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10 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,May 24, 2011 Over the last several months, I've talked to thousands of you in Wellington-Halton Hills. People have voiced concerns regarding their jobs and the economy, the rising cost of food and fuel, and about the state of our democracy. In discussions with my colleagues about the priorities of the federal government, I will ensure that these concerns are voiced and heard. These concerns will be my focus and I'd like to take this opportunity to talk about them. Our government's top priority is to create jobs and grow the Canadian economy. In the fall of 2008, we promised to steer Canada's economy through the worst global recession since the Great Depression. We've delivered on that promise. Thanks to our Economic Action Plan, Canada has emerged from this recession stronger than any other developed economy. According to Bloomberg, Canada is the first major economy to return to pre-recession employment levels. For three years in a row, the World Economic Forum has named the Canadian banking system the soundest in the world. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Top priorities are jobs and the economy Michael Chong (OECD) recently predicted that Canada will lead industrialized countries in economic growth during the first half of 2011. While Canada has emerged out of this recession stronger than any other major developed economy, the recovery is still fragile and risks remain. The ongoing energy turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, the continuing sovereign debt crisis in Europe and the economic aftershocks from Japan's earthquake highlight the great deal of uncertainty that remains. Therefore, June's federal budget will be focused on the next phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan to sustain the fragile recovery. We will end our stimulus spending and gradually return to a balanced budget in the next five years. The other concern consistently raised is the cost of food and fuel. Our government is aware of the burden placed on Canadian households by rising food and fuel prices. In order to help Canadian families with the rising cost of food and fuel our government is focused on economic growth, job creation and keeping taxes low. Our plan to return to balanced budgets will not include increases to personal income taxes. Since coming to power in 2006, our government has significantly reduced taxes for Canadian families. As a result of our low-tax plan, the average Canadian family is now saving over $3,000 every year through reduced federal taxation. Finally, many of you have voiced concerns about the state of our democracy. I remain committed to the reform of Parliament and will continue to push for these reforms in Ottawa. The election of a new Speaker on June 2 will be another opportunity to renew and strengthen the people's place, the House of Commons. I encourage your input and feedback by calling me at 1-866878-5556 or by emailing me at chongm@parl.gc.ca --Michael Chong is the MP for Welllington-Halton Hills Big wheels keep on rollin' Employees from Flo Draulic Controls on Sinclair Ave. took a spin along Guelph St. in Georgetown as they recently participated in the Heart & Stroke Foundation's Bike Bike fundraiser based out of the Boston Pizza restaurant. Flo Draulic was the biggest fundraiser out of the companies and community groups that took part, collecting more than $5,000 to support heart disease and stroke research. This year's Big Bike event in Georgetown raised double the amount of last year's ride. Photo by Eamonn Maher Town to help fund safety blitz The Town will contribute $250 from its Contingency Fund to the Risk Watch Safety Blitz event to be held over two days at the Gellert Centre. The Blitz is an interactive carnival organized by Risk Watch, an education program delivered by the Halton Hills Fire Department to children from Kindergarten to Grade 8. It teaches children thinking skills to make smart choices related to vehicles, bikes, walking, fires, poison, water and ice, choking, playground safety, and firearms. The two-day carnival in the Gellert parking lot is directed at about 900 Grade 4 students attending Halton Hills schools. The request was made to council after the event and the group did not meet the eligibility requirements under the Municipal Assistance program. Act Now! Spring Discounts End Soon! Resistant to: · Weather · Fire · Rodents · Curl · Termites · Rot · Moss · Cracks In Halton Hills & the GTA call 416 527 8304 for a Free Estimate www.vantageroofing.ca Financing tailored to fit any budget!