OTTAWA REPORT

September 10, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Lois Brown, MP
Newmarket-Aurora

End of Pay-to-Pay
Increasingly, Canadians are finding a new charge on their monthly phone bill that previously did not exist. This fee may range from $1 to $6 each month and is charged to clients who choose to receive their monthly phone bill by mail.
This pay-to-pay billing practice is unacceptable and our government is committed to ending the practice and putting the interests of Canadian consumers first.
Industry Minister James Moore has announced that our government will introduce new legislation to end pay-to-pay billing practices in the telecommunications sector. This is just another example of the way we are promoting policies that support Canadian consumers and put more money back in the pockets of hard-working Canadian families.

Call for Proposals
Organizations in Newmarket-Aurora are invited to propose new projects that will promote the economic prosperity of women in Canada. The Government of Canada will be supporting projects selected through this new Call for Proposals by Status of Women Canada entitled Increasing Economic Prosperity for Women. These projects will engage key stakeholders – institutions, employers, sector and professional organizations and local communities, to address the unique challenges facing women in today’s economy, and remove barriers that prevent them from contributing fully to the growth of the economy.
The program follows up on a June 26, 2014 report of the Government of Canada’s Advisory Council for Promoting Women on Boards that outlines a roadmap for improving the representation of women on public and private boards. One of the report’s main recommendations is that public and private sectors in Canada aspire to seeing women attain 30% of all board positions over the next five years. Economic Action Plan 2014 outlined the government’s commitment to increasing mentorship for women looking to start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs. Deadline for applications is by noon on October 17, 2014. Find out more at swc-cfc.gc.ca.

Deployment to Iraq
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced the deployment of several dozen members of the Canadian Armed Forces to Iraq. Upon receipt of final consent from Iraq, they will join the U.S. in advising the Government of Iraq on how to enable security forces in the northern part of the country to be more effective against the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). This will contribute to protecting Iraqi citizens being persecuted by ISIL and help prevent any further escalation of the humanitarian crisis being caused by those fleeing the terrorist group.
Canadian Armed Forces members will provide strategic and tactical advice to Iraqi forces before they commence tactical operations against ISIL. The initial deployment will be for a period of up to 30 days. It will be reassessed after that time. A special meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development will be convened at the earliest opportunity in order for the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and National Defence, as well as the Chief of the Defence Staff, to provide information to Members of Parliament. Canada has been one of the lead contributing nations in terms of supporting the Government of Iraq against the scourge of ISIL. The fanaticism of the ISIL terrorist group is a real threat to regional security and millions of innocent people in Iraq, Syria and beyond. Left unchecked, ISIL is also a direct threat to Canada and its Allies.

International Day of Charity
Canada marked the International Day of Charity on September 5. The day emphasizes the importance of charitable efforts – whether by individuals or organizations – in alleviating human suffering and the impact of humanitarian crises. The act of providing charity creates social bonds and contributes to a more inclusive society in Canada and abroad.
From an outbreak of the Ebola virus to the conflict in Syria to ongoing violence in many African countries, there are significant humanitarian needs around the world. In 2013, more than 140 million people were affected by acute humanitarian crises as a result of natural disasters, conflict or political insecurity around the globe. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, the global refugees exceeded 50 million this year for first time since the Second World War. Children make up more than half of those displaced.
Canadians have a reputation for being compassionate and charitable people. Our government values the power of individual Canadians coming together to donate to charitable organizations to improve people’s lives around the world. To increase the incentive to Canadians to contribute our government introduced the First-Time Donor’s Super Credit last year. Valid until 2017, this credit will supplement the existing non-refundable tax credit for charitable donations by individuals.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in Newmarket-Aurora for their commitment to charitable giving, whether it is donating to a local charitable organization or volunteering here, or overseas. You are making a difference.

If you would like to contact me on any issue, please call 905-953-7515 or visit my website at www.loisbrown.ca.
I look forward to hearing from you.