The Conservative MP for Huron-Bruce has much to look back on with satisfaction in 2011 and looks forward to returning to Ottawa in the New Year.
Ben Lobb says the Harper government was able to get much more worthwhile work done since it was re-elected with a majority in Parliament on May 2nd.
He points to legislation passing the federal budget which the Opposition parties wouldn’t support before the election when the Tories were in a minority position.
Lobb says democratic reform was addressed with the Fair Representation Act which adds seats in the Commons effective with the next election.
He also praises passage of the Tories’ wide-sweeping crime bill.
The Safe Streets Act calls for tougher penalties on those who sexually molest children and puts the brakes on conditional sentences like house arrest.
Lobb says the budget will be a challenge in 2012 as Finance Minister Jim Flaherty seeks to balance the federal books within the next several years.
The bill ending the long-gun registry is headed for third reading in the New Year.
Lobb anticipates the legislation will pass in the Commons despite continued criticism from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Canadian Bar Association who say the registry should stay.
