News - Stephenville International Airport

Over the past year, Random-Burin-St. George's MP Judy Foote said she tackled several important issues affecting constituents in Bay St. George and across her riding.

One of the major concerns she dealt with was the sustainability of Stephenville International Airport.

"That airport has been front and centre on my desk ever since I got elected [in Oct. 2008] and its one that I've been involved with, working with all parties," she said.

Ms. Foote noted she wrote to Transport Minister John Baird this past summer to see if the airport would qualify for federal funding under the Building Canada Fund.

"He came back and said that it could potentially be eligible, but went on to say the provincial government must make a contribution that's no less than that of the federal government," she said.

"That will remain an issue for us, I guess, until the province decides whether or not it's going to put any money into the airport. The feds are telling me wherever I turn when I go look for federal funding, is 'what's the province's position?'"

And while she understands provincial funding would be based on a forthcoming business plan, Ms. Foote said she hasn't heard when the plan would be finished.

Another concern of Ms. Foote was pensioners directly affected by the shutdown of AbitbiBowater in this province.

Ms. Foote said the federal government should make provisions for those left in vulnerable positions after pension providers become insolvent.

"We have so many pensioners in this country that make less than $15,000 a year, that there's got to be some way the federal government can do something to try and secure pensions for those pensioners who pay into them and then find themselves on the losing end when the company goes bankrupt," she said. "It's a very important issue and one that we've got to get some answers to."

Ms. Foote said a serious issue facing people in both her riding and across the country was Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent decision to temporarily suspend Parliament.

"When the House [of Commons] is in session, you're in a position to be able to put questions to individual ministers and to the Prime Minister about issues of importance to the people that you represent," she said.

Ms. Foote cited the agreement signed by the federal government to establish a non-reserve Mi'kmaq band in the province as an example.

"When it became obvious that all of those 20,000 submitted applications wouldn't get dealt with before the Nov. 30 deadline, I was able to put a question to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in the House of Commons - asking him if he would consider extending the Nov. 30 deadline," she said.

"He indicated that he was quite willing to speak to whoever needed to speak to him to look at the process and see what could be done to ensure that as many of those who had submitted applications were processed."

But with the House shut down, Ms. Foote said she isn't able to directly question a minister or the Prime Minister.

"For me, what closing down Parliament does, is it takes away the right of a Member of Parliament to ask questions of those who are in positions to make decisions on issues affecting their constituents," she said.

"If you're not able to do that, and you have to confine yourself to writing letters, it takes a while to get a response back."

While Parliament is suspended, Ms. Foote said she and her Liberal colleagues would continue to work in both Ottawa and throughout their districts for the people they represent.

"This past year has been one that I've thoroughly enjoyed. It's a lot of work, but then I love to work," she said. "The important thing as a Member of Parliament is to make sure that my office is open and that I'm accessible, and we've done that."