NEWS UPDATE
Hon. James Moore PC MP
Port Moody - Westwood - Port Coquitlam
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Ph. 604.937.5650 www.jamesmoore.org
EVERGREEN LINE
DELIVERED
PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT
Local mayors join Prime Minister Harper, Premier
Campbell, and Minister Moore at the Evergreen Line
announcement. Bottom: MLA Iain Black and
Transport Minister Kevin Falcon at the opening of
thank the federal government for making this timely
Prime Minister investment and partnering with us to create jobs and
the Evergreen Project Office.
keep British Columbians working.”
Announces $416.7m The Evergreen Line Project involves the _________________
construction of a new 11-kilometre rapid transit
for Evergreen Line line running from the Lougheed Town Centre in
Burnaby to the Coquitlam Town Centre, via Port “The Evergreen Line
The Tri-City residents will benefit from the Moody. The system will use the same technology
construction of the new Evergreen Transit Line, as the SkyTrain and be fully integrated into the SkyTrain project is the
thanks to a major new job-creating investment from existing system, linking directly to the
the Government of Canada’s Building Canada Fund. Millennium Line, with connections to the Expo
largest infrastructure project
“The Evergreen Line demonstrates how our Line, the new Canada Line, the West Coast for our community in
Government’s Economic Action Plan is Express, and regional bus networks.
working,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper The Government of Canada has already provided Canadian history.
who joined Premier Gordon Campbell at the
announcement. “In the short term, we are creating
$66.7 million for the Evergreen Line Project under
the Public Transit Capital Trust announced in
In the election campaign we
thousands of direct jobs in the Metro Vancouver Budget 2008. This new investment of $350 million promised to take action,
economy. At the same time we are working together from the Building Canada Fund raises the Federal
to ensure that the local families and businesses have Government’s contribution to $416.7 and we have delivered.”
access to an expanded, efficient and environmentally million. The total construction cost of the Evergreen
sustainable transit system that will help Vancouver Line Project is projected to be $1.4 billion. The James Moore
attract and keep the jobs of the future.” Province has committed $410 million to the project,
“The Evergreen Line will mean more than 8,000 and TransLink has committed $400 million.
direct and indirect jobs during construction as well Construction is expected to start in 2010 and be _________________
as an expanded public transit system, new economic completed in 2014. The remaining $173 million will
opportunities and improved quality of life in Metro be funded by project partners. ■
Vancouver,” said Premier Campbell. “I want to
MINISTER OF CANADIAN HERITAGE
Minister Moore celebrating Sir John A. Macdonald’s At the opening of the Evergreen Line Project Office.
birthday event in Pitt Meadows, B.C.
Hosting a roundtable of arts groups in Montreal, Quebec. Launching the Canada Day Poster Challenge in Burnaby, B.C.
Minister Moore at the historic Imperial Theatre in Meeting with Jean Leblanc, mayor of
Saint John, New Brunswick. Dieppe, New Brunswick.
Speaking on Parliament Hill on National Flag Day. Meeting with the Féderation des francophones de
la Colombie-Britannique in Vancouver, B.C.
TACKLING GANG VIOLENCE
Conservatives Push
Legislation to Fight
& ORGANIZED CRIME
Drug Crimes
Canada’s Conservative Government recently
introduced legislation providing mandatory minimum
prison sentences for serious drug crimes. The bill
would establish mandatory jail time for those who
produce and sell illegal drugs. The Government is
taking the necessary steps to crack down on crime
and to ensure the safety and security of our
neighbourhoods and communities.
“The Government is fighting back against gangs
and other organized criminal groups by introducing
new crime laws that target drug crimes, gangs and
organized crime,” said the Honourable Rob
Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls,
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
“Mandatory prison sentences are appropriate for
those who commit serious drug offences threatening
our society.”
The proposed amendments to the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) would impose
mandatory jail time for producing and selling illegal
drugs. This legislation calls for special penalties to be
imposed when offences are carried out for organized
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., ■ Specifying that murder is automatically first- crime purposes or if they target youth.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, degree when it is committed in connection with The amendments to the CDSA would include the
recently introduced new legislation that will fight a criminal organization. First-degree murder is provision of:
violence associated with organized crime and gangs. subject to a mandatory sentence of life ■ a one-year mandatory prison sentence for dealing
“No part of our society is immune to the imprisonment without eligibility for parole for drugs such as marijuana, when carried out for
menace of organized crime activities,” said 25 years. organized crime purposes or when a weapon or
Minister Nicholson. “That is why our ■ Creating a new broad-based offence to target violence is involved;
Government is moving forward on its justice drive-by and other intentional shootings ■ a two-year mandatory prison sentence for dealing
agenda to address the lethal impact of gangs and involving reckless disregard for the life or safety drugs such as cocaine, heroin or methampheta-
organized crime on Canadian families and of others. This offence would include a mines to youth, or for dealing those drugs near a
communities.” mandatory minimum sentence of four years in school or in an area normally frequented by
“Our Government is committed to targeting prison with a maximum period of imprisonment youth;
gangs and other organized criminal groups that are of 14 years. The minimum sentence would ■ a two-year mandatory prison sentence for the
involved in violent crimes,” said Minister Nicholson. increase to five years if the offence was offence of running a large marijuana grow
“We will continue to take tough, responsible action committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, operation involving at least 500 plants;
to make our communities safer.” or in association with a criminal organization or ■ increased maximum penalties for cannabis
The new legislation will provide the justice with a restricted or prohibited firearm such as a production from 7 years to 14 years
system with new tools to fight street gangs and other handgun or automatic weapon. imprisonment; and,
forms of organized crime. The new Act to Amend the ■ Creating two new offences of assault against a ■ tougher penalties for trafficking GHB and
Criminal Code (organized crime and protection of peace officer that causes bodily harm and flunitrazepam, most commonly known as
justice system participants) introduces amendments aggravated assault against a peace officer. These date-rape drugs.
to target gang violence and other serious crime. It new offences would be punishable by a
will provide law enforcement officials and the maximum of 10 and 14 years imprisonment The proposed legislation would allow a Drug
justice system with better means to address respectively. Treatment Court to suspend a sentence while the
organized crime-related activities, in particular gang ■ Clarifying that when courts impose sentences addicted accused person takes an approved
murders and drive-by shootings. for certain offences against justice system treatment program. Drug Treatment Courts
Organized crime presents a serious threat to participants, including peace officers, they must encourage the accused to deal with the addiction
Canadian communities. It is linked to a wide range give primary consideration to the objectives of that motivates their criminal behaviour. If the
of criminal activity, including murder, drug denunciation and deterrence. person successfully completes the program, the
trafficking, auto theft, the illicit movement of ■ Strengthening and lengthening “gang peace court normally imposes a suspended or reduced
firearms, human beings and vehicles, and identity bonds” (preventive court orders requiring an sentence. These courts include a blend of judicial
theft. The number of gang-related homicides has individual to agree to specific conditions to supervision, incentives for reduced drug use, social
been increasing, and now accounts for 20% of all govern their behaviour). The peace bond could services support, and sanctions for non-
homicides in Canada. be issued for up to 24 months (as opposed to the compliance.
It is estimated that 900 organized crime usual 12 months) against a defendant who has “These measures are a proportionate and measured
groups operate in Canada, in both rural and been previously convicted of intimidating justice response designed to disrupt criminal enterprise; drug
urban areas. Characteristically, organized crime system participants, or of committing an producers and dealers who threaten the safety of our
resorts to violence and intimidation to achieve its organized crime or terrorist offence. This reform communities must face tougher penalties,” said
criminal objectives, putting the safety and to the Criminal Code would make it clear that a Minister Nicholson. “Our message to potential
security of Canadian communities and their judge has broad discretion to impose any offenders is clear: if you sell or produce drugs, you
residents at risk. reasonable condition necessary to protect the will face jail time.” ■
The organized crime Bill would strengthen the public in that particular case. ■
Criminal Code in the following ways:
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK! Feel free to make any additional comments on a
separate piece of paper and attach it to this survey.
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper 1 2 3 4 5 Name: _____________________________
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May 1 2 3 4 5
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www.jamesmoore.org
applicable, the individual’s spouse or common-law
Home Renovation Tax partner.
Family members will be able to share the credit.
