Did You Know...? Edition 113

February 10, 2012

Did You Know That… The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, together with the Province of Alberta, announced the implementation of our Government’s plan to monitor the oil sands.  The Government’s top priority remains completing the economic recovery.   With the global economy still fragile, Canadians gave us a strong mandate to implement our low-tax plan to create jobs and economic growth – a plan that is working.   Canada is fortunate to have abundant energy resources of all kinds. Energy represents roughly 7% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creates hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the country.  In order to ensure the sustainability of this resource, our Government and the Government of Alberta are officially launching one of the most transparent and accountable oil sands monitoring systems in the world.  In fact, scientific reports from our monitoring system will be available for the world to see. We challenge the international oil producing community to match Canada's commitment to environmental monitoring.  The Government will remain steadfast in our promotion of Canada and the oil sands as a stable, secure and ethical source of energy for the world.   For more information: http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=BC73B2E3-F93C-4294-A6BF-22C9DC689F7C

Did You Know That… The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, released the Government of Canada Counter-terrorism Strategy. Our Government is committed to keeping Canadians safe by fighting terrorism.  The Air India Bombing and the Toronto 18 demonstrate that Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorist activities on our soil.  The Government released its Counter-terrorism strategy: Building Resilience Against Terrorism: Canada’s Counter-terrorism Strategy.  The Counter-terrorism Strategy will help to prioritize the Government’s counter-terrorism efforts by: preventing individuals from engaging in terrorism; detecting the activities of individuals who may pose a terrorist threat; denying terrorists the means and opportunity to carry out their activities; responding proportionately, rapidly and in an organized manner to terrorist activities to mitigate their effects. With this announcement, our Government is once again showing our unwavering commitment to protecting Canadians from terrorism.  For more information: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2012/nr20120209-eng.aspx?rss=true

Did You Know That… The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, received the National Panel’s final report on First Nation elementary and secondary education.  The Government is working with First Nations to create jobs and growth in their communities.  Canadian aboriginals form Canada’s youngest population.  It is in all of our interests to see aboriginal people educated, skilled and employed.  In June 2011, the Government and the Assembly of First Nations launched the National Panel to explore solutions to improve First Nation elementary and secondary education.   Our priority, as identified in the Canada-First Nations Joint Action Plan, is to provide First Nation students with quality education that enables them to acquire the skills they need to enter the labour market and be full participants in a strong Canadian economy.  This priority was restated at the Crown-First Nations Gathering on January 24, 2012, where both the Government of Canada and First Nations agreed, upon mutual review of the report, to work together on a concrete way forward for First Nation students.  Our Government will continue to work with First Nation partners across Canada to deliver tangible and lasting results and ensure First Nations are well-positioned to be full participants in a strong Canadian economy.  For more information: http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1328714098710