Modeling Journey

Photos from Prime Minister Harper BBQ in Oakridges-Markham last night

Liberal Party of Canada Announces Four New Women Candidates in Ontario

OTTAWA - Ontario campaign co-Chairs Brenda Kurczak, Jeff Kehoe and Chris Koddermann announced today the nominations of four exceptional women candidates to run for the Liberal Party of Canada in the next federal election: Christine Innes (Trinity-Spadina), Deborah Gillis (Halton), Margaret Black (Newmarket-Aurora) and Kimberley Love (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound).

“These incredible women boast a proud personal history of accomplishment and service to their community,” said Ms. Kurczak. “We look forward to their contributions to the political process in our province and our country.”

“The nomination of these four exceptional candidates brings the Ontario campaign four big steps closer to being ready for the next election,” said Mr. Koddermann. “Their unique skill-sets and perspectives are a testament to the importance of female participation in Canadian politics.”

"The talent and experience of these four women represent the tremendous strength of the future Liberal government," said Mr. Kehoe. “These candidates are further proof of the talent our Party is attracting under the Leadership of Michael Ignatieff.”

-----

Background

Christine Innes has been nominated to run in the riding of Trinity-Spadina. A Toronto-based lawyer and a dedicated community activist, Ms. Innes brings a depth of experience both inside and outside government. Early in her career she worked on Parliament Hill for the Hon. Jim Peterson and at Queen’s Park for the Hon. Greg Sorbara. Following her graduation from Osgoode Hall Law School, she became a litigator with the well-known Toronto firm Fraser Milner Casgrain. She currently serves as a senior advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Ms. Innes balances her family and professional life with numerous community pursuits, including fundraising for the Alexandra Park Community Centre, Parent’s Association Executive, her community church and as founder and Co-Chair of the Bloor-Borden Market which brings local farmers and their produce to the inner city.

Deborah Gillis has been appointed to run in the riding of Halton by Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. Ms. Gillis has advanced women’s causes through both her professional and community pursuits. As Vice President, North America for Catalyst, she has worked globally to promote the advancement of women in business. A breast cancer survivor, Ms. Gillis is a patient representative on the Cancer Quality Council of Ontario and has raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research through her participation in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. Her distinguished career includes work for the Governments of Ontario and Nova Scotia, as well as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Grant Thornton.

Margaret Black has been acclaimed as the candidate for the Liberal nomination in Newmarket Aurora and will be nominated on August 12. Ms. Black has served her community for five terms as Mayor of King Township and Councillor for the Regional Municipality of York. A lawyer by profession, her extensive experience includes a term as Chair of the York Region Police Services Board and service on the boards of the Southlake Regional Health Centre, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, and the Greater Toronto Agricultural Action Board. Ms. Black has been recognized for her distinguished political career as a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Award and the Rural Female Politician Award.

Kimberley Love has been nominated to run in the riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. A marketing and communications consultant and lecturer at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ms. Love has deep roots in Grey County and is passionate about traditional Liberal values as well as agricultural issues. Having lived in both rural and urban Canada, she brings a unique perspective which makes her ideally suited to represent the people of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.

Lois Brown MP endorses Frank Klees

"I am pleased to provide my support to MPP Frank Klees, my long-time friend and provincial colleague, in his bid for Leadership of the Ontario PC Party. I am confident that Frank will represent our province the same way he has served his York Region constituents the last fourteen years, with exemplary dedication and effectiveness. His record for getting things done, and experience in business and government, makes him our best choice for bringing prosperity back to Ontario as the next Leader of the Ontario PC Party and future Premier."

- Lois Brown, MP Newmarket-Aurora

Why Kinsella blogged about Lois Brown today. Statement in the House of Commons.

For those wondering why Warren Kinsella made a post about Lois Brown today, here is the statement she made in the House of Commons today.
-Darryl

Governments of Canada and Ontario Make Infrastructure Investments in Newmarket & Aurora
(Newmarket-Aurora, Ontario, February 20, 2009) - Residents of Newmarket and Aurora will benefit from joint federal, provincial and municipal funding to rehabilitate the Old Town Hall in Newmarket and waste water infrastructure in Aurora, announced Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown. Both projects are examples of all levels of government working together to stimulate the economy by reducing red tape, creating jobs and getting shovels into the ground.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $1,698,621 for Newmarket's Old Town Hall renovations and $1,580,000 for Aurora's waste water infrastructure rehabilitation. The municipalities will contribute the balance of the total eligible project costs of up to $5 million and $4.8 million respectively. Funds for these projects will enhance local facilities and services when the need for economic stimulus is the greatest.

