V A N C O U V E R K I N G S W A YNovember 2011

DAVIES, M.P.DON

Community office: 2951 Kingsway AvenueTel: 604-775-6263 Email: DonDavies@parl.gc.ca Web: www.DonDavies.ca

Write postage-free to Don Davies, MPHouse of Commons, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6

WORKING FOR YOU...In Ottawa and In Our Community

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT

2 Don Davies, MP

Greetings from Don

Dear Neighbours,

On May 2nd, Canadians sent a very different Parliament to Ottawa than we have ever seen before.

Not only do we have a New Democrat Official Opposition for the first time in history, but we also have the largest Official Opposition in decades. With a majority Conservative government in power, we have a great responsibility to hold the government to account and also to propose constructive policies in response.

With a struggling economy and many social issues to contend with, we have many challenges and opportunities ahead of us.

In this report, I will outline just some of the projects I am working on in my roles as the Official Opposition Critic for Citizenship and Immigration, NDP BC Caucus Chair, and your Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway.

I feel very privileged to be your voice in Ottawa.

As always, I welcome your thoughts, suggestions and input on these issues and all federal issues.

3Vancouver Kingsway

Immigration and Citizenship

As a nation of immigrants (except First Nations, of course), immigration policy is key to our country’s development.

Determining how many people are admitted to Canada, what skills they need and how well they integrate are all critical issues that influence our country socially, culturally and economically.

As the Official Opposition Critic for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I am working to develop practical, prudent policy in this area.

Some measures and initiatives we are developing are:

• Establishing an Immigration Advisory Council made up of a broad cross-section of representatives working in the immigration sector to offer guidance and information from their experience

• Gradually moving to an annual admissions target of between .85 and .99% of population (last year was .80%). The federal government projects a labour shortage in 5 years and there is a backlog of over 1million applications pending

• Reducing the number of Temporary Foreign Workers admitted into Canada, targeting them to the industries that truly require them and providing the option to acquire citizenship if they wish

• Working for improved recognition of foreign credentials for new Canadians

• Improving Canada’s visitor visa system and setting policies to reunite families quickly

Immigration is a vital part of our nation’s growth and future. Please contact me at any time with your views and ideas in this area.

4 Don Davies, MP

New Democrats in BC...

As Chair of the NDP BC Caucus, I work with New Democrats from around the province to ensure that our interests are well represented in Ottawa.

Here are two issues we have been championing recently.

The NDP BC Caucus was proud to champion British Columbian ship builders in their bid for federal ship-building contracts.

BC’s Seaspan Marine Corp recently won an $8 billion contract from the Federal Government to build non-combat vessels.

This contract will create up over 4000 new jobs for British Columbians in the years to come. Even better, these will be well-paying, full-time, family-sustaining jobs.

Here is an excerpt of a letter we wrote to the Minister in the summer:

NDP BC CAUCUS - A STRONG VOICE FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA

SHIPBUILDING IN BC

BC Shipyards have had a long tradition of building all types of high quality, innovative vessels, and it is only natural that the National Shipbuilding Strategy recognizes the outstanding contribution BC shipbuilders would make to a project of this scope by including them in the design and production of Canada’s next generation of vessels.

We, as the NDP BC Caucus are very convinced that our yards have the ability, the management and the labour to be successful in this bid. We look forward to an independent analysis of the competitive bids.

5Vancouver Kingsway

...Your Voice In Ottawa

This summer, Canadians holding dual US citizenship received shocking news from the US tax authority (the IRS). They were told that even though they didn’t live in the US, didn’t have any US income and didn’t owe any US taxes, they had to file US tax returns and face huge penalties for not filing. These penalties ranged from 5% to 50% of total assets!

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians and many British Columbians are affected by this new rule. The NDP BC Caucus is leading the fight in the House of Commons to press the federal government to protect our citizens.

Specifically, we have called for the Canadian government to:

1. Negotiate an exemption for Canadian citizens who have no US income or assets, or who have no real connection with the United States.

2. Advise the US that Canada will not allow our banks to turn over Canadians’ personal financial information to the IRS.

3. Push the US to differentiate between tax evaders and innocent, tax-paying Canadians.

New Democrats will continue to stand up for Canadians against unreasonable attacks on our sovereignty and our citizens’ assets and privacy.

If you want to join us in this issue, write Jim Flaherty, Finance Minister at the House of Commons. No stamp is necessary. Tell him it’s his job to protect Canadian citizens, our pensions, our assets and our privacy.

USA INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

6 Don Davies, MP

National Transit Strategy

In this Parliament, New Democrats have introduced a National Transit Strategy which will:

Ensure fast, accessible, affordable public transit in cities across the country

Invest in transit systems, innovation and research

Reduce commute times and alleviate congestion in Canadian cities and communities

We are the only country in the G8 without a national transit strategy. Federal leadership and investment in transit is vital to a healthier economy and a healthier environment. It’s vital to our cities, large and small, and everyone who lives in them.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Canadian Urban Transit Association, Canadian Construction Association and Canadian Chamber of Commerce all support our plan.

This bill is currently being debated in the House and we hope to get all party support when it comes to a vote in the new year.

It’s Time to Get Canada Moving – Take Action Now!• Educate yourself• Spread the word!• Sign the petition

• Write letters to the editor• Like the facebook page

“Get Canada Moving”

You can find this information at www.DonDavies.ca

7Vancouver Kingsway

Fair TradeIn the last five years, the Conservatives have negotiated trade deals with Panama and Columbia and are currently in talks on trade deals with the Ukraine and the European Union.

These trade deals are weak on environmental and labour standards. Canada’s right to control our natural resources, including our fresh water, is at risk because of these deals.

The federal government is failing to stand up for Canada against pressure from the US. The US has threatened to impose a $140 duty on every container handled by Canadian ports. They are favouring US firms over Canada on government contracts and they are slapping a $5.50 fee on every air and sea traveler to the US.

New Democrats are calling for Canada to develop a set of principles that should guide all of our trade deals with other nations. These principles should include:

encouraging trade

protecting environmental and labour standards

protecting local procurement initiatives

protecting Canada’s natural resources (including water)

pursuing a “highest standards” policy that encourages partners to implement the best, not the worst, standards in each jurisdiction

conducting negotiations in a transparent, accountable and democratic manner

New Democrats know that Canada is a trading nation. We believe that trade is key to our economic growth.

And we know that Canada can have a win-win approach.

We can increase prosperity through trade and protect our domestic businesses, workers, economy, environment and sovereignty.

We should not be signing any trade deals that do not meet these basic, reasonable and fair principles.

8 Don Davies, MP

Engaging Youth in Politics

Each year, Don hosts “Create Your Canada” - a contest for Vancouver Kingsway students in high school. The students submit their ideas on how to make Canada a better place. Don then drafts the winning idea into a real bill and flies the students to Ottawa to watch him introduce it in Parliament.

This year’s winners are Gladstone students Maria Gladkikh and Grihalakshmi (Lakshmi) Soundarapandian (pictured with Don above).

Their bill, which Don introduced in the House earlier this month, is entitled An Act Respecting a National Strategy to Encourage the Development of Renewable Energy Sources.

Develop a real plan to move us toward a renewable energy economy

Dramatically increase ratio of renewable energy generators to carbon burning generators

Provide tax breaks for homeowners to install solar panels and other green technologies

Cong

ratu

latio

nsM

aria

and

Lak

shm

i!

This bill will: