CUTS CREATE DISAPPOINTMENT

Pine Beetle Money Had Been Promised, NDP Critic Says

Local groups are reacting with disappointment at the federal
government's decision to axe funding for programs including medical
marijuana, tourism and the pine beetle epidemic.

Research into medical marijuana will no longer receive the $4 million
allocated by the previous Liberal government.

"We think the decision is premature," said Cathy Adair, of the
Canadian Cancer Society's B.C./Yukon division.

Adair said the society supports cancer patients who use marijuana to
combat symptoms like nausea and pain.

But she added that more research is needed to learn how to "balance
therapeutic benefit, while minimizing long term harmful effects."

The B.C. Compassion Club's Rielle Capler said research needs to be
done into which strains of cannabis work best to combat different symptoms.

Tourism Vancouver executive vice-president Paul Valee was equally
unhappy with the elimination of a $79-million program to give tax
refunds to tourists.

"We are extremely disappointed and very surprised," he said, noting
that Canada competes with countries in Europe and elsewhere with
similar programs.

Vallee said the tourism industry plans to lobby Parliament to reject the cut.

B.C. NDP Forestry Critic Bob Simpson recalled a campaign promise by
Prime Minister Stephen Harper to provide $1 billion to deal with the
pine beetle infestation.

Harper's government cut $11.7 million earmarked for the mountain pine
beetle initiative.