Tuesdathebruary 27, 196§
that our debt at the time was between eighty and ninety million dollars, and there were no prospects for the future. But in the election campaign when this govern- ment came out with those flambuoyant promises they stated that the finances were satisfactory, On May 18, 1966, here is what the Premier said. And I want to bring these statements before this House, and before the public, in the light of the fact that he is now telling the people that there is no money and we are responsible. On May 18, 1966, he said: “A Liberal Government could finance the additional cost of higher pensions through greater efficiency in administration, instead of risking millions of finances in outside interests in the industrial enterprises, however suc- cessful, would benefit only a few and just particular areas.”
That’s the views he had of the people in Kings County at that time. He ap-
parently wasn’t in favour of anything that went down to your section of the country, my friend.
Some Member: Still not.
‘Valter R. Shaw: And he is still not or that place in Georgetown would he in opera- tion. But you said you had plenty of money then. Then, again on May 27th he. has this to say: “When we developed our programme we found out what could be done which was within the reach of the Province; we found out how much the services would cost. and we learned precisely what portion of this could be provided by Ottawa. We found the extent of the co-operation given by the Federal government. then we told you, the voters. what could be done.” And then they gave you these flamboyant promises. Flashed all over the press of this Province. Anyone with any common sense would know that these promises could not be fulfilled. even though they sug- gested that they had plenty of money to do it. But it fooled some of our people. but never again. Promises which he now states he cannot fulfill! What do you know about that? In his broadcast he cannot fulfill these promises now. He gave you these promises, promises he now says he cannot fulfill, promises which they had no intention of fulfilling. promises that they made to the people of this province to deceive them, and unfortunately it did deceive a great many. This was the time he told you that Medicare was going to be put in. He made a great splash on Medicare. Everyone was going to have Medicare. now he tells you he cannot give it. What a shameful admission!l What a shameful mistake when these things were told to the people of this Province. Finances were in excellent condition at that time._ Now he states that the finances are not in good condition, and he blames the preVious gov- ernment. At that time he didn’t have this arrangement with Ottawa. This final financial conference up there. That’s the time he went up and blasted the Federal government who he said gave him a “skunk bounty.” Then right after he went over and placed the crown of wild olives on the head of the man who gave him the skunk bounty, and kicked the representations at this Province out through the Win- dow. Then he said, when he came back, “We’ve got the best financial deal that we ever secured at Ottawa.” What do you know about that? Now anyone knows that is not correct. He admits it now.
Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: No, I don’t.
Walter R. Shaw: But he did say in his broadcast. Wait now I am coming to that, don’t be too curious about your questions or interjections. After he had told the people during the election the finances were alright he could fulfill the promises and commitments. That’s before he got eight million dollars. Well. if they were good before he got the eight million, they must have been wonderful after he got the eight million. Now after eighteen months of administration he comes to the people and tells us he has no money. The question is what did he do with it?
Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: Georgetown.
Walter R. Shaw: I am glad to hear you say that. We couldn’t get that out of you and you didn’t tell the Commission that. The amount of money you spent in George- town.
Now we were only in power four months in 1966. You were in power eight months of that year and according to the external audit most of the expenses are in the early part of the year. You didn’t see that did you? They.were ‘in for the past twelve months. Twenty months in all. They were in an administering the_af— fairs of this country where he said they had plenty of money, plus eight millions
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