Householder Fall 2006 by Calvin G. Foote

BONAVISTA PO Box 10 Elliston, NL A0C 1N0 Phone: Toll Free: Fax: E-Mail:

Fred Cuff

709-468-2626 1-866-663-2626 1-709-468-2642 fred.c@personainternet.com

GANDER

Audrey Miller

Cindy Hooper Saunders

1A Pinsent Dr. Barry Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2S8 Phone: 709-489-8470 Toll Free: 1-877-489-8470 Fax: 709-489-8478 E-Mail: scottsimmsgrandfalls@nf.aibn.com

OTTAWA

Bonavista–Gander–Grand Falls–Windsor

Working for You!

Polaris Building 61 Elizabeth Dr. Gander, NL A1V 1G4 Phone: 709-256-3130 Toll Free: 1-877-256-3130 Fax: 709-256-3169 E-Mail: scottsimmsgander@nf.aibn.com

GRAND-FALLS-WINDSOR

Scott Simms, M.P.

Tim Downing

133 Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Phone: 613-996-3935 Fax: 613-996-7622 E-Mail: simmssc@parl.gc.ca

Scott Simms, M.P. Bonavista–Gander–Grand Falls–Windsor

Fall 2006

Dear Constituents:

ur voice in of Commons to be yo urned to the House ment, I remain committed to ret I , 06 20 , 18 er of Parlia On Septemb . As your Member ent. Parliament once again erns are heard within the halls of governm nc co ur yo t tha ensuring out the riding travelling through er mm su s thi sy bu in some cases, I I was particularly mmunity events and fundraisers, and rtainly enjoyed ce co , I als s. tiv me attending fes visit your ho evant now that I ve been invited to was honoured to ha d learned a great deal that will be rel an my summer travels a for the new parliamentary session. taw have returned to Ot alers. I r the rights of our se I continue to fight fo rliamentary delegation to u, yo to te da up t of a Pa Since my las twice as a member ntly has a draft travelled to Europe nt. The Council of Europe curre its hu rt of seal products to defend the seal would ban the impo sure the truth is told t tha le tab the on recommendation work hard to en I will continue to anda. member countries. all myths and propag dit cre dis to d an try us ind about the seal grassroots ays maintained a rliament, I have alw ch one step further, creating Pa of r be em M s approa As your . I am now taking thi ding two committees comprised of approach to politics ea rh ea sp am I . cts oje that will examine two exciting new pr ing. The first is a Marina Committee through marina rid r ed ou liz of constituents t could be rea tha th ow gr ic eries Advisory sh om the potential econ al Newfoundland. The second is a Fi sectors of the all ntr m Ce fro in s nt ive developme representat ittee will be held that will consist of es Advisory Comm ting our riding Committee (FAC) eri sh Fi the of ng eti ec fishery. The first me and will deal with fisheries issues aff ar early in the New Ye ions of Newfoundland and Labrador. reg as well as all other r’s is a Private Membe to I have undertaken t nt tha me e rn ve tiv go tia l ini era nt ll call on the fed Another importa wi on it” e ati isl los leg or it the se ed, Bill. Once complet plan’ forcing large corporations to “u y finalizing the ld currentl am I s. rce enact a ‘fallow-fie ou res ore oil and gas exact wording of regarding our offsh Commons officials to determine the of e us Ho th details wi the bill itself. l free to summer. Please fee ts for the wonderful e. en itu tim y nst an co at my ter let of Thanks to all ck of this news offices listed on the ba contact either of my you ch and every one of warmest wishes to ea w Year. May you be d an e cer sin my d In closing, I exten and Prosperous Ne ar. ristmas and a Happy for a very Merry Ch h and abundant happiness in the New Ye alt blessed with good he Sincerely,

June • • • • •

Glovertown Lions Charter Night European Mission on Seal Hunt Woodland Primary Visit Buchans Community Visit Little Stepping Stones Daycare Picnic Bishop’s Falls

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July • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Memorial Day Service - Wreath Laying Ceremony - Twillingate 103 Search & Rescue Change of Command Parade – Gander NLOWE’s Entrepreneur Awards Dinner – GFW Salmon Festival Dinner – GFW 200th Anniversary - Town of Elliston St. Pat’s Parish Council – Port Union Bird Island Puffin Festival – Elliston Bishop’s Falls Day Activities Glovertown BBQ Meet and Greet Fish, Fun and Folk Festival – Twillingate New Wes Valley Family Day Wesleyville United Church Supper Town of Sandy Cove 50th Anniversary Glovertown Music Festival Gander & Area Chamber of Commerce Community Breakfast Norris Arm Flying Boat Festival Opening Seniors/War Veterans Banquet Bishop’s Falls

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Tickle Cove Dory Days Co-op Community Breakfast - Gander Botwood Day Brimstone Head Folk Festival – Fogo Vancouver Caucus Meetings Official Opening Ceremonies of Stoneville Fire Hall/Community Centre Gander Dinner Theatre Royal Canadian Legion - 50th. Anniversary - Charleston Smallwood Holiday & Logger’s Festival -Gambo

Labour Day Parade – GFW Change Island Community Visit Twillingate-New World Island Development Association meeting Sandringham – Town Council Meeting Homemaker, Craft, and Trade Expo Gander Relay for Life – Lewisporte 125 NL Squadron Royal Air Force Reunion – Gander Forester’s Association Reunion Wreath Laying – GFW St. Brendan’s Community Visit Salvation Army Ribbon Presentation – Bonavista Relay for Life – Bonavista

October • • • • • • • • •

August

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September

European Mission on Seal Hunt Marina Group Meeting – Gander 25th Anniversary Evangel Pent. Tabernacle Breakfast – GFW Fireman’s Ball – GFW Wish Maker’s Parade Children’s Wish Foundation – GFW VON Broadening Horizons - Celebrity Karaoke – Gander Birchy Bay Fall Fair Eid-ul-fitr 2006 - Dr. Boodhun and Memorial United Church group – GFW (Eid means joyous recurring occasion) Bishop’s Falls Fireman’s Ball

November • • • • •

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Wreath Laying Ceremony Remembrance Day - Bonavista Salvation Army Anniversary - Bonavista Fireman’s Ball - Botwood 40th. Anniversary Knights of ColumbusMass and Dinner - Bishop’s Falls Volunteer Dinner - Centreville-TrinityWareham

OTOS MORE PH

Members of the Salvation Army – Bonavista – White Ribbon Presentation to MP for Minister of Justice

Riding Photos

Launch of Wish Day Parade with Municipal Police Officer Terry Eisenhauer and Provincial Vice-Chair Donna Parsons Proclamation signing with Deputy Mayor Susan Sullivan of Grand Falls– Windsor for Wish Day

With fellow competitors Mayor Rex Barnes and Cliff Braye at the Celebrity Cook-Off – Grand Falls-Windsor

With Ann Marie & Greg Blumer and guests – Cold Plate Dinner Theatre – Gander

With members of the Stoneville Volunteer Fire Department at the official opening of their Firehall/ Community Centre

We’re on the web! www.scottsimms.com

With survivors/participants in the Canadian Cancer Relay for Life Bonavista -14-

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For Immediate Release September 7, 2006 Liberals Decry Fisheries Minister’s Irresponsible Response to EU Seal Hunt Declaration Liberal Fisheries and Oceans critic Bill Matthews, Liberal MP Scott Simms and Liberal Senator Lorna Milne called Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Loyola Hearn to task for failing to appropriately respond to a European Union call for a ban on the sale of Canadian seal products. “The Minister’s cavalier attitude to the livelihood of thousands of citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador is absolutely unacceptable,” said Matthews. “Over half of the members of the European Parliament have signed this declaration. If that’s not worthy of an aggressive response from the Government of Canada, I can’t fathom what is.” The declaration comes only one week after Minister Hearn met with European Parliamentarians in Brussels to discuss the seal hunt. His stated purpose at those meetings was to address the issues raised in this declaration and convince the parliament not to adopt the declaration. Having failed in his mission, Mr. Hearn has chosen to dismiss the EU declaration as “unimportant, inaccurate and a long way from reality. “ "For the last two years I have regularly briefed my European colleagues on this issue and they have consistently rebuked those who have promoted a ban on Canadian seal products,” said Senator Milne, who also serves as President of the Canada Europe Parliamentary Association. “It’s obvious that the Minister didn’t properly explain the realities of the Canadian seal hunt to EU parliamentarians. If he can’t understand how important this declaration is he doesn’t understand his job.”

The Fisheries Advisory Committee will be comprised of fishing industry individuals representing all fleet sectors and plant workers. The committee will meet with me twice a year in an advisory capacity to discuss fisheries issues that are important to the fishing industry and determine how I can best represent these issues. Letters of interest will go out to potential members in December. The Marina Advisory Committee is now in place and consists of members from the various yachting clubs and other community groups that have an interest in the development of a marina strategy for Central Newfoundland. ACOA is in the process of conducting a study on marinas and this committee will be part of that study.

"Once people understand the facts, support for a ban on seal products drops dramatically in Europe” said Matthews. “This EU measure is being introduced without any consideration whatsoever of the realities of the seal hunt. The Canadian Veterinary Association and the World Wildlife Fund have both studied the hunt at great length and found that Canadian sealing practices are humane and reasonable. If he couldn’t communicate these simple facts why did he bother to fly to Brussels?" There is significant doubt about whether the EU Parliament actually received accurate information about the seal hunt before taking this step. It has been the practice of groups opposed to the hunt to use outdated and out of context images of the seal hunt to distort European views of the hunt. Distorted and even doctored images of the seal hunt are among the most effective tools for fundraising by many extreme animal rights groups. “Calling this EU action unimportant is scandalous,” said Simms. “By failing to stop this declaration the Minister has failed Canada. Thousands of my constituents rely on the seal hunt as a major part of their income and it would appear this Minister simply does not care. This failure can not be ignored.” For more information on the seal hunt, and the myths surrounding this debate, go to the website of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans at: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/myth_e.htm

Hitching a ride with members of the Whiffen Family—Bonavista -4-

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SEAL HUNT

Fallow Field Legislation This fall I will be presenting a Bill in the House of Commons calling on the Federal Government to enact Fallow Field Legislation. Fallow Field rules call on corporations to develop oil and gas within a specified period of time or they have to forfeit their rights to profit from the field. Essentially, we as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, are saying to any private interest that they must “use it, or lose it.” I have been studying other examples of this type of legislation in Canada and around the world. I can assure you that this truly would be a good law that allows us to have more control over our own resources. We now realize that we must be the masters of our own destiny, and only we should be principal beneficiaries of our resources for the sake of future generations. With this Bill I will be seeking support from the Parliament of Canada in order to send a message to Prime Minister Harper. We are serious about our resources, and by not agreeing with Fallow Field Legislation, he will be taking away our rights to our own resources.

In recent years, many of the Animal Rights groups in Europe and America have been placing a lot of pressure on Governments around the world to place a ban on all seal imports. Over the past two years I have closely monitored the actions of these groups. At every opportunity, I have represented the best interests of our fisher people by convincing these governments that they are being lied to by animal welfare groups in an attempt to mislead those who are in government. These groups make a tremendous amount of money by using the shock effect of the white coat harp on their posters and commercials to raise money. It is not in their best interests to supply the facts. Recently, in Strasbourg France, at the European Mission Seal Hunt meetings, we were able to defeat several motions put forward by the Animal Rights groups by convincing members of the Council of Europe that they are not being told the truth. Our hunt for seals is one that is humane and essential for many of our coastal communities. I hope that you will help me in protecting our rights as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to participate in a respectful and traditional Harp Seal hunt.

Participating in discussions on the Canadian Seal Hunt and Boat Stability at the Fisheries and Oceans Standing Committee meetings in Gander. With colleagues Bill Matthews, MP for Random-Burin-St. George’s and the Hon. Gerry Byrne, MP for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte

If you wish to see a copy of the Bill and an outline of its intentions, please contact my office. I hope that you will support me in this very important piece of legislation. Despite political affiliations, this law will be good for Newfoundland and Labrador and for the rest of Canada, and have the resources developed in a reasonable period of time. Courtesy of the Beacon

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For Immediate Release October 6, 2006 Simms Upset Over Conservative Cuts Gander, NL - Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for BonavistaGander-Grand Falls-Windsor is disheartened by the appalling and callous cuts the Conservative government is making to our Social Programs. Across Canada, the cuts amount to $1 billion and will affect a majority of people. All this is being done under the pretext that they reflect the priority of working families. Nothing can be further from the truth.

I invite you all to participate in the first ever International Flying Boat Festival in the Bay of Exploits from August 2 - 7, 2007. Come see the re-enactment of the 1937 first Transatlantic Flight from Botwood to Foynes, Ireland on August 6. Check out these websites: www.flyingboatfestival.ca or www.internationalatlanticflightpby.com

I was honoured to have the Hon. Fred Mifflin attend my Swearing In Ceremony in February.

“The funding cuts target women, aboriginals, those in need of affordable housing and other groups for which the Conservatives have traditionally shown little concern,” stated Simms. “Almost all federal government departments are affected. Some of the programs with the most consequence to my constituents include the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, with $7.5 million slashed, the Status of Women Canada, $5 million slashed, Youth Employment initiatives, $55 million slashed, Adult Literacy and Literacy Skills Programs, $17.7 million slashed, Museum Assistance Program, $4.6 million slashed, and the Court Challenges Program, slashed $6 million.” “The cuts are particularly unjustified in light of the $13.2 billion surplus announced by the Conservative government. It is interesting to note that the previous government’s policies have been given credit for most of the ills of the country, those same policies have been at least partially responsible for the huge surplus,” says Simms. Simms is asking his colleagues in the Newfoundland and Labrador caucus to support a position of no cuts to these important programs. It is Simms’ belief that making cuts to

programs that have effectively helped individuals and communities is senseless.

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Congratulations to the Lewisporte and Area Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Lewisporte, and the Lewisporte Yacht Club who recently published a cruising guide, a worthwhile navigational tool for residents and tourists visiting Notre Dame Bay.

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Congratulatory Messages

... more riding photos

Are you or someone you know celebrating a special birthday? A special anniversary? I would be pleased to arrange for greetings.

You can arrange greetings by contacting either of my constituency offices listed on the back of the newsletter. HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN Anniversaries: 60 years or more Birthdays: 100 years or more Requests must include a photocopy of the birth or wedding certificate.

PRIME MINISTER Anniversaries: 25 yrs. or more Birthdays: 75 years of more

GOVERNOR GENERAL 50th - 59th Anniversary 90th - 99th Birthday

Presenting Fire Chief Onnie Balsom of Bishop’s Falls Fire Department – Federal Service Bars for 30 years of service

With Calla Guy, Mayor of the Town of Twillingate and Gerry Reid, MHA – TwillingateFogo at Memorial Day Services in Twillingate

With Bill and Olga Stuckless – 46 years of service to the Badger Fire Department

Laying of wreath at the National Day of Mourning – Club 63 – Grand Falls – Windsor

Chatting with Capt. John Russell who celebrated his 100th birthday on December 11th. Happy Birthday, John! -10-

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IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS Statements by Members Physician of the Year Award Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib): Mr. Speaker, I am indeed proud of one of my constituents, Dr. Carmel Casey of Gander, who was presented with the prestigious Reg L. Perkin award, 2006 Physician of the Year for Newfoundland and Labrador. The presentation took place at the College of Family Physician’s Canada annual meeting in Quebec City during Family Doctor Week in Canada. Among her many accomplishments and contributions, Dr. Casey is recognized for her promotion of physical activities and good nutrition through the Active Living Schools Initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly her efforts in Central NL. Dr. Casey has a family practice in Gander and is the Newfoundland and Labrador champion for the College of Physicians Canada’s Doctors-Promoting-Active-Living programs. She founded the Victorian Order of Nurses Broadening Horizons program in Gander that offers employment opportunities to adults with intellectual disabilities and received the VON’s Gold Team of Excellence award for this initiative. She is also a member of the Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador and was an assistant coach for the 2006 National Special Olympics summer games. I congratulate and commend Dr. Casey on winning this prestigious award. Her commitment to family practice and volunteer community initiatives is commendable.

Canadian Cancer Relay for Life Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Lib):

PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL C-257

Canadian Cancer Relay For Life is a unique community event that recognizes individuals who have survived cancer and honours those who have lost their lives to the disease. On September 23rd I had the privilege of attending a Cancer Relay for Life in the Town of Bonavista in my riding. The event was attended by over 500 individuals from Bonavista and surrounding communities. The Opening Ceremony was a powerful and a moving experience. To witness over eighty cancer survivors parade into the local arena amid the applause of those in attendance was overwhelming. Approximately 40 thousand dollars was raised to go toward continuing research for a cure for this devastating disease; a disease that has touched nearly every family in Canada. This is a remarkable achievement in an area of my riding with a population base of less than 9 thousand people. I commend the many organizers, volunteers, cancer survivors, and the people of the Bonavista Peninsula who participated in making this event such a huge success.

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Speaking at the 2006 Labour Day Celebrations in Grand Falls – Windsor in support of Bill C-257, an Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (replacement workers). I voted in favour of Bill C-257 on the second reading on October 25. My sincere congratulations to the Central NL Labour Day Committee on a job well done!

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