Harper Speaks

Good morning everyone. (Prime Minister Harper to the Conservative Caucus)

Colleagues, I want to speak to you about events that have transpired recently. You will not be surprised to hear, that I am not happy with the conduct we have witnessed -conduct of Parliamentarians and the conduct of my own office.

We have worked hard, collectively as a party, as a caucus, and as a government, to dramatically strengthen accountability rules in Ottawa and to apply those standards to ourselves.

I need not remind you, that in 2006, this government was first elected, to clean up the Liberal sponsorship scandal; to ensure the rules are followed; to ensure there are consequences when they are not.

Since that time, we have taken unprecedented measures to achieve that end.

Our Federal Accountability Act, the toughest accountability legislation in the history of this country, forever changed the way business is done in Ottawa.

We have:

-Strengthened the powers of the Auditor General

-Toughened the office of the Ethics Commissioner

-Reformed political party financing

-Dramatically tightened lobbying rules

-And beefed up auditing and accountability within government departments.

Canada now has one of the most accountable and transparent systems of governance in the world.

This is something of which Canadians are rightly proud. It is also something we can never take for granted, because colleagues, as I said in the room across the hall, in the fall of 2005 when we first pledged to bring in the Federal Accountability Act: …-no government will be perfect, because none of us is perfect.

We cannot dream of a system so perfect, that no one will have to be good.

Therefore, just as we continue to toughen rules, we must also uphold a culture of accountability. And I know that the people in this room have.

We have reduced our ‘budgets’ and ‘travel’ as a government.

We are the caucus that finally bit the bullet and reformed the M.P. pension plan, so that we will pay our fair share.

And I know, that like me and my family, you are scrupulous about paying expenses of a personal nature yourselves.

But, that said, let me repeat something else I said in that same speech in 2005. Let me be very blunt…

Anyone…anyone, who wants to use public office for their own benefit, should make other plans, or better yet, leave this room!

Colleagues, let me also address the issue of Senate reform. As Canadians know, it was this Party that put Senate reform on the national agenda.

And in this room are colleagues from the Senate who have agreed to sit in that place in order to support our efforts to achieve fundamental, irreversible, reform.

Colleagues, we have heard from Canadians loud and clear. They want us to continue our efforts. They are asking us to accelerate those efforts.

The Senate status quo is not acceptable. Canadians want change! As you know, earlier this year, we asked the Supreme Court of Canada whether the reforms we have proposed could be accomplished by Parliament alone.

We have also asked the Court to rule on options for abolishing the Senate completely.

And as we prepare to receive, and act on the judgment of the Supreme Court, we will also take further steps in the area of Senate expenditure and accountability.

Senator LeBreton and I have discussed this, and she has my full support to accelerate changes to the Senate’s rules on expenses, and close any loopholes in those existing rules.

Colleagues, we have an active and important agenda, on the issues that matter to hard-working Canadian families, and much work to do. When distractions arise –as they inevitably will –we will deal with them firmly.

But we will not lose sight of our top priority. The world remains a deeply uncertain place. Canadians are looking to us to protect them …-their jobs -their families -and their communities.

That is what we must be focused on and what we will continue to do

-continue to implement our economic action plan

-continue our work on expanding trade

-continue our focus on jobs growth and long-term prosperity …

And continue to ensure that through all the ups and downs in the world economy, there is no better place to be than Canada.

Now, let’s get back to work !

BC Election Tuesday May 14, 2013

Quite a surprise from election night, when the results started rolling in about 9:pm. Overall, a good result for the Province, and not so great for New Westminster.  Locally, all the candidates were honourable. Congratulations to Judy Darcy NDP  -we  trust she will be able to fulfill her promises. 

For most of this election, it has been peaceful, as I did not hear about any threats or violence.  As far as we know, there have been no incidents of arrest or any violence in this election.   Sadly, that is not the case in many countries, so in view of those blessings, we can be thankful.

However, the achievement of the relative safety of this election was won for us with a lot of violence by our Canadian soldiers, who paid the price for our electoral freedoms.  Our  Canadian military still pay the price and are on duty all the time.  Similarly, our local law enforcement and fire service people, are vigilant to protect ‘peace, order and good government’. Therefore, it is sad that some members of these organizations fall into the group-think habit of supporting political values that undermine their own organizations and their mission.

Nevertheless, we give thanks for all those who protect us, and who help support a culture where we can peacefully conduct an election, and accept the results without recrimination and deep social discord.

In New Westminster, we now pull together to celebrate The Hyack Festival and May Day.
Let us fully participate and celebrate our democracy…with a measure of thankfulness.

Candidate Profile

CANDIDATES UP CLOSE: Conservative

By New Westminster News Leader Published: May 08, 2013

Of all the candidates to become New Westminster MLA in the May 14 provincial election, Paul Forseth is the only one who grew up in this historically rich city.

His politics, however, historically haven’t been the one to prevail provincially in the Royal City.

