The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
OTTAWA Ð Gary Merasty, Member of Parliament for Desneth-Missinippi-Churchill River, is excited about the return of Parliament after a very successful summer in the riding. "The summer was very enjoyable time, travelling thousands of miles across the riding to communities to meet with people and attend events," said Mr. Merasty. "The beauty of our riding and spirit of the people always inspires me. I have heard so many people's opinions, thoughts and concerns which have also served as motivation for me. "Now that the session has resumed, I will continue to work to ensure these issues are heard and concerns are met by voicing them in Ottawa, at committee and in Parliament." The top priority for Mr. Merasty this fall season is being a champion of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan's North. "I will continue to promote Northern Saskatchewan so that all of Canada knows of our potential, our wealth and our communities," Mr. Merasty said. "We live in the best province in the world, in the friendliest communities. I will continue to promote the Saskatchewan advantage as a great place to live and work while working hard to get our voice heard." Early examples of Mr. Merasty's work this session include paying tribute to fallen RCMP officers Marc Bourdage and Robin Cameron and Spiritwood, arranging to get a space on the Agriculture Committee to ask the Committee to focus on the concerns raised during the agriculture forum held in Meadow Lake this summer, and raising issues discussed at the Churchill River Gathering in Stanley Mission. See 'Fair' P.# Con't from P.# These efforts were in addition to maintaining his work on the Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, attending Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's address to Parliament on September 22 and carrying out his duties as Associate Critic for Indian Affairs for the Official Opposition. "I will continue to advocate that the Conservatives treat Saskatchewan families, taxpayers and communities fairly and takes our perspectives into account. I have heard many concerns about key government services and programs such as health care wait lists, accessibility of education and skills training, the lack of creation of childcare spaces and equalization payments. The Conservatives made important pledges to work on these areas and we have seen little progress on any of them. "I will also continue to fight against the tax hikes put in place by the government in the last Budget. These hikes, including throwing more low income people onto the tax rolls, raising the tax rate for everyone making up to $36,000 and cutting the amounts families can claim tax free, hurt Saskatchewan families and seniors the most. "Another important area is agriculture, where the Conservatives have not been very forthcoming about disaster relief programs, the implications of the collapse of WTO talking and reopening the U.S. border to beef. Also, I am very disappointed with the anti-democratic way in which the Conservatives refuse to let producers make the final choice on Canadian Wheat Board changes and fully consult with them on those changes. "I am very disappointed with the bullying attitude of the Conservatives with respect to Aboriginal affairs as well. The have taken a very aggressive and adversarial attitude which has bred mistrust and frustration. This approach ignores the new consensus reached at Kelowna and I will work to advocate for a more positive and open relationship." Mr. Merasty believes that a more open and positive relationship is the key to working towards solutions for all Canadians. "Whatever the issue, such as working towards a health care wait times guarantee, reforming the Canadian Wheat Board or addressing important concerns to Aboriginal people, collaboration and consultation will yield the best results," said Mr. Merasty. "The key stakeholders must be able to bring their perspective to the table. I will continue to advocate the government to move away from its current course of bullying, and towards in an open and positive direction."
