October 10, 2011 MP Report for Okanagan-Coquihalla (Break week and Bill C-13)

This week is the Parliamentary Thanksgiving break week with Parliament not sitting again until Monday, October 17th. As I will be back in the riding for the next several days I would like to hear from you. If you would like to schedule a meeting or have time for a phone call to pass on your comments and concerns, please call me in my Penticton office at 250-770-4480 or toll free at 1-800-665-8711. Last week I had my first opportunity to speak in favor of a Bill in the House of Commons. Bill C-13 is the "Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs growing Act' and features the next phase of our Economic Action Plan. This was a very rewarding experience for me as many of the aspects contained within Bill C-13 are what I campaigned on during the past election. The Temporary Hiring Credit for Small Business, the permanent annual investment of $2 billion in the Gas Tax fund, the family caregiver tax, and the new children's arts tax credit are just a few examples contained within Bill C-13 that many citizens in Okanagan-Coquihalla were supportive of.

There are two other aspects of Bill C-13 that I am very excited about as they will benefit our region very positively. One proposal would create an extension for the mineral exploration tax credit for flow-through share investors by one year to support Canada's mining sector. This policy supported by the recently announcement form the Premier of British Columbia to provide more resources to help the opening of eight new mines can lead to significant job creation.   Communities such as Logan Lake and Princeton and surrounding areas can attest to the importance of mining activity within the region.   Further away, it should also be noted that one of Okanagan Falls largest private sector employers also caters to the international mining market. Mineral exploration leads to mines and mines lead to well paying jobs and mineral resource royalties that also support Government programs.

Another aspect of Bill C-13 that will be beneficial to our region is a proposal to extend the accelerated capital cost allowance for investments in manufacturing and processing machinery and equipment for a further two years. Investments in equipment and machinery is important because machinery and equipment are what create jobs. In June I attended the grand opening of the new cross laminated timber manufacturing plant also in Okanagan Falls. One exciting new piece of equipment is the Grand Master, it is the world's largest planer and it not only creates jobs, it is helping to create an innovative new product that can lead to more jobs even in spin off industries. Bill C-13 will not only support jobs and our local economy, it will also help to provide a balance assisting families and seniors to improve their quality of life.

 Many of you have also asked about my Private Member's Bill (C-311) calling for an end to Canada's Wine Prohibition in Canada. While we in the Okanagan are familiar with the economic opportunities for opening up our Canadian wine market to consumers, there are a surprising amount of other regions around Canada that also have an emerging wine industry. Many of them have also shared the frustration of being able to ship a bottle of wine to Texas but not being legally able to ship wine to another Canadian Province simply because of this 83 year old prohibition era law. Initial support for Bill C-311 has been thus far very encouraging from my colleagues and I will continue to work hard in an effort to see my Private Member's Bill passed.   

  

Dan Albas is the Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla and can be reached at dan.albas@parl.gc.ca