Rob’s Column

As a government, our focus remains on job creation and the economy.  Our Economic Action Plan for Canada has created over 950,000 new net jobs. Part of our job creation strategy includes strategic investment in vital Canadian industry, exemplified by our Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program.  IFIT, which is administered by Natural Resources Canada, [...]

Our government recently revealed the details of our Economic Action Plan for 2013, which focuses on supporting job creation and economic growth. Among numerous initiatives contained in the new Economic Action Plan is a plan to provide further tax relief to seniors who require personal care services, support for small business through the extension and [...]

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Defence, recently announced an investment of approximately $20 million for innovative science and technology projects to enhance public safety and security. A call for proposals in September, 2012, unearthed twenty-six private-sector, academic and government projects which are to be led by sixteen different federal, provincial, territorial and municipal organizations [...]

John Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Cisco Systems – a world leader in telecommunications – was recently quoted as saying, “The easiest place in the world to do business is Canada. Their Prime Minister gets it. They make it easy for me to invest and do acquisitions there; they have a great education program and [...]

While our Canadian Mint has ceased producing new pennies, the humble penny will retain its value indefinitely, meaning that there is no deadline for redeeming pennies.  The Mint stopped distributing pennies to financial institutions as of February 4th. “Pennies have sat idle for too long in forgotten penny jars and couch crevices,” said Parliamentary Secretary [...]

Nearly 500,000 Canadian families took advantage of the Children’s Arts Tax Credit last year. The Children’s Arts Tax Credit is a program introduced by our government in Budget 2011 to help families with children sixteen and under fund artistic, cultural, recreational or developmental activity. Families with children participating in activities focusing on the arts have [...]

With Remembrance Day fast approaching, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of those who have served our country through their military service.  My thanks and very best wishes also go out to those who are currently serving Canada in the military. We salute the bravery and sacrifices made by our [...]

While we are all keenly aware of environmental concerns and the challenges they present, our Conservative government chooses to take a measured, considered approach in dealing with the reduction of greenhouse gases and the elimination of environmental destruction. Thomas Mulcair’s NDP, however, are proposing a crippling carbon tax that would drastically raise heating and fuel [...]

Small business entrepreneurs are key to life here in Northern Saskatchewan.  They are the very lifeblood of the communities that support them. Our government is dedicated to making life, and profit, easier for small business owners.  We are committed to growth and long-term prosperity for small business, through legislation and programs designed to support small [...]

National Science and Technology Week recognizes the importance of scientific and technological endeavor in Canada. Our nation has long been a leading light in the field of scientific innovation and it is important to celebrate this fact as we strive to remain on the cutting-edge of science and technology. “Our government understands that sparking the [...]