SHELTER HELPS MORE WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN COBOURG
COBOURG - March 18, 2009 - At a groundbreaking ceremony today, Northumberland Services for Women (NSW) celebrated the start of construction of their new and expanded shelter. NSW provides a safe environment and services for women and their children in crisis as a result of family violence and abuse.
The expanded shelter will offer 19 emergency beds for women and their children in Northumberland County. The facility was made possible with funding of $456,000 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP).
"The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most," said MP Rick Norlock, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. "The creation of these units will provide women and their children with access to safe housing and the support they need to help them to start a new page in their lives."
In addition, $77,685 in municipal donations and in-kind services helped to support the project.
"Congratulations to Northumberland Services for Women for having the vision and will to commence the actual structure of their new facility," said Cobourg Mayor, Peter G. Delanty. "This will allow NSW to better serve the needs of those who desperately need our help and understanding."
Expansions to the east, west and south wings of the facility will offer a welcoming space where clients can feel safe and comfortable, and access the NSW's support programs and services, including emergency relocation, counseling, emergency transportation, a 24-hour crisis line, 2-hour free legal advice, educational programming, and a children's shelter.
"We appreciate the tremendous assistance we received from all levels of government, service groups, companies and many individuals," said NSW Board Chair, Barry Gutteridge. "Their kind contributions have helped this expansion to happen and more women and their children in crisis in Northumberland County will have a safe place to come to for emergency services."
Northumberland Services for Women has been offering quality, emergency housing and support services to over 600 women and their children every year since their first shelter opened in 1985 at 355 Division Street in Cobourg.
CMHC's Shelter Enhancement Program offers financial assistance for the repair, rehabilitation and improvement of existing shelters for women and their children, youth or men who are victims of family violence, as well as for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing where needed.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada's national housing agency for over 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.
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Media inquiries:
Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181
Linda Janzen
Executive Director
Northumberland Services for Women
905-372-7056 ext. 224
Nicole Burgers
Consultant, Communications and Marketing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
416-250-2760
Minister of Finance Launches National Consultations on Private Pensions
Trenton, On. March 13, 2009
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced the Government will begin scheduled public consultations across Canada on the legislative and regulatory framework for federally regulated private pension plans.
"Many Canadians are concerned about the long-term viability of their pension plans," said Minister Flaherty. "The Government wants to hear people's views on how we can strengthen the security of pension plan benefits and ensure that the framework is balanced and appropriate."
The Government released a discussion paper seeking views from Canadians on this issue on January 9. It followed up by announcing in Budget 2009: Canada's Economic Action Plan that the national consultations will be chaired by Ted Menzies, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.
"We announced this consultation process in January and we committed to getting it up and running quickly because this issue is important to many Canadians," said Mr. Menzies.
Consultations closest to Northumberland-Quinte West constituents will be held in:
Toronto - March 20th
The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front Street West
Confederation Room
9:00 a.m. ~ 11:30 a.m.
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Shawn McNicholl
Legislative Assistant to Rick Norlock, MP
Northumberland - Quinte West
613-992-4998
Federal Government to invest over $7 million at Dam #1 in Trenton on the Trent River
Trenton, On. March 3, 2009 - Northumberland Quinte West Member of Parliament Rick Norlock is pleased that the Federal Government will invest over seven million dollars into repairs to Dam #1 on the Trent River in Trenton. Environment Minister Jim Prentice made the announcement Friday February 28, 2009 in Orillia, Ontario. "Our government values the Trent-Severn's status as a National Historic Site of Canada. Last April, my colleague, and the former Minister of the Environment, John Baird, announced a $63 million infusion into the Waterway's restoration, which today I am pleased to add to with an additional $20 million in funding. This investment will address the most pressing capital needs, create jobs and stimulate the local economy while ensuring that this treasured waterway remains healthy and thriving for years to come," Prentice said.
"This new amount of funding reaffirms the commitment that the government has made to the long term health of the waterway as set out in last years panel report," said Rick Norlock. "This particular project will no doubt create local jobs at a time when they are needed the most."
The total cost of the project is $7,323,000 and work to be completed will:
Recapitalize concrete dam structure to current standards and install 10 mechanized dam gates to improve efficiencies and optimize water management.
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Contact:
Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181
Rick Norlock hosts Passport Clinic
Cobourg, On. February 23, 2009 - Northumberland Quinte West M.P. Rick Norlock will be hosting a passport clinic at the Port Hope Town Recreation Centre, 62 McCaul St. Port Hope on Saturday February 28, from 9:00-12:00.
United States regulations state that all Canadians will require a valid passport to visit by land, sea or air starting June 1, 2009. Rick and his staff will be available to accept completed passport applications, and to help in filling out forms.
Protecting Jobs
The Work-Sharing program is Helping More Workers Stay on the Job
Port Hope, On, February 20, 2009 - Northumberland Quinte West M.P. Rick Norlock announced today that the Conservative government will help to protect employees that might otherwise be laid-off during a temporary slowdown by expanding the Work-Sharing program.
As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government will extend, over the next two years, work-sharing agreements by 14 weeks, to a maximum of 52 weeks, to help businesses recover from the global economic downturn. It is expected that this extension will cost $200 million over the next two years.
"The problems facing businesses in our community didn't start here in Canada," said Norlock. "The impact that the global economic downturn is having on our businesses will be temporary and we want to try and help prevent layoffs wherever possible. The Work-Sharing program will help businesses minimize the number of layoffs they have to make during a slowdown."
Based on joint application by the employer and employees, the Work-Sharing program allows qualifying workers to receive Employment Insurance benefits in exchange for a reduced work-week while their employer recovers.
