From the office of Catherine Bell, MP for Vancouver Island North, Nov 6, 2007

Recognizing the contributions of our Veterans and Service Members

In this issue:

· Remembrance Day
· Response to the Throne Speech
· An unbalanced Economic Statement
· Standing up for Women’s Equality
· What’s Catherine up to?

Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on Canada’s international role and honour the sacrifices our Veterans and Service Members have made. Please watch Catherine's Remembrance Day message.

On Remembrance Day, Catherine will be joining members of RC Legion Branch #17 in Courtenay for their annual pre ceremony breakfast. She will attend the ceremony at CFB Comox and will join the members of RC Legion Branch 154 Quadra Island for dinner. With the assistance of many volunteers, Catherine will place wreaths at other ceremonies throughout Vancouver Island North.


Response to the Throne Speech
A Throne Speech is the government’s road map and Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have shown us that they are still going in the wrong direction. Stephen Harper has missed a key opportunity to set us back on the right track, said Bell following the Conservatives’ Throne Speech.

And while Stephan Dion and the Liberals are unwilling to stand up for everyday Canadians, Catherine and her NDP colleagues are once again showing that they are the effective opposition to Stephen Harper. For more information, please read Catherine's response to the Throne Speech and Jack Layton’s alternative Throne Speech.

An Unbalanced Economic Statement
Stephen Harper’s Conservatives released their “mini budget” last week, leaving working families out in the cold. Surpluses and growing prosperity should be opportunities to invest in everyday Canadians and their communities. Instead, the Conservatives introduced $14 billion in tax cuts for corporations. Please read the NDP's response to Harper's failed economic statement.

Standing up for Women’s Equality
Under previous Liberal governments and now under Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, long-term, stable funding has been recklessly cut from local women’s centers such as the Campbell River Women’s Resource Center. As a result, these centers are no longer able to provide all of the many services and programs that are necessary to so many women in our communities.

On Thursday, Catherine spoke in the House of Commons regarding the cuts to services for women and spoke out about the necessity of implementing pay equity. To find out more, please read Catherine’s speech on pay equity.

What’s Catherine Up To?
This past weekend, Catherine was at the NDP Federal Council meeting which was held in Winnipeg in order to honour the work of her NDP colleague, Hon. Bill Blaikie, MP for Elmwood-Transcona and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.

Catherine has a busy week ahead of her in the riding. She will be traveling to Gold River, meeting with constituents in her Courtenay and Campbell River offices, attending the Comox Valley Hospice Society Annual Auction, attending the Seniors Fair in Campbell River and participating in many Remembrance Day activities.

© 2007 Catherine Bell, MP, all rights reserved.
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