Dear Friends: The Speech from the Throne on February 2nd marks a new era for our Liberal Government in Canada. Prime Minister Paul Martin has listened to Canadians - and responded to your priorities. The Speech from the Throne focuses on the need to provide the right economic and social policy environment so that all Canadians can reach their full potential - and live securely in peace and harmony in these turbulent times. A further investment of $2 billion in Canada's health care system, accompanied with an increased emphasis on accountability and transparency - through the newly formed Health Council - will assist the Province of Ontario in reducing waiting times for surgery and for emergency treatment. The New Deal for Cities will be a Real Deal for Cities. As a first step, cities like Toronto will be exempted from the G.S.T. - effective immediately. This translates into an additional $50 million per year for the City of Toronto - funds that can be used to fight crime, create affordable housing spaces, and address many other needs in this area. The government also launched many other key initiatives such as more quality child care more quickly; programs to assist low and middle income Canadians with their education, and investments in science, technology and the environment. The government remains committed to sound fiscal management. We will not go back into deficit and we will continue to reduce the national debt. We need to improve the way that programs are managed and operated so that full value is obtained from every one of your tax dollars. I too am committed to this end as well. I hope that 2004 brings you great happiness and prosperity. I look forward to seeing you soon. Yours sincerely, Roy Cullen, M.P.

T H E  R O Y   C U L L E N    R E P O R T

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE FEBRUARY 2, 2004 TO OPEN THE 3RD SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF CANADA

Canadians want their government to do more than just settle for the status quo. They want a government that can lead change, develop a national consensus on common goals and have the wisdom to help all of us achieve them. The goals of the Government of Canada are clear. We want a Canada with strong social foundations, where people are treated with dignity, where they are given a hand when needed, where no one is left behind. Where Canadians - families and communities - have the tools to find local solutions for local problems. We want a strong economy for the 21st century, with well-paying and meaningful work; ready at the forefront of the next big technological revolution; and built on a solid fiscal foundation. We want for Canada a role of pride and influence in the world, where we speak with an independent voice, bringing distinctive Canadian values to international affairs. It is time to take our place, meet our responsibilities, carry our weight. Today the Government is proposing an ambitious agenda to set our country on this path. An agenda that should be measured and judged by the goals we have set and by the resolve and constancy by which they are pursued. Achievements of worth and permanence take time. But that is no excuse for inaction. The Government is committed to making the down payments needed now and to build consistently on these steps as resources permit. So that, a decade hence, we will see that today we made the right choices for the country. This Speech from the Throne marks the start of a new government; a new agenda; a new way of working. It marks a renewal, built on partnership, opportunity, achievement - and the real engagement of Canadians. (Excerpted from the Governor General's Speech from the Throne, February 2nd , 2004). For the complete version of the Speech from the Throne and the Prime Minister's response, please visit the PM's website at: http://pm.gc.ca/

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO
HELP SARS AFFECTED WORKERS

Mr. Roy Cullen, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North and, Mr. Tony Ianno, Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina, on behalf of the
Government of Canada, announced the funding of $1,170,556 to help workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) affected by SARS. The funding is for two Employment Recovery Centres, Community MicroSkills and the Working Skills Centre.

Community MicroSkills and The Working Skills Centre are two multicultural, non-profit community-based organizations that have proven track records in providing support to workers who have lost their jobs. Funded through Employment Assistance Services (EAS), a support measure of the Employment Insurance Act, the two centres will provide employment support to workers in the GTA affected by the economic impact of SARS.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to support this effort that will help SARS-affected workers in the GTA access the information and resources they need to secure work," said Mr. Cullen. "It is vital that we continue to work closely with the communities affected by SARS to overcome and recover from the devastating effects of this unprecedented outbreak."

The two Employment Recovery Centres will be operating under the name of JobTrack with locations downtown, near the entertainment district, and in the west end, close to the airport area. The centres will enable clients from SARS-affected industries to find and keep work. Clients will be directed to the programs and services available to them in the community, assisted in addressing some of the personal challenges they face as a result of a job loss, and provided with the tools needed to help them re-enter the work force.

Roy Cullen and community members at the launch of "Breaking the Cycle"

ROY CULLEN ANNOUNCES CANADA'S SUPPORT FOR
YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY PROJECT "BREAKING THE CYCLE"
NOVEMBER 12, 2003

On Wednesday, November 12th, 2003, Mr. Roy Cullen, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of Human Resources Development Canada (now Human Resources and Skills Development), announced the funding of $279,980 for a youth project by the Canadian Training Institute that will help fourteen youth develop employability skills.

Having access to resources and support is an important service for youth entering the labour force. Mr. Cullen noted that "Breaking the Cycle" will help this cause and increase awareness of youth issues in the community and encourage other youth to take advantage of available youth services."

The Breaking the Cycle of Gang Development Project will provide 14 unemployed youth with the opportunity to develop and upgrade their employability skills and gain experience by developing community dialogue sessions. As peer information ambassadors, the participants will deliver 80 information sessions to the community, and other at-risk and younger youth. The sessions will help to enhance awareness and use of youth employment and vocational services in the community. The information sessions will help the participants develop valuable employment skills that can be transferred to the labour market while educating youth on the importance of personal skills development and the alternatives to violence. As an outreach program, this project will greatly assist in the fight against crime, drugs, and gangs in Etobicoke North. In addition to Human Resources
Development Canada's contribution of $279,980, the Solicitor General's office is contributing $62,000 towards this project.

This project supports the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy. In April 2003, the Government of Canada streamlined its Youth Employment Strategy to be more responsive to the changing needs of youth, employers, and the Canadian job market. The streamlined Youth Employment Strategy now offers three focused programs: Skills Link, Summer Work Experience and Career Focus. These programs provide flexibility to choose from a range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual needs; ensure that youth acquire skills and work experience they need to find and keep a job and have the information they need to make informed career choices; and provide post-secondary graduates with career-related work experience to help them become leaders in their field.