The Working Sharing program helps:
"By minimizing layoffs and working with both businesses and employees, we are ensuring that more individuals will keep their jobs and more businesses will stay afloat," said Norlock. "Forestry and manufacturing companies make use of work-sharing agreements to keep people employed during a production slowdown. Extending these agreements to a maximum of 52 weeks will protect more jobs in many critical industries."
Employers who are interested in the Work-Sharing Program should contact their local Service Canada Centre or call 1 800 O-Canada to apply. For more information about the program visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca.
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Contact:
Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181
Rick Norlock delivers funding for Hamilton Township
Cobourg, February 18, 2009
Last night at Hamilton Township Municipal Council Northumberland Quinte West Member of Parliament Rick Norlock delivered news of funding from the Ontario Potable Water Program (OPWP).
Hamilton Township will receive $318,960.
Funding under the Ontario Potable Water Program (OPWP) is available to Ontario municipalities that have previously received federal funding for water projects under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP) and that have incurred additional costs for their projects to comply with changes to provincial drinking water regulations.
"I am very pleased that our federal government has come to the table and delivered these much needed funds for the people of Hamilton Township, especially when the previous government refused to do so," Norlock said. "This funding for Hamilton Township closes the book on the OPWP funding in our riding. Under this plan almost every municipality in Northumberland Quinte West received funding."
The Ontario Potable Water Program provided funds for municipalities if: they had completed a COIP drinking water project, they had incurred increased project costs to comply with changes to water regulations and their COIP project was renominated by the Ontario government for consideration of additional federal government support.
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Contact:
Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181
Government of Canada and Government of Ontario Make Infrastructure Investments in Northumberland Quinte West
February 13, 2009
These projects will create local jobs, when the need for economic stimulus is greatest. The following is a list of approved projects and the Federal government share of funding:
Port Hope - Peter St Watermain Rehabilitation Project $729,881
Cobourg - Factory Creek Rehabilitation & Bike Lane Construction $372,123
Northumberland County - WPCP No. 1 Tertiary Filter Addition $483,333
Hamilton Township - Rice Lake Dr. Rehabilitation $1,000,000
Alnwick Haldimand - Benlock Rd. Overflow Bridge Replacement $175,000
Cramahe Township - Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades $2,125,086
Trent Hills - Sewer Separation and Infrastructure Improvements $476,667
Quinte West - Smithfield Overhead Bridge $2,365,833
The governments of Canada and Ontario will invest up to one third the cost of each project, while each individual municipality will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost.
This project is one of 289 across the province that will soon break ground thanks to a federal-provincial-municipal investment of more than $1 Billion. The governments of Canada and Ontario have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects in Ontario Communities for the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.
Because the federal and provincial governments understand that infrastructure investments will stimulate the economy, nearly 85 per cent of project applications were approved for funding.
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Contact:
Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181
Building Arenas, Building Communities
Canada's Economic Action Plan Invests in Hockey Arenas and Community Recreation Centres
Warkworth, Ontario, February 7, 2008 - Northumberland Quinte West Member of Parliament Rick Norlock was on hand at the Warkworth Arena to announce the Conservative government's Recreation Infrastructure in Canada (RInC) program, today. To build jobs and stimulate local businesses in communities across Canada, the RInC program will invest $500 million in building and renewing community hockey arenas, swimming pools and recreations centres.
"Investing in our rec centres and hockey arenas will create jobs and put money into our local businesses right away. Facilities like these will help us to teach our children about the importance of competitiveness and fair play for years to come," said Norlock.
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Contact:
Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181
CATTLE AND PORK PRODUCERS GIVEN MORE TIME TO REPAY CASH ADVANCES
Cobourg, Ontario, January 23, 2009 - Cattle and hog producers facing hard financial times now have until September 30, 2010, to repay cash advances under the Advance Payment Program (APP). The extension of the repayment deadline for livestock advances was announced today by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. In addition, the first $100,000 of each producer's advance will continue to be interest-free.
"Thousands of farmers across the country have taken advantage of APP loans and this extension will keep them in business and provide relief during the current credit crunch," said Minister Ritz. "This Government will continue to work with livestock producers and their organizations to address the issues facing the sector."
"This extension assists Canadian hog producers to cope with the current financial crisis," said Jurgen Preugschas, President of the Canadian Pork Council. "We are pleased that the Government recognizes the financial difficulties hog producers are experiencing in these tough economic times."
"This is the breathing room Canadian cattle producers need to put their bottom lines back into the black," said Brad Wildeman, President of the Canadian Cattlemen. "We are going to keep working with the Government as we continue to improve programs to make sure they work for Canadian producers."
"This announcement is another example of how our government is listening to the needs of our farmers," said Northumberland Quinte West Member of Parliament Rick Norlock. "We will continue to make decisions that work for our agricultural community, decisions that have their best interests as a priority."
The extension of the repayment deadline applies to regular and emergency loans taken by cattle and hog producers during the 2008-09 production period. The Stay of Default covers more than $450 million in advances to the livestock sector.
Producers can still apply for APP emergency advances until March 31, 2009. Regular APP advances will continue to be available. Beginning in April, producers who meet eligibility criteria will be able to apply for 2009-10 regular advances.
Improving cash flow to producers through APP and Targeted Advance Payments under AgriStability are just two of a number of measures being taken in response to challenges facing Canadian livestock producers. Minister Ritz has also been working hard developing new marketing opportunities around the world to help Canadian farmers weather the current economic uncertainty and strengthen export markets.
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Contact:
Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181
Budget Sessions
Cobourg, On - Northumberland Quinte West Member of Parliament Rick Norlock will be speaking about Budget 2009 at two different venues on Friday January 30, 2008.
Both events are open to the general public. After the presentation, there will be a question and answer session.
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Contact:
Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181
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