August 13, 2010

Local News
Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin—Middlesex—London, on behalf of Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, announced funding from the EcoAction Community Funding Program for four new environmental projects in Ontario. In total, $99,050 in federal funding will support local action to reduce pollution, improve air and water quality, and protect wildlife and natural habitat. For more details, visit: http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/116451

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development invited organizations to apply for grants of up to $75,000 for projects that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities that will enable them to participate fully in their communities.
“Our government supports Canadians with disabilities and their families. Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, we are improving access to facilities, activities and services,” said Joe Preston, MP. “Year Two of Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the success of this program by increasing investments that remove barriers for Canadians with disabilities”. For more details on this program, visit: http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/116375

Government Happenings
The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, made the following statement regarding the boarding of the foreign vessel MV Sun Sea in Canadian territorial waters by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and supported by the Canadian Forces and the Canada Border Services Agency.“Human smuggling is a despicable crime and any attempted abuses of our nation’s generosity for financial gain are utterly unacceptable.  For more details, visit: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2010/nr20100813-eng.aspx?rss=true

Researchers in Quebec and across Canada will benefit from new facilities and equipment, and universities will have more opportunities to develop and attract top scientists, thanks to a major investment by the Government of Canada. The announcement was made by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, while touring a lab at McGill University.  For more details on this announcment, visit: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do;jsessionid=ac1b105330d85e125118e76b46ea864c97eab5a37f7e.e38RbhaLb3qNe38TaxuMa3qQbi0?m=%2Findex&nid=551769

Some cattle and hog producers facing hard financial times now have extra time to repay cash advances under the Advance Payment Program (APP). A stay on the repayment of livestock advances was announced today by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn.

"Canada's livestock producers have been working hard to restructure their operations to adjust to today's economic realities," said Minister Ritz. "Today, we are providing the extra time that will give producers the breathing room they need to seize market opportunities and improve their bottom line." For more details, visit: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?crtr.sj1D=&mthd=tp&crtr.mnthndVl=&nid=551889&crtr.dpt1D=&crtr.tp1D=1&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=&crtr.aud1D=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=&crtr.yrndVl=&crtr.dyndVl

On September 20th, parliament will reconvene. Please find attached a copy of a legislative and parliamentary report prepared by MP James Rajotte.  It outlines legislation introduced by our government during the last session of Parliament. http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/116609


Citizen Recognition
Congratulations to Harley Lashbrook! Lashbrook,  a local historian worked for over 4 years compiling photos and information on the men and women from West Elgin who served in WWII. Congratulations Harley! Your work will keep our great history alive for generations to come.

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