June 30, 2010

Parliament recently recessed for the summer, as Members of Parliament head back to their respective ridings allow me to provide you with a brief recap of what has been happening on the Hill in Ottawa.
Since February our Government introduced 45 bills, 10 of which have received Royal Assent, the final stage of the legislative process by which a bill becomes law. The remaining 35 bills are at various stages in either the House of Commons or the Senate. 
A few of the notable bills which have recently been passed are:

• Bill C-2: Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
• Bill C-11: Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• Bill C-13: Amend the Employment Insurance Act (fairness for Military families)
• Bill C-23A: Amend the Criminal Records Act
• Federal Government Funding for Calgary…

The worldwide economic downturn has been felt by all; however our Federal Government has continued to find ways to fund programs and initiatives that benefit Calgarians.

• $464,000 to help support Arts and Culture in Calgary
• $240,000 to help Calgary’s Potential Place Society prevent homelessness
• $1,001,625 through the Marquee Tourism Program to enhance and encourage tourism in Calgary
• $1.6 million for literacy and jobs skills training programs through Bow Valley College
• $9.3 million for the creation of a research centre at the University of Calgary that will allow for the Oil Sands to be harnessed more effectively and with less of an environmental impact