Santa Claus Parades and Christmas Open Houses
It’s been wonderful to see so many of you out at various Santa Claus Parades across Lambton-Kent-Middlesex the past few weeks. They’re such a great opportunity to meet new people, chat with old friends, and I always enjoy seeing so many smiling faces, especially the kids!
We’re busy planning our Christmas Open Houses in Strathroy and Wallaceburg and hope you’ll be able to join us for some festive food, music and fun. The Strathroy Open House will be held at the Gemini Sportsplex December 18 th from 4-6pm with a free skate from 4-5. Wallaceburg’s Open House is December 19 th from 4-6pm at the First Baptist Church Hall on Thomas Ave.
First Nations Financial Transparency Act
Our government has delivered on a commitment to First Nations financial accountability and transparency. This week, we passed the First Nations Financial Transparency Act in the House of Commons and it has now moved on to the Senate. Once it receives Royal Assent, the Act will ensure that First Nations leaders are held to the same standard of accountability and transparency as other levels of government in Canada. The legislation will contribute to greater investor confidence which will lead to economic development opportunities, jobs and the kind of growth that creates healthier, more self-sufficient communities.
Saving More in Your Tax Free Savings Account
The amount Canadians can stash away each year in their Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) is increasing by $500 to $5,500 starting January 1 st , 2013. The accounts, which have been available since 2009, are a valuable savings tool for many Canadians. People use their TFSA’s for a range of investments, such as mutual funds, GIC’s, securities or simple savings accounts. They’re proving to be quite popular. 8.2 million Canadians have opened a TFSA and about 2.5 million contributed the maximum amount in 2011. To find out more about TFSA’s, head to http://goo.gl/TnVec
Canada Opposes the Palestinian Resolution
This week our government stood shoulder to shoulder with our friends in Israel and the United States in opposing a United Nations vote granting state status for Palestine. We believe the best way forward is a negotiated peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel which has at its core Israel’s right to exist, the security of its border and the safety of its citizens.
Food Safety in Canada
Ask anyone in Canada or abroad who knows and understands food safety and they will tell you that Canada has the safest food inspection system in the world. But you would never know that if you listened to the NDP, the Liberals and many in the media who continue to attack livestock producers and undermine consumer confidence in Canadian beef. This past week the NDP, the Liberals and the media claimed there were different inspection standards for beef sold in Canada and that which is sold for export, particularly in Japan and China. Let me be clear - Canadian food inspection standards (the most stringent in the world) are exactly the same for domestic and export markets. What they have confused are different processing lines which are used to separate beef by age where some countries, Japan in particular, only buys beef which is less than 20 months old. It only shows that the NDP, the Liberals and the media would rather attack our already hard-hit Canadian beef industry than understand the issues.
Parliamentary Guide Program
In my last e-newsletter, I told you about the Parliamentary Page Program, for students entering first year University in the Ottawa-area. The Parliamentary Guide Program is open to full-time University students from across the country. From Victoria Day to Labour Day, the Guides welcome and provide tours to hundreds of thousands of visitors, helping them understand and appreciate the history and functions of our country’s national legislature. The deadline to apply is January 15 th , 2013. Find out more at www.parl.gc.ca/guides .
Until next time.
Bev Shipley, M.P., Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
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