"Newmarket and Aurora's growing communities will benefit from these strategic investments," said Brown. "This announcement shows how governments are working together for the benefit of the residents they serve. Our government is pleased to be taking quick action following the January 27 budget to boost the local economy and move these projects forward. Investments in infrastructure create jobs, contribute to a cleaner environment and provide lasting benefits for residents. I'd like to thank Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris and Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen for their assistance in preparing and submitting their proposals for these important projects."

"We're creating jobs for families and making our communities stronger by investing in infrastructure in rural Ontario," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "This is another example of how the McGuinty government is keeping Ontario moving with targeted investments that matter to people in their everyday lives."

"These investments in important infrastructure projects in Newmarket and Aurora are particularly timely given the economic climate," said Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees.

These projects are two of 289 across the province that will soon break ground thanks to a federal-provincial-municipal investment of more than $1 Billion. The governments of Canada and Ontario have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects in Ontario Communities for the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. Because the federal and provincial governments understand that infrastructure investments will stimulate the economy, nearly 85 per cent of project applications were approved for funding.

Lois Brown, MP Newmarket-Aurora
16600 Bayview Ave., Ste. 206
Newmarket, ON L3X 1Z9
(905) 953-7515
BrownLo@parl.gc.ca
www.loisbrown.ca


*Also see the local media coverage from the Era on this announcement*

Newmarket and Aurora Mayors Approve Budget

The budget will be good for Newmarket, Aurora, York Region and the GTA. It is good to see the positive comments from Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris and Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen.
-Darryl

http://www.yrng.com/News/Newmarket/article/87216

http://www.yrng.com/News/Newmarket/article/87217

Mayor Phyllis Morris

"There's a lot of money going into infrastructure and that's a good thing,"

Mayor Tony Van Bynen

"There are a couple of things in there that, from our perspective, look promising,"

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty also supports budget:

"This prime minister has actually delivered. I'm not going to look this gift horse in the mouth,"
"It's real, it's meaningful and it's coming here just in time,"

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090128/budget_EI_090128/20090128?hub=Toronto

Update: Lois Brown comments on Budget

Lois Brown MP, Newmarket-Aurora

MP Brown Announces Budget 2009: Canada's Economic Action Plan

January 28, 2009

(Newmarket-Aurora, ON) - Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown says the Conservative government tabled Budget 2009 - Canada's Economic Action Plan will provide a much needed boost to local residents and businesses.

While Canada is coping with a global economic downturn, our plan will ensure we emerge even stronger as the economy recovers, said Ms. Brown. Canada's Economic Action Plan's targeted and temporary measures will build on Canada's long-term strengths, while helping address short-term challenges.

The plan will provide almost $30 billion in support, equivalent to 1.9% of GDP, to the Canadian economy this year. Ontario will especially benefit from the plan, through:

Action to Build Infrastructure by providing Ontario with its share of $4.5 billion over two years for infrastructure projects such as road, water and sewer system upgrades across the province. It also accelerates payments up to $75 million over two years for additional infrastructure projects.

Action to Reduce Taxes and Freeze EI Rates by providing the people and businesses of Ontario with tax relief of $9.1 billion over the next five years and providing billions to keep EI rates low for 2009-10.

Action to Stimulate Housing Construction by providing billions to build quality social housing, stimulate construction and enhance energy efficiency. The new renovation tax credit will provide up to $1,350 per homeowner, which will benefit Ontario homeowners by up to $1.3 billion over two years.

Action to Improve Access to Financing for businesses to obtain the resources they need to invest, grow and create new jobs and give consumers the adequate financing they need.

Action to Help Canadians Hit Hardest by the Economic Downturn including enhancements to Employment Insurance and more funding for skills and training.

Support for Businesses and Communities by protecting jobs and supporting sectoral adjustments during this extraordinary crisis with $7.5 billion in extra support for sectors, regions and communities such as the forestry and manufacturing sectors.

In addition to these measures, Ontario will continue to receive historically high and growing federal transfers in 2009-10 that will total $15.8 billion - an increase of $1.5 billion from last year and a $4.3 billion increase over the former Liberal government. What's more, Ontario will see growing health ($9.6 billion) and social ($4.2 billion) transfers to help the province pay for vital health care, educational and social services families depended on.

Ms. Brown was pleased to see many of the suggestions she received during her Pre-Budget Consultations were included in Canada's Economic Action Plan. Residents and businesses alike were looking for help, said Lois Brown. Many of them took the time to provide their suggestions and opinions which I had forwarded to the Minister of Finance. I am very pleased to say that many, if not most, of these suggestions were included. This is good news for small business owners, employees, seniors, families, young people and large employers in Newmarket and Aurora. I will be working diligently with all levels of government in the weeks ahead to ensure our community participates to the fullest extent possible in these available measures.

