Calabogie, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, congratulated Mayor Peter Emon, councillors and seniors of the Township of Greater Madawaska  on being chosen  to receive funding under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

The “Light up Barnet Cottage” Project will greatly improve lighting on the beautiful grounds of  Barnet Cottage and in the parking area, and enable  the building to be utilized by many groups in the Calabogie Community.

“I am pleased to see that Greater Madawaska Township has qualified for 2013 New Horizons Funding. This money will ensure that seniors in Calabogie have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and be active within their  community.  The upgrades to Barnet Cottage for community use is bridging the gap between young and old.

New Horizons money is dedicated to support social participation of seniors by expanding the services and accessibility of the park to seniors and other community groups,” confirmed M.P. Gallant.

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While providing the network is important, promoting consumer protection in the wireless industry is equally important.

This week, the Government of Canada proposed a new wireless code, which will help protect Canadians while giving them greater choice and opportunity with respect to cell phones.  This code, which will be enforced by the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), will set out basic rights and protections for Canadians and small businesses with cellphones, smartphones, and other wireless mobile devices.

This wireless code is the result of eight months of public consultations, where the Government asked Canadians how they would improve the existing wireless contract system.  These consultations have produced a wireless code which will:

• allow Canadians to terminate their wireless contracts after two years without cancellation fees;
• prevent bill shock by capping extra data charges at $50/month and international data roaming charges at $100/month;
• allow cellphones to be unlocked after 90 days;
• allow for the return of cellphones within 15 days; and
• make wireless contracts simpler and easier to understand.

The new wireless code will take effect December 2nd, 2013, and will only apply to contracts bought after that date.

Thank-you to the Ottawa River watchers who have have contacted me asking why the price of electricity keeps rising, yet the provincial government has instructed their bureaucrats to let the Ottawa River slop over the power dams rather than generate clean, environmentally safe, hydro electricity. In addition to wasting electricity, they have observed this causing environmental destruction of fish spawning beds and bird nesting sites, in addition to flooding of private property.

While the Federal Government has legislation in place to ensure the Ottawa River is a navigable waterway, that legislation does not allow your federal Member of Parliament to hold the province  accountable for their actions where they have assumed responsibility. In many instances, agreements signed in the past, and subsequent court interpretations of what may or may not have been the will of the people through Parliament, prevent our government from taking action.

This is one of the challenges I face as your Federal MP  when I am called upon to correct a problem which is at another level of government. It has become a bigger problem when jurisdiction is unclear or shared. Please be assured that where possible, I will use all the resources of my office to assist you regardless of where the problem originates.

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.

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MP Cheryl Gallant at the Pegasus Bridge, named after the insignia of the British 6^th Airborne Division, to honour the paratroopers who began the liberation of Europe by capturing the bridge in the early hours of D-Day, June 6^th, 1944.

Petawawa, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, MP for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and CFB Petawawa, today remembers the contributions of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion on the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

“Most Canadians are taught of the exploits of our soldiers at Juno Beach, while the efforts of our paratroopers are forgotten,” said MP Gallant. “The brave men of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion faced a difficult task well behind enemy lines, and despite dropping off target and being undermanned, they completed their missions.”

The 1st Parachute Battalion’s objective on D-Day was to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the Allied beachheads at Sword and Juno beaches by capturing the Le Mesnil crossroads, destroying the bridges in Varaville and Robehomme, and supporting the British assault on the Merville artillery battery.

Due to heavy winds and heavy German anti-aircraft fire, many of the paratroopers landed well off their landing sites, but the Paratroopers formed whatever strength units they could and set off to complete their objectives. Despite being under-manned, and facing stiff German resistance, our paratroopers successfully completed all their objectives.

After completing all these objectives, the paratroopers remained without further allied support, as they were still well behind the German lines. This meant that, along with the British 6th Airborne Division, they would face the brunt of the German attempts to break through to the Normandy beachheads. Early on June 7th the German attacked, but were driven back by fierce fighting, in some cases hand-to-hand. The Canadian and British paratroopers had to withstand eight days of determined German counter-attacks and constant bombardment before the Allied forces from Juno and Sword beaches were able to meet up with them.

