March 26th, 2012
March 29th is Budget Day, the day on which Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tables our Economic Action Plan 2012 in the House of Commons. In the days leading up to Flaherty’s budget speech, there was the usual media buzz about plans to cut the deficit and spending priorities.
New this year: Press stories on possible changes to fisheries regulations.
While proper fishery regulations are necessary, current federal regulations don`t always make common sense.
For example:
Last year, the Craven Jamboree was nearly cancelled after newly flooded fields were deemed fish habitat by fisheries officials.
In Quebec, fishery rules blocked a farmer from draining his flooded property.
And in Abbotsford, which maintains flood control ditches, the city can’t meet its legal obligations to clear waterways due to Department of Fisheries rules.
While officials do their best, the regulations that caused these problems need to be changed. Be it in the March 29th budget or in the future, common sense regulations which protect the environment are needed for our fisheries.
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can reach my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. Feel free to drop by my two offices for a visit: Saskatoon (Monday to Friday) or Humboldt (Tuesday and Wednesday). I always appreciate your feedback.
March 19th, 2012
Members of Parliament do a variety of tasks to promote Canada and serve their constituents. One way I try to serve our country is by reaching out to foreign ambassadors in Ottawa. Each month, I host an MP breakfast where a different ambassador comes to Parliament Hill and talks about his or her country and its relationship with Canada.
Croatia, Mexico and Malaysia are some of the countries I’ve hosted.
Frequently, we talk about Canada’s foreign aid, trade policy, and immigration issues that involve Canada and the guest ambassador’s country. We look for ways to build ties between the guest nation and Canada. We then end the breakfast with a presentation of a Made-in-Saskatchewan gift to the ambassador. Plans are then made to follow up on issues raised.
While it may not have the impact of a trade mission, these Ambassador breakfasts are one small way your MPs work to promote Canadian and Saskatchewan interests.
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can reach my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. Feel free to drop by my two offices for a visit: Saskatoon (Monday to Friday) or Humboldt (Tuesday and Wednesday). I always appreciate your feedback.
March 12th, 2012
There has been some criticism of the Conservative government’s Tough on Crime stance on illegal drugs. Some Liberal senators want to amend the Safe Streets and Communities Act (newly passed into law) in order to exempt criminals growing fewer than 20 marijuana plants. They argue that growing 20 marijuana plants is really not that serious. After all, we really don’t want to turn kids with a bit of pot into criminals. What people fail to realize is that 20 marijuana plants can earn a drug dealer up to $190,000.
If some Liberal senators get their way, drug dealers running grow ops will get off with a slap on the wrist–and all in the name of protecting the “recreational” pot smoker.
What is also troubling is the implication that smoking a little pot now and again is no big deal. Experts estimate that between eight to 13 per cent of all schizophrenia cases are linked to marijuana use during teen years.
Liberal senators and other lefty elitists (who think growing 20 marijuana plants is not a serious offence) probably see experimenting with drugs as a rite of passage for Canadian youth. In contrast, the vast majority of parents in my riding do not regard smoking marijuana as recreational. They would much rather have their kids doing their homework than smoking pot supplied by a drug dealer with “only 20 plants.”
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can reach my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. Feel free to drop by my two offices for a visit: Saskatoon (Monday to Friday) or Humboldt (Tuesday and Wednesday). I always appreciate your feedback.
March 5th, 2012
Old Age Security has been in the news recently, because of changes that are being considered to the program. But OAS isn’t the only source for retirement income and the Conservative government has taken several steps to increase retirement security for Canadians.
In the last few years we have:
- introduced pension income splitting
- eliminated federal income tax for 380,000 lower income seniors
- increased the GIS earnings exemption from $500 to $3500
- introduced the Pooled Registered Pension Plan, and
- introduced automatic renewal of the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
All of these changes will help with retirement; several of which will specifically help low income seniors. If you include the introduction of tax fee savings accounts, and enhancements to CPP for older workers, Canadian retirees are significantly better off after six years of Conservative government.
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can reach my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. Feel free to drop by my two offices for a visit: Saskatoon (Monday to Friday) or Humboldt (Tuesday and Wednesday). I always appreciate your feedback.
