Hi Folks,

It’s been a little while since my last post and I wanted to touch base with you about a few new things that have come before Parliament since the last time I wrote.

First of all, I want to talk to you about the changes coming to the Citizenship Act under our Government’s Bill C-24, the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act. I am very pleased with the changes proposed in this new Act. Please let me highlight a few of the major ones for you:

1. Physical presence in Canada – Those seeking Canadian citizenship will now be required to be physically present in Canada for 1,460 days (four years) out of the six years. Under the current Act, residence in Canada is only required for three years and there is no requirement that the resident be physically present in Canada. Out of those four years, it will also be required that the resident be physically present at least 183 days a year in four out of those six years.

2. “Lost Canadians” – This bill will extend citizenship to “Lost Canadians” born before 1947 as well as their 1^st generation children born abroad. My son Robb was born in Germany when I was posted abroad and he faced issues in obtaining proof of Canadian citizenship. I firmly believe Canadian citizenship should be easily obtainable by the children of Canadians born abroad and serving abroad.

3. Revoking Citizenship – The new bill also creates the authority to revoke Canadian citizenship from dual citizens who were members of an armed force or organized group engaged in armed conflict with Canada, and deny citizenship to Permanent Residents for the same reason. It also establishes the authority to revoke Canadian citizenship and deny it to Permanent Residents who are convicted of terrorism, high treason, treason, or spying offences, depending on the sentence received. If you take up arms against our country, you should not be able to continue to benefit from the rights of Canadian citizenship.

4. Honouring those who serve Canada – This new bill also establishes a fast-track mechanism for citizenship for Permanent Residents serving with—and individuals on exchange with—the Canadian Armed Forces to honour their service to Canada. Those serving in the uniform of the Canadian Armed Forces should be able to move up the line faster to become a citizen of Canada. This is just one example of the type of immigrants we want to become Canadian citizens.

Canadian citizenship is valuable. We do not want a Canadian passport to become one of convenience. We want Canadians that fully embrace the rights AND responsibilities of their citizenship. This bill takes another step in enhancing the value of Canadian citizenship, and I welcome these changes and your comments on them.

Another piece of legislation that our Government has brought forward in recent weeks is the Fair Elections Act. This is part of our Government’s commitment to uphold the integrity of our voting system. In the 2013 Speech from the Throne, our Government committed to bringing forward changes to Canada’s election laws before the next federal election.

The Fair Elections Act will make our laws tough, clear and easy-to-follow. It will make life harder for election law-breakers, and put the focus back on honest people taking part in our democracy. It will implement 38 of the Chief Electoral Officer’s past recommendations. The bill brings to light concerns raised by Canadians, various groups and think tanks, Elections Canada and parliamentarians themselves.

Among other things, the Fair Elections Act will:

1. Protect voters from rogue calls with a mandatory public registry for mass calling, prison time for impersonating elections officials, and increased penalties.

2. Give more independence to the Commissioner of Canada Elections, allowing him or her control over their staff and investigations, empowering him or her to seek tougher penalties for existing electoral offences, and providing more than a dozen new offences to combat big money, rogue calls, and fraudulent voting.

3. Crack down on voter fraud by prohibiting vouching or Voter Information Cards as acceptable forms of ID, while continuing to allow 39 forms of authorized identification for voters to prove identity and residence.

4. Ban the use of loans used to evade donation rules. The personal donation limit will rise to $1,500 and election spending limits will increase by 5%. A total ban on union and corporate money will remain.

5. Repeal the ban on premature transmission of election results, upholding free speech.

6. Provide better customer service to voters, and establish an extra day of polling.

I am encouraged by the tabling of this bill. It is comprehensive, covers a lot of ground and addresses a number of issues related to the electoral process that have come up in the news in the past few years. Our democracy will never be perfect, but this bill will make it better. I have often been told that our democracy “does not work.” That’s true; we have to work it. The Fair Elections Act will help us continue to ensure our democracy functions well for ourselves and future generations.

Thank you for reading. Now I want to hear from you. You can find me on Facebook, message me on Twitter, submit a comment to me at www.lauriehawn.ca or email me at [email protected] Please let me know what you think of these pieces of legislation. Thank you for taking part in our democratic process.

For more information on the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, please visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2014/2014-02-06.asp

For more information on the Fair Elections Act, please visit: www.democraticreform.gc.ca

Sincerely,

Laurie Hawn, PC, CD, MP

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OTTAWA, ON – The Honourable Laurie Hawn PC, CD, MP on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, is encouraging local angling, fishing and conservation groups to get their applications in for the newly established Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program (RFCPP). As outlined in Economic Action Plan 2013, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will make $10 million available over two years to support conservation activities through partnerships with local groups who will undertake a variety of projects to restore and protect recreational fisheries habitat.