Added MP Gallant, “over the course of World War II, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion gained a remarkable reputation, as they never failed to complete a mission assigned to them, and they never gave up an objective after they had taken it from the Germans. This reputation started on the early hours on June 6th, 1944, and we remember their bravery and courage today on the anniversary of D-Day.”

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The “Hire Me, Reaching Higher, Skills Link Project, sponsored by Algonquin College of the Ottawa Valley is designed in accordance with national, regional and local priorities. The Skills Link program assists youth in overcoming barriers to employment by supporting them in developing life and employability skills and work experience that will assist them in making the transition to the labour market.

The April 2012 Ontario Labour Market Bulletin shows that while the unemployment rate for the province of Ontario was 7.8%, the unemployment rate for youth aged 25 to 24 was more than double at 16.4%, indicating a strong need for this type of project to assist youth.

“In recognizing the special challenges our youth face in obtaining employment, our Conservative Government took action and implemented the Youth Skills Link program,” said Cheryl Gallant, MP.
The project consisted of three intakes of ten participants each. Start-up activities are followed  by four weeks of group based employability skills (GBES) and eight weeks of work experience.

“Algonquin College has delivered Youth Employment Strategy programming since 2003 and delivered their first Skills Link Project in 2011. This project aligns well with the strengths and experience of Algonquin College of Pembroke as they have the infrastructure in place to ensure financial accountability and success of this project” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP.

“I was pleased to personally meet the graduates and listen to their experiences in the program. Each participant is to be congratulated for their individual accomplishments” said Cheryl Gallant, M.P.

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Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the fine men and women in uniform at CFB Petawawa.

Forty-five years ago this month, 26 paratroopers disembarked from their Buffalo transport aircraft expecting a smooth landing. As young paratroopers descended from the heavens, something was amiss. High winds had pushed the men away from their drop zone into the frigid waters of the Ottawa River. Entangled in their parachutes, the soldiers struggled to reach shore. When exhausted rescuers finally finished their search seven troopers were still missing. They would never return. Recovery teams retrieved every single body.

On May 8, friends, family and former comrades gathered at a memorial to mark the solemn occasion. The names of the victims were read out for all to hear, as has been done every year since the tragedy: Master Warrant Officer Reginald Riddell, Warrant Officer Michael McDonnell, Corporals Hugh Fields, Bob Knight, Dennis Clements, Jim Misner and Bruce Chiswell.

In the words Padre Wayne Sollows, “We gather to remember those who trained to defend our great nation, but in doing so had their lives taken away from them in peace”.

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Pembroke, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, M.P. for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, took the opportunity at this year’s highly successful Options 2013 to consult with employers and educators on the Canada Job Grant.

Options 2013 was made possible by $33,000 of federal funding through the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP).  Over 2000 Renfrew County students attended a job fair, where skills competitions and employment opportunities were showcased.

Gallant met with Karen Davies, Dean of Algonquin College, and Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community & Student Affairs, during Options 2013 to discuss the new Canada Job Grant outlined in Economic Action Plan 2013. The initiative will create jobs by transforming the way Canadians receive skills training.

“The discussions provided me with the views from job creators on this innovative new approach to skills training,” said MP Gallant. “The Canada Job Grant will take skills-training choices out of the hands of government and put them where they belong: in the hands of employers with unfilled jobs and Canadians who want to work.”

The Canada Job Grant will allow Canadians, who have an offer for a new job or a better job, to qualify for up to $15,000 to learn new skills to accept the new or better job.  The contributions for the Canada Job Grant will be a joint three-way funding program, with federal contributions being matched by the provinces and the potential employer. The Canada Job Grant is expected to assist up to 130 000 Canadians each year to have better access to the training they need to find work or improve their skills.

Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to connect Canadians with available jobs and equip them with the skills and training they need. These include the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups, including persons with disabilities and youth.

