Ryan Hastman
Conservative Candidate for Edmonton--Strathcona

Campaign News

Recognizing and Reporting Human Trafficking Tuesday, 07 September 2010 Today, the Government of Canada and the RCMP launched the Crime Stoppers "Blue Blindfold" campaign which will help to give Canadians the tools and the awareness to spot and report evidence of the despicable crime of human trafficking. (Link to news release here).
 
Human Trafficking is a despicable crime that targets the vulnerable, especially women and children. Parliament has recently passed a tough new law that delivers mandatory minimum sentences to those convicted of human trafficking.
 
But that is only the first step and it is up to all law abiding citizens to play our part in fighting this illegal activity.
 
The Crime Stoppers "Blue Blindfold" campaign will help Canadians recognize and report evidence of human trafficking that may be taking place all around us.

With our Government, law enforcement and members of the public working together, now more criminals who engage in this terrible crime can be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

For more information please visit: http://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/?content/human_trafficking.html

 
Investing in Edmonton-Strathcona's knowledge economy Thursday, 26 August 2010
This morning at the University of Alberta in Edmonton-Strathcona, the honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, made a major funding announcement:  $200-million investment in the Leading Edge and New Initiatives Fund.

 

As Canada begins to emerge from the global recession, investments in science, research and innovation are essential to create and secure high-paying, skilled jobs, both now and in the future. Today's investment is helping to ensure that Canada's researchers are working with the latest equipment, technology and facilities and that our universities are able to develop, attract and retain the world's top talent right here at the University of Alberta in Edmonton-Strathcona.

 

Now more than ever, scientists and researchers will be able to conduct leading-edge research that helps bring innovations and new technologies to the marketplace.

 

The Conservative government is committed to building Canada's knowledge economy and, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, has injected $6.3 billion into the economy through investments in science, technology and innovation.

 

For more information: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Harper-Government-Strengthens-Canadas-Long-Term-Economic-Competitiveness-1310204.htm

 
Conservative Government of Canada Targets Organized Crime Wednesday, 04 August 2010

Conservative Government of Canada Targets Organized Crime

August 4th, 2010 - Today the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada new regulations to strengthen the ability of law enforcement to fight organized crime.

"These regulations will help ensure that police and prosecutors can make full use of the tools in the Criminal Code that are specifically targeted at tackling organized crime," stated Minister Nicholson.

"This is another step in our Government's efforts to disrupt criminal enterprises," said Senator Boisvenu. "We stand firm in our commitment to protect Canadians, stand up for victims and fight organized crime in this country, whatever form it may take."

These new regulations will help address this problem by identifying as serious offences such organized crime signature activities as illegal gambling and specific prostitution and drug-related crimes. Police and prosecutors will thus be better able to respond to organized crime and ensure that penalties are proportionate to the increased threat to public safety that organized crime activities present. Offenders convicted of the specific organized crime offences must serve their sentences consecutively to any other punishment imposed.

Read more here.

 
Enhancing Safety and Security in the Online Market Place Friday, 28 May 2010 On Tuesday May 25, Canada's Minister of Industry announced two important steps our Conservative Government is taking to enhance the safety and security of the online marketplace: it introduced amendments to legislation protecting the personal information of Canadians, and reintroduced anti-spam legislation in the House of Commons.

Conservatives believe Canadian shoppers should feel just as confident in the electronic marketplace as they do at the corner store.

More here: Enhancing Safety and Security in the Online Market Place.

 
Canadian Leadership at the G-8 Friday, 21 May 2010 The Conservative Government has outlined Canada's priorities for the upcoming G-8 Summit to be held in Ontario. This summit provides a unique opportunity for Canada to show leadership on the world stage. The G-8 will focus on broader issues of development, democracy, peace and security.
 
By cooperating with our G-8 partners, we can address terrorism and piracy as well as the problems of poverty and underdevelopment. The G-8 nations will also address the gravest threat to world security: nuclear weapons falling into the wrong hands.
 
Global security begins here at home.  As host of the G-8 and G-20 summits, Canada will be prepared to respond to any possible situation or threat.  We will not be influenced by thugs who want to disrupt the summits.
 
We are on track to host safe and secure G-8 and G-20 summits.  The Integrated Security Unit and its partners have a comprehensive approach to security planning.  The security plan has been developed by Canada's best experts in the field.

