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.
Throughout February, I was pleased to resume my constituency travel schedule by going to Red Sucker Lake for the February 6 feast honouring Chief Fred Harper and the First Nation's new councillors. On February 16, I travelled to Bloodvein to meet with councillors and to visit with members of the community. My Legislative Assistant and I attended the MKO Conference in Winnipeg on February 17. I then travelled to The Pas for the Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival. On February 18, I joined Manitoba's Lieutenant Governor, Peter Leiba, Premier Gary Doer, Minister Oscar Lathlin, Eric Robinson, and Greg Sellinger at the festival's opening ceremonies along with OCN Chief Frank Whitehead, Town of The Pas Mayor Gary Hopper, and RM of Kelsey Councillor Dan Davie. It was great to see so many friends along the route of the Torchlight Parade before wrapping up the evening at the Mushers' Briefing Banquet. On February 19, I travelled to Flin Flon to visit with local residents and to speak to Mr. Guthrie's Grade 11 history class at Hapnot Collegiate. I returned to The Pas for a meeting to discuss cattle producers' concerns regarding he devastating effects of BSE and the inadequate response by the federal government in dealing with the financial hardship the crisis has caused. On Friday, February 20, I watched the dog mushers begin their second leg of the world Championship Dog Race. I marvelled at the strength and skill demonstrated by the King and Queen Trapper contestants at Fort Whoop-It-Up, sampled some of the fabulous food being offered at spots around town, and took the chance to visit with people at the festival headquarters. I finished the day with the night bus trip back to Thompson for the weekend at home. I have only been back in Ottawa for a month but what a month it's been. Parliament was recalled on February 2 and since then there has been no shortage of news. From the Speech from the Throne to the sponsorship scandal, it certainly has been busy in Ottawa. The Speech from the Throne was filled with lots of promises but was empty on specifics. There was no mention of the many very serious issues that Canadians are presently facing. No mention of the ongoing softwood lumber trade dispute with the U.S., no mention of the Romanow Report on Health Care, and even less about how the federal Liberal Government plans to deal with increasing health care costs for seniors. No mention of BSE and the crisis within the Canadian cattle industry. Moreover there was absolutely no mention of Star Wars, the militarization of space, or our ever increasing military ties with the United States. The other issue that dominated Parliament this month has been the Liberal sponsorship scandal. The Auditor General's report laid out in full and disturbing detail the misuse of taxpayer money by government officials. Ms. Fraser found that $100 million was paid to a variety of communications agencies in the form of fees and commissions and said the program was basically designed to generate commissions for these companies rather than to produce any benefit for Canadians. Canadians were shocked by the Auditor General's statement that officials in Canada's Public Works Department "broke just about every rule in the book." The report also detailed how the Department of Indian Affairs failed to follow guidelines in hiring outside budget managers, paying $7 million to managers who didn't go through a public tender process, and highlighted the fact that contracts worth $101 million to buy two government VIP jets, used to transport the prime minister, cabinet members and other VIPs, were untendered and unnecessary. See 'Committees' P.# Con't from P.# This month was also full of more routine duties. The various committees of the House were once again struck and have begun meeting to deal with a wide variety of legislation. Once again I have the privilege of sitting on the Transport Committee. We are just in the process of setting the agenda; however, the rising airport costs and changes to flight attendant regulations will certainly be up for discussion. As always, please don't hesitate to contact any of the offices with questions or comments regarding federal government matters. Thompson 204-677-1333 or toll free: 1-888-260-2231, The Pas 627-1440, Sagkeeng 367-6150.
