Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Report for September 5th, 2011

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