Liberal MPs today attacked the latest Conservative propaganda tactic of putting signs in front of federal buildings that advertise the installation or study of other signs.
“Stephen Harper calls this stimulus?” said Liberal MP Wayne Easter. “First it was signs to advertise routine maintenance like replacing door-knobs. Now it’s signage that takes credit for signage. What’s next, a cheque presentation to pay for cheques? Advertising that advertises advertising?”
According to the Harper government’s Conservative-blue Economic Action Plan website, giant billboard signage takes credit for “a study of overhead signage” in Gatineau’s Place du Centre and “installation of interior/exterior signage” in Yellowknife’s Greenstone Government of Canada Building.
Liberal Treasury Board Critic Siobhan Coady asked if there was a single government building in Canada that didn’t get propaganda signage installed in front of it.
“I’m sure that public servants in Gatineau’s Portage III Complex are happy to have an ‘upgrade of water fountains’ and that ‘the detailed study of duct-cleaning’” will come in handy,” said Ms. Coady. “I just don’t know anyone who doesn’t think it’s a waste of public funds to advertise these projects.”
Liberal MP Marcel Proulx said that Canadians will see through this latest example of Harper government waste and partisan propaganda.
“Signs for signs follows a trend that is becoming all too familiar to Canadians,” said Mr. Proulx. “Forcing municipalities to pay a share of $45 million for signs that give only the federal government credit, spending $100 million on partisan advertising, and sticking Conservative logos on from everything from water bottles for school children to cheques for government announcements – its verging on the absurd.”
