Calgary Centre RSS 2.0 Feed

Thank You

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement during the recent campaign, especially those who volunteered their time, energy and resources so willingly to help elect a Conservative in Calgary Centre and re-elect Stephen Harper as our Prime Minister.

For the past four years I have had the honour and privilege of representing the interests of Calgary Centre residents in Ottawa. It is a pleasure to serve and I am grateful that you have once again placed your trust in me to be your Member of Parliament. I look forward to serving you.

Best Regards,

Lee Richardson, M.P.

Calgary Centre

Time to decide: certainty vs risk

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

After five weeks of campaigning, the time has come for voters to decide. On October 14th, Canadians will choose a Prime Minister. They will decide who they think is the best choice to manage Canada's economy at a time of considerable global economic uncertainty. That choice is clear: Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Stephen Harper is the only leader who is prepared to tackle a period of global economic uncertainty. He is the only leader who has been talking about the economy not only since this election campaign began, but for the past year. He is the only leader who saw the economic storm clouds coming, and he is the only leader who had a plan. The other guys, literally, didn't see it coming.

Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Government developed and implemented a plan based on keeping the budget balanced, lowering taxes, protecting Canadian jobs and keeping inflation low. That plan has been in place for two years. That plan has worked. That plan is the reason why Canada is weathering the global economic storm better than any other country.

That plan is the best way forward. That plan will keep Canada on the right track.

If re-elected, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's top priority will be to protect the Canadian economy and everyone's stake in it. He will continue to provide certainty at a time when Canada needs it most.

Stéphane Dion's pre-occupation (because we know he can't set priorities) will be to run his risky carbon tax experiment - an experiment that will destroy jobs and drive up the price of everything.

Canadians face a clear choice: strong leadership that will protect the Canadian economy or risky leadership that will experiment with it.

If you want a Prime Minister who will protect the Canadian economy, then give Stephen Harper a mandate.

If you want a Prime Minister who will experiment with the Canadian economy, then give Mr. Dion a mandate to impose his carbon tax.

A Thanksgiving message from Prime Minister Stephen Harper

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper:

This Thanksgiving weekend, Canadians everywhere will celebrate our many blessings with family and friends.

It's an occasion to take a break from our busy lives and appreciate that family and friends mean everything. We'll sit down to meals prepared with special care, tell a few family stories, play sports, and enjoy an extra day off with our children.

For many, Thanksgiving is also a time to give back, to make donations to a food bank, or to help serve a meal to Canadians who are less fortunate. That's who we are: a people rich in opportunity, rich in generosity, living in a magnificent country.

This weekend, as you celebrate, I would ask that you take a few moments to remember our brave men and women serving in Afghanistan - far away from their families. And to be thankful for their sacrifices, so that Afghan families may too experience some of the freedom and security that Canadians cherish.

My wife Laureen, our children, Ben and Rachel, and I wish you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving.

God bless.

Only a vote for Stephen Harper can keep Canada on the right track

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

As the election campaign enters its final two days, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has emerged as the clear choice for Canadians looking to keep the country on the right track. He is the only leader who is prepared to tackle a period of global economic uncertainty, and bring Canada through it in a stronger position than any other country.
Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Government developed and implemented a plan based on keeping the budget balanced, lowering taxes, protecting Canadian jobs and keeping inflation low. Our plan has been in place for two years. Our plan has worked. Our plan is the reason why Canada is weathering the global economic storm better than any other country.

Our plan is the best one for every part of the country. Today, the Prime Minister is reaching out to Quebeckers, to include them in a Conservative government that will keep our economy strong. Electing strong Conservative MPs from Quebec will mean that the Quebec's perspectives will be heard at the cabinet table.

The other choice, plainly, is Stéphane Dion and his carbon tax - a massive new tax grab that will raise the cost of everything and put our economy at risk; a plan Dion says he will implement regardless of the economic circumstances.

In three days time, Canadians will choose between a real plan for the economy and a carbon tax that will drive up the cost of everything:

Higher fuel prices.
Higher food prices.
Higher costs for business.
Higher costs for hospitals, schools, municipalities, transit systems.
Undefined carbon tariffs.

The choice is clear. With Dion, Canadians will see higher taxes and deficit spending. With Harper, Canadians will continue to see lower taxes and balanced budgets.

