Did You Know...? - Edition 17

November 13, 2009

That… Statistics Canada reported that employment in Canada fell in October which saw the unemployment rate increase to 8.6%. These job losses are unfortunate and Our Government is working to ensure that Canadians who have lost their jobs have access to skills training and/or extended EI benefits if they need them. While overall employment in Canada fell, employment grew in the construction sector by 11,200 jobs, reinforcing the positive impact of our Government’s infrastructure projects underway across Canada. Over the last three months, fulltime employment in Canada has risen by 104,600 jobs while the United States has shed over 500,000 jobs. The U.S. unemployment rate is now 1.6 percentage points higher than Canada’s rate (10.2 versus 8.6). For the first time in a generation, Canada’s unemployment rate is over 1 percentage point lower than the U.S rate and this gap continues to grow.

That… Minister Ritz congratulated Farm Credit Canada on the Drive Away Hunger campaign. This October, the FCC led their annual food drive right across Canada, which resulted in the collection of 1,627,617 pounds of food for local food banks. On top of that, they also donated $25,000 to Food Banks Canada to support their National Food Sharing System. It started five years ago when an FCC employee in an Ontario office organized a tractor tour to raise awareness and collect donations for his local food bank. Every year this effort increased, and now, employees in every FCC office across Canada partner with local community groups, schools, food banks, and citizens to raise funds, food, and awareness of the issue of hunger. The annual Drive Away Hunger campaign has brought in more than 3.5 million pounds worth of food donations since it began in 2004. On behalf of the Government of Canada, and of all who will benefit from their efforts this year, thank you to all FCC employees, their partners and supporters for this truly commendable effort. 

That… Prime Minister Stephen Harper participated in the presentations of the newly-created Sacrifice Medal at Rideau Hall.  Forty-six medals were bestowed in the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. The Sacrifice Medal was created to provide a lasting form of recognition for the members of the Canadian Forces as well as other eligible recipients who have been wounded or killed in action, and to Canadian Forces members who have been serving under Canadian military command since October 7, 2001, and who have died as a result of service.

That… Prime Minister Harper attended the inaugural True Patriot Love Tribute dinner, honouring the Canadian armed forces and their families. The True Patriot Love Foundation was founded by corporate and community leaders dedicated to raising funds for programs to improve the well-being and morale of members of the Canadian military and their families, and to honour their selfless service. Proceeds from the dinner will be donated to the Canadian Military Families Fund which provides assistance to military families who are faced with unforeseen and often immediate needs that arise due to conditions of service. Prime Minister Stephen Harper later announced that the Government will make a contribution of $250,000 to the Military Families Fund (MFF) on behalf of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Instead of the customary official gift offered upon Royal visits, Their Highnesses asked that a contribution be made to an organization that supports military personnel and their families.

That… The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the introduction of legislation to end sentence discounts for multiple murders. The new legislation would allow judges to impose consecutive parole ineligibility periods on individuals convicted of more than one first- or second-degree murder. Under the current system, individuals convicted of multiple murders serve their parole ineligibility periods concurrently. First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 25 years. Second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no eligibility for parole for a minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of 25 years. An online version of the legislation is available at http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&Session=22&query=5942&List=toc

That… H1N1 vaccines are being offered to members of the Canadian Forces and Canadian civilian personnel deployed in Afghanistan. Vaccination to detainees would be based on medical need, and at this point, there is no plan to vaccinate detainees. No H1N1 vaccine has been provided to any detainee.  Ensuring that Canadians get vaccinated is our first priority. By the end of this week more than 8.5 million doses of H1N1 vaccine will have been delivered to the provinces and territories; there is enough vaccine for all priority groups. There will be sufficient H1N1 vaccine available in Canada for everyone who needs and wants to be immunized. 

That… The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, welcomed the granting of Royal Assent on Bill C-25, legislation that strictly limits the amount of credit granted for time served in custody prior to conviction and sentencing. Once this legislation comes into force, the courts will be provided with clear sentencing guidance and limits for granting credit for pre-sentencing custody. Bill C-25 received support from provincial and territorial governments, victims' associations and police forces from across the country during the legislative process.

That… The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the Government will introduce legislation to provide tougher sentences for fraud, to help combat white-collar crime. The government is committed to creating a two-year mandatory jail sentence for fraud over $1 million and adding new aggravating factors that can be considered when handing down sentences in fraud cases. The proposed legislation would also require judges to consider requiring offenders to make restitution to victims in all fraud cases.  For more information visit: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&Session=22&query=5934&List=toc

That… Minister Kenney is unveiling a new study guide entitled Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. The study guide is for the 150,000 immigrants who write the citizenship test each year. Compared to the old guide, Discover Canada offers more information about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship, better highlights the sacrifices made by Canada's veterans, and promotes a deeper understanding of Canada's history, symbols and values.
Immigrants come to Canada from all over the world to seek Canadian citizenship. The citizenship test is also being revised to reflect changes to the study guide. For more information visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2009/2009-11-12.asp

That… Canadian farmers produce the safest high-quality food in the world and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz led a mission to Japan to create new export opportunities by meeting with newly elected officials and kickstarting the Brand Canada Initiative in Japan with an initial investment of $1 million. Minister Ritz raised Canada’s long-standing request for greater access for Canadian beef in the Japanese market. Access for Canadian beef exports to Japan are currently restricted to products from animals under 21 months of age. During the mission, Minister Ritz met with Alberta Provincial Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld who was leading a provincial delegation in Japan.