 
Conservatives Taking Action to Protect Canadian Freshwater Thursday, 20 May 2010 Conservatives Taking Action to Protect Canadian Freshwater

On May 13, 2010, Lawrence Cannon, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, introduced legislation to protect Canada's water supply by prohibiting bulk removals from freshwater basins.

In this year's Speech from the Throne, our Conservative Government made a commitment to protect Canada's precious water supply. Our Government is delivering on that commitment by introducing the Boundary and Transboundary Waters Treaty Act.

Our Government is taking action by protecting Canada's water from bulk removal outside the country.

Our legislation would create new powers for inspection and enforcement and would introduce tough new penalties for violations, including multi-million-dollar fines for any corporate violations.

We are expanding protection so that rivers and streams that cross the border will now fall under the same protection that is already in place for waters that straddle the border, like the Great Lakes.

Through this legislation, our Conservative Government is making it clear that Canadian water is not a commodity, and is not for sale. Conservatives are standing up for Canada.

Read more here.

 
Eliminating "Rubber Stamp" Pardons for Serious Crimes Tuesday, 11 May 2010 Today, the Conservative Government of Canada announced legislation to replace the current pardon system and eliminate "rubber stamp" pardons for serious crimes.

Read more.

 
Standing Up for Victims of White-Collar Crime Monday, 03 May 2010 The Conservative Party of Canada and this Conservative government believes the justice system should put the rights of victims and law-abiding citizens ahead of the rights of criminals. Once again we are standing up for the "little guy"; this time it is victims of white collar crime.

Today (May 3, 2010) the federal Minister of Justice announced legislation to establish mandatory jail time for fraud over $1 million, and to help ensure the voices of victims are heard when white collar criminals are sentenced.

More here.

 
Promoting Innovation in Small & Medium Sized Businesses Monday, 26 April 2010 In Budget 2010, our government announced further support for innovation in Canada's small business sector by launching a new Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Innovation Commercialization Program, a two-year pilot initiative.  This project will provide an opportunity for small and medium sized businesses to demonstrate the successful application of new concepts on a commercial scale.

Read more about this program here.

 
Government of Canada announces $17.5M for Small Business Internship Program Monday, 19 April 2010 On Saturday April 17, 2010, MP Laurie Hawn announced the launch of the Small Business Internship Program (SBIP).  This government of Canada program helps small and medium-sized enterprises across Canada improve their productivity and competitiveness by hiring approximately 400 student interns annually to help with information and communication technology (ICT) projects.

Read more here.

 
Committed to Excellence in Research & Innovation Wednesday, 24 March 2010 The Conservative Party of Canada and Conservative government is committed to excellence in research and innovation. Since 2006, the Government has created 500 new prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, created 1,000 permanent Canada Graduate Scholarships, and funded an additional $45 million over five years to the granting councils to establish a new and prestigious post-doctoral fellowships program to attract top-level talent to Canada.

Read more here.

 
I Want to Hear from You: Canada's Retirement Income System Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Today (March 24, 2010) Canada's Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty announced the launch of online consultations and a series of cross-country roundtable discussions, speaking engagements and town hall meetings to gather input from Canadians on ensuring the ongoing strength of Canada's retirement income system.

Read more at: http://ryanhastman.com/i-want-to-hear-from-you/canadas-retiremet-income-system

 
I Want to Hear from You: Sustainable Development Strategy Friday, 19 March 2010

On March 15, 2010 Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice launched online public consultations on a proposed new government-wide strategy to improve how the environment is considered in policy and program development.

I would like to hear from you about this. Please send me your thoughts on how we should be approaching environmental sustainability in the context of economic security and growth.

Read more: http://ryanhastman.com/i-want-to-hear-from-you/canadas-sustainable-development-strategy

 
Helping Young Women Dream Big Monday, 15 March 2010

An article in today's Edmonton Sun states that Canadian girls are: "brimming with confidence and have their eyes on some lofty goals." 

This is great news. We need our young women to dream big!

I have been involved for a while with an organization called Her Dream Next Door: 

"...a foundation that believes whether big or small, extravagant or simple, every woman can reach their personal ambitions by being confident in their own idea of success, by helping those around them struggling in similar situations, and by allowing themselves to be helped by women who share personal experience. We all have dreams, so why not be the one to help 'her dream next door?"

