Statement: A Lunar New Year for Economic Strength

[Feb. 1, 2012] Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to wish the people of Vancouver South and the Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities across Canada a happy, healthy and prosperous lunar new year, the year of the dragon.

As we ushered in this new year, I heard from my constituents about their continued concern for the fragile global economy and its impact on Canada.

While Canada continues to be in a strong fiscal position, it is clear that my constituents and other Canadians want us to continue our focus on jobs and economic growth.

Last month, I represented the people of Vancouver South in the House at the Asia-Pacific parliamentary forum in Tokyo, Japan. Together, representatives from 23 Asia-Pacific countries met to discuss issues of great importance to Canada and our global partners.

It is clear that Vancouver continues to be a dynamic gateway to diversify our government’s efforts to ensure a strong economic recovery for Canada and the world.

As we enter this challenging but exciting year of the dragon, I look forward to working on behalf of the people of Vancouver South.

Posted in In Parliament

Statement: Protecting OAS

[Jan. 31, 2012] Mr. Speaker, while the member for Burnaby—New Westminster is criticizing government, I must remind the House that even he, the NDP’s temporary finance critic, acknowledged pressures on the viability of OAS. Events around the world and our aging population make it clear that governments need to make responsible decisions to ensure social programs remain sustainable.

Our government is reviewing measures to protect Canadian pensions in the long term. We will implement any changes fairly, allowing lots of time for notice and time to adjust.

We have made it clear to Canadians that people currently receiving OAS will not lose one penny. In fact, the National Post gets it with its front page headline today, “Tories on the right side of pension reform”.

The real trouble lies with the NDP and the Liberal plans for reckless spending and higher taxes. Their plans will kill jobs and threaten Canadians’ future retirement pensions.

Posted in In Parliament

B.C. HST Exit Federal Transitional Rules

The Department of Finance proposed federal transitional rules to facilitate the provincial decision to eliminate the Harmonized Sales Tax in British Columbia (http://www.fin.gc.ca/n12/12-017-eng.asp). This is in addition to the release of rules proposed by the B.C. government for the reinstatement of the provincial sales tax with respect to new homes (http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2012FIN0006-000165.htm).

  • As we have said all along, provincial taxation is a provincial responsibility. Provinces have full independence over their provincial taxes.
  • The transitional rules show our commitment to, as quickly as possible, facilitate the B.C. government’s decision to re-introduce a provincial sales tax system.
  • The rules clarify how and when the transitions will occur, facilitating a smooth transition back to a provincial sales tax system and provide certainty for individuals and businesses.

    • Posted in Press Releases

    HMCS Vancouver Returns Home from Operations

    February 19, 2012
    Esquimalt, BC

    Today, Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, Wai Young, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, and General Walt Natynczyk, the Chief of the Defence Staff, were joined by a broad range of community members to welcome home Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver as she and her crew returned to Esquimalt following seven months of active NATO operations.

    “HMCS Vancouver’s work in the Mediterranean played an essential role in enforcing the United Nations imposed arms embargo in Libya’s territorial waters during the turmoil that engulfed that nation, and played a key part in enforcing NATO’s counter-terrorism operations in the region,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “I could not be more proud of the ship’s crew for their accomplishments on this deployment, and I am very pleased that they will now have a well-deserved opportunity to reunite with their families.”

    “It is a true honour to pay tribute to the men and women who regularly put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf, and to witness the reunion of so many sailors with their loved ones,” said Strahl.

    “The incredible outpouring of goodwill from the community today is a testament to the great esteem that British Columbians and all Canadians have for our men and women in uniform, and a reflection of their appreciation for all that they do in Canada’s name,” said Young.

    “The captain and crew of HMCS Vancouver have done a tremendous job. They deserve our heartfelt appreciation for the important contribution they made to bring peace and security to the people of Libya, and while patrolling alongside our NATO allies in the Mediterranean,” said General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff. “I am thankful for their professionalism, for their service, and for the sacrifices their families made to support them. The men and women of HMCS Vancouver have brought great credit to Canada and to the Canadian Forces.”

    HMCS Vancouver first departed Esquimalt on July 10, 2011, and replaced HMCS Charlottetown as the maritime component in Operation Mobile, the Canadian contribution to the NATO-led international response to the crisis in Libya. As part of the NATO effort to enforce the arms embargo and the no-fly zone, the ship helped ensure that no arms or ammunition were proceeding to Libya and that humanitarian aid was getting in safely to those who needed it. Working with other NATO ships and aircraft, Vancouver provided a measure of reassurance to the civilian population and a deterrent to Gaddafi forces. During her tour of duty in the Mediterranean, the ship was primarily employed in maritime surveillance, a task that involves hailing and investigating vessels that could be suspected of terrorist activity.

    On November 15, 2011, after the successful conclusion of the UN-sanctioned NATO-led mission to protect the people of Libya, Vancouver was assigned to a new mission, Operation Metric. This mission is Canada’s contribution to Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s maritime counter- terrorism effort in the Mediterranean Sea.

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    Posted in Press Releases

    Joint List of Outcomes of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Visit to China

    February 9, 2012

    MP Wai Young and her colleagues were honoured to take part in this very successful and productive trade mission to China with the Prime Minister.

