Welcome to the first ever edition of The Hawn Report.  It is my hope to keep all of my constituents up-to-date about the issues that we are dealing with in Parliament as well as events and legislation that affects Edmonton Centre.

As we all know, Edmontonians continue to face the challenges of the global recession. While we have started to see signs of economic recovery on the horizon, it is not yet here. Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Conservative government is helping Edmonton families and businesses today, while making our economy stronger and more stable over the long-term.

Reaching this point has not been easy, but our government’s actions are making a difference. We began by ensuring that Canada’s banking and mortgage sectors were strong and resilient. Unlike many other countries around the world, when the global recession is over, Canada will still have as many working banks as it did before the crisis. At no point during the recession have our financial institutions been in danger.

Our government also lowered taxes for every Edmontonian through income tax cuts at all levels. By keeping taxes low for families and businesses, we are making Canada a more affordable place to live and work.  As well, we reduced the GST from 7% to 6% to 5%, lowering the cost of regular items that families need every day.

Our government is also moving forward with action to protect families from fraud and white collar crime.

The impacts of fraud can be devastating and white collar crime creates real victims. Recently, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson introduced new legislation that will crack down on criminals that defraud families.

A white-collar criminal that defrauds families is no different than a mugger or a thief. Our Conservative government believes in taking real action to protect law-abiding Canadians by introducing a minimum two year sentence for fraud over $1 million.

However, white collar-crimes can be complex, and it is important that judges will be able to ensure that punishments reflect the crimes committed. With that in mind, our Conservative government is introducing new aggravating factors for white-collar crimes. These ensure that, when certain specific factors come in to play, the sentence fits the crime.

My office has received quite a few letters and emails regarding Bill C-428, which was introduced by Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla.  Her Bill seeks to reduce the residency requirements under the Old Age Security Act.

Currently, in order to qualify for Old Age Security (OAS) there is a ten-year residency requirement after age 18. If this is met, eligible Canadians can start receiving benefits once they turn 65. Our government is taking a fair and responsible approach to providing benefits to seniors. It is entirely reasonable to expect that a person should live in Canada for a minimum period of time before being granted a life-long public benefit. In my view, the ten-year requirement strikes an appropriate balance between an individual's contribution to Canadian society and the economy and their access to this benefit. This proposal by Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla would upset this balance and would cost over $700 million, a cost which would be paid for by Canadian taxpayers. Therefore, I will be voting against Bill C-428.

On a final note, Members of Parliament voted at Second Reading to repeal the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry on November 4, 2009. I voted in favour of repealing the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry.  I was pleased that a majority of MPs have supported this Private Members’ Bill, which is clear and straightforward and reflects our government’s long-standing position to repeal the long-gun registry. However, this is only the first step in the legislative process.  The bill still needs to go to committee and third reading in the House of Commons, and then through a similar process in the Senate.

The registry is not cracking down on crime like the Liberals promised it would.  Both Jack Layton and Michael Ignatieff have been unequivocal in their support of the registry, but it’s important for those Opposition MPs who have supported this Private Members’ Bill at second reading to continue their support for ending the long-gun registry as it makes its way through Parliament.

Yours sincerely,

Laurie Hawn, MP
Edmonton Centre