Dan Albas MP, Okanagan- Coquihalla

October 3, 2011: Introducing Bill C-311

Mr. Dan Albas (Okanagan—Coquihalla, CPC) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-311, An Act to amend the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act (interprovincial importation of wine for personal use).

" Mr. Speaker, in the year 1928, a prohibition era law was passed which to this day makes it illegal to bring a bottle of wine from one province to another.

    Canadians are a law-abiding people who like to follow the law, and many share a passion for our great Canadian wines. This passion for wine along with the hard work of many Canadian families have resulted in wineries now being located in every province across our great nation.

     My bill proposes an amendment to the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act. This amendment would create a personal exemption from the act. This personal exemption will allow individuals to either directly import, send, take or transport, or cause to be imported, sent, taken or transported wine only for personal consumption. This is not for resale or for other commercial use in quantities as permitted by the province in question.

    I would like to recognize the member for Kelowna—Lake Country for his ongoing work on this subject, and I would also like to thank the many small wineries in my riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla for their invaluable assistance in bringing this matter forward."

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Investment in food packaging research will go the distance for growers

Summerland, British Columbia, August 12, 2011 – The Government
of Canada is supporting research into innovative packaging that will extend the shelf-life of fresh produce and boost the bottom line for Canadian horticulture producers. Dan Albas, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla, announced an investment of more than $261,000 to Innovative Food Systems Corp. on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

“Our producers need cutting-edge technologies that will help them remain competitive in the global marketplace,” said MP Dan Albas. “Investing in these initiatives turns ideas into products. Innovative food packaging has the potential to open
new markets for our horticulture sector by helping them ship produce safely over long distances and also to boost our economy by creating production jobs and increasing returns for the Canadian agri-food sector.”

This investment will allow Innovative Food Systems and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) researchers to explore new antimicrobial packaging technology that will keep our fruits and vegetables as fresh and tasty as when they were picked.

The benefits have the potential to extend beyond the Canadian agri-food sector and into our manufacturing industry as well, through increased production of the packaging.

"The support provided by AAFC is allowing Innovative Food Systems Corp. to develop this Canadian born produce packaging system to a new level that provides food
safety and security,” said Dr. Perry Lidster, president and CEO of Innovative Food Systems Corp. “With this new technology, produce can be protected from many common food pathogens. This is important for fresh produce consumed in the home but also to the institutional food suppliers. This is a win-win for
everyone."

In 2010, the Canadian horticultural industry brought in close to $6 billion in farm cash receipts and generated exports of nearly $3.6 billion.

For more information on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s
programs visit www.agr.gc.ca.

Minister of Finance Introduces the Keeping Canada’s Economy & Jobs Growing Act

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today introduced the Keeping Canada’s Economy & Jobs Growing Act. The legislation includes key elements of the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan—A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth.

“Our Government is focused on what matters to Canadians—creating jobs and promoting economic growth,” said Minister Flaherty. “While Canada has the strongest job growth record in the G-7 with nearly 600,000 net new jobs created since July 2009 and the IMF projects that we will have among the strongest economic growth in the G-7 over the next two years, we are not immune from global economic turbulence. That’s why we need to stay the course and implement the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.”

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) applauded the government’s provision of a temporary hiring tax credit.

The Keeping Canada’s Economy & Jobs Growing Act helps support Canada’s economic recovery by, for example, proposing to:

Help Families

Introducing a new Family Caregiver Tax Credit to assist caregivers of all types of infirm dependent relatives
Removing the limit on the amount of eligible expenses caregivers can claim under the Medical Expense Tax Credit in respect of financially dependent relatives
Introducing a new Children’s Arts Tax Credit for programs associated with children’s artistic, cultural, recreational and developmental activities

Promote Job Creation & Economic Growth

Providing a temporary Hiring Credit for Small Business to encourage additional hiring
Expanding tax support for clean energy generation to encourage green investments
Extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit for flow-through share investors by one year to support Canada’s mining sector
Simplifying customs tariffs in order to facilitate trade and lower the administrative burden for businesses
Extending the accelerated capital cost allowance treatment for investments in manufacturing and processing machinery and equipment for two years to support the manufacturing and processing sector

Support Communities

Legislating a permanent annual investment of $2 billion in the Gas Tax Fund to provide predictable, long-term infrastructure funding for municipalities
Enhancing the Wage Earner Protection Program to cover more workers affected by employer bankruptcy or receivership
Introducing a Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit for volunteer firefighters
Increasing the ability of Canadians to give more confidently to legitimate charities by introducing a package of integrity measures designed to help combat fraud and other forms of abuse

Invest in Education and Training

Forgiving loans for new doctors and nurses in under-served rural and remote areas
Helping apprentices in the skilled trades and workers in regulated professions by making occupational, trade and professional examination fees eligible for the Tuition Tax Credit
Improving federal financial assistance for students
Making it easier to allocate Registered Education Savings Plan assets among siblings, without incurring tax penalties or forfeiting Canada Education Savings Grants

Respect Taxpayers

Phasing out the direct subsidy of political parties
Closing numerous tax loopholes that allow a few businesses and individuals to avoid paying their fair share of tax

For more information, http://www.fin.gc.ca/n11/11-093-eng.asp

Harper Government provides even more Support for Canadians making home improvements

Dan Albas, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla, is pleased to announce that the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program, an initiative helping Canadians save on home improvements and energy costs while improving the environment, is now accepting applications for grants. "Constituents across my riding have written me asking for the renewal of this program so they can continue to make energy efficient upgrades to their home," said MP Dan Albas.

From July 13, 2011, until March 31, 2012, homeowners may be eligible to receive reimbursements of up to $5,000 to make their homes more energy-efficient. The program could help up to 250,000 Canadian homeowners improve their homes` energy efficiency and generate as much as $4 billion in economic activity across Canada. Participation in the 2011 ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program requires mandatory pre-registration. "I encourage citizens to take advantage of this program early to avoid disappointment" noted MP Dan Albas

Prior to Budget 2011, the Government of Canada provided retrofit incentives to over half a million Canadians. Homeowners who participated in the program saved an average of 20 percent on their energy bills.

For more information, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca/homes or call 1-800-O-Canada (800-622-6232). TTY: 1-800-926-9105. Grant amounts are listed in the "Grant Table for ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes."