Canadians are proud of our accomplishments in space as our country was the third nation in space. Our astronauts have participated in 15 space missions – more than any country other than the United States and Russia. And the world-famous Canadarm was designed, developed and built in Canada. Our achievements serve as inspiration for young Canadians to pursue studies in science and engineering.

Space exploration and development is a strategic asset and absolutely critical to the delivery of some of our Government’s key goals. Under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Conservatives are taking action for Canada’s sovereignty, safety and security, sustainable management and the development of our natural resources.

To ensure that Canada maintains its strong position in this important field, our Conservative Government is investing $497 million in the Canadian space industry to develop the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, the next generation of advanced radar remote sensing satellites.

The Harper Government is taking action to support space exploration and development because it drives cutting-edge research, promotes technological excellence and strengthens our economy.

Under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, our Government is making a difference for seniors who are looking to improve the social well-being of neighbourhoods through local volunteering projects.

Our Government has a long record of standing up for Canadian seniors, including:

• Creating the position of Minister of State for Seniors to bring the concerns of older Canadians to the Cabinet table;
• Providing $2.3 billion annually in tax relief to seniors and pensioners through measures such as pension income splitting and increasing the Age Credit – twice;
• Standing up against elder abuse in all its forms by introducing the Federal Elder Abuse Awareness Initiative; and
• Establishing a National Seniors Day which we will celebrate every October 1^st, coinciding with the UN’s International Day of Older Persons.

Canada’s seniors worked hard and contributed so much to the Canada we know and love. Seniors deserve our gratitude and respect. That’s why Conservatives are proud to stand up for seniors and take action to ensure that our policies, programs and services continue to reward the hard work of the folks who built our country.

Under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, our Government is making a difference for seniors who are looking to improve the social well-being of neighbourhoods through local volunteering projects.

Our Government has a long record of standing up for Canadian seniors, including:

• Creating the position of Minister of State for Seniors to bring the concerns of older Canadians to the Cabinet table;
• Providing $2.3 billion annually in tax relief to seniors and pensioners through measures such as pension income splitting and increasing the Age Credit – twice;
• Standing up against elder abuse in all its forms by introducing the Federal Elder Abuse Awareness Initiative; and
• Establishing a National Seniors Day which we will celebrate every October 1^st, coinciding with the UN’s International Day of Older Persons.

Canada’s seniors worked hard and contributed so much to the Canada we know and love. Seniors deserve our gratitude and respect. That’s why Conservatives are proud to stand up for seniors and take action to ensure that our policies, programs and services continue to reward the hard work of the folks who built our country.

Conservatives believe that the integrity of Canada’s borders is the first and foremost responsibility of a national government. Our Conservative Government is committed to strongly asserting Canadian sovereignty throughout Canada’s Arctic.

The strategic importance of Canada’s Arctic is growing, which is why the work undertaken by Operation NANOOK is more valuable now than ever before. Countries around the globe are showing more interest in the Arctic and its rich resource potential. With new trade routes opening up, we must continue to promote Canada’s sovereignty while strengthening the safety and security of Canadians living in our High Arctic.

Operation NANOOK is part of our Government’s ambitious four-part Northern Strategy to assert and defend Canada’s sovereignty; to protect the unique and fragile Arctic ecosystem; to develop a strong Northern economy; and to encourage good governance, local control, and opportunity for Northerners.

Prime Minister Harper has made the North a priority for our Conservative Government because it is a priority for Canadians.

The North has played a major role in shaping Canada’s identity. Throughout our history, Canadians have drawn strength from those who have showed courage and leadership in overcoming the great challenges of this vast land.

That’s why our Conservative Government has launched an ambitious four-part Northern Strategy. We are taking action for Canada’s North by: asserting and defending Canada’s sovereignty; helping to protect the unique and fragile Arctic ecosystem; developing a strong Northern economy; and encouraging good governance, local control, and opportunity for Northerners.

As part of this strategy, our new High Arctic Research Station will be a world-class, year-round, multidisciplinary facility exploring the cutting edge of our Arctic science and technology. This station will create jobs, foster economic and social development, and help us understand and protect our northern environment.

