January 2010 Enewsletter

 

 

 

JANUARY 2010

Happy New Year everyone! Welcome to my  first 2010 electronic newsletter. The tragedy in Haiti following the earthquake remains an urgent priority for Canada and the world. I commend the generosity of  so many area residents and organizations who have donated to relief agenices or organized fundraising events. Meanwhile, even though Parliament is prorogued, I have been busy, attending riding events and meetings -- including earlier this month the Sault Arts Council Politics and the Arts, the Aboriginal HST forum at the Batchewana Band Learning Centre and the annual meeting of the Algoma Cattlemen's Association. Here is a report of my current work on behalf of the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma.

In the News

Sgt. John Faught:  We mourn the death of Sgt. John Faught from the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry who died Jan. 16, 2010 while on foot patrol in Afghanistan. Sault Ste. Marie is proud and yet very sad yet again as one of our best gives his life in the ultimate sacrifice. The war touches our community again.

Haiti: The Government of Canada has made a good start in its immediate assistance following the earthquake. There are many ways for Canadians to help Haiti get back on its feet - donating to credible relief organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross,  Habitat for Humanity , and the Humanitarian International Coalition.  There is a petition urging countries to forgive almost $900 million in loans to Haiti.  New Democrats want credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard to follow Capital One's lead and waive the collection of fees for charitable donations.  Read More ...

HST:  A very large majority of people in the riding oppose this new regressive tax. I have received approximately 500 mailbacks on my recent Stop the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) flyer.This by far is the single largest response to any issue in the past six years. We heard from seniors, people on ODSP, small business owners, First Nations residents, many calling the tax onerous, angry at increases in fuel costs and other staples.  Read more......

No to Prorogue! I attended and spoke at the non-partisan No to Prorogue Rally in Sault Ste. Marie Saturday, Jan. 23rd, one of hundreds of rallies across the country wanting Parliament in session to deal with Haiti, the recession, climate change, the war and other matters. Unfortunately, prorogue is now part and parcel of Canadian vocabulary thanks to a prime minister who has shut down Parliament twice in a year. The Canadians Against Prorogation now has over 200,000 members. New Democrats will also introduce legislation ensuring a prime minister needs a vote of MPs in the House of Commons to prorogue Parliament.  Read more ...

Social Housing: In October 2008, in an unusual government announcement during the fall election, the Conservative government committed to spend $1.9 billion for social housing. More than a year later, they have actually spent less than 1 per cent of the fund. Another $1.5-billion of social-housing money allotted in February's budget is also only trickling out the door, according to newly released government data. “People across the country are choosing mats and beds in shelters rather than from a stock of affordable housing,” said New Democrat Poverty Critic Tony Martin. "  Read more ...

Olympic Flame - Go Canada Go!: Despite frigid temperatures, it was exhilarating to join with so many Saultites and Algoma residents to follow the Olympic flame through the riding.  I was honoured to hold the torch when it visited Ottawa in December as octogenarian and 1948 figure skating gold medalist Barbara Ann Scott brought the torch on to the floor of the House of Commons. Then I visited with the excited students of teacher Carol Hunt-Ford at Central Algoma Secondary School in late December before they participated themselves in the run in Sudbury in early January. And it was an amazing evening to be on stage and join 5,000 in Essar Centre cheering the arrival of the Olympic Flame.  Read More ...

Tony Zimbaro RIP: The shock is still fresh for many of us saddened by the sudden death of Tony Zimbaro. Whether it was volunteering for the Canadian Red Cross, or for a New Democrat campaign, at a Greyhound game or just walking around town, Tony brightened the lives of so many. His friend Ted Hallin-Williamson put it so well, "His calm, humble persistence, commitment, and humour have sustained and enriched many for years. Diane Lajambe, who knew Tony for his volunteer fundraising and Buckles mascot work, said "Tony always had a compliment to brighten your day. He was good from the top of his head to the tip of his toes. If there are angels -- Tony was one in his human life and I'm sure he"ll continue to watch over us all." Amen to that!

Community Events

 Boston Pizza Haiti Fundraiser: Pasta and Salad Fundraiser for Haiti on January 25th at Boston Pizza from 5pm-9pm, $20 tickets.  Read more ...

Sault Youth Association Hope4Haiti: On Saturday, February 20, 2010, numerous venues and countless musicians and local bar owners will take part by donating their time and talents for the benefit of the people of Haiti. Confirmed to date: Bottom's Up Lounge,Canadian Nightclub, Coch's Corner, Foggy Notions, LopLop Lounge & Gallery, Rockstar Bar,Top Hat Billiards. Tickets are $10 and go on sale Friday, February 5 at all participating venues, the Red Cross office and the Sault Youth Association office (6th floor in the Station Tower). Tickets allow participants into any and all venues throughout the event. You can "bar-hop" without any added cost – and all ticket holders get unlimited pool at Top Hat that evening. (must be 19 yrs or older) We have a need for door prizes and welcome donations!  Event Contacts: Donna Hopper or  Lisa Vezeau-Allen  tel 946-1299.

Annual Women in Business Breakfast:  Annual Women in Business Breakfast put on by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at the Pavilion at Algoma's Water Tower Inn. Registration and networking begins at 7:45 am with breakfast at 8:15 am.Special guest speaker will be Marnie Stone. Contact 949-7152 to register

Bon Soo Carnival:February means it's time for Northern Ontario's largest winter carnival Bon Soo. I look forward to seeing you at the Opening Ceremonies on Feb. 5th and throughout the carnival's many fun sliding, skating and entertainment sites. Congratulations to organizers and the scores of volunteers that make this huge carnival such a success every year.

Bon Soo Mugs: Keep warm at Bon Soo and enjoy "free" soup during Bon Soo by purchasing a limited edition mug for $10 from the Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie. You can enjoy a mug of soup from one of 13 participating restaurants. For more information or to buy a mug, call Gayle 949-4614 or Mnerva 254-4385/649-3365, or email Zonta, or visit the Zonta website

Scotties Tournament of Hearts:  I also look forward to seeing you at the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts at the Essar Centre and at the HeartStop Lounge. This is a chance to see the best women curlers in Canada. A big cheer to chair Sandra Randa and her organizers and especially some 450 volunteers who have signed up, again a sign why Sault is second to none in community pride.  Read more ...

Some Other City and District Events/Carnivals:

Sun. Jan. 31st. Desbarats Winter Carnival

Fri. Feb. 5th. Goulais River Winter Carnival begins

Fri. Feb. 5th. Sault Ste. Marie Bon Soo Winter Carnival begins

Sat. Feb. 6th. Echo Bay Winter Carnival 1 - 5 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 6th: United Way Pub supper and Pub night, Verdi Hall

Sat. Feb. 6th: Bar River Supper and Skate Night

Thurs. Feb. 11th Rotary Youth Exchange Dinner, Winter Conference

Sat. Feb. 13th. Bar River Old Times Hockey Game

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
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

If you would like an event or notice posted in this e-newsletter, please send it to my volunteer editor, Jeff Arbus. We will try to keep our website calendar up to date with these events too. If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to the enewsletter, also contact Jeff.