Today I decided to write a series of updates on a variety of issues.

Passports: Even though there is a backlog, the Passport Office is now processing 20,000 passports per day. Considering that this is slightly more than the number of applications being received, the delays are slowly shrinking. The addition of 500 new employees at the Passport Office should improve service as we move into the summer.

The SJHL hockey bill (Bill C-294) is nearly through the Senate. This legislation will reverse a tax ruling from several years ago that ended up costing SJHL teams thousands of dollars. This bill has been worked on for three years: FINALLY, it will pass into law this summer. When passed into law, a $300 per month allowance for board and lodging provided to amateur junior hockey players by not-for-profit hockey teams will be tax exempt.

Help for railway shippers (farmers, potash companies, manufacturers, etc.) was introduced into the House of Commons on May 30th. Minister of Transport Lawrence Cannon tabled amendments to the rail freight provisions of the Canada Transportation Act. The aim of the amendments is to meet shippers concerns about rail service and rates while providing the railways with regulatory stability. Final offer arbitration (similar to what is offered in pro-sports salary disputes) is part of the legislation.

I hope these bits of news are useful. If you have any comments contact my office at (306) 975-6133

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt