'Normal' for Tory ridings to get more cash: Que. star candidate

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Conservative candidate Larry Smith introduces his leader Stephen Harper at a campaign rally in Montreal. (Canadian Press)It is "normal" for Conservative ridings to receive more cash from Ottawa than those with opposition MPs, a high-profile Tory candidate in Quebec said Thursday.

Larry Smith, a former CFL commissioner now running for the Conservatives in Montreal, said it is part of the political process for governments to be favourable to their supporters.

The Tories believe Smith represents their best chance at winning a seat on the island for the first time since 1988.

In making his case, Smith said his riding in western Montreal could expect more federal funding if it voted Conservative.

"If you look across the country where the Conservatives have had strong representation, a lot of projects have taken place," he said.

"But it's normal that you're going to focus on the areas with the people that do support you. That is part of political life."

Smith is running in Lac-Saint-Louis, which is considered one of the Liberal strongholds in Montreal. His Liberal opponent, Francis Scarpaleggia, has been a backbencher since being elected in 2004.

The Conservatives, meanwhile, have all but guaranteed Smith a seat at the cabinet table if he wins.

"I think people are legitimately concerned that there is no representation out of Ottawa from this riding," Smith told reporters during a quick break from his campaign.

He argued that little has been accomplished in the riding in the past eight years because it lacked a Tory MP.

Asked if that means it could expect nothing if doesn't vote blue on May 2, Smith responded that "the reality is if you're running a country as big as Canada, you'll probably spend more of your time with the people that support you."

© The Canadian Press, 2011

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