Government of Canada launches Canada Summer Jobs 2009 to help students and serve communities

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, December 22, 2008 - The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced the launch of Canada Summer Jobs 2009, which supports work experiences for students as well as organizations providing important community services. "Our government is committed to helping students get the work experience they need to fully participate in the job market," said Minister Finley. "Canada Summer Jobs is one of many initiatives our government offers to help students."

Funding will be offered to not-for-profit, public-sector and small private-sector employers to create high-quality summer job opportunities for young people 15 to 30 years old who are full-time students and intend to return to school in the next school year. Larger private-sector employers with more than 50 employees are not eligible for funding.

"In light of the current economy, now more than ever before, we need to help employers to support students and community needs," said Rick Norlock. "Canada Summer Jobs is designed to do just that, by focusing on local priorities and achieving tangible results."

The Canada Summer Jobs budget will be allocated across the 308 federal
Constituencies. Applications will be available on February 2, 2009, and must be submitted by February 27, 2009. Interested employers can apply online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/csj2009, or at their local Service Canada Centre. For online information on Canada Summer Jobs, visit the following Web site: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/csj2009.

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Contact:

Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181

CANADA'S GOVERNMENT DELIVERS HELP TO BENEFIT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES - INVESTMENT TO STRENGTHEN THE QUINTE REGION ECONOMY

BELLEVILLE, Ontario, December 12, 2008 - The Government of Canada continues to demonstrate its commitment to the growth and prosperity of the communities, small businesses and residents of rural Eastern Ontario through its ongoing investment in the local Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), known as the Trenval Business Development Corporation.

A federal contribution through FedNor's Community Futures Program to the Trenval Business Development Corporation was announced today by Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings, and Rick Norlock, Member of Parliament for Northumberland-Quinte West, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for FedNor. The funding will support the ongoing operations of the CFDC over the next three years.

An additional investment provided through the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) in the Eastern Ontario CFDC Network Inc. will be used to establish a regional manufacturing resource centre. This funding will support the hiring of staff and outreach activities to assist the region's manufacturing industry.

"CFDCs, such as the Trenval Business Development Corporation, are a vital contributor to the economic prosperity of rural Ontario and our Government is proud to support their ongoing efforts," said Mr. Kramp.

"This funding will allow the Trenval Business Development Corporation and the Eastern Ontario CFDC Network Inc. to continue to play a leadership role in fostering economic diversification, expanding the business base and creating jobs to help foster strong, self-sustaining communities," added Mr. Norlock.

As reaffirmed in November's Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada will work with all Canadians to ensure that they have the foundation they need to weather the economic challenges that lie ahead. Priorities will be to secure jobs for families and communities, expand investment and trade, ensure sound budgeting, and to make government more effective.

CFDCs provide services to enhance local economic development and small business growth, including access to capital, business counselling, support for community-based projects, and strategic community planning and socio-economic development.

"This operational funding of $900,000 over three years will help support new and exciting opportunities for the communities and businesses we serve," said David Valcamp, Chair of the Trenval Business Development Corporation. "In addition, the regional support of just over $38,000 for the manufacturing resource centre will help area industry to address a variety of labour needs."

The Trenval Business Development Corporation is one of 61 CFDCs in rural and Northern Ontario funded by FedNor's Community Futures Program.

To find out more about Ontario CFDCs, visit: http://ic.gc.ca/cfdc-ontario

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Contact:

Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181

Letter to the Editor
Dec 11, 2008
There have been many letters to the Editor of this publication discussing the issues that have recently captivated all Canadians concerning the opposition parties forming a coalition government.

So how did it come to this?

How, less than two months after our last federal election and after Liberal leader Stéphane Dion and other high-ranking Liberal MPs explicitly ruled out forming a coalition government, did the recent political upheaval in Ottawa happen?

While there is a lot of emotion and political rhetoric flying around, several facts are clear:

On October 14th, Canadians re-elected the Conservative government with a stronger mandate. Shortly after, we delivered our Speech from the Throne, which set out the government's direction for the coming year. The opposition voted in support of the Speech from the Throne.

The government then delivered the Economic and Fiscal Update. One of the parties in the House of Commons, the Bloc Québécois, delivered suggestions on changes they would like to see made to it.

The Liberals and the NDP submitted no suggestions at all. They felt they had a better idea.

Instead of proposing changes, they tried to railroad through a coalition which would place Prime Minister Stéphane Dion at the helm, and subject Canadians to policies hobbled together on the fly. This coalition's very existence depends on the whim of the Bloc Québécois.

Let us be clear: regardless of whether Canadians voted Conservative, Liberal, NDP or for the Bloc Québécois, we can be sure that no Canadian voted for that unworkable arrangement. There is no mandate for such an act.

Bloc Québécois MPs are democratically elected and have every right to be in Parliament. However, the Bloc Québécois has a fundamentally different vision about this country.

