Householder Winter 2010

Working For You! Winter 2010

Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor

SCO

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The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor is very excited about hosting the NL Winter Games, but they need

volunteer help from the community to help make the games a success. If you are

interested in becoming a volunteer and would like to help

out, please drop by the Excite Building or call Pete Sullivan,

Volunteer Coordinator at 489-1836.

Visit the NL Winter Games Website www.nlwintergames.com Compete ● Achieve ● Believe

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 2

WORKING FOR YOU!

Dear Constituents:

During the past session in the House of Commons , I have been involved in discussions on many issues of local interest including changes to the Employment Insurance Act, improvements to 103 Search and Rescue, the NAF0 amendments, pension reform, the fishery, AbitibiBowater closure and retirement benefits. In each case I have presented views that I have received from constituents and those that I deemed in the best interest of everyone concerned.

I presented two Private Members’ Bills in the past session, Bill C-396, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan (deductions-disabled child) and Bill C-482, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act (voluntary organizations that provide emergency services). See page 8 of this newsletter for more information.

During the past summer I was able to attend many festivals, celebrations and community events where I was able to meet with many constituents and discuss the issues of the day. Please do not hesitate to approach me if you see me in your community. As well, I participated in my home town’s (Bishop’s Falls) 100th Anniversary celebrations. I would like to congratulate the organizers and volunteers for their efforts that made this milestone celebration a success.

I am looking forward to the opening of the House on March 3rd so that we may continue with the business of the country. I intend to continue to work on issues such as the AbitibiBowater pensions, the ongoing 103 Search and Rescue debate, Seniors’ issues, and the health of our fishery. I have recently written to the Minister of Finance, the Hon. Jim Flaherty, on the pre-budget consultation process. I have identified many of your concerns including access for all rural communities to high speed internet, increase in funding for small craft harbours, increase for seniors to the old age security benefits, environmental remediation, and issues with Marine Atlantic.

I would like to draw your attention to upcoming celebrations happening in the riding this year. Grand Falls-Windsor will be hosting the NL Winter Games in March. Botwood will be celebrating their 150th year as a settlement and their 50 years of incorporation. And Bonavista will also be holding “Come Home Year” celebrations in August. I invite you to participate in these worthwhile community events. I look forward to seeing you there. If your community is celebrating a “Come Home Year” in 2010, please let me know as I would love to include your celebration in my next brochure.

Again, I thank you for your support for which I am most grateful. I continue to enjoy my work on your behalf. If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call. My office numbers are listed on the back of this newsletter.

Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor 3

The Memory Project: Stories of the Second World War

Are you a Veteran of the Second World War? Do you know someone who is and would like to tell their story of service and sacrifice? The memory: Stories of the Second World is providing every living Second World War veteran with the opportunity to share their memories through recorded interviews and digitized memorabilia. These stories and artifacts will be available on a digital archive website for teachers, students and the general public. Special events are happening coast-to-coast across Canada. Veterans who can-not attend events can participate by recording their stories over the telephone and couriering their memorabilia to the project office (at no cost and insured). If you are interested, or know a veteran who would be interested in this project, please contact the toll free number at 1-866-701-1867 or visit the website at www.thememoryproject.com.

Dr. Casey was awarded the prestigious

Jim Thompson National Volunteer of

Year Award on December 14, 2009 in

Toronto. Dr. Casey has been a tireless

worker for Special Olympics NL over

the last 12 years as a coach, program

leader, and advocate at all levels -

locally, provincially,

nationally, internationally. She was

selected for this honour from a group of

nominees across the country.

A very deserving and commendable

recipient of the award. Dr. Carmel Casey was presented the award by Mr.

L’Heureux and the wife of the late Jim Thompson for

whom the award is named

World Cup of Fieldball

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 4

With Committee Members

Mike Thomas , Dave Seymour, and Paul Furey

Inspection of Navy League Corp 190 Clyde-Gander

Cindy Hooper and Scott with Jean Humber from Botwood who became a Cana-

dian Citizen on July 1, 2009

With Mike Patey– Exploits Valley High Graduation

With Ian Stagg, Mary Stagg and Capt. John Worth

Volunteers Needed


NEWS RELEASE

Simms Defends 103 Search and Rescue Gander

For Immediate Release December 3, 2009

Ottawa, ON - Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Gander-

Grand Falls-Windsor is pleased with the conclusions made in the 2000

report, “The Impact of Offshore Oil Operations on East Coast SAR”. The

report concludes that Gander is the preferred site with analysis clearly

preferring the Central location. It goes on to indicate that Gander is well

positioned with respect to historical SAR incidents and weather.