The Government has listened to the concerns of Canadians. Budget 2009 - Canada's Economic Action Plan - includes the top six suggestions for stimulating our economy suggested from people in Newmarket and Aurora, added Lois Brown. Residents wanted reduced taxes, access to credit, spending on infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public transit, investments in green and high-tech jobs, improved Employment Insurance and worker training programs and a stimulated housing sector. I am confident that with measures targeted towards these and other areas, our economy will get back on track and that jobs will be maintained and created in Newmarket and Aurora.
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Lois Brown, MP Newmarket-Aurora

16600 Bayview Ave., Suite 206

Newmarket ON L3X 1Z9

905-953-7515

BrownLo@parl.gc.ca

www.loisbrown.ca

***

BUDGET 2009 BACKGROUNDER

ACTION ON INFRASTRUCTURE

Provincial, Territorial and Municipal Infrastructure

* $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund over two years to provide funding to rehabilitate infrastructure.
* $1 billion over five years for a Green Infrastructure Fund for projects including sustainable energy.
* $500 million over two years to create Recreational Infrastructure Canada, or RInC, to support construction of new community recreational facilities and upgrades to existing facilities across Canada.
* $500 million over the next two years to accelerate infrastructure projects in small communities.
* $1 billion in accelerated payments under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding Initiative to expedite “ready-to-go” infrastructure projects.
* $25 million for the National Trails Coalition in 2009-10 for a national initiative to create, upgrade and sustain trails throughout the country.

Infrastructure for the Jobs of Tomorrow

* $2 billion to support maintenance, and repair, and to accelerate new projects at post-secondary institutions.
* $225 million to develop and implement a strategy on improving broadband coverage to extend and upgrade service for underserved communities.
* $750 million to accelerate investments under the Canada Foundation for Innovation, with at least $125 million earmarked for clean-energy research.
* $85 million over the next two years to invest in maintaining or upgrading key existing Arctic research facilities.
* $250 million over two years to maintain facilities at federal laboratories.
* $500 million to Canada Health Infoway to support the goal of having 50 per cent of Canadians with an electronic health record by 2010.
* $50 million to the Institute for Quantum Computing in Waterloo, Ontario for the construction of a new world-class research facility.
* $500 million to Canada Health Infoway to encourage the greater use of electronic health records

Federal Infrastructure Projects

* $130 million for improving travel across Canada with improvements to the Trans-Canada highway.
* Up to $42 million for other federal bridges in need of rehabilitation throughout Canada.
* $217 million to build and improve core commercial fishing harbours across Canada.
* $323 million over two years for the renovation and upkeep of federally owned buildings.
* Supporting the development of aviation security plans, improving operations of the Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority, and implementing a new air passenger assessment system.
* Increasing funding by $80 million over the next two years to accelerate the cleanup of federal contaminated sites.
* The government will invest $80 million to ensure that Canada’s shared border with the United States remains secure and efficient.
* $407 million to VIA Rail Canada to support improvements to the Quebec City to Windsor corridor. These investments will support two additional express trains per day between Montreal and Toronto and reduce trip times by approximately 30 minutes from four-and-a-half hours to four hours.
* $72 million over five years to improve railway safety.

ACTION ON TAX RELIEF

Tax Initiatives ($20 billion over this and next five years)

* The basic personal amount will be increased to $10,320 for 2009 from $9,600 in 2008, allowing individuals to earn more income before paying federal income tax.
* The top of the first personal income tax bracket will be increased to $40,726 in 2009 from $37,885 in 2008, allowing more income to be taxed at the lowest 15% rate, rather than the 22% rate.
* The top of the second personal income tax bracket will be increased to $81,452 in 2009 from $75,769 in 2008, allowing more income to be taxed at the 22% rate, rather than the 26% rate.
* The new basic personal amount and bracket thresholds will be indexed for 2010 and future years.
* Raising the level at which the National Child Benefit supplement for low-income families and the Canada Child Tax Benefit are phased-out, providing a benefit of up to $436 for a family with two children.
* Effectively doubling the tax relief provided by the Working Income Tax Benefit to help low-income Canadians over the “welfare wall” and into gainful employment.
* Providing up to an additional $150 of annual tax savings for low- and middle-income seniors through $1,000 increase to the Age Credit Amount, for a total savings of $961.

Tax and Tariff Relief to Stimulate Business Investment

* Introducing a temporary 100 per cent capital cost allowance (CCA) rate for computer hardware and software acquired after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2011.
* Extending the temporary 50 per cent straight-line accelerated CCA rate to investment in manufacturing or processing machinery and equipment undertaken in 2010 and 2011.
* Providing over $440 million in savings for Canadian industry over the next five years by permanently eliminating tariffs on a range of machinery and equipment to lower costs for Canadian producers in a variety of sectors, such as forestry, energy and food processing.

