Happy New Year!

January 05, 2011

The beginning of a new year is traditionally a time to reflect on what has transpired over the past 12 months and on what we need to accomplish in the year ahead.

I am grateful to have had the honour to serve as the Member of Parliament for Macleod since 2004 and to report back to you that Canada’s economy is stronger, the government is clean and the country is united.  Canada has achieved great strides this past year, yet our greatest strength lies in our energy and determination to build a better future.

I would also like to take this opportunity to share some exciting news with you! On January 4, 2011, I had the immense honour of being sworn in as Minister of State (Finance). I look forward to continuing the work I began on the Finance portfolio in my capacity as Parliamentary Secretary, and to continue to serve the residents of Macleod and all Canadians in my new post.   As stated by the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, “Ted's new role as Minister of State for Finance recognizes the increasing work load that he has undertaken while serving as Flaherty’s Parliamentary Secretary during the challenges of the global recession. In this new role Ted will continue his exemplary work with Minister Flaherty on all of his responsibilities including finalizing budget 2011 in order to continue to ensure we emerge strongly from the global recession, and to do so during a period of fiscal restraint.”

In the coming year, the economy remains our number one priority. Despite the significant accomplishments made this past year, the economic recovery remains fragile, which is why we will continue to focus on the economy, job creation and economic growth.

More than 440,000 jobs were created since July 2009, growth has returned to the economy and Canada is leading the industrialized world in exiting the recession. Our banks are sound, investment in Canada has increased and our growth predictions are the best among the G8 nations. But there is still more to do – that is why we have been travelling across the country to meet with Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs. I myself have been fortunate to chair some of these discussions for the Prime Minister as well as the Minister of Finance. Cabinet and caucus members continue to meet with hardworking Canadians to listen to their concerns and identify their priorities for Budget 2011 to assist with the creation of a long-term plan for Canada’s economy.

Our Conservative Government has also extended the deadline on several key infrastructure programs and will continue to focus on protecting the financial security of hardworking Canadians and their families. We will secure our fiscal recovery by ensuring our economic policies reflect the values and principles we share with all Canadians.

This year, Afghanistan will continue to be a top priority for our Conservative Government as well. As part of the UN-mandated, NATO-led mission to Afghanistan, our men and women in uniform have made Canadians proud through their remarkable service and sacrifice to the people of Afghanistan. Canada’s combat mission will end in 2011, however, it is important to build on Canada’s strengths and accomplishments. We have the responsibility of ensuring that the gains for women, children, and all Afghans, are not lost.

Our combat role will soon be over, but our work is far from finished.  After 2011, Canada’s role in Afghanistan will be to provide humanitarian aid, development and training in a non-combat role.  Our Government will deploy up to 950 military trainers and support staff at facilities centred in Kabul. 

Our new non-combat training role will focus on investing in the future of Afghan children and youth through education and health, advancing security, the rule of law and human rights, promoting regional diplomacy, and delivering humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. The Canadian Forces will build on their achievements by training Afghan security forces in classrooms and inside bases to further enable them to provide security for their own people.

Lastly (but certainly not least), our Conservative Government has and will continue to focus on the environment and combating climate change. We are now part of a process that includes all of the world’s major emitters, which has been our Government’s clear priority throughout every round of negotiations. We are proud to be a part of the dialogue, as we have maintained from the start that a credible emissions reduction plan must include all of the world’s major emitters.

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 bones of the Copenhagen Accord, the only climate change agreement that includes all major emitters such as China, India and the U.S. 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 in order to reduce greenhouse gases and protect Canadian jobs.

I look forward to continuing to represent you and all my constituents in the riding of Macleod this year in Ottawa, and would like to take this opportunity to thank you all once again for your continued support. May this year bring health, joy and prosperity to you all!

Sincerely,
Ted