IN TOUCH WITH MP EARL DREESHEN

September 16, 2014

The sight of school buses cruising up and down the roads coupled with last week’s brief snow episode has served notice that summer is coming to an end. I hope everyone was able to enjoy the summer with friends and family in truly one of the best places to live in the world.

The past month has been an exciting one in Central Alberta. The Red Deer is Ready Rally on August 22nd was an extremely encouraging showing for our community. I have no doubt that the show of support from Red Deer and all of Central Alberta is something that impressed the selection committee and ultimately led to Red Deer being named the host for the 2019 Canada Winter Games. Congratulations to the Bid Committee and all of the volunteers who worked so hard in order to secure these games. It will be a tremendous benefit to our region and I look forward to seeing the games come to fruition in a few short years.

Early September also saw the fast growing Tour of Alberta come through Central Alberta. This is only the second time the race has been held and it is incredible how quickly it has become a can’t miss stop on the cycling calendar, attracting cyclists from all around the world. The second leg of the tour started in Innisfail and ended in Red Deer, where a great deal of volunteer and municipal cooperation was needed to pull it off. Very well done.

September was also an exciting time for me as my parliamentary duties took me to the U.K. with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Trade Minister Ed Fast and several of our colleagues to discuss the Canada-EU Trade Agreement (CETA). While there, we met with key U.K. business leaders and Canadian business delegation members to highlight the many opportunities that will be created by the CETA, and to promote Canada as a premier trade and investment partner. The trade deal will benefit a broad range of Canadian sectors including agri-food and seafood, life sciences, information and communications technologies and much more.

Parliament resumed on September 15, 2014, and our Government has remained focused on the things that are important to Canadians. Among the highlights on the agenda will be:

  • Emergency debates on the Ebola outbreak and ISIS situation
  • The second Budget Implementation Act to move forward on commitments from Economic Action Plan 2014
  • Focus on trade with a bill to implement the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement
  • Continue bills from previous parliament including:
  • C-36, to update Canada’s prostitution laws
  • C-3, which would make technical amendments to the aviation, aeronautics, marine and other related acts.
  • C-8, which would update copyright laws in an attempt to fight counterfeit products.
  • C-22, which would increase the liability of companies for offshore oil and gas spills.
  • S-3, which would make it illegal to import fish caught during illegal fishing.

As always, thank you for your support. If you are having any difficulties navigating the Federal Government or if there is anything you want me to take back to Ottawa please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Until next time
Earl Dreeshen,
MP Red Deer