Simms says, “Gander is the best strategic location for 103 Search and

Rescue operations. It is a more central location to service the entire island,

coastal and interior. We have better flying weather and we have a

Canadian Forces base providing military support services to Search and

Rescue”.

Past studies have shown that calls for service for offshore oil related

incidents form a small percentage of the total calls for service. The

majority relates to fishing, shipping, and missing persons. The primary

focus for SAR is to provide a rescue service for all Canadians and not just

to one industry.

A search and rescue capability exists in St. John’s, served by Cougar

helicopters, who maintain a responsibility to respond to offshore

emergencies.

“I believe that the oil industry needs to enhance its present search and

rescue capabilities by providing a helicopter on standby with a fully

equipped crew from Torbay during the hours that Cougar flies to the rigs.

We need to work towards a better service that would provide an immediate

level of support to the offshore industries”, said Simms.

Simms adds that he is pleased with and supports Rear Admiral Paul

Maddison’s comments that Gander remains the military’s preferred location

for search and rescue operations in Atlantic Canada, and that the offshore

oil industry is not the only responsibility for search and rescue crews.

Simms is again calling on the federal government to provide a 30-minute

response time beyond the normal business hours, Monday-Friday.

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 6

Scott & Justin visit New Fun Land Day Care Centre - Gander

Justin with Vera Barbour from Wesleyville

Scott and Justin

meet with students

of Lakewood Academy-Glenwood

Live concert-April Wine and the Stampeders-Saturday, July 31, Cabot Stadium

Fireworks- Sunday, August 1

Kite Festival

Gospel concerts

Teen dances

Softball and soccer tournaments

Hockey team reunions

Remembering our peace-keepers, past and present

Garrick Theatre events

Provincial Historic Site activities– Lighthouse and Mockbeggar Plantation

Ryan Premises activities

Everyone is invited to come out and join us in this fun-filled celebration!


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Federal Programs Transferred to Province

On November 2, 2009 the Government of Canada transferred responsibility of the Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. With this transfer, the responsibility for some of the programs and services moved to the provincial government.

Some of these programs and services include the Job Creation Partnership (JCP), Skills Development (SD), Targeted Wage Subsidy (TWS), Self Employment Benefits (SEB), Labour Market Partnerships (LMP), and Employment Assistance Services (EAS). The Government of NL will also become responsible for the Job Bank.

Any inquiries on any of the above programs or services should now be directed to the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.

Toll free: 1-800-563-6600 Via the web: www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/

In person: Visit the office nearest you

Information Centre

If you do not see photos of your community events here, and if you have some available, you can e-mail them to the Gander office and I will be happy to include them in future

newsletters and put them on my website.

Congratulatory Messages

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

PRIME MINISTER Anniversaries: 25 years or more

Birthdays: 75 years of age or more

GOVERNOR GENERAL Anniversaries: 50 - 59 years of marriage

Birthdays: 90 - 99 years of age

You can arrange greetings by contacting my constituency office nearest you.

http://www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/

Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib.): May 27, 2009 moved for leave to introduce Bill C-396, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan (deductions-disabled child). Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the Canada pension plan has been one of the great pillars of this nation for many decades. This private member's bill attempts to build in a bit of compassion for those who take the time out of the workforce to look after a disabled child. It allows for the calculation of the contributor's average monthly pensionable earnings for the deduction of months in which a contributor remained at home in order to care for that particular disabled child. It is an honour to present this on behalf of the constituents of Bonavista-Gander- Grand Falls-Windsor. Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib.): November 17, 2009 moved for leave to introduce Bill C-482, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act (voluntary organizations that provide emergency services). Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my honour to bring to this House today, and for debate in the future, an act that will provide some financial assistance to thousands of volunteer organizations, across this country, that provide their services in emergencies. By emergency services that we talk about in this bill, we mean fire, ambulance, search and rescue, and other related services provided in an emergency situation. What this bill will mean for the voluntary organizations is that they will not be charged a fee to be issued a radio licence.

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 8

Private Member’s Bills

A Private Member’s Bill introduced by an individual Member of Parliament is not the current position of the federal government. With your support, I commit to personally advocating for and working diligently towards the successful passage of Bill C-482 and Bill C-396.

http://www.howdtheyvote.ca/member.php?id=265

A Tribute to Tina Moores Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista Gander Grand Falls Windsor, Lib.):

October 27, 2009

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute, and honour a truly heroic person, Tina Moores, of Grand Falls--Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador.

