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Ron Cannan

Protecting Canadian manufacturers

May 11, 2013 / 5:00 am

Ensuring Canadian Manufacturers Are Not Put At A Disadvantage   In the early 1970s, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) recommended that developed economies grant autonomous and non-reciprocal tariff preferences to developing countries in...

Renewal of the Building Canada Fund

Apr 21, 2013 / 5:00 am

  From a jobs and economic perspective, if I had to choose one federal government initiative that has had a significant impact on our riding, it would be local investments made in infrastructure through the Building Canada fund.   Before being elected in 2006, I was a city...

Winemakers contributing to economy

Mar 16, 2013 / 5:00 am

  Take a few grapes, crush them, bottle the elixir and voila, you have a recipe for some great economic success.   The British Columbia Wine Institute, which is chaired by the passionate Josie Tyabji and hardworking Executive Director Miles Prodan, recently forwarded me the...

Gov't helping Canadians with disabilities

Mar 2, 2013 / 5:00 am

  On March 8th, I will be participating in the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)’s Kelowna Strategies to Employment Forum on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.    Youth Awareness...

A National Code for wireless services

Feb 8, 2013 / 5:00 am

When it comes to cell phone bills and wireless contracts we’ve all felt at one time or another like pulling our hair out.   And what about the horror stories: someone takes an overseas vacation only to come home to a cell phone bill in the thousands due to roaming charges they...

Canada Summer Jobs 2013

Feb 2, 2013 / 5:00 am

  I don’t know about you but as a student growing up in Edmonton, looking for a summer job, I would head over to the Summer Hire-A-Student office.  I was very grateful for the employers that hired students like me because it helped us raise money to pay for our post-secondary...

Plenty to be thankful for

Dec 22, 2012 / 5:00 am

There is a story by Zona Gale called Christmas, first published in 1912, which tells the tale of a town hit by hard times as the season of giving approaches. The factory that employs most of the town is closed and not likely to re-open, and town merchants fear that people will try to shop for...


Navigating Canadian Waters

Dec 8, 2012 / 5:00 am

  I wish to share information with constituents regarding the changes proposed to the Navigable Waters Protection Act in Bill C-45.    As a Kelowna city councillor for nine years, I can tell you that these changes have been a long time coming and are being welcomed by...

Petitions and benefits

Nov 24, 2012 / 5:00 am

Petitions are Fundamental to the Democratic Participation of Constituents   A petition is an instrument of the democratic process, available to all Canadians, which enables them to exercise their fundamental right of freedom of expression.    When I am sent a...

Our vow to Veterans

Nov 10, 2012 / 5:00 am

  Each year the faces of our Veterans change.  Those who fought in the wars of the last century grow fewer replaced by younger men and women who have served in more recent arenas of conflict like Afghanistan.  What doesn’t change is our duty to remember.  That is...

Celebrating science and technology

Oct 13, 2012 / 5:00 am

I recently had the opportunity to meet Ryan Holmes who is an Okanagan success story in innovation and technology. Ryan attended Okanagan College (OC) and is now the founder and CEO of the social media management system HootSuite which has over 5 million subscribers and a projected market...

Our richest resource

Sep 29, 2012 / 5:00 am

  Recently, I received a note from Shelagh Turner, the dedicated and hard-working Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna & District Branch.   She wrote, “I wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for the role you play in...

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Sep 15, 2012 / 5:00 am

We often hear that Canada’s prosperity as a nation is increasingly based on investments in education and training, basic and applied research, and highly skilled and creative individuals. Since 2006, our federal government has invested nearly $8 billion in funding for initiatives...

WD supports infrastructure

Sep 1, 2012 / 5:00 am

One of the departments working diligently on behalf of western Canadians is the department of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD). Established in 1987, WD works to improve the long-term economic competitiveness of the West and the quality of life of its citizens by supporting a wide...

Positive economic news

Aug 4, 2012 / 5:00 am

It is a positive reflection of our economic stability and business sector confidence that Canada has been able to recover more than 765,000 net new jobs (90% full-time and nearly 80% private sector) since July 2009. According to the most recent statistics from Statistics Canada, as of May...

Building great economic partnerships

Jul 21, 2012 / 5:00 am

  The possibilities of growth in the Okanagan’s business sector, especially tourism, have increased tenfold now that United Airlines has announced it will fly direct between Kelowna International Airport and Los Angeles.   Visitors from the US will be able to enjoy...

Increasing RCMP accountability

Jul 7, 2012 / 5:00 am

  Just before the House of Commons rose for the summer recess, the government tabled Bill C-42, the proposed Enhancing Royal Canadian Mounted Police Accountability Act.    Constituents will be pleased to know that the legislation will create a new Civilian Review and...

Canadians at work

Jun 23, 2012 / 5:00 am

  The latest census results from Statistics Canada confirm our population is growing older.  Canada is quickly becoming a nation faced with a declining labour force just as Canadian seniors require more from health care, pensions, and our income support systems.   It...

Ambitious trade missions

Jun 9, 2012 / 5:00 am

Economic Action Plan 2012 emphasized our Government's commitment to creating jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity for Canadian workers and their families. As a member of the International Trade Committee since 2006, I have witnessed our Government pursue an aggressive trade...

This week in Parliament

Jun 2, 2012 / 5:00 am

  As I write this column, it is 1:00 AM or so on Wednesday morning and my colleagues and I are gathering in the House of Commons preparing to vote on C-39, the back to work legislation that will get CP rail moving again.    It’s been quite the week with some big...



