January 6, 2014

Happy New Year

As we look forward to what I believe will be another productive session of Parliament I wanted to take this opportunity to again wish each of you a happy, safe and healthy new year.

Canadian Juniors Golden!

A huge congratulations to our Canadian Junior Hockey Team, and especially Lawson Crouse #28 who’s from Mount Brydges! And what a game eh? Okay so let me confess to just a bit of nervousness when Russia scored three times in a little over three minutes in the second period to make it 5-4. But the boys really regrouped in the third, and I thought really took it to the Russian team. It was a great game and an even better win for Canada. My congratulations to the team, the coaches, staff and organizers on a terrific tournament. So let me say it, “Hockey IS Canada’s game!”

Check it out first

The internet and social media are wonderful tools. These tools allow us access to information from around the world in the blink of an eye. They also provide us with opportunities to connect with each other in ways many of us never dreamed possible. However in the worst case these tools can and are abused on a fairly regular basis by fringe media sources, pundits, bloggers, fear-mongers, and many self-interest groups. I along with my staff spend a lot of time researching and responding to reports and allegations which have no basis in fact. Let me say I always welcome the opportunity to set the record straight, or at least provide the other side of the story.

How does reducing taxes become government spending?

It’s a question some of you have been asking me since Liberal leader Justin Trudeau started referring to our tax reductions as “reckless spending.” Apparently he believes your tax dollars belong to the government, and that bureaucrats know better how to spend your hard-earned money than you do. His logic escapes me. When we pay less in taxes for government services, we’re saving you money,” not spending it. In fact we’ve saved you about $3400 a year in taxes, something the Liberal leader says he will reverse.

Why is balancing the budget such a big deal?

Well for many of the same reasons we try to do it in our homes. After all who among us would not want to live without debt if we possibly could? We all know that debt means interest payments, and interest payments mean we have less money to spend on the things that are important to us. As a nation, and in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex balancing the budget is a means to increase our economic potential, improve employment opportunities and raise our standard of living. It also means we have more money for important social services and healthcare. It instils confidence in consumers and investors who in turn spur economic growth and job creation. And perhaps most importantly, just like you do in your own homes, balanced budgets give us a hedge of protection against the unexpected; things like global economic shock, the kind the world experienced in 2008, global security threats and long-term challenges like an ageing population. I am proud to say that this year our government will balance the budget, and yes it’s a very big deal!
Check your out of country health insurance

Planning a trip to the sunny south or attending a concert across the border? Do not forget to buy out of country health insurance. It doesn’t matter if you are outside of Canada for a few hours or a few months; if you get sick outside of Canada the financial consequences of not having the proper health insurance can be devastating. Provincial insurance plans, (OHIP) will only reimburse you for the cost of the service provided in Ontario. For example if you have to see a doctor in Florida you could get a bill for $1200. The OHIP reimbursement may be as little as $50. A night in a U.S. hospital could run you $10,000 and your reimbursement could be just $400. And when buying insurance, get advice from the experts. Shop around for the best price and read the fine print. Be brutally honest when you fill out the insurance application and medical questionnaire, particularly when it comes to any pre-existing condition you may have. I’ve had a number of people come to me for assistance when their insurance company refused to pay for claims they thought were covered.

Until next time,

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