E t o b i c o k e   N o r t h               

Winter Report 2000 - Speech From the Throne 

Dear Friends,

The Second Session of the 36th Parliament is already proving to be a very busy one! Upon returning to Ottawa, Members of Parliament set to work on several issues that are of vital importance, and interest, to all Canadians.

Many of you have called me or written to me to express your support for, or objection to, the Onex proposal, which was recently withdrawn. At the current time I will not comment on the merit of either the Onex or the Air Canada proposal, as no proposal has been formally presented to the government.

It is important to understand, however, that our government believes that the Canadian airline industry in its current form is not sustainable. For this reason, Section 47 of the Competition Act was suspended to allow the two major airlines to seek private-sector solutions to the problems that face the industry.

I want to assure you that final approval of any conditional agreement rests with the Government of Canada. The Minister of Transport has stated that before any restructuring proposal is approved, the protection of consumer interests, the level of service to smaller communities, the viability of regional airlines and the safeguarding of rights of workers must be met. Further, all Canadian control regulations will have to be met before any agreement will be granted approval.

The recent cases of human smuggling to Canada have also generated some calls to my office. While many have expressed compassion for these unfortunate victims, others feel that the integrity of our immigration system is being compromised. As a government we will proceed with the legislative directions that were suggested last year. These proposed changes include: enhancing our ability to intercept illegal migrants abroad; stiffer penalties for those who contravene laws; and the increased use of detention.

Finally, I would like to point out that shortly following her installation as Canada's Governor General, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson delivered the Speech from the Throne on behalf of our government. In the pages following, I have outlined some of the key priorities that were highlighted in the Speech from the Throne --- priorities that our government will be working on in the coming months and years.

As always, I encourage you to contact my office to voice your opinions or concerns about any federal issue.

Sincerely, 

Roy Cullen, M.P.

Speech from the Throne: Children and youth

If children are the future, then we must invest in them today. The recent Speech from the Throne expresses the commitment of the Liberal government to our children and young people.
Seven initiatives over the next five years will strengthen Canadian families to help parents provide all that is best for their children. Specifically, we will:

The Liberal government is committed to providing young Canadians with the opportunity to develop skills and creative talents. With their energy, vision, and ideas, they lead the way into the 21st century.

We are counting on the technological savvy of young Canadians to put in place additional Internet access sites in communities across Canada. Exchanges Canada is another initiative that will provide 100,000 young Canadians with a chance to travel to another part of the country and learn more about themselves and other Canadians.

The "first works" program will give Canadian teens an opportunity to put their creativity into action applying traditional and new technologies in the arts. We are also making young Canadians active participants as volunteers across the country to work on national or community-based environmental or literacy projects. A youth international internship program will help our young people broaden their horizons with experience overseas.

Our goal is to make the early years the best years. Years full of caring and nurturing, and in later years, full of challenges. We want to dare young Canadians to reach out and achieve for themselves, for each other, and for the future. To make Canada the place to be in the 21st century.

"The Liberal government is right when it says that nothing is more important for the long-term prosperity and well-being of Canadian society than investing in children."

Speech from the Throne: Strong Economy

Our prosperity on the eve of the 21st century is the result of sound fiscal management and the sacrifices of all Canadians. Balanced economic policies have put an end to an era of skyrocketing deficits and public debt. They have helped create 1.7 million jobs since 1993; led to the lowest unemployment rate in almost a decade, and helped foster the longest period of economic expansion since the 1960s.

Our balanced strategy also allowed us to cut Canadians' taxes by some $16.5 billion over three years (removing 600,000 Canadians from the federal tax rolls) and still make key investments in areas such as innovation and skills development, health care and children - areas that matter to Canadians. For a typical family of four with two incomes totalling $50 000, this translates into a 15% reduction in their federal tax bill.

Additionally, we've created the National Child Benefit, the most innovative new social program since medicare; modernized the Employment Insurance Program (EI) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP); and helped Canadians gain vital access to global markets. Canada stands poised to enter the next century with vision and a sound economy. We are in an enviable position - a position that will allow us to reap the benefits of the new global knowledge-based economy.