That's what this election is about. Harper Conservatives are on the right track. The Dion Liberal carbon tax track is the wrong way to go.

Real plan versus no plan

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Late last year, the Prime Minister saw that a storm was coming, and in response our Government developed and implemented a plan based on keeping the budget balanced, lowering taxes, protecting Canadian jobs and keeping inflation low. Our plan has worked and it is the reason why Canada is in good shape today.

That plan is the reason the World Economic Forum recently rated Canada as having the world's soundest banking system.

That plan is the reason Statistics Canada announced this morning that 107,000 jobs were created in September.

And that plan is the reason Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Party have now been endorsed by both of Canada's national newspapers, the Globe and Mail and the National Post.

Canadians know that when the Conservative Government was planning the Opposition was nowhere to be found.

Canadians remember that Stéphane Dion and Jack Layton voted against our Capital Markets Plan that requires more bank disclosure of risks and debts. They also remember that Dion and Layton voted against additional powers for the Bank of Canada to supply market liquidity - powers the Bank has been using continuously over the past week.

What's clear is that Stephen Harper has been implementing a plan for two years to protect our country's financial institutions and our economy. His leadership has prevented the kind of meltdown we see south of the border.

What's also clear is that Stéphane Dion has no plan. He cannot tell Canadians what he would have done differently, but he is very quick to criticize.

The choice is this: With Dion, Canadians will see higher taxes, new taxes on gasoline and home heating, and deficit spending that will hurt our economy and kill jobs. With Harper and the Conservatives, Canadians will continue to see lower taxes, consumer protection, balanced budgets and new jobs created.

That's what this election is about. Harper Conservatives are on the right track. The Dion Liberal track is the wrong way to go.

A plan for the economy vs proposals for financial disaster

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper understands the global financial crisis. His plan for the way forward has been clear and consistent: balanced budgets, lower taxes, investments to create jobs and keeping inflation low.

This is in stark contrast to Stéphane Dion and Jack Layton, who have only just realized that the economy is an issue.

Dion wants to impose a massive carbon tax that will drive up the cost of everything and hurt families.

Layton will increase taxes on businesses and drive jobs out of Canada.

The Liberals and the NDP are both a vote for financial disaster. They have no plan. Both parties would gamble with Canadians' hard-earned money for short term electoral gain.

For the past year and a half, the Harper Government has been implementing a real plan to protect our economy. The Harper Government is working for all Canadians who have a job to keep, a mortgage to pay and a retirement to save for.

A Conservative government will not be raising taxes. We will not impose a carbon tax. We will not cancel planned tax reductions for business. We will keep our spending within our means. It is that simple.

The alternative is not a plan. It is just the consequence of complete panic, and this government will not panic at a time of uncertainty.

Giving everyone a fair shot

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will take further steps to provide relief for Canadian parents in uncertain global economic times.

'As a parent, I do appreciate the financial challenges involved in raising children,' the Prime Minister said. 'And, of course, I do understand that these challenges are even greater for the more than one million Canadian single parents who struggle on low incomes.'

True to its commitment in the 2006 federal election campaign, the Conservative Party gave child care choice to Canadian parents through the Universal Child Care Benefit, a direct payment of $100 per month for each child under six. A re-elected Conservative Government will:

Fully index the $100 per month Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) to inflation, ensuring that the value of the benefit does not erode over time, and returning about $50 million per year to parents, on top of the $2.4 billion that is already being returned to parents through the current UCCB.
Make the $100 per month per child benefit tax free for sole-support single-income parents, providing nearly $50 million per year in new support for lone-parent families.

Enhancing the Universal Child Care Benefit is another component of the Conservatives' realistic plan to manage the economy. The plan includes keeping the budget balanced, lower taxes, keeping inflation low and investments to ensure we continue to create jobs. Giving a break to parents supports the second principle of the plan: lower taxes.

'It is not enough to talk about wanting to help Canadian families; you need an achievable, believable plan to actually do it,' Prime Minister Harper said.

Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose between the Conservative's real plan to protect the Canadian economy amid global uncertainty, and an opposition with no plan and with policies that will take our economy in the wrong direction.

