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, recently announced funding of $19.5 million for five innovative projects in Western Canada.

One of these projects involves Tolko Industries Meadow Lake, producers of specialty and commodity Oriented Strand Board and a major employer in our area.

TI Meadow Lake will receive $4.9 million for a project to create the first facility in North America to produce oriented strand board on one production line while enhancing quality and performance of the final product.

Investments such as these are helping to shape the future of industry in Northern Saskatchewan, where forestry has faced numerous challenges in recent years.

A strong and innovative user of local resources such as Tolko Industries helps build our communities and creates employment in our region, while operating above and beyond rigid industry standards of sustainability, safety and environmental criteria.

Funding coming into our riding is always a good thing, and this latest investment will help create jobs and long-term prosperity right here in Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River.

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls.  Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6.  I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca  To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River

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 expansion of the hiring credit for small business and helping farmers pass along their family farms through the increase of the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption.

The Economic Action Plan provides substantial transfer support for Social and Health Services in Saskatchewan, including $978 million through the Canada Health Transfer and $378 million through the Canada Social Transfer.  These are the largest-ever support payments delivered to Saskatchewan and represent an increase of nearly 50% when compared to the 2005-2006 transfers made by the last Liberal government.

The new budget provides an investment of $70 billion over ten years to build and repair roads, bridges and other important infrastructure across Canada, creating employment for thousands of Canadians, while improving our nation.

The Economic Action Plan provides $92 million over two years for Forestry Innovation and Market Development, a benefit to the forestry industry.

Farmers and ranchers will benefit from our government’s investment in Genome Canada, whose research has already resulted in breakthroughs such as the bovine genome, which have provided an advantage to Canadian livestock producers.

Importantly, the Economic Action Plan keeps our government on track for balanced budgets by 2015, a tremendous feat in a time of global financial uncertainty.  Our government has taken positive steps to support job creation, economic growth and prosperity, while keeping taxes low.

Economic Action Plan 2013 fortifies the strong structure our Conservative government has built and keeps Canada on track for a prosperous future.

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls.  Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6.  I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca  To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River

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 across the country.

Of particular interest to Saskatchewan residents is the Critical Infrastructure Assurance System, a project led by Saskatchewan Emergency Management and Fire Safety which will receive approximately $700,000 in funding.  The CIAS will help improve the response time of emergency services through field and lab testing.

In an emergency situation, every second counts.  By ensuring that all emergency services are working in conjunction, lives will be saved right here in Saskatchewan.

The Critical Infrastructure Assurance System is a partnership between our government, CriSys, Deep Logic Solutions, Natural Resources Canada, Planetworks Consulting, Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency and Saskatchewan’s Ministries of the Environment, Education and Highways and Infrastructure.

Among the twenty-five other projects receiving funding across the country are initiatives that strengthen our nation’s ability to anticipate, prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.

“Our government is investing resources to ensure Canadian institutions are better prepared and have a greater resilience to public safety and security threats, both here at home and around the world,” said Minister MacKay. “These projects bring together the best minds from government, industry and academia, nationally and internationally, to support the development of knowledge, tools, processes, advice and strategies that are essential for safeguarding Canada.”

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls.  Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6.  I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca  To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River

The world has taken notice of Canada’s accessible, business-friendly governance.  Our Conservative Government is focused on building on that record and helping create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians.

Part of our long-term strategy involves investing in cutting-edge technology that benefits the entire planet.

Our Harper government recently announced a substantial investment in Clean Technology projects to be undertaken across Canada.

More than $61 million has been set aside by Sustainable Development Canada’s SD Tech Fund for the development and improvement of environment-friendly technology.

This investment in clean technology will create jobs and support innovation as we move toward a greener future.

Our government is proud to be leading the way, globally, in clean technology.  Investment in clean air, clean water, clean soil, climate change and energy utilization technologies will create employment and modernization, while benefitting all Canadians.

Among the projects to gain an advantage from our government’s investment is the R.I.I. project in Edam, Saskatchewan, which will be utilizing Enhanced Oil Recovery methods to retrieve oil from areas which are nearing the end of the period during which oil is easily recoverable.

Another Saskatchewan project to receive funding is Venmar CES in Saskatoon, a company specializing in “smART A/C”, a process used to reduce the energy consumption of HVAC systems in commercial buildings.

These are just two of the more than twenty projects receiving funding this year, making up a small segment of the two-hundred and forty-five innovative projects that have realized funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s SD Tech Fund Canada, ensuring that Canada will continue to lead the way in Green Technology.

Creating jobs, supporting innovation and promoting green technology demonstrates our government’s commitment to remaining on the cutting-edge of technological advances.

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls.  Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6.  I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca  To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River

“Pennies have sat idle for too long in forgotten penny jars and couch crevices,” said Parliamentary Secretary Glover. “They demand too much time, for too little return, of our small business owners, and they cost too much to make: nearly 1.6 cents goes into every penny. It is time to bid the penny a fond farewell.”

Eliminating the production of the penny will save our government $11 million every year.