§ The tax measures proposed in Budget 2009 along with other measures announced since Budget 2006, including the reduction of the general corporate income tax rate to 15 per cent by 2012, will provide almost $12 billion in tax relief to manufacturers and processors in 2008–09 and the next five fiscal years.

ACTION ON CANADIAN SKILLS AND TRANSITIONS

Strengthening Benefits for Canadian Workers ($1.9 billion)

* Extending work-sharing agreements by 14 weeks, to a maximum of 52 weeks, so more Canadians can continue working.
* Extending the Wage Earner Protection Program to cover severance and termination pay owed to eligible workers when an employer does not pay due to its bankruptcy.
* Increasing for two years all regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefit entitlements by five extra weeks and increasing the maximum benefit duration to 50 weeks from 45 weeks.
* Providing $500 million over two years to extend EI income benefits for Canadians participating in longer-term training, benefiting up to 10,000 workers.
* Consulting with Canadians and developing options to provide self-employed Canadians with access to EI maternity and parental benefits.

Enhancing the Availability of Training ($1.8 billion)

* Increasing funding for training delivered through the EI program by $1 billion over two years.
* $500 million over two years in a Strategic Training and Transition Fund to support the particular needs of individuals who do not qualify for EI training, such as the self-employed or those that have been out of work for a prolonged period of time.
* $55 million over two years to help young Canadians find summer jobs.
* $60 million over three years to support older workers and their families through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers.
* $40 million a year to respond to skilled labour shortages by launching the $2,000 Apprenticeship Completion Grant.
* Providing $50 million over two years to develop a national foreign credential recognition framework in partnership with provinces.

Freezing EI Rates ($4.5 billion)

* $4.5 billion to keep EI rates frozen for 2009 and 2010 so that Canadian employers and employees continue to benefit from one of the lowest payroll tax rates in the world. EI rates will continue to be $1.73 per $100 of insurable earnings, their lowest level since 1982.

Further Developing a Highly Skilled Workforce

* Providing an additional $87.5 million over three years to temporarily expand the Canada Graduate Scholarships program. These funds will support an additional 500 doctoral scholarships and 1,000 master’s scholarships.
* Allocating an additional $3.5 million over two years to the Networks of Centres of Excellence program to offer an additional 600 graduate internships through the Industrial Research and Development Internship program launched in Budget 2007.

ACTION TO STIMULATE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION

Initiatives for Homeowners

* A temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit that will provide up to $1,350 in tax relief and reduce the cost of renovations for an estimated 4.6 million Canadian families. The Home Renovation Tax Credit applies to work performed or goods acquired after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010.
* First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax credit will provide up to $750 in tax relief to first-time home buyers.
* Increase from $20,000 to $25,000 the amount that first-time home buyers can withdraw from their RRSP to purchase a home.
* $300 million over two years to the ecoEnergy Home Retrofit program, which is expected to support an additional 200,000 energy-saving home retrofits.

Affordable and Social Housing

* Providing a one-time federal investment of $1 billion over two years for renovation and energy retrofits for up to 200,000 social housing units on a 50-50 cost shared basis with the provinces.
* Dedicating $400 million over two years for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors.
* $75 million over two years for the construction of housing units for persons with disabilities.
* Supporting housing in the North with an additional $200 million over two years.
* Making available up to $2 billion over two years in direct, low-cost loans to municipalities to finance improvements to housing related infrastructure, such as sewers, water lines, and neighbourhood regeneration projects.

Home Renovation Tax Credit Backgrounder

Home renovations are smart investments in the long term value of a home and also create economic activity by increasing the demand for labour, building materials and other goods. Renovations can also reduce energy consumption and the long-term cost of owning a home.

To provide some $3 billion of much-needed fiscal stimulus and encourage investments in Canada’s housing stock, Budget 2009 proposes to implement a temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC).

The Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) will provide a temporary 15% income tax credit on eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired, after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010. The credit may be claimed on eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000, but no more than $10,000.

Who can claim the credit?

The HRTC will be family-based, generally meaning an individual, and his/her spouse or common-law partner. Family members will also be able to share the credit amongst themselves. About 4.6 million families in Canada are expected to benefit from the credit.

What expenditures are eligible?

The HRTC can be claimed for renovations and alterations to a dwelling or the land on which it sits that are enduring in nature. Costs associated with such projects will be eligible for the credit, including permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses. Routine repairs and maintenance normally performed annually or on a more frequent basis will not qualify for the credit. Individuals will need to keep receipts for expenditures and may claim the HRTC when filing their income tax returns for 2009.

The HRTC will complement support provided by the Government to Canadians to undertake energy-saving improvements to their homes. EcoEnergy retrofit grants will not reduce the value of claims made under the HRTC. Eligible renovation expenditures claimed under the Medical Expense Tax Credit may also be claimed.