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Innovation Valley North represents jobs, growth, and the long-term prosperity of the Upper Ottawa Valley, Eastern Ontario and Canada.

Central to Innovation Valley North is the hub. A hub is an ideas generator which turns into new employers.

In the Upper Ottawa Valley we are very fortunate to already have two hubs that form the nucleus of Innovation Valley North.

The Neutron Hub

The first hub is the Chalk River Laboratories of Atomic Energy of Canada.

Economic Action Plan 2013 invests in the upper Ottawa Valley is a partnership, taking advantage of the AECL platform of knowledge, assisted by many initiatives announced in Economic Action Plan 2013 including $144 million in the continued operation of AECL’s Chalk River Laboratories to ensure Canada has a reliable supply of medical isotopes.

The field of nuclear science and technology has potential for innovation in clean energy technologies, both directly related to nuclear energy and in strategic areas of technology overlap such as hydrogen technologies.  The next generation of nuclear reactors, generation four technologies, will reduce capital cost, enhance nuclear safety, minimize generation of nuclear waste and further reduce of the risk of weapons proliferation through the use of natural uranium.

Economic Action Plan 2013 provides $325 million to support the development and demonstration of new, clean technologies in Ontario and across Canada that create savings for Canadian businesses and support job creation for Canadians.

Neutron Science is helping to power the Ottawa Valley’s transformation into Innovation Valley North.

The Security Hub

The second hub in the upper Ottawa Valley is Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Soldiering, CFB Petawawa.

Our government is committed to providing our men and women in uniform with the best equipment to do the many tasks we ask them to do on our behalf.  It only makes sense for defence procurement to support economic opportunities for all Canadians.   As “Training Ground of the Warriors”, Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, the people of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke have greatly benefited from the implementation of our Conservative Government’s Canada First Defence Strategy.

This synergy has the potential to create new employment and sustain existing jobs as our local economy positions itself to take advantage of such budget measures as the almost $1 billion in the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) to enhance the competitiveness of Canada’s economically important aerospace and defence industries, which include businesses like Magellan Aerospace in Haley Station and Arnprior Aerospace.

By encouraging new innovations in Canada’s Aerospace Sector , and by creating the Aerospace Technology Demonstration Programs ($110 million over five years, beginning in 2014-15, and $55 million each year after), we will support large-scale technology projects with commercial potential for companies like Allen-Vanguard Inc. in Pembroke.

As part of the renewal of FedDev Ontario, $200 million will be invested in a new Advanced Manufacturing Fund to help the province’s manufacturing industry innovate and become more competitive.

These companies are helping to secure Canada’s border while securing our long-term prosperity in Innovation Valley North.

The Security Cluster is our Present and our Future

Innovation Valley North is here, brimming with potential. Along with our nuclear and defence industries, our agriculture and forestry industries are also at the cutting edge of bio and agri-science.

Our government is focused on the long-term prosperity of Canada’s economy.

Here in the Upper Ottawa Valley, we will play our part for Canada by continuing to generate and manufacture the innovations of tomorrow.

As the Federal Member of Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke I am ready to work together to help make our future dreams a reality.

Can I count on your support?

Visit Innovation Valley North

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Ottawa, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, MP for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke was delighted to speak in support of a Private Member’s Motion introduced by colleague, Phil McColeman, M.P. for Brant.

Motion M-430 endorses the conclusions of a report prepared by the Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.

The report, Rethinking disAbility in the Private Sector, outlines both opportunities and employment challenges faced by persons with disabilities.

“Since Motion 430 was announced, support has poured in from many sources—from individuals and businesses, large and small. An opportunity for meaningful employment gives those living with disabilities dignity and independence,” said MP Gallant.

“Businesses across the country identified Canadians with disabilities as among their most dedicated and loyal employees.  Locally, in Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke, Nick Kastanis, the owner of Fresco Restaurant in Pembroke employs Jeffrey Shand.  Jeffrey is an eager, dedicated employee there, who began work for this establishment over 12 years ago” stated Cheryl Gallant, M.P.

“In Economic Action Plan 2013, our government has begun to address some of the aspects raised by this motion.  The budget announced a new generation of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities. These new agreements will be designed to better meet the needs of Canadians businesses and improve the employment prospects for persons with disabilities.”

Other measures include a new focus on young people with disabilities through programs such as the Youth Employment Strategy, improvements to existing labour market agreements, along with new approaches to ensure that our programs are adaptable.

The Labour Market Panel also announced the creation of the Canadian Employers Disability Forum, an initiative which will be managed by employers, for employers.

“We need to be able to capitalize on innovative strategies happening at the community level across the country,” remarked MP Gallant.

Speech from the House

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to rise in support of my colleague’s motion to endorse the report “Rethinking DisAbility in the Private Sector” by the panel on labour market opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The motion could not come at a better time. Like all industrialized nations, Canada is facing a demographic challenge to our labour force. There is an existing skills gap and the retirement of the baby boomers has yet to start in earnest. The skills shortage has been characterized as the most serious economic issue of our time by both the Prime Minister and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. To illustrate this problem, let me give a few examples.

There are about 800,000 working-age Canadians with disabilities who are currently not working, even though their disability should not prevent them from being employable. Of these, almost half of them have post-secondary education, yet the participation rate for working-age people with disabilities in the labour market is just under 60%, compared to working-age Canadians at 80%. This means that even with the large number of job vacancies the unemployment rate among disabled remains very high.

We have all heard stories about businesses that are struggling because they cannot find workers with the right skill sets. Many of us know qualified people with disabilities who cannot find work.

When members of the panel on labour market opportunities for persons with disabilities consulted across the country to prepare the report, they interviewed employers from businesses of all sizes and from a broad range of industry sectors. What they found was that most Canadians showed a genuine desire to hire people with disabilities. They get it because they have seen the positive results that hiring people with disabilities brings, both in terms of company culture and increasing their bottom line. When a person with a disability gets a job they get more than a paycheque. They get a boost to their dignity and independence.

The employer gets something too. People with disabilities are value-added employees. Take the Tim Hortons franchise in Toronto. In an industry where the turnover rate for regular employees is 75%, the turnover rate in this franchise is only 35%.

The panel’s report has a story of a private technology company in which people with disabilities account for more than 50% of the workforce. These employees are helping the company to thrive. People with disabilities can give businesses a distinct advantage over their competitors.

Since Motion No. 430 was announced, support has poured in from many sources, from individuals and businesses, large and small. For example, let me quote Chris McIntosh, who is a software developer who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. When Chris heard about the motion, he said, “People want meaning in their lives. They spend so much of their lives at work. Employers who provide meaning to their employees have a motivated and loyal workforce and nothing is more meaningful than changing the life of another person.”

Yet the myths persist. Some think that hiring people with disabilities is expensive, and this is totally false. It often costs little or next to nothing to accommodate someone who has a disability. The panel’s report cites that in 37% of the cases where there was a one-time cost to accommodate an employee with a disability, the average amount spent adapting the workspace was only $500.

The motion calls for additional initiatives that would build on this support. They include a new focus on young people with disabilities through programs like the youth employment strategy and improvements to existing labour market agreements, along with new approaches to ensure that our programs are adaptable.

We need to be able to capitalize on innovative strategies happening at the community level across the country. In economic action plan 2013, our government has begun to address some of the aspects raised in the motion.

The budget announced a new generation of labour market agreements for persons with disabilities by 2014. These new agreements will be designed to better meet employers’ needs in Canadian businesses and to improve the employment prospects for persons with disabilities.

Economic action plan 2013 also proposes maintaining ongoing funding for the opportunities fund for people with disabilities, starting in 2015-16. The budget also proposed that employers and community organizations be involved in the project design and delivery of the fund. It is important to ensure that training solutions are more responsive to labour market needs. This will help people with disabilities gain the hands-on experience they need to fully participate in the labour market. These two measures were taken to help people with disabilities have job opportunities.

