Archive for November, 2009

It is a serious matter when someone implies that Canadian soldiers (in this case, some of our generals) committed war crimes. Yet, a Member of Parliament from one of the Opposition parties did just that a few days ago.

The slur was propagated as part of an attempt to create a scandal around the issue of the transfer of prisoners; men that Canadian soldiers captured on the battlefield and turned over to the Afghanistan government.

While the Canadian generals in question ably defended their record and service in Afghanistan, the fact that they were forced to defend themselves deeply troubles me.

Now, I understand that Opposition parties benefit from scandals. However, the decision to target Canadian Forces personnel without strong evidence damages the effectiveness of our entire military.

Our troops in Afghanistan have behaved in an exemplary manner. They protect and assist the people of Afghanistan. The men and women of our Armed Forces deserve better than to be smeared by politicians wishing for a scandal.

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 Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.

The CWB is wasting farmers’ money again. This time on an expensive public relations campaign in spite of being told they are not to be involved in political activity. They have taken out a full page in the Western Producer and a full page ad in the Hill Times, [the newspaper serving Parliament Hill] as well as doing a mail out to their mailing list, asking farmers to lobby the government. Farmers are paying all these expenses. The Board lives off of farmers – all the CWB income is derived from farmers’ grain sales, all their expenses are paid for by farmers.

At WTO, the Liberals have already given away the Government guarantees. The CWB is working directly against the interests of Western Canadian farmers in order to protect themselves.  All grains and oilseeds producers will benefit from a good deal at WTO which gives access and reduces barriers. All WC farmers will benefit from free choice in Western Canada so the sooner it is granted the better. The WTO is one tool that can be used to bring about that freedom.

Our policy is to give producers choice – the CWB in their communication have said that Western Canadian producers should direct these changes. The CWB is being facetious. They have no intention of letting Western Canadian farmers have any choice. Press them as to what changes they are suggesting, what specific freedoms do they suggest WC farmers should be able to choose?

In all their years of lobbying they have never sent a pro choice director to Ottawa. Why?

This column was originally written by Conservative MP David Anderson. (Cypress Hills-Grasslands)

I heartily agree with David.

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 Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.

Recently, an op-ed in the Star Phoenix criticized me for a column in which I had written: “I hate taxes”. I also stated that taxes were a restraint on freedom. The author of the piece was somehow offended by my strong stand against taxes. Well, let me state again, I really hate taxes.

Some taxes are necessary to fund useful public services (police, fire, and general public works, for example). However, tax rates are too high.

In 2008, the average Canadian family spent almost half its total income (43.9 per cent) on taxes to the three levels of government (federal, provincial and municipal) according to the Fraser Institute.

In fact, the total tax bill that Canadian families have to pay has increased by an amazing 1,783 per cent since 1961, noted Niels Veldhuis, the Fraser Institute’s director of fiscal studies.

Tax rates need to come down across the board–as much as possible. The tax system is too complicated in our country. Canada needs to simplify the tax system. Even worthwhile deductions can, overtime, distort taxes and create a hopelessly complex tax code.

Canada needs lower taxes to boost economic growth and to protect personal freedom.

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 Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.

Here is a quick update about the vote on the long-gun registry.  The House of Commons passed 2nd reading of Bill C-391, a private members’ bill to scrap the long-gun registry by a vote of 164-137.   This does not mean the long-gun registry is dead, but it is dying.

C-391 now goes before a committee of 12 MPs: six Conservatives (one of whom is the chair and votes only in case of a tie) and six Opposition members, all of whom oppose the bill. Usually, this would mean the bill would be totally changed by Opposition members at committee and the Bill C-391 would be rendered useless.  However, because the legislation to scrap the long-gun registry is a private members’ bill, it cannot be substantially altered at committee. Therefore, it is protected from some of the tricks that would normally be employed by the Bloc, Liberals and the NDP.

After Bill C-391 passes committee it will return to the House of Commons for a final vote, and then the process will be repeated in the Senate. The vote in the Senate will be close, but once Parliament resumes in the New Year, there will be more Conservative Senators than Liberal Senators. Even though the Conservative Senators will still be a minority, the Senate will eventually pass the bill.

The process will take time, but the long-gun registry is slowly moving towards its inevitable death.

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 Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.

With the recent death of one of our Saskatchewan soldiers, we are all reminded that our veterans have paid a very high price for our freedom. Many of our soldiers, sailors and air crews made the ultimate sacrifice for Canada.

Whether on D-Day in Normandy, at Kapyong in Korea, or Kandahar in Afghanistan, our Armed Forces have gone above and beyond what they were called to do again and again. They faced their fears and went forward to defend their Canada and the values that Canadians stand for.

It is because of this commitment and their sacrifice that we honour them each Remembrance Day. We honour them by taking the time out of our busy schedules to attend services and to observe a moment of silence.  We honour them by supporting the loved ones they left behind.

This Remembrance Day, my prayers and wishes are with all the friends and family of all our veterans, but particularly the family of Lieut. Justin Boyes; all of Saskatchewan grieves with you.

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 Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.