Please find the second edition to the Preston Post. Summer in Elgin-Middlesex-London has been extremely busy and productive.
Thanks for reading!

Local News
On Thursday, July 23, 2009, Joe Preston, MP for Elgin-Middlesex-London along with MPP Steve Peters and local municipal officials met with the CAW at Queen's Park to discuss the future of the Ford St. Thomas plant. For more details- http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/94447

Events
On Wednesday, August 5th, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Joe announced funding that will support an innovative research and development project that will assist CVD Diamond in developing innovative technology to improve manufacturing processes that reduce costs and improve efficiency and create jobs! For more details- http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/94462

Joe on the Road~ Joe met with constituents from Dutton-Dunwich on Tuesday, August 4th during ‘Joe on the Road’. Thanks to all of the residents who attended. Joe will be back on the road in September at the Thorndale library.

3rd Annual Appreciation BBQ~ Join my staff and I as we serve up hotdogs and refreshments.  The BBQ will be held at Pinafore Park in St. Thomas from 4:30PM-7:00PM ~ August 26 at the East Pavilion. Free of charge. Come meet me and my great staff!

The Horton Street Market in St. Thomas celebrated its 131st  birthday on Saturday, August 1st.  Congratulations to all of the volunteers and merchants who continue to make the market a growing success.

The Church of God in Aylmer had its dedication on Sunday, August 2nd. Congratulations to the congregation. Wow, what a great new facility!

Government Happenings
On July 28, 2009, John Baird, Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister and George Smitherman, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minster of Energy and Infrastructure, invited Not-for-Profit organization to submit applications for upgrading infrastructure.  As part of the economic action plan, the Government of Canada announced the creation of a new national $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund designed to flow funding quickly for shovel-ready projects to be built over the next two years. For more details~ http://www.buildingcanada-chantierscanada.gc.ca/regions/on/nfpo-obnl-on-guide-eng.html#s1

Currently, a bi-partisan panel is exploring ways to improve the Employment Insurance Program.  Please feel free to contribute your suggestions by penning a letter that the office can forward to the working group.  To contact us - http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3659/

Our government is extending benefits to Allied Veterans by extending benefits to low-income Allied Veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War. Family members may also receive benefits.  The changes to the legislation provide low-income Allied Veterans of the Second World War, who live in Canada and have for at least ten years, with access to War Veterans Allowance and associated assistance and health benefits. Eligibility will also be expanded to include those who fought for Allied Forces in the Korean War who live in Canada and have for at least ten years.  Although implementation is scheduled for January 2010, benefits may be paid back to October 2008.  For more information, visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca or call 1-866-522-2122.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the next steps in the Government’s strategy to expand broadband internet access to unserved and underserved communities throughout Canada. More details are available at http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2702

Citizen Recognition
On Wednesday, August 5th, the Town of Aylmer welcomed judges from Community in Blooms.  I would like to personally recognize 2009 Committee- Stephen Douglas, Councillor Judi Wright, Councillor Jack Couckuyt, Don Durkee, Dave Dykeman, Michelle Dykeman, Bill Murch, Arthur Oslach, Sonia Oslach, Carol Player, Nicole Pressey, Tom Polland, Marjorie Rimnyak and Rod Tapp and all of the volunteers who made this year’s competition another great success and a great BBQ too. http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3649/94464

Meetings and Delegations
Throughout the past several weeks, I have been meeting with many constituents and groups. During the week of July 27th, I met in Ottawa with fellow caucus members.  Breakout group discussions included infrastructure, agriculture (specifically pork production) and employment insurance. 

Meetings took place with the Ontario Homebuilders Association, The Arts and Cookery Bank, a citizenship ceremony (in which our country welcomed 70 new citizens from 35 different countries) and meetings with constituents.


Once again, thank you for reading!
Have a safe and happy summer!