Autumn has arrived and I have once again returned to 
Ottawa to sit in the House of Commons after an especially busy but very rewarding summer.  Over the summer recess I had the pleasure to meet with many constituents of Etobicoke North.  The ideas, comments and concerns brought forward to me will certainly be most valuable during deliberations in the upcoming session.
One of the major events on the summer calendar was my summer picnic held at the Thistletown Community Centre at the end of July.   I would like to thank the hundreds of participants and volunteers who helped to make it a complete success.   Honoured guests in attendance were the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs who spoke on the issue of Canadian unity and identity.  The Honourable Allan Rock, Minister of Health was also in attendance, as were numerous community and municipal leaders from around Etobicoke North. Over the summer I had the opportunity to meet with many local businesses, large and small, within the community.  Many of them commented on the strength of the economy which continues to grow at a pace of over 4%.  Unemployment has dropped from double digits when the Liberal Party came into power in 1993 to around 7% and the budgetary
surplus for the year 2000 will be larger than anyone had anticipated! One major accomplishment of the government over the summer was the signing of a healthcare agreement with the Provinces and Territories.  Healthcare continues to be a priority for all Canadians,  and for our government.  As a result of the recently negotiated agreement by the Prime Minister with the Provinces and Territories your federal government will invest a further 23.4 billion dollars in healthcare over the next 5 years. This is in addition to the $14 billion investment in healthcare via the Canada Health and Social Transfer in Budget 1999 and Budget 2000. This agreement also includes accountability measures and report cards so that Canadians know where their healthcare dollars are going and if they are getting the value for their money. 
In this new century, we must ensure that health care - the centrepiece of our social structure- continues to protect the well being of each and every Canadian. 
As always, I encourage you to contact my office with any comments or concerns.  I hope that everyone has a pleasant fall! 
Yours sincerely,

 
Roy Cullen M.P.

Roy Cullen M.P. examines Hemolink with Dr. Dirk Alkema of Hemosol Inc

On August 11th, 2000, I had the pleasure of visiting the Hemosol Inc. offices and plant located at 2 Meridian Road in Etobicoke North.  
Hemosol is a vertically integrated biopharmaceutical company that encompasses discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing products based on human haemoglobin.  Their product, Hemolink, is highly purified human haemoglobin that has been specially prepared for use during surgery in lieu of donor red blood cells.
 
Hemolink is currently under late stage clinical investigation for use in surgical applications, such as coronary artery bypass and orthopaedic surgery.  Some of the major advantages of using Hemolink include: improved oxygen delivery relative to red blood cells, universal compatibility with all blood types, stability for at least one year, and
dramatic reduction in the risks of transmitting viruses and bacteria.
 
Hemosol is a dynamic young Canadian company here in Etobicoke North with excellent prospects for the future at home and around the globe. 

July 1st is Just the Beginning 

July 1st has passed and that means Canadians are beginning to realize the tangible benefits of tax cuts announced in Budget 2000 – an important    pillar of the Liberal government’s plan to build a stronger economy and more secure society.

An Overall Plan

In the 2000 federal budget, the Liberal government promised to deliver a minimum of $58 billion in cumulative tax relief to Canadians through our Five-Year Tax Reduction Plan. This included at least $54 billion in personal income tax cuts and Employment Insurance premium reductions.

Under this Plan, all Canadians – but especially low- and middle-income families – will see substantial tax relief over the next five years. They’ll also benefit from a $2.5 billion enrichment that’s being made to the Canada Child Tax Benefit – which will bring the annual total for the Canada Child Tax Benefit to more than $9 billion by 2004.  On average, taxes will fall by at least 21 per cent for families with children by 2004. That’s a savings of more than $1,500 each year.

Our Plan also includes important measures that will help Canadian businesses compete globally and encourage innovation. These include our commitment to lower the tax rate paid by higher-taxed industries; reductions to the corporate tax rate for small businesses with incomes between $200,000 and $300,000; changes to the rules regarding taxation on stock options, and capital gains tax reductions.

Measures at Work Started July 1st, 2000

Canadians have begun to feel the impact of these tax cuts through measures that took effect on July 1st.

The most significant measure started on July 1st is the re-indexation of the personal income tax system. What this means is that inflation will no longer increase the taxes that all Canadians pay, or erode the value of benefits that many middle- and low-income Canadians receive – such as age credits or the Child Tax Benefit.