The HRTC will apply to eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired, after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010, pursuant to agreements entered into after January 27, 2009. The temporary nature of the credit will provide an immediate incentive for Canadians to undertake new renovations or accelerate planned projects.

ACTION ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO FINANCING

* Committing an addition $50B to Insured Mortgage Purchase Program. The new total size of the program is $125B.
* $13B in additional financing by increasing the flexibility and capacities of the financial Crown corporations (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Export Development Corporation, and the Business Development Bank of Canada).
* Increasing the maximum eligible loan amount a small business can access under the Canada Small Business Financing Program which could increase lending by $300M per year.
* Creating the Canadian Secured Credit Facility, with an allocation of up to $12B, to support financing of vehicles and equipment for consumers and businesses.
* To help Canadian lenders remain competitive on the global scale, we are extending the deadline for insuring guaranteed instruments under the Canadian Lenders Assurance Facility.
* Establishing a new Canadian Life Insurers Assurance Facility to generate wholesale term borrowings for life insurers, modelled on the Canadian Lenders Assurance Facility.

The Extraordinary Financing Framework (EFF)

* Providing up to $200B in existing and new measures to support the extension of financing from Canada’s financial institutions to Canadians and Canadian businesses during the current extraordinary period.
* The Government will form the Advisory Committee on Financing to help manage the EFF.
* This committee will include users and suppliers of financing, along with other experts.
* While the Government will undertake additional borrowing, the EFF is expected to generate an overall positive return. It is not expected to lead to an increase in federal debt.

ACTION TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS

* Increasing the amount of small business income eligible for the reduced federal tax rate of 11 per cent to $500,000 from the current limit of $400,000 as of January 1, 2009.
* Increasing access to financing for small businesses through proposed amendments to the Canada Small Business Financing Program and the Business Development Bank of Canada.
* Providing $30 million over two years for the Canada Business Network and $10 million in 2009-10 to the Canadian Youth Business Foundation.
* Allocating $200 million over two years to the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program to enable it to temporarily expand its initiatives for small and medium-sized businesses.

ACTION ON A MORE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

Transformation to a Green Energy Economy

To maintain a strong economy Canada requires a healthy environment that provides sustainable resources and supports a high and enduring quality of life. The Government is committed to ensuring that Canada's enviable and pristine environment is protected and strengthened for current and future generations.

Canada has committed to a 20 per cent reduction of greenhouse gases by 2020. Clean-energy technologies have the potential to make a significant contribution by reducing emissions from the production and use of energy, and creating new opportunities as Canada transitions toward a greener global economy. This is particularly the case for technologies that capture carbon dioxide, one of the most important greenhouse gases, at the point of production in industrial facilities and safely store it underground.

Since 2006, the Government has provided $375 million to support the development of carbon capture and storage technologies, including $250 million in Budget 2008 for a full-scale commercial demonstration of carbon capture and storage in the coal-fired electricity sector in Saskatchewan, research on the potential for carbon storage in Nova Scotia, and economic and technological issues. An additional $125 million is available for carbon capture and storage projects under the ecoENERGY Technology Initiative of Natural Resources Canada.

To further support Canada's leadership in clean energy, Budget 2009 provides:

* Canada’s Action Plan invests in a more sustainable environment to help create the green technologies of tomorrow that will combat global warming and clean our air.
* $1 billion over five years to a Clean Energy Fund for pilot projects and research, including carbon capture storage. This support is expected to generate a total investment in clean technologies of at least $2.5 billion over the next five years.
* Improving the government’s annual reporting on key environmental indicators such as clean air, clean water and greenhouse gas emissions with $10 million.
* Strengthening Canada’s nuclear advantage with $351 million to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited for its operations and to maintain safe and reliable operations at the Chalk River Laboratories.

Capital Cost Allowance for Carbon Capture and Storage

In light of the potential importance of carbon capture and storage as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial facilities, the Government will also consult with stakeholders to identify specific assets used in carbon capture and storage with a view to providing accelerated capital cost allowance (CCA) in respect of such investments. Accelerated CCA is used to actively promote investment in certain clean-energy generation technologies. Advancing the timing of capital cost deductions for tax purposes defers taxation and improves the financial return from investment in particular assets.
Informing Canadians About the Environment

The Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators initiative produces a coherent set of indicators on water quality, air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions over time. Budget 2009 will provide $10 million in 2009–10 to sustain the Government's annual reporting on the environmental indicators.

Lois Brown MP, Newmarket-Aurora

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2008

Brown: Pre-Budget Consultation meeting January 8^th lets residents

have their say in upcoming federal budget

(Newmarket-Aurora, ON) - Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown wants to hear your views and priorities for the upcoming federal Budget 2009.

