Dan Albas MP
  • Home
  • MP Report
  • About Dan
  • What Seniors Need To Know
  • Contact
  • Constituency Services
  • Dan in Ottawa
  • Disclosure
  • Videos
  • Home
  • MP Report
  • About Dan
  • What Seniors Need To Know
  • Contact
  • Constituency Services
  • Dan in Ottawa
  • Disclosure
  • Videos

MP Report

Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Report for September 5th, 2011

9/5/2011

1 Comment

 
This week I will be back in Ottawa in preparation for the fall sitting of the House of Commons that will formally resume on Monday, September 19th. With me will be the book of condolences, cards and other mementos that many of you took the time to share in the memory of Jack Layton. I consider it an honour to deliver these condolences to his family. Many citizens have remarked to me that they are glad to see so many of their fellow Canadians across the country set aside partisan differences during this time of reflection and recognize Mr. Layton's life of public service. I would like to thank those of you who dropped by my office with a card or note and also who took the time to sign the book of condolences as it travelled around the area.

Also travelling back to Ottawa with me this week are the many responses and suggestions I received from citizens as part of my summer listening tour. I would like to thank those that offered kind words of encouragement and warm wishes for my new position working on your behalf in Ottawa, and also for telling me what you think are issues of importance to you. Issues that were mentioned most often were crime and the justice system, the need to control government spending, gas prices, the environment and employment. Many citizens also voiced their support for senate reform as well as the removal of the long gun registry. Concerns with other levels of Government were also common as was immigration policy. I welcome your input and will share your concerns with my colleagues in the weeks and months ahead.

One serious item of concern that did arise last week was the prospect of an NDP motion being put forward by MP Libby Davies that would have resurrected much of former Bill- 428 in seriously reducing residency requirements in order to collect OAS and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Fortunately the NDP quickly withdrew the motion referring to it as an error in submission. Rest assured in the event that this motion or a similar one is introduced, I will be proud to represent the citizens from Okanagan- Coquihalla and stand with my Conservative Government colleagues in opposition to such a costly and irresponsible assault on taxpaying Canadians. I believe that those citizens who have worked hard for ten years or more paying taxes and contributing to Canadian society should be entitled to receive Old Age Security and a Guaranteed Income Supplement and cannot support this residency requirement being removed or reduced for newly arrived citizens. This is one issue that I have heard overwhelming on from many citizens all across the riding of Okanagan- Coquihalla and all comments I have received have been in strong opposition to any reduction in the residency requirement to qualify for taxpayer funded requirement benefits.

As the House of Commons will soon be in session I intend on keeping taxpayers up to date on new bills before the House. If there is a particular bill that you would like further information on, or to be covered in one of my MP reports please do not hesitate to let me know. Once I am back in Ottawa I will also be more active again on my daninottawa.com blog site. As your elected Member of Parliament it is important to me that you can keep track of my activities on your behalf. My email address is Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca and I welcome your comments.

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

 
1 Comment
W. Norman Morris
8/24/2013 12:54:57 pm

Dan, I wrote the following concern to be published in the Kelowna Daily Courier, but it was never printed. I am sharing it with you. --
Who has failed? Has Pamela Wallin failed us, or have we failed her and others in leadership? I am disappointed with Senators Duffy and Wallin. Seldom does the press present our Prime Minister, his elected MP's or appointed Senators in a good light, but the stories of Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin have provided unnecessary fodder for the press and political opponents.
Premier Brad Wall of Saskatchewan views the conduct of MLAs as clearly prescribed, and has expressed the need to hold to that standard. Our federal MP's and Senators need to demonstrate that kind of leadership.
Do I understand that our Government has taken steps to enhance public disclosure and improve Financial Accountability and Transparency? Has it not incorporated the right to conduct audits, to evaluate and monitor financial management and ensure objectivity in the oversight of audits and evaluations? May we not expect the rule of law to be respected and upheld?
Taxpayers expect the government to conduct the nation's business at a reasonable cost. That is a given! They expect a clear accounting of how tax money is spent, that the nation's business is conducted at a reasonable cost, that Government takes its business seriously and is committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and directed toward their intended purposes.
While we appreciate the sincere efforts of our Prime Minister, and many others who have been elected to office, we are concerned they not allow others in their ranks to spoil things. When disappointed with scandals in our Senate, taxpayers are not encouraged to dig into their pockets for more support.
That said, take note that Senator Pamela Wallin (not trying to justify herself, nor shift the blame for her actions) does deserve to have all travel and accommodations covered for engagements! It is not right that Deloitte, the accounting firm, apply recently established rules retroactively. To her credit, the Senator has demonstrated a very good attitude, and chosen to make restitution (which is seldom seen today and is evidence of her being genuine)! Give her high marks for claiming only travel expenses she deemed to be legitimate Senate expenses!
Has Pamela Wallin failed us, or have we failed her and others in leadership? We are all children of Adam and all of us have suffered a moral wrench! Anyone who has been in leadership knows about failure (including the writer), that we all have feet of clay! How many times has the reader prayed and interceded for those in leadership, those charged with authority?
W. Norman Morris
Westbank, BC.,

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to the MP Report

    Sign up now to get Dan's weekly MP report emailed directly to you! 
    OR
    Sign up now to get a monthly MP Report mailed directly to your home.
    Subscribe Here

    Author

    Dan Albas is the Member of Parliament  for the riding of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola.
    ​
    Communicating with his constituents is one of his top priorities. Dan writes a new MP Report each week.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

​Dan Albas is the proud Member of Parliament for 
Central Okanagan – Similkameen – Nicola
Subscribe to Dan's MP Report
Contact Dan
Photos used under Creative Commons from comedy_nose, bulliver, FutUndBeidl, scazon, Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, Chris Lancaster, Jamie In Bytown, mikecogh, couloir