LaVar Payne, Medicine Hat MP

Our Conservative Government introduced the second phase of our Economic Action Plan in March of 2010. This plan includes an additional $19 billion dollars in new federal stimulus funding.  
Alberta will continue to see increased funding for a total transfer of $4.2 billion in 2010 – 2011, an increase of $88 million over 2009 – 2010.  Alberta will also receive $11 million for the 27 Community Futures organizations, to assist the vitality of communities and help small and medium-sized businesses and communities, which will enhance their competitiveness.  
We have already announced several highway and bridge improvement projects in our riding on Highway 1 both near and in Medicine Hat. I know that there are other projects in the riding that are under consideration for funding at this time.
The Wild Horse port of entry is still a high priority for me as the MP for the Medicine Hat riding. I continue to pursue the opening of the Wild Horse border crossing on a 24 hour basis.  The United States is moving toward an upgrade of this important port of entry by providing some $15.0 million as part of their economic recovery plans.
I recently met with the United States Ambassador, the Consul General for Calgary and other Consul Generals for the US, to discuss the importance of this border crossing to both the United States and Canada with regard to economic development and a secure energy supply.  Both the Ambassador and the Consul General for Calgary were fully informed of the Wild Horse border crossing’s importance for transportation and trade for both countries. I specifically talked about the direct access to Fort McMurray via highway 41 to move equipment for development of the Oil Sands.
There are a number of Bills being passed in the House of Commons which are important to Albertans as well as other Canadians.  A number of these Bills were introduced by members of the opposition parties, with all three opposition parties voting in favour of these bills.  
The first is Bill C – 311: Climate Change Accountability Act; this bill was introduced by the NDP and has passed third reading with all opposition parties voting for the Bill and all Conservative members voting against the Bill because of the impact it would have on Canada.  If this Bill were to be enacted it would require that Canada go back to the old Kyoto Protocol. The estimated cost to Canada, the cost estimate for this would be approximately $25 billion dollars and result in making our country unable to compete economically with other countries in the global economy.
The second Bill C – 232: Act to Amend the Supreme Court Act, was also introduced by the NDP and has also passed 3rd reading with all opposition parties voting for the Bill and all Conservative members having major concerns about consequences and voting against the Bill.  If this Bill were to be enacted it would require all Supreme Court Judges to have the ability to understand both official languages without the assistance of an interpreter. This means that understanding both official languages would become the most important qualification for a Supreme Court Judge, rather than requiring that understanding Canadian law be the most important knowledge qualification for Judges.
The third Bill C – 474: An Act Respecting the Seeds Regulations, was also supported by all opposition parties.  This Bill is not supported by the Conservative Government, as the Bill threatens our agriculture industry.  Concerned farmers have contacted me about the significance of this Bill to their industry.  Currently in our agriculture industry the introduction of new varieties of crops is based on science; this Bill would have the industry ignore science and would inhibit investment and innovation.
The forth Bill C – 2: Canada – Columbia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act and the Agreement on Labour Co-operation will be presented for vote on Monday April 19th (just prior to this article).  This will enable the Bill to go to committee for review before it comes back to the House for third reading.  This is an important Bill to Canada as it would enable us to expand our free trade and open new markets for our agriculture sector and other products which would benefit our economy.
Our Government’s stimulus funding through the Economic Action Plan that has been delivered to our constituency this past year and will continue this year, is helping to improve our infrastructure, recreation, education and economic growth. Thank you for your continued support as we move into economic recovery and toward a prosperous Canada.