“Edmonton has countless amateur anglers who enjoy fishing in Alberta’s lakes and rivers. I am pleased our Government is providing assistance to enhance and restore fish habitat that will only heighten their experience,” said MP Hawn.

According to the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, more than 3.3 million adult anglers participated in recreational fishing activities in Canada. These activities contributed a total of $8.3 billion to various local economies in Canadian provinces and territories.

Activities that directly restore recreational fisheries habitat are eligible for RFCPP funding.  For example, the program can fund projects that mitigate streamside practices to improve the quality of recreational fisheries habitat, enhance habitat, manage the areas bordering streams, lakes and wetlands, and enhance connectivity (e.g., barrier removal, enhancing fishways).

The program will consider requests for funding of up to $250,000 per project per year.  Applications can be submitted for new projects as well as projects already up and running that could benefit from additional funding.  In recognition of the importance of a partnership approach, at least 50% of project funding must come from a source other than the federal, provincial, territorial and/or municipal governments.

The Government is now accepting applications for projects to be undertaken over the next two years. Additional information about the program and application forms are available on the Department’s website at: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/habitat/rfcpp-ppcpr/index-eng.asp

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26 Parliamentarians spent the day in a wheelchair

Ottawa, ON – Today, 26 Parliamentarians representing all political parties came together to participate in the 6^th annual Chair-Leaders Campaign  to raise awareness for people living with spinal cord injuries.

“It does wake me up to the fact that the places we think are barrier free are in fact not barrier free,” said Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre.  “Places like Parliament Hill you think would be, but it’s not.”

The total achievement of $56,194.00 was announced during the event, which marked the end of a national fundraising campaign for Spinal Cord Injury Canada that took place during the month of May.

“Fundraising is very important because we will never get enough money to advance the cause otherwise,” said Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, president of Spinal Cord Injury Canada.

A committee comprised of Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, Peter Stoffer, Member of Parliament for Sackville – Eastern Shore, Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown and The Honourable Jim Munson, Senator, Ottawa-Rideau Canal challenged 26 Parliamentarians to spend a day in a wheelchair and live first-hand what accessibility really means.

About the campaign

The Chair-Leaders Campaign is an annual fundraising campaign to raise awareness about ability.

Every year, people across Canada get together to spend the day in a wheelchair and see first-hand what accessibility really means. But this year, it’s more than that. This year, we celebrate ability! 

About Spinal Cord Injury Canada

Spinal Cord Injury Canada assists people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities in achieving independence, self-reliance and full community participation. Spinal Cord Injury Canada has been the lead community-based service provider to persons living with spinal cord

injury (SCI) in Canada since 1945. Together with its affiliated provinces, Spinal Cord Injury Canada (formerly known as The Canadian Paraplegic Association) provides services to over 20,000 members yearly.

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Edmonton, AB – Today, the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, worked with service specialists from CNIB to experience firsthand how vision rehabilitation can empower Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.

More than one million Canadians are living with blindness or partial sight, including approximately 100,000 in Alberta. Many people who are blind or partially sighted live independently and work or volunteer, but research shows they may experience two to five times as much difficulty with daily living than people who are sighted.

“Today I had a brief glimpse of what living with vision loss might be like,” said MP Laurie Hawn. “It’s reassuring to know that for the growing number of Canadians with vision loss, CNIB can help enable an independent, engaged and community-driven lifestyle.”

Using vision simulator glasses, MP Hawn was able to experience how challenging everyday tasks can be for people who are blind or partially sighted. He navigated an unknown office space with a white cane, and used special screen-reading software to access content on the internet.

MP Hawn was also introduced to some of the thousands of tools and devices that support users with vision loss. They range from simple devices like the white cane to complex software applications.

“We were pleased to have this opportunity to show Mr. Hawn some of the important ways CNIB can support Albertans in overcoming the challenges of sight loss and rediscovering their independence,” said Diane Bergeron, National Director, Government Relations and Advocacy, CNIB. “We truly appreciate his willingness to participate in this exercise.”

At the event, Mr. Hawn encouraged legislators, public servants, industry representatives and the general public to learn more about vision loss and the services CNIB provides. “I am happy I was able to raise awareness and gain a better understanding of the difficulties of the day to day life we so easily take for granted,” concluded MP Hawn.

