52e7 Ted Menzies, MP - Macleod - Did you know...? - Edition 71
Did you know...? - Edition 71
December 17, 2010
Did You Know That… The Minister of Industry, Tony Clement announced your Government’s opposition to a massive new iPod Tax.  Your Government’s top priority remains the economy.   During this fragile economic recovery, the last thing Canadian families and consumers need is a massive new tax on iPods; a tax that would cost Canadian families and consumers up to $75 extra per iPod!  A new tax would also apply to personal computers, blackberries, cell phones, and any device that plays music.  Canadian families and consumers pay too much tax.  They do not need a massive new iPod tax.  Your government will protect families and consumers from higher taxes by fighting an iPod Tax.   Your Government is committed to ensuring fairness and balance for consumers and creators as we update Canada’s copyright laws.  An ‘iPod tax’ is not fair for anyone.  Your government’s copyright legislation (Bill C-32) includes new rights and protections to enable creators to prosper in a digital environment, and tough tools to help rights holders combat piracy.  For more information:  http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/06153.html?open&fromslide=yes

Did You Know That… The Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty responded to reports of the Government’s plans to create a framework for a new style of pension plan, being labelled as the Pooled Registered Pension Plan, (PRPP). This news comes just days in advance of the national Finance Ministers Meeting in Kananaskis, Alberta. The economy remains your Government’s top priority.  During this fragile economic recovery, Canadians want us to focus on creating jobs and economic growth.  They want us to provide stability, economic certainty and financial security.  That is why we are pleased to release details of an innovative new pension plan – the registered pooled pension plan.  Millions of Canadians do not have access to private sector pension plans because small businesses in Canada face significant challenges in offering pension plans to their employees or because they are self-employed.   The proposed new pension plan outlined will allow these businesses to team up and pool their resources using a registered financial institution and allow the self-employed to participate.   As a result, millions of Canadians who either work for small and medium-sized businesses or are self-employed will have access to good, affordable, secure pension plans for the first time.  The pooled registered pension plan will be the biggest step forward for retirement security since we introduced the Tax-Free Savings Account. 

Did You Know That…  Your government has an ongoing commitment to create and protect jobs through free, open and secure trade with the United States of America. Your Government always puts Canada’s interests first.  Since we took office, we have been focussed on creating jobs and economic growth through free, open and secure trade. That means keeping our shared border open to trade and investment, but closed to security and terrorist threats. More than $1.6 billion crosses the border every single day, creating jobs and opportunities for Canadians and Americans alike.   There are many important jobs and economic growth statistics on our border, such as: Canada is the top export destination for 34 American states; more trade flows between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan than through any other border crossing in the world; over 20 million American travelers spend over $7 billion in Canada every year; travellers from the United States represent 83% of arrivals into Canada; the US is the largest foreign investor in Canada and the most popular destination for Canadian investment; and a truck crosses the border carrying goods every 2 seconds.

Did You Know That… Eight bills introduced by your Government will be passed into law.   This fall, your Government’s number one priority was the economy.    We are pleased to see the Sustaining Canada’s Economic Recovery Act become law.  The legislation implements key measures from the Jobs and Economic Growth Budget.   Your Government is also pleased that other important legislation will become law to protect Canadian consumers, make our streets and communities safer, and improve the lives of Canadians and their families   While we have made some progress, much more remains to be done before the current Parliamentary session ends.   Government bills that will became law this week include: Sustaining Canada’s Economic Recovery -- Budget 2010 measures to implement the second phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan; Canadian Consumer Product Safety – tough new legislation to strengthen Canada's product safety laws and better protect Canadian consumers and their families; Eliminating Entitlements for Prisoners – terminates the payment of Old Age Security benefits to prisoners; Protecting Victims from Sexual Offenders – protects children against sexual predators on our streets; Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam – protects Canadian businesses and consumers from the most harmful and misleading forms of online threats; Gender Equity in Indian Registration – addresses a court ruling on gender discrimination in the Indian Act; Tax Conventions Implementation – implements Canada's tax treaties with Colombia, Greece and Turkey; and Appropriations bill for the fall Supplementary Estimates – provides information to Parliament on the Government’s spending requirements.  Earlier in the fall session, the following Government bills became law:  Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime – cracks down on auto theft and trafficking in property that is obtained by crime; Celebrating Canada's Seniors – creates a National Seniors Day to recognize the significant and continuing contributions seniors make to their families, communities, workplaces and society.  For more information: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&featureId=6&pageId=26&id=3847
       
Did You Know That… Nobel Laureates received the 2010 Nobel prizes in Oslo, Norway. For more than a century, the prestigious Nobel Prizes have been given annually to individuals and organizations who make outstanding contributions in chemistry, physics, literature, peace, economics and medicine.  Your government would like to congratulate the remarkable individuals from around the world who are being honoured with their Nobel prizes.  In particular, we would like to congratulate Liu Xiaobo of China for winning the Nobel Peace Prize.  Mr. Liu shares Canada’s commitment to peace, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law - and should be free to express his views.  While Canada values its strong relationship with China, we will continue to stand up for those denied basic human rights and the freedom of expression.  This year’s Nobel laureates include: U.S. scientist Richard F. Heck and Japanese scientists Ei-ichi Negishi and Akira Suzuki for chemistry; British biologist Robert G. Edwards in medicine; Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov for physics; Mario Vargas Llosa for literature; and Peter A. Diamond, Dale T. Mortensen and Christopher A. Pissarides in economics.  
                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did You Know That… Your Government is committed to a universal and public healthcare system, and to the Canada Health Act.  That is why we have increased transfers to provinces and territories by 6% per year so that they continue to provide Canadians with the healthcare they need.  We will continue to work with provinces, territories and health care professionals to look for ways to improve the health care system. We won’t balance the budget by cutting health care.  For more information: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/index-eng.php

Did You Know That…  Negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change wrapped up December 11th with the adoption of the Cancun Agreement.   Canada went to Cancun to advance a balanced approach between economic prosperity and environmental protection, and achieved that goal.  This is another positive step in putting the meat on the bone of the Copenhagen Accord, the only climate change agreement that includes all major emitters like China, India and the U.S.  Your government will never impose a carbon tax on Canadian families and businesses or side with China over Canada.   We will continue to work towards a realistic plan that includes all major emitters.  And we will continue to harmonize our action with the United States, to reduce GHGs and protect Canadian jobs.   For more information: http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=07DC4B18-C339-47E8-9213-8FFB70F98D59
Privacy Statement
0