Speech from the Throne: Health

Quality, affordable health care is a cornerstone of Canadian life. It's a hallmark of our society - an expression of the caring and compassionate spirit that makes Canada so unique. It's also one of the best publicly-funded systems in the world. The recent Speech from the Throne reiterates the Liberal government's steadfast commitment to this goal.

We've made critical investments in health care. These include the $11.5 billion provided to the provinces ($3.5 billion for Ontario alone) and territories in the 1999 Budget over the next five years, specifically for health care, and the $1.4 billion we

set aside over the next three years to improve health information, research and prevention. The centrepiece of our innovation effort is the creation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The CIHR will foster state-of-the-art health care research across regions and disciplines, and will receive over $500 million in funding.

The Speech from the Throne also commits the government to working with our provincial and other partners to test innovative approaches to home care, pharmacare, and service delivery to ensure that Canadians have the best health care system possible.


Speech from the Throne:Skills, Innovation and Research - The Keys to Tomorrow

Over the years, the Liberal government has made access to education - and a brighter future - a reality for Canadians. Our Canadian Opportunities Strategy has helped hundreds of thousands of Canadians since 1998, when the Strategy was first launched. The Strategy includes the Canada Education Savings Grant, Canada Study Grants and the Canada Millennium Scholarships, among other measures.

Into the Future
Canada is serious about fostering and nurturing a healthy research environment. This is why we're increasing our support to Granting Councils, promoting greater international collaboration and improving the commercialization of Canadian research. It's also why we're embarking on a bold new venture, creating the 21st Century Chairs for Research Excellence in Canadian universities.

Over the next three years this initiative will receive $60 million in the first year, $120 million in the second and $180 million in the third year, and ongoing support from the federal government, through the Granting Councils. By attracting the brightest and best researchers, Canada will create the next generation of the world's best - right here at home.

When it comes to technology and the Information Highway, we'll encourage the rapid use of electronic commerce throughout the economy. This includes re-introducing legislation to ensure Canada has the most attractive policy environment for e-commerce in the world. And we'll build on Canada's impressive connectivity record, by means such as encouraging multimedia learning in our schools.

A Firm Commitment
The Liberal government is determined to make Canada the place to be in the 21st century. With the investments we're making in the areas of skills, innovation and research, Canadians have every reason to believe we'll reach this goal.

Pre-Budget Consultation 1999: Etobicoke North Speaks Out!

Year 2000 Pre-Budget Consultation in Etobicoke North
On October 21st Roy Cullen had the pleasure of hosting a Town Hall Meeting for constituents of Etobicoke North at the Elmbank Community Centre. This meeting took place as part of the Liberal government's annual pre-budget consultations in preparation for the year 2000 Budget. Approximately 60 people participated in the evening which was full of lively discussion and thoughtful suggestions.

The main topic of debate was "what should be done with the budget surplus, now that our government has eliminated the deficit?" In answering this question, Roy was not surprised to find out that the group in attendance was quite evenly divided amongst social spending, tax relief and debt reduction.

"The hallmark of the Chrétien government has been the balanced approach that we have taken towards governing. While we have concentrated on bringing the country's finances under control, at the same time we have protected the social programs that are important to Canadians," Roy commented. The variety of opinions that were heard at the Town Hall meeting seemed to endorse this approach.

A report from this meeting has been submitted to the Chair of the House of Commons Finance Committee. This report, along with all other evidence submitted to the Committee, will be taken into consideration in the coming months. "I look forward to the year 2000 Budget. I expect to see the opinions of my constituents reflected in this Budget through greater tax relief, targeted social spending and a continued effort to pay down the debt."

Congratulatory Messages:

Are you, or someone you know, celebrating a special birthday or anniversary soon? By contacting our constituency office and speaking with Audrey we can arrange for greetings from the following people.

HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Anniversaries: 60 years or more
Birthdays: 100 years or more
(3 months notice required including marriage or birth certificate)

GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA

Anniversaries: 50-59th Birthdays: 90-99th
(2 months notice)



Anniversaries: 25 years or more Birthdays: 75 years or more
(2 months notice)

ROY CULLEN, M.P.

Anniversaries: 20 years or more Birthdays: 65 years or more
(1 month notice)