Dear friends,
I would first like to thank all of you for submitting your feedback to us for the Pre-Budget Consultations. Your feedback has been sent to Minister Morneau for his consideration, and I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact we have had together in shaping Budget 2017.
I am pleased to report that I had the opportunity to visit students in two schools in our riding this month: Porter’s Lake Elementary School and Lockview High School. It was great for me to hear from youth directly about their priorities, and to share a bit about my role as a Member of Parliament. We had some great discussions and I hope to visit many more schools.
In addition, during the month of November I had the opportunity to meet with residents of three Seniors Homes in the area: the Sagewood, Ivy Meadows and Millwood Place. These Meet and Greets allowed me to meet with seniors in Sackville and in Beaver Bank to discuss topics important to them. We enjoyed some refreshments and discussed how I can best articulate their needs in Ottawa.
On November 11th I joined hundreds in our community to participate in the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Sackville Cenotaph in Lower Sackville. It was an honour for me to stand alongside the brave men and women who have served our country and to remember all of the soldiers who died in service to our country. After the ceremony, I visited other legions around the riding and spoke with several of the veterans and legionnaires. I would like to thank all the legion staff and veterans who put so much time and effort into coordinating all the elements of this day; your kindness and compassion for our veterans never ceases to amaze me.
I also attended a special ceremony honouring a resident of our community, Private Nathan Lloyd Smith. Private Smith grew up in the Eastern Shore area and attended Eastern Shore District High School. He enlisted into the Canadian Armed Forces in 1998 and was stationed in Afghanistan in 2002. He was killed in a live fire exercise in the theatre of operations. I was honoured to meet Private Smith`s family and to come together with the community for the unveiling of a memorial at Eastern Shore District High School, remembering one of our own and the ultimate sacrifice that he made for Canada.
Finally, I am happy to report that our Constituency Youth Council had its first meeting on Nov. 9. Young people from across the riding came together to talk about important government themes such as Post-Secondary Education and the Pre-Budget Consultations. The council is very keen and eager to share their views and I look forward to our next meeting in the New Year.
It was a pleasure for me to speak in the House of Commons this past month on the CPP increases that our Government is proposing. Our Prime Minister has reached an historic agreement with the provinces that will mean a phased-in increase to CPP benefits for millions of Canadians. This is real change for the people of our community.
I would like to take the time to wish everyone a very happy holiday season, from my family to yours; may it be filled with friends, family and laughter. I look forward to working with you in the New Year.
Government Initiatives
Prime Minister reopens Veterans Affairs Canada Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia:
On November 10, 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Sydney, Nova Scotia to announce the reopening of the Veterans Affairs Office there. The reopening of this office is one of the 9 Veterans Affairs Offices to be reopened by the government. These offices help our veterans receive the care they need, such as medical examinations, rehabilitation, and career transition. We are committed to honouring the service, sacrifice and accomplishments of those who have served our country so bravely.
Visit me online at:
– Website: dsamson.liberal.ca
– Facebook: www.facebook.com/darrellsamsonliberal
– Twitter: @darrellsamson
Email: darrell.samson@parl.gc.ca
