Now that the province has come to the table with funds it is time for the federal government to step up.

Unfortunately for Simcoe North, MP Bruce Stanton doesn't believe this is a priority.

Mr. Stanton claims that 'this issue is not within the jurisdiction of the federal government and that the province should not be trying to pass off their responsibility.'

For numerous reasons this argument doesn't hold water.

The federal government has a duty to provide funds to clean the West street site. It was the federal government that contributed to the contamination of the site during The Second World War. In the last federal election, Karen Graham received a commitment from then Minister of National Defence Bill Graham, to provide funding to clean up the Brownfield site had the liberal party formed the government.

Mr. Stanton's argument that the MURF site is not within federal jurisdiction is quite quizzical as it was his leader that was criticized this week for mingling in the provincial jurisdiction of healthcare by announcing a wait time study at Sick Kid's Hospital. I am to assume that the MURF isn't in federal jurisdiction because it is not a priority for Mr. Stanton.

Mr. Stanton the money given to the MURF by the province is a step in the right direction. You should have praised the announcement and offered to fight for federal dollars.

In my opinion, the completion of the MURF will yield a greater impact for the health of our citizens and the economic prosperity of our city then what seems like your only priority, the increased spending of tax dollars on the waterway that your resort backs on to.

Once again Mr. Stanton has clearly showed to his constituents that he is not a representative of Simcoe North to Parliament, but a Conservative member that refuses to put his riding ahead of partisan politics.

Chris Ethier