Bev’s Briefing-e-newsletter

Agricultural Growth Act

It was my great pleasure to announce in London last week that the Agricultural Growth Act (Bill C-18) has received Royal Assent. This new legislation will modernize Canadian agriculture and increase trade opportunities for farmers, who will now benefit from greater access to new crop varieties and the latest technology to remain competitive. The bill strengthens agricultural intellectual property rights, improves access to the latest scientific research, reduces red tape and regulatory burden on producers and expands global market opportunities. As well, inspectors have stronger tools to enforce regulations and deter anyone who puts Canada’s plant and animal resource base at risk. It’s also been great to see that this bill has received exceptionally wide support by agriculture and the ag industry.

Announcing Royal Assent of the Agricultural Growth Act.

Helping to Keep Seniors Active in LKM

I’ve been spending some time this week visiting several locations across the riding that will be receiving funding through our government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. I really like this program as it provides help for organizations in the community that promote active living and participation in social activities for seniors. Examples include funds for senior’s organizations and legions and even assisting in the building of a new computer lab to help seniors become more tech-savvy. To find out more about the program, head to http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/seniors/funding/index.shtml

A Life Sentence Should Mean Life

Prime Minister Harper has announced our government’s intention to introduce legislation which would amend Canada’s Criminal Code to ensure that the most vicious criminals would be imprisoned for the rest of their lives, with no access to parole. This will include murders involving sexual assault, kidnapping or forcible confinement, terrorism, the killing of police or corrections officers or any first degree murders that are found to be of a particularly brutal nature. This very important piece of legislation will be discussed by committee and the House of Commons before implementation.

Help for Frustrated Taxpayers

I’d like to inform all of my constituents about an important office if you have service-related complaints with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The Office of the Taxpayer’s Ombudsman (OTO) provides taxpayers with an independent and impartial review of their complaints with the federal tax agency. While the main responsibility for resolution remains the CRA’s Service Complaints Program, it’s important that taxpayers understand there is still help available, if they are not satisfied with the CRA’s response. Taxpayers or their representatives may contact the OTO in the following ways:

Web: http://www.oto-boc.gc.ca/cntct/gnrlnqrs-eng.html
Phone: 1-866-586-3839
Fax: 1-866-586-3855
Mail: Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman
150 Slater Street, Suite 600
Ottawa, ON
K1A 1A3

A Well-Deserved Honour

It was an honour for me to recognize two gentlemen who have truly made a lasting impact on agriculture in our region. Tom Bradish and the late Roy Jewell were inducted this week into the Middlesex Agricultural Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions to the industry. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame reaffirms the far reaching effect that both Tom and Roy have had on people’s lives and their dedication is an inspiration to all of us.

Did You Know?

-Food manufacturing and processing is the number 1 sector in Canada for employment and GDP.

-There are currently 86,000 registered charities in Canada.

-An English Bulldog, owned by Jim and Judy Reath from the Glencoe-area, was recently named number 1 in Canada in her breed.

Until next time,

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