Retiring MP defends pension package

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Oct 21, 2015 at 9:00 AM
North Okanagan-Shuswap’s retiring MP is putting his compensation package in perspective. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says Colin Mayes, who was in office for almost 10 years, will receive an annual pension of $47,126 and a lifetime pension of $1,365,686. “I have to live a long time to collect that money,” said the 67-year-old. “I hope I do but Jim Flaherty (former finance minister) didn’t. They could do that with an RCMP officer or a teacher or anyone with a pension. It doesn’t make me special.” Mayes also points out that he paid into the parliamentary pension program for almost a decade at about $117,393 a year. “You go into a job and they say, ‘It’s your compensation package.’ It was the contract for employment.” The Canadian Taxpayers Federation also says Mayes will receive a severance of $36,574 but Mayes insists that’s inaccurate. “I don’t get a severance because I am over 65 and of retirement age.” For MPs who retired or were defeated on Monday, the CTF says taxpayers contributed $17 for every $1 put into the plan by an MP towards their pension. After January 1, 2016, the ratio will gradually shift to a ratio of $1.60 in taxpayer contributions for every $1 put in by an MP or senator. “These pension changes are a welcome step towards broader public sector pension reform,” said Aaron Wudrick, CTF federal director. “The good news is that thanks to the hard-fought. “We encourage the new government to take the necessary steps to ensure government employee pensions are more in line with what the vast majority of Canadians working in the private sector expect to receive.”

Governments partner on Mara water treatment plant

by Lachlan Labere - Salmon Arm Observer posted Dec 22, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Ground has been broken, though work is well underway. On Wednesday, Dec. 17, a ceremonial ground-breaking was held at the Dabell Street site of Sicamous’ future water treatment plant. Participating in the event were Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes, Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo and Sicamous Mayor Terry Rysz – representing the three funding partners behind the $7.9 million project. Each of the government representatives took the opportunity to speak to the project, reflecting on its importance as well as the importance of the partnership that’s making the project happen. “This has been a long time coming for the residents of Sicamous and we are excited to finally be moving forward with this project. With the help of the federal and provincial governments and residents of Sicamous, we are now able to anticipate the completion of the water treatment plant in the fall of 2015,” states Rysz in a Dec. 17 news release. The same release states work has paused for the winter and will resume in the spring. However, in speaking with the Market News after the event, Rysz noted work on the project has, in fact, been long underway. “They’re already fully into this project now and so far, it’s going on time and it’s on budget and it’s coming along quite well,” said Rysz. Upgrading of Sicamous’ water treatment ability was necessitated by the 2012 debris flows at Sicamous and Hummingbird creeks, and the subsequent flooding from Shuswap and Mara lakes. The new facility will include a state-of-the-art three-filter membrane filtration system, complete with backup electrical generation, a second-stage recovery system and solids accumulation pond for the collection of waste byproduct. “Once complete, the upgraded facility will help protect the quality of the region’s water supply and alleviate pressure caused by two significant floods, thus assuring continued access to safe, clean drinking water for residents,” states the release. Rysz says the project is expected to be complete and operational by early fall 2015. “I think this community is going to be very excited once it’s done,” said Rysz.
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https://sicamous.civicweb.net/document/30230/890298-0051(2%200).pdf?handle=8A5F24FB1B99406A93D3E9BAD6F14A53

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sicamous-mara-lakes-get-new-water-treatment-plant-1.1313812  The $4.5-million facility will help protect water quality following significant flooding last June that forced about 350 area residents from their homes.

Businessman pursues Tory nomination

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted May 14, 2014 at 1:00 AM

The race to replace MP Colin Mayes has officially started. Mel Arnold, a Salmon Arm businessman, has announced his intention to seek the nomination for the Conservatives in Okanagan-Shuswap. With the news that Mayes won’t seek re-election in 2015, Arnold says the encouragement from his family, friends and associates to seek the nomination “has been overwhelming.” Arnold has operated Complete Marine for 25 years. He is a past-president of the B.C. Wildlife Federation and current chairperson of the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s governance committee. Arnold has also played a role in Rotary and the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce, and he is Shuswap Pro Development Association president. “My background in business and managing large organizations has helped me develop a deep respect for fiscal responsibility and efficient governance – core pillars of the Conservative Party of Canada,” he said. “There are a wide range of issues across the riding, ranging from highway improvements to economic development and job creation that will be foremost in my efforts for the people of the riding when I win the nomination.” The Conservatives have not established a process yet to select a candidate, but the party may try and have an individual in place by this fall.