Economic certainty for all of Canada's regions

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Investing in Canadian jobs is part of Conservative plan to protect our economy

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced further steps to help ensure the long-term success of Canada's regional economies for the benefit of communities facing economic challenges.

'We are proud to invest in the development of the economy and future Canadian jobs. This is part of our plan to manage the economy,' said the Prime Minister. 'We recognize that the regions of Canada are unique. So we have made investments accordingly.'

Elements of the plan:

A re-elected Conservative Government will restore funding for regional development in the West, Quebec and Atlantic Canada - funding which was cut by the Liberal government in 2004 and 2005.
Rural and low-employment communities in Southern Ontario will have access to regional development programs. $10 million per year will be allocated for this purpose.
In total, a re-elected Conservative Government will provide $300 million in new funding over the next four years to the Department of Western Economic Diversification, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
As announced by Minister Blackburn September 25, additional support will be provided for the development of tourism infrastructure along the St. Lawrence River.

These steps complement the Prime Minister's September 20 announcement that a re-elected Conservative Government will establish a new development agency for Northern Canada.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the Conservative Government's record of commitment to regional development since taking office, including support for: companies in the manufacturing sector in Quebec, innovative research and development projects in Atlantic Canada and communities in British Columbia affected by the mountain pine beetle infestation.

'Lower taxes, debt reduction, affordable spending, focused investments - that's our plan, a plan that is working,' said the Prime Minister. 'And that is the choice. Real action to strengthen and protect the Canadian economy; or an opposition with no plan except deficits, higher taxes, higher prices, shifting priorities and enormous risk. We believe Canadians should choose stability and a clear direction for our economy on October 14.'

Harper reassures Canadians with plan for economy

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

On October 14th, Canadians will choose between a real plan to protect the economy, and no plan - opposition policies that will take our economy in the wrong direction.

During the debates, Prime Minister Stephen Harper reassured Canadians concerned by the US financial crisis. He demonstrated his leadership on the economy and underscored his government's plan to protect Canadians.

Canadians are understandably concerned about the financial crisis threatening the United States. They are seeking a government that will be able to protect Canadians from the financial storm coming from abroad. But we have not been following the same policies as the US. We are in surplus, not adding to our debt. We are creating jobs; we aren't bailing out large companies. Our banks have stronger liquidity and tighter restrictions. We took action early.

During the debate, the Prime Minister defended his principles: balanced budgets, low taxes, protecting jobs, and keeping inflation low. In contrast, Stephane Dion offered only a gimmick - dropped in the middle of yesterday's debate, not in his platform - asking for an additional month to brief up on economic matters after the election. Last night, Stephen Harper exposed Dion's 'economic plan' for what it was - a panicky gimmick that simply buys the Liberals an extra month to get briefed on the economy after the election.

The Liberal platform is built on higher taxes, higher prices, a job-killing Carbon Tax and spending that will lead to deficits. It contains a $12 billion deficit, $14 billion in net tax hikes, and promises higher prices on energy. The last time Stéphane Dion had a plan, he was environment minister for a government that oversaw a 35 percent increase in greenhouse gases. Imagine what would happen if he were in charge of our taxes and economy.

The Conservative platform is built on clear, affordable, practical and believable commitments to support Canada's economy and help Canadians with their standard of living - from tax credits for seniors and homebuyers to supporting small business through tax concessions and red tape reduction to reaffirming commitments to clean energy production and improved competition.

The key question in this election is: Who will protect the Canadian economy amid global uncertainty? We have been implementing a REAL PLAN to protect the Canadian economy. The opposition offers NO PLAN. They only just woke up to the importance of the economy, and they are offering all the wrong policies at a time of global uncertainty.

New support for apprentices

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Conservative economic plan includes measures to address skilled trades shortage

Saint John, NB - Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that a re-elected Conservative Government will help address Canada's skilled trades shortage by providing a new completion bonus to apprentices who finish their training.

'Skilled workers are an essential element of Canada's future economic success,' said Prime Minister Harper. 'We need carpenters, mechanics, welders, chefs, pipefitters and other skilled workers to build the roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure that keep our economy growing and our country strong.'

Citing provincial officials and business representatives from across the country indicating that Canada needs hundreds of thousands more skilled tradespersons, Harper said that a re-elected Conservative Government will provide a $2,000 completion bonus to apprentices who finish an apprenticeship program in a nationally recognized trade.

