Year end with the MP

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin concluded 2011 by releasing his year-end report card and hosting a question and answer period with the media.

Aspin list of accomplishments includes visits with 18 municipalities, 3 native councils and over 30 businesses during summer 2011, saving summer postal service available for Temagami and Bear Island and having over 4,300 interactions with constituents. As well he lists $9 million in funding announcements for the riding over his past eight months in office and his voting record in the House of Commons.

“During the election I indicated ‘What this riding needed was a member that was willing to roll up his sleeves and work with FedNor instead of continually negatively criticizing the program’,” he states.

“By working just that way, I have managed to lever a significant amount of FedNor funding into the riding since May 2nd. “

Aspin says he has a perfect attendance record so far taking part in 104 votes including Bill C-19 the long-gun registry.

Despite a call from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police to keep the long-gun registry, Aspin says the Conservative government is keeping its promise to dismantle the registry.

Bill C-19 is in committee and expected to go to Senate for the final vote early in the New Year.

Aspin says he will strike three economic advisory councils for the riding in 2012.

The groups will be made up of six to 10 business and economic development professionals that will explore and advise where jobs and economic advancements opportunities are in the North Bay, Timiskaming Shores and Mattawa areas.

“I promised the Mattawa people that I would strike an advisory group to help them … the Mattawa economy has been crippled,” he tells reporters.

“The Mattawa economy needs help and we’re already working on a number of projects to help them bring to fruition, but we want to work on more and this initiative will assist us in that regard.”

Aspin says he will continue to bring concerns of the riding to Ottawa and expects good news for the riding in 2012.