Householder Summer 2010

Working For You! Summer 2010

Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor

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SIM

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MP

Patrol Bomber PBY Catilina

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 2

WORKING FOR YOU!

Dear Constituents: We have just completed a very busy session in the House of Commons and

two issues that will impact heavily on constituents in the riding are

government’s plan to study pensions and the de-staffing of four lighthouses.

You may be assured that I am in full support of keeping the status quo on

lighthouse operations and that I am in support, as well, for improvements to

Canada pension benefits as present benefits are insufficient and do not

provide a reasonable quality of life for our seniors. I have written to both

Ministers documenting my concerns. I will continue to be vocal on these

important issues.

I continue to work on the issues mentioned in my last newsletter including

103 Search and Rescue response time. I was recently appointed to the

Standing Committee on National Defence to study this issue. This

appointment will provide me with an excellent forum for discussion and

input. I am well aware of most concerns; however, if anyone wishes to

provide their views please contact my Gander office. I will ensure they are

brought forward.

In the most recent session of the House of Commons, I introduced two more

Private Member’s Bills, C-535, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance

Act (sickness benefits) and C-519, An Act to amend the Canada Pension

Plan and Old Age Security Act (bi-weekly payment of benefits). I have

received tremendous support, both from constituents and provincially, on

these proposed changes through phone calls and e-mails.

Throughout the summer and into the fall, I plan to attend as many festival

and community events as possible and I am looking forward to renewing

acquaintances and making new friends. I encourage you all to participate

and support your local events, and I commend the many volunteers who

make these events successful and possible.

As I start my 7th year as your Member of Parliament, I continue to have a

great passion for the job and I thank you for your continued support. I have

been very active in speaking in the House of Commons on subjects that

concern the constituents of the riding, and as well, matters that affect all

Canadians.

Over the past year, our offices have dealt with many constituency issues on a

wide range of federal subjects and I am proud to say that we have been able

to resolve many of them to the satisfaction of the constituent. Please feel

free to contact my office if we can be of assistance.

Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor 3

Started to replace our

seats with new and

more comfortable

theatre chairs

Installed a new riser

system to improve sight

lines for each audience

member

Acquired new technology to make the box office

experience quicker and easier

Landmark Year for Rising Tide Theatre!

Each year the Rising Tide Theatre in Trinity stages a diverse range of plays

written by celebrated local authors and performed by over 40 talented

professionals. This year the Rising Tide Theatre has been able to make

some great improvements to our Arts Centre to make the theatre experience

even more enjoyable! We have:

We would like to thank Mr. Simms for all of his support of Rising Tide

Theatre and his endeavours as MP in support of cultural tourism. Rising Tide also

thanks ACOA and the Department of Innovation, Trade, and Rural Development in

helping to make these improvements possible. We invite you to take the time this

Summer to come down to celebrate these exciting

developments with us! For more information, visit our brand new website at:

www.risingtidetheatre.com

Built a new shed for set construction and lots more!

Call Our Box Office at 1-888-464-3377

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 4

Congratulations to Bishop’s Falls -

Runner-Up

Scott

supports Bishop’s Falls as Hockey-

ville 2010 in the

House of Commons

Scott voting often for Bishop’s Falls

Local supporter Joey Greene

Cheque presentation to Bishop`s Falls Hockeyville Committee—$25,000 The Town received 928,004 votes in the final round.

Advertiser Photo

Scott with Bishop’s Falls supporters at rally for Hockeyville 2010


Simms Appointed to Committee on

Search and Rescue

For Immediate Release

April 15, 2010

Ottawa, ON - Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Associate Member of the Standing Committee on National Defence, is pleased to be appointed to the committee that will be carrying out a study on search and rescue response times.

“This is a topic which is of great importance to me as it involves the safety and well being of a large number of constituents and fellow Canadians”, said Simms. “I have always been of the opinion that search and rescue should be providing 24/7, 30-minute response times, similar to other emergency responders such as fire departments, ambulance services, etc”.

