Working For You!
SCOTT SIMMS, MP
Summer 2012
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
Come Home Year/Mussel Bed Soiree August 3rd - August 13th
Mark Your Calendar - Come Celebrate with Us!
Dear Constituents: “It has been a very busy year as your Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. I continue to bring issues and ideas forward in the House, and/or to the appropriate authorities. I intend, again this summer, to take part in as many of the summer festivals and events as possible and I look forward to renewing old friendships and acquaintances and to making new ones. I take these social events very seriously as it is an excellent way for me to informally interact with you to discuss matters of interest and concern. Please make every effort to support your local festivals and I look forward to seeing you there. Have a happy and safe summer!�
GANDER Audrey Miller/Calvin Foote 61 Elizabeth Drive, Gander, NL A1V 1G4
Phone: 709-256-3130 Fax: 709-256-3169 Toll Free: 866-663-2626
E-mail scottsimmsgander@nf.aibn.com GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR Cindy Hooper/Barry Saunders 1A Pinsent Drive, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A1V 2S8 Phone: 709-489-8470 Fax: 709-489-8478 Toll Free: 866-663-2626
E-mail: scottsimmsgfw@nf.aibn.com OTTAWA David Graham, Parliamentary Assistant 672 Confederation Building, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Phone: 613-996-3935 Fax: 613-996-7622 E-mail: scott.simms@parl.gc.ca
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SCOTT SIMMS, MP
Helping out at Mary Brown’s “Big Mary” Day in Gander
With Trefoil Central Girl GuidesCanada Cord Awards-Lewisporte
With Joe Philpott, Daniel Ralph, and Dr. Carmel Casey - Rick Hansen “Man in Motion” Relay
Happy 85th Birthday!
14th Annual Help a Village Effort (H.A.V.E.) Walk for Water-Glovertown
With Vera Barbour Wesleyville
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
With Gerard Feltham and wife Yuvadee
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House of Commons Private Member’s Bill C-342 November 2, 2011 Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib.) Moved for leave to introduce Bill C-342, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (funeral arrangements). Mr. Speaker, I introduced this bill in the last Parliament, and it is very succinct. It is about, as a wise person once said, the two certainties in life, death and taxes. Unfortunately, in this case, paying taxes after death is certainly an indignation that I would like to correct. The bill would essentially exempt the expenses related to funerals from the GST and the GST portion of the HST. I look forward to debating this in the House as a nice dignified way for the Government of Canada not to tax a person upon death and have it be a hardship on the family.
Petition—Department of Fisheries & Oceans June, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I present a petition from members of the community of Twillingate Island who want more science to be infused with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Over the past 20 to 25 years, science has taken a back seat in many of the management decisions. The result of all this comes down to last minute decisions that affect all the communities involved in a social way detrimentally. I have 193 communities in my riding and they are affected, especially along the eastern coastlines. Therefore, the petition calls for the government to initiate a public inquiry into all aspects of the DFO with emphasis on fisheries management, dismantling the current state of the DFO and put in place a model that takes into account fisheries science. Indeed, this is essential for these communities, not just for the east coast, but for the west coast as well. 4
SCOTT SIMMS, MP
41st. Parliament
Other Private Member’s Bills introduced by Scott Simms in Parliament C-326 An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security (biweekly Payment of Benefits) - Defeated by the Conservatives on May 30, 2012 C-335 An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan (deductions—disabled child) C-325 An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act (voluntary organizations that provide emergency services) C-324 An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (sick benefits) Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
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Polar Dip-Appleton Winterfest Brrrrrrrr!! “Waiting to be Dunked in Dover” 40th Anniversary & Come Home Year
Northern Arm Firemen 30 Year Service Bars
Back Row: Terry Pelley, Randy Hancock, Fred Butler, Edwin Brown Front Row: Scott, Mayor Gail Hancock, Shirley Butler, Sadie Brown
Cottrell’s Cove Academy 2012 Graduation
With Hardy Winsor Congratulations!!
Note: The 2012 Newfoundland and Labrador 50+ Federation Conference will be held in Gander on August 14th—17th. Mark your calendar!!
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SCOTT SIMMS, MP
With Lorraine and Bruce Goodyear at the Kittiwake Snowmobile Association Ride for Health 4 Poker Run
South & Central Northeast Health Foundation RegattaLewisporte Yacht ClubCowboy Theme
With residents of Burnside Congratulations!
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
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BONAVISTA-GANDER-GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR Communities I Am Proud to Represent Amherst Cove Appleton Aspen Cove Badger Badger’s Quay Barr’d Islands Baytona Bayview Benton Birchy Bay Birchy Cove Bishop’s Falls Bloomfield Bonavista Botwood Boyd’s Cove Bridgeport Brookfield Brooklyn Brown’s Arm Buchans Buchans Junction Bunyan’s Cove Burnside Campbellton Cannings Cove Cape Freels Carmanville Carter’s Cove Catalina Centreville Champney’s Arm Champney’s East Champney’s West Chanceport Change Islands Charles Brook Charleston
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Charlottetown Clarke’s Head Cobbs Arm Comfort Cove Cottlesville Cottrell’s Cove Crow Head Culls Harbour Davidsville Deadman’s Bay Deep Bay Dover Dunfield Duntara Durrell Eastport Elliston Embree English Harbour Fairbanks Farewell Fogo Fortune Harbour Frederickton Gambo Gander Gander Bay Gander Bay North Gander Bay South George’s Point Glenwood Glovers Harbour Glovertown Goose Cove Green‘s Cove Greenspond
Grand FallsWindsor Happy Adventure Hare Bay Harris Point Hatchet Harbour Herring Neck Hillgrade Hodderville Horwood Indian Bay Indian Cove Island Harbour Jamestown Joe Batt’s Arm Keels Kettle Cove King’s Cove Knights Cove Ladle Cove Laurenceton Leading Tickles Lethbridge Lewisporte Little Burnt Bay Little Catalina Little Harbour Little Seldom Loon Bay Lower Amherst Cove Lumsden Maberly Main Point Melrose Merritt’s Harbour Michaels Harbour Millertown
SCOTT SIMMS, MP
Electoral District Profile Population: 84,735 (2011 census) Population: 86,936 (2006 census) Number of Electors: 69,936 Area: 30,233 km²
Moore’s Cove Moreton’s Harbour Middle Amherst Cove Morley’s Siding Musgrave Harbour Musgravetown New Bonaventure Newman’s Cove Newstead Newtown Newville Noggin Cove Norris Arm Norris Arm North Norris Arm South Northern Arm Old Bonaventure Open Hall Parkview Peterview Phillips Head Pikes Arm Plate Cove East Plate Cove West Pleasantview Point Leamington Point of Bay Pool’s Island
Port Albert Port Blandford Port Rexton Port Union Porterville Portland Pound Cove Princeton Purcell’s Harbour Ragged Point Red Cliffe (BB) Rodger’s Cove Rogers Cove Salt Harbour Island Salvage Sandringham Sandy Cove (BB) Sandy Point Seldom Ship Island Shoal Bay Southern Bay Spillars Cove St. Brendan’s St. Chads Stag Harbour Stanhope Stock Cove
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
Stoneville Summerford Summerville Sweet Bay Templeton Terra Nova Tickle Cove Tilting Tizzard’s Harbour Too Good Arm Traytown Trinity Trinity (BB) Trinity East Trouty Twillingate Upper Amherst Cove Valley Pond Valleyfield Victoria Cove Virgin Arm Wareham Wesleyville Wing’s Point
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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians will be recognized for their contributions and achievements.
Eligibility Criteria
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, but need not necessarily reside in Canada; Have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada; and Be alive on February 6th, 2012, the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne. The medal can be awarded posthumously, as long as the recipient was alive on that date.
If you would like to nominate a person in your community to be considered for this prestigious award, please contact one of my offices for a nomination form or you can download the form on my website, www.scottsimms.com. Deadline for nominations is July 31, 2012. Thirty medals will be awarded in my riding. If you wish to know more about this award, please visit the Governor General’s website site http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14019.
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SCOTT SIMMS, MP
Dave Hamlyn Leo Burke Academy, Bishop’s Falls
Congratulations to Dave Hamlyn, one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals for 2012 A job well done Dave! We are all very proud of you.
With Alfred Street, Mayor Brendan Peters, Neville Samson, Norman Rogers, Howard Duffett Meeting with Trinity Bay North Town Council
Congratulations Pastor Leroy & Mrs. Gee 25th Anniversary First United Pentecostal Church Bishop’s Falls Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
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War of 1812 FACT SHEET ON WAR OF 1812 BATTLE HONOURS FOR THE CANADIAN FORCES
The year 2012 marks the bicentenary of the War of 1812, a seminal event in Canadian history.
In this conflict Canadian militia regiments, French and English alike, along with the British army and our aboriginal allies fought with valour to repel a foreign invader. The Canadian militia suffered 574 casualties.
By 1814, 7,000 Canadians were serving in military units and another 89,000 militiamen were available if required.
Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, the Governor and Commander-in -Chief of British North America praised the militia and recommended they receive Battle Honours.
The British Army was awarded 5 Battle Honours for the War of 1812 – Detroit, Queenston, Miami, Niagara and Bladensburg, but none was granted to the Canadian militia.
The Department of National Defence (DND) refuses to authorize the award of Battle Honours for the War of 1812. An arbitrary decision by DND a century ago refuses to recognize the Canadian military prior to 1855.
DND policy refuses to recognize the perpetuation of current Canadian Forces units to War of 1812 units and refuses to award Battle Honours to those units, also stating that these awards cannot be retro-actively awarded. Yet official DND publications state that the 1812 battalions “can be considered as the forerunners of the regiments today “ (Title CFP 267) and the awarding of Battle Honours for the War of 1812 would fulfill most principles outlined in DND policy (Title CFP 200) .
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SCOTT SIMMS, MP
Fact Sheet on War of 1812 (Cont’d)
Many precedents already exist for the retro-active awarding of Battle Honours.
Despite Prime Minister Harper’s direction to DND to “Recognize the War of 1812 heritage embraced by some units”, this recognition has not happened.
Honour our 1812 Heroes is a group of concerned Canadians dedicated to: a. Securing official recognition of the Canadian military units that fought in the War of 1812; and b. Preserving the legacy of those units by the award of Battle Honours to units of the Canadian Forces that perpetuate them. You can help by writing to The Honorable Peter Mackay, Minister of National Defence, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 or by sending an email to dnd_mdn@forces.gc.ca to request the just and deserved recognition of the memory of those brave Canadians who fought to defend this nation. For more information, visit the official War of 1812 Bicentennial Website at www.visit1812.com
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Greenwood Academy Students Vimy Ridge Ceremony
Teacher Monique Lewis with Mackenzie Pope and Jewel Nippard
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
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All Around the Circle Dinner Theatre Crow Head June 4th to mid-September
Rising Tide Theatre Festival Trinity June 5th - September 30th
Beyond the Overpass Theatre Festival Gander June 7th to September 22nd
Queen Street Dinner Theatre Grand Falls-Windsor July 11th - August 23rd
Hann’s Point Players Dinner Theatre Lewisporte July 1st - August 31st
Entertainment Factory July-September Gander
Twillingate Theatre Twillingate July 2nd - August 17th
July 12th - 16th Exploits Valley Salmon Festival Grand Falls-Windsor
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July 13th - 22nd The Roy Babstock Beaches Accordion Festival-Eastport
July 15th - 22nd Bird Island Puffin Festival Elliston
July 17th - 22nd Fisherman’s Fest Seldom
July 19th - July 23rd Fallsview Festival Bishop’s Falls
July 21st Point Leamington Festival Point Leamington
July 21st Peterview Day Peterview
SCOTT SIMMS, MP
July 23rd - 29th Fish, Fun, & Folk Festival Twillingate
July 23rd- 30th Crab Festival New-Wes-Valley
July 26th - 30th Glenwood Days Glenwood
July 26th - August 6th Come Home Year Buchans
July 27th - 29th Bonavista Days Bonavista
July 27th - 29th St. Brendan’s Festival St. Brendan’s
July 28th Dover Fault Festival Dover
July 28th - August 5th Celebration by the Sea Lumsden
August 1st - 5th Come Home Year Port Blandford
August 1st - 6th Flying Boat Festival Botwood
August 1st - 6th Smallwood Days & Loggers’ Festival-Gambo
August 2th - 5th Badger Drive Festival Badger
August 2th - 6th Festival of Flight Gander
August 3rd - 5th Seafest Eastport
August 3rd - 4th Leading Tickles Day Leading Tickles
August 10th - 12th Giant Squid Festival Glover`s Harbour
August 10th - 12th Winterset in Summer Eastport
August 10th - 12th Muddy Hole Scuff ‘n Scoff Musgrave Harbour
August 10th - 12th Brimstone Head Folk Festival-Fogo Island September 16th Voices on the Wind Boyd’s Cove
September 20th - 23rd Feile Tilting Tilting
September 20th - 23rd Roots, Rants & Roars Festival Elliston
September 20th - 22nd Craft & Trade Show Lewisporte
If we missed your event, please go to my website at www.scottsimms.com, click on “Contact Scott” to send the information and we will be happy to post it on our website .
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
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Congratulations! Karlie Pinsent Greenwood Academy Campbellton Winner of the Provincial Government’s postage meter stamp design contest commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Karlie’s stamp will be used by the government’s outgoing mail for the remainder of 2012.
Benton Community Park renamed
Llewellyn R.T. Keats Park
The Llewellyn R.T. Keats Memorial Park in Benton was named in honour of Llewellyn “Louie” Keats, who died of a drowning accident in 1979, at the age of eight.
This memorial came about as a result of the community’s efforts to make improvements to their community. Other sites will also be named in honour of deceased residents.