MP LaVar Payne

I hope you had a great Christmas and were able to spend times of joy and celebration with family and friends, experience the laughter of children and find moments of peace and contentment during this special time; please remember the reason for the season.

This past year was a busy time for our government, both before and after the election in May of 2011, in which we saw our Conservative government re-elected with a majority. I was honoured to be re-elected with an increased plurality and appreciate the support of the citizens of our vast Riding of 33,000 sq. km.

Since the election we have brought forward legislation as we had promised during our election campaign and in our policy platform. Some of the new legislation which has now become the law of the land includes the 2011 Budget, the new Anti-Crime Bill, the new Marketing Freedom Grains Act and the Fair Representation Act.

Our government continues to be focused on the economy and in creating jobs. Some important elements in this Budget which will benefit Canadians include:

• Providing temporary Hiring Credits for Small Business

• Extending the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers supporting training

• Extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit

• Introducing the Family Caregiver Tax Credit and Children’s Arts Tax Credit

• The new Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit

• Enhancing the Guaranteed Income Supplement

• Introduction of the new Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPP)

• Elimination of the federally regulated mandatory retirement age

• Increased budgets for supporting Research and Development

• Expanding and enhancing the eligibility for Canada Student Loan Program

• Supporting our military by rebuilding the Royal Canadian Navy

• Creating jobs in Canada with the building of ships in Canada

• Attracting doctors and nurses to under-served rural and remote communities

• Renewing the ecoEnergy Retrofit program for homes

I continue to serve on the Aboriginal Affairs Standing Committee and we currently have a study underway to help promote Economic Development on Aboriginal Lands. This is an important study not only for Aboriginals but all Canadians as we create more job and investment opportunities. We have heard from many witnesses this fall and we will continue our study in January. We will also ensure accountability of investments. We heard from Chief Louie of the Westbank reserve and have listened to the great success of investments and job creation for Aboriginals and all Canadians. While there is much work to be done, progress is being made and several Chiefs are inspiring others to wisely and responsibly manage their resources and people.

I am also on the Agriculture and Agri-food Standing Committee and we are currently studying Growing Forward II which is a suite of programs we have for the Agriculture Sector. We have heard from many farmers and farm organizations during this study as it continues into 2012 as well. Many witnesses have already indicated that we need to continue with our government investments in Research and Development in partnership with industry to better meet our growing agricultural needs.

When we return to the House in January we will bring forward the legislation to abolish the Long Gun Registry. The third reading will take place in the House of Commons, then sent to the Senate for review and finally to the Governor General for Royal assent. Unfortunately the original Bill brought in by the Liberals did nothing to contribute to enhanced public safety; it targeted farmers, hunters and sport shooters, costing taxpayers more than $2 billion. I have not heard of any criminals who registered their long guns or handguns. Handguns continue to be restricted firearms and have to be registered, as Canadian law has required since 1934.

The Medicine Hat Riding has benefitted from our Stimulus Funding introduced in 2009, by investments in infrastructure all across the Riding. Some of the investments include: training, highway improvements, waste water, sewer and potable water investments, Medalta restoration funding, gas tax funding, summer job funding, Public Safety, New Horizon funding for seniors organizations as well as Arts and Heritage funding. Since I was elected in 2008 the total funding our Medicine Hat Riding has received is over $44 million. There is still another $10 million of funding available and waiting to be presented for projects for the City of Medicine Hat under the Build Canada Fund, which will bring that total to over $54 million for the Riding.

I continue to work hard for the benefit of all our communities and the people who enjoy our beautiful south east Alberta. Thank you for your ongoing support and words of encouragement, for meeting with me, sharing your knowledge, advice and concerns.

Best wishes for a very prosperous New Year to each and every one of you on behalf of me and my wife Micheline.