mike bossio€¦ · the countdown to canada 150 begins! canada may be turning 149 this year, but it...
TRANSCRIPT
Issue No. 2 — Summer 2016
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram CONSTITUENCY OFFICE
Toll Free: 1.866.471.3800
Local: 613.354.0909
Mike
Member of Parliament • Hastings-Lennox and Addington
Bossio 20-B Richmond Blvd.
Napanee, ON, K7R 4A4
The new Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will be
right on time to ensure that families across
Canada can enjoy summer with their loved
ones.
CCB is the most significant social policy
innovation in a generation. It will provide
families more money to help with the high
cost of raising their children.
Our government is committed to playing a
leading role in supporting poverty reduction
in future years.
Samantha is a single parent with one child,
named Julia and aged 3. She earned $30,000
in 2015. This summer, she will receive $533,
for an annual total of $6,400 in tax-free CCB
payments.*
Aveen and Sarita have two children, Olivia
aged 8, and Zoe aged 5. Aveen earned
$30,000 and Sarita earned $60,000 in 2015.
This summer, they will get $470 for an
annual total of $5,650 in tax-free payments.*
*Subject to parliamentary approval.
CANADA CHILD BENEFIT
Mike Bossio, MP Hastings-Lennox and Addington 613-354-0909 | [email protected] | 20-B Richmond Blvd, Napanee, ON, K7R 4A4 | Ask about Satellite Office Hours
3 million families will
receive more money than
ever before.
The Canada Child Benefit is:
Simpler
Tax-free
Better-targeted
More generous
What does it mean for your family? To see how much you will get, go to the
child and family benefits calculator at:
www.budget.gc.ca/2016/
tool-outil/ccb-ace-en.html
Message from Mike
Having had countless conversations with
constituents since the election and since
the budget, a common theme that I am
hearing is how happy they are with our
Middle Class Tax Cut, and with our new
Canada Child Benefit (featured in this
newsletter). Yet, they have also told me that
there is a lot of work to do to improve our
infrastructure, including affordable housing.
Amid all of this feedback and advice, there
is a great feeling of renewed hope and
optimism in our riding. Yes, we have
challenges to face, but there is a feeling
that now is the time to face them,
together.
I can’t tell you how much that feeling
energizes me to work even harder on
behalf of the people of … (Cont’d page two)
MP Satellite Office Hours Added in Tyendinaga
Mohawk Territory & Marmora
My office has added new bi-monthly
satellite office hours in Marmora at the
municipal office (12 Bursthall Street) and
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory at their
council office (24 Meadow Drive). They will
be from Noon to 4pm the first Tuesday of
the month, every other month. So, in 2016,
that will be July 5, Sept 6, and Nov 1 for
Marmora, and Aug 2, Oct 4, and Dec 6 for
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
This is in addition to monthly office hours
in Bancroft, and bi-monthly office hours in
Flinton, Madoc, Stirling, and Tweed. Call the
full-time office in Napanee for more info!
Hastings-Lennox and Addington, and our
country.
In Environment and Sustainable Development
Committee, we are just about to finalize our
first report, which is on sustainability. At the
time of writing this, the rules don’t allow me
to say more about it, but the report should be
public for you to see by the time you receive
my newsletter. I’m very proud of the work this
committee has done so far!
In Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Committee, we met with a great number of
different groups from across the country to
introduce ourselves to each other, and now
we will be getting deep into an important
study on the suicide crisis facing indigenous
communities. It’s very serious work, and long
overdue. I pray that we can do our part to
contribute to healing and action.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours in Service, Mike Bossio
Message from Mike
Continued...
The Countdown to Canada 150 begins! Canada may be turning 149 this year, but it
marks just the beginning of what will be an
incredible 364 day countdown to the biggest
party Canada has ever seen - when we
celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday next year.
2017 is an historic moment with the power to
strengthen our community and our
connection to one another. It’s time to sit up,
tune in and dial it up—the opportunity to be
part of a celebration like this only comes
along every fifty years, so be part of
something extraordinary this year.
