IN TOUCH WITH MP EARL DREESHEN
February 29, 2016
This past week was another very busy week in Ottawa, where we discussed condemning the International BDS movement, proposed EI changes by the NDP and the Liberal’s plan for engagement in the fight against ISIS among many other items.
I am pleased to let you know that I have been elected as Vice-Chair for the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. I look forward to the important work that this committee will be doing and the challenging role of vice chair on a committee where the Liberals hold a majority of the membership.
Liberals Change Citizenship Rules
On February 25th, Liberal Minister John McCallum tabled Bill C-6, an Act to Amend the Citizenship Act. The essence of the Bill is to undo the citizenship changes the Conservatives spent the last few years making, including removing the ability of the government to revoke citizenship for convicted terrorists.
I have heard from many Albertans who are deeply concerned that the Liberals’ first priority when it comes to immigration and public safety legislation, is to give back the citizenship and protect the rights of a committed member of the Toronto 18, Zakaria Amara, who is clearly the biggest beneficiary of this new legislation. All Canadians deserve to be protected from acts of terror and those who commit those types of offences have in effect abandoned their rights to Canadian citizenship.
It is also extremely worrying that one’s citizenship cannot be revoked for committing a terrorist act, but can be for fraud. This is an unacceptable double standard. We will continue to examine the Bill in detail, but we are extremely concerned by these changes and the signal it sends.
Alberta to Receive Stimulus Boost
After months of pressure put on by Albertans and Alberta’s Conservative Members of Parliament, last week it was announced that Alberta will receive a $250-million stimulus boost.
Help for any part of the country where families are struggling is always welcome. However, this underscores what the problem really is: the Liberals don’t have any real plan to give Albertans an opportunity to work again. Handing off borrowed money from one politician to another is not a jobs plan.
Further uncertainty for pipeline development, a carbon tax and payroll tax increases, will not create jobs or help Albertans get back to work.
Mobile Office Update
The next Mobile Office will be in Sundre at the Greenwood Neighborhood Place on March 2 from 10-2. If you are in the area, please feel free to stop in and introduce yourself to our office or say hello to my staff.
Sincerely your Member of Parliament,
Earl Dreeshen