MP Seeback provides an update

Barry Thorvardson introduced our speaker, Kyle Seeback, MP Brampton West, and a member of both the Justice and Aboriginal Committees.  Our club is situated in the Brampton West riding and is the largest riding by population.  

Mr. Seeback gave us a brief update on the Conservative Party's Economic Action Plan, indicating the belief that we need transformative change to compete globally, noting that our major trade partner, the U.S., is still experiencing economic challenges and will continue to do so over the short term.  China, India and Brazil are emerging as significant world markets.  Canada will need to diversify it's trade partners.  A number of options are being pursued which include a  Canada/European Union Trade Agreement, TransPacific Partnership, and Free-trade discussions with India.

Improving productivity will increase trade opportunities and help us to achieve budgetary balance.
One major initiative in increasing productivity is to extend the Excellerated Cost Allowance to allow companies to invest in new machinery and set off the expenditure against profits.

Mr. Seeback addressed the Employment Insurance program, with an emphasis on encouraging people to look at different employment opportunities.  The government will be reviewing “repeat” users, and may review policies to discourage five month work projects.  They are also partnering with Service Canada to match a person's skillset to jobs across Canada.  The Canadian economy has produced 34,000 net new jobs, with unemployment 1% less than the U.S. (770,000 net new jobs since the recession).

As a member of the Justice Committee, Mr. Seeback has an interest in community safety and a special interest in reducing violent crimes and violent crimes against children.