Dear Friends:

It is not surprising that a government in Ottawa has never, in the history of our great nation, been defeated on a Speech from the Throne. The reason for this is clear -the Speech from the Throne is a very general statement of the government of the day's overall direction and priorities. As the saying goes "The devil is in the detail". It is now the responsibility of Parliament to examine legislation and policies that flow from this speech. It is the duty of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, The Liberal Party Caucus, to critique and challenge the priorities and policies of the government in power - and you have my assurance that this is what we will do.

While holding this Conservative government accountable, however, we will be mindful that Canadians are not anxious to have a third federal general election in four years. We will try to make this Parliament work for Canadians. You would expect no less.

I was pleased to note that in the Throne Speech some attention was paid to Canada's North, and to asserting Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic. We need now to build on this initiative to ensure that aboriginal Canadians share this vision and are able to fully participate in the sustainable development of Canada's changing northern landscape, and in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The federal government needs to pay more attention to our manufacturing sector, which is so important for Ontario and for jobs across this land. The rise in the value of the Canadian dollar vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar is resulting in a loss of manufacturing jobs. The government needs to act to address this.

With respect to Afghanistan, it is my view that other NATO partners need to share in the combat burden in South Afghanistan beyond February 2009. Canada should focus on what non-combat role Canada can play afterwards to aid in the reconstruction of that country.

I will support smart measures that make our streets safer and our communities more secure. We need to focus on both tougher sanctions for criminals, and on preventative initiatives at the community level.

I look forward to speaking with you in the weeks and months ahead.

Hon. Roy Cullen, P.C., M.P., Etobicoke North

Roy Cullen Talks Marriages of Convenience

Hon. Roy Cullen joined protestors on the lawn of Parliament Hill on Monday, October 22, 2007 - citizens who are seeking action by the Conservative Government on recent increases in marriage fraud and marriages of convenience. An increasing number of Canadians, who marry abroad, are being deceived by sponsored persons, who enter into a marriage for the purpose only of obtaining permanent resident status in Canada. After arriving in Canada, the sponsored person leaves immediately, or after a short period of time.

The victims of these marriages are traumatized in so many ways - emotionally, financially, mentally and socially. These events are also very de-stabilizing for our communities in Canada. Canada's immigration officers in our missions abroad reject many sponsorship applications on the grounds that the relationships are deemed to be 'marriages of convenience.' These are difficult judgment calls for officials to make, especially with arranged marriages; and, as a consequence, an increasing number of marriage frauds are not detected when the immigration sponsorship file is processed.

Organizations like Canadians Against Immigration Fraud, and the Canadian Marriage Fraud Victims' Society are calling on the Conservative Government to act now. They have submitted a range of policy options to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Public safety to deal with this serious problem. One such suggestion is as follows - If such a marriage dissolves within a period of seven years after the date of landing, neither the sponsor nor the sponsored person would be allowed to sponsor another spouse for seven years from the date of divorce or separation.

Other ideas for solutions to this problem abound.

In July 2006, Hon. Roy Cullen wrote to the then Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Hon. Monte Solberg on this topic - calling for action on the growing problem of marriages of convenience. Minister Solberg responded by saying he was equally concerned and appreciated Mr. Cullen's suggested solution (a probation period). To date, no action has been taken and no solution forthcoming. In Mr. Cullen's recent letter to the current Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Hon. Diane Finlay, he has demanded a constructive government response as a matter of urgency.

Roy Cullen at recent Nanaimo-Cowichan event with Mr. Brian Scott (center), the Liberal candidate for Nanaimo-Cowichan, and Mr. Mike Coleman (right), President of the Nanaimo-Cowichan Liberal Riding Association.

Roy Cullen speaking at the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) 2007 Business Agents Conference on August 22nd, 2007 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.