The Prime Minister said the new apprenticeship completion bonus will provide an added incentive for Canadians to finish their training and launch rewarding careers in the trades.

These steps to address Canada's skilled labour shortage are part of the Conservatives' plan to protect our economy from effects of the U.S. financial crisis.

Harper said that the new completion bonus complements several measures already undertaken by the Conservative Government during the last two and a half years to help apprentices and tradespersons, including:

Introducing the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year (to a maximum of $2,000 per person) to help apprentices pay for the first two years of their education and training.
The new Tradesperson's Tools Deduction that gives workers an annual tax deduction of up to $500 for expenditures in excess of $1,000 for tools required as a condition of employment.
Raising the limit on the cost of tools eligible for the 100 per cent capital cost allowance from $200 to $500.
The new Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit that provides employers who hire and train new apprentices a tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.

'Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose between our real plan to protect the economy from the U.S. financial crisis and an opposition with no plan and with policies that will take our economy in the wrong direction,' Prime Minister Harper said.

Harper reassures Canadians with plan for economy

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Canadians will choose between a real plan to protect the economy, and no plan -- opposition policies that will take our economy in the wrong direction

Prime Minister Stephen Harper used the English language leaders' debate to reassure Canadians concerned by the US financial crisis. The Conservative leader demonstrated his leadership on the economy and underscored his government's plan to protect Canadians.

In this time of global economic uncertainty, Canadians are understandably concerned about the financial crisis threatening the United States. They are seeking a government that will be able to protect Canadians from the financial storm coming from abroad.

'We have not been following the same policies as the US. Those policies have been irresponsible,' said Harper. 'We are in surplus, not adding to our debt. We are creating jobs; we aren't bailing out large companies. We took action early.'

Harper defended his principles of keeping the budget balanced, lowering taxes, protecting Canadian jobs, and keeping inflation low. His economic leadership stands in stark contrast to Stéphane Dion, who unveiled a gimmick in the midst of the debates, asking for an additional month to brief up on economic matters after the election. The Liberal platform is built on higher taxes, higher prices, a job-killing Carbon Tax and spending that will lead to deficits. It contains a $12 billion deficit, $14 billion in net tax hikes, and promises higher prices on energy.

'The last time Stéphane Dion had a plan, he was environment minister for a government that oversaw a 35 percent increase in greenhouse gases. Imagine what would happen if he were in charge of our taxes and economy,' said Conservative Co-Chair Marjory LeBreton.

The Conservative platform is built on clear, affordable, practical and believable commitments to support Canada's economy and help Canadians with their standard of living - from tax credits for seniors and homebuyers to supporting small business through tax concessions and red tape reduction to reaffirming commitments to clean energy production and improved competition.

'The key question in this election is: Who will protect Canada from the U.S. financial crisis with a realistic plan to manage the economy? We have been implementing a real plan to protect the Canadian economy. That is what this election is all about,' said Co-Chair Bernard Lord. 'The opposition offers no plan at all. They only just woke up to the importance of economy in this campaign. They are offering all the wrong policies at a time of global uncertainty.'

St�phane Dion borrows desperate debate trick from Paul Martin

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MST

Then

In the 2005-2006 election campaign, a desperate Paul Martin tried to deflect attention from his weak leadership, failed record and faltering campaign by pulling a surprise promise out of thin air during the French language debate.

Martin's gimmicky promise to eliminate the notwithstanding clause was widely panned as a failed and shallow publicity stunt. Oh, and it was nowhere to be found in his platform.

Now

In the 2008 election campaign, a desperate Stéphane Dion tried to deflect attention from his weak leadership, failed record and faltering campaign by pulling a surprise promise out of thin air during the French language debate.

Dion's gimmicky promise to address global economic uncertainty with a magic 30-day plan to have a bunch of meetings is already being panned as a failed and shallow publicity stunt. Oh, and also nowhere to be found in his platform released just last week.

Because

'The team that is helping to prepare the Liberal leader for his debut performance in crucial televised leaders debates is made up almost entirely of members of Martin's one-time inner circle,' (Canadian Press, September 30, 2008).

