Jim Flaherty on the Job

 Letter to the Editor

 Re: Finance minister’s currency appears to be losing value, Chantal Hebert, April 18, 2013.

 Dear Editor,

 Why on earth is columnist Chantal Hebert questioning the political currency of the sixth longest-serving Finance Minister in Canadian history, the senior statesman of the G7 and G8 and one of the architects of Canada’s recovery from the worst recession since the Great Depression?

 Ms. Hebert’s answer, “For a federal finance minister to drop off the parliamentary radar for a full month is rare.” What she failed to mention to your readers was that the House of Commons was on a two week break during that time so no MPs were in the House of Commons.

 As well, immediately following the tabling of the federal Budget on March 21^st, the Minister gave a speech in Vancouver and travelled to Hong Kong, Thailand and Bermuda to sell the budget, encourage investment in Canada and expand global trade. Following that the Minister met with his colleague from India, attended various high-level meetings, Finance Department briefings and promoted Canada to a group of international investors in Calgary. Minister Flaherty is now in Washington for the Spring International Monetary Fund – World Bank meetings with Finance Ministers from around the world.

 If Ms. Hebert was to look at the situation honestly and objectively, I am sure she would quickly conclude that while Minister Flaherty was not in his Commons seat for a few days, expanding Canada’s reach and reputation abroad was extremely worthwhile and an excellent investment of his time.

 If anything, I would suggest Minister Flaherty’s currency is appreciating in value each and every day, here in Canada and internationally.

 Sincerely, Dan Miles, Director of Communications, Minister Flaherty’s Office