The Prime Minister has made the North a priority for our Conservative Government because Canadians care about every part of our great country.

Canadian culture and character has been shaped by the North. We are a northern people and our history is intertwined with the experiences of those who have taken on the great challenges of this land. Our future depends on our ability and willingness to appreciate and defend it.

Prime Minister Harper is touring the North to express our commitment to improving the quality of life for families and communities in the Arctic and ensuring the North reaches its full potential through Canada’s Northern Strategy.

To bring our vision to life, Conservatives have focused on helping northern communities become more self-sufficient, healthy and safe. Our support for essential upgrades to Churchill Airport will help ensure that Canadians who rely on this remote airport will have access to necessary goods, services and opportunities.

The Canadian Arctic is a vital part of our national identity, sovereignty and economic security. The Prime Minister has made the North a priority for our Conservative Government because it is a priority for Canadians.

In Canada, sealing is a time-honoured tradition. For generations, coastal and Inuit communities have relied on the seal hunt as a source of income. That’s why our Conservative Government is steadfast in its commitment to defend the commercial seal hunt and to protect Canada’s access to foreign markets, including the European Union (E.U.).

Our Government has made representation at all levels of the E.U. to inform them that the Canadian seal hunt is a sustainable activity based on sound conservation principles. It is humane and closely monitored – unlike many European slaughterhouses.

Unfortunately, the E.U. has chosen to proceed with the ban on seal products based on an ill-informed political decision that has no basis in fact or science.

Conservatives will continue our efforts to counter the misinformation campaign by the anti-seal hunt lobby groups. We will not shy away from or apologize for defending a lawful Canadian industry and the economies of our coastal communities.

Canadians believe in the rule of law and respect for the law. That’s why our Government is taking action to maintain confidence in our justice system. That means delivering justice swiftly and efficiently and cutting down on long, drawn-out trials.

‘Mega-trials’ deal with serious offences such as organized crime, gang-related activity and terrorism. Proceedings can be exceptionally long because they often involve many defendants, multiple charges, complex evidence, and lengthy investigations.

These trials sometimes force victims to wait too long for justice. That isn’t right.

Our Conservative Government has made significant progress, developing proposals that would make mega-trials more efficient. Conservatives believe that the rights of victims should always be put ahead of the so-called rights of criminals. We want organized crime groups, gangs and terrorists to face justice swiftly and efficiently while ensuring fairness for victims and all Canadians.

Criminal gangs depend on the revenue they receive from large-scale illegal gambling, prostitutions rings, and certain drug-related offences to fund their vast and violent operations. That’s why we are continuing to take action against organized crime. Our Government recently announced tough new regulations to make crimes typically associated with these gangs ‘serious-offences’ under the Criminal Code.

The victims of crime must never be left behind. Conservatives continue to stand up for victims and we were pleased to appoint former Ottawa Deputy Police Chief, Sue O’Sullivan as the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime. Today, she begins her important work on behalf of victims in this new position.

Our Conservative Government is taking action to rebuild the Canadian Forces. We are helping ensure our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women have the tools and equipment needed to do the job Canadians ask them to do.

Today’s announcement is helping to modernize the facilities and training grounds of CFB Borden. This base plays a pivotal role in training our brave men and women in uniform to carry out operations both in Canada and around the world.

Our Government’s total action to update base infrastructure amounts to almost $210 million, and it is already creating jobs and providing economic stimulus to the local community.

Through the Canada First Defence Strategy, our Conservative Government is ensuring that Canada has a first-class modern military that is ready to protect Canadian sovereignty here at home, and contribute to the preservation of global security abroad.

Our Government believes the activities of those who represent Canadians should be as open and transparent as possible. In keeping with a vote in the House of Commons earlier this spring, we are moving forward to increase the transparency of Parliament by proposing to expand the definition of designated public office holders that are covered under the Lobbying Act.

Under the new changes, the definition would be expanded to include Members of Parliament, Senators and the exempt staff from the Offices of the Leader of the Opposition in the House and the Senate.

The proposed changes demonstrate our Conservative Government is committed to making Parliament as open and accountable to Canadians as possible, not to special interest groups.