Lots of people around the riding are wondering what our government has in store for this session of Parliament. The government is committed to keeping taxes low, returning to balanced budgets and respecting Canadian taxpayers’ dollars.
Our government recently announced historic public sector reforms that will bring pension contribution rates more in line with the private sector. This will result in substantial savings for Canadian taxpayers with MPs leading the way. The reforms, introduced in the Jobs and Growth Act, 2012, result in contribution rates for public service employees moving to a 50-50 cost-sharing model. The retirement age for new federal hires also increases from 60 to 65 years of age. Over the next five years these measures will save Canadian taxpayers $2.6 billion.
Our government is committed to strengthening health care for all Canadians, including aboriginal peoples. In a country as vast as Canada, providing health services in proximity to every citizen is a real challenge. Family doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and residents in family medicine in more than 4,200 rural communities across Canada could be eligible for Canada Student Loan forgiveness. By offering Canada Student Loan forgiveness, we’re doing our part to encourage family doctors and nurses to serve Canadians in rural and remote communities and improve access to primary health care.
The Government of Canada is also looking at making those who use government dollars more transparent with bills such as C-27, The First Nations Financial Transparency Act. As well, we are making political parties more accountable and transparent with C-21, which will strengthen the Election Act based on recommendations from the Chief Electoral Office. Additionally, we have also introduced legislation that will make the RCMP more accountable by modernizing the RCMP discipline, grievance and human resource management framework, including new measures to create a single, seamless and comprehensive investigation and resolution process for sexual harassment complaints where the accused is a member of the Force.
Our Government is also working to keep Canada safe from criminals of all kinds and ensure the rights of victims come first during their times of need. We are already in the midst of passing C-43, the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, which will close loopholes in Canada’s immigration system that allows foreign criminals to file endless appeals over their deportation status. By cleaning these red tape issues, Canada will be able to send violent criminals back to their country of birth. Finally, we are also in the middle of passing C-37, which seeks to increase offenders’ accountability to victims of crime.
Please contact my constituency office if you have any questions or concerns on any federally related matters, postage free, at: Bay #6A, 4612 - 50th Street, Ponoka, AB T4J 1S7; tel: 403-783-5530; toll free: 1-800-665-0865 or visit my web site: www.blainecalkinsmp.ca or on twitter at www.twitter.com/blainecalkinsmp.