June 19, 2013

Getting Things Done for all Canadians

Our government continues to work hard to pass legislation which is consistent with your priorities. I’ve heard time and time again that your number one priority is creating and protecting jobs . That is why I am so pleased to report that Canadian employers, supported by positive government policies created 95,000 new jobs in May; the biggest monthly gain in 11 years, with most of the increase in full-time, high-paying jobs. That makes a total of 1 million net new jobs since July, 2009.

There is a very helpful job site set up by Service Canada. You can access the job bank at www.jobbank.gc.ca The site even includes a job alerts service where jobs that match your criteria are emailed to you twice a day.

As of today, Parliament is in summer recess, giving me the opportunity to be in the riding. I hope to see you in my travels and if there are any groups or organizations that would like to meet, I would be more than happy to talk to you or to meet with you. Call my Strathroy office to set up a date and time 519-245-6561.

An Important Anniversary in the World of Agriculture

One of the country’s longest-running and most respected youth organizations, 4-H Canada, just celebrated its 100 ^th anniversary. The Government of Canada has been a supporter of 4-H Canada for over 78 years. Having been involved with 4-H myself for many years, and coming from a farming background, I commend the organization for its great work in growing the farm leaders of tomorrow.

Call for Proposals for New Horizons Funding

Our government is seeking applications for projects that help seniors use their leadership abilities, energy and skills that will continue to make a difference in their communities through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The call for proposals for community-based projects through this very popular program is only open until July 5 ^th , 2013. You can find out more at www.seniors.gc.ca

Senate Issues

I’ve received calls, emails and letters asking me what I think about issues that have attracted a good deal of news coverage over the past few weeks. For everyone’s benefit, let me take this opportunity to respond.

In terms of the Senate, it has always operated separately from the House of Commons. They have their own rules and overview positions. Obviously, there is need for reform – something that our Conservative Government has been trying to do since 2006. Unfortunately the opposition parties have voted against our efforts.

Regarding the matters you’ve been hearing about through the media recently, I will only say these matters are being investigated by the Ethics Commissioner, the R.C.M.P. and the Senate’s Board of Internal Economy. If anyone is found to have contravened the rules, they will face the full consequences of their actions. However, until the process and the investigations are complete it would be inappropriate for me, or anyone else for that matter to comment, offer an opinion, or speculate. I am confident that once the investigative process of the Senate is complete, Canadians will be satisfied.

Meanwhile, that does not mean implementing reforms has to be put off. On the contrary, the Senate has already brought in 11 recommendations to increase accountability moving forward. This will build on our Conservative government’s commitment to accountability. As many of you will recall in 2006 our very first piece of legislation was the Federal Accountability Act. This was landmark legislation and it works. Our Conservative Government has also brought forward a legitimate plan to reform the Senate, a reform plan which will provide term-limits for senators who are selected through democratic elections. Currently this Bill is in the form of a reference before the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Prime Minister Talks Trade

I was honoured and pleased to have been invited by Prime Minister Harper to accompany him on a trade trip to Peru and Columbia last month. As you know, trade talks with the European Union are in the final stages of negotiations as well. These talks are very complex and detailed and we are looking forward to them wrapping up in the near future. We have always been clear. These negotiations have to be in the best interest of Canada. One of our government’s top priorities is to lessen our dependence on trade with the United States and to expand as well as diversify trade globally. This will support our efforts to create and protect jobs in Canada and open new markets for Canadian business and agriculture products.

Touring a Local Strawberry Farm

Thanks very much to Peter and Ellen Jennen and their farm manager Odean Stanley for giving me a tour of their incredible strawberry operation in Wabash. The strawberries are grown in these tunnels, which makes growing possible from May through November. There’s a lot of progress being made on so many farms across Lambton-Kent-Middlesex right now. I commend all of you for your professionalism, your diligence, your innovation and your hard work!