We will always respect the mandate of the Bloc Québécois MPs to act for the constituents who have elected them. However, as a government whose fundamental responsibility is to defend the strength and unity of Canada, we will never put ourselves in a position where our government is beholden to a party that does not want Canada - all of Canada - to succeed.

In accepting the Prime Minister's advice to prorogue Parliament until the 26th of January, the Governor General has acted in the very best interests of the country. This action will provide all parties with the opportunity to step back, clear heads and refocus on the number-one priority of the nation: the economy.

Between now and January 26th, when Parliament resumes, the government will continue to focus almost exclusively on ensuring that the Budget contains the measures necessary to effectively address the worries of Canadians and to strengthen our economy. We will build on the stimuli that the government has already provided in order to ensure that we protect Canada's future.

This January's Budget will be prepared with brisk, focused prudence and within the shortest time frame of any federal Budget in Canadian history. We have asked for consultation from all the parties, from industry and from provincial premiers. It will be prepared within a wider context because, just as the financial crisis is global, the solution must be global as well. Canadians can be certain that we will be working closely with our counterparts in the new Obama administration, as well as other leaders around the world, to ensure that the policies and stimulus that are put in place are the right ones for all of us.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that all parties and all Members in the House of Commons have a role to play in this action because all parties represent the voices of different citizens across our country.

While Canadians voted four parties and two independents to the House of Commons, three of those parties answer to all Canadian citizens and have a shared responsibility to the entire country.

Whatever our other differing points of view, it is clear that we all want Canada to succeed. It is on that point that we must bridge our differences and all work towards a strong, stable and successful country.

In the coming days and weeks, I hope that all Members of Parliament who do believe in a successful Canada will work with us on the top priority of Canadians - the economy. Only then can we truly act in the best interests of the country and of all Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Rick Norlock invites submissions from the public for federal budget process

Trenton, On- Northumberland Quinte West Member of Parliament Rick Norlock is inviting constituents, businesses and non profit organizations to submit their ideas for inclusion in the Federal Budget to be announced January 26, 2009.

"It is my hope that the people of Northumberland Quinte West will share with me their ideas for the budget. As Chair of the government's eastern Ontario and northern caucus I will discuss the recommendations with my colleagues and then send a report to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty for his consideration," Norlock said.

Submissions can be emailed to rick@ricknorlock.ca, dropped off at his offices in Trenton- 103B Dundas St. West or Cobourg- 277 Division St. Unit 2 by January 5, 2009. Submissions can also be mailed to Rick's Ottawa office to:

Rick Norlock M.P.
Room 747
Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, On
K1A 0A6

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Contact:

Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181

Service Canada to aid Quaker Oats workers
November 27, 2008

Ottawa, On- After seeking assistance from Service Canada to aid Quaker Oats workers, Rick Norlock was advised today that contact has been made with company. "On November 21, 2008, Cheryl Jones, Citizen Services Specialist (CSS) for the East Central Service Canada Centres made contact with a Quaker Oats Human Resources Manager and a Human Resources Officer at PepsiCo. The CSS offered to deliver additional information sessions on Employment Insurance, Pensions Benefits and Labour Market Information," M.P. Rick Norlock said. "As the Member of Parliament for Northumberland Quinte West, I am committed to helping provide any and all federal resources applicable to help the workers of Quaker Oats."

Service Canada Active Services include:

• Service Canada will work collaboratively with Employment Ontario to support workers who will lose their jobs as a result of this announcement. Employment Ontario is the Ontario Ministry responsible for delivery of Employment Insurance (EI) Part II active employment measures following the Canada-Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement transfer. Their assistance would include providing active employment measures including Rapid Re-employment Services and other labour market transition strategies.
• For clients seeking Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits, Service Canada will provide assistance in claims-taking to clients through their preferred service delivery channel (e.g. Internet or in person). The employer will be encouraged to use Service Canada's Record of Employment (ROE) Web service to facilitate efficient EI claims processing.
• For clients seeking Pension benefits, Service Canada will provide guidance and assistance related to the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security Benefits.

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Contact:

Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181

Rick Norlock to hold two Passport Clinics
November 26, 2008

Cobourg, On - Northumberland Quinte West Member of Parliament Rick Norlock will be holding Passport Clinic in Cobourg at the Northumberland Mall on Saturday November 29 from 9:00-12:00 outside of the Scotia Bank. Saturday December 6, there will be a Passport Clinic at Quinte West City Hall from 9:30-12:30 in the multi use room beside the Library.

For further information please contact the Trenton office at 613-392-3382 or the Cobourg office at 905-372-8757.

Federal Natural Resources Minister visits Port Hope
November 24, 2008

Letter to the Editor

Protecting Canada’s Future
Dear Editor
In last month’s general election, Canadians voiced their trust in Prime Minister Harper by voting to renew and strengthen the mandate of our Government. They did so with the knowledge that the Harper Government is the best team to guide Canada through the looming economic storm.