Conservatives begin candidate search

posted May 7, 2014 at 7:00 AM Salmon Arm Observer
With the announcement that Colin Mayes will not seek re-election, the North Okanagan-Shuswap Conservative Association (NOSCA) will be actively seeking out nominees for the Conservative Party of Canada candidate position for the 2015 federal election. Mayes received a standing ovation in thanks for his nearly 10 years of representation of the Okanagan Shuswap riding at their recent annual general meeting. While announcing his retirement from federal politics, Mayes also pledged to complete his term with the same energy he has always brought to representing the people of this riding. Incoming Electoral District Association (EDA) President Linda Hawes stated, “Colin will be leaving behind rather large shoes to fill, but our newly elected board will be actively seeking a Conservative candidate worthy of following in his footsteps, perhaps as early as the fall of this year.” The local EDA board will be meeting again in May and will determine the candidate selection process in conjunction with federal party coordinators.

Mayes Ready To Leave Federal Politics

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Saturday, 12 April 2014 16:36
The Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap has decided not to seek re-election in 2015. Colin Mayes, a Conservative from Salmon Arm, issued a media release Saturday, announcing his decision. "By the time the election rolls around in the fall of 2015, I will have served the riding of Okanagan-Shuswap for almost ten years. After speaking with my family and close friends, I have decided not to seek re-election in 2015. This has been a difficult decision for me but at this point in my life I believe it is time to move on and spend time in the beautiful Okanagan-Shuswap that I love," says Mayes. Mayes goes on to thank his Conservative supporters for their encouragement and support. "I am confident that you will choose my successor wisely to represent the banner of the Conservative Party of Canada in the riding of North Okanagan - Shuswap. To those that are not of the Conservative banner, I have represented you with equal representation and hope you can see the positives in my service in the riding," states Mayes, a former mayor of Salmon Arm and Dawson City, Yukon. Mayes says being an M-P is not an easy job. "In our riding, we have approximately 121,000 constituents who are all my employers, many with differing views on issues. It is challenging to please everyone but I want you to know I have heard your voices and read all your concerns and strive to find and support the consensus." The 66 year old Mayes, who was first elected in 2006, will end his term in October of 2015. Prior to running federally, Mayes ran a trucking enterprise in the Yukon, owned a grocery store, and also worked in business development.

MP introduces bill to increase parole ineligibility

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Apr 8, 2014 at 6:00 AM
Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes believes it should take longer for individuals convicted of serious crimes to be eligible for parole. On Monday, Mayes tabled a private member’s bill in the House of Commons that seeks to extend the parole eligibility period for those convicted of abduction, heinous acts of sexual assault and murder from the current 25 years up to a maximum of 40 years. “Currently, any Canadian convicted of both first or second degree murder is given an automatic life sentence, but the provision barely puts an offender in jail for longer than 25 years, the time at which first-degree murderers are first eligible for parole,” he said. “The bill targets sadistic murderers. Sadistic criminals convicted of such heinous crimes are never granted parole; thus, the hearings are unnecessary and are extremely painful for the victims’ families to endure.” Mayes says his bill is about saving the families of the victims from having to go through the agony of attending parole hearings every two years after the convict’s 25-year sentence expires.“When passed, this bill will assist families by not having them deal with the re-enactment of what happened to their loved ones, over and over again. Families need closure,” he said.

Mayes drifts into marijuana legalization debate

posted Nov 27, 2013 at 6:00 AM Eagle Valley News
A campaign to legalize marijuana won’t be getting the support of Okanagan-Shuswap Conservative MP Colin Mayes. In a recent speech to the House of Commons, Mayes spoke of the city receiving funding from the municipal infrastructure improvement fund to replace the 30-year-old boiler for the swimming pool at the SASCU Recreation Centre. “Last Saturday evening, I took seven of my 10 grandchildren to the pool,” Mayes told the assembled MPs. “It was great to watch all the children enjoy the wholesome fun this wonderful facility provides. As I watched everyone, I thought that providing resources to communities for these types of activities for children and families is a priority of good government.” But his speech was not only to highlight the improvements to the city’s recreational facilities, as Mayes went on to raise the issue of illegal drugs. “Then the thought came to me: why would any political party want to legalize marijuana, which would only destroy children’s lives and families? Is it not the duty of government to protect the health and safety of its citizens?” he asked. “I said a little prayer while I stood at the pool side. I petitioned that our grandchildren would never live under a government that would legalize marijuana,” he finished. Mayes’ remarks come following widely circulated statements from Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, in support of the decriminalization of marijuana. Trudeau has also spoken previously about the failure of the war on drugs, the prospect of legalization and the health effects of pot.

