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Friday, September 5, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
The Order of the Maple Leaf
I was a very happy parent Monday to attend Rothesay Park Middle School’s summer award ceremony for the Order of the Maple Leaf, whose recipients in this round included by son Kenneth Zed.
Kenneth like many of the students of the school received the award for working diligently in class, doing his homework as assigned, working cooperatively and getting along with classmates, being courteous and respectful to other individuals, and being a good citizen.
Loosely based on the Order of Canada, the Order of the Maple Leaf, which is supported by the Governor General of Canada, recognizes and rewards students who may progress from Member, to Officer, to Companion of the Order. This unique award is the only one of its kind in Canada, and has been a great incentive for students to be recognized for their good work under the leadership of Principal Catherine Chiasson. I have known Catherine most of my life and know that our community is richer for her leadership and dedication to our young people.
Rothesay Park takes pride in its middle school status. Eight years ago, it served kindergarten to grade-six students when it made the switch to a middle school the Order of the Maple Leaf citizenship program was introduced.
As Members, they receive a congratulatory letter from the Governor General and a maple leaf pendant to which they add pins as they progress to the Officer and Companion levels. When the bell rings at 2:20 p.m., Rothesay Park’s optional after-school activity period begins, and children participate in anything from fencing and gourmet cooking to doll making or line dancing with the vice-principal.
This year, the students of the school banded together to raise money and support for Kate Robarts, a sick classmate. I attended a fundraiser event for Kate and her family at the Three Mile. We are blessed to have such a supportive extended family for Kate, Scott, & Mary Robarts at this difficult time with Kate’s ill health, but we are all very hopeful. From yard sales and charm bracelets, to running laps and organizing the ‘Pie in the Teacher’s Face’ fundraiser, it has been an exceptional year for students supporting a needy friend and learning to work together.
Today I would like to congratulate every student receiving the award at Rothesay Park Middle School and to students throughout Greater Saint John working to make their school, their community, and their country a better place.
Kenneth like many of the students of the school received the award for working diligently in class, doing his homework as assigned, working cooperatively and getting along with classmates, being courteous and respectful to other individuals, and being a good citizen.
Loosely based on the Order of Canada, the Order of the Maple Leaf, which is supported by the Governor General of Canada, recognizes and rewards students who may progress from Member, to Officer, to Companion of the Order. This unique award is the only one of its kind in Canada, and has been a great incentive for students to be recognized for their good work under the leadership of Principal Catherine Chiasson. I have known Catherine most of my life and know that our community is richer for her leadership and dedication to our young people.
Rothesay Park takes pride in its middle school status. Eight years ago, it served kindergarten to grade-six students when it made the switch to a middle school the Order of the Maple Leaf citizenship program was introduced.
As Members, they receive a congratulatory letter from the Governor General and a maple leaf pendant to which they add pins as they progress to the Officer and Companion levels. When the bell rings at 2:20 p.m., Rothesay Park’s optional after-school activity period begins, and children participate in anything from fencing and gourmet cooking to doll making or line dancing with the vice-principal.
This year, the students of the school banded together to raise money and support for Kate Robarts, a sick classmate. I attended a fundraiser event for Kate and her family at the Three Mile. We are blessed to have such a supportive extended family for Kate, Scott, & Mary Robarts at this difficult time with Kate’s ill health, but we are all very hopeful. From yard sales and charm bracelets, to running laps and organizing the ‘Pie in the Teacher’s Face’ fundraiser, it has been an exceptional year for students supporting a needy friend and learning to work together.
Today I would like to congratulate every student receiving the award at Rothesay Park Middle School and to students throughout Greater Saint John working to make their school, their community, and their country a better place.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Spring Graduation Season
Spring is a time of great pride for many parents as our children graduate from high school, university, and community college and move onto the next challenge in life. I was pleased to attend a number of high school graduation ceremonies throughout Saint John as well as our largest class ever at UNBSJ at Tucker Park.
This is a very special time to spend with family and friends to mark the significant achievements of our hard working children. Our family is no different, and along with my children and other members of the Zed family, we were all extremely pleased to attend the graduation of my oldest son Andrew from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where he has bee for the past four years completing a business degree.
It is with great hope that I have watched him grow up and give something back by volunteering both in New Brunswick and abroad as a summer aid worker with the "Volunteer Internship Community Development Africa Program" teaching in a one room classroom, made of mud and sheet metal crammed with hundreds of eager African AIDS orphans waiting to receive a basic education in Nairobi Kenya.
I want to congratulate all students in Saint John, Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfield, Quispamsis on their excellent achievements and wish them all the best in the future.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The Digby Ferry: My question in the House of Commons
http://www.liberal.ca/players/player_e.aspx?id=707
Mr. Speaker, the Saint John to Digby ferry is a vital link for Atlantic Canada. The provinces should not have to pay to maintain the service. It is part of our national transportation infrastructure, just like highways and rail lines.
