November 22, 2013

Remembrance Day in the Riding

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Legion members and other volunteers across Lambton-Kent-Middlesex for organizing Remembrance Day services this year. We had 23 of them across the riding and it was so nice to see people of all ages attending, and in large numbers. On Remembrance Day itself, many people stood in the cold rain, in quiet reflection. Of course, it was a small hardship compared to what many of our soldiers have had to endure. While my wife Barb and I attended as many services as we could, we thank those individuals from many communities who stepped in to represent us at others. And special thanks also goes to my assistant Stephanie, for all of her hard work in organizing the delivery of Remembrance Day wreaths and participant’s schedules across the riding.

Canadians Helping Typhoon Victims

We’ve all been watching with disbelief and horror as news crews, humanitarian aid workers and members of the military make their way into some of the most devastated areas of the Philippines following the extremely powerful Typhoon which struck November 8 ^th . Experts, including NASA, claim it may be the most powerful tropical cyclone to ever make landfall. In areas that were hit, the devastation is complete and the need for help is desperate. As compassionate members of our global community, Canadians are reaching out to help. Our government continues to closely monitor the situation. We have sent in our specialized and well-respected Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to help provide the basic necessities of life to those who have been displaced. Also, for every eligible dollar donated by Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to Typhoon Haiyan, we will match their donation before December 9 ^th . For more information head to http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/humanitarian_response-situations_crises/haiyan/Fund-Fonds.aspx

A Trip to Washington

Following Remembrance Day services, I spent a few days in Washington, D.C. in my new role as Chair of the Agriculture Committee, alongside Rob Merrifield, Chair of International Trade and Ron Cannon, Co-Chair of the Canada-U-S Parliamentary Group. We were pressing for a resolution to U-S Country of Origin Labelling. The costs to Canadian livestock producers is approaching 1 billion dollars. The meetings were very productive and we will continue our efforts to overturn COOL.

Cracking Down On Cyberbullying

Our government introduced important legislation this week to address criminal behaviour associated with cyberbullying. This legislation demonstrates our firm commitment to ensuring that Canadians, especially our children, are better protected against online exploitation. Cyberbullying goes far beyond schoolyard bullying and, in some cases, can cross the line into criminal activity. The bill will make it a criminal offence to distribute sexually explicit images without a person’s consent and give police new tools to investigate internet crimes that don’t compromise privacy.

Did You Know?

-We currently have the lowest federal taxes here in Canada that we’ve had in 50 years.

-By 2015, our government will have paid off the deficit entirely and we will have a surplus.

-The new 5 and 10 dollar bills are out! There are now over 700 million of the new polymer notes in circulation.

Until next time.

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