July 22, 2014

Gas Tax Funds Helping Communities Across L-K-M

Communities in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and right across the country have received some great news. The first installment of the annual Gas Tax Funds is being delivered. As part of the New Building Canada Plan, the renewed Gas Tax Fund provides predictable, long-term, stable funding to help Canadian municipalities build and revitalize their local public infrastructure while creating jobs and long term prosperity. Our government has made significant improvements to the GTF since 2006. It has been extended, doubled from $1 billion to $2 billion annually, and has become permanent funding. The rules have also been loosened up a bit this year, so municipalities have even more freedom to choose which projects they want to focus on.

National Conservation Plan (view video on main page)

Canada Summer Jobs Program in Full Swing

Students in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex are gaining some valuable work experience while earning some extra money for school as recipients of funds under our government’s Canada Summer Jobs program. This year, close to 70 employers across the riding have hired just over 100 students thanks to the CSJ program. I’ve had the opportunity the past couple of weeks to meet with many of them. It’s great to chat with so many outgoing, intelligent and motivated young people who are also very thankful to our government for this opportunity. Canada Summer Jobs provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create summer job opportunities for students between the ages of 15 and 30.

Proud to Be Canadian Photo Contest

I’m pleased to announce the winners of my Proud to be Canadian Photo Contest were Doug and Dawn Manning from Dresden! They had the most likes for their “Canadian cuties” picture and receive a large Canadian flag in a decorative wooden box. Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

The winning picture! Clark, Georgia and Sarabeth…three “Canadian cuties.”

Did You Know?

-The federal Gas Tax Fund is the largest component of the New Building Canada Plan, which will provide $53 billion in funding to communities across Canada over the next decade.
-A great source for interactive information and tools to help you save, plan and pay for post-secondary education is www.CanLearn.ca
-My offices in Strathroy and Wallaceburg will send out your completed passport applications for you, Expresspost, on Friday afternoons, free of charge.

Until next time,

Bev Shipley, M.P., Lambton-Kent-Middlesex