A New Session of Parliament

Members of Parliament are back in Ottawa! Prime Minister Stephen Harper came out strong again on Monday outlining our Government’s priorities going forward.

• balancing the budget
• creating jobs and opportunities
• providing further tax relief for Canadian families
• supporting and protecting Canadian communities
• continuing to stand up for Canadian values abroad

There will be some who say they’ve heard it all before, or that change is needed. Let me be clear. The important issues for Canadians are having a job, lower federal taxes (we have reduced taxes by $3200 per year for an average family) a strong economy, and safe communities, and those will continue to be our priorities. In such an uncertain world, stability, economic strength and a strong leader on the national and international stage are essential. That is what we have in our current Government. I will continue to work hard every day for all of you, the constituents of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, and as always, thank you very much for your ongoing support.

Small Business Credit

You will hear me say time and time again that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. That is why I was so pleased to see the recent introduction of the Small Business Credit, which will lower small businesses’ EI premiums by 15% beginning January 1, 2015, saving them about $550 million dollars. These savings will help small businesses in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex hire more employees and grow our economy.

Legislation to End Pay-to-Pay Billing

Many of us have been frustrated to see that more and more, companies in the telecommunications sector are charging consumers for the “right” to have a paper bill sent to them in the mail. Just like you, we don’t think it’s right that people should have to pay more to receive a paper copy of their home phone or cellphone bill. That’s why our government has announced it will introduce legislation to end such pay-to-pay billing practices in the telecommunications sector. We believe that businesses have a responsibility to meet the needs of Canadians and not to take advantage of them.

Fall Fairs

While some have already come and gone, other Fall Fairs continue across Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. These events are a great opportunity to get out and embrace our rural communities and heritage. I am always so impressed with our young fair ambassadors. I am pleased to see the youth of our communities learning about agriculture and our regional businesses and discovering the importance of them to Canada’s well-being and prosperity. Keep up the great work!

Did You Know?

-The Canadian Foodgrains Bank, in 2013-14, made available 42 million dollars that reached 1.3 million people in 42 countries. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed.

-Personal taxes at the federal level are the lowest they have been in more than 50 years!

-For the seventh year in a row, the World Economic Forum has rated Canada’s banking system the world’s soundest.

-I’ve dusted off the red pumps and am getting ready again for the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in Strathroy this Saturday, September 20th at 10am. We start at Kenwick Plaza. This fun event is in support of the Women’s Rural Resource Centre. Come out and cheer us on!

Until next time,

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