MPS RETURN TO OTTAWA THIS WEEK

James Lunney says he expects a hectic schedule as a prorogued
parliament resumes

If opposition parties don't vote down the coming budget and force an
election, MP James Lunney and his Conservative colleagues will have a
busy time of it once Parliament resumes Wednesday.

The Nanaimo-Alberni MP said he's expecting a hectic schedule, starting
with the Speech from the Throne on Wednesday, the budget Thursday and
then several days of hard, slogging debate.

"It will be a really busy time when we head back, really hectic," he
said. "We have four days of debate before we go into a vote. I've
asked for a slot to address that issue."

Lunney hinted that the upcoming budget will pretty much stay the
course set prior to Parliament being prorogued.

"We are not expecting any big spending increases and no new taxes in
the budget," he said. "The game plan is to implement the second phase
of the economic action plan, get the rest of the funds out the door
and follow through with that part of the program."

Lunney said he looks forward to the government moving forward with
their crime and justice agenda, in particular Bill C-15, which
mandates minimum sentences for drug traffickers.

"That was gutted in the Senate and that bill will be re-introduced,"
he said. "There is also the Senate reform bill and the long gun
registry. We've been trying to deal with that for a long time and we
are hoping to address this in the next session."

This third session of the 40th Parliament, he added, will likely have
an impact on the Oceanside area.

"In the Oceanside area, there are a lot of the projects underway," he
said. "We expect some ribbon cuttings across the riding through the
Economic Action Plan. Workers out there are expanding the transfer
station in the Regional District of Nanaimo and that's federal money
at work. There is tendering going out for small craft harbours across
the riding, while in Parksville we have Moilliet Road that should be
happening."

Lunney also noted work on the Berwick water supply should kick off as
well.

In addition, he said a planned expansion to the Nanaimo airport will
have an impact on Oceanside residents using the facility.

One area where Lunney hopes to see progress during the next session is
with salmon enhancement projects.

"One thing I did push for spending on is more money for salmon
enhancement programs and fisheries and oceans science," he said.
"That's an area I been pushing for, both verbally and in writing. Even
in difficult economic times these are priorities that shouldn't be
overlooked."

New Democrat candidate Zeni Maartman meanwhile called on Lunney to
support NDP proposals to lift seniors out of poverty and help families
through tough times.

"It's a matter of priorities," Maartman said in a press release.
"Stephen Harper thinks it's more important to give massive tax
giveaways to corporations ... I hope James Lunney won't toe the
Conservative party line and instead puts seniors and families ahead of
corporate tax cuts."

Maartman said the prime minister was wrong to shut down
Parliament.

"People in Nanaimo Alberni expect their government to get to work and
help them through tough times," she said.

"People are appalled that the Conservatives shut down Parliament while
so many Canadians are out of work, and so many seniors are living in
poverty."