C-Fax 1070, Victoria’s News Authority

Aug 26, 2010

ESQUIMALT MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT KEITH MARTIN HAS ISSUED ANOTHER STATEMENT CRITICAL OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT GREATER VICTORIA TREAT ITS SEWAGE.

HE CALLS IT AN “800 MILLION BOONDOGGLE”, AND COMPLAINS THAT IT WILL NOT ONLY DRIVE UP LOCAL TAXES, BUT WILL DRAIN AWAY SENIOR GOVERNMENT DOLLARS THAT COULD BE GOING TOWARDS SOLVING SOME OF THE REGION’S REAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS CLOGGED ROADS AND HOMELESSNESS.

MARTIN HAS LONG ARGUED THAT SEWAGE TREATMENT IS UNNECESSARY. HIS LATEST SALVO IS IN RESPONSE TO THE PROVINCIAL APPROVAL THIS WEEK OF THE CRD’S PLAN FOR A SINGLE TREATMENT PLANT, AT MCLAUGHLIN POINT.

- fms

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By Keith Martin Member of Parliament, Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, B.C., Liberal Party of Canada; MD.

Aug 16 2010

There are ways Canada could help provide people with legitimate routes to apply as refugees to other countries.

People-smuggling is big business. Unscrupulous thugs prey on people’s fears of persecution or desire for a better life. For a charge of up to $45,000 per person (an astronomical sum in countries where people may be making only $2 a day), people get into rickety boats to make a perilous journey across the Pacific Ocean.

This happened when the MV Sun Sea left Sri Lanka months ago to arrive on our shores. The people onboard will be triaged medically, treated at Vancouver General Hospital, and then held in prison to determine if anyone is a security risk. If history is a guide, they will be held for a while and almost all will be a released while the processing continues for months, if not years. This was the case when another group of Sri Lankan boat people arrived on our coast last October. Most are now living in Toronto while their claims are being assessed.

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VICTORIA – The Conservative government, during the 100th anniversary of our Navy, has announced widespread cuts that will seriously compromise the ability of our Navy to do their job, said Dr. Keith Martin, Member of Parliament for Esquimalt – Juan de Fuca. Dr. Martin was responding to recent reports that budget cuts are forcing the navy to slash its fleet of Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels from 12 to six ships and three frigates will now only be working close to home and, according to Admiral McFadden, to a “limited degree.”

“Even worse, resources needed to support our ships for their safety and the protection of our sailors will also be removed leaving our ships vulnerable,” said Dr. Martin, who noted that funding cuts have forced the navy to remove combat systems, navigations and communications systems, and some anti-submarine warfare capabilities, along with key weapon systems, that will no longer be supported.

“This failure to support our men and women in uniform is a shocking dereliction of duty on the part of the Conservative government. This is particularly unconscionable given that Canada will be leaving Afghanistan next year and there will be a financial dividend in the Defence Department,” said Dr. Martin.

“This is some birthday present from the Conservative government, which claims to support our troops.”

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Keith will be hosting a forum tonight on the care of our Canadian Forces Members and Veterans. Special guest Dr. Atholl Malcolm will be speaking on the effects of PTSD.

Keith would also like to hear your thoughts on:
- our Public Service Pension System
- helping those who support our CF members
- the issues you feel Parliament should address when it returns on March 3.

We look forward to seeing you there. Please bring a friend!

7:00 – 8:30pm
Archie Browning Sport Centre
Crowsnest Room
1151 Esquimalt Road

More information (250) 474-6505

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As published in the Times Colonist
September 8, 2009
By: Keith Martin

The announcement that on July 1, 2010, B.C.’s provincial sales tax will be merged with the federal goods and services tax was a bolt out of the blue.

This seven per cent tax increase on everything that was previously exempt from PST was anticipated by no one.
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