On August 15, 2009, Ms. Moores, at 35 years of age, bravely lost her life in saving a 9-year-old girl from drowning at Red Indian Lake near the community of Buchans. She was known as a kind and giving person. If she saw someone in need and was in a position to offer assistance, she was there to lend a helping hand. Tina was an operating room nurse at the Central Regional Health Centre, a career she dearly loved. She was a certified lifeguard for many years, and she was a Red Cross

water safety instructor. She was also a Special Olympics coach. Tina was a person who had a heart of gold, a person with a great sense of humour and a great smile. She was loved by all who knew her and she did what she had to do in a difficult situation to save a young girl's life. In the true definition of a hero, Tina Moores fits that description. She made the ultimate sacrifice and will not be forgotten. Tina will be sadly missed by her large circle of friends and her family. My thoughts and prayers go out to them all.


Member’s Statement

SCOTT STOOD UP AND SPOKE IN THE

HOUSE OF COMMONS 104 TIMES IN 2009.

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 10

With Andrew Sweetland, drafted by the Florida Panthers and Adam Pardy of the Calgary Flames—Both are from Bonavista

Port Blandford Firefighter’s Ball With Shane McGrath-Growler’s Ice Cream Shop

With Capt. John Worth (Bowdoin) and Mayor of Bonavista - Betty Fitzgerald

Eastport Peninsula Agricultural Exhibition


The Come Home Year Committee has been diligently working to put together a schedule that promotes a

balance of unique, first time events and the promotion of annual community events. There will be something for

everyone!

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to come out and support events throughout 2010!

Contact Information

Megan Stuckless-Coordinator Come Home Year

Telephone: 257-1008 E-mail:

[email protected]

SCOTT SIMMS, MP 12

Speaking at

the

Glovertown

Museum’s

Garden Tea

Party

Bowling

with

Special

Olympics

Athletes-

Gander

COME HOME AGAIN 2010 Joe Batt’s Arm, Barr’d Islands, Shoal Bay

July 25th—August 1st

COME HOME YEAR Champney’s West

August 1st—August 8th

With members of the Carmanville Harbour Authority, MHA Harry Harding, and other government officials

Petition Presented in the House of Commons on the

Fisheries Buyback License Issue


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

May 29, 2009 Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition concerning an ongoing issue in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and also in parts of Quebec regarding a tax issue that was unresolved from some years ago. In 1998, a lot of people were given misinformation by DFO regarding the Atlantic groundfish licence retirement program. The government settled with 150 of those, but 850 fishermen, some now deceased, have been left out of that calculation, totalling, in some cases, up to $20,000. The signatories come primarily from the area of Bonavista, I including the mayor of Bonavista, Betty Fitzgerald, as well as Martha Lane, who has worked tirelessly on this campaign. I would also like to thank Elizabeth Harvey and her efforts on the southwest coast of Newfoundland.

With Gary Oldford and Myrtle Stagg With Capt. John Russell-Bonavista

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 14

SIMMS Calls for increased funding for Northern

Cod science

For immediate release: Grand Falls-Windsor, NL- July 22, 2009, Scott Simms, MP for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, is calling on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honourable Gail Shea, to increase funding for scientific research at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The Northern Cod quota announced July 14th is a slap in the face to harvesters who depend on the cod quota to make ends meet. The recent Northern Cod Stock Status report announced earlier this spring indicates an increase in the stock biomass over previous reports. The stock has shown a significant increase over the last five years, yet the Department of Fisheries and Oceans refuses to increase the quota to harvesters to reflect the increase shown in their report. Many fishers were forced out of the turbot fishery in 2008 for fear of exceeding the 3200 pounds of cod allocated to eligible groundfish license holders. High by-catches in this fishery stopped many fishers from entering the draw for a turbot license while others received a license but only made one trip and were forced to stop fishing because of the high cod by-catch. “What is desperately needed,” said Simms, “is a substantial increase in DFO’s science budget. It is essential that sufficient funding be made available to get a complete and accurate report of how much Northern Cod stock is actually around our shores. Anything less falls short of DFO’s responsibility to the fishing industry. “2009 has been a particularly difficult year for those in the fishing industry. I call on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to revisit her decision regarding this year’s announcement and

to increase the individual cod quota to harvesters.”


I think

I’m lost!!

With Norm Morris and Marilyn Coles Hayley

Cruising at the Central Northeast Health Foundation Regatta—Lewisporte

With Elizabet Gunnarsdottir of Shorefast on Fogo Island

With Don Winsor-Eastport

With Navy League Cadets Michael

and Martina Colbourne –Gander

With Special Olympics athletes Daniel

Philpott, Elizabeth Lambert and Lennie Moss

GANDER Audrey Miller

Polaris Building

61 Elizabeth Dr.

Gander, NL

A1V 1G4

Phone: 709-256-3130

Toll Free: 1-877-256-3130

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: 1-877-489-8470

Fax: 709-489-8478


OTTAWA Tim Downing 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 Winter 2010