With the exception of a one-term blip when the BC Liberals scored a landslide victory in 2001, Forseth points out the NDP or its predecessor, the CCF, have represented the city since 1952. (Rae Eddie MLA 1952-1969)

He did, however, carry his Conservative views and represent at least a portion of the city in Ottawa for 12 years.

In 1993, as a Reform Party candidate, he defeated the NDP’s Dawn Black, who coincidentally is the retiring MLA that has created the position Forseth is now after, in the riding of New Westminster-Burnaby.

That electoral district was dissolved in 1997, and he got re-elected to New Westminster-Coquitlam-Burnaby.

He returned to Ottawa after the 2000 election, but this time as a member of the Canadian Alliance.

In 2004, he was elected as a Conservative Party member in the new riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam before being defeated by Black in 2006.

Forseth ran again under the Conservative banner in 2011 but finished second to NDP incumbent Peter Julian in the Burnaby-New Westminster riding.

Forseth, 66, is a product of the New Westminster school system, attending Lord Tweedsmuir and Richard McBride elementary schools, Vincent Massey Junior High and graduating from Lester Pearson Senior High, as NWSS was then known.

He spent much of his adult life working in government jobs in the B.C. justice system.

His politics are a product of the Reform Party and leader Preston Manning in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“I had an assumption like many that political life and running for politics was for political insiders, and was a closed club and was not particularly high esteemed in society,” says Forseth.

“But then along came Preston Manning and the Reform Party when he talked about personal values … Make sure you learn the governance of self before you govern others.”

The deficit financing of the Liberal government led by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau scared him. “I just felt there was a better approach.”

Forseth says having a social safety-net is good for society, but government has to make sure it’s sustainable.

He points to debt-riddled countries in Europe and South America as examples where being fiscally irresponsible has put nations into a deep hole.

Forseth is convinced the BC Liberals’ days are numbered in this province, and the Conservatives will be poised to take the torch from that wing of the political spectrum.

“There’s got to be a clear conservative choice, and throughout the Interior and the north, those people are not going to give the Liberals another pass, so it’s over for the Party as well as the Liberal government,” said Forseth. “The [right wing] coalition is long over.”

If elected, he believes he’ll be given the freedom to vote for what’s best for his native New Westminster.

“I have to boost New Westminster’s interest, rather than necessarily Party interests. The NDP candidate will be toeing the party line and wouldn’t have the freedom to vote the way she wants,” said Forseth.

http://www.newwestnewsleader.com/news/election/206676911.html  

Pattullo Bridge

All Candidates all over the road on new bridge

By Theresa McManus, The Record May 3, 2013 (Abbreviated excerpts from original article)

Three lanes, four lanes, as many lanes as needed - candidates are all over the road when it comes to a new Pattullo Bridge.

TransLink has stated that the 75-year-old bridge is a critical route for moving people and goods, but needs to be replaced because it doesn't meet current road design guidelines or seismic standards. The City of New Westminster is considering the replacement or rehabilitation of the bridge as part of its master transportation plan.

Conservative candidate Paul Forseth has long believed that the Pattullo Bridge needs to be replaced.

"I am one of the few who has actually climbed underneath the steel of the Pattullo Bridge and risked my life while walking across the four-inch beams to paint and scrape that bridge. When I was 19 years old, I was working on bridge maintenance as a summer job. One of my colleagues fell to his death when I was right beside him. So I know what it's like to be under that bridge, on the bridge, when the heavy traffic goes over," he told The Record. "In 1966 I felt the bridge should have been replaced - it's been maintained since then, but the structure needs to be replaced."

Forseth disagrees with those who've suggested the bridge should be torn down and not replaced.

"That is an unrealistic, selfish view. We need a new bridge that meets environmental standards, that is much safer. This is not just a bridge for Surrey and New Westminster, this is a bridge for Western Canada," he said. "We should be able to be proud of a great structure that could be put in its place. When I think of some of the greatest photographs of grand cities around the world, often there is a bridge in the background, which describes and defines a city that's bold in its future and proud of its ability to be a livable region where people want to live and have social discourse. One of those basic freedoms is the freedom to move."

MACLEAN'S May 6 2013

I wrote this letter responding to an April 15th  Maclean's article by Paul Wells called "What Harper is hiding".  Wells tries to compare Budget Speeches of years ago with the present, and says the recent Budget Speech did not tell the whole story, and he implies that the current government has become far too secretive.

Budget optics

The budget speech is a political document that outlines general directions and changes, and therefore does not deal with statutory spending and the main business of government from year to year (“What Harper is hiding,” National, April 15). I was in the Commons benches for the so-called great Paul Martin budget years, and although he had charts and much verbosity in those documents, they turned out to be works of fiction. The Liberals from 1993 to 2006 relied a lot on the supplemental estimates. The only way to really know what happened was to carefully examine the very thick books of the public accounts to see where spending eventually materialized. Paul Wells talks of “government’s gradual retreat from Canadian public life.” Governments have been too weak for too long to say no to things we cannot afford. We should be thankful that what is needed to be done is slowly being done. That is no “retreat,” but courage to engage.

Paul Forseth, MP from 1993-2006, New Westminster, B.C.

on-line link to MACLEAN'S page  http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/04/25/letters-26/

ALL-CANDIDATES DEBATE

All-candidates debate stirs up negative feelings over lack of education funding

Local candidates discuss education platforms

By Theresa McManus, The Record April 25

Debating: From left, B.C. Liberals' candidate, Hector Bremner; Independent candidate, James Crosty; B.C. NDP candidate, Judy Darcy; B.C. Conservative candidate, Paul Forseth; and Green Party candidate, Terry Teathers at the all-candidates debate in New Westminster April 25.

Lack of education funding was on everyone's mind Thursday night as more than 150 residents of New Westminster filled the high school library to hear what the local provincial MLA candidates had planned to fix the system.

Hosted by the District Parent Advisory Council, the New Westminster Retired Teachers' Association and New Westminster Teachers' Union, all five local candidates attended the debate, each providing possible solutions to the current funding shortfall in the city and across the province.

"(Money) is part of the answer," said B.C. Conservative candidate, Paul Forseth.

Forseth said early in the debate that while under funding is a problem, it's easy for governments to "say yes to funding," but it's up to the politicians to make the tough decisions, even if that means spending less.   "(The Liberals have) misplaced priorities and the NDP has no information in their material of where the money is going to come from," he said.

B.C. NDP candidate Judy Darcy disagreed and said that the school districts are severely under funded, resulting in layoffs and cuts to services, much like what is happening in the New Westminster school district right now.   But Darcy admitted that money alone wouldn't pull the education system out of disrepair and it'll take some time before the system is fixed.

"We think that if we're elected we will inherit a pretty difficult fiscal situation," she said. "We're not in a position to fix all that, it's been 11 or 12 years in the making, but what we are saying is we're prepared to invest $100 million in order to hire a total of 1,000 more teachers, special education assistants, resource people and so on in order to give that direct support in the classroom."

Green Party candidate, Terry Teather said that increasing funding is just one of the tools that needs to be implemented in order to improve the province's education system.  Appropriately spent money is part of the equation. The concern for the Green Party is that we move education back to a local level," he said.

Teather has much experience in the education system. He has worked in the Surrey School District for a long time, both as a classroom teacher and currently as the teacher-in-charge at the Cloverdale Learning Centre.   Teather said that all districts are unique and therefore should be dealt with on a more local level.

Independent candidate, James Crosty agreed somewhat. He said that there needs to be an outside auditor brought in to help struggling districts find ways to manage their funding and save for "a rainy day."   "It's a helpful audit," he said.

Throughout the evening the candidates were asked very hard hitting questions about their polices regarding education. Some parents went so far as to challenge statistics presented by certain candidates.

The B.C. Liberals' candidate, Hector Bremner felt the brunt of attacks from parents who have been dealing with a tumultuous situation in the New Westminster school district. Layoff notices were sent out this week to teachers and support staff in the district who are losing their jobs due to a large deficit.

But Bremner said his party has have increased funding since it became the ruling party more than a decade ago.

He said the key shouldn't be money, per say, rather it should be the success of the students and if that requires more money then that's what'll they'll do.

"Take all the emotion and partisanship out of it. Look at internationally agreed upon targets," Bremner said. "Without measuring we're really just racing to mediocrity."

While none of the candidates could provide a concrete alternative to the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), they all agreed it wasn't the best way to evaluate students' and schools' productivity.

Candidates were also asked how they would get capital projects back on track, including the long-awaited new Royal City high school.

"I would immediately call for an inquiry into what has happened with these schools, why we've spent so much money, why the high school hasn't been built," Crosty said.

He said it's time to bring together stakeholders in order to move these projects forward, instead of just waiting around for results.

And Bremner agreed that much of the delay comes from party squabbling at the legislature.

"This has a human cost, this has a human impact," he said. "The partisanship needs to get out of the way, kids need to be put first and we need to get our schools built and we need to get them built now."

The main focus of the debate was education, however there were some other issues that did surface, including seniors' care. DPAC encouraged the public to submit questions throughout the evening and will send any unanswered questions to the candidates and post their answers on the DPAC website at www.nwdpac.ca

Long Shot ?

The following article is a little confusing, in that in the 1952 election, New Westminster went CCF/NDP and has been that way in every election since, except once when the NDP only could win two ridings in the whole Province. So essentially, it has been in the socialist camp since 1952. However, it is important for me to promote positive Conservative values for my communities’ future well being. PF

Candidate Profile

New Westminster long shot hopes for upset

DANIEL BITONTI

VANCOUVER — The Globe and Mail

Paul Forseth acknowledges that winning in New Westminster, as a B.C. Conservative, is going to be tough, especially when you factor in history.

The NDP – and the CCF since 1963 – have won the riding in every provincial election since 1953 except once, when Joyce Murray won it for the Liberals in 2001.

In the last provincial election, NDP candidate Dawn Black won the riding by more than 5,000 votes.

While there is no incumbent this time around, Mr. Forseth will have to beat out Judy Darcy, a high-profile NDP candidate who served as national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canada’s largest union, for 12 years. Hector Bremner, a local entrepreneur, is running for the Liberals.

“It’s going to be a long shot,” said the 66-year-old Mr. Forseth. “But I’m a firm believer that in the long run, the best governance comes from conservative values.”

Mr. Forseth says this is a crucial moment for the conservative voice in British Columbia – the reason why he chose to run, he says, is to provide people with a real alternative to the NDP at a time when the Liberal Party appears to be losing support. He says a Conservative presence in Victoria is vital.

Mr. Forseth is a well-known figure in New Westminster. He has lived in the city his entire life, and represented area ridings on Parliament Hill for more than 12 years, first with the Reform Party from 1993 to 2000, then as a member of the Canadian Alliance from 2000 to 2003. He served two more years for the Conservative Party from 2004 to 2006.

He has also worked in the criminal justice system, including as a family justice counsellor, probation and parole officer, and youth court officer.

Mr. Forseth says New Westminster is changing, no longer just home to the “typical union-driven mill worker.”

“It’s becoming a much more diverse community … some have pointed out that the demographics are changing and we need to continue to promote conservative values,” he said.

Conservative values, Mr. Forseth says, have a lot to do with how government approaches the economy. He says the provincial government needs to use a pay-as-you-go model more frequently for government services; loosen the rules on how private companies are allowed to provide health care; and create an environment that will lead to private-sector growth.

He admits that’s a hard sell.    It’s a lot harder to build a case in the community and get community support in saying the government can’t solve everything, by throwing more money at a problem,” he said.

Mr. Forseth says if he’s elected, he will be a conservative voice in the legislature for people to rally behind.

Locally, he says one of the biggest concerns is traffic in New Westminster.   The city is being overrun with motorists from neighbouring areas, he says, using it as a bypass route via the Pattullo Bridge – linking Surrey to New Westminster – but not stopping in the city and contributing to the local economy. The bridge is in desperate need of reconstruction, but Mr. Forseth says some residents would rather see no bridge at all.

“But I believe I have to provide leadership in the community to say, ‘Yes, the Pattullo Bridge must be replaced … and it would not be in the economic interests of our community to take the bridge down and not put anything back in its place,” he said.

He says people in the community are also ardent defenders of Royal Columbian Hospital and the services it provides.

But Mr. Forseth is quick to point out that conservative values will also be at the centre of how he tackles local issues.

“The Liberal candidate, the NDP candidate, they’re going to try and outbid each other – ‘We’re going to spend this, we’re going to spend that.’ Once this election campaign is over, those things are largely out the door,” he said. “The fiscal reality is the truth, and the reality limits the capability of any government to impose its particular agenda. So I’m quite prepared as a Conservative to highlight those fiscal realities.”

Israel at 65

April 15, 2013

Today we celebrate with Israel. Warm greetings to everyone celebrating the 65th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. We celebrate the miracle that the Jewish state was re-founded and the Jewish people returned to their spiritual and ancestral homeland of 3,000 years. Canada recognized Israel’s independence on May 11, 1949.

Canada must continue to work with countries in the region to ensure Israel’s sovereignty and security. Canadians should remain committed to Israel’s right to exist and prosper within secure borders. Israel serves as a beacon of hope in a turbulent world; we share common values of democratic freedom and human rights.

Sadly, Israel remains threatened by groups, regimes, and ideas that deny its right to exist. However, through centuries of struggle, the descendants of Abraham have endured and prospered. The Jewish people, even though forcibly exiled, always maintained an attachment to the Promised Land. While foreign empires have controlled the region at various points in history, it is only the Jewish people that have ever held sovereignty in the Holy land.

Israel is a beacon of freedom and democracy and a place where free-enterprise business, science and technological innovations flourish. Canadians stand shoulder to shoulder with their sister democracy. We stand together with common interest, for when one free society is threatened, all democratic countries are threatened. Wise Canadians who understand our history and our interests will without reservation, support Israel as a country. Congratulations.

Lest we forget

Vimy Memorial

April 9th 2013 Today, the Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa to mark the 96th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

 

• Canadians should have enormous respect for the men and women who have made sacrifices and those who continue to sacrifice in service of our country.

• Today, the Minister of State participated in a wreath-laying ceremony held at the National War Memorial, joined by Veterans, youth, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces were also in attendance.

• The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a distinctively Canadian triumph and represents Canada’s courage, strength, and coming of age as a nation.

• Fighting together for the first time in that theatre, more than 15,000 Canadian infantry from four battalions stormed the ridge in the early morning of April 9, 1917.

• After four days of fierce battle charging against machine-gun positions, Canadians took the highest hill, now the site of the Canadian National Vimy Monument.

• The victory at Vimy came at a terrible price. There were more than 10,600 casualties – of those, approximately 3,600 sacrificed their lives.

• Canadians must never forget the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

• Our present freedoms were won on the battlefield through sacrifice, and did not come from philosophers or politicians. Therefore we must always thank those who have and continue to protect us.

• Lest we forget.

Vimy Ridge 96th Anniversary

NDP's Views Taint 96th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Today is the 96th anniversary of the Battle at Vimy Ridge, a battle that forged our national identity and marked the beginning of our proud nation. The brave sacrifice and heroism of Canadian Veterans is a matter of historical fact, one that Canadians from coast to coast can be proud, except for one senior member of Thomas Mulcair’s NDP.

In an article authored by senior NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice, he called the sacrifice of our Canadian Veterans "A war of bourgeois who always wanted more money. A purely capitalist war, on workers’ and farmers’ back. What’s the point?"

He further said that 'the only ones who rejected this war were the communist activists.'

On a day when Canadians stand together to remember and pay tribute to our brave Veterans, it is absolutely unacceptable for such anyone, much less a senior member of Thomas Mulcair’s NDP, to denigrate and disrespect the legacy of those who served, sacrificed and gave their lives in the defence of freedom and democracy during World War I.

Thomas Mulcair and Alexandre Boulerice must immediately retract these inflammatory, inappropriate and uninformed comments, and to formally apologize to the Canadians and Veterans they have insulted.

THATCHER 1925-2013

Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female Prime Minister died Monday after suffering a stroke; she was 87.   She made world history as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990.   Called “The Iron Lady” by the press for her ironclad administration against the tragedy of British socialism, Lady Thatcher formed an alliance with USA President Ronald Reagan, to help the U.S. and the Soviet Union though the Cold War.

"She was not just a great leader for Britain but she was really one of those people who will be a truly historic figure, remembered for centuries to come," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.

As she was a real leader, she was controversial and bold on the international stage.  She was what the world needed in her time.  Admired for her service and determination, Margaret Thatcher was the most transformative leader of her country since Winston Churchill.    She faced down tremendous opposition from within the U.K., and helped the world stand firm when needed against international aggression.

Her passing will renew political analysis of her motivations and methods, as she faced the challenges that come to leaders of western democracies.

B.C. Conservatives

B.C. Conservatives set to field surprisingly strong slate

By Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver SunApril 4, 2013

After a season or two of discontent, the B.C. Conservatives find themselves in the position of having at least a hope in you-know-what of winning seats in the coming provincial election.

 

The most recent opinion poll had the party at 11 points among decided voters, which is potentially seat-winning territory providing the support were concentrated in a handful of key ridings.

The party has also scored favourable news coverage for its policy proposals, most notably the populist gesture of promising tax credits for frequent ferry riders and for toll-burdened commuters in Metro Vancouver.

As for party leader John Cummins, having survived the worst the fractious party could throw at him - internal revolt, public embarrassment, multiple calls for resignation - he has emerged both relaxed and confident.

During last fall's assault on his leadership, his supporters blamed a put-up job by Liberal moles. Today, he brushes aside such speculations.

"There's all sorts of conspiracy theories out there," he told me during a recent interview on Shaw TV's Voice of B.C. " I don't think that was the case - and it's not worth worrying about, in a sense."

The dissidents? "Dead and done, as far as we're concerned."

He even has a good word to say about John van Dongen, the ex-Liberal MLA who briefly declared himself a Conservative last year, only to exit the party after noisily disparaging Cummins.

All is forgiven apparently, for Cummins now says the party will not run a candidate against van Dongen in Abbotsford South, where he is seeking re-election as an independent.

"We think that he's doing a pretty darn good job on the BC Rail fiasco, and we think that he's worthy of our support," said Cummins, citing the MLA's tireless and self-financed legal battle to uncover hidden aspects of the notorious case.

The Conservatives were sufficiently impressed with the cause that their pre-election platform included a pledge of $8.5 million in funding to get started on a public inquiry into the BC Rail case.

Cummins is also proposing to "give a pass" to Vicki Huntington, running for re-election in Delta South, where she was narrowly elected as an independent in 2009.

"She's certainly a very bright and capable woman," he said. "She's very interested in environmental issues - taken strong stands on those - and I think most importantly, she stands up for constituents." Then, too, her father, former federal MP Ron Huntington, "was a great mentor of mine, and Vicki used to work for me. I'm very much supportive of Vicki."

Otherwise the Conservatives have set themselves a goal of fielding a close-to-full slate of candidates in the province's 85 constituencies. The party is well short of the goal and, moreover, has managed to nominate an overwhelmingly male cast of candidates.

"I'm not sure of the exact number of women that are running for the party," said Cummins. "It's not very many, but we've done the best we can to get as many as we can."

Not many is putting it mildly. To date, 31 of the 32 candidates named to run for the Conservatives are men. The lone woman in the field is Enid Mary Sangster-Kelly, who owns and operates a landscaping business and is running in Alberni-Pacific Rim.

However, the party was scheduled to name another dozen candidates today, which may mean an opening to at least partly redress the gender balance.

Looking over the resumes of those who have stepped forward to run for the Conservatives, I was struck by a number of them - from forest products manager Tom Birch in Shuswap, to medical clinic operator Mike McLoughlin in Kelowna-Mission, to software entrepreneur Duane Nickull in Vancouver-Point Grey, to guide-outfitter Dan Brooks in Nechako Lakes.

One of the most impressive is medical doctor David Coupland, a radiologist and co-owner of a diagnostic imaging clinic in Nanaimo.

Coupland provided a clue as to why the Conservatives have been able to attract good candidates despite last year's troubles and lingering suspicions about the party being dominated by hard-right and socially conservative interests.

When I asked him if he was concerned that Conservatives might promise a crackdown on access to abortion, gay marriage and the like, he said party policy is clear on such matters.

"Well, actually what it does state in our policy is that we respect the individual rights as spelled out in the Constitution, the Charter of Rights, and laws as interpreted by the courts. So we obey the law."

From Page 18 of the pre-election platform: "The B.C. Conservatives do not support discrimination based on age, gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstance, political opinion, religion, disability or other distinctions."

Coupland is running for the Conservatives in Parksville-Qualicum, where the Liberals have nominated Paralympic medal winner Michelle Stilwell to replace retiring government member Ron Cantelon.

She's an impressive candidate herself and the party won handily last time. But if the Liberals continue to disappoint their own supporters as they have done through much of the year, Parksville-Qualicum would be high on the list of seats where defectors from the governing party could deliver an upset win to the Conservatives.

vpalmer@vancouversun.com    © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Federal Budget

Thursday March 21, 2013

Federal budget focuses on job growth

With a renewed commitment to balancing the books by 2015, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presented a federal budget focused on jobs and infrastructure, with little new spending and no income tax breaks.

A Budget Speech is a political statement about adjustments of priorities. It does not address all areas where government spends. The Speech highlights the changes in the overall plan.

In uncertain global economic times, the most important contribution a government can make to bolster confidence and growth in a country is to maintain a sound fiscal position. The easiest decision to make is to spend. Every Canadian knows that when expenses outstrip income, the future of the whole family is at risk.

On the job front, there is a new Canada Job Grant, which will provide up to $15,000 per person for job training. Ottawa will contribute up to $5,000, with employers and the provinces expected to kick in matching grants. The grants could benefit as many as 130,000 Canadians a year, with training provided in community colleges, career colleges, polytechnics and union training centres.

The big ticket item in the budget is the updated Building Canada Plan, which contains more than $47 billion in new spending over 10 years, including $32.2 billion on community improvement, $14 billion on new infrastructure projects and $1.25 billion on public-private partnerships.

For consumers, Ottawa is cutting tariffs on items such as baby clothing and sports gear, reducing the gap between retail prices in Canada and the United States.

For small business owners, the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption will be increased to $800,000 and indexed to inflation after 2014.

For businesses, Ottawa is providing tax relief for the manufacturing sector through a two-year extension of the accelerated capital cost allowance for the purchase of equipment.

There‘s also a new Donor Super Credit for charitable donations, complementing the existing Charitable Donations Tax Credit with an additional 25% credit for first time donors on up to $1,000 of donations. Ottawa is enhancing the Adoption Expense Tax Credit, a 15% credit that allows adoptive parents to claim eligible adoption expenses.

The government says it will support efforts by the provinces to appropriately regulate payday loan lenders, and will raise awareness that government cheques can be cashed free of charge at any bank.

In an effort to improve the fairness of the country‘s tax system, Ottawa is introducing a number of minor amendments to address aggressive tax planning and clarify tax rules.

New measures to close tax loopholes will help ensure everyone pays their fair share. The Canada Revenue Agency will be given new tools to enforce tax rules, with a specific focus on international tax evasion. Ottawa says closing tax loopholes will result in savings of more than $300 million in 2013-14.

******************************************************************

Details: Ottawa, March 21, 2013

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today unveiled the next phase of the Harper Government’s plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013.

While the Government remains squarely focused on balancing the budget during this Parliament, the Economic Action Plan introduces, among other things, a bold and innovative skills training initiative, the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canadian history, and significant new investments to support manufacturing and innovation in Canada.

“The Canadian economy continues to create jobs and experience modest growth, yet we still face significant risks from beyond our borders, particularly from the euro area and the United States, our largest trading partner,” said Minister Flaherty.

“Economic Action Plan 2013 builds on the strong foundation laid in previous years to connect Canadians with available jobs, to provide long-term predictable funding for infrastructure, and to make significant investments in manufacturing and critical research.”

In this risky and uncertain global economic environment, Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013 focuses on initiatives that will improve the quality of life for Canadian individuals, families, businesses and seniors.

Canada Job Grant

Training in Canada is not sufficiently aligned to the skills employers need or to the jobs that are actually available. This means higher unemployment and slower economic growth than Canadians should otherwise expect. Matching the needs of employers with the training Canadians are receiving, is key to turning this trend around. That’s why the Government is taking bold, innovative steps and introducing the new Canada Job Grant.

The Canada Job Grant will transform the way Canadians receive training. The Canada Job Grant could provide $15,000 or more per person to ensure Canadians are getting the skills employers are seeking. Up to $5,000 will be provided by the federal government, and that amount will be matched by the province/territory and the employer.

For the first time, the Canada Job Grant will take skills-training choices out of the hands of government and put them where they belong in the hands of employers and Canadians who want to work. Job seekers will train at community colleges, career colleges, polytechnics or union training halls, among others. The Canada Job Grant will benefit hundreds of thousands of Canadians. Current Labour Market Agreements with the provinces and territories expire in 2014. The Government of Canada will negotiate new Agreements centred on the Canada Job Grant.

A New Building Canada Plan

The Government is providing long-term, predictable funding for infrastructure through a new Building Canada plan to build roads, bridges, public transit and other public infrastructure. New investments will focus on projects that stimulate economic growth, and are designed to capitalize on innovative approaches, such as public-private partnerships (P3s).

The new Building Canada plan is the largest and longest federal investment in provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects in Canadian history—over $53 billion in investments, including over $47 billion in new funding over 10 years, starting in 2014–15. This funding will be delivered through three key funds:

•The Community Improvement Fund, consisting of the Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities, will provide over $32 billion to municipalities for projects such as roads, public transit and recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure. Gas Tax Fund payments will be indexed at 2 per cent per year starting in 2014–15, with increases to be applied in $100-million increments.

•The new Building Canada Fund will provide $14 billion to support major economic projects of national, regional and local significance across the country.

•The renewed P3 Canada Fund will provide $1.25 billion to continue to support innovative ways to build infrastructure projects faster and provide better value for Canadian taxpayers through public-private partnerships. An additional $6 billion will be provided to provinces, territories and municipalities under current infrastructure programs in 2014–15 and beyond. In addition, the Government will make significant investments in First Nations infrastructure and in federal infrastructure assets. Overall federal infrastructure funding will total $70 billion over 10 years. This will ensure that Canada’s public infrastructure is world-class and a contributor to job creation, economic growth and productivity for years to come.

Helping Canadian Businesses Succeed and Create Jobs

The Government is providing $1.4 billion in tax relief for manufacturers and processors through a two-year extension of the temporary accelerated capital cost allowance for new investment in machinery and equipment. This tax relief will allow businesses in the manufacturing and processing sector to accelerate and undertake additional investment in machinery and equipment, making their operations more efficient.

The Government is also investing:

•$225 million to expand and extend the temporary Hiring Credit for Small Business for one year in recognition of the important role that small businesses play as job creators in the Canadian economy.

•$110 million over five years to increase support for small business owners, farmers and fishermen by increasing the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption to $800,000 in 2014 and indexing the new limit to inflation.

•$60 million over five years to help outstanding and high-potential incubator and accelerator organizations expand their services to entrepreneurs so that new companies can start and thrive.

In addition, Economic Action Plan 2013 introduces measures to help the manufacturing sector succeed in the global economy, providing $920 million over five years to renew the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, confirming close to $1 billion in stable funding over five years for the permanent Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative, and investing $92 million over two years starting in 2014–15 in continued support for forestry innovation and market development.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013 is an intentional and deliberate low-tax plan to control spending and keep the Government on track to balance the budget by 2015. In fact, this plan contains the smallest increase in discretionary spending in nearly 20 years.

“In uncertain global economic times, the most important contribution a government can make to bolster confidence and growth in a country is to maintain a sound fiscal position, and that’s why balancing the budget by 2015 is so important,” said Minister Flaherty. “In Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013, we remain focused on what matters to Canadians—jobs and economic growth, and ensuring Canada’s economic advantage today will translate into the long-term prosperity of tomorrow.”

Senate Reform

Ottawa ON (February 1st, 2013) –

The Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Democratic Reform, and the Honourable Claude Carignan, Senator and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate,

-announced the launch of a reference on Senate reform to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Government looks forward to the Supreme Court’s opinion on what is required to reform the Senate, and also what is required to abolish the Senate.

The Government believes that the Senate must change in order to reach its full potential as a democratic institution. The Government received a strong mandate to pursue Senate reform, to further the goal of a more democratic, effective and representative Senate.

It is the first time in a generation that the Supreme Court will consider the constitutional amending process for Senate reform. The reference to the Court seeks legal certainty on the constitutional amending procedure for:

•Term limits for senators

•Democratic selection of senate nominees

•Define the present net worth and property qualifications for senators

•Abolition of the Senate.

