REPORT FROM PARLIAMENT

Amid the many reports of economic struggles, I’m happy to relate in this column, some of the good news that’s been happening both at home and abroad.

With parliament on recess last week, I had the opportunity to head a trade mission to the Middle East with stops in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I was very pleased to announce Canadian beef exporters will have access to the lucrative Saudi Arabian market for the first time since 2003.

This broadens the opportunities for Canadian producers, and includes beef exports from animals less than 30 months of age. It may be surprising to some that Saudi Arabia used to be Canada’s sixth largest market for exports of beef, worth as much as $6 million prior to BSE putting a halt to that trade over five years ago. In meeting with the Saudi Arabian officials, it was also agreed that our two countries will keep the lines of communication open as we work to gain full access for our Canadian beef exports.

It’s certainly rewarding to see countries renew their faith in the Canadian industry as a result of our efforts to make sure there are new and expanded markets for our producers. The agreement with Saudi Arabia follows the earlier announcement of full market access for Canadian beef and cattle exports to Jordan. While visiting the capital of Amman last week, as part of the trade mission, I was able to thank the Jordanian government for taking this important step and making a commitment to continue trade talks.

Although in the Middle East, I had my eyes and ears on the goings on in Washington, with respect to the contentious Country of Origin Labelling (COOL). We were able to argue with the former administration for a better set of rules and our government remains committed to taking action against protectionism should the US ramp up the regulations. We know that thickening of the border isn’t good for either country.

On the home front, folks have likely heard the news that Saskatchewan will benefit from $95 million in joint government infrastructure funding for 46 Building Canada projects. Nearly $8 million is coming to Battlefords-Lloydminster through investments in five water, road and sewer improvement projects with the federal share of funding over $2.6 million. By working with the province and municipalities, which share in the cost of these projects, we are able to move quickly.

We should see shovels in the ground soon in various locations around the riding. There are road improvements planned in Lloydminster and in the area north of Lashburn, construction of Greenstreet Road in the RM of Britannia, a sanitary sewer renewal project in Unity and, in the RM of Mervin, construction of a water treatment plant in the hamlet of Sunset View Beach.

These investments not only build and improve local infrastructure but also create jobs .And better yet, further projects are expected throughout the province as the second round of Building Canada applications for smaller communities will begin soon.

Hon. Gerry Ritz is the Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster www.gerryritzmp.ca