I am happy to see that at least the Conservative MP's are listening and Minister's or their staff - taking the time to respond. That would be 100% better than our Liberal members or NDP caucus.
I hope this post wakes them all up - and they start to understand that Canadians want to be heard - and expect the people they employ to manage the country live up to the expectations they create during election campaigns.
In either case - here is the response from the Minister's Office:
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Dear Ms. Kelland-Dyer,
Your Conservative government is the first government in over a decade to take sovereignty seriously, as promised by Mr. Harper.
This government has already begun the massive investment in security that Mr. Harper spoke about. For example, The Conservatives' budget in 2006 allocated $1.1 billion to the Canadian military over two years, as part of $5.3 billion in funding coming over the next five years.
As well, during the last week of June 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced $15 billion in spending on military vehicles, including transport planes, heavy-lift helicopters, troop carrier ships and trucks. The spending will be spread out over several years.
Further, to enhance security of our borders and of our businesses, the following excerpt:
CanWest News Service
Published: Friday, January 12, 2007
WINDSOR, Ont. — Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day unveiled his government’s $400-million commitment for new border security initiatives Friday, which include an electronic cargo manifest program designed to help speed up the movement of trucks across the border.
The “e-manifest” system will see driver and cargo paperwork sent in advance to Canada’s border guards so the information can be better screened for potential high-risk shipments. Such documents today are often not seen by Canada’s customs officers until a shipment arrives in front of them at the border.
“The government is committed to keeping Canada safe, but at the same time ensuring business and trade can move smoothly across the border,” said Day.
The program will be designed by the business and transportation industries. An initial meeting between the parties is scheduled Jan. 18.
Day also announced Friday a $24-million investment for emergency co-ordination planning between Canadian and U.S. authorities, emergency responders and business to avoid the border trade traffic gridlock that occurred following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The government will also spend $11.6 million for its Partners in Protection program that sees Canada Border Services Agency authorities assess the strength of security systems of private companies and shippers, then offer tips to strengthen it.
As you can see from the above, unlike previous governments, this Conservative government intends to meet its commitments to our sovereignty and to the safety of Canadians. I hope that this explanation is what you are looking for.
Sincerely,
David J. Lowe
Chief Parliamentary Assistant to
Tony Clement, P.C., M.P.
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Here is my Response Back:
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I voted Conservative and supported Loyola Hearn at the last election.
At that time - a significant issue for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians was Custodial Management of the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks and the Flemish Cap. Please take the opportunity to view the responses made my Minister Hearn to the St. John's Board of Trade during the last federal campaign. (I will attach)
It will not come as a surprise to you that we are disappointed with Loyola Hearn's broken promise.
I think it's important to note that Newfoundland and Labrador has suffered a loss of over 50,000 people in a half million population because of the fisheries collapse. (federally managed) The decimation of our rural communities has continued since the early nineties when a fishery moratorium was called. These stocks were predicted to recover within 10 years. This has not happened.
You must understand that Newfoundland and Labrador is the East Coast of our country yet the federal presence in this province - as it relates to security and sovereignty - does not reflect our geographic location.
The fact remains that underfunding occurred in this critical area and I expect action not platitudes - so we may find our rightful place in our country.
Best Regards,
Sue Kelland-Dyer
If you have any other material you may find relevant to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians please feel free to send it along and I will post it.
Board of Trade Link
Let me know what you think of the Response and I will post to the site...
By the way when the other two Parties (national) in the HOC get a chance - please address this issue - tell us what you would do differently.
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