460c Ted Menzies, MP - Macleod - Did you know...? - Edition 109
Did you know...? - Edition 109
December 16, 2011
Did You Know That… The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, announced the launch of the next phase of the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program.  Our government received a strong mandate from Canadians to continue making our streets and communities safe.  We are proud to announce that the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program will continue to support this mandate by helping to reduce hate crime incidents, and helping people feel safer in their schools, places of worship and community centres.   This program will continue to help reduce hate crime and make our streets and communities safer, as well as continue to build the resilience of our communities against all forms of violence.  It will help ensure community members can practice their faith, culture, and activities peacefully, without fear of harm.  Our Government will not allow hate crimes to undermine our way of life, which is based on diversity and inclusion.   For more information: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2011/nr20111215-1-eng.aspx?rss=false


Did You Know That… The Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that our government has declared a voluntary evacuation of all Canadians from Syria. This comes as Arab League sanctions against Syria come into force. These sanctions are expected to decrease the number of commercial options available to leave the country.  The situation in Syria continues to deteriorate. With additional sanctions imposed by the Arab League reducing flights out of Damascus taking effect today, there may soon be fewer options for Canadians in Syria to leave safely.  We urge Canadians to leave Syria immediately, by any available means and while options exist.  To help, our government has directed officials to undertake a voluntary evacuation over the next month.  Essentially, this will open an express lane across government departments to help Canadians obtain the documentation they need to leave Syria.  As the security situation evolves, embassy services may be reduced without warning. We therefore urge Canadian citizens, their spouses and dependent children to apply for travel documents.  As we have said before, the time to leave Syria is now.  For more information: http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2011/376.aspx?lang=eng&view=d


Did You Know That… The Honourable, Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, returned from the Durban climate change conference and delivered an update to Canadians on the progress reached during the annual summit.   Canada is committed to working together to address climate change in a way that is fair, effective and comprehensive, and allows us to continue to create jobs and growth in Canada.   We believe that a new agreement, with legally binding commitments for all major emitters represents the path forward.  The Durban Platform builds on our work at Copenhagen and Cancun.  Our government has taken action since 2006 to make real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.  For more information:  http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=E18C8F2D-1

Did You Know That… The Government welcomed the third round of Canada-India free trade negotiations taking place in Delhi from December 13 to 16, 2011. Our Government’s top priority remains the economic recovery and creating jobs. We are committed to building on our already strong ties with India to create a partnership that will lead to new opportunities and stronger economies in both countries.  And we welcomed the third round of Canada-India free trade negotiations.  Our two countries are committed to an ambitious schedule for negotiations and Canada is aiming to conclude negotiations in 2013.  The Canada-India Joint Study Report concluded that free trade could boost Canada’s economy by at least $6 billion, increase bilateral trade with India by 50 per cent, and directly benefit Canadian businesses and workers.   Over the last five years, Canada has concluded new trade agreements with nine countries and is holding ongoing negotiations with close to 50 others.  For more information: http://www.international.gc.ca/media_commerce/comm/news-communiques/2011/375.aspx?lang=eng&view=d


Did You Know That… Western Canadian wheat and barley farmers finally have the freedom to market their wheat or barley to the buyer of their choice following the Royal Assent of the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act.  They can now forward contract for the delivery of wheat and barley to the Canadian Wheat Board or the buyer of their choice for delivery after August 1, 2012.  With the passing into law of the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, the first steps are in place to remove the monopoly, unleashing the true economic potential of the prairie grain sector. The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) will be a voluntary marketing option for farmers, supported by the Government as it transitions to a privately owned entity.  Working with the CWB, farmers, the grain value chain and provincial partners, the Government of Canada is implementing an orderly transition to market freedom which includes a viable, voluntary CWB, as part of an open and competitive Canadian grain.  For more information please visit: www.agr.gc.ca/freedom


For further information, please contact:
The office of Ted Menzies at (613) 995-8471
For further information about Government updates and news in the Riding please visit my website at: www.tedmenzies.ca
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