I want your input on the budget

Well, here we are at the end of a busy and eventful year. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and renew my pledge to work hard for you and your family in Ottawa. I will not forget those of you who have helped over the years and I know that my work has only just begun.

This column will take a break for the holidays, but I wanted to let you know about a series of budget consultations that I will be hosting in the New Year. The Finance Minister recently sent a letter to my office asking for input about the content of his January 26th budget, so I’ve decided to set up a series of meetings to meet with you and hear ideas about what our riding needs the most. Would you like to see better access to Employment Insurance? What kind of assistance do our forestry and manufacturing need? Are there certain road and highway construction projects or upgrades you would like to see? These consultations will be your chance to have a voice.
The dates, locations, and times of these pre-budget consultations are below. If you have any questions, then please call my Thunder Bay office toll free at 1-800-667-6186.
Monday Jan 5th - Rainy River Legion from 6-9pm
Tuesday Jan 6th - Emo Legion from 6-9pm
Wednesday Jan 7th - Our lady of Way School Stratton from 6-9pm
Thursday Jan 8th - Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau from 6-9 pm
Friday Jan 9th - Atikokan Pioneer Centre from 6-9pm
Saturday Jan 10th - Kakabeka Falls Legion from 6-9pm
Sunday Jan 11th - Slovak Legion from 1-4pm
Monday Jan 12th – Upsala Recreation Centre– 6-9pm
I hope many of you will be able to make it out to one or more these meetings to discuss what our riding needs are for the coming budget. If you can make it, then please also consider bringing a non-perishable food donation in support of one of our local agencies devoted to helping those in need. If you can’t make it, then you can always write to me by email at raffej@parl.gc.ca, or by regular mail to 326 West Block, House of Commons. Ottawa, ON. K1A 0A6. There is no postage required for all mail to my address.
Finally, I would like to thank you again for trusting me to represent you in Ottawa. I know we are heading into tougher times on the economic front, but I also know we will get through it just as we always have - by sticking together. In that spirit, let’s use this holiday season to reconnect with our friends and neighbours, and our families and loved ones. Finally, if you find that you are in a position to give this holiday season, then please do consider a donation to one of our many local agencies devoted to helping those in need.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.