Conservative
MP Rob Nicholson was the guest speaker at the Niagara-on-the-Lake
Forum�s recent question and answer session about federal
issues.
The meeting, which took
place in the Mary Snider room at the arena, drew about 35
residents.
The NOTL Forum is a watchdog group of
concerned local residents. Forum founder Jack Lowrey, a Queenston
resident, thanked Lord Mayor Gary Burroughs, councilors Bob
Howse and Austin Kirkby, and Nicholson for attending the meeting.
Dave Dick, President of the Virgil Business
Association and the owner of Niagara Motors, used the occasion
to speak with his federal representative about his concerns
over the manufacturing industry in Canada.
�If we lose the manufacturing jobs
in Canada, the service jobs can�t sustain our lifestyles.
I see car companies as the next to go. What can we do to increase
the manufacturing industry in Canada?�
�There are people who cheer each
time the Canadian dollar goes up,� replied Nicholson.
�I�m not in that group. The
lower the dollar gets the better it is for us. We must have
strong currency but the lower dollar helps agriculture and
tourism,� he said.
�We have more in common with the
United States than differences. We need to work more with
non-tariff barriers. China is desperate to break the mold
they�ve been in, break into the manufacturing world.
They need us more than we need them. We need to be tougher
with them.�
Nicholson said he believes there is still
room to develop trade with Western Europe.
�It seems to make a lot of sense.
We should try to forge an identity with countries similar
to Canada, try to be more aggressive and not be so concerned
with the Canadian dollar.