    At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid an official visit to China from February 7 to 11. During the visit, President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao held meetings with Prime Minister Harper. Vice Premier Li Keqiang met Prime Minister Harper and both attended and addressed the 5th Canada-China Business Forum.

    The leaders reaffirmed the guiding principles outlined in the Canada-China Joint Statement of 2009 and their commitment to strengthen the Canada-China strategic partnership. Both sides agreed to maintain frequent high-level exchanges, reinforce political trust, expand practical cooperation, increase people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen consultation and cooperation on international and regional issues in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. The leaders also agreed to bring the economic partnership to the next level by improving the bilateral investment regime. At the same time, the two sides agreed to deepen economic and trade cooperation, and step up cooperation in the areas of energy and other natural resources including oil and gas, nuclear energy, renewable energy, forest products and minerals. These developments will be strengthened by expanded cooperation in the fields of agriculture, high technology, clean technology, environmental protection, life-sciences, bio-pharmacy, civil aviation and financial services, and among small and medium-sized enterprises, so as to cultivate new growth points of mutually-beneficial cooperation. Both sides agreed to elevate education as a new strategic priority of the bilateral relationship. Both sides also agreed to increase dialogue and exchanges on human rights, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, to promote and protect human rights consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and international human rights instruments.

    Having reached consensus, the two sides announced a series of important developments and signed relevant agreements. These include the following:

    1. The two sides announced the conclusion of the substantive negotiations on the bilateral Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Both sides signed a declaration of intent and will work to finalise the text within their respective domestic processes.

    2. The leaders agreed that the joint study being done in the Canada-China Economic Partnership Working Group on areas where the two economies are complementary will be completed by May 2012, after which Canada and China will proceed to exploratory discussions on deepening trade and economic relations.

    3. With a view to strengthening bilateral cooperation in uranium trade and development, both sides held fruitful discussions and reached agreement in principle on a legal instrument to further implement the bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which will facilitate exports of Canadian uranium to China. Both sides will work to finalise the text within their respective domestic processes.

    4. The two sides renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning Cooperation in the Field of Energy between Natural Resources Canada and the National Energy Administration of China.

    5. The two sides announced their intent to conclude the substantive negotiations for an updated Canada-China Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation. Both sides will work together to finalise the text within their respective domestic processes.

    6. The two sides announced the conclusion of substantive negotiations on the amendment to the Canada-China Air Transport Agreement. Both sides will work together to finalise the text within their respective domestic processes.

    7. The two sides signed the Protocol between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China and on Quarantine and Health Requirements for Industrial Beef Tallow to be exported from Canada to China.

    8. The two sides signed a Cooperative Arrangement on Inspection and Quarantine Access Issues between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China.

    9. The two sides signed an MOU between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China on a Cooperative Plan for Leptosphaeria Maculans Risk Mitigation (Joint Canola Research).

    10. The two sides agreed to sign an MOU between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada and the Ministry of Agriculture of China on Fisheries Cooperation at an early date.

    11. The two sides signed the statement of intent for cooperation in the area of science, technology and innovation, and announced the third batch of Canada-China science and technology cooperation projects.

    12. The two sides signed the MOU on Cooperation between the Natural Resources Canada and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources.

    13. The two sides reaffirmed their intention to strengthen cooperation in combatting transnational crime and repatriating fugitives in accordance with their respective laws, and to enhance judicial and law enforcement cooperation, and agreed to launch negotiations on an agreement on the sharing of the proceeds of crime.

    14. The two sides renewed the MOU between the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Education Ministry of China on the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program, and agreed to explore additional means to expand two-way academic exchange, aspiring to reach the goal of 100,000 students studying in each other’s countries within five years. The two sides recognise that there is a particular need to encourage more Canadian students to study in China.

    15. The two sides highlighted the complementary nature of their respective civil aviation industries and the important role they play in contributing to growth and prosperity in both Canada and China, and undertook to strengthen collaboration in this area.

    16. The two sides plan on holding a series of cultural activities in each other’s countries in 2013 and 2014.

    17. Following agreement by Canada and China, the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens will sign an agreement with the Toronto and Calgary zoos to provide a pair of giant pandas for 10 years of collaborative research on conservation.

    18. The two sides signed the MOU between the Parks Canada Agency and the State Forestry Administration of China for cooperation on matters related to protected areas.

    19. Both sides applauded the upgrading of Canada’s Consulate in Chongqing to Consulate-General.

    20. The Chinese side welcomed the availability of multiple entry Canadian visas for Chinese citizens valid for a period of up to 10 years. The relevant authorities will undertake bilateral consultations on further simplifying visa procedures.

    21. The two sides reaffirmed that Canada and China have important shared interests in promoting peace, security and sustainable development regionally and globally, and agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation in the UN, G20, APEC and other multilateral institutions as well as on major international and regional issues. The two sides agreed that Canada and China are ready to work constructively with other countries in the region to enhance peace, security and stability in Asia-Pacific.

    22. During the visit, more than 20 commercial agreements were signed between enterprises of the two countries.

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