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STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA MARKING THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS BY ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the celebration of Christmas by Orthodox Christians:

“Laureen and I and our family would like to extend our warmest wishes to all Orthodox Christians celebrating Christmas.

“It is a time of peace and unity, where friends and family gather together to celebrate their faith by observing rich cultural customs and traditions. It is also a time to reflect on the year gone by and give thanks for all of the blessings we enjoy in Canada.

“Last year, violence and persecution of Eastern Christians – in particular the violence against Iraqi Christians and a terrorist attack on a Coptic Church in Egypt – cast a dark shadow over Christmas celebrations, which should be a time of peace and joy.

“Recognizing that religious pluralism is inextricably linked to democratic development, our Government has committed to creating a special Office of Religious Freedom to monitor and help ensure religious minorities can practice their faith without fear of violence and repression.

“To help commemorate this celebration, the Government of Canada’s Lights Across Canada Program, which illuminates Confederation Boulevard and Parliament Hill, will remain lit until January 7.

“Again, Laureen and I wish you a very merry Christmas, and health, happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.”

Prime Minister Harper highlights government’s 2011 acheviments

Prime Minister Stephen Harper 

 Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement highlighting some of the Government’s significant accomplishments in 2011:

 “2011 was a momentous year for Canada both at home and abroad.  

“Global economic uncertainty continued to create challenging conditions in 2011. Our Government remained focused on jobs and growth and continued to implement our Economic Action Plan.

 “The results have truly been impressive.  Canada is posting the highest number of jobs created in the G-7 this year;  Forbes magazine ranked Canada the number one country to conduct business; we’ve been praised as a country with the soundest banking system; and our economic growth is forecasted to be the strongest of the G-7 countries in 2012.  All this has been accomplished while reducing the country’s deficit.  

“Our Government has also taken important steps over the past year to help hard-working families.  This includes an increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement announced in Budget 2011 to help hundreds of thousands of seniors make ends meet, additional support for Canadians taking care of infirm dependent relatives, and a tax break that will make it more affordable for children to pursue artistic, cultural, recreational and developmental activities.

 “Important strides were also taken in 2011 to make neighbourhoods and streets across our country safer. We introduced or passed bills to reduce crime and terrorism, provide greater support and protection for victims of crime, get tougher on murderers and those who would sexually exploit children, and allow Canadians to more easily defend themselves and their property against criminals. And we are delivering on our promise to pass the Safe Streets and Communities Act during the first 100 sitting days of Parliament. 

“Our Government has followed through on our commitments by ending the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry, ending the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly, and giving western farmers the freedom to sell wheat and barley on the open market. We have introduced Bills to ensure fair representation in the House of Commons and make the Senate more democratic, accountable and representative.
“Internationally we have also accomplished much this past year towards making the world – including Canada – a better place.  Building on its important experience and investments in Afghanistan, Canada, along with other NATO allies, continued to make important contributions towards making that country more secure, stable, and self-sufficient. We also played a significant role in defending civilians in Libya against the now defeated Gaddafi regime.  Along with other members of the international community, Canada imposed sanctions on North Korea, Syria, Libya and Iran to encourage their adherence to international laws.  
“Ambitious agreements were also concluded with the U.S. on perimeter security and economic competitiveness, as well as on regulatory cooperation. These agreements create a new, modern border, and represent the most significant steps forward in Canada-U.S. cooperation since the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“Here at home, Canada was delighted to host the Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this past summer.  And in the coming year, Canadians will have the opportunity to celebrate our proud heritage by participating in celebrations across the country marking both The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.”
“Our Government was deeply honoured to be given a Parliamentary majority by Canadians in the May federal elections and will do its utmost to make Canada as prosperous, united and strong.”

Updated child car seat safety regulations come into force

OTTAWA — the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced that updated child car seat safety regulations come into force on January 1, 2012.

“As a mom, I want to have confidence that my child is secured in the safest car seat available,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “When these new regulations come into force on January 1, child car seats sold in Canada will meet Canada’s highest testing standards and therefore will be as safe as possible.”

The updated regulations are part of a regular process of reviewing child safety standards while using the most up-to-date technology available for testing. The updates include aligning elements with those in the United States and incorporating specific Canadian testing requirements. The major changes include:

·        a new testing requirement using a three-point seatbelt to secure car seats in vehicles;

·        changes to child seats’ dynamic testing to adopt most of the U.S. testing parameters;

·        changing the definition of an infant from 9 kg to 10 kg;

·        an increase in the maximum allowable weight limit of child seats from 22 kg to 30 kg;

·        introducing dynamic testing requirements for booster seats; and

·        allowing harnesses to be certified for use on school buses by special needs children.

“Today’s demonstration was a good reminder for Canadian parents to make sure that their child’s car seat is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and to ensure that their child is buckled in correctly every time,” added Royal Galipeau, MP for Ottawa—Orléans.

Parents should be aware of the guidelines for child seats, ensure that their child is in the seat appropriate for his or her size, and ensure that seats are installed and used properly. More information can be found on Transport Canada’s Keep Kids Safe Web page at www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-car-time-stages-1083.htm.

There is no need to replace a child seat as a result of these new standards. However, a child car seat should be replaced if it was installed in a vehicle involved in a collision. If the shell or materials on the seat are ripped or damaged, it should be replaced. Parents should also check the expiry date of the seat and be sure to replace it when it reaches that date.

These new regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on May 12, 2010, giving manufacturers ample lead time to ensure that there were no supply disruptions to consumers while any necessary changes were made to meet the new regulations as of January 1, 2012. Given that previous regulations have provided a high level of safety for children for many years, current child car seats will continue to provide excellent protection throughout their useful life.