April Showers Hopefully Bring Spring Planting…Soon
It’s good to see spring is here. It’s a time when all of us need to be conscious of large, agricultural equipment on the roads. I would also like to remind farmers to ensure they have the proper safety signs and lights in place so that drivers are aware of your presence, especially at night.
In Ottawa, the tulips on Parliament Hill and across the city are getting ready to bloom – a sight worth seeing! If your school, or your family will be visiting Ottawa, let me know as I’d be happy to meet up with you. The number for my Ottawa office is 613-947-4581.

Immigration Minister Visits L-K-M
I was honoured to welcome the federal minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multi-Culturalism, Jason Kenney to the riding earlier this month. We held a very productive roundtable discussion with members of the Portugese Canadian Club in Strathroy, and the Minister was our guest speaker at a gala fundraising event in Ailsa Craig. I’d also like to congratulate Minister Kenney who this week became the longest serving Immigration Minister in Canadian history! Great work, Jason!

Help for Local Seniors
It was great to spend the first two weeks of April in the riding. I had the opportunity to meet with a number of constituents and businesses across Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. I also visited several communities to discuss work being done to benefit seniors. Facility upgrades are being made at the Legion in Mount Brydges including the purchasing of a new sound unit for events like Remembrance Day services. The Komoka & Area 55+ Club is creating new weekly physical activities. Victim Services of Middlesex and the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation are working on increasing awareness of elder abuse, by educating and training police, older adults, families, friends and other service providers. And Friends of Ye Olde Town Hall in Ailsa Craig are upgrading their auditorium.

Bombings at the Boston Marathon
On Monday, like you, I was shocked to hear about the tragic bombings that took place during the Boston Marathon, and the lives lost as a result of this barbaric attack. Nearly 2,000 Canadians participated in the Marathon, including some from our area. My thoughts and prayers are with our neighbours to the south, particularly the families of those killed and injured. This type of cowardly act is totally unacceptable to Canadians and our government remains vigilant to protect our citizens from incidents like these.

Victims of Crime Awareness Week
Next week marks the 8th annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week. The theme this year is: We All Have a Role. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is launching a new website called needhelpnow.ca, to combat online bullying. The site will help youth cope with self/peer exploitation as well as provide help for them, so they know they are not alone. This initiative is to help combat online exploitation and reach out to teens before they hurt themselves.
By the way, I offer my full support to a Bill introduced this week by my colleague Mark Warawa called the “safe at home” act. This Bill deals with sex offenders who serve house arrest in the same neighbourhoods as their victims, re-victimizing them when they encounter each other in the community. It shouldn’t be allowed and we’re taking steps to change it.

Tax Deadline Is Approaching
Don’t forget your 2012 income taxes are due on or before April 30, 2013 . I don’t want to see anyone paying penalties, so make sure you get those in on time if you owe the government. The CRA website has lots of information to help you and you can even file online for FREE. www.cra-arc.gc.ca
Until next time.

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