May 18, 2012

Victoria Day

Today marks the start of the Victoria Day long weekend across Canada, signalling the unofficial start of summer! Fireworks displays and parades are planned, many barbeques will be firing up across Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, and campsites and beaches will be packed with people, eager to enjoy the nice weather. Something I always look forward to this time of year is the opening of local farmer’s markets and they are ready for the long weekend. Let’s support our local growers and vendors by shopping at these great little markets you’ll find right across the riding. However you choose to celebrate, I wish you and your family a very happy and safe Victoria Day long weekend.

Positive Job Numbers

We received some good news last week regarding unemployment numbers. Statistics Canada announced 58,200 net new jobs were created across the country in April, the largest increase in monthly employment in the past 30 years and almost 6 times what economists had forecast. Large gains were seen in the private sector, particularly in manufacturing, with most being full-time jobs. April’s strong job growth and the over 750,000 net new jobs created in Canada since July 2009 (90% full-time jobs and over 80% in the private sector) are both positive signs that Canada’s economy is seeing more positive growth. It’s interesting to note as well, that the employment rate in Canada is now a full 4.2% higher than in the U.S.

Technology Company Re-locating to Wallaceburg

Wallaceburg received some good news this week. Edge EDM Technologies Inc. has outgrown its facility in Lambton County and will be re-locating to Wallaceburg, adding employees and lots of space. I congratulate Edge EDM and all the people who worked behind the scenes to help this business with its expansion plans. We were happy to meet with the company and wish them all the success in the future.

Have Car, Will Travel

It was announced this week that starting June 1 ^st of this year, Canadian residents will be able to bring a rental vehicle into Canada from the U.S. This new cross-border access initiative is important for tourism and safety purposes. It’s just the latest in a series of initiatives our government has undertaken to make travel easier, including new regulations to ensure truth in airfare advertising, and using NEXUS cards to expedite screening at airports when travelling to the U.S.

A Couple of Reminders!

Our penny-pinching fundraiser continues, to support local hospitals. If you have some pennies you’d like to get rid of, drop them off at one of our offices in Strathroy or Wallaceburg or at any of the businesses displaying Bev’s blue buckets.

And our deadline for applications for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal is fast approaching...it’s May 31 ^st !  Thanks for all the submissions so far.

Until next time.

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