Columns

This week in Ottawa was a week of mixed results and emotions in Ottawa. First came a moment of progress and pride as my pension protection bill C-501 had two hours of hearings before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. Unfortunately, a few hours later disappointment sent in when the Conservative government used their majority in the unelected and unaccountable Senate to kill a bill that was passed by a majority of MPs in the democratically elected House of Commons.

By Gladys Yeo
Legion Ladies Aux.

By Melanie Mathieson
Gardening Guru

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAFRA Rep.

By Al Lowe
Contributor

This upcoming week in Ottawa promises to be a very important one and one that I have been looking forward since the evening of Wednesday May 26th, 2010. On that evening my Private Members Bill, C-501, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and other Acts (pension protection), passed its first test in the House of Commons with flying colours. It passed by a margin of 144 to 111 and was then sent to the Industry Committee for debate, testimony from experts, citizens, and other stakeholders and to make any necessary amendments.

It is now clear that Canada’s next foreign military mission will be training Afghanistan’s military and police. But we will also be continuing on in our role in helping the population reconstruct a nation. It was part of our original mandate that morphed into a full battle group based in Kandahar. The battle group was a departure from the historical non-confrontational peace keeping missions that had been part of Canada’s history that began with the United Nations involvement in the Korean War.

By Irene Hanson
Contributor

Twenty-one members showed up for our regular November meeting. It was great to have so many come.

By Michael Dawber
Assistant Librarian

Free computer lessons are back at the Rainy River Public Library!

By Melanie Mathieson
Gardening Guru