The holiday season is traditionally a time when we reflect on what has happened in our lives over the past 12 months and look forward to what we can accomplish in the year ahead.

For my part, I am grateful to have had the honour to serve as the MP for SDSG in 2007.

Throughout the course of the holidays I look forward to attending numerous events in our community and to speaking with as many of you as possible about this experience.

Today in Canada, the economy is strong, the government is clean and the country is united. Canada is a more stable and optimistic place than any time in our recent past, yet our greatest strength lies in our energy and determination to build a better future.

For instance, today Canadians are able to hold on to more of their own money through lower taxes. This fall, I was proud to join my colleagues in the Conservative government in voting to reduce the tax burden on individuals and small businesses. This includes yet another cut to the GST – to 5%! Now, across the country, Canadians can keep more of the money they worked so hard to earn.

We have also shown new leadership when it comes to protecting Canadian families from crime. We have introduced tough new penalties for those who commit crimes with a gun. We are protecting our children from sexual exploitation by raising the age of consent. We are introducing tougher sentences for those convicted of drug crimes or dentity theft. And we are taking action against the most dangerous criminals by
toughening dangerous offender laws so that the worst offenders stay behind bars.

We are also taking strong steps to make Canada’s government more accountable to you. This includes our insistence that Canada’s Senate be elected to be sure they represent your interests.

Personally, I am most proud of the work that was accomplished in bringing new jobs to our community. During my time in office, I have lobbied extensively in Ottawa to bring new investment to our area. That work is starting to pay off.

This year I made several announcements. One of these involves the creation of an Employment Insurance (EI) centre of specialization in Cornwall, which will contribute an additional $2 to 3 million dollars to the local economy each year. Another relates to an agreement I secured with the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada and the Minister of Public Safety for the design, construction, financing and property management of a new RCMP Eastern Ontario Headquarters building in Cornwall worth an estimated value of $15 million.

I want to assure you that I will continue to work tirelessly to attract new investment next year. In fact, several announcements are already anticipated. Regardless of whether or not the Opposition engineers an election, I will be working for you, ensuring that we get our fair share. In short, 2008 will be a very good year for our community.

And that is something to look forward to.

Guy Lauzon, MP
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry