Rumblings of an election are getting louder but, personally, I don’t think too many of my constituents are hungry for one.
My colleague, the Minister of State for Finance, the Honourable Ted Menzies spent the day with me in the riding last week meeting with a group of local seniors and attending a Budget 2011 economic roundtable co-hosted by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.  We received many useful comments on what to do about the Budget, retirement planning and the global recession but not a word about the need for an election. 

Most want the government to concentrate on the economy and sound fiscal management so we can confidently move forward and put the economic downturn behind us once and for all.

We should be feeling pretty good about our chances.

Despite opposition party leaders trying to convince you that you are worse off than you were 5 years ago here is the good news:
Economist Michael Veall estimates that “real median after-tax income is almost 7.5 per cent higher in 2010 than in 2005, an increase of about 1.5 per cent a year.” He adds “using this one indicator, the balance of probability suggests that Mr. Harper is right -- Canadians are better off.” (Globe and Mail Online, January 25, 2011). The Canadian Index of Wellbeing seems to agree, showing clear increases in GDP, living standards and community vitality (Globe and Mail, January 21, 2011).

Furthermore, Canada is leading the economic recovery with five consecutive quarters of economic growth, has a financial system again ranked the soundest in the world, and that both the IMF and OECD project that Canada will have among the strongest average growth for the G7 in the years ahead.
Some might say “OK, but where’s the vision?”

The vision for this country lies with the people: our entrepreneurs, our innovators, our small and medium sized business people and our citizens. 
In fact, the Prime Minister has declared 2011 the Year of the Entrepreneur.

As we move into the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Canada’s entrepreneurs will play an even greater role in securing our fragile economic recovery.  Their actions will stimulate economic growth and job creation if we provide the right economic conditions: a healthy investment climate, a skilled workforce trained at institutions like our own UBCO and Okanagan College and a federal government that is willing to remove as many barriers to our growth potential as possible by keeping taxes down, cutting unnecessary red tape, getting rid of the deficit and spending within our means.   
Designating 2011 the Year of the Entrepreneur is not only a call for action, it will serve as a guide for our actions so that talented and resourceful Canadians can succeed and drive the economy forward.

Please Help
This week I was contacted by Rhea and Ian Taylor asking for help.  Rhea and Ian are planning a Charity Valentines Dance for Caleb Lanz a 9 year old boy in our community who has a very rare and fatal brain tumour, a condition known as DIPG or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.
The event will be held on Saturday, February 12th at the Ellison Community Hall to raise money for the family to help with medical costs, including treatment options out of province.  The charity event would also raise funds to help realize Caleb’s wish list.
Rhea and Ian are asking for help from the community, especially businesses, willing to help host the event, and provide items for a Silent Auction.   Anyone wishing to donate directly to the family can do so also.
Here is a chance for the community to work together to help out young Caleb and his family.  Anyone who thinks they can contribute in any way should contact Rhea or Ian at (250) 765-3466 or irtaylor@shaw.ca .  They will be glad to hear from you.
I’m heading back to Ottawa next week but don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments on federally-related matters at ron@cannan.ca or by phone at 470-5075. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Ron Cannan is the MP for Kelowna-Lake Country.