MP Report by Bob Zimmer

“A Whirlwind Start to 2012”

With the House of Commons on winter break, this past month I took part in several events and meetings throughout the riding. 

Starting off in Fort Nelson, I met with the District Council to discuss infrastructure needs in the region. I will be bringing these needs to the attention of the Infrastructure Minister as we resume Parliament. 

Next up was the annual BC Natural Resource Forum in Prince George. There I had the opportunity to meet with industry leaders and officially thank former federal minister Stockwell Day for his key note speech on the need for regulatory reform. Following the Forum, I met with the Prince George City Council to discuss the city’s priorities moving forward. 

Then, I was back in Fort Nelson to announce an investment in upgrades to an eight kilometre stretch of the Alaska Highway in the Fort Nelson area. 

Heading back to Prince George, I met up with the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, to take part in an economic consultation with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce and then a visit to the Pineview Firehall to promote the new non-refundable tax credit for volunteer firefighters. 

From there, it was off to Fort St. John to announce $980,000 in gas tax funding to assist the Peace River Regional District in constructing a gas management facility at the Fort St. John Landfill. 

While in Fort St. John I met with the City Council to discuss future plans for the city and gave a speech to the Chamber of Commerce highlighting our Government’s priorities in 2012 and to discuss important initiatives we have introduced to assist small business owners. I also met with the North Peace Rod and Gun Club to talk about the Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act and to address other concerns.

I then headed to Dawson Creek, where I held my first passport clinic. That afternoon we were able to help approximately 70 residents with their passport applications. The clinic also provided me with the opportunity to meet with constituents one-on-one to answer any other questions they may have had. While my offices in Fort St. John and Prince George offer help with passport applications every day, with a riding as large as ours, I will be providing similar clinics to residents throughout the riding in the near future.  

And finally, it was off to Tumbler Ridge where I announced $265,000 in funding for the Palaeontology Research Centre and tour the facility. 

It’s been a busy month, but I am grateful for the opportunity to meet and spend time with so many people – whether it was during a scheduled meeting, or while standing in line at Tim Horton’s – and I am looking forward to doing similar tours in the future. 

MP Report by Bob Zimmer

“A Look Back On 2011”

2011 has been an extremely busy but productive and rewarding year!After much hard work and time spent meeting with thousands of residents throughout the riding, I am honoured and humbled to be representing you as your Member of Parliament in Ottawa. 

Thank you once again for putting your trust in me. I appreciate that you exercised your democratic right to stand up for the values and concerns of Canadians, and I am working every day to defend your interests in Ottawa. 

Walking into the House of Commons and taking my seat for the first time this past spring, I was not only struck by the historical significance of the room that I was in, but also the immense responsibility you have entrusted in me. It was a moment I will truly never forget. 

On May 2, Canadians chose a strong, stable, national Conservative majority Government focused on delivering results for families, seniors, and businesses. 

Our first budget as a majority government has ensured that we will continue to guide Canada’s economic recovery, while also identifying savings and eliminating the deficit. At the same time, we are directing our attention to several other key issues and fulfilling longstanding promises we have made to Canadians. 

The recent session of Parliament ended on a historic note, with the Marketing Freedom for Western Grain Farmers Act receiving Royal Assent and becoming law. With the passing of this legislation, Western Canadian wheat and barley farmers now have right to decide whether to sell their product in an open market, or through the Canadian Wheat Board without the fear of going to jail. 

Our Government has also remained committed to ensuring criminals are held fully accountable for their actions and that the safety and security of law-abiding Canadians and victims comes first in Canada’s justice system. To that end, our Safe Streets and Communities legislationhas passed in the House of Commons and is quickly making its way through the Senate. This Bill contains measures that will protect our children from sexual predators, crack down on organized crime and protect the rights of victims.

At the same time, we are working to ensure that law-abiding citizens are not treated like criminals. That is why we have introduced legislation that will scrap the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry and its data once and for all. Finally, our local hunters, farmers and sport shooters will no longer be treated like criminals for simply owning a rifle or shotgun. 

These are just a few examples of what our majority Conservative Government has been able to accomplish over these past few months. While I will always look back on 2011 with a great sense of pride, there is still much more work to be done.