Gas Tax Funds Help Communities across L-K-M

The second installment of the annual $2 billion gas tax fund has just been announced. It will mean a total of almost $14 million dollars for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex municipalities to put towards infrastructure projects including road and bridge work, water system upgrades and drainage improvements. This is definitely the most significant capital funding program for municipalities that Canada has ever had. It’s effective, efficient to administer, is indexed to increase each year and it comes in two installments. And we leave it all up to the local councils of the municipality to determine what infrastructure projects get priority.

New Members on the Team

I want to congratulate and welcome the two newest members of our Conservative team. In federal by-elections Monday, Pat Perkins from Oshawa-Whitby and Jim Eglinski from Yellowhead Alberta breezed to easy victories. Generally, the party in power tends to not do well in by-elections but these wins illustrate strong support for our government’s low tax plan to create jobs and support families.

Balanced Books?…You Bet!

Finance Minister Joe Oliver delivered some good news last week. He confirmed that our government remains on track for a balanced budget in 2015 and an expected surplus of $1.9 billion. Minister Oliver outlined Canada’s impressive success in creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in comparison to difficult economic situations faced by other countries.

Standing up to Putin

Sometimes it’s necessary for a world leader to step up and deliver a strong message which expresses almost universal condemnation for an act of aggression. Such was the case this past weekend when our Prime Minister confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister’s message was as simple as it was eloquent when he said, “I only have one thing to say to you. You need to get out of Ukraine.” It was a message which resounded with other G-20 leaders, who in turn expressed their disdain for Russia’s aggression.

The Truth About Veteran’s Benefits

In this and upcoming e-newsletters, I’d like to clear up some of the misconceptions about Veteran’s Benefits. What is the truth? Have we cut benefits to the brave men and women who do the very dangerous work we as a nation ask them to do? The answer is a resounding NO. Since 2006, benefits to Veterans have INCREASED by $4.7 billion while the number of Veterans has significantly decreased. I appreciate there can be honest disagreements about how money is delivered, reducing red tape and making sure programs are responsive to the needs of Veterans. However, I want there to be no misunderstanding about my concern for Veterans and my personal commitment and that of our government to make sure their needs are met.

Christmas Parades Have Begun

Christmas parades in our local communities are a great way to celebrate the season and draw communities together. I always enjoy taking part in these fun events and seeing so many excited families lining the parade routes! Please be sure to remember the less fortunate in our communities as you start to prepare for Christmas.

Christmas Open Houses

SAVE THE DATE for some festive goodies and refreshments at my Christmas Open Houses in Dresden and Strathroy this year.

Dresden Arena–December 18th from 4-6pm. Free skate 4-5pm.

Strathroy–Gemini Sportsplex–December 22nd from 4-6pm. Free skate 4-5pm.

Did You Know?

-The overall federal tax burden is at its lowest level in over 50 years.
-The federal deficit has been reduced by more than 90 per cent since 2009-10.
-Over 1.2 million more Canadians are working now than in July 2009, when the recovery began, an increase of 7.3 percent. Almost 90 per cent are fulltime positions, close to 85 per cent are in the private sector and over two-thirds are in high-wage industries.

Until next time,

Bev Shipley, M.P., Lambton-Kent-Middlesex