Sorenson proudly serves Crowfoot Riding

Times Contributor

 

MP Kevin Sorenson is proud to serve the people of Crowfoot riding, especially during an optimistic 2012.

“I have found a strong work ethic, a sense of caring and humbleness, in every corner of our riding,” he says. “We are optimistic, thankful and always up for a challenge!”

Sorenson says he’s blessed that his constituents “care about federal political issues and do not hesitate to make their views known. We have ‘Alberta know-how’ and we want to share it for the betterment of our nation,” he says. “I appreciate being able to quote my constituents in debates. While we don’t always get our way, I consider it my duty to ensure that we have our say!” 

He says he “can always count on the municipal leaders, volunteers and other community members” to do the necessary hard work.

Passage of the budget was the government’s major accomplishment in 2012. Sorenson says “it includes many measures that Parliament has been unable to act upon during the minority Parliament years. For example, ‘one project – one review’ will have significant effects. Investors will now have a measure of certainty as proposals will now be able to go forward (or not) based on real facts and figures.”

With a majority Parliament, Sorenson says, “the Government of Canada is now in a position to … provide strong leadership,” allowing them to pass over 40 pieces of legislation, including tackling elder abuse, placing MP Pensions in line with private sector plans, measures to assist ‘mega trials’, eliminating the long-gun registry, copyright and food safety. He was honoured to speak in support of the Pooled Registered Retirement Pension Plan, which, he says, will benefit Crowfoot constituents “more than any other single Bill we have passed.”

 Sorenson finds it an ongoing challenge to “work with the Official Opposition and the procedural stalling tactics they resort to. (For example) no one knows how much the F-35 (plane) will cost – the numbers have been changing throughout the process of developing this ‘never built before’ plane,” he says. “There is no ‘hiding’ the figures.” 

He also feels the Opposition protests unnecessarily about the budget bill. 

“In the worst economic times in memory, would our federal government not have a very detailed and large budget bill? Our government is working hard to help provide Canadian workers and their families with jobs and economic growth.”

This September, for example, Sorenson announced federal funding for The Open Door in Camrose, and he calls it a success. 

“This effort has helped families,” he says, “and we are all hopeful that it will continue.”

Then in November, Sorenson announced an invitation for broad input on shaping social policy. 

“We have a society to continue to design the way Canadians want,” he says. “Our Conservative government is asking communities to state their needs. We need to ‘pioneer’ how we are going to deliver social services, health services, community services, seniors’ services, youth services, etc. We are asking: who has good ideas on how we can do this better?”

For 2013, Sorenson’s single greatest concern is the U.S. economic situation. 

“The U.S. is our largest trading partner by far,” he points out. “If there is a further downturn in the American economy, Canadians will be affected,” including people in our own constituency. 

“Our Conservative government has to maintain our economic position,” Sorenson says. “We are well-positioned if economic recovery sets in in Europe and the U.S.”, but he assures that Prime Minister Stephen Harper “is prepared if the global economy doesn’t improve.” 

Sorenson is confident the government’s “low-tax, family-friendly policies are serving our constituents well. There is the opportunity for hard work to lead to prosperity for young families in many sectors of our local economy.”

As 2013 begins, Sorenson reminds us to be “grateful for all the blessings we enjoy, especially at Christmas time. We are celebrating the birth of our spiritual Saviour and we have much to celebrate with our loved ones and friends. This year, in the aftermath of the Connecticut massacre, we will all hug our children even tighter all the best from my family to yours!”