Guide to Constituency Services

Transcription

1 BEN LOBB, MP Huron Bruce / Guide to Constituency Services Reconnecting Huron Bruce to Ottawa

2 WELCOME Dear Constituent, It is with great pleasure that I write to you as the new Member of Parliament for Huron Bruce. As I begin this year I look forward to working with all residents of the riding to bring you a great year in This guide I have put together will help give you a better understanding of what your Member of Parliament can help you with. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact my staff or myself. Sincerely, Ben Lobb, M.P. Huron Bruce 2

3 BIOGRAPHY Ben Lobb was first elected to the House of Commons in He was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Huron Bruce on October 30 th, Prior to entering politics, Ben worked at Wescast Industries in Wingham for seven years. Wescast is a specialty auto parts manufacturer that was named General Motors Supplier of the Year in 2004 for its overall business performance in providing world class parts and service to General Motors. Prior to leaving Wescast Ben worked as a Business Analyst on a team sourcing a new ERP system. Ben recently worked as a Cost Analyst and Purchasing Manager for Desire2Learn. Desire2Learn Inc. is a leader in providing innovative elearning solutions to academic and other leading organizations around the world. In 2007, Desire2Learn ranked the 12th Fastest Growing Technology Company in Deloitte Technology Fast 50. Ben attended Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton. Upon graduation from CHSS he attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude. In addition, Ben also works as an auctioneer for his father s company, Richard Lobb Auctions founded in Ben is a past Board Member with the Huron United Way. He is also a former auxiliary officer with the OPP. Ben is happily married to Andrea Lobb. Holmesville. They reside in 3

4 MY STAFF Bill Strong Bill is a native of Huron County and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the business world, as well as the local community. Bill will be operating the Goderich Constituency Office. Becky Smith A native of Port Elgin, Becky holds a Masters Degree from the University of Louisiana. She has worked in many different capacities over the past few years in Ottawa for Cabinet Minster John Baird. Becky will be operating the Port Elgin Constituency Office. Florence Stalenhoef Florence is a native of the Goderich area and comes from an agricultural background. She has a degree in Political Science from the University of Waterloo and is fluent in English, French and Dutch. Florence will splitting her time between the Ottawa office and both riding offices. Josh Knox Josh is a native of Kincardine and just recently finished up his Master s degree in Political Studies at Queen s University. Josh will be working out the Ottawa Office. 4

5 PLANNING A TRIP TO OTTAWA? Tours of the Parliament Buildings While in Ottawa, if you would like to discover the history and symbolism of the Parliament Buildings we will be happy to arrange a personal tour for you. Question Period in the House of Commons While the House is in session, visitors are welcome to sit in the gallery for Question Period which runs for an hour Monday thru Thursday starting at 2:00 pm, and Fridays starting at 11:00 a.m. Visiting School Groups Every year school groups from Huron-Bruce visit Ottawa on school trips. I would be happy to meet students from my riding and give them a personal tour of Parliament Hill. Visiting the Senate Visitors may also attend the Senate proceedings to witness the daily order of business in the Senate chamber. Please contact my Ottawa office at prior to arriving in the Nation s Capital. 5

6 GOVERNMENT JURSIDICTION In Canada, there are three separate and very distinct levels of Government and each level is responsible for its own areas of authority. Listed below are a few examples of each level of government s responsibilities. Contact information can be found on page 14 of this guide. Federal Canada Post Child Tax Benefit Citizenship and Immigration Employment Insurance GST Income Tax Passports Canada Pensions Old Age Security Veterans Affairs Provincial Birth and Marriage Certificates Driver s Licenses Family Benefits Hunting and Fishing Licenses OHIP Ontario Drug Benefit Program Workers Compensation Ontario Provincial Police Power of Attorney. Municipal Area Parks Garbage Disposal Property Taxes Public Transportation Social Services Drainage 6

7 INCOME SECURITIES PROGRAM Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Retirement This plan provides a monthly taxable benefit to retired contributors. Retirement Pension: You will qualify if you have made at least one valid contribution to the plan, and you could start receiving CPP as early at age 60. Your retirement pension does not start automatically. You must apply for it. Old Age Security (OAS) Pension OAS is a monthly benefit available to most Canadians 65 years of age or older who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years, you may be entitled to receive the Old Age Security pension even if you are still working or have never worked. Eligibility To qualify for an Old Age Security pension, a person must be 65 years of ago or over, and, 1. Must be a Canadian Citizen or a legal resident of Canada on the day preceding the application approval; or 2. If no longer living in Canada, must have been a Canadian citizen or a legal resident of Canada on the day preceding the day he/she stopped living in Canada. A minimum of 10 years of residence in Canadian after reading age 18 is required to receive a pension in Canada. 7

8 INCOME SECURITIES PROGRAM Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Survivor Benefits CPP survivor benefits are paid to a deceased contributor s estate, surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependant children. There are three types of benefits 1. The death benefit is a one time payment to, or on behalf of, the estate of a deceased Canada Pension Plan contributor; 2. The survivor s pension is a monthly pension paid to the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a deceased contributor; 3. The children s benefit is a monthly benefit for dependant children of a deceased contributor. There is a minimum contributory requirement of at least 3 years. Contact Service Canada Visit their website: Canada Pension Plan (Retirement Pension, Disabilities Benefits, Death Benefit, Children s Benefits, Survivors Pension) Toll-Free: TTY: Old Age Security (Old Age Security Pension, Allowances Program, Allowances for Survivor, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Old Age Security Identification Card) Toll-Free: TTY:

9 CANADA REVENUE AGENCY (CRA) The CRA district office is located at 166 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4N1. Their office hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Service is by appointment only. For general inquiries please call Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) This program issues a taxable $100 monthly payment to families for each child under the age of six to help cover the cost of child care. The program is delivered by: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) This program is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under the ago of 18. NOTE: Both the UCCB and CCTB will usually be issued on the 20th of each month, and one week earlier in December. Individuals who have not received their UCCB and/or CCTB within 10 business days following the date of issue should contact the CRA at GST Credits This program issues to Canadians with low and modest incomes all or part of the GST they pay. If you require your M.P. s assistance with a problem, please don't hesitate to contact us. You will be required to fill out an authorization form before any information can be released to us. 9

10 CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION Since 1869, Canada s immigration programs have helped build a community of citizens respected around the world. In 2006, approximately 260