Cheryl Gallant, MP Representing Canada as the Vice-Chair of the NATO Parliamentary Association
Strong Leadership on the World Stage.
Recently, the courageous men and women of the Canadian Forces currently serving in Afghanistan received some very good news. More help is on the way. Prime Minister Harper has rallied the resolve of our NATO allies to make a new commitment to the people of Afghanistan. As a result of new commitments from France and the United States, more NATO soldiers will be joining the Canadian Forces currently stationed in Kandahar province.
At the same time, other NATO allies such as Poland, have stepped forward with offers to provide helicopters and other equipment for use in the Kandahar Mission. These commitments fulfill key requirements that were laid out in the bi-partisan Manley Report on Canada’s future role in Afghanistan as well as the consensus motion that Parliament passed to extend the Afghanistan Mission to 2011.
While there are still many details to work out, Canadians have every reason to be pleased with this result. Thanks to strong decisive leadership, it is clearer than ever that Canada is back: Our country’s voice once again matters on the world stage.
April 3rd also brought another important milestone as the Conservative Government officially exceeded the term of office of the previous minority Parliament. Thanks to strong leadership and real priorities, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is making minority government work for Canadians both at home and abroad.
New Renewable Energy Tool for Farmers
The Government of Canada has unveiled a new resource to help farmers reduce their dependence on conventional energy sources and improve farm sustainability. The Integration of Renewable Energy on the Farm (IREF) Web site is a complete repository of technical information and online tools for analyzing the potential for integrating renewable energy sources onto individual farms. We have taken the best information available on renewable energy technology for the agricultural sector and made it easily accessible. IREF is the result of a four-year partnership between Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Agriculture Canada and more than 20 agricultural and energy organizations across Canada, and represents an investment of $1.2 million by the Government of Canada.
I am pleased to confirm that the Canadian Federation of Agriculture has assumed the administration of this tool that will help Canadian farmers take part in the renewable energy revolution, making their operations more sustainable both environmentally and economically. It is expected that some farms will benefit from these programs and use renewable energy technologies to save energy and possibly produce surplus energy that they can sell to power utilities.
Enabling Accessibility Fund
Budget 2007 announced the creation of the Enabling Accessibility Fund. The first Call for Proposals opened on April 1, 2008, and will close on April 30, 2008. The Enabling Accessibility Fund will provide funding for projects that will allow people with disabilities to participate more fully in their communities.
The Enabling Accessibility Fund has two components:
The first component is for major projects such as the construction of a new participatory abilities centre or the expansion of an existing facility to create a participatory abilities centre within Canada. Project funding levels will range from $1 million to $15 million.
The second component is for smaller projects such as the renovation of buildings or the modification of existing vehicles within Canada that improve physical, information, and/or communication accessibility. Project funding levels will be to a maximum of $50,000. All projects must ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.
I am pleased to inform you that interested parties are invited to apply for this funding between April 1 and April 30, 2008. Details about the Fund and how to apply are available by calling my constituency office.
As your Federal Member of Parliament, I am pleased to represent you on a variety of issues. Whether that issue is eliminating the long gun registry, promoting agriculture, international trade, AECL, the military or jobs in the working forest, I am here to serve you!
As always, if you have any concerns of a federal nature, or just want to share your views with me, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Office contact Information: Constituency Office of Cheryl Gallant, MP, 84 Isabella St., Pembroke On. K8A 5S5 or call 732-4404. If you are long distance you may call the office toll-free at 1-866-295-7165. There is no postage required when you write your Federal Member of Parliament.