Electronic payments and payments by cheque will not be affected.  Pennies can still be used in cash transactions with businesses that choose to accept them.  Financial institutions will continue to accept pennies.

Amounts will be rounded symmetrically, with prices ending in 1, 2, 6 and 7 cents rounded down and prices ending in 3, 4, 8 and 9 cents rounded up.  Prices ending with a zero or five will not be affected.

Experience in countries such as Australia and New Zealand (where the penny has already been eliminated) has shown that rounding practices are respected and provoke no problems.

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls.  Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6.  I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca  To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River

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 saved up to $500 per child at tax time, thanks to the CATC.

Eligible programs include those that contribute to the development of creative skills or expertise in artistic or cultural activities, focus substantially on wilderness and the natural environment, help children develop and use particular intellectual skills, include structured interaction among children where supervisors teach or help children develop interpersonal skills and those that provide enrichment or tutoring in academic subjects.

Keeping taxes low while providing more affordable access to artistic and cultural for families is important to our government. Helping children reach their full potential is important to parents and vital to the future of our country.

Thanks to the initiatives of our Conservative government, hard-working Canadian families now receive more than $3000 in extra tax savings.

Those interested in participating in the program this year should check the Canada Revenue Agency website and remember to save receipts for use when filing your taxes in 2013.

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls. Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6. I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River

We salute the bravery and sacrifices made by our servicewomen and servicemen.  It is never easy to commit your life to service to one’s country, particularly in uncertain times.  That so many have chosen to protect our nation in spite of this danger is a tribute to their valour.

Our Conservative government supports the military through measures such as the Veterans’ Bill of Rights, giving better access to programs for armed services members past and present.

Our government’s efforts to restore monuments and cenotaphs helps pay tribute to those who have served our country, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I know that you will all be thinking of our veterans and service personnel, and their families, on Remembrance Day.  We cannot thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made in defence of our great nation.

Lest we forget.

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls.  Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6.  I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca  To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River

Thomas Mulcair’s NDP, however, are proposing a crippling carbon tax that would drastically raise heating and fuel prices for Canadians in order to fund new government spending.

Raising taxes on energy will hurt seniors and those living on fixed incomes by taxing one of life’s necessities.  Small- and medium-sized businesses would also suffer under a carbon tax, not to mention the monumental cost to farmers.

Raising the cost of transportation will drive prices higher for groceries, as well as numerous other consumer items.

With the cost of energy already on the rise, the last thing we need is a prohibitive tax driving the cost of heating to astronomical heights.

Our Conservative government will oppose any attempt to raise taxes on hard-working Canadians.

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls.  Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6.  I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca  To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River

Harper Government Supports Bill C-428, the Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (October 18, 2012) –

The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced the Harper Government’s support in principle for Private Member’s Bill C-428, the Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act, brought forward by Rob Clarke, the Member from Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River.

“Our Government recognizes that the Indian Act is an impediment to the success of Canada’s First Nations,” said Minister Duncan. “Bill C-428 is consistent with our Government’s approach of taking concrete, but incremental, steps to create the conditions for healthier, more self-sufficient First Nation communities, and we look forward to studying the bill in committee, hearing from witnesses and, as always, exploring opportunities to improve it.”

Bill C-428 proposes a number of concrete actions that give First Nations greater responsibility over day-to-day issues, including the administration of wills and estates, and the creation of by-laws. In addition, the bill proposes to remove outdated provisions of the Indian Act, repeals all references to residential schools, and removes unnecessary schools-related provisions.

These changes are consistent with steps taken by the Harper Government over the last six years to unlock the economic development potential of First Nation communities, and give First Nation citizens greater access to the same rights as all Canadians.

This release is also available on the Internet at www.aandc.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Minister’s Office Media Relations

Jan O’Driscoll Aboriginal Affairs and Northern

Press Secretary Development Canada Office of the Honourable John Duncan 819-953-1160 819-997-0002

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 business entrepreneurs.

Our Red Tape Reduction Plan makes life simpler for small businesses in areas ranging from taxes to payroll, easing the time burden on busy small business owners.

We extended the Hiring Credit for Small Businesses in order to create more employment and growth in the small business sector.

We have provided small business entrepreneurs with a pension framework, at a reduced rate, through the Pooled Registered Pension Plan.

Those small businesses involved in production and distribution benefit from free trade agreements engineered by our government, providing expedited, lucrative world trade.

Perhaps most importantly, our government has fought for and maintained low tax rates for small businesses, rewarding entrepreneurs by keeping money where it belongs – in the pockets of those who worked hard to earn it.

With a small business tax rate of 11%, Canada has the lowest rate among G-7 countries, helping us grow the economy and creating prosperity for Canadians.  As our government works to return to balanced budgets, we will do so without raising taxes or cutting transfers to Canadians or the provinces.

As always, I look forward to your letters, e-mails and calls.  Write me at: Rob Clarke MP,

House of Commons, 502 Justice Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6.  I hope you will

find time to visit my website http://www.robclarkemp.ca  To contact me via e-mail use

clarkr@parl.gc.ca or call my constituency office toll-free at 1-866-400-2334.

Rob Clarke MP

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River