Last month, the federal Liberals accused the Conservatives of "funneling 325 per cent more taxpayer dollars to Conservative ridings compared to non-Conservative ridings" in British Columbia. But that doesn't mean all of those non-Conservative ridings did without. For example, Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, which is represented by Grit parliamentarian Keith Martin, got $2.7 million -- more money than any other Liberal riding in the province. Although, in an interview on Public Eye Radio, federal Conservative candidate Troy DeSouza said he had a hand in getting that funding.

"When the infrastructure applications went out, a lot of people in the community came to me. They weren't getting any results from their member of parliament -- Mr. Keith Martin," he explained. "I've built relationships with a lot of decision-makers in the federal government over a number of years. And my opponent has obviously burnt relationships. So I felt it was my duty -- given a close election as well -- to work hard to get results done."

As part of that work, DeSouza said he contacted decision-makers in Ottawa to convince them, "These are important things. I hope to be a member of parliament. And I want to get this done in my community so I can show the people I can be effective on other issues to them as well.'"

But DeSouza said his success had little to do with his partisan credentials.

"I think it's knowing decision-makers," he said. "You could be an MP in opposition. But you've got to be able cross party lines a bit to get things done. There'll be a time when the Conservatives will not be in government. I don't like to think that's anytime soon. But certainly that will come. And you'll have to have opposition MPs that can reach out, talk to the decision-makers and get things done."

"And, certainly, there's always going to be some partisan-level to that. But if think that if we're trying to get things done we've got to move beyond the partisanship and start talking and making those connections to people. And I'm prepared to do that with Liberals, with New Democrats, with anyone to get things done."

Sean Holman publishes and edits Public Eye Online where this post first appeared.