Don’t forget to check out the Canadian
Heritage website and stay connected to the
Canada 150 social media accounts, for stories
of local Canadians who are choosing their
own Canada 150 adventures. Look for clues,
announcements, and more than a few
surprises about the exciting things in store
in 2017.
Canada 150 Sneak Peak: Make sure you keep an eye out for SESQUI -
a 360° dome village travelling from coast to
coast, where Canadians can go inside, take a
look "around" the country, and see our
diverse landscapes projected on 360° screens.
What will your Canada 150 adventure look
like? Learn more at: http://pch.gc.ca
Something BIG is happening...
Mike Bossio, MP Hastings-Lennox and Addington 2
CANADA DAY
Mike Bossio, MP Hastings-Lennox and Addington 613-354-0909 | [email protected] | 20-B Richmond Blvd, Napanee, ON, K7R 4A4 | Ask about Satellite Office Hours
Mike greeted a family of Syrian refugees at his office in Napanee. They happily received
gifts of Canadian flags. Thank you to the L.A.R.G.E. group for their caring sponsorship!
Last newsletter, we discussed our budget’s
Middle Class Tax Cut, which provides roughly
$3.4 billion in annual tax reduction to nearly
9 million Canadians.
This newsletter features our signature Canada
Child Benefit, but we also wanted to point
out a couple more of our government’s many
new investments.
Historic Infrastructure Investment
In Phase 1 of its infrastructure plan,
Budget 2016 invests $11.9 billion to build
roads, bridges, community centres and
improve water and wastewater facilities. A
significant proportion of this investment
will go to rural regions.
Budget 2016 will invest $500 million to
extend high-speed internet to hundreds
of rural communities.
Real Security for Seniors
Restoring the eligibility age for Old Age
Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed
Income Supplement (GIS) to 65, putting
an average of $13,000 in the pockets of
the lowest-income seniors each year.
Introducing a new Seniors Price Index to
make sure that Old Age Security and the
Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits
keep up with actual rising costs.
Increasing the Guaranteed Income
Supplement for single low-income seniors
by 10%. This will give one million of our
most vulnerable seniors — who are often
women — almost $1,000 more each year.
If there is a specific area that you would
like to hear more about, let us know!
The scientific evidence is clear: climate
change is one of the greatest challenges of
our time and also one of the greatest
opportunities. From increased incidences of
droughts, to coastal flooding, to the
expanding melt of sea ice in our Arctic, the
widespread impacts of climate change are
compelling Canadians, including Indigenous
peoples, to think about viable solutions.
In early June, Mike was joined by 72 citizens
from Stirling to Perth, who filled Amherstview
Community Hall to offer ideas on how to
tackle climate change.
Ideas included the need for more rooftop
solar installations, increased rail traffic,
stronger action to tackle methane gas,
putting a price on carbon, and much more.
One resident of Amherst Island also pointed
out the need not to put wind projects in the
wrong place. Amid a large group of adults, a
highlight included a young girl standing up
to stress the need to take action on climate
change now so that our environment is
protected for future generations. “We are the
smartest species on the planet,” she said. “So
we have to start acting like it.”
These ideas and others were submitted to
the Minister of the Environment and Climate
Change through an interactive website:
http://letstalkclimateaction.ca You, too,
can send your ideas on this website!
Your ideas will also serve as a useful tool for
Mike in his work as a member for the House
of Commons Committee on the Environment
and Sustainable Development. Mike will
hold another town hall on climate change
in Bancroft in July. Call the office for details!
Climate Change Town Hall Held in
Amherstview
Mike Bossio, MP Hastings-Lennox and Addington
Budget 2016
Mike Bossio, MP Hastings-Lennox and Addington 613-354-0909 | [email protected] | 20-B Richmond Blvd, Napanee, ON, K7R 4A4 | Ask about Satellite Office Hours
3
As Chair of National Rural Caucus, Mike welcomed members of the Eastern Ontario
Wardens Caucus, including the wardens of Hastings County and L&A County. They
discussed the needs of the region, and were joined by MPs Kim Rudd, Neil Ellis, Francis
Drouin, and Minister Navdeep Bains. Listening to municipalities is very important to the
work of our government. We need to help our municipalities!