You don't say? Another debate, another Liberal gimmick.

Dion's carbon tax not worth the risk

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 MST

Yesterday, the final nail in the carbon tax coffin was hammered in by the Liberals themselves.

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, the most senior Liberal Finance Minister in the country, was asked a direct question about carbon taxes.

Duncan could not have been clearer in his response:

'One of the things that I think would be a mistake right now is massive shifts in the tax burden at a time when there's uncertainty.'

Duncan joins a growing list of Liberals - federal and provincial, incumbent and non-incumbent - questioning the cornerstone plank in Stephane Dion's platform.

If Liberals themselves don't have confidence in Stephane Dion's plan for Canada, why should Canadians?

Stephane Dion. Not a leader. Not worth the risk.

Expanding opportunities for families

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 MST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced new tax breaks and savings initiatives to expand opportunities for Canadian children.

'Giving working families a break is one of the most important Conservative priorities,' said the Prime Minister. 'It is why we have taken bold action to deliver real results to parents and their children.'

Harper announced three new initiatives to help Canadian families:

Establishing a new Children's Arts Tax Credit, worth an estimated $150 million annually, to encourage greater participation by children in arts activities.
Extending the benefit of the existing Children's Fitness Tax Credit and the new Children's Art Tax Credit to lower-income families that pay little or no income tax, by making both credits fully refundable.
Expanding the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to allow charities and not-for-profit organizations to establish RESPs for children from low-income families in partnership with parents.

The Prime Minister said that today's announcement builds on modest, practical, credible and affordable improvements introduced by the Conservative Government since 2006, including:

Reducing the GST from seven to five per cent.
Introducing a $100 per month Universal Child Care Benefit.
Providing targeted tax cuts for apprentice tools, textbooks and transit passes.

'These new policies will help give a break to working Canadian families,' Harper said. 'And they will make arts and fitness programs more accessible to all families, including families where financial costs impose real barriers.'

Visit us at Lee's Campaign Office

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 MST

Lee invites everyone to drop by our campaign office at 1136 - 10^th Avenue SW. If you would like to simply call us, we can be reached at (403) 209-8683 or Fax us at (403) 244-3207.

We are always most grateful to welcome volunteers to our campaign. We have a number of interesting and rewarding activities for your to become involved in the campaign. Meet new friends and renew past acquaintances.
We look forward to seeing you!

Leadership certainty for Canada's economy

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 MST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today pointed to the latest report on the Conservative Government's fiscal performance this year as even more proof that steady Conservative leadership is keeping Canada's economy strong and growing during a period of global economic uncertainty.

Earlier today, the Department of Finance, in its monthly Fiscal Monitor, reported that the Conservative Government had registered a surplus of $1.7 billion for July 2008. At a time when the world economy has been facing its greatest turmoil in decades, the Government has now accumulated a combined surplus of $2.9 billion for the first four months of this current fiscal year.

'Thanks to our prudent budgeting and the resilience of Canada's economy we are ahead of schedule - ahead of our Budget 2008 forecast to post a modest surplus at the end of this year,' the Prime Minister said. 'Ahead of plan in keeping our spending focused, our budget balanced and our taxes down to protect the living standards of Canadian families at a time of global economic uncertainty.'

This stands in stark contrast to other G7 countries that are running deficits, raising taxes and struggling to cope with unfunded liabilities.

'At this time of global economic uncertainty, it is a plan that Canadians need,' Harper said. 'At a time when the Liberals, NDP and Greens offer only massive tax and spend schemes, only the Conservative Party has a plan, a plan Canada needs, a plan Canadians deserve.

'And between now and October 14, Canadians will be able to choose that plan. They can choose a strong government to keep Canada on track. Or they can choose a weak Parliament that will put our economic stability at risk.'

Protecting natural resources and building a clean energy superpower

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 MST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will protect Canada's natural resources while encouraging responsible economic growth.

'Thanks to our geography, Canada has immense and diverse natural resources,' said the Prime Minister. 'But we must manage those resources to guarantee their strategic importance, to protect our environment and to ensure that Canadians are the principal beneficiaries.'

