Liberal leadership candidate pitches travel tax credit to Islanders

Federal Liberal leadership candidate Martin Cauchon was on P.E.I. over the weekend to share his "vision" and proposed policies for a future Canada, which included a travel tax credit aimed at encouraging Canadians to explore the rest of the country.

Cauchon visited with the province's French community as well as meeting with the UPEI Student Union and some professors from the university.

"It was a great meeting with some very good questions," Cauchon said of the UPEI meeting. "We're planning on coming back (to P.E.I.) one more time before the end of the campaign."

Cauchon also held a meet-and-greet with P.E.I. Young Liberals and later with party supporters before leaving the province Saturday afternoon for a leader's debate Sunday in Halifax.

Much of Cauchon's discussions in P.E.I. were focused around a travel tax credit policy he announced earlier in the week.

The policy he's calling the "Canada First Travel Tax Credit," would aim to encourage Canadians to discover their own country by providing up to $2,000 per family.

"We're all deeply Canadian but a lot of people haven't had a chance to visit the country... it's sort of a way to make sure people discover the fantastic Canada we have," he said, adding that the policy's mechanics would have to be looked at to ensure the credit would be serving its purpose.

Cauchon added that reaction to the proposed credit has been "good."

Others proposed policies have included improving regional development as well as providing large-band Internet access across Canada.

"We need to increase productivity and diversify our market," said Cauchon. "That's what large-band access is about."

"My strongest asset is experience," - Martin Cauchon

Cauchon added that he's also proposing a free trade agreement with China. While the country is Canada's largest Asian trading partner, it is not part of the proposed Trans-Pacific partnership.

While Cauchon said he believes Canada should also enter the TPP, he said it should also pursue relations with China beyond the recently signed FIPA (Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement).

"The next step is really to sign a free trade agreement (with China)," he said.

While Cauchon was the last candidate to join the leadership race and is not a sitting MP, he is a familiar face to many Canadians as a former federal cabinet minister.

Cauchon said his seven years sitting as a federal cabinet minister, a position none of the other candidates can claim, make him the most qualified for the Liberal leadership.

"My strongest asset is experience," said Cauchon, who was justice minister responsible for legislating same sex marriage and also proposing an early form of marijuana decriminalization.

Cauchon was also minister responsible for Customs Canada when the attack on the World Trade Centre happened Sept. 11, 2001 and participated in the early stages of beginning the smart border between Canada and the US. This included launching CANPASS.

The Liberal leadership race will end on April 14, 2013.

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