At present Search and Rescue Squadrons only provide a 30-minute, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., five days a week, response times. From 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. the required response time is within two hours. Given our harsh climate, the cold Atlantic waters, and the added problems of darkness, a two hour response time is not good enough.

“Immediately following my appointment, I wrote to the committee chair, the Honourable Maxime Bernier, and requested that as part of the hearings, a session be held at 9 Wing Gander, home to 103 Search and Rescue squadron”, said Simms. “This would allow the committee members to meet the squadron personnel, and to obtain a first-hand understanding of their duties, and the vast distances and large area of search responsibility. It would also give people who have a dependency on search and rescue, ie fishers and other interested stakeholders, an opportunity to present their views on this very important subject”.

I am a firm supporter of the men and women of 103 SAR personnel who risk their lives daily to provide this service. The changes that I am requesting are government policy matters that will enhance the delivery of this most vital and important service and allow these brave crews to better carry out their duties.

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 6

August 5th - 9th 24th Annual Mussel Bed Soiree Lewisporte Road to the Isles

August 11th - 14th Winterset in Summer Literary Festival

Eastport Road to the Beaches

August 6th - 9th Muddy Hole Scuff ‘N’ Scoff

Musgrave Harbour

August 13th - 15th Brimstone Head Folk Festival

Fogo, Fogo Island

August 20th - 22nd The Gerald S. Doyle Folksong Festival

Eastport Road to the Beaches

July 31st - August 8th Celebration by the Sea

Lumsden

August 5th - 9th 24th Annual Museel Bed Soiree

Lewisporte

August 20th - 21st Heritage Folk Festival

Terra Nova National Park


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EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2010:

YOU CAN CONTACT MY CONSTITUENCY OFFICES

TOLL FREE AT (866) 663-2626

MY WEBSITE HAS RECENTLY GONE THROUGH SOME CHANGES AND I WELCOME YOU TO

OFFER YOUR COMMENTS BY VISITING

Contact Centre

HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN

Anniversaries: 60 years or more Birthdays: 100 years of age or more Requests must include a photocopy of the birth or wedding certificate

(in intervals of 5 years)

PRIME MINISTER Anniversaries: 25 years or more

Birthdays: 75 years of age or more (in intervals of 5 years)

GOVERNOR GENERAL Anniversaries: 50 - 59 years of marriage

Birthdays: 90 - 99 years of age (in intervals of 5 years)

You can arrange greetings by contacting my constituency offices or by visiting my website.

ALSO

Congratulatory Messages

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 8

Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib.): May 13, 2010

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-519, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan and

the Old Age Security Act (biweekly payment of benefits).

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank my hon. colleague from Avalon for seconding this

bill. The bill would permit persons receiving CPP and OAS benefits to choose between

biweekly or monthly payment schedules.

Currently, people receiving these cheques can only get them on a monthly basis. I have

had several representations from people who said it would be easier for them for budget-

ing and in many respects when it comes to their monthly bills, they would prefer to have

the option to be paid biweekly.

I would like to thank the Newfoundland and Labrador Pensioners and Senior Citizens 50+

Federation, representing over 100 clubs, for inspiring me to do this. I would like to thank

its president, Robert Rogers of Glovertown, for bringing this to me.

I hope that with the graciousness of the House, this bill will be passed for our seniors.

Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib.): May 13, 2010 moved for leave to introduce Bill C-519, an Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security Act (biweekly payment of benefits).

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank my honourable colleague from Avalon for seconding this bill. The bill would permit persons receiving CPP and OAS benefits to choose between biweekly or monthly payment schedules.

Currently, people receiving these cheques can only get them on a monthly basis. I have had several representations from people who said it would be easier for them for budgeting and in many respects when it comes to their monthly bills, they would prefer to have the option to be paid biweekly.

I would like to thank the Newfoundland and Labrador Pensioners and Senior Citizens 50+ Federation, representing over 100 clubs, for inspiring me to do this. I would like to thank its President, Robert Rogers of Glovertown, for bringing this to me.

I hope that with the graciousness of the House, this bill will be passed for our seniors. Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib.): June 14, 2010 moved for leave to introduce Bill C-535, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (sickness benefits).

Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to stand in the House today to introduce a bill

that I feel is necessary and its time has come. It would get rid of an inadequate

system right now when it comes to sick benefits by reducing the number of hours

of insurable employment required to qualify for benefits because of illness, injury

or quarantine to 420 hours and increase the maximum benefit period for illness,

injury or quarantine to 30 weeks.

This is something that has come into my riding, like many of the other members'

ridings in this House of 308, when people say that they have come into a

situation where they can no longer work. They would need less hours to qualify

and, as a result, the benefit period would be increased to 30 weeks, which is a

sufficient period for people suffering from illnesses, quarantine or injury.

I thank my honourable colleague from Random-Burin-St. George's who, too,

feels that this is an incredible issue that should be settled right now in this House.

Private Member’s Bills

http://openparliament.ca/politicians/552/

http://openparliament.ca/politicians/553/

A Tribute to Community Leader, Annie Pope Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib.):

April 16, 2010

Madam Speaker, “Annie was an

inspirational community leader, she was a

friend to everyone and one of those great

Canadians that I had the pleasure of

knowing”, said Simms.

Annie, born and raised in Peterview,

played a tremendous role in the

development of her community and

province. Throughout her life she

addressed many social and economic

issues for the betterment of her

community.

One of Annie’s greatest accomplishments

was the establishment of the “Your

Strength is Our Strength” Club that

continues to provide for the community of

Peterview. Another was the construction

of the Quiet Corners Housing Complex in Peterview. The complex consists

of ten, one-bedroom units, one of which is fully accessible. These initiatives

were an indication of Annie’s spirit of compassion, sincerity, dedication to

community, and selflessness.

“While we have lost a pillar in our community, Annie’s commitment and

dedication lives on,” stated Simms. “She worked tirelessly with all levels of

government, and anyone who could help to see that affordable housing was

available to those in need. We must carry forward her community values and

legacy”.


Member’s Statement

S C O T T S T O O D U P A N D S P O K E 1 5 2 T I M E S I N T H E H O U S E O F

C O M M O N S 4 0 T H P A R L I A M E N T , 3 R D S E S S I O N ,

M A R C H 3 R D - J U N E 1 7 T H , 2 0 1 0

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 10

With participants of the 2010

Appleton Winterfest

Speaking to members of the

Retired Teachers

Association of NL -

Bonavista Division

Inspection

of Navy

League

Corp

190 Clyde

- Gander


March Opening of Canadian Ranger

Patrol of Hamilton Sound-Wing’s Point

Fisheries Advisory Committee Meetings-Gander

NL Winter Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies-Grand-Falls-Windsor

April Charlottetown Heritage Rights

Committee Protest Fogo Island Roaring 50+ Club-

Launch of Bridging the Gap/Uniting the Island video series

Fisheries Symposium-Twillingate

Firefighter’s Ball-Musgravetown

Calypso Foundation Auction- Lewisporte

May 512 Exploits Squadron-Annual

Inspection-Bishop’s Falls Meeting-Buchans Fire Dept. Buchans 50th Anniversary

Dinner

RIDING EVENTS/MEETINGS

May (Cont’d) Battle of the Atlantic Parade and

Wreath Laying-Botwood 35th Anniversary-Lewisporte

Kinsmen Meeting—Town of Terra Nova Lakewood Academy-Glenwood Twillingate Islands Tourist

Association AGM-Guest Speaker Meeting-Town of Lewisporte A.R. Scammel Graduation-

Change Islands Fisheries Meeting-New-Wes-

Valley Meeting-Barbour Living Heritage

Board of Directors 38th Annual Ceremonial Review-

Badger’s Quay 190 Clyde Navy League Annual

Inspection-Gander June Smallwood Academy-Gambo NL Retired Teachers Association-

Bonavista Division-Guest Speaker

Lions Club Charter Night-Glovertown

Walk for Water-Glovertown Route 310-Protest on road

conditions—Eastport

Planning a Trip to Parliament Hill?

For information on scheduling a tour, visit the scheduling website at

www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/Visitors/planning-e.asp or call our Ottawa Office for assistance.

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 12

Scott accepts a copy of the CD series from

Fogo Island Roaring 50+ Club President

Edward Combden

512 Exploits Squadron Annual Inspection

Award Winners

With Fogo Island Roaring 50+ Club during the

Bridging the Gap/Uniting the Island video series launch

With FCpl Chelsea Noseworthy–

Best Cadet—512 Exploits Squadron

Talking with Charlottetown residents at a peaceful

protest re issues with Parks Canada

More Photos


In 2009, the Department of Canadian Heritage announced the third component of its Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program – the Legacy Fund. This fund supports tangible, lasting capital projects that commemorate or cele-brate a major anniversary of a significant local person or event. Through the three program components, the Depart-ment made available over $17 million for projects that engage citizens in their communities through the presentation of local performing and visual arts, as well as through the expression, celebration, and preservation of local historical heritage. The application deadline is September 30th, 2010. More detailed information about the program is available on the Canadian Heritage website at: www.canadianheritage.gc.ca.

With Canadian Federation of Medical Students

Karen Downton and Mary Lynn Sinnott (Gander)

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 14

NEWS RELEASE

Simms Demands that Parks Canada

Rebuild and Pave Terra Nova Road

For Immediate Release May 20, 2010

Gander, NL- Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, is calling on the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, to provide funding for immediate road work and paving to the federal portion of the gravel road on Route 301, leading to the community of Terra Nova. “Earlier this week, I met with the Town Council and residents of Terra Nova who are extremely concerned about the condition of the 4kms of road providing the only access to their community”, said Simms. “This 4 km section is the responsibility of Parks Canada and has been ignored for over 50 years”. Residents of Terra Nova travel the road daily to work, to shop, and for medical appointments. As well, the school bus transports children over the road twice daily, and at times, especially over the past two months, the road has been limited to one lane, and has often been impassible. This area draws many tourists and after arriving in the town, some inquire if there is another route out as they do not want to return over this poor road. “I am asking that the Minister of Environment give this urgent matter his utmost attention and provide immediate funding to have this road rebuilt and paved,” said Simms. “This 4 km stretch of road is part of Terra Nova National Park and has been neglected for far too long. The people of Terra Nova deserve better. This is not just a matter of residents not having access to the rest of the province, it is also a major safety concern and is an accident waiting to happen”. The Town of Eastport and the residents on the Eastport Peninsula also have issues with Parks Canada concerning the deplorable road conditions on Route 310 which affects tourism and their general access to the Trans Canada Highway through the Park. They have been lobbying the federal government for road repair funding for years, without success.


FFAW Fisheries Symposium in Twillingate

With Fire Chief Vince Mackenzie

and MP Judy Foote

With Justine King and Nikita Brinson

at the A.R. Scammell Academy

Graduation - Change Islands

With constituents on the Eastport Peninsula highway who were protesting

the poor condition of Route 310

GANDER Audrey Miller Calvin Foote

Polaris Building

61 Elizabeth Dr.

Gander, NL A1V 1G4

Phone: (709) 256-3130

Toll Free: (866) 663-2626

Fax: (709) 256-3169

E-Mail: [email protected]

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR Cindy Hooper 1A Pinsent Dr. Barry Saunders

Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2S8

Phone: (709) 489-8470

Toll Free: (866) 663-2626

Fax: (709) 489-8478


OTTAWA Serena Lambe 237 West Block

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Phone: (613) 996-3935

Fax: (613) 996-7622


BONAVISTA AREA

Toll Free: 1-866-663-2626

Working For You!

Documents

Householder Summer 2010