Harper said that a re-elected Conservative Government would:

Prohibit the exportation of bitumen to countries outside Canada that do not have equivalent emission reduction targets.
Re-affirm Canada's position that the North American Free Trade Agreement cannot require Canada to export bulk water to other NAFTA countries.
Continue to promote the development of northern pipelines to bring oil and gas to markets in Canada and throughout the world.

'The ultimate goal of these policies is ambitious, but reachable,' said the Prime Minister. 'More than just an energy provider, Canada must be a clean energy superpower.'

Harper also listed steps the Conservatives have taken to protect Canada's environment, including:

A regulatory framework that will impose mandatory emissions reduction targets on Canadian industry and reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions by an absolute 20 per cent by 2020.
A $2-billion ecoENERGY initiative to promote smarter energy use, greater use of clean energy sources, and cleaner use of traditional energy sources.
Protection of numerous conservation areas, including the world's largest freshwater protection area.

'When it comes to balancing energy security, the environment and the economy, the Opposition parties are offering grandiose, risky, and unproven theories,' Prime Minister Harper said. 'Our plan is credible, achievable and will position Canada as a leader both in environmental protection and economic growth.'

Protecting consumers

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 MST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will implement a strong consumer protection plan, to protect Canadians from anti-competitive practices and from other abuses.

'Canadian families and taxpayers need a government that will deliver real consumer protection,' said the Prime Minister. 'Whether it's spam, price fixing, or gas-pump tampering, Canadian consumers expect their government to take action and get results.'

The Prime Minister said that with a new mandate, the Conservative Government will introduce a consumer protection plan containing the following elements:

Increased penalties for bid-rigging and cartel behaviour like price-fixing.
Increased civil penalties for false and misleading advertising, and upon criminal conviction, tougher fines and prison terms.
Action to combat gas-pump tampering and overcharging on home-heating meters.
A ban on fees charged by telecom companies for unsolicited commercial text messages.
Legislation to reduce Internet spam and to prohibit practices such as identity theft, the spreading of viruses, 'phishing' and other forms of fraud.
Increased fines for false and misleading email, and for attempts to steal personal information.

'We are a party that believes in free enterprise, free markets and free trade,' said the Prime Minister. 'These things form the cornerstone of our prosperity.

'But we also believe a government needs to know when to draw the line. And we draw the line when the rights and interests of Canadian consumers need protection.'

Cracking down on environmental crime

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 MST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will bolster the protection of our water, air and land through a new Environmental Enforcement Action Plan that takes meaningful, achievable steps to hold environmental offenders accountable once and for all.

'We understand that Canadians want to live and raise their families in safe communities,' the Prime Minister said. 'And they want to be able to do so in a natural environment they know is also protected. From the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic, our breathtaking natural treasures are recognized worldwide. When our biodiversity is compromised, Canada is compromised.'

The new action plan will invest $113 million over the next five years - and then an additional $25 million annually - to fund new measures that include:

Stiffer penalties for the most serious environmental crimes: up to $6 million for corporations and $1 million for individuals.
Minimum penalties and a penalty structure that differentiates between individuals and organizations.
As well, the penalties collected from polluters will go into the dedicated Environmental Damages Fund.
Increased inspection and seizure powers. The Environment Minister will have the power to deny a licence, permit or other authorization to a company with poor compliance history.
A team of specialized environmental prosecutors to bring offenders to justice.
The same strong powers in all environmental laws to allow courts to compel offenders to remedy any harm to the environment.
A searchable database that tells the public the details of a corporation's convictions for environmental crimes.
We will require corporations convicted of environmental crimes to notify their shareholders of their conviction and punishment.

As well, the penalties collected from polluters will go into the dedicated Environmental Damages Fund.

'Canadians are proud of this country and of the vast natural endowment we inherit as citizens of it,' Prime Minister Harper said. 'We must never forget that it has only been loaned to us by our ancestors, and is held by us in trust for generations to come.'

May 2008 Newsletter now available

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 MST

The May 2008 Newsletter is now available for viewing and download. Click here to access this newsletter.

Prototype Website Launched

info@albertapc.ab.ca (PC Alberta) — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 MST

Today, Calgary Centre Conservative Electoral District executive members annonce the launch of their redesigned website.

Using the GroupLinks suite of tools from Broadport Canada Inc., the Association now has significantly more capacity to interact with its members and party supporters.