In the Riding

Minerals North: I was able to get out of Ottawa mid-week of the first week back after the House spring recess to attend Minerals North in Terrace. Mining and exploration projects are a rapidly growing economic sector in the northwest so it was important to me to be able to touch bases personally with many of the industry people at Minerals North.

Vaisakhi and Earth Day: later that week, I joined Sikhs from Kitimat and Terrace at the Sikh Temple in Terrace for vaisakhi, which marks the beginning of the Punjabi harvest. That same weekend, I also participated in Earth Day celebrations in Terrace.

Salmon summit: last week, I introduced a private member's motion in the House calling for northern BC to be a fish farm free zone. I committed to this at the second Wild Salmon Celebration in Kitsumkalum a few weeks ago. Like everyone else in the northwest, I'm looking forward to the final report of the BC Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture, due May 31.

Timmy certificates: we're continuing to collect Tim Horton's gift certificates to send to Canadian troops in Afghanistan. People can mail gift certificates postage-free to our constituency offices and we'll forward them to our soldiers in Afghanistan.

Home for the weekend: I'm looking forward to returning to the riding tomorrow to catch up with constituents in Smithers and touch bases with family again.

In Ottawa

Conservative green plan: the Conservatives' emissions reduction plan won't get the job done and puts us further behind our international
obligations while other countries continue to set real targets and take real action. The all-party committee created by the NDP has produced an environmental plan that is far superior and we are continuing to push for a vote on this in the House.