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Edmonton, AB – On behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, and the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, the Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Democratic Reform and Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Sherwood Park, and the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, today announced a Government of Canada investment of $5 million to support the construction of a permanent Visitor Centre at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. Construction of the Centre is expected to be completed by April 2017, the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

“Our nation paid dearly at Vimy Ridge,” said Minister Blaney. “Brave Canadians made an incredible sacrifice that Easter Monday morning in April 1917. Our impressive victory that day was not only felt on the battlefield, but it also helped change the course of the war and define our country. Our Government is proud to be working with the Vimy Foundation to establish a permanent Visitor Centre at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Our mutual goal is to educate all Canadians—and friends of Canada—of the sacrifices and achievements of Canadians during the First World War.”

“Our Government is committed to encouraging Canadians, young and old, to remember and honour those who have served our country,” said Minister Uppal. “The establishment of a permanent Visitor Centre at Vimy Ridge will help all Canadians—and friends of Canada—who visit those sacred grounds to come away with a renewed sense of honour and respect for the great efforts and sacrifices made during the First World War.”

The construction of a permanent Visitor Centre at Vimy will be realized through financial support from the Government of Canada and the Vimy Foundation. The Vimy Foundation will raise funds through donations from the private sector and individual Canadians. The Vimy Foundation is a registered Canadian charity with the mission to preserve and promote Canada’s First World War legacy as symbolized with the victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is committed to building a lasting legacy to honour the sacrifices of Canadian Veterans who helped to shape our nation” said Minister Flaherty, while visiting the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. “The construction of a permanent Visitor Centre at Vimy honours our commitment to commemorate the courage and sacrifices of Canadians in the First World War.”

“I think often of the sacrifices of fellow Canadians on Vimy Ridge that morning so long ago,” said the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre. “Our Government is proud—I am proud—of the efforts to create a permanent place where visitors to Vimy can appreciate the significance of that sacred place to each and every Canadian.”

“Today is a big day for all Canadians,” said Christopher Sweeney, Chair of the Vimy Foundation’s 2017 Committee. “We look forward to working with the federal government and other stakeholders, both in Canada and France, in the lead up to the centennial of Vimy Ridge in 2017. The opening of this education centre will be the highlight of national and international celebrations of what we, as Canadians, accomplished together at Vimy almost 100 years ago. Lest we forget.”

The 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge is part of the Road to 2017, a Government of Canada initiative that begins in 2014. The aim of the initiative is to commemorate significant milestones that helped shape Canada, leading up to our nation’s 150^th birthday in 2017. One of these milestones was the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, which is thought to have been a key turning point in defining the young country as a nation. The battle came at a heavy cost: 100,000 Canadians who fought there suffered approximately 11,000 casualties, nearly 3,600 of them fatal.

To learn more about the Vimy Foundation, please visit vimyfoundation.ca. For more information about the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, please visit veterans.gc.ca.

2013 is the Year of the Korean War Veteran—Canada proudly remembers the heroes of the Korean War and their brave fight to uphold freedom, democracy and the rule of law. For more information on Canada’s role in the Korean War, visit veterans.gc.ca.

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Edmonton, AB – Today, the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced support for upgrades to the Spruce Avenue Community Centre under the Canadian Government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

“Our Government is pleased to support infrastructure projects across the country, such as upgrades to the Spruce Avenue Community Centre in Edmonton,” said MP Hawn. “Investments like this are helping to meet the needs of Canadians, while also boosting economic activity.”

The Government’s investment of $13,046 will support improvements to the Spruce Avenue Community Centre, including upgrades to its lighting, entrance and restrooms. These renovations will enhance the accessibility of the Centre, which is used for a variety of community events and programming.

“Fostering healthy neighbourhoods is a priority for the City of Edmonton and we appreciate the federal government’s contribution to revitalizing this important community resource,” said Kim Krushell, Ward 2 Councillor for the City of Edmonton. “These renovations will ensure the Spruce Avenue Community Centre remains an accessible, thriving facility where present and future residents can gather and connect.”

“The Spruce Avenue Community League would like to express our thanks to the federal government for their support of our project,” said Verna Stainthorp, Secretary Treasurer of the Spruce Avenue Community League. “These funds will improve access at our community center for visitors with limited mobility, helping them to participate and join in activities and community events. This will no doubt enhance their quality of life, as well as benefit their families, caregivers and the community at large.”

In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Canadian Government announced further support to help communities across the country modernize their infrastructure. Our Government committed $150 million over two years for the Fund. The Fund supports projects that look to improve existing community infrastructure accessible for use by the public, such as community centres, recreational buildings, local arenas, cultural and other community facilities.

“I am proud our government continues to support local communities through CIIF, which has provided important funding to a number of community leagues in Edmonton, and across the country,” concluded MP Hawn.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada, through WD, has invested in job-creating small- and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.

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