Credit Available Now
Examples of HRTC Eligible
Home renovations are smart investments in
the long term value of a home and also create and Ineligible Expenditures
economic activity by increasing the demand for Eligible
labour, building materials and other goods. ■ Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
Renovations can also reduce energy consumption ■ New carpet or hardwood floors
and the long-term cost of owning a home. ■ Building an addition, deck, fence or retaining
To provide some $3 billion of much-needed wall
fiscal stimulus and encourage investments in ■ A new furnace or water heater
Canada’s housing stock, Budget 2009 proposes to ■ Painting the interior or exterior of a house
implement a temporary Home Renovation Tax for the HRTC include houses, cottages and ■ Resurfacing a driveway
Credit (HRTC). condominium units that are owned for personal use. ■ Laying new sod
The HRTC will apply to eligible home Renovation costs for projects such as finishing a
renovation expenditures for work performed, or basement or re-modelling a kitchen will be eligible Ineligible
goods acquired, after January 27, 2009 and before for the credit, along with associated expenses such ■ Furniture and appliances (refrigerator, stove,
February 1, 2010, pursuant to agreements entered as building permits, professional services, couch)
into after January 27, 2009. The temporary nature of equipment rentals and incidental expenses. ■ Purchase of tools
the credit will provide an immediate incentive for Routine repairs and maintenance will not qualify ■ Carpet cleaning
Canadians to undertake new renovations for the credit. Nor will the cost of purchasing ■ Maintenance contracts (furnace cleaning, snow
or accelerate planned projects. furniture, appliances, audio-visual electronics or removal, lawn care, pool cleaning, etc.)
The HRTC can be claimed for renovations and construction equipment.
enduring alterations to a dwelling, or the land on How Can I Get More Information?
which it sits. Who Can Claim the HRTC? Additional information on the Home Renovation
The 15% credit may be claimed on the portion Tax Credit is available on Canada Revenue
About 4.6 million families in Canada are
of eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000, but not Agency’s website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca
expected to benefit from the credit.
more than $10,000, meaning that the maximum tax
Taxpayers can claim the HRTC when filing their
credit that can be received is $1,350. Information is also available at www.fin.gc.ca
2009 tax return.
The credit can be claimed on eligible
Eligibility for the HRTC will be family-based.
expenditures incurred on one or more of an
For the purpose of the credit, a family is generally
individual’s eligible dwellings. Properties eligible
considered to consist of an individual, and where
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Mike Farnworth MLA Crime Stoppers/Tips
Canada Pension Plan, 604.927.2088 604.222.8477
Old Age Security Diane Thorne MLA
1.800.277.9914 604.933.2001 LOCAL PHONE NUMBERS
Social Insurance Number Enquiry BC Port Coquitlam City Hall
1.800.206.7218 604.660.2421 604.927.5411
Canada Customs Earthquake, Flood, Dangerous Spills Port Moody City Hall
1.800.461.9999 1.800.663.3456 604.469.4500
Child Tax Benefit I.C.B.C. Coquitlam City Hall
1.800.387.1193 New Claim: 604.520.8222 604.927.3000
Revenue Canada Book a driving test: 604.661.2255 Village of Anmore
General Inquiries: 1.800.959.8281 Health Information Line 604.469.9877
GST Credit: 1.800.959.1953 1.800.465.4911 Village of Belcarra
Tax Refund Status: 1.800.959.1956 B.C. PharmaCare 604.937.4100
Employment Insurance 1.800.663.7100 Police (Non-Emergency)
1.800.206.7218 Crisis Centre Coquitlam: 604.945.1550
Canada Immigration/Citizenship 604.540.2221 Port Coquitlam: 604.945.1550
1.888.242.2100 B.C. Transit Port Moody: 604.461.3456
RCMP Public Complaints 1.250.385.2551 Fire: (Non-Emergency)
1.800.665.6878 B.C. Hydro Coquitlam: 604.927.6400
Veterans Affairs 604.224.9376 Port Coquitlam: 604.927.5466
1.866.522.2122 Workers’ Compensation Board Port Moody: 604.469.7795
Passport Office Claim Centre: 604.231.8888 Ambulance (Non-Emergency)
1.800.567.6868 Employer Assessment: 604.244.6181 Coquitlam: 604.872.5151
Other Government of Canada programs Help Line for Children Port Coquitlam: 604.872.5151
and services, call: 604.310.1234 Port Moody: 604.872.5151
1.800.622.6232 Power Outages & Emergencies School District 43
1.800.O.CANADA 1.888.769.3766 604.939.9201
Youth against Violence Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT 1.800.680.4264 604.464.2716
Iain Black MLA TransLink
604.933.2312 604.453.4500
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