Did You Know...? - Edition 81

March 04, 2011

Did You Know That… Recently, Minister Day and Minister Blackburn tabled the 2011-12 Main Estimates, which showed a decrease in expenditures of over $10 billion from last year. Your Government’s top priority remains the economy. With the economic recovery still fragile, your Government is focused on creating jobs and economic growth by keeping taxes low. We know that reckless new spending will lead to higher taxes that kill jobs and hurt families. That is why we are committed to ending the stimulus measures as we prepare for the next phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan. We will keep taxes low and ensure that Government spending is prudent and affordable. Recently your Government announced that – for the first time in over a decade – the funding needed to sustain the Government has decreased by over $10 billion. This is due to the wrapping up of stimulus measures and avoiding reckless new spending commitments. As a result of our responsible decisions, your Government will continue to keep taxes low for families, workers and job creators. For more information: http://www.conservative.ca/press/other_stories/harper_government_priorities__low_taxes_fiscal_prudence

Did You Know That… Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a Congressional committee that the White House absolutely supports using more oil from Alberta oil sands:”I am generally supportive of receiving more oil from Canada“ (Calgary Herald, March 2, 2011). The oil sands are a strategic resource that will contribute to energy security for Canada, North America and the world for decades to come. With some 144,000 direct and indirect jobs associated with oil sands development, and accounting for more than half of Canada’s oil exports, the oil sands are crucial to the health of Canada’s economy. We recognize the environmental challenges of developing the oil sands. We are committed to working with all levels of government and industry to ensure the oil sands are developed in a responsible manner.

Did You Know That… Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, released the following statement calling on Opposition members to support Bill C-575, the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, which passed 2nd Reading and was sent to committee. “This is a serious and important issue. The men and women of First Nations reserves across Canada have the right to know what their elected officials, just like other elected officials at federal, provincial and municipal levels across the country, are receiving from the band’s bank account. If passed, Bill C-575 will create legislation to disclose the remuneration paid to councillors and chiefs subject to the Indian Act. By establishing a clear, consistent standard for the financial disclosure of salaries and reimbursement of expenses of elected officials, we will enable citizens to make informed decisions. Bill C-575 will be another important tool to support First Nation governments in delivering more reliable and effective services to their constituents. First Nation citizens deserve to know what their leadership receives in salaries and benefits and I call on all Members of the House to vote in favour of this bill and support First Nation communities.” For more information: http://kellyblock.ca/

Did You Know That… Recently the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice, tabled the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Regimes Act in Parliament aimed at freezing Canadian assets of repressive foreign leaders. Recent events in the Middle East and the region of North Africa are a clear indication that the world can change from one moment to another. That's why it's so important to have laws in place enabling us to respond quickly to new situations. The Freezing Assets of Corrupt Regimes Act will address the existing gap in our laws so that the Canadian assets of repressive foreign leaders could be rapidly frozen under certain circumstances. This legislation will allow Canada to act upon the request of a foreign state to freeze the assets that these leaders and members of their entourage, including family members, senior officials and associates, may have placed in Canadian financial institutions. It will also give Canada the authority to seize any property such individuals may own in this country. The legislation stipulates that, in order to freeze such assets, the foreign state would have to make a written request and assert that the property has been misappropriated from the state or inappropriately acquired by virtue of the person's office or family connection. If these conditions are met, assets would be frozen for a certain period to permit the foreign state to initiate the necessary proceedings to allow for seizure and forfeiture under other applicable Canadian laws. For more information: http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2011/089.aspx?lang=eng

Did You Know That… Recently, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Government will invest in Pathways to Education Canada, to support the expansion to new communities and encourage youth at risk to access post-secondary education. Your Government remains focused on the economy and helping Canadians build better futures. That is why we are investing over $20 million to Pathways to Education Canada – an investment that will encourage and increase access in post-secondary education among low income individuals, particularly youth at risk and expand the program into new communities across Canada. Your Government’s investment is helping students pursue post-secondary education to get better jobs and promising futures – whether it be trade school, college, or university. Supporting programs like Pathways is part of your Government’s ongoing investments to create the best-educated, most-skilled and most flexible labour force in the world. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, families and young Canadians can count on your Government to give them a hand-up and support to build better futures. For more information: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=4012&featureId=6&pageId=26

Did You Know That… Recently, Minister Finley and Senator Fortin-Duplessis announced that your Government is investing in hundreds of projects to improve facilities and services for Canadians with disabilities through the Economic Action Plan. Your Government recognizes the abilities of all Canadians and celebrates the progress we have made as a society towards the full inclusion of people with disabilities. For Canadians with disabilities, day-to-day living can provide unique challenges that can be difficult for others to understand. That is why your Government is investing $14.2 million for 297 projects across the country as part of the Enabling Accessibility Fund. Your Government’s investment in the Enabling Accessibility Fund will support community-based projects across Canada that improve accessibility and enable Canadians, regardless of physical ability, to participate in and contribute to their communities and the economy. Through real action, your Government will continue to stand up for Canadians with disabilities and do more to improve their quality of life. For more information: