Archive for December, 2008

Things have settled down in the House of Commons with the prorogation of Parliament. By early next year, maybe the whole idea of a Separatist Coalition with the Bloc Quebecois will be laughed off as just another silly idea that was thought up by people who don’t work in the real world.  There are, however, measures the Conservatives have taken that will benefit you and your personal finances in the New Year.

Tax Free Savings Accounts are starting in January.  You’ve probably seen some advertisements for these accounts already.  This innovation allows Canadians to save money in a variety of investments and never have to pay tax on their savings.  This is a wonderful idea to save up for a house or create tax free income for retirement.  Remember to talk to your financial advisor about these accounts.

Secondly, people with RRIFs may not know that the federal governments announced changes to the rules regarding withdrawal rates for RRIFs. These changes are already being implemented.  Even though the legislation allowing these changes is not passed by Parliament, under Canadian tradition, it is assumed that once the government has announced its intentions, the change will become law and Revenue Canada treats it as such.  Again, talk to your financial advisor if you need to withdraw money from your RRIF.

Finally, capital and infrastructure programs continue to strengthen the economy.  While infrastructure has recently become the flavour of the month for “arm-chair” economists, the government has been expanding necessary infrastructure for the past year.  Many infrastructure projects take months to plan and the announcements you will be seeing in the New Year were started long before people began to talk about the U.S. financial crisis.

I’m Brad Trost your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt.  You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Mon-Fri or Humboldt Tues and Wed.  I always appreciate your feedback.

Normally the start of Parliament is a quiet affair with polite, boring speeches as the government starts about its business. Well, this week was quite different.

The agreement between Gilles Duceppe, Stephane Dion, and Jack Layton was an extraordinary event.  This was the first time that a separatist party was trying to become a part of the Government of Canada.

Now, my folks always taught me that the purpose of the government was to provide the best governance possible and build the country.  This has left me wondering: How can a political party that is dedicated to the destruction of Canada be in government?  How can one both build a country and work to destroy it at the same time?

The short answer, of course, is that you cannot be both for Canada and against Canada at the same time.  The separatists are planning to destroy Canada; they aim to use their time in government to further their goals.  Obviously, a party that has no candidates in most of the country is not going to be interested in the good of the entire country.  Gilles Duceppe will have no problem squeezing as much wealth out of Saskatchewan as he possibly can.

Why would Ralph Goodale, Stephane Dion, and Jack Layton sell out to the separatists so easily? If the coalition government comes to power, Saskatchewan will turn into a treasure chest to be economically looted. The only questions will be how much of Saskatchewan’s wealth will be taken–and how fast?  The coalition government could be worse than the green tax for Saskatchewan.

No Saskatchewan MP should ever support such a deal with the Bloc Quebecois. For anyone to do so is a complete and utter betrayal of our province.  I will do whatever I can to stand up for Saskatchewan and stand up for Saskatoon-Humboldt.

I’m Brad Trost your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt.  You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Mon-Fri or Humboldt Tues and Wed.  I always appreciate your feedback.