June 10, 2011

It has been busy in Ottawa, doing all the preparatory work that needs to be done before MPs can get to work in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Harper has chosen his new cabinet, a cabinet which is representative of every region of Canada. As you may be aware, I’ve chosen to step away from the position as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in that role, but have done it for five years and would like the opportunity to spend more time in Northern Alberta with my constituents.

Andrew Scheer has been elected as Speaker of the House and I am confident he will do a good job. Governor General David Johnston delivered the Throne Speech and MPs are ready to do the job we have been elected to do – making Canada the best country it can be.

News From Ottawa

Passing The Next Phase Of Canada’s Economic Action Plan

The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Government House Leader, provided an overview of the Government of Canada’s legislative priorities for the spring parliamentary session of the House of Commons, following the 41st General Election.

•    The top priority of our Government is the economy.

•    Our top legislative priority is to pass the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan: A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth.

•    In addition to passing the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government will move forward with tabling legislation to reform the Senate and to combat Human Smuggling. The Government will also seek an extension to the NATO Mission in Libya.

•    There are also many other priorities that Canadians elected us to take action on. In the Fall, we will introduce legislation to:

• Phase out subsidies to political parties;
• Eliminate once and for all the wasteful long-gun registry;
• Provide choice for Western Canadian farmers by eliminating the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board; and,
• Table our comprehensive law and order legislation that we committed to passing within 100 sitting days following the election.

•    Canadians gave us a mandate to stay focused on the economy and pass measures aimed at strengthening both our economic recovery and our country, and we’re following through on these commitments with this parliamentary agenda.