Water pipe upgrade an economic stimulus

re. Water pipe upgrade plan rejected

Here we have a perfect example of where our governments can take positive action to benefit the citizens. Firstly, if the federal and/or provincial governments would get behind a project to eliminate lead contamination from outdated plumbing, people would benefit directly.

Secondly, because the work has to be done in place by local workers, it would provide a local economic stimulus to help undercut the impact of a recession.

Thirdly, it would create a demand for more plumbers, giving apprenticeship opportunities to our youth.

Sadly our governments have forgotten the lesson of the Great Depression - that cutting spending during a recession only makes it worse - and are already responding to speculation about a possible recession by tightening their belts. In a way that is understandable, because it is easier to calculate the cost of a deficit than it is to measure the impact on our citizens.

However, as JFK once observed, we shouldn't be doing things just because they are easy. It is doing the difficult things that brings out the best in us. We should expect our governments to rise to the occasion, to do what is right for the people they serve and not just respond to budget predictions.

Gary Dale