Report from Parliament's Hill - July 8th, 2010

By Prince George - Peace River M.P. Jay Hill

It may be hot and hazy, but it’s been far from a lazy summer in Ottawa so far.  Many Canadians may be surprised to learn that the Senate is still sitting as Senators work hard to pass important and time-sensitive Government legislation.  I’ll provide you with an update on that next week.  There have also been a number of recent events and program launches that will benefit Canadians.

This week Canadians bid farewell to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth after a very successful Royal Tour.  To commemorate the event, the Government of Canada is making contributions to three charitable foundations on Her Majesty’s behalf.  The Queen requested that contributions be made to charitable organizations providing support to youth and Canadian military personnel and their families.

Each of the following charities will receive $100,000:  The Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation, which provides a fun-filled camp environment for children from economically-disadvantaged homes; The True Patriot Love Foundation, which raises funds for programs to improve the well-being and morale of Canadian military personnel and their families; and, the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund, which promotes the well-being of current and former members of the naval forces and their families.

On the other side of the world, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz was successful in securing China’s agreement to formally lift the ban on Canadian boneless beef under thirty months.  Following the BSE crisis, Canada is the first country to have our beef re-introduced in China and this is largely due to intensive negotiations and a series of trade missions conducted by Minister Ritz and other federal ministers.

On the same day, it was announced that the Government of Canada is now accepting applications for the Abattoir Competitiveness Program and Slaughter Waste Innovation Program.  These programs, which were announced in the 2010 Jobs and Growth budget, will help the Canadian cattle industry overcome a number of challenges it has faced over the last several years, such as BSE.  For more information, go to agr.gc.ca.

Another initiative by our Conservative Government that kicked in this week was the ban on flavoured tobacco products.  The Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act became law last October but it included a transition period for retailers and manufacturers.

The sale of cigarettes, little cigars and blunt wraps that contain additives, including flavouring agents, is now prohibited.  These products were primarily marketed towards young people and advertising restrictions for tobacco products have also been imposed to reduce their marketing to youth.

Later this month, I will be speaking to the Terrace Chamber of Commerce about the Northwest Transmission powerline (NTL) and touring the Red Chris Mine site.  The NTL is a critical, long-overdue infrastructure project supported by our Conservative Government to help advance new economic opportunities for all of northern BC. It will also benefit our environment at the same time by removing the need for remote communities and mining sites to rely upon diesel generated power

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