Did You Know....?
Did You Know That… Recently, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada will deploy CF-18 fighter jets to the Mediterranean. The men and women of Canada's Armed Forces deployed to the region will support the UN Resolution to protect Libyan citizens from the threat of further slaughter. Since the crisis in Libya first began, your Government has taken a strong and decisive position against the Gaddafi regime. Working closely with our allies, we have evacuated Canadian citizens, put in place tough sanctions, and called on the Gaddafi regime to stop the bloodshed and immediately step down. Recently, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution endorsing immediate action to protect Libyan citizens from the threat of further slaughter. Canada fully supports this resolution, and is taking the urgent action necessary to support it. The Prime Minister has consulted with the leaders of the opposition parties regarding the Government’s decision in this matter and committed to seek Parliament’s approval before extending the deployment beyond three months. The people of Libya are under threat from their own government because they have asked for freedom. As the Prime Minister said in a recent press release, “assisting them is a moral obligation upon those of us who profess this great ideal.” For more information: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&id=4052&featureId=6&pageId=26
Did You Know That…
Recently, Minister Lunn and Senator Smith, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced support for a new injury prevention initiative that will reach Canadian children and youth in the communities where they live and play. Your Government is committed to supporting families and communities across Canada and supporting families and communities is one of the themes of the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Recent head injuries in professional sports have garnered new discussion on the topic of keeping our kids safe in sports like hockey. Your Government is acting to create a prevention strategy with a focus on children and youth involved in sports like these. We believe in giving families a tax break for putting their kids in sports through the Child Fitness Tax Credit, and we want to keep more money in the pockets of moms and dads. In addition, our investments through the Recreational Infrastructure Program have renewed community arenas across the country for the next generation of Canadian hockey heroes. Your Government remains committed to families and encouraging children in sport. For more information: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2011/2011_0316-eng.php
Did You Know That…
At an event held in Winnipeg today, the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, met with stakeholders from across the rail-based freight supply chain to announce the Government of Canada’s response to the Rail Freight Service Review. The review was launched in 2008 to address ongoing issues with rail freight service, raised by users of the rail supply chain.“Our government is focused on the economy. By launching the Rail Freight Service Review, our government made a commitment to help ensure Canada has the rail system it needs to support a strong economy, and our domestic and international trade,” said Minister Merrifield. “Today we are following through on that promise with measures to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of the entire rail freight supply chain.”
The review was conducted in two phases. The first phase comprised analytical work to achieve a better understanding of the nature and extent of problems and best practices within the supply chain, including those experienced by shippers, terminal operators, ports and vessel operators, with a focus on railway performance. An independent panel, chaired by Walter Paszkowski, led the second phase, which included extensive consultations with stakeholders across the supply chain. The panel’s final report was also made public today. Your Government accepts the panel’s commercial approach and intends to implement a six-month facilitation process with shippers, railways and other stakeholders to negotiate a template service agreement and streamlined commercial dispute resolution process; Table a bill to give shippers the right to a service agreement to support the commercial measures; establish a Commodity Supply Chain Table, involving supply chain partners that ship commodities by rail, to address logistical concerns and develop performance metrics to improve competitiveness; and in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Transport Canada will lead an in-depth analysis of the grain supply chain to focus on issues that affect that sector and help identify potential solutions.
“Railways, farmers and all shippers depend on one another for their survival and profitability, and we’re making sure they have the tools they need to capture efficiencies and strengthen that partnership,” said Minister Ritz. “Today’s announcement is further evidence of our government’s consistent commitment to put farmers first and make sure the agriculture industry remains strong.”
“The Rail Freight Service Review has been a very important undertaking for Canada’s rail system, involving close consultation with key stakeholders,” said Minister Merrifield. “I would like to thank the panel for its diligent and thorough work. At the same time, I urge every stakeholder in the supply chain — including the railways and shippers — to work cooperatively to implement the commercial approach.” For more information: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/policy/acg-rfs-review-examen-sfm-rvw-eng-442.htm
Did You Know That… Recently, Minister Flaherty introduced the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to complete Canada’s economic recovery. Your Government is focused on the economy, supporting hardworking Canadians and their families and completing and securing the economic recovery. This is why we introduced the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan: a low-tax plan for jobs and growth. As part of the plan we will keep taxes low, undertake additional targeted investments to support jobs and growth, control government spending, and stay on track to eliminate the deficit. We will not cut transfer payments for crucial services like health care and education, nor will we give in to demands to impose massive tax increases. We are focused on securing our economic recovery and improving the financial security of Canadian workers, seniors and families. We have a plan to achieve these goals – a plan that is working – and we need to stay on track. We invite all parliamentarians to support our low-tax plan for jobs and growth. For more information: http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp
