Helping our Industries to be More Competitive

I was pleased to have the opportunity this week to announce $5 Million in funding to help Canadian manufacturers compete globally. The contribution through FedDev Ontario’s Prosperity Initiative will allow the Yves Landry Foundation to expand its Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) program to meet the needs of exporting and export-ready manufacturers, including those right here in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. The Foundation’s training is designed to upgrade the skills of people working for small and medium-sized companies. Eligibility requirements, the application and further details can be found at www.yveslandryfoundation.com



Bev with workers from Armo-Tool Inc. in Middlesex Centre,
where the Prosperity Initiative was announced this week.

Too Much Red Tape for Small Businesses

Any small business owner will tell you, red tape can be a real burden, killing jobs and limiting economic growth. Our government has already reduced the paper burden for small businesses by 20 per cent across government departments. Last week, Prime Minister Harper announced the Red Tape Reduction Commission with a new rule. Under the One-for-One Rule, every time the Government adopts a new regulation, it must eliminate at least one existing regulation. You can find out more at www.reducingpaperburden.gc.ca

Canada Summer Jobs 2012

It’s time to think about summer! Canada Summer Jobs is an initiative that helps employers create summer jobs for students. The initiative provides funding to not-for-profit, public-sector and small private-sector employers with 50 or fewer employees to create summer jobs for those aged 15 to 30 who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year. Last summer in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, 92 area students were employed under the Canada Summer Jobs Program, with 67 local employers benefiting. The application period runs from February 1 to February 29, 2012. Interested organizations can apply online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/csj2012

Forum for Young Canadians

In a few short weeks, a hundred or so high school students from across Canada will meet in Ottawa to discuss important youth priorities, meet members of Parliament and share in an unforgettable experience during the Forum for Young Canadians. Young leaders who have an interest in government and who are involved in the community can apply to the program, which brings students to Parliament Hill to meet MPs, Ministers, Senators, journalists, lobbyists and youth like themselves from across the country. There are two, one-week sessions in Ottawa, from February 26 to March 2 and from March 25 to 30, with spaces filling up fast. For more information, call (613) 233-4086 or visit www.forum.ca

Happy 50th Anniversary

This week, the Canadian Coast Guard celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Although its heritage can be traced back to a time before Confederation, the current Canadian Coast Guard was created by the Diefenbaker Government on January 26, 1962. The organization now includes a workforce of roughly 4,500 dedicated employees and a fleet of 116 vessels and 22 helicopters. After 50 years of dedicated service, the Canadian Coast Guard is truly a symbol of sovereignty, safety and security. Congratulations Canadian Coast Guard!

Citizenship Fraud Tip Line

You will often hear me say, we are living in the best country in the world and we should all feel very proud to call ourselves Canadians. That’s why so many people want to come to this great country to live. Canada is a generous nation, welcoming of immigrants, but it is not a country that will tolerate abuse of our immigration system. With information gained from our Government’s Citizenship fraud tip line and other sources, we will be taking the unprecedented step of revoking the Canadian Citizenship of 2,100 people from over 100 countries. Another 4,400 people were under investigation for residency fraud, but 1,400 of them have withdrawn or abandoned their applications in the face of increased scrutiny. The tip line can be reached at 1-888-242-2100, or by heading to [email protected] .

Reminder-
Passport Office on the Move

Once again, I’d like to remind you that the London Passport Office is moving. Today (January 27th) is the last day for the current location at York and Colborne. On Monday, (January 30th) the Passport Canada office opens in London’s Cherryhill Mall, at 301 Oxford Street West with lots of free parking and better accessibility.
Until next time.

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