At the same time, a variety of other measures have taken hold. These range from cutting the middle tax rate that nearly all Canadians pay to 24 per cent (from 26 per cent), increases to the Child Tax Benefit and the elimination of the 5% surtax on incomes up to $85,000.

The Next Steps

Tax reduction measures which have taken effect this July are only the first step in our plan to leave more money where it belongs – in the pockets of Canadians. For many, the cuts will be modest in this first year (roughly $450 per family). But in the years to come, the tax cuts will be deeper, and the savings for individuals and families will rise. We’ll update our Five-Year Tax Reduction Plan each and every year – so that we can move faster, and continue to provide more benefits to Canadians. 
It was a careful and responsible approach that helped Canada to eliminate its $42 billion deficit and put us on the right economic track. A careful and responsible approach is also the answer as we lower taxes.

At the same time, a stronger economy will allow us to continue to meet other important priorities such as investing in health care.
 

On Saturday, August 12th, 2000, I was invited to the Central Park Lodge Senior’s Home to participate in their Canada Day celebrations.

An illness at the Lodge had delayed the opportunity to celebrate until August. I was pleased to provide flags for the residents to wave throughout the ceremony. The Legion was also present to raise the Canadian flag.

A good time was had by all in attendance.
 

Roy Cullen M.P. examing plaques at Sohiel Mosum Ltd. with the Vice President Darius Mosum.

Soheil Mosun Limited Custom Fabricators is a thriving Etobicoke business and is a great example of the growth of small business in Canada.  Soheil Mosun has a large number of international clients, proving that in today’s global economy small business can compete with companies around the globe.  This company has been located in Etobicoke North for over 15 years.
 
On August 10th, 2000, I had the opportunity to visit the company located at 34 Greensboro Drive.  On this occasion, I was examining ornate and descriptive plaques that were being shipped to Ottawa for the Confederation Trail around the capital.  The plaques, which are constructed of bronze with a special coating to protect them, weigh approximately 400 pounds each.
 
This company has undertaken some of the industry’s most prestigious projects, from the bronze windows on the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill, to the fences and gates surrounding the Holy Shrine of Muhammad in Medina, Saudi Arabia.  Soheil Mosun Limited continues to exemplify a successful Canadian owned and operated small
business.  I wish them the best of luck for their future endeavours.  

I invite you to attend a seminar entitled, Preparing Business in the E-Commerce Age, sponsored by the Canadian Bankers Association on Thursday October 12th from 7:30-9:45 am at the International Plaza Hotel– Plaza A, 655 Dixon Road.
 
This free seminar will help you to think about the impact of e-commerce on your business and the drivers behind it.  Lead by Robert Parker, National Partner, Computer Assurance Services of Deloitte & Touche, the seminar will address new e-commerce challenges and the critical success factors needed to prosper.
 
Mr. Parker has given numerous e-commerce presentations throughout North America and has been actively involved in information technology as well as computer security and control.
 
If you are interested in the issues facing our changing global economy, please feel free to Denise Randall by phone, fax or e-mail and include your: Name, Title and Company, as well as Phone, Fax, e-mail and number of people attending.
 
Denise Randell
Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce
Ph. 416-622-5557
Fx. 416-622-4544
E-mail:  etobcham@idirect.com
 
Space is limited, so please reserve as early as possible!

Left to right: Derek Lee M.P., Roy Cullen M.P., Hon. Jim Peterson P.C., Joe Volpe M.P. cutting the ribbon at the opening of Workplace Connections.

On July 14th, 2000, I had the pleasure of attending the opening ceremonies of Workplace Connections, a new youth job training and placement program.  This program, offered by MCIS Inc., is geared to find the most appropriate job for unemployed youth between 16 and 29 years old and is especially designed to deal with Toronto youth at risk.  
This project was supported by many Toronto area Liberal MPs including myself, Minster Jim Peterson, Minister Art Eggleton, John McKay, Derek Lee, and Joe Volpe. We were able to successfully secure $5 million in funding through Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).   Workplace Connections will help over 1,500 Toronto youth with training and placements.   I am also currently meeting with local officials to discuss the
possible launch of a satellite program in Etobicoke North. 

For more information visit  www.workplaceconnections.org
 
 
 

 

Constituency Office: 815 Albion Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9V 1A3 Phone: 416-747-6003 Fax: 416-747-8295