That storm is now here and we are already starting to see the effects of the global downturn around the world. During this challenging time, our Government is mindful of the privilege and responsibility with which we have been entrusted.

As your MP, I am humbled by this opportunity. We have difficult work ahead but you have my commitment that I will work relentlessly to address the challenges that we must face together, today and in the future.

Our recent Speech from the Throne confirmed our Government’s commitment to ensuring Canada’s continued economic success, even as we are faced with global economic instability.

The Speech outlines our five-pronged plan to safeguard Canada’s economic security and protect Canada’s future.

First, in the coming weeks and months, Canadians will see action as our government works with our trading partners and allies around the world to reform global finances; a global problem requires a global solution.

Second, ensuring sound budgeting is essential. Our government will never allow Canadians to suffer simply to balance the books, but at the same time, Canada must never return to ongoing unsustainable structural deficits. We will look at all spending under a microscope to ensure that taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars are used with care.
Third, secure jobs for families and communities will be a priority. We will strengthen our workforce by encouraging trades and apprenticeships, by supporting workers facing transition due to age or changed circumstances, and by providing further support for our auto and aerospace industries, on which the livelihood of so many Canadian families depend.

Fourth, just as the financial worries began beyond our borders, so too can we find international solutions by seeking out new investment and trade. Cooperation with our allies is also key. Our Government will look at ways to develop shared solutions with the new Obama Administration in the United States. We will seek out new, safe, trading opportunities for Canada around the globe.

And finally, in addition to these measures, we will work to make government more effective. Action like reducing red tape, improving the way in which programs are delivered, fixing procurement and improving management of federal agencies will help government serve all Canadians better, now and in the future.

As we move forward with our sights firmly fixed on responsible economic management, there will be hard decisions that will have to be made in order to keep federal spending under control and focused on results.

These will be made to keep Canada strong. Just as households review spending decisions when falling on difficult times, the government must do the same. While safeguarding the Canadian economy is key to protecting Canada’s future, the Speech from the Throne includes other areas where the Harper Government will be looking to deliver results for Canadians.

Canada has vast, untapped sources of clean energy which can be used to secure our energy future. Whether through the further development of natural gas in our North or the government's readiness to regulate new, nuclear projects, we will work to reduce our dependence on crude oil.

Exploring new and existing clean energy options will also enable us to work towards a greener future. While moving forward with our 20 percent greenhouse gas reduction plan by 2020, our Government will also ensure that 90 percent of our electricity needs are met by non-greenhouse gas emitting sources within that timeframe. We will also safeguard Canada’s bountiful water supply by banning bulk water exports.

Canada is an exceptionally diverse nation and our Government intends to help all Canadians participate.

That’s why we are further improving the Universal Child Care Benefit, increasing access to maternity and parental benefits under Employment Insurance and acting to provide help to those Canadians who are caring for loved ones with disabilities.

As the Government safeguards Canada’s economic security, so too will we act to protect our homes, our communities and our borders. In addition to continuing on our commitment to crack down on crime in order to keep Canadians safe, we will likewise continue to contribute to global safety. We will continue to support our troops by rebuilding the Canadian Forces, and honour our commitment to bring safety, security and the rule of law to Afghanistan until our military withdrawal in 2011.

Finally, the Speech from the Throne calls for the building of stronger institutions that will be more accountable to all Canadians and enable all voices across the country to be heard and respected, now and in the future.

With the strong governing mandate outlined in the Throne Speech, Canadian individuals, families and businesses can be assured that they are not only protected for the future, but they will also emerge from this period of global economic instability stronger than ever before.

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Contact:

Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181

Rick Norlock appointed Chair of the Government's Eastern and Northern Ontario Caucus

November 19, 2008

Ottawa, On- Today, Conservative National Caucus Chair, Guy Lauzon M.P., appointed Northumberland Quinte West M.P. Rick Norlock Chair of the government's Eastern and Northern Ontario Caucus. "I am very pleased and happy to have been asked to chair the Eastern and Northern Ontario Caucus for our government. Eastern Ontario and the north share many common interests and agencies such as the Eastern Ontario Development Program that is funded through FEDNOR," said Norlock. "I look forward to working with my caucus colleagues as we prioritize for the government the issues that matter most too eastern and northern Ontarians."

A second term Member of Parliament, Rick Norlock served for several years in Northern Ontario as a member of the Ontario Provincial Police's Northeastern Patrol. The Eastern and Northern Ontario Caucus consists of fourteen members with a geographic area that spans from Port Hope to the Quebec border and includes the riding of Kenora.

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Contact:

Thomas Rittwage
Executive Assistant
Office of Rick Norlock M.P.
Northumberland Quinte West
613-483-8181