This is a marine superhighway from the energy hub of Saint John to Nova Scotia lumber and fishing communities.
Will the government commit today to use funding from the Atlantic gateway initiative to help keep this tourism and trade link running?
Mr. Speaker, the Saint John to Digby ferry is a vital link for Atlantic Canada. The provinces should not have to pay to maintain the service. It is part of our national transportation infrastructure, just like highways and rail lines.
This is a marine superhighway from the energy hub of Saint John to Nova Scotia lumber and fishing communities.
Will the government commit today to use funding from the Atlantic gateway initiative to help keep this tourism and trade link running?
Asking about broken promises for cities and towns in Question Period
http://www.liberal.ca/players/player_e.aspx?id=762
Mr. Speaker, the city of Regina has waited nine months for $20 million from the Conservative government so that IPSCO Place can be expanded. The city of Regina was told all it had to do was meet the project requirements. It did and it is still waiting. In February the Conservatives claimed that construction could start on May 1, yet today is May 14 and the city is still waiting. These delays are costing the city of Regina $1 million.
Why is the government playing games with the citizens of Regina?
Mr. Speaker, the construction season is here now and cities and towns across Canada want their tax dollars reinvested, now, to address the $123 billion Conservative infrastructure deficit.
The government has told several cities and towns in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan that their projects will receive funding, but not one cheque has gone out for transit, highways or roads.
When will the minister start reinvesting in real projects instead of phantom trains to Peterborough?
Mr. Speaker, the city of Regina has waited nine months for $20 million from the Conservative government so that IPSCO Place can be expanded. The city of Regina was told all it had to do was meet the project requirements. It did and it is still waiting. In February the Conservatives claimed that construction could start on May 1, yet today is May 14 and the city is still waiting. These delays are costing the city of Regina $1 million.
Why is the government playing games with the citizens of Regina?
Mr. Speaker, the construction season is here now and cities and towns across Canada want their tax dollars reinvested, now, to address the $123 billion Conservative infrastructure deficit.
The government has told several cities and towns in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan that their projects will receive funding, but not one cheque has gone out for transit, highways or roads.
When will the minister start reinvesting in real projects instead of phantom trains to Peterborough?
Watch my last question in the House of Commons
http://www.liberal.ca/players/player_e.aspx?id=865
Mr. Paul Zed (Saint John, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, as the Liberal urban caucus releases a report about partnerships and the future of Canada's cities and communities, mayors and councillors are in Quebec City protesting the outrageous neglect of the Conservative infrastructure deficit. Not one penny of its failing Canada fund has been delivered yet. Not one, but two consecutive construction seasons have passed with no new money.
When will the government stop insulting Canada's mayors and when will it start the real work of building our cities and towns?
Mr. Paul Zed (Saint John, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, as the Liberal urban caucus releases a report about partnerships and the future of Canada's cities and communities, mayors and councillors are in Quebec City protesting the outrageous neglect of the Conservative infrastructure deficit. Not one penny of its failing Canada fund has been delivered yet. Not one, but two consecutive construction seasons have passed with no new money.
When will the government stop insulting Canada's mayors and when will it start the real work of building our cities and towns?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Springtime is the Right Time to Fight Poverty
As the sun came out in Ottawa last week, so too did more scandal as Elections Canada was aided by the RCMP with a raid on Conservative Party HQ.
This is good news for no-one as it distracts from the serious work at hand, perhaps the most serious of which is fighting poverty in Canada. Greater Saint John is a city on the up, but even as our economy grows, we have to be sure to keep working towards a more just society for the worst off.
Late last year, the Liberal party announced its 30-50 plan to reduce poverty in Canada. This plan will bring the number of Canadians as a whole living in poverty down 30% and the number of children living in poverty by 50% in five years. This plan is costed, economically feasible, and respects those it seeks to offer a hand-up.
This comprehensive plan stands in stark contrast to the current government, which raised the tax rate on the lowest income group in their first budget, even while they offered tax breaks to the upper income groups.
With any luck we’ll be able to bring this plan to action and start investing in people again.
This is good news for no-one as it distracts from the serious work at hand, perhaps the most serious of which is fighting poverty in Canada. Greater Saint John is a city on the up, but even as our economy grows, we have to be sure to keep working towards a more just society for the worst off.
Late last year, the Liberal party announced its 30-50 plan to reduce poverty in Canada. This plan will bring the number of Canadians as a whole living in poverty down 30% and the number of children living in poverty by 50% in five years. This plan is costed, economically feasible, and respects those it seeks to offer a hand-up.
This comprehensive plan stands in stark contrast to the current government, which raised the tax rate on the lowest income group in their first budget, even while they offered tax breaks to the upper income groups.
With any luck we’ll be able to bring this plan to action and start investing in people again.
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