OTTAWA REPORT

July 31, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Lois Brown, MP
Newmarket-Aurora

10-Year ePassport now available
Canada’s new and more secure 10-year ePassport is now available. The 10-year ePassport provides more convenience for Canadians, and facilitates safe and secure travel.
The ePassport is the international norm in travel documents. It contains technologically-advanced features, including an embedded electronic chip, to prevent fraud. The chip stores the same personal information as that which is recorded on the second page of the current passport (except for the signature) as well as a photo and a digital security feature that proves that the passport was issued by the Government of Canada.
To combat fraud, once the personal information is stored on the chip, it cannot be modified without invalidating the passport.
The new ePassport also features iconic images that celebrate our history and culture, such as: Robert Harris’s painting of the Fathers of Confederation; a depiction of the last spike completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885; and a picture of Pier 21 in Halifax – one of the most significant ports of entry for newly-arrived immigrants between 1928 and 1971, and now a National Historic Site.
At $160, a 10-year ePassport provides better value for money for Canadians, as it costs less per year than the previous cost of a 5-year passport. It also means that you will not have to renew your passport as frequently. The Canadian passport is not only a privilege of citizenship, but a reflection of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice
Last week Canada’s Korean War Veterans were honoured as we recognized the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, and the first annual Korean War Veterans’ Day. The Government of Canada has designated 2013 as the Year of the Korean War Veteran in recognition of the tremendous sacrifices and achievements of those brave Canadians who fought on the Korean peninsula to uphold freedom, democracy and the rule of law during one of the most significant armed conflicts of the 20th century.
From 1950 to 1953, more than 26,000 Canadians served in Korea. After active fighting ended with the signing of the Korea Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, approximately 7,000 Canadians continued to serve until the end of 1955 in order to deter further aggression, with some Canadian troops remaining until 1957.
In proportion to its population, Canada’s contribution of troops was one of the largest of the international force. In total, 516 Canadians gave their lives during the Korean War. For decades the Korean War was titled the ‘forgotten war’ and this year, our nation pays special tribute to their sacrifices.

Stay Safe – Be Prepared
Recent events have made it even more important for home owners to know what to do in the event of an emergency. GetPrepared.ca has plenty of helpful advice including these tips in the event of a flood:

Turn off basement furnaces and the outside gas valve.
Take special precautions to safeguard electrical, natural gas or propane heating equipment. Shut off the electricity only if flooding has not yet begun and the area around the fuse box is completely dry.
Move furniture, electrical appliances and other belongings to floors above ground level.
Remove toxic substances such as pesticides and insecticides from the flood area.
Remove toilet bowls and plug basement sewer drains and toilet connections with a wooden stopper.
Disconnect eavestroughs if they are connected to the house sewer.
If you need to vacate your home, leave a note informing others when you left and where you went. If you have a mailbox, leave the note there.
Never cross a flooded area.
Store all valuable papers that have been damaged in flood, in a freezer until needed.
Record details of flood damage by photograph or video, if possible.

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.