I’m asking residents in Newmarket and Aurora to participate in the important budget process by attending a Pre-Budget Consultation meeting January 8th, said Ms. Brown. Federal budget 2009 is a crucial step towards our economic recovery and it’s essential we have input and direction from the public. All comments, verbal and written, are welcome and will be forwarded directly to the Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty.

The Pre-Budget Consultation Town Hall meeting takes place on Thursday, January 8, 2009, at the Aurora Town Hall Council Chambers, located at 1 Municipal Drive in Aurora beginning at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend, however participants interested in making a formal deputation will need to pre-register. Everyone in attendance will have an opportunity to provide their input. For more information or to pre-register, contact Lois Brown’s Constituency Office at 905-953-7515 or email Brownlo@parl.gc.ca.

Update:

Lois Brown MP, Newmarket-Aurora

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2009

MP Brown: Newmarket-Aurora’s Budget suggestions will be heard

(Newmarket-Aurora, On) - “The residents of Newmarket and Aurora have spoken, and our government will listen,” vowed Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown. Ms. Brown was referring to the substantive collection of public input she accumulated during her recent pre-budget consultations.

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty had requested the public’s advice and suggestions for the upcoming federal budget and MP Brown was quick to ensure that Newmarket and Aurora were included.

Ms. Brown had invited the public to submit comments and suggestions to her office and had held a public meeting January 8^th at the Aurora Town Hall to give everyone an opportunity to have their say. “I was very pleased, not only with the large number of responses I received, but also with the many thoughtful and creative suggestions submitted. Residents truly want to help, and in many ways are in the best position to offer us advice.”

Specific suggestions from individual deputations included: create a new high-tech medical device research facility, invest in ‘green’ projects and programs, provide assistance for the automotive industry by restoring consumer confidence and encouraging banks to make credit available for consumers, create a government : employer job-sharing program, increase infrastructure spending and reduce interprovincial barriers, replace our financial system with a local monetary system, improve Canada’s productivity and enact a local “tax-free” zone.

Residents were also asked a number of specific questions. GST was the favoured tax cut followed by lower income taxes. Infrastructure spending should be spent on public transit, with roads, bridges, ports, rail and borders a close second. Help for seniors should be directed to reducing taxes and adding flexibility to RIFFs. Improvements to the Employment Insurance program should include extending the number of eligible weeks, implementing a government: employer job sharing program and better retraining programs. Residents’ suggestions on the best way to stimulate the economy were varied with no one clear cut solution. Reducing taxes and ensuring access to credit however, topped the list. Other suggestions included an infrastructure program, investment in ‘green’ jobs, restoring consumer confidence and stimulating the housing industry.

When asked to rank their priorities for the Budget, residents favoured an infrastructure program followed closely by assistance for sustainable labour markets and training incentives. Improved access to credit and lower taxes ranked third and fourth.

A full report of resident’s suggestions has been forwarded to the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. A federal budget is scheduled for January 27, 2009.

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For further information, please contact:

Jackie Cousins

Media Contact

905-953-7515

Cell: 416-543-7700

Lois Brown MP, Newmarket-Aurora

LOIS BROWN: CANADIAN AUTO-AID PACKAGE WELCOME NEWS

FOR NEWMARKET-AURORA

DECEMEBER 21, 2008

(Newmarket-Aurora, ON) - Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown says that the financial aid package for the Canadian Auto Industry announced December 20 by Prime Minister Harper and Premier McGuinty is welcome news for Newmarket and Aurora.

Highlighting the three-point plan is $4 billion in loans payable to General Motors of Canada Limited and Chrysler Canada Inc. by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, extended through Export Development Canada (EDC). There will be conditions attached to the financing extended to the automakers and the federal and provincial governments will exercise oversight over the use of taxpayer money as part of its ongoing due diligence. The loans are expected to provide additional time for the auto manufacturers to reduce structural costs and ensure a viable auto industry in Canada.

Prime Minister Harper also announced two additional steps that the federal government will undertake to support the overall competitiveness of the auto industry. Automotive suppliers will have greater access to accounts receivable insurance through federal Export Development Corporation coverage to compensate for the reduced availability of credit. Additionally, the Government of Canada will create a new facility to support access to credit for consumers with particular attention paid to improving the accessibility of car loans and dealer financing.

“This made-in-Canada, three-point auto aid package is welcome news for Newmarket and Aurora,” said Lois Brown. We have taken a holistic approach, and these measures will assist suppliers and consumers including the numerous automotive retail and supply industries located here. I am especially pleased that Prime Minister Harper and our government incorporated the advice forwarded from the local auto dealership round table meeting I recently conducted. All three recommendations resulting from that meeting were addressed in this auto aid package with the inclusion of support to auto suppliers, consumers and by extension retailers, in addition to assistance for large auto manufacturers.”

