Excerpt from Prime Minister David Cameron~ Speech at a joint session of the Canadian Parliament.

As the author Brian Lee Crowley has set out, there is a strong argument that the 21st Century could well be the Canadian Century.
In the last few years, Canada has got every major decision right.
Look at the facts.
Not a single Canadian bank fell or faltered during the global banking crisis.
Canada got to grips with its deficit and was running surpluses and paying down debt before the recession, fixing the roof while the sun was shining.
Your economic leadership has helped the Canadian economy to weather the global storms far better than many of your international competitors.
The way in which you have integrated people from many different backgrounds into a mature democracy is a model from which we can all learn.
And Canada is preparing now for a better future.

Full speech available: http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-canadian-parliament-speech/

Local and Regional News
Last Thursday, September 15, the St. Thomas Ford Assembly Plant, (Ford Talbotville) employees, watched as the last Crown Victoria rolled off the line. Known for its fleet cars, police cruisers and taxis, the plant won numerous awards for the high quality of its vehicles. Locally, employees at the assembly plant have been leaders in charitable contributions, including to the St. Thomas-Elgin United Way, among many others.
Although we have said farewell to the assembly plant, I will continue to work with all levels of government and business to bring new opportunities to our constituents. I would like to thank all of the staff at the plant for their many years of service and for making our community a better place to live.

The St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced that Forest City Castings of London, Ontario has entered into an agreement to purchase the Lear Seating property at 10 Highbury Avenue in St. Thomas, Ontario. Over 70 skilled employees currently make up the Forest City Castings team and that number is expected to grow as they relocate and expand from a 25,000 square foot location in London to a 100,000 square foot building with room to grow in St. Thomas. For more information, visit: http://www.somasite.com/index.php/news-from-ontarios-hearland/157-forestcitycastings

The Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT, Europe's largest application-oriented research organization, and The University of Western Ontario (Western) in London, Ontario will work together on developing and processing composite materials for lightweight vehicles in the joint Fraunhofer Project Center for Composites Research @ Western – the world’s latest state-of-the-art equipped press centre in full industrial scale.
Lightweight construction is a globally significant research field, in which Germany has assumed a leading role. Fibre composites are finding increasing application, particularly in the automotive sector, as these composites offer not only a low density but also the possibility of integrated functions. Over the past few years, the Fraunhofer ICT in Pfinztal has distinguished itself as a world leader in material and process research and development work for the lightweight sector. For more information, visit: http://communications.uwo.ca/media/fraunhofer/

Government Happenings
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced the Safe Streets and Communities Act, comprehensive legislation that will target crime and terrorism and provide support and protection to victims of crime.
"I am proud to announce that our Government has fulfilled its commitment to Canadians to bring forward legislation to make our streets, families and communities safer," said Minister Nicholson. "We campaigned on a promise to get tough on child sexual offenders, crack down on illegal drug trafficking, and improve the overall efficiency of our judicial system. Canadians gave us a strong mandate to bring forward these reforms." For more information, visit: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2011/doc_32631.html

Prime Minister Stephen Harper participated in a roundtable at the New York Stock Exchange with leading executives from global financial firms to discuss the current economic situation as well as trade and investment between Canada and the United States.
“With help from our Government’s Economic Action Plan, the Canadian economy has shown remarkable resilience during the global economic downturn, given our sound banking fundamentals and our continued commitment to trade and investment liberalization,” said Prime Minister Harper. “It is vital that Canada and the U.S. continue to strengthen commercial relations to help promote a sustained economic recovery that produces jobs and future growth on both sides of the border”. For more information, visit: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=4346&featureId=6&pageId=26

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, will be in Washington, DC, Thursday through Saturday, attending meetings of the Group of Twenty (G-20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
“The economy is our top priority,” said Minister Flaherty. “In meeting with our global partners, we will continue to work toward strong, sustainable and balanced growth over the medium term, as well as on ways to strengthen market confidence and promote global recovery.”
G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors met Thursday evening to discuss the global economy and progress on the G-20 Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth.
On Friday, the Minister will attend the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank. For more information, visit: http://www.fin.gc.ca/n11/11-084-eng.asp

Program Information Update
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is changing to better reflect how Canadians choose to live, work, and retire. The Government of Canada is adapting the CPP to ensure it remains fair and sustainable, and that it responds to the evolving needs of Canada's aging population and to changes in the economy and labour market. For information, visit: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/isp/pub/factsheets/ISPB-348-11-10_E.pdf

Citizen Recognition
On Saturday, September 17, members of the Believe Army joined together to raise funds to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The Believe Army is an organization dedicated to fighting the war against A. L. S. and holds local fundraisers including golf tournaments and walks. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize The Barber Family including Bob, Linda, Steve, and Meg along with Lindsay Disbrowe for all of the hard work in efforts to find a cure.

Events
The end of summer concluded with many local events including the Watermelon Festival in Straffordville, the Shedden Fair, and a stroll through the Iron Horse Festival. Joe toured Compassion Care Canada in London and met with many local businesses and constituents. He represented Canada at the Bilateral Visit of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in South Africa. Staff represented Joe at the Terry Fox Run, Walk for ALS, Elgin County Ambassador’s Breakfast, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness day and took part in assisting Parkside Collegiate Institute and St. Joseph’s High School with their CO-OP programs.

Join Joe Preston’s Group on Facebook for recent photos and events: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/354070130107/

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