Queen's Honors For Locals

Written by Glen Morrison 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 10 July 2012 08:46 
  MP Colin Mayes has given four area  residents the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. The medals are awarded to recognize and celebrate significant achievements and extraordinary contributions Canadians have made for the benefit of their fellow citizens and their country.

• Dianne Blain of Lumby was honored for her long-term commitment to the St John's Ambulance program and the foster parent program.
• Merna Alexander of Lumby for her long-term commitment to the Village of Lumby and its community-building events which include the local curling program and the annual Lumby Days event.
• Colonel Douglas Walton of Coldstream for his dedication to the Canadian Armed Forces and in retirement, to the Vernon Army Cadets Camp, the Vernon Army Cadets League of Canada, and the St John's Ambulance program.
• May Correale of Coldstream for her volunteer commitment to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, North Okanagan Hospice House, and the Lady of the Valley Church.

By Richard Rolke - Salmon Arm Observer Published: March 30, 2012 9:00 AM

Ottawa has slashed spending, but Shuswap reaction is mixed. The new Conservative budget calls for $5.2 billion a year in savings by 2015 and 19,200 federal jobs will be eliminated over three years. “I wouldn’t call it drastic. They’re cuts that were reasonable,” said Colin Mayes, Okanagan-Shuswap MP. “Those things that will create jobs and are better for the economy are still there and in some cases, they are increasing.” Mayes supports increased funding for research and training and he says $105 million over two years is being directed to forestry innovation and market development. Eligibility for Old Age Security will climb from 65 to 67 in 2023. It does not impact anyone 54 or older as of March 31, 2012. “It’s not sustainable as it is,” said Mayes of the need to change the pension program. “If we didn’t do something, we would go from $36 billion this year to $108 billion in 2030.” There are also changes to political pensions. “We recognize MPs and senators’ pensions are reasonably generous. MPs will be paying more into the plan as of 2013,” said Mayes. The budget calls for a $21.1 billion deficit in 2012/13 and a surplus by 2015. Mayes admits more could have  been done to get Canada’s finances in order. “We have to be realistic in the climate we’re in. People still need jobs and if we take huge cuts, that  would be a challenge.” Nick Hodge, Okanagan-Shuswap NDP president, says sarcasm is required when considering the budget. “I’m pleased to see that MP pensions have been protected. Working class seniors relying on Old Age Security were not so fortunate,” he said. Hodge also says federal spending continues to increase and that will push total debt to more than $600 billion next year. “In 2006, Colin Mayes promised supporters at a Salmon Arm meeting that he would resign if a Conservative government ever ran a deficit. This budget projects the fourth deficit in a row, with two more years to look forward to,” said Hodge. “It is ironic that in every year between 1997 and 2008 the federal government had a surplus, but now our fiscally conservative government appears unable to manage without piling on more debt.”
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Don Quixote Note: From a March 31 ,2011 post. 
Local M.P. has achieved his pension Freedom Date on Jan 21, 2012

Mike Lost May 2012Election & Pension Eligibility

  Members Upon ceasing to be a member of Parliament, members are entitled to an annual allowance after they have contributed under the plan for at least six years.

Mayes Wins Third Term

Okanagan--Shuswap   Party Candidate Votes % Votes

Green Party	Greig Crockett	6,063	10.7
Liberal	Janna Francis	4,246	7.5
NDP-New Democratic Party	Nikki Inouye	14,961	26.4
Conservative	Colin Mayes	31,443	55.4

Total number of valid votes:

56,713

Polls reporting: 297/297	Voter turnout: 56,713 of 90,678 registered electors (62.5%)
The number of registered electors shown in this table does not include electors who registered on election day.

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Written by Peter McIntyre Monday, 02 May 2011 21:50 
  Colin Mayes is back for a third term in Okanagan Shuswap, garnering more votes than the three other candidates combined.  The Conservative and former Salmon Arm mayor received 55 percent support, up four points from 2008.  Mayes--who won by about 15-thousand votes-- says he's happy with the "performance review" people have given him.  "I think people have appreciated my efforts and my staff's efforts, but I think a lot of people that maybe are not traditionally Conservative supporters, have decided to vote for us, give us a majority, and just test us to see what we can do."  Newcomer Nikki Inouye of the New Democrats was second at 26 percent.  The Vernon Jubilee Hospital worker was happy with her showing, some which she credits to her party's leader.  "I think the Orange Crush had a lot to do with it, and Jack Layton's positive message."  Retired lawyer Greig Crockett of the Greens was third at 10 percent, and social worker Janna Francis of the Liberals had 7 percent in her second run.

Ron Cannan was returned in Kelowna Lake Country with 57 percent support, and fellow Tory Dan Albas, a former Penticton city councillor, won Stockwell Day's old riding of Okanagan Coquilhalla (53%), both in landslides.

Election Q&A with MP Colin Mayes

Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer Published: April 13, 2011 9:00 AM

Excerpts:
Q. Alan Williams, the former assistant deputy minister of defence, has said he believes the government could possibly have saved taxpayers several billion dollars on the F-35s had it gone to more than one source, Lockheed Martin.
A. I disagree with that – he’s retired and not part of the Canadian forces... The reason this is the best airplane is there were criteria. It had to be stealth, it had to be supersonic,  it had to be a flying range of 1,200 miles without refueling. The Lockheed Martin F-35 was the only aircraft that fit that criteria. The other reason is all of our allies and joint forces would have the same aircraft. It made co-ordination of any defence or united effort – we would have the same aircraft and it would be easier to maintain...
Q. What things are you most proud of?
A. I have great staff, I’m always proud when I go around campaigning and people tell me how they’ve dealt with my office and said, ‘Those girls there, that Penny or that Tammy, they do such a great job, they get back to you and they really helped me on my passport or my immigration...’ You’re only as good as the people who work for you...
Q. Why vote for you?
A. I think if people looked at performance, I’m available, they have really appreciated my communication through your newspaper and others... I think I have experience, there’s an advantage to... understanding what your role and responsibility is... I am in some ways a better representative  because I take time to really analyze the situation...

Full list of questions and answers here.

Signs Go Up As Conservative Incumbent Finally Begins Campaign - Colin Mayes expects to spend 60-grand in re-election bid

Kate Bouey 4/7/2011 105.7SUNFM

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Conservative incumbent Colin Mayes believes he's got a ``good chance'' to retain his seat in Okanagan Shuswap but says he always runs as if  he's in second place. Mayes admits he was slow to start his election campaign but truly didn't believe, until the eleventh hour, the opposition would bring down the government. His campaign team has already placed some signs around Salmon Arm and Vernon and plan to put up more in other areas of the riding Friday. He says ``the battle of the signs'' will cost around four- to five-thousand dollars and expects his total campaign budget to exceed $60,000. Mayes has opened two campaign offices, in Vernon and Salmon Arm, and disagrees with Liberal candidate Janna Francis'  Web-based campaign, including a `virtual' office. ``It's important to have a campaign office and a place where people can stop in and phone in,'' Mayes told SUN FM. ``It's more personal I think.''  He also admitted to some surprise that NDP candidate Nikki Inouye has gone on a work-related course in Ontario in the midst of the election. Mayes said the key election issues in the riding are jobs and the economy as well as health care. Mayes makes no apology for the Conservative Party's aim to win a majority government. He said the ``three losers'' want to get together and form a government which calls undemocratic and something Canadians won't accept.

Federal Budget Holds Goodies For Locals Says MP - Colin Mayes expresses surprise NDP rejects budget

Kate Bouey 3/22/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes says there are lots of good things for local people in the federal budget introduced in the House of Commons Monday. He says the Tories have kept taxes low, offered to boost benefits for the poorest of low-income single seniors and give a new tax break to volunteer firefighters. ``We're leading the G-8 (countries) as far as the recovery and we've got a plan and it's working and I'm really quite surprised that they would want to try to challenge us now,'' says Mayes, referring to the decision by all the opposition parties not to support the budget. Prime Minister Harper held a last-ditch meeting with NDP Leader Jack Layton in order to win support but Layton has rejected the budget. ``I'm quite surprised that especially Mr. Layton wouldn't see some of the good things in the budget,'' says Mayes. ``We should keep a steady hand and keep on moving forward.'' Mayes adds that efforts by the opposition to cite the Conservative government for contempt may not go down well with voters. ``They run a risk of running an election on those issues at their peril,'' Mayes warns.

Local NDP Lashes Out At Mayes As New Candidate Acclaimed - Residents angered by ``corporate giveaway,'' says local president

Kate Bouey 2/1/2011 105.7 SUNFM

She calls herself an ``ordinary person'' but residents in the Okanagan Shuswap are now learning about Nikki Inouye, the NDP's newly-acclaimed candidate for the federal Okanagan Shuswap riding. Asked about the top priorities in this area, Inouye lists health care, seniors' care, homelessness, helping people make ends meet and farming. She has little time for the Conservative MP for Okanagan Shuswap, Colin Mayes. ``I don't see him present. You have to be present and in the area for people to have trust and faith in you,'' say Inouye, who's family ties to the region go back to the 1930s. And Nick Hodge, president of the local NDP riding association goes further. He's angered by Mayes' comments, reported on SUN FM, questioning the NDP and Liberals ``challenge at this time'' and stating that a federal election is not needed. Hodge points to proposed coroporate tax cuts in the upcoming federal budget. ``Tax cuts to profitable oil companies and banks while Canadian pensioners are choosing between food or home heating is one issue that I hear people talking about,'' states Hodge. ``One tenth of this corporate giveaway would be enough to lift every senior in Canada out of poverty.'' ``We need an election because this government is leading Canada in the wrong direction,'' Hodge says.

Okanagan-Shuswap MP Gets Ten Times Normal Amount of Mail Mayes says constituents opposed to private members' bill on OAP

Kate Bouey 11/29/2010 105.7 SUNFM

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Okanagan-Shuswap M-P Colin Mayes says his office has been deluged with mail and e-mail from constituents opposed to a bill that would offer Old Age Security to immigrants after three years in Canada. Under the current law, people must live here ten years to receive a pension. Mayes says more than two-thousand people have contacted his office to express their opposition to the Liberal private member's bill. He says the the response from constituents, to his recent pamphlet on the proposed bill, is ten times higher than the usual volume. The M-P says he feels the same way. ``As far as a benefit like this, I believe that as Canadians we pay into these benefits during our working life. I just feel the people who have contributed to those benefits are the ones who should benefit by them,'' Mayes told SUN FM.  Mayes says the Conservative government will not support the bill. He says eleven people wrote in in support of the idea.

“Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.”

Published in Shuswap News: September 22, 2010

Long-gun Registry. by Colin Mayes, MP.

Private Members’ Bill, C-391, to repeal the long-gun registry, continues to be a contentious issue here in Ottawa. The lines are drawn, but for the life of me I cannot fathom the logic of those opposing the elimination of this costly Long-Gun Registry. Below are some facts:

The Auditor General, in her 2006 report, condemned the current gun registry as inefficient, wasteful and containing unreliable data. The original cost was to be $2 million. To-date, $2 billion has been spent.

Bill C-391 eliminates only the Long-Gun Registry. Handguns and automatic weapons will still require registration.

Persons owning long-guns will still need to have a license, store the firearms in a safe locked place, and be required to take firearm handling training.

Those purchasing a firearm from a retailer will still be registered at the time of sale as the owner of the firearm.

Criminals do not register their firearms. 59% of all gun-related homicides in Canada are committed with handguns; 93% of those handguns are smuggled into Canada. Only 28% of homicides were committed with long-guns, and of that only 3.5% were registered long-guns.

Because there will never be 100% compliance with the Long-Gun Registry, police can never be certain of the information they receive from the Long-Gun Registry Data Center.

The Long-Gun Registry has proven to be a costly ineffective way to reduce guns on our streets. I believe that law enforcement is the way to reduce guns and gangs.

Police can still know who has a firearm license and access where that person lives.

Guns don’t kill people. People kill people. With the money saved by eliminating the Long-Gun Registry more focus can be spent on investigating people with mental health issues or criminal records. These people should not be allowed to hold a firearm license.

Our government will continue to forward Bill C-391 to eliminate the Long-Gun Registry. We will commit the money saved for hiring more front-line police officers so that our streets will be safer for all Canadian citizens. The real question for those wanting to keep the Long-Gun Registry is: “What is the most effective way to spend taxpayer dollars to protect citizens and make our streets safer?” I believe it is not in the wasteful and costly Long-Gun Registry.

Vernon
September 21, 2010
Colin Mayes, MP
Okanagan – Shuswap

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Shooting down gun registry Published: June 17, 2010 6:00 PM Morning Star:

Above cached post is an identical letter dated June 17 with no indication of author. Looks like MP recycling talking points 3 months apart. A version is also on the MP's website:Dated June 15.

And the survey says...

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 17, 2010 7:00 PM

Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes didn’t stray from the party line when he was questioned about scrapping the mandatory long-form census. Reading from the Harper hymnal, Mayes indicated that Canadians were being muscled by the Stats Canada stormtroopers. “The issue for us is there are threatening messages on the forms. If you don’t fill them out, you could be jailed or fined,” he said. “We don’t want to make it compulsory.”

I’ll have to remember that when income tax comes due next year — just forget the threats of jail and penalties if I don’t send in the form by the deadline. And that required personal information like whether I am married or have children can be cast aside. Revenue Canada is full of pussycats — they’ll understand. But while the Conservatives refuse to budge, the opposition to replacing the mandatory long-form census with a voluntary version continues to grow.

And the latest is that notorious hot bed of radicalism — the City of Vernon. “Without the long form, we don’t have access to labour force data. We also can’t get information on income levels,” said Kevin Poole, the city’s economic development officer. A lot of this information is scrutinized by companies shopping around for a town to invest in. “They want the data to be the same and the majority of the data comes from the long-form census,” said Poole. So the government that claims to be pro-business and to have led us out of the desolation known as recession is stripping away valuable information that businesses and economic development offices across the country rely on. Municipalities, provinces and non-profit groups also depend on data from the census to ensure social programs are in place to meet the diverse needs of the public. Since no tangible reason has been given for the census changes, the actions of Ottawa can only be described as ideological. There is skepticism about the use of statistics, whether it’s over climate change, crime rates or the census, because they go directly against Conservative beliefs. But there’s absolutely no questioning numbers that show Harper and the gang in the lead over Canada’s other political parties.

Some of the questions on the census form may also offend the more libertarian roots of the Conservative Party - those individuals who believe government has no place in the private lives of Canadians. But pandering to a fringe element just to preserve votes is not how a country should be run. Instead of repeating sound bites from the prime minister and Industry Minister Tony Clement, Mayes should consider why those supporting the government on this issue wouldn’t fill a phone booth and those opposed represent a vast cross-section of society. What other issue could galvanize the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the Fellowship of Christian Evangelicals, the Vancouver Board of Trade, the right-wing C.D. Howe Institute and the Canadian Labour Congress? As a former mayor of Salmon Arm, Mayes should understand the relevancy of statistics when it comes to cities determining what programs are required and where money should be spent. You don’t just move ahead if there’s nothing to back it up.

Vernon council may only consist of seven people but they are the elected representatives for the largest community in Mayes’ riding. Their concerns deserve to be actually considered instead of just handing out more stale rhetoric.

Local M.P. Heads North

DAWSON CITY, YUKON--(Marketwire - Aug. 13, 2010) - Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will announce Government of Canada investments for social housing.

Date:	Sunday August 15, 2010
Time:	1 p.m.
Place:	Harry Davis Building
	4-PLEX
	1376 3rd Avenue
	Dawson City, Yukon

If Jean’s gone, who will be the next Governor General?

Amy Husser, Canwest News Service April 3, 2010 3:44 PM

OTTAWA — A new viceregal tenant may soon be getting the keys to Rideau Hall — but just who the country’s next governor general will be, and when he or she might move in, remains a mystery. Reports have circulated for months that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not planning to extend Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean’s term.The Toronto Star reported Saturday that Harper is now “actively seeking her replacement,” going so far as to approach Canada’s Man in Motion, Rick Hansen, as a possible replacement.Other names that have surfaced are Inuit leader Mary Simon, the current president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and retired Canadian Forces general John de Chastelain.

Native Bands-Mayes

Mon, 2010-03-01 08:55. Kate Bouey - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM

As the dispute simmers between the Okanagan Indian Band and Tolko over logging at Browns Creek, Okanagan-Shuswap M-P Colin Mayes has expressed some frustration in his efforts to work with five aboriginal bands in his riding. He says attempts to communicate with the bands have not been successful. Mayes says he's making new efforts to understand native issues that are outstanding. Mayes has hired a consultant to help increase his knowledge of the treaty process and outstanding aboriginal claims in his riding. Mayes says he wants to be informed and has tried to communicate with all five bands in his riding.Okanagan Indian Band chief Fabian Alexis has accused Ottawa of indifference as it fights Tolko's efforts to go ahead with logging in the Browns Creek Watershed. Mayes says the report will also include native education, health care and possible future economic plans.