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November 16, 2010

It’s that time of year again! The holiday season is fast approaching and your Conservative Government has been hard at work to ensure Canadian families are able to greet the upcoming festivities in good spirits and in the good company of family and friends.  We’ve had a great session so far, and I’m pleased to report back to you on the progress being made in Ottawa on behalf of Macleod.

Despite the challenges of the past year, I am proud to report that our Conservative government remains focussed on helping those Canadians most affected by the global economic recession.  Canada’s Economic Action Plan has provided the support that workers and their families needed, making it a little easier to make ends meet this holiday season.

Although Canada’s economy is on the road to recovery, there is still a great deal of work to be done. That is why the upcoming budget is especially important. Currently, the Standing Committee on Finance’s pre-budgetary consultations are wrapping up, which provided Canadians and Industry with the opportunity to make suggestions to the Finance Committee for the next federal budget.

These past few months I, along with my fellow Finance Committee members, have spent as many as fifteen hours each week engaging with Canadian businesses, academics, and charities eager to present budgetary concerns and recommendations. Our committee has received over four hundred and fifty submissions this year, which the committee has been carefully considering to ensure your government’s assets are disbursed with efficiency and effectiveness for Canadian taxpayers. I would also like to thank all of you who took the time make pre-budgetary submissions. Your input is valued and appreciated.

As we move into the next phase of our budget process, the Prime Minister, his Cabinet and caucus will travel to towns, communities and cities across the country to consult, listen and seek the views of Canadians on our Economic Action Plan. I myself recently traveled with Prime Minister Harper to Winnipeg to take part in this important process. These consultations will help ensure that our road map reflects the values of hard-working Canadians – firm controls on spending, reducing waste, low taxes – and provide Canadians with the stability, certainty and financial security they and their families deserve.

While the economy remains your government’s top priority, I am also proud to announce the great strides our government has made these past few months for our men and women in uniform. This fall, $2 billion dollars in new funding to enhance support for Veterans and their families was announced along with additional support for those seriously injured and the successful implementation of the New Veterans Charter. Your government is working diligently to ensure proper thanks and support is given to our brave men and women serving Canada overseas.

As always, I am proud to represent the residents of Macleod and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Sincerely,
Ted