Your Voice in Parliament

May 05, 2008

Tackling Violent Crime Act Comes Into Force

On May 1st, three important provisions of the Tackling Violent Crime Act come into force.  The two remaining provisions will come into force on July 2, 2008. This Act contains long-awaited measures that will help safeguard Canadians against those who commit serious and violent crimes. After two long years of delay and obstruction by the Opposition in the House of Commons and Senate, our tackling violent crime legislation is finally coming into force.

The days of soft, lenient penalties are over. These changes have been long overdue. Our Government is proud to have pushed for these changes over the past two years. Today, families and communities across Canada can feel safer.  This Government will continue to deliver on what is important to Canadians – the safety and security of our communities – because protecting society is a priority for this Government, not an afterthought. Dangerous criminals who use guns to commit their crimes, and sexual predators who prey on our youth, will now get the jail time and the penalties they deserve.

Natural Health Products

Following the introduction of Bill C-51 in April, I have been contacted by  constituents who are concerned about the impact of this legislation on Natural Health Products (NHPs).  This Bill is part of our strategy to ensure that food and products that are available on the Canadian Market are safe for consumers.

The purpose of this legislation is to target those few who would break the law, and by doing so, level the playing field for law-abiding Canadian businesses.  The legislation is designed to ensure access to safe, effective Natural Health Products, not to keep them from Canadians.

We need fines in the Bill to deter criminals from abusing their privilege to market safe products.  But the Bill also says that the fines must be tailored to the risk of the product. There are many cases of adulterated Natural Health Products, such as the pills “Sleepees” that were the subject of national media stories. Canadians want us to make sure they’re safe. Products that make health claims must be regulated; otherwise they can be sold as foods.

Natural Health Products are already a separate category in the regulations of the Food and Drugs Act. I am contacting local manufacturers and distributors of natural health products, and welcome questions about the proposed legislation.

Gas Prices

Since coming to office, we have taken several steps to help Canadians reduce their fuel consumption which helps the environment and their pocket books.

• Our Government has cut gas taxes by reducing the GST from seven per cent to five per cent;
• In Budget 2006, we introduced tax credits for public transportation and enhanced this program in Budget 2007;
• We invested $2 billion in a renewable fuel program;
• We have also introduced the EcoAuto program that provides a rebate of up to $2,000 to encourage Canadians to buy fuel-efficient vehicles; and
• We have helped provinces and territories fight climate change and air pollution with $1.5 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and smog.
  

Under the Opposition, Canadians would pay much higher prices for their gas. Their carbon tax plan would see gas prices jump to $1.80 to $2.20 per litre.  This amounts to a 60 per cent increase at the pumps and 50 per cent increase in the cost of electricity. Now, the tax-friendly opposition are debating to reverse the cut to the GST we delivered to hard-working Canadians.  This GST increase would make prices at the pumps and for other products and services jump by yet another two per cent…maybe more.

The record of the opposition is clear: they don’t care about a balanced approach to tackling climate change – instead, they support higher gas taxes for Canadians. The liberal leader has said "high gas prices are actually good for Canada in the medium and long term," to the Calgary Herald on August 24, 2005. He repeated this last weekend when he said that he is considering a carbon tax: (CTV Question Period, April 27, 2008).

Canadians deserve better than a plan that would impose a carbon tax and increase the GST. Canadians want to see their Government take a leadership role, to lay out a balanced, concrete plan to help fight greenhouse gases and air pollution, and that is what our Government is doing.

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.