Other measures were also announced in Canada’s economic action plan. Additional funding will be provided through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, some of which will support research related to the labour market participation of people with disabilities.

The creation of a Canadian employers disability forum was announced, as recommended by the panel. The forum, an initiative led by a number of Canadian businesses, including Loblaws, will be managed by employers for employers. It will facilitate the education, training and sharing of resources and best practices concerning the hiring and retention of persons with disabilities. Under the leadership of the forum, employers will help promote and further the invaluable contributions persons with disabilities can make to their businesses.

Finally, the budget announced an extension of the enabling accessibility fund on an ongoing basis to support the capital costs of construction and renovations to improve physical accessibility for people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the opposition parties chose to play political games and voted against that initiative. It is unfortunate that the NDP and Liberals cannot support these great investments and programs for persons with disabilities who need to find meaningful employment.

There is more to be done. In particular, we must change our focus to increase awareness among the owners of small- and medium-sized businesses.

As I said earlier, the introduction of this motion could not be more timely. We are at a pivotal moment in Canada when it comes to our workforce. With baby boomers starting to retire, we need to ensure that all of our talent is at work contributing to continued prosperity. Part of addressing this issue involves investing in people, people with disabilities, so that they can reach their full potential. This includes strategies to attract and retain people from under-represented groups, such as people with disabilities.

In a report by the OECD Business and Industry Advisory Committee published this year, the committee said:
 With aging populations and emerging skills shortages, effective talent management is a dominant business issue, and a strategic imperative.

We urge businesses of all sizes to step up to the plate and consider new sources of labour as part of their human resources strategy. I was delighted to see that the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities is conducting a study entitled “Exploring Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities”.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the member for Brant for taking the initiative and introducing this motion. I would also like to thank the members of the panel on labour market opportunities for persons with disabilities for a job well done. Finally, I would like to ask all members of the opposition parties to put aside political games. It is unfortunate that they voted against the investments that would help Canadians with disabilities fully participate in our economy, and I hope they can find it in their hearts to support this member’s motion.

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“I am reminding local hunters, collectors, and sport shooters of the previously announced end to the firearms licence fee waiver program. Non-restricted POL or PAL licence holders whose renewals are due before May 15, 2014, may renew their licences for free until May 16, 2013. I encourage the shooting community to take advantage of this program and apply for a licence renewal while the waiver is still in effect,” said MP Gallant.

Licence owners are advised to send their applications in early in order to avoid the renewal fee, which has been reinstated in efforts to balance the federal budget by 2015.

“In this climate of fiscal restraint, the government has chosen to end the waiver program,” said MP Gallant.

“I continue to support efforts to streamline all aspects of the firearms regulatory system, reducing the burden on taxpayers and licence holders alike. My motion M-439 seeks to transfer the functions and operation of the Canadian Firearms Registration System to a civilian agency. The savings realized by my motion could be used to lower fees for licence holders,” declared Gallant.

Two other measures designed to encourage compliance with firearms regulations will be extended by a further year.

“Shooters with expired POL licences are again being offered the opportunity to renew without upgrading to a PAL as the law requires. This measure, together with the amnesty on criminal charges for expired POL holders, will encourage former licence holders to comply with existing legislation without fear of being unfairly criminalized.”

Both the POL renewal measure and criminal amnesty will expire May 16, 2014.

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Lochwinnoch, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, congratulated the Lochwinnoch Women’s Institute on being selected  to receive funding under the Federal New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

This program funding is directed toward refurbishment at the Horton Community Centre. The Lochwinnoch Women’s Institute will renovate its kitchen area to enable social participation of seniors and continue offering seniors a variety of social, recreational, cultural and educational programs within the community.

The New Horizons funding of $8,860 will enable Lochwinnoch Women’s Institute to initiate a variety of activities such as educational and recreational workshops.

“The programs will be inclusive to all area seniors.  A range of  programs will be designed to be informative and enjoyable. The Lochwinnoch Women’s Institute endeavours to assist seniors in the Renfrew with a positive approach to good health and well-being”, stated M.P. Gallant.

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