Canada Summer
Jobs for Students This summer, more students than ever
before will have a job under the Canada
Summer Jobs program: over 77,000 jobs
have been approved for funding this year
– more than double last year’s 34,000. The
skills these young people will learn in their
summer jobs will help get them ready for
their future careers, save for their
education, and help strengthen the middle
class, all at the same time.
Summer Jobs in Our Riding
Businesses and organizations throughout
Hastings-Lennox and Addington have
received confirmation for their Canada
Summer Jobs program applications. 176
jobs in 104 different project applications
will benefit from the program, totaling
$478,064 in the riding. It is time to invest
in young people. There is nothing better
than to see a young person get the tools
that she or he needs to break into the
work force and grow into a career. The
fact that they are doing that here in our
own community is even better. Rural
communities have a lot to offer!
National Rural Caucus in Action
Mike is listening to you in Hastings-Lennox and Addington Since the election, Mike has had over 100
meetings or events with municipalities and
organizations in the riding, along with
countless conversations with constituents.
This is a key part of ensuring that he is your
voice in Ottawa, rather than Ottawa’s voice
in the riding! If you or your organization
would like to meet or invite Mike to an
event, please get in touch with the office.
As chair of the National Liberal Rural
Caucus, Mike is constantly advocating for
the needs of rural communities. Rural
Caucus has identified three key priorities:
digital infrastructure (high-speed internet
and cell); carving off infrastructure funding
for small communities; and economic
development tools for rural communities.
Rural Caucus Secures $500 Million for
Broadband in Budget 2016
Having a strong rural MP presence in our
new government means that rural voices are
being heard. The advocacy work of Mike and
the Rural Caucus helped to secure $500
million for the expansion of high-speed
internet in rural and remote communities in
Budget 2016, rolled out over five years. This
is the largest investment of its kind in
Canada. When you have a government
actively listening, you can really see results!
If you have ideas that can help Rural Caucus
in its work, please get in touch with Mike!
Democratic Reform Town Halls
I invite you to get involved and voice your
opinion at the public consultations for
Democratic Reform, and to participate in the
decision-making process in our community.
These consultations will help guide the
government in the electoral reform process.
The Government of Canada is holding these
consultations to hear from you and make
informed decisions about government.
In Hastings-Lennox and Addington, we will
hold three town halls on this subject in
September—in Tweed, Bancroft, and
Napanee. We will be sure to advertise as
much as possible once the dates and
locations are set. If you want the most up to
date information, kindly send me an email
with your name, postal code, and email
address saying that you would like to be
added to my non-partisan MP email
newsletter list. Information will also be on my
Facebook page.
Summer and Fall Fairs
I will be sure to attend as many summer and
fall fairs as I can, so please keep an eye out
for me and my team. If there is an event that
you would like me to attend, please get in
touch with my office so that we can see if we
can work it out. We love hearing from you!
Note: I hope you received my Christmas Card last
December, which goes to every household in the
riding. If there is a different holiday that you celebrate
instead, and you would like to receive a card, please
contact my office and we will be happy to send one!
Your opinion means a lot to me.
Send your postage-free letters to:
Mike Bossio M.P.
Justice Building, Room 601
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6
Email:
Call Toll Free:
1-866-471-3800
Upcoming Events
Mike Bossio, MP Hastings-Lennox and Addington 613-354-0909 | [email protected] | 20-B Richmond Blvd, Napanee, ON, K7R 4A4 | Ask about Satellite Office Hours
Mike Bossio, MP Hastings-Lennox and Addington 4
Mike and his colleagues (New Brunswick Liberal MP TJ Harvey pictured here with Mike)
supported dairy farmers during their rally on Parliament Hill. #canadianmilkmatters
Mike tours the Bombardier plant in Loyalist
Township.
Mike tours the proposed Marmora Pumped
Storage location with Jeff Leal.
FireRein in Greater Napanee shows Mike
their new food-based fire suppressing agent.