About the author...

Ron Cannan was first elected as Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country in January, 2006. He was subsequently elected in the 2008 and 2011 federal elections.  He is a member of the Conservative Caucus.

Ron successfully uses his experience and knowledge as a long-time Kelowna City Councillor and Regional Government representative to be an effective and enthusiastic champion for his riding and his constituents.

His greatest satisfaction comes from helping local organizations and citizens obtain the support they require from Ottawa.

He is also dedicated to doing what it takes to ensure that the growing and vibrant communities in his riding continue to thrive and prosper.

He is proud of the partnership and cooperation between federal, provincial and municipal governments which have resulted in significant infrastructure projects including upgrades to Highway 97, expansion of the Kelowna International Airport, a new horticulture strategy for fruit growers, obtaining a full service passport office for Kelowna and addressing critical economic issues such as labour skills shortages.

He works closely with the local Chamber of Commerce and once a year arranges meetings for the Chamber with Cabinet Ministers and senior policy staff in Ottawa to move forward important local issues such as crime prevention and labour skills shortages.

He is also an ardent champion for important community initiatives including homelessness, women’s resources and support of arts and culture.

On Parliament Hill, Ron has been a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade since 2006 supporting initiatives which will broaden the economic opportunities for local businesses and businesses Canada-wide.

He is also a member of the Standing Committee for Government Operations and Estimates.

In previous Parliaments Ron has been a member of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee, the Human Resources and Social Development Committee, the Scrutiny of Regulations Committee and the Standing Committee for Fisheries and Oceans.

Ron is also involved in a variety of inter-parliamentary organizations: he is Vice Chair of the Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Group, and Co-chair of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship group.

As Chair of the Conservative Wine Caucus, Ron works with his colleagues across the country to promote the wine regions of Canada.  Ron tabled Motion 218(formerly Motion 601) which supports direct to consumer purchasing of Canadian wine, in particular those vintages not readily available through provincial liquor control outlets.  His motion is now a bill before the House of Commons sponsored by MP Dan Albas, seconded by Ron, which is well on its way to being passed.  Passage of the bill will create awareness and boost sales for some of Canada’s smaller wineries while generating national pride and international recognition of the award winning efforts of Canada’s vintners.
The Honourable Ron Cannan was first elected as Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country in January, 2006. He was subsequently elected in the 2008 and 2011 federal elections.  He is a member of the Conservative Caucus.

On September 13th, 2012 Ron was summoned to be a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and will provide advice to the Government as a member of the Priorities and Planning Sub-Committee on Government Administration.

Ron successfully uses his experience and knowledge as a long-time Kelowna City Councillor and Regional Government representative to be an effective and enthusiastic champion for his riding and his constituents.

His greatest satisfaction comes from helping local organizations and citizens obtain the support they require from Ottawa. 

He is also dedicated to doing what it takes to ensure that the growing and vibrant communities in his riding continue to thrive and prosper.

He is proud of the partnership and cooperation between federal, provincial and municipal governments which have resulted in significant infrastructure projects including upgrades to Highway 97, expansion of the Kelowna International Airport, a new horticulture strategy for fruit growers, obtaining a full service passport office for Kelowna and addressing critical economic issues such as labour skills shortages.

He works closely with the local Chamber of Commerce and once a year arranges meetings for the Chamber with Cabinet Ministers and senior policy staff in Ottawa to move forward important local issues such as crime prevention and labour skills shortages.

He is also an ardent champion for important community initiatives including homelessness, women’s resources and support of arts and culture.

On Parliament Hill, Ron has been a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade since 2006 supporting initiatives which will broaden the economic opportunities for local businesses and businesses Canada-wide.

He is also a member of the Standing Committee for Government Operations and Estimates.

In previous Parliaments Ron has been a member of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee, the Human Resources and Social Development Committee, the Scrutiny of Regulations Committee and the Standing Committee for Fisheries and Oceans.

Ron is also involved in a variety of inter-parliamentary organizations: he is Vice Chair of the Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Group, and a member of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship group.

As Chair of the Conservative Wine Caucus, Ron works with his colleagues across the country to promote the wine regions of Canada.  Ron tabled Motion 218 (formerly Motion 601) which supports direct to consumer purchasing of Canadian wine.  His motion became Bill C-311, sponsored by MP Dan Albas, seconded by Ron, which was passed into law on June 28th, 2012. 

Prior to entering politics, Ron developed a diverse business background as a small business owner and had several years experience in marketing and sales management working with corporations including Coca-Cola, Costco and Corus Entertainment.
 

Very active in his community, Ron has been a Director for both the Central Okanagan Regional District and the Central Okanagan Hospital Board. Ron also served on the Okanagan University College Access to Training Advisory Board, the Glenmore Elementary School Parents Advisory Council, and the Kelowna Christian School Fund Raising Committee.  He was co-founder of the Okanagan Volunteer Festival. Currently Ron is a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Kelowna and, along with his wife Cindy, was the honorary Chair of the 2012 Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Ball.

Ron lives a family-oriented and active lifestyle with his wife Cindy and daughters Amanda, Ashley and Amy and his grandsons Marcel and Nolan.  His hobbies include music and sports.







The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet presents its columns "as is" and does not warrant the contents.



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