Would you like to help us help young women in pursuit of their dreams? Visit the website (www.herdreamnextdoor.com) and drop us a line.

 
Standing Up for Edmonton-Strathcona Friday, 12 March 2010 We need a Member of Parliament who will listen to everyone and represent the whole riding, rather than focus on narrow interests and activists.

On March 9, the NDP Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona voted in favour of a Bloc Quebecois motion that calls for the cancellation of tax incentives for oil sands employers in order to pay for forestry bailouts in another province.

Politics aside, this is wrong for Canada. Edmonton-Strathcona deserves better.

Read more here.

 
Working Hard for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Friday, 29 January 2010 http://ryanhastman.com/working-for-you/support-for-entrepreneurs--small-business

 
G8 Agenda: Focus on health of women & children in world's poorest regions Thursday, 28 January 2010
By Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada

Published in the Toronto Star on Tuesday Jan 26 2010

This week, many global leaders and members of the international business community will meet at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. There, Canada will set out its plans as president of the G8 and host of the G20 Toronto summit in June. We remain committed to working with our partners to keep our commitments - including fully implementing government stimulus measures and opposing trade protectionism.

The G20 has emerged as the world's premier forum for fiscal and economic cooperation. Its members include developed and developing nations alike. Previously, this responsibility belonged to a club of developed nations, the G8. Going forward I believe the smaller, but still influential, G8 will focus on security concerns and human welfare. It is incumbent upon the leaders of the world's most developed economies to assist those in the most vulnerable positions.

The plight of the people of Haiti concerns us all and the world's response has been uplifting and encouraging. Within hours of the devastating earthquake demolishing the capital, governments around the world mobilized and coordinated a massive relief effort. Soon after, donations began pouring in as people opened their hearts and wallets to help. It serves as a reminder of the innate human kindness we hold toward one another.

Yet, it should not take a natural disaster to turn our attention to the less fortunate. The world's poor have been hit hardest by the global economic downturn and in these difficult times we must address their pressing needs.

Indeed, all too frequently, tragedy strikes those who can least afford it. The lack of the most basic services can lead to dire consequences, especially for the world's most vulnerable populations. Each year, it is estimated that 500,000 women lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth. Further, an astonishing 9 million children die before their fifth birthday.

This is simply not acceptable. The United Nations had hoped to reduce the number of deaths related to pregnancy by 75 per cent by 2015 as part of its Millennium Development Goals. It now appears this target will go unfulfilled. What makes it worse is that the bulk of the deaths during pregnancy - experts claim as many as 80 per cent - are easily preventable. There is a pressing need for global action on maternal and child health.

As president of the G8 in 2010, Canada will champion a major initiative to improve the health of women and children in the world's poorest regions. Members of the G8 can make a tangible difference in maternal and child health and Canada will be making this the top priority in June. Far too many lives and unexplored futures have already been lost for want of relatively simple health-care solutions.

The solutions are not intrinsically expensive. The cost of clean water, inoculations and better nutrition, as well as the training of health workers to care for women and deliver babies, is within the reach of any country in the G8. Much the same could be said of child mortality. The solutions are similar in nature - better nutrition, immunization - and equally inexpensive in themselves.

As its contribution to this G8 initiative, Canada will look to mobilize G8 governments and non-governmental organizations as well as private foundations. Setting a global agenda for improving maternal and child health is an ambitious plan. But working with other nations and aid agencies on the ground where the need is greatest makes it an achievable goal.

There is other business to be transacted at the G8 as well as informal discussions on security, nuclear proliferation and the environment. But our focus on maternal and child health will be a priority.

As the Haitian emergency demonstrates, our humanity spans borders as developed nations coordinate efforts to help the sick, people lost under rubble and those left hungry by tragedy. Together, we must do so again. As leaders of the most developed economies of the world, we have an obligation to assist those who are most vulnerable to hardship. Canada hopes members of the G8 will rally together on this.

 
I want to hear from you Sunday, 24 January 2010

However hard I might try to, I may not have time to get to every single door in Edmonton-Strathcona before the next election.  But I am going to give it my best try!

In case I don't get to yours,  I would like to invite you to please send me your feedback. What are your priorities? What do I need to know?

Please drop me a line. You can either use this form, or email me at feedback@ryanhastman.com, or call me.

 Thanks!

-Ryan