April 2009 Parliamentary Report

ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN

Canada's Economic Action Plan was well crafted and easily passed the House of Commons. Mr. Ignatieff straddled two positions, both painting the budget black and at the same time recognizing its many benefits by supporting it. To no one's surprise, the Plan was opposed by the Bloc Québécois. More surprisingly, the NDP stood in solidarity with the Bloc by opposing the budget. Jack Layton voiced his opposition before the details were even announced.

PARLIAMENTARY THREATS.

The Economic Action Plan was then delayed in the Liberal-dominated Senate until Mr. Ignatieff realized that delay would deprive thousands of Canadians of much needed extended EI benefits.

In an unusual move, Mr. Ignatieff then threatened to trigger an election if the Government report on infrastructure spending was delivered in June with the supplementary estimates as usual. Instead, he demanded that civil servants take the time to prepare daily detailed reports of each infrastructure project. The Government refused to agree to this diversion of effort, preferring to keep the focus on exerting every effort to reviewing and funding projects at the earliest possible date.

Fortunately, the Ignatieff threat proved to be simply crying wolf yet again.

MORE DEFICIT?

The next phase of this unusual dance is a demand by Mr. Ignatieff that the Government drive deeper into deficit with more stimulus spending. This demand comes before existing spending plans have been implemented and without any opportunity to judge the results. The Government approach is more cautious and balanced, without foreclosing the possibility of further spending, but first waiting for the existing plan to kick in.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

The Government is delivering on its commitment to beef up enforcement of Canada's environmental laws. Environment Minister Prentice has asked that I learn Bill C-16 inside and out in order to lead debates at Committee.

Coupled with increases since 2007 to the enforcement budget, this new legislation will make environmental enforcement more effective. I will provide further details in future reports.

ON THE HOME FRONT

Recently, I have had the opportunity to make several funding announcements on behalf of the Federal Government. The first was to the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony totaling $89,000. $40,000. is in support of the Open Ears Music Festival which runs from April 29 to May 5, 2009. The second grant of $49,000. will assist the Symphony to purchase and implement an integrated donor services and ticketing system. This assistance will enhance the Symphony's outreach and boost arts and culture in Kitchener.

On March 18 I announced a grant to the Mennonite Central Committee of $22,300. which will go to their Circles of Care program to help victims of elder abuse and domestic violence.

The Canada Summer Jobs Program also increased Kitchener's funding by $35,732. allowing more students to work throughout the summer.

Just this week I was able to announce that the City of Kitchener will receive double the gas tax funding it received last year and it is being delivered almost three months earlier. In 2008 the City received $3,093,330. on July 1. On April 9, 2009 they received $6,186,661.

Gas tax funding to the Regional of Waterloo will also double from $7,124,364 to $14,248,727 this year. The early delivery and increased amount are all part of an effort by the Federal Government to get stimulus money into the hands of those who have projects ready to go, thereby stimulating the economy and fighting unemployment.

There will be more announcements of Government aid to Kitchener in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned.