Welcome to The Hawn Report -- my online newsletter to keep Edmonton Centre constituents up-to-date on important legislation as well as the events and activities I have participated in.

Events and Activities

Once again my schedule has been jam-packed with events and activities.  The most exciting news of 2010 thus far was that my first grandchild was born. Judy and I were absolutely thrilled to become the grandparents of Tyler James Davidson, born into the world this February 16th at 6 lb 6.5 oz.

It was time for fireworks, lion dances and the Money God as I joined hundreds of Edmonton's Chinese community for the celebration of the Year of the Tiger.  After bringing greetings in Cantonese, I joined Mayor Mandel, MLA Janice Sarich and many others in distributing "money" packets for good luck followed.  The event was followed by an excellent lunch at the Yorkton Pacific Mall.

I also attended an assembly at Stratford School, where the students initiated a program to raise funds for the Haiti relief effort.  Students from grades five, six, and nine each picked a different method of fund raising and all were successful.  I brought greetings and congratulations to a school assembly and helped bring the total raised by the students to $2,500, which will be matched by the federal government.  Generosity knows no age limits.

I went to the United Way Awards of Distinction ceremony, where a large crowd gathered at the Westin Hotel to honour those who have made a difference in our community through their efforts with the United Way in 2009.  It is the dedication of these people that allows Edmontonians with various challenges to enjoy a better quality of life.

In addition, there were two more Recreational Infrastructure (RInC) announcements for Edmonton Centre.  Edmonton has received historic investments over the past few years to help our local economy. I had the pleasure of making both announcements for the Westmount Fitness Centre and the Glenora Community League. The RInC program will help the Westmount Fitness Centre with $70,476 that will repair existing external and internal infrastructure. The work includes repairs and renovations to the outside siding, roof, sidewalk, inside flooring, mechanics and gyms. The Glenora Community League is receiving $73,777 to improve the Glenora Park by replacing the existing playground equipment and replacing the wading pool with a spray park. The functionality of the park will be enhanced by adding additional furniture and landscaping.

Social Media

This month I decided to undertake a few initiatives to communicate more directly with my online constituents. I launched a Facebook page so those on Facebook can view pictures, see announcements, and stay informed with what’s happening.  And I am also now on Twitter at, http://twitter.com/mplauriehawn, in order to engage in the conversation happening there and keep people up to date on the day to day in Ottawa and in Edmonton.  And check in on my website at, http://www.lauriehawn.ca/blog.asp?menuID=164, to see the Hawn Report VLOG (Video Blog) where I will give highlights of the week.

Budget 2010

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, tabled a budget plan that builds on Canada’s economic recovery with action to create jobs and stimulate growth, sustains our country’s economic advantages and charts the way forward to budget balance.

Our Government has held hundreds of consultations with Canadian workers and businesses across the country.  Canadians remain concerned about jobs and the economy.

In keeping with Canadians’ priorities, the budget plan completes our Economic Action Plan – stimulus measures to create jobs now.  It takes additional steps to protect existing jobs and create new ones, and it looks ahead to secure Canada’s long-term growth. We will not raise taxes or cut major transfers to persons and other levels of government.

Our Jobs and Growth Budget continues a plan that is working.  It will help solidify Canada’s economic recovery and sustain our economic advantage now and for the future.  Our Government intends to be a partner in our economic recovery, not an obstacle to growth.

The budget highlights three key objectives:

•·         First, it confirms $19 billion in new federal stimulus under Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to create and protect jobs. 

•·         Second, Budget 2010 invests in a limited number of new, targeted initiatives to build jobs and growth for the economy of tomorrow, harness Canadian innovation, and make Canada a destination of choice for new business investment.

•·         Third, it outlined a three-point plan for returning to budget balance once the economy has recovered.  This includes ending the temporary stimulus measures as promised, restraining growth in spending through targeted measures and additional restraint through a in-depth review of government’s administrative functions and overhead costs.

Alberta will continue to receive increased federal support through Budget 2010.  Total transfers will hit $4.2 billion in 2010-11, an increase of $88 million from last year and almost $1.8 billion from under the old Liberal government.

This long-term support helps ensure Alberta has the resources needed to provide essential public services including health care, post-secondary education and other social services.

For more information and how Canada’s Economic Plan benefits them, people are encouraged to visit www.budget.gc.ca

Unemployment rate: February Labour Force Survey

Statistics Canada reported this month that employment in Canada increased by nearly 21,000 jobs in February, lowering the unemployment rate from 8.3% to 8.2%.

Today’s numbers are further proof that Canada’s Economic Action Plan is working.  February marks the fifth month of job gains in the past seven months.

Since July 2009, Canada has created almost 160,000 new jobs.  While Canada is weathering current global economic challenges better than nearly every other industrialized country, our recovery remains fragile. The Prime Minister has repeatedly said that our government won’t be satisfied until those Canadians who have lost jobs are working again.

Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Like many of you, I watched our Canadian athletes on television participating at the Olympics. Records tumbled as Canada’s Winter Olympic athletes amazed us with their skill and courage and showed the world the strength of Canadian athletics. We set an outright record for most gold medals won – 14 – in an Olympic Winter Games. Canada won by far the most gold medals by a host Winter Games nation. We won our first ever Olympic gold medal on home soil and we were the first North American nation to win gold in the ice dance competition.

We remember especially those Canadian athletes who overcame profound personal loss to fight their way on to the podium.  The commitment, dedication, spirit and success of our athletes inspired the nation and will undoubtedly motivate young Canadians to follow in their footsteps. I join with all Canadians in expressing our pride and admiration for our athletes.

I know that our Paralympic athletes will make us just as proud. Go Canada go!

For more information about what activities and events I have attended, please visit my website. http://www.lauriehawn.ca/

If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Laurie Hawn, MP
Edmonton Centre