Lois Brown had received three key suggestions from her recent auto dealership round table; stimulate consumer spending, assist in extending credit for automotive purchases, and support Canada’s large automotive manufacturers.

The Canadian auto aid package comes one day after an announced U.S. $17.4 billion auto aid package.

Lois Brown is the Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora. She is a member of the House of Commons Standing Committees for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and is the Vice-President of the Conservative Party Auto Caucus.

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For further information, please contact:

Jackie Cousins

Media Contact

Photos from Lois Brown open house in Newmarket

A great event that took place on Saturday. Lois Brown officially opened her constituency office and held an open house to make the occasion. The event was attended by Newmarket mayor Tony Van Bynen, Aurora mayor Phyllis Morris and several members of Newmarket and Aurora council were also present. It is good to see that in Newmarket-Aurora, there is a good working relationship between the local councils, MPP (Frank Klees) and MP (Lois Brown). Congratulations to Lois and her staff for organizing such a positive event.
-Darryl

Lois Brown M.P., Newmarket-Aurora



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2, 2008



Statement by Lois Brown, M.P. Newmarket-Aurora



(Newmarket-Aurora, ON) - Political maneuverings of the most serious consequence, by party leaders whose prime ministerial aspirations were firmly dismissed just weeks ago, have left many Canadians angry and confused. A take-over of government by the three federal opposition parties could plunge our country into a state of political and economic turmoil never seen before.

How did this happen? The October 14th federal election results saw a Conservative government earn a significantly stronger minority mandate. 143 Conservative MPs were elected, an increase of 15% from the 124 seats earned in 2006. The Liberal Party under Stéphane Dion received a historic low of 77 seats. The Bloc Québécois received 49 seats, and the NDP Party obtained 37 seats. Each party ran on platforms constitutionally guided by very different sets of principles.

However, instead of accepting their responsibilities as opposition critics, the Liberals, Bloc and NDP have created a pact designed to seize control of the government. This three-party coalition led by Stéphane Dion, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe intend to vote down the leadership of the Stephen Harper Conservatives and replace it with their own.

Why are these people risking the state of our already fragile economy and the possibility of plunging our country into unknown perils? In a letter dated December 1 addressed to “our fellow citizens,” all three Leaders contend that Mr. Harper “has no plan” to address the current economic crisis - language identical to the rhetoric heard during the recent campaign. The Liberals, Bloc and NDP simply refuse to accept the people’s verdict. Their campaign has continued, resulting in the formation of a bizarre, unstable coalition dependant on agreement of three diametrically opposed parties with little common ground. The real motivation in bringing down the Conservative government isn’t concern for the economy, but seizing an opportunity to gain control in a transparent, planned and unprecedented grab for power.

On October 14th citizens of Newmarket and Aurora elected a Conservative MP within a strong Conservative minority government to represent their interests in Ottawa. As your elected Member of Parliament, I am committed to acting in the best interests of our communities at all times. Most recently I have been working with the Minister of Industry and speaking with officials at Magna in an effort to mitigate the impact of the Exterion plant closings and to search for longer term solutions. There is dialogue with officials in both towns to determine which infrastructure projects the federal government can assist in fast-tracking.

What we do not need is a constitutional crisis and economic instability created from three political parties’ refusal to accept the democratically stated will of Canadians. The Liberal-NDP-Bloc strategy for our future is based on back-room deals and a written letter. The coalition’s entire plan relies on the support of the Bloc Québécois whose stated purpose for existence is to separate from Canada.

Since 2006 Prime Minister Stephen Harper has governed prudently and responsibly. Canada is forecast as having the best economic growth of all other OECD countries in the world. Our economy is undergoing challenges; however we remain in the best shape of all other G-7 countries. Our 2009 budget, to be tabled on January 27, will contain measures appropriate for these uncertain economic times. We are working at moving ahead on infrastructure projects and other productivity enhancing investments to create jobs and stimulate the economy. It is simply irresponsible for anyone to otherwise plunge Canada billions of dollars into debt without a well thought-out plan of return. To have an unstable coalition government take control without an election, during a time of global economic uncertainty, is a risk we cannot afford.

I urge everyone concerned with our country’s future to contact me. You can call me at 905-953-7515, send an email to BrownLo@parl.gc.ca or visit my constituency office at 16600 Bayview Ave., Suite 206, Newmarket, Ontario L3X 1Z9.

Lois Brown is the elected Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora. She is a member of the House of Commons Standing Committees for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade.



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Lois Brown M.P., Newmarket-Aurora



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2008

Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown named Vice-Chairperson of the Conservative auto caucus

Congratulations to Ms. Brown on this appointment as vice-chairperson of the Conservative auto caucus. The automotive sector is a key industry here in Newmarket-Aurora.
-Darryl

John Tory, Frank Klees and Ontario PC solid against federal coalition coup

There have been a lot of questions about how united Conservatives are behind Stephen Harper. I can tell you that in the face of this coup, the entire federal caucus, provincial PC caucus, volunteers and voters are standing firm against this opposition power grab. Conservative support is at an all time high, and internally the party has never been more united. I appreciate the support offered from Frank Klees and John Tory.
-Darryl


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John Tory Scrum – Situation in Ottawa

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Question: What do you make of the going in Ottawa?

Tory: All I make of it is that the people want one thing. They want to see their elected representatives of all parties working together to fix the economy. That’s the only preoccupation the people Canada have. And so I think they will be all in favour of anything that will get people back to work fixing the economy, I don’t think most people understand constitutional niceties, I don’t think they care much about them. I think they want to see their elected representatives of all parties 24/7 fixing the economy. And anything that gets us there immediately, I think that people will be all in favour of it and so am I.

Question: even if it is a coalition?

Tory: Well no. Look I think the coalition, frankly if that’s what comes to pass, it’s going to achieve precisely the opposite. The coalition is going to achieve a period perhaps lengthy of instability, just starting with how we even get to these coalition people being asked to form a government if they are and I’m speculating on what may or may not happen. I think somehow the best thing that could happen is as I’ve said before we could almost rewind the tape and sort of say look can we get back to what people sent the parliamentarians there to do which was to fix the economy. I said the other day I’m a Conservative. I voted Conservative. People elected a government with 144 seats, just shy of a majority government, so clearly they spoke as to the kind of government they wanted and the kind of approach they wanted. I just think we should be getting on with finding a way to have these people work together to fix the economy and they should put their focus on that and nothing else. Not on politics and not on themselves.

Question asked in French, responded in English. Re: Bloc Quebecois

Tory: The Bloc Quebecois do not have the interests of a strong Canada as part of their mandate. In face their mandate is quite the opposite. Therefore if you’re looking to build a strong economy for Canada and Ontario as your top priority right now, which is certainly mine, then they don’t fit that bill. They are not people who are going to advance that agenda. My agenda, the agenda of our Party of Ontario is advancing, strengthening, rebuilding the Ontario economy and the Canadian economy. Job one, priority one, the only priority right now, and they don’t are not people who share that agenda.

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KLEES: Coalition Coup a Threat to Local Economy

(Queen’s Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees called on the three federal opposition leaders to reconsider their plans to bring down the recently elected federal government and wants the Premier to join the call for stability.

"At a time when plants are closing and job losses are mounting, the last thing we need is more uncertainty," said Klees. "The actions of Messers Dion, Layton and Duceppe are wrong-headed and self-serving and threaten to plunge our already fragile auto manufacturing sector into crisis."

In a letter to the Prime Minister and the three opposition party leaders, Klees stressed the need for immediate action by the federal government to prevent the loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs. He pointed to the 850 jobs that will be lost as a result of the recently announced Magna plant closings in York Region and the threat of thousands of additional job losses if a meaningful action plan for the industry is delayed.

"My intention is not to defend the actions of the federal government that gave rise to the strong opposition mounted by the three opposition parties," said Klees. "In retrospect, neither the timing nor some of the content was well advised. And in response, the opposition parties made their point forcefully and effectively. That’s the role of opposition parties in our parliamentary system of government.”

But that's where it should have ended, according to Klees. After securing the government's retreat on the controversial proposals such as taking away the right to strike by the public sector, eliminating funding to political parties and agreeing to move the date of the federal budget to accelerate the timing of an economic action plan, the opposition parties should have claimed victory and moved on to work with the government to ensure the implementation of an economic recovery strategy rather than resort to what is playing out to be an historical coup d’etat.”

"Rather than being satisfied that they had effectively performed their opposition role, the triumvirate of Dion, Layton and Duceppe formed an unholy alliance to overthrow the government," said Klees. "In so doing, they are willing to destabilize our government, risk a loss of international confidence in our economy and sacrifice thousands of jobs by even further delaying the implementation of a meaningful federal economic action plan that would assist our auto sector."

"This is a time when every member of every parliament in the country should be working together to build confidence in our governments, our economy and our manufacturing industries. The last thing we need is to be thrown into another election or to be led by a coalition of three political parties, one of which has no loyalty to Canada, have no mandate to govern, have contradictory policies, and have self-appointed the man who would be the Prime Minister should this so-called Coalition have its way. This is not the Canada I know, and we all have a responsibility to stop this abuse of power and protect the integrity of our parliamentary system of government."

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References:

Frank Klees, MPP

Pictures from Lois Brown swearing in ceremony today

Congratulations again to Lois Brown! It was a pleasure and honour to share in this moment. Photos include Lois and her family. Also members of the campaign team.
-Darryl