Archive for May, 2008

Saskatchewan is the world’s premier producer of uranium. Considering that the price of this product has soared recently, our province will do quite well from the sale of this precious mineral. But like so many of our natural resources in Saskatchewan, we could create more wealth by supporting a value added policy for uranium.

For most people, a nuclear reactor is the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of other industries that could be spun off from uranium. However, a reactor is not the only value added process that’s related to uranium. Uranium refineries, upgraders, spent fuel storage and recycling plants are also possibilities for Saskatchewan.

But if these facilities are eventually located in Saskatchewan, what are the benefits for the province? Well, certainly, more good paying jobs and taxes to fund our highways and hospitals. There will also be opportunities to attract more science and engineering funding for our universities–and maybe even a nuclear medicine research centre.

Saskatchewan has benefited greatly from uranium, and if we are wise, we can all benefit even more. As your MP, I’m working to remove the barriers to the growth of the uranium industry in Saskatchewan. It’s an industry which has vast potential for Saskatchewan.

Members of Parliament receive large amounts of correspondence. My main e-mail address receives on average 200-400 emails every day. We also receive a substantial amount of regular letter mail each day.

We do however try to respond to our constituents in a proper and timely fashion. But the following tips for writing us can help us to help you.

First, always identify yourself as a constituent with proper contact information. I work for the people of Saskatoon-Humboldt and not for people who live in other ridings. If you let me know where you live and how to get back to you quickly, it helps me to prioritize my constituents over other correspondence.

Be polite. While good manners is always appreciated, being polite also increases your credibility–it makes a letter sound more substantive –rather than just coming across as an angry rant.

Be direct and state your case in a few basic points. What we need when you write us are the core principles involved. If the matter is more complicated, set up a meeting with our office and we will work with you to resolve the problem.

These tips may sound simple, but they will help my office serve you better.

I’m Brad Trost your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133, or drop by to visit our two offices one in Saskatoon (five days a week) and the other in Humboldt (Tuesdays and Wednesdays). I always appreciate your feedback.

One of my colleagues in Parliament has just introduced a piece of legislation that is just, well, plain dumb. Liberal MP Denis Coderre has authored a private member’s bill which, if passed, would require that all Supreme Court Justices in Canada be bilingual in French and English.

The language skills of Supreme Court Justices have now become an issue because an opening was created when Justice Michel Bastarache from New Brunswick retired early. If tradition holds, his successor would also come from an Atlantic province. However, requiring by law that Supreme Court Justices be bilingual could rule out qualified candidates from Newfoundland or Prince Edward Island, for example.

Now, most federal judges are like federal politicians. If they aren’t bilingual when they first get their position, they often do what they can to acquire the other language (it helps with promotions.)

Not all judges are fluent in both French and English, especially judges from the west or the Atlantic provinces. If the best choice to succeed Justice Bastarache isn’t bilingual, should that person be denied the appointment? I think not.

Prime Minister Harper should pick the best judge for the Supreme Court, even if that person can only speak French or English.

Denis Coderre is just trying to pick a fight and get Canadians upset over a non-issue. His private member’s bill is unnecessary. The Supreme Court of Canada needs the best judges we can find. We don’t need to add an extra qualification to an already demanding selection process.

To back up this point, retired Supreme Court Justice John Major (who is unilingual) recently said: “I don’t think French is a requirement.” Major, who is from Calgary, also noted that the translation services at the Supreme Court are excellent.

(For those who are curious, only one current Supreme Court Justice is not bilingual in French and English: Justice Marshall Rothstein from Manitoba.)

This last week (May 4-10) was designated emergency preparedness week across Canada, and while Saskatchewan is fortunate that it has been many years since we have had a natural disaster it is always wise to be prepared. So here are so some basics that should be observed to protect your loved ones and minimize the risks.

Know the Risks- Most of the province is unlikely to ever see a flood, or a significant earthquake, but a major tornado (the Regina Cyclone of 1912) is much more likely.

Make a Plan-Every household should have a plan, a strategy that is to be implemented if a disaster strikes. Think what you would do if a winter storm took down power lines for a week, or if a tornado devastated your town. If you plan for these events, you will be better able handle the disaster when it strikes.

Get a Kit-An emergency kit should contain food, water, radio, flashlight, batteries and other essentials to help ensure that you can cope for 72 hours during an emergency.

While we never know when a disaster will strike, it is prudent to be prepared. For more information contact www.GetPrepared.ca

Recently, in the news there have been stories about the high cost of food. While some of the stories have concentrated on the international challenges, others have focused on the situation in Canada.

First, let me say that I have a lot of sympathy for low income earners in Canada–and I do support the federal government’s increase in food aid for the poorest countries of the world. Steps are and must continue to be taken to ensure that everyone can afford the basic necessities.

However, I am concerned when reporters in the big cities begin to criticize the “high” prices that farmers are getting for crops like wheat, canola and barley. It needs to be remembered that the cost of packaging our food is often more costly than the raw commodity that goes into the food product. The wrapper around a loaf costs more than the wheat it took to make the bread, according to Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz during a recent speech in the House of Commons.

Farmers should not be criticized for getting 15 cents back on a loaf of bread. The cost of wheat makes up a very small percentage of the total price of bread. After all, a bushel of wheat makes about 57 loaves.

Another thing that the critics forget is that farmers are working hard to grow more food. More potash is being mined, more machines are being used, and ultimately more food is being produced. A higher price for agriculture products is good for Saskatchewan, and we should be proud of our role as the breadbasket of Canada—and the world.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133, or drop by to visit our two offices: one in Saskatoon (five days a week) and the other in Humboldt (Tuesdays and Wednesdays). I always appreciate your feedback.