The Senate plays an important role in the Parliamentary System. Senators make and review laws and are an essential part of the legislative process. Canadians desire a more democratically representative Senate, and the Supreme Court reference will help towards that goal.

Clarifications from the Supreme Court, will guide the Government to pursue the passage of the Senate Reform Act. The Act C-7 would continue through the normal parliamentary process from its current status at second reading in the House of Commons.

Bill C-7 SUMMARY

Part 1 of the enactment establishes a framework for electing nominees for Senate appointments from the provinces and territories.

The following principles apply to the selection process:

(a) the Prime Minister, in recommending Senate nominees to the Governor General for a province or territory, would be required to consider names from a list of nominees submitted by the provincial or territorial government

(b) the list of nominees would be determined by an election held in accordance with provincial or territorial laws enacted to implement the framework.

Part 2 alters the tenure of senators who are summoned after October 14, 2008. (one, nine-year term, or age 75, whichever comes first)

Forseth gets Conservative nod in New West

By New Westminster News Leader

By Grant Granger - New Westminster News Leader

Published: March 01, 2013 04:324 PM

The BC Conservatives announced Friday what many in New Westminster assumed was already a done deal, declaring former MP Paul Forseth as the party's candidate in the May 14 provincial election.

"I am ecstatic that Paul will be working with us in the weeks and months leading up to the May election," said BC Conservative leader John Cummins in a press release. "He and I worked together in Ottawa for many, many years, and I deeply appreciate his intellect and dedication, and long service on behalf of British Columbians."

While Forseth, a New Westminster resident, has been running a website, vote4paulnw.ca with the headline "BC Conservative candidate New Westminster," for a few months, he had yet to be officially listed on the provincial party's website as a candidate until Friday.

"I still have not left federal politics, I'm still involved, I'm a conservative and I promote conservative values as much as I can," said Forseth when asked why the switch to the provincial scene.

Forseth is convinced the BC Liberals' days are numbered in this province and the Conservatives will be poised to take over that side of the political spectrum.

"There's got to be a clear conservative choice and throughout the interior and the north, those people are not going to give the Liberals another pass, so it's over for the party as well as the Liberal government," said Forseth. "The [right wing] coalition is long over."

Forseth predicted Premier Christy Clark's career will go the way of two women politicians who ascended to office after assuming the party leadership, one as a premier and the other as prime minister, but were ousted in their first election as leader.

"She'll be the Rita Johnson or Kim Campbell of this [generation]," said Forseth.

He indicated environmental, transportation, crime, social services and health care are all issues important to New Westminster. But, he added, to pay for fixing all of those things the province needs to generate economic growth.

While other parties ask their MLAs to toe the party line on issues, Forseth said he will vote on what's best for New Westminster.

"I have to boost New Westminster's interests rather than necessarily party interests. The NDP candidate will be toeing the party line and wouldn't have the freedom to vote the way she wants," said Forseth. "The Conservatives will be much more consultative and vote with the constituents' wishes. Regardless of the party line I will vote locally."

Forseth served as MP for 12 years, first getting elected as a Reform Party candidate in 1993 and 1997, then with the Canadian Alliance in 2000 and the federal Conservative party in 2004. But in 2006, he was defeated by New Democrat Dawn Black, who is the current MLA for New Westminster, in the riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam.

Forseth ran again for the Conservatives in the 2011 federal election in the Burnaby-New Westminster riding, finishing second to the NDP's Peter Julian.

Black has decided to retire rather than run again and the NDP has nominated former union leader Judy Darcy as its candidate. The BC Liberal Party has chosen Hector Bremner to be its candidate while the Green Party has nominated teacher Terry Teather.

News Report from BC Conservatives

Former Member of Parliament to seek election with BC Conservatives

MAR. 1, 2013 - Paul Forseth, a veteran parliamentarian who served in Canada's House of Commons from 1993 to 2006, will represent the BC Conservative Party in New Westminster in the May 14 provincial general election.

"I am ecstatic that Paul will be working with us in the weeks and months leading up to the May election," John Cummins, leader of the BC Conservatives, said today.

"He and I worked together in Ottawa for many, many years, and I deeply appreciate his intellect and dedication, and long service on behalf of British Columbians. Paul is a great addition to our team."

Born in North Vancouver, Forseth moved at a young age to New Westminster. He obtained a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of British Columbia, and also has studied Public Administration at the University of Victoria, and Business at Simon Fraser University.

He joined the B.C. Corrections Branch in 1972, and worked in the public service for more than two decades before embarking on a career in politics.

Forseth first won election to the House of Commons in 1993, representing the Reform Party in New Westminster-Burnaby. He was returned with Reform in 1997 in the re-named riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam-Burnaby, and then re-elected again with the Canadian Alliance in 2000.

He won his fourth, consecutive election in 2004 as a Conservative.

After leaving federal politics, Forseth dedicated himself to international human rights advocacy, and also found time for community service with the Fraser River Discovery Centre.

He speaks to local New Westminster voters at www.vote4paulnw.ca