REPORT FROM PARLIAMENT

Hello constituents. The opening of Canada’s 40^th Parliament presented me with the opportunity for an additional means to contact you, through a Member of Parliament report. I trust you’ll enjoy reading this first of what I hope will be many columns in riding newspapers. I’ll be writing about the “goings-on” on Parliament Hill in Ottawa as well as progress and thoughts on riding issues and events that are important to your family and your business.

The House of Commons resumed sitting Nov. 18, and the following day we gathered, as is tradition, in the Senate Chambers to hear the Governor General present the Speech from the Throne. The economy has very quickly become the main issue facing Canada and the world. There needs to be some belt-tightening during this period of global economic instability but we are committed to continuing to deliver results for families, farms and businesses.

The Throne Speech includes a five-part plan to protect the country’s economic security. Working with our allies and trading partners to reform the global finance system is key. However, equally important is getting our own government spending under control. Just like individual families must cut back in hard times, we need to make difficult decisions as we manage your tax dollars. The Throne Speech notes that “departments will have the funding they need to deliver essential programs and services, and no more.”

Folks, I don’t want to project doom and gloom, particularly as our province experiences some of its best economic fortunes in history, but we must be prepared and committed to responsible fiscal management during this time of economic uncertainty. We will continue to do the right thing. Remember, we took action early on, cutting consumer, personal and business taxes, paying down millions of dollars in federal debt and making changes to mortgage regulations to help stimulate the economy ahead of this downturn. Our policies have helped put Canada in a better position than many other countries.

Aside from the economic front, I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister talk about barley in his reply to the Throne Speech. Farm families can be assured that we are committed to freedom of choice in grain marketing. And, many of you will be happy to know we will continue our ongoing efforts to get rid of the wasteful gun registry.

I know health care is always important to you. Our Government has pledged to ensure that the provinces receive the planned generous health and social program transfer payments and that the payments will grow in line with the economy. Unlike the past Liberal government, we won’t download these costs to the provinces.

The election gave us a stronger minority government and we will continue to push forward on issues that we’ve been elected to address.

I hope this gives you a bit of a glimpse into the first week of the 40^th parliament and that you’ll enjoy reading these columns regularly. Don’t hesitate to contact my office in North Battleford or Ottawa if you have input or concerns.

Hon. Gerry Ritz is the Member of Parliament for Battlefords Lloydminster