December 2009 Enewsletter

Welcome to my December electronic newsletter issue where I share highlights of my work on behalf of the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma. I want to invite you to drop by the constituency office December 21 for our popular Holiday Open House. Details are below. It’s been a hectic but productive month in both Ottawa and here in the riding. I share highlights here of my work in Parliament and in the riding.

In the News

Tony Martin Recognizes Sault Indian Friendship Centre in House of Commons. Tue 17 Nov 2009. In a House of Commons statement today profiling the good work and lack of funding for Friendship Centres across Canada, Sault MP Tony Martin paid tribute to the Indian Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. Read More...

Tony Martin Acclaimed Sault Ste. Marie NDP Candidate. Fri 13 Nov 2009. Tony Martin, MP for Sault Ste. Marie, was acclaimed the NDP’s candidate for the 41st Canadian Federal Election last night at the NDP nomination meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion. Read More...

New Democrats Table Bill to Exempt GST on Poppies. Tue 10 Nov 2009 New Democrat MP Malcolm Allen (Welland) has introduced a private members bill intended to support the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Poppy Campaign by eliminating the GST from the purchase of poppies and poppy wreathes. Read more...

Martin Invites Algoma Farmer Jack Tindall to Ottawa to Highlight Crisis. Thu 5 Nov 2009 With bills piling up, lousy support programs and unfair trade barriers, beef farmers said they came here today needing government assistance that will also benefit both Canada’s rural and city population. Read more...

Martin Promotes Short-Line Rail and National Strategy at Parliamentary Rail Caucus. Tue 27 Oct 2009. At a parliamentary rail caucus here Tuesday attended by industry officials, Sault MP Tony Martin touted a long-term Canada-Ontario short-line rail agreement that fits into a national strategy for rail transportation and includes passenger service. Read more...

Retirement Security for Canadians - Layton Announces Plans to Reform Pensions. Wed 21 Oct 2009. The recession has exposed serious flaws in Canada’s retirement savings system and has placed at risk the pension plans that many Canadians have paid into during their entire careers, New Democrat leader Jack Layton said today. Read more...

New Democrat Motion Approved to Help Consumers with Car Repairs. Fri 20 Nov 2009. The issue concerns giving vehicle owners the right to choose who repairs their vehicles. Read More...

Tony Says ...

Tony Says "Stop the Canada-Columbia Free Trade Agreement". We are using every procedure available to us to keep this from passing at 2nd reading. Peter Julian our critic has been spectacular in his efforts. We have all spoken at least once against this agreement, in the House. Read More ...

In The Community

Passenger Trains (CAPT) Town Hall Nov. 27. Join the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) and Northern Ontario Research, Development, Ideas and Knowledge (NORDIK) for a town hall on the urgency of securing effective train service with the shift to shortages of oil and climate change. We need passenger trains to avoid isolation for our region and to keep up with other developed countries invedsting heavily in rail. This is a priority of mine. Shingwauk Auditorium, Algoma University, 7 p.m., followed by cash bar reception with local band Porter

Tony Martin Holiday Open House. Refreshments and snacks will be ready for you on Monday, December 21st for Tony’s popular Holiday Open House at the constituency office on Queen St. It is a chance to meet others in the community, review the year, catch up on concerns, families and news. We hope to see you there, sometime between 12 noon and 3 p.m.

Vincent Place Thrift Store Opens. Vincent Place opens its new Thrift Store Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. at 120 Dennis St. Across from the City Bus Terminal. Regular operating hours will still be Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds from The Thrift Store fund Vincent Place’s valuable services for the Men’s Shelter and food bank. It’s in need of volunteers and good quality items for re-selling, especially furniture, knick knacks, toys, household applicances, linens, blankets, towels, collectibles and antiques. (not clothing there). Contact information: vincentplace@shaw.ca or (705)541-9478

Christmas Cheer Depot Opens At New Location. In our gift giving this holiday season there are a number of opportunities to remember those less fortunate and especially hurting in these tough times. The Christmas Cheer depot has relocated to 1667 Trunk Road at the former Seamless Cylinder location on the eastern city limits. People can also drop off toys and food at TD Canada Trust branches or at the Civic Centre.

Tony Martin MP
369 Queen St. East
Suite 100
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 1Z4
Tel. 705-941-2900
Fax 705-941-2903
Email Tony at: martito1@parl.gc.ca
Federal New Democrat Advocate for Social Policy and Poverty Elimination

For more on Tony’s work in the community and in Ottawa, and for more community events, visit Tony’s website at www.tonymartin.ca

If you would like an event or notice posted in this e-newsletter, please send it to my volunteer editor, Jeff Arbus (jeff_arbus@hotmail.com) . We will try to keep our website calendar up to date with these events too.