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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-01-07, Page 11Lobb deems 2014 a successful year Dave Flaherty QM! Agency/For the Expositor In many ways 2014 was a year of highs and lows for this country. Speaking with Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb, he believes there was more of the former than the latter. "Overall it was a very suc- cessful year;" Lobb said. Lobb said with the Conserv- ative government reaching a balanced budget in the 2014 fiscal year, they were able to "implement some further tax reductions that we committed to in 2011:' The six-year MP said the government's income splitting and increases in the Universal Child Care Credit would help families who are facing tight- ened budgets every year. "Those are good invest- ments to give back to Cana- dian families; Lobb said. Another highlight in Lobb's opinion was the doubling of the Child Recreation Credit from $500 to $1,000. The credit is now fully tax - refundable as well, he said. Lobb said these types of pro- grams are key in keeping chil- dren and youth active. "Take hockey for example, it has become a very expensive sport to take part in." In his home riding, Lobb organized the successful "Raise A Little Health" fund- raising hockey game in July. In all it raised $41,000 for Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, the Gateway Centre for Rural Health in Seaforth and the Goderich-HuronYMCA. He also had a hand in the successful baseball camps, led by former Toronto Blue Jays all-star third basement Kelly Gruber, held in Clinton during the summer. An proud accomplishment for Lobb is that his office has processed 12,000 passports since 2008. "That is a good milestone for us" he said. Lobb said there has been a number of organizations and groups that have stepped up in the local communities as well. He was very impressed with the galas held in support of the hospitals in both Clinton and Goderich. Another highlight was the continued revitalization of Camp Klahanie just south of Goderich. "Our service groups and clubs have raised tens of thou- sands of dollars each and every year," he said. While he has seen munici- palities affected by reductions in provincial funding, Lobb said the federal government's gas tax fund is "stable and consistent funding, indexed to inflation:' "There was $6.6 million returned to Huron -Bruce, which is double what was handed out in 2003," he said. Lobb believes the new Can- ada -Korean Free Trade Agree- ment will have a huge impact on the Canadian agricultural sector, something that will be important for his riding. There were some more sombre moments throughout 2014, however, namely Oct. 22 when Cpl. Nathan Cirillio was shot dead while standing guard at the National War Memorial. Lobb, who was in a caucus meeting during the shooting, heard the gunfire and was one of many people who were holed up in a room for several hours. This came only a few days after another soldier, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, was killed in a hit-and-run incident. Both were killed by men who have been described as "radical extremists': As devastating to the coun- try as those incidents were, Lobb said Canadians are resil- ient by nature and have forged ahead. "Terrorists won't intimidate us," Lobb said, noting that MPs returned to the House of Commons the day after Ciril- lio's death. The threat of "terrorist" organizations such as ISIS will be an ongoing issue in Lobb's opinion. "It's had a terrible impact on the Middle East and its reared head in all Western democra- cies either with acts of violence or threats ofviolence." Lobb said he was also extremely saddened by the death of former Finance Min- ister Jim Flaherty. The economywill continue to be the focus of the federal govemment in 2015, Lobb said. "The continued momentum is our focus, "he said. "The province and the municipali- ties have their roles." While plunging gas prices has "helped a lot of Canadians; Lobb said it won't likely be per- manent, noting that if the price of oil stays low, it will eventu- ally have some economic consequences. With 2015 being an election year, Lobb will be out on the campaign trail soon just like all other MPs. "To be frank, any person who was elected in 2011- you are being judged from the day you are elected," Lobb said. "Since I was first elected in 2008, Iworked as hard today as I did the day I started as an MP." Health Unit urges smokers to kick off the new year by kicking the habit January is the most pop- ular month for smokers to try and kick the habit. If your New Year's reso- lution is to quit smoking, the Huron County Health Unit can help. The Health Unit is offering STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) work- shops throughout January to help you reach your goal. "If you're ready for a change and looking to make 2015 the year you become smoke free, STOP workshops are a great opportunity to take that first step," said public health nurse Julie Verch. "The workshop shows you how to make your own personal quit plan and gives you tips on how to Huron County Crime Stoppers crime of the week Huron County Crime Stop- len ATV. pers and the Huron County The green -coloured 2006 OPP would like the assistance Kawasaki F75 four-wheel of the public in helping to drive ATV has some damage solve a theft of am ATV from to the front and rear fenders Huron East. and is valued at approxi - On Dec. 2, 2014 Huron mately$6000. OPP officers were dispatched If you have any informa- to a theft of an ATV from a tion regarding this crime or property on Brandon Road. any other crime, call Crime Police discovered that the Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 ATVhadbeenstolenfroman or submit a tip online at insecure barn sometime www.hc-cs.ca. You could between Nov 23 and Decem- earn a cash reward of up to ber 2. Those responsible $2000, you will never have to entered the unlocked storage reveal your identity or testify barn and drove off on the sto- in court. cope with cravings. It also provides information on nicotine replacement ther- apy and how to properly use it." Eligible participants can also receive five weeks of free nicotine patches as part of the workshop. Workshops take place in Clinton on Jan. 13 and Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. rti L MISCH M. ffS?HELAI EPCY Kars n Clic hri . riLr'Fort q wa•ib u nacc :hon cr ✓ ary. Arty cod :airiai d I&l tf p coml. =VI 7 r,... .,.. Pre -registration is required so please register early. STOP workshops are held by the Huron County Health Unit in partnership with the Centre for Addic- tion and Mental Health. To learn more or see if you're eligible and to regis- ter, call the Huron County Health Unit at 519-482- 3416 or 1-877-837-6143. HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY JANUARY 5TH IVY BROADFOOT Love from your family Wednesday, January 7, 2015 • Huron Expositor 11 Scoreboard Seaforth Minor Hockey report for Jan. 7 Sat., Jan. 3 Listowel Cyclones 6, Peewee Rep 3 Fri., Jan. 2 Drayton Defenders 10, Atom Rep 4 Tues., Dec. 30 Wingham Ironmen 5, Atom Rep 2 Sun., Dec. 28 Atom Rep 5, Zurich Thunder 2 Sat., Dec. 27 Novice Rep 5, Wingham Ironmen 3 Novice Rep 3, South Bruce Otters/Monarchs 3 Novice LL 4, Zurich Thunder 0 seaforthhuronexpositor.com GPM the Ih �t ... IA II Elmet wriI rm.!' I t i'ieiJts..14tinaince r.dM This-..-0FOR MOVIE INFORMA.TION CrEni Aran rnaii elinks, ca 1.11.,..,..01-800-265-3438 Central Huron Secondary School Opens its Doors to All Grade 8 Students and their Parents WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14th (snow date - Thurs., Jan 15th) The excitement begins at 5:00 pm With a Spaghetti Dinner in the Cafeteria Band performs at 6:00 pm in the Large Gym Information Session 6:15 pm Tour of School 6:30 pm Refreshments available and Prizes to be Won