It was busy in the riding prior to my return to Parliament for our winter session, which began on January 26th.
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce hosted a very productive pre-budget round table with community business leaders and my colleague, the Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue.
Key suggestions for the Government of Canada were to continue to cut red tape, and to simplify, enhance and introduce services to meet the needs of Canadian small businesses so they can focus more of their time on what they do best: creating jobs and economic growth in our communities.
As the Prime Minister announced, the Government intends to make changes to the Canada Small Business Financing Program which will provide more opportunity for small businesses to apply for loans to purchase or improve their land or buildings. The changes to the program will make loans available to more firms by increasing the revenue threshold under which a small business can apply, and will support business start-up and growth by increasing the maximum loan amount and the maximum term length for loans financing the purchase or improvement of land and buildings.
It was a pleasure to represent the Minister of Sport, the Honourable Bal Gosal, at the 2015 Canada Snowboard IPC Para World Cup held at the Big White Ski Resort. Four Sochi Olympians were in attendance, plus a team of four Canadian para-snowboarders. These amazing athletes and ambassadors of sport included John Leslie, Alex Massie, Michelle Salt and Daniel Shoemaker. Thanks to Michael J and his Big White Team for being such a great host!
Our riding also had the opportunity to host the VP of Government Operations for Blackberry, Morgan Elliott. We met with some great innovative start-up companies who are working with Accelerate Okanagan and spent time at the UBCO campus and met with faculty, students and officials of Survive and Thrive Applied Research (STAR). STAR brings together industry, government and the university to bring innovative technologies to market. This was Morgan’s first trip to the Okanagan, hopefully the first of many!
I want to thank Kelowna Legion Branch #26 for organizing an information meeting for our veterans with myself and my colleagues MP Laurie Hawn and MP Dan Albas. The turnout was good and the opportunity to talk was welcomed by our veterans.
While many of the vets had few problems, some were frustrated. That’s what forums are for and we won’t shy away from valid criticisms. That’s our job and we are on their side.
Feedback will be shared with the Minister of Veterans Affairs who, like us, is committed to listening to our veterans and making the system work in a more timely and efficient manner. This is a work in progress and we will continue to work hard to find ways to help our veterans receive the services they deserve. Thanks again to all our veterans for their service and those presently serving and protecting our nation.
Finally, last Friday was my 9th year serving as your Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country. Thank you for this honour and for the privilege to be your voice in Ottawa.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.