing its annual budget by gathering input from constituents, including West Central Alberta residents.Red Deer Conservative MP Earl Dreeshen said the roundtable-style discussions are nothing new – since being elected in 2008, he has gathered input from various groups and organizations across the region concerning what people think the government should do as far as making various government departments run more efficiently.“If you tell the member of Parliament your ideas, we have a fast track straight to the minister and can get your ideas out there and be able to present the thoughts of our constituents,” said Dreeshen.The federal government is planning to consult with Canadians from across the country to find the best ways to strengthen Canada's economy with pro-growth ideas as part of the next federal budget, he explained.At the same time, as part of their focus on returning to balanced budgets, the federal government is also inviting comments on how it can further improve the efficacy and efficiency of government spending, he said.Dreeshen will then compile the responses and present them to Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty.Dreeshen returned to his constituency last weekend and said he will be having discussions with groups by invitation, and individuals are invited to write to him at the addresses listed at the bottom of this article.“And then in the second week of January, I'll be having some meetings then with different stakeholders—municipal governments and chambers of commerce and the like,” he said.“So that's really what we're looking at; trying to find things that would help (constituents), and yet be cost-effective.”Dreeshen noted that he and his fellow MPs are looking for any kind of feasible cost-saving opportunities, as well as people's thoughts on how to reduce red tape.Industry groups, chambers of commerce, various groups, businesses, and even individuals are invited to share their opinions, he said.This strategy plays right into the various initiatives that the Conservatives have rolled out through the past few years since the initial recession in 2008.“Our government is focused on the economy,” he said. “That is why we have been hard at work implementing Economic Action Plan 2012 to help grow the economy and create jobs. Our plan is keeping Canada on the right track, with over 820,000 net new jobs created since the end of the global recession--the best growth record among all G-7 countries.“However, we all know challenges remain in the global economy, especially in the United States and Europe, and Canada can't become complacent.”Gathering input from constituents in the past has yielded good results, he added.“I strongly believe hearing directly from Canadians is the best way to get input in how to help fuel job and economic growth in Central Alberta and across Canada,” he said.“Indeed, in the past, many of the ideas brought forward in local pre-budget meetings have been reflected in the actual federal budget.”The sooner input comes through the better, because it gives Dreeshen some time to look at it and set up the package for review by Minister Flaherty, he said.Dreeshen also encouraged his constituents not to be shy about sharing their ideas.“Until you get out there and tell somebody (your ideas), they don't necessarily move,” he said.In the past, these kinds of discussions have led to red tape reduction, as well as the resolution of issues concerning the Canadian Wheat Board, he noted.He says he enjoys the consultation process because he sits on the Public Accounts Committee, so he gets to follow these ideas right through the entire process.“So it's interesting for me to be able to kind of see it through from this stage-which is of course getting public opinion and then the implementation of it, and then of course a study on public accounts afterwards just to see how things had actually shaken down.”“There's nothing really more important anybody can ask a politician than ‘What are you doing with my money?' So it's great to be part of that.”For those interested in talking with Dreeshen, he said they are welcome to either send an email to: ([email protected]) or a letter to: 100 A, 4315 - 55th Ave. Red Deer, AB T4N 4N7.
