2007: A year of Accomplishments and Long-Awaited Triumphs in Ottawa

December 26th, 2007

I can honestly say that 2007 was definitely one of the most rewarding years I’ve experienced as your Member of Parliament.

The year began with my appointment to the federal cabinet as Secretary of State to facilitate my role as Chief Government Whip, a fitting way to celebrate the first anniversary of our Conservative Government.

January also brought news that the Prince George Airport’s exciting runway expansion project had captured the support of the federal government through our Mountain Pine Beetle program.

Then the 2007 budget crowned British Columbia as the single largest winner in the country for federal infrastructure funding. The budget also invested heavily in healthcare, education and childcare, and brought with it many new tax breaks for average Canadian families.

But for me the most rewarding new measure in the federal budget was the reinstatement of the Northern Residents Tax Deduction to the District of Mackenzie, something I had fought for unsuccessfully through consecutive Liberal governments.

Then, Bert Brown, duly elected twice by Albertans, finally got his seat in the Senate! Prime Minister Stephen Harper added Senator Brown’s long-awaited appointment to our Conservative Government’s inspiring slate of democratic reforms, including additional MPs for BC and the passage of fixed election dates.

Another long-awaited goal of mine was achieved with the passage of Bill C-9, Conservative legislation to restrict the use of conditional sentencing, or house arrest, for serious violent crimes. This bill reflects a private members bill I reintroduced several times. It’s all part of our efforts to restore confidence in Canada’s justice system by getting tough on drug dealers, gangs, organized crime, sexual predators and repeat offenders.

Our government also got tough with an historic environmental strategy. For the first time in history, industry will be subject to mandatory, regulated targets for air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, emissions will be reduced by 20% by 2020, a tough, but realistic objective that has been embraced domestically and internationally.

Representing the federal government at the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge was a 2007 event that I will carry with me for years to come. I would follow that later in the year with an equally moving pilgrimage to Flander’s Field to honour the sacrifices made 90 years ago in the Battle of Passchendaele. Given these events, it was fitting that the Veterans Bill of Rights was implemented and the office of the Veterans Ombudsman was established in 2007.

This was also the year that a long-held economic and transportation objective for northern BC was met with the grand opening of the Fairview Container Terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert. And of course great economic news greeted ALL Canadians in the Fall Economic Statement with even further broad-based tax cuts, and the total reduction to the national debt since the Conservative Government came to office hit $37-billion!

No matter what 2008 may bring, I can predict that just as we did in 2007, our Conservative Government will respond to any new and existing opportunities and challenges that Canada may face. We will do what’s necessary to get things done for Canadians!

-30-