Statement by MP Costas Menegakis on the 41st Parliament of Canada

Costas Menegakis, MP
Richmond Hill

STATEMENT
June 22, 2015

Statement by MP Costas Menegakis on the 41st Parliament of Canada

(Richmond Hill, Ontario) – “Canada’s 41st Parliament has been the most productive in over two decades. In addition to the Government’s 117 legislative measures receiving Royal Assent, with several more expected in the coming days, at least 40 Private Member’s Bills will become law – an unprecedented level of individual Members of Parliament bringing forward and having passed ideas important to them and their constituents. In fact, under Prime Minister Harper’s leadership, more than three times as many Private Members’ Bills have become law than under any other Prime Minister.

“Our Government remained focused on what matters most to Canadians – jobs and economic growth. With the help of the Economic Action Plan, Canada is enjoying one of the strongest economic performances in the G7 and one of the strongest job creation records with over 1.2 million net new jobs created since the depth of the global recession, the vast majority of these being full-time, high-wage and private sector positions.

“We kept our promise to balance the budget; while maintaining the lowest federal tax burden on Canadians in over half a century and delivering record transfer payments to the provinces and territories.

“Building on our many tax saving initiatives such as reducing the GST, pension income splitting and the important Tax Free Savings Account, our new family tax measures are helping make life more affordable for every single Canadian family with children. The average 2-working family of four now saves over $6,600 in total federal tax relief each and every year!

“To support Canada’s small businesses, our Government has introduced the Small Business Job Credit, lowered Employment Insurance premiums, cut red tape, enhanced the Canada Small Business Financing Program to help small businesses get the loans they need to grow, and more. We’re building on these accomplishments by cutting the small business tax rate further, to 9% over four years.

“We are supporting families and communities across the country with the largest and longest infrastructure plan in Canadian history. Through the New Building Canada Plan, we continue to make unprecedented investments to build and restore infrastructure projects in communities from coast to coast to coast. From roads to transit systems, to community centres and much more, these investments are generating economic growth and job creation, while improving the quality of life in our communities. Results of our investments in Richmond Hill can be seen in every corner of the Riding; from Richvale Community Centre, Lois Hancey Aquatic Centre and Elvis Stojko Arena, to the Oak Ridges Community Centre and Oak Ridges Corridor Park East.

“Our Government has also taken a principled stance to protect and promote Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law at home, and around the world. Canada is not immune to the threat of international terrorism, and groups like ISIL have made it clear that they will target Canada, and Canadians. These terrorist threats must be firmly opposed, and Canada is doing its part. We are also providing humanitarian assistance for those displaced by this violence.

“In addition, our Government has introduced legislation that will give our law enforcement and national security agencies the tools they need to effectively detect and prevent national security threats. We are taking steps to stop the promotion of terrorism, counter terrorist recruitment, prevent terrorist travel, disrupt terrorist activity and improve information sharing across federal agencies.

“Since coming into office, this Government has delivered landmark measures to keep Canadians safe, hold criminals accountable for their crimes, and place the rights of law-abiding Canadians and victims of crime first. For instance, the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act is now in effect, which means that children, and all Canadians, are better protected from acts of cyberbullying and online exploitation, and, our historic Canadian Victims Bill of Rights protects the rights of victims to information, participation, protection and restitution.

“We are also proud of the many initiatives we have passed to protect and preserve our wonderful natural resources.  We have created more parks than any other government in history, adding an area twice the size of Vancouver Island to the network of federally protected areas and created the historic National Conservation Plan.

“As our track record demonstrates, Canadians can count on our Government to continue to focus on what matters most to Canadians: creating jobs and opportunity, keeping taxes low, and ensuring the safety and security of their families.”
Costas Menegakis is the Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He can be contacted by phone at 905-770-4440 or through his website at www.costasmenegakis.ca.