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Ron Cannan

Honouring Stew Tuningley & Volunteer Spirit

Jul 23, 2011 / 5:00 am

Often in my columns, I have talked about the value and important role volunteers play in our community.  I was very saddened to hear that one of those special people, Mr. Stew Tuningley lost his life while volunteering with the Westbank Lioness and Lions Clubs. It is an unspeakable tragedy,...

Standing by our seniors

Jul 13, 2011 / 5:00 am

One of the most important aspects of Budget 2011, recently passed by Parliament, was our continuing efforts to support seniors and help them meet their needs. This year, Canadians will receive close to $72 billion in benefits through the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and the...

Oh Canada: what a great country!

Jun 29, 2011 / 5:00 am

Photo: Contributed As I write this column, all Members of Parliament, including the Prime Minister, have just wrapped up more than 48 hours of around-the-clock debate on the Canada Post back-to-work legislation.     Canadians sent a strong...

Giving back

Jun 19, 2011 / 5:00 am

In 1996, running for municipal council, my campaign signs read, “Don’t ask what your community can do for you, but what you can do for you community. “   Here in the Okanagan, the month of June provides a number of opportunities to do just that.   This...

The federal budget of 2011

Mar 27, 2011 / 5:00 am

  The federal budget of 2011, tabled earlier this week, was designed as a low tax plan aimed at jobs and growth. It contained targeted spending measures toward those who needed it, while maintaining the necessary fiscal restraint required during tough economic times. The...

Budget news and red tape

Mar 13, 2011 / 5:00 am

Budget 2011 will be delivered on Tuesday, March 22nd. It represents the next phase of the Government’s Economic Action Plan, which to date, with the hard work and perseverance of Canadians, has been effective in helping Canada weather the global economic downturn. It’s important we keep the...

It's tax pain

Feb 27, 2011 / 5:00 am

There is a commercial running on TV right now that shows a patient visiting a doctor with a pain in his behind. “It’s tax pain,” the doctor says to the patient. “There’s nothing I can do about it.” Fortunately for Canadians, our Conservative government has a different diagnosis. ...
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Setting the record straight

Feb 13, 2011 / 5:00 am

Setting the record straight is important. This week in Parliament the Liberal opposition tabled a motion denouncing corporate tax cuts. The threat is that if the government’s next budget, which will be tabled in March, doesn’t abandon corporate tax cuts then there will be an...

Year of the Entrepreneur

Jan 29, 2011 / 5:00 am

Rumblings of an election are getting louder but, personally, I don’t think too many of my constituents are hungry for one. My colleague, the Minister of State for Finance, the Honourable Ted Menzies spent the day with me in the riding last week meeting with a group of local seniors and...

Townhall meeting open to public

Jan 15, 2011 / 5:00 am

While the halls of Parliament remain quiet until our return at the end of January, much work continues in Ottawa and in our ridings especially as we prepare for Budget 2011. Prior to this month’s mini cabinet shuffle, the Honourable Ted Menzies, newly-appointed Minister of State for Finance,...

Good news items

Dec 18, 2010 / 5:00 am

As we head in to the final days of the fall session of Parliament, I’d like to alert you to a “good news” items. The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) have signed a memorandum of understanding to make Canada more...

Cannan tables Motion 601

Dec 4, 2010 / 5:00 am

Last week I attended a funding announcement along with my colleagues Minister Stockwell Day and Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz which will help Canada's wine producers increase exports and strengthen their production processes. At a roundtable that followed, BC Agriculture Minister...

GM seeds & crops play important role

Nov 20, 2010 / 5:00 am

C-474, An Act respecting the Seeds Regulations (analysis of potential harm), has generated a lot of attention in the local media because a small but committed group of folks who are against genetically modified (GM) food believe that C-474 supports their position. In fact, this bill is neither...

Working for veterans

Nov 10, 2010 / 5:00 am

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking all members of this House for allowing me the opportunity tonight to discuss issues concerning the care and support we are giving to our nation's greatest heroes, the men and women who have answered the call to serve our country in times of war and...

Challenges

Oct 23, 2010 / 5:00 am

It was good to spend the Thanksgiving-break-week back in the riding with family, friends and constituents, including some folks who are facing some serious personal and financial challenges. As many in our community do every year, I joined several volunteers including RCMP Superintendent McKinnon...

The colour green

Oct 9, 2010 / 5:00 am

The best part of my job, and the most important, is working with the various individuals and organizations that are committed to keeping our community great. One such group is the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. Last week, Kelowna Chamber CEO Weldon Leblanc took time out of his busy schedule to...

BC Dragoons, F-35s, and the economy

Sep 25, 2010 / 5:00 am

This past weekend my wife and I were invited by our very own BC Dragoons to participate in a very special remembrance ceremony for our Vets. It was an opportunity to extend our gratitude to the Vets in the room especially the four who served in the battle on the Gothic Line in Italy in 1944. It was...

Promoting Canada abroad

Sep 18, 2010 / 5:00 am

I see that there is a story doing the rounds again about MP travel. As a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade, one of the criticisms I’ve heard leveled at MPs by trade representatives and government officials from other countries is that Canadian government officials don’t...

Improving Canada’s retirement system

Aug 14, 2010 / 5:00 am

When our government develops policy we identify and focus on emerging priorities. We do this knowing that there are needs of all kinds, in all parts of the country. We do our best to reconcile these needs fairly and we aim to maximize the economic return on taxpayer dollars for the benefit of...

Improving Canada’s retirement income system

Aug 7, 2010 / 5:00 am

When our government develops policy we identify and focus on emerging priorities. We do this knowing that there are needs of all kinds, in all parts of the country. We do our best to reconcile these needs fairly and we aim to maximize the economic return on taxpayer dollars for the benefit of the...
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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.




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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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