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OTTAWA REPORT

By Lois Brown, MP
Newmarket-Aurora

End of Parliament Wrap-Up
The House of Commons has risen for the last time before the upcoming election, concluding the most productive Parliament in two decades.
Over 160 bills received Royal Assent, including an unprecedented 40 Private Members' Bills. Under Prime Minister Harper's leadership, more than three times as many Private Members' Bills have become law than under any other Prime Minister.
We've continued to reduce taxes, returned Canada to a balanced budget and delivered record transfer payments to the provinces and territories. The passage of Economic Action Plan 2015 this spring continues our low-tax plan that will help continue to create jobs, spur economic growth, and ensure long-term prosperity for all.
We lowered federal taxes to levels not seen in over fifty years. An average two-earner family of four is saving, each and every year, $3,293 in personal income tax relief, $1,018 in GST tax relief and $2,329 in additional child benefits. Low- and medium-income families have seen proportionally greater tax relief. Those earning less than $30,000 have seen a 97% reduction in federal income taxes and those earning $60,000 have seen a 20% reduction in federal income taxes.
In addition to important economic accomplishments, the Government kept its commitment to keep our streets and communities safe and to ensure the safety and security of Canadians. The Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 became law. A core piece of legislation, it responds to the evolving threat of jihadi terrorists who are directly threatening our country.
Here at home, we've made significant investments such as those in transit; including the GO and Viva Rapid Transit Systems; and public infrastructure, including approximately $15 million in gas tax funding to the Towns of Aurora and Newmarket and millions of dollars in direct funding for projects such as Aurora's wastewater infrastructure, Newmarket Operations Centre, Hillary House and Shared Digital Infrastructure Collaborative.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in New Horizons for Seniors funding are benefitting local seniors such as those at the Aurora Seniors' Centre, York Region Food Network, CHATS and Aurora Historical Society; and creating summer jobs for students such as those at Hospice King-Aurora, Kerry's Place, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Youth Soccer Club and Blue Hills Child and Family Centre.
It has been a great honour to work for and represent the residents of Newmarket-Aurora, a privilege I do not take for granted. I will continue to work hard to deliver results for you and your family and would look forward to speaking with you on your priorities. A complete list of Bills during the 41st Parliament receiving Royal Assent and Private Members' Motions Adopted can be found on my website at www.loisbrown.ca.

Strengthening Trade Within Canada
Industry Minister James Moore recently met with his provincial and territorial counterparts in Toronto to discuss negotiations and progress on modernizing Canada's internal trade framework. The meeting sent a strong signal about the importance of the issues being negotiated and the need to accelerate the work toward a new agreement. All ministers agreed to complete renegotiations by March 2016.
This follows up on a Government of Canada strategy titled One Canada, One National Economy: Modernizing Internal Trade in Canada released last August. Nearly 40 percent of Canada's trade occurs within its borders and barriers to internal trade cripple Canada's economy and hurt the bottom line of families and communities. The federal strategy responds to the realities of a globally integrated economy like Canada's and creates a modern internal framework for federal, provincial and territorial partners.

Applying for CPP Now Faster and Easier
The Government of Canada has launched a faster and easier online application for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). It allows retirees to complete and submit their CPP retirement pension application entirely online in just a few clicks, replacing the online process which required claimants to complete a long and cumbersome application online, and print and mail a signed signature page.
This is part of the Harper Government's efforts to continually improve Canadians' access to the benefits and services they need. The My CPP Retirement online application is available within a My Service Canada Account. Claimants are recommended to apply 6 months before they want their retirement pension to begin.

Lois Brown is the Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development. She can be reached by phone at 905-953-7515 or through her website at www.loisbrown.ca.

Post date: 2015-06-24 13:45:12
Post date GMT: 2015-06-24 17:45:12
Post modified date: 2015-07-08 14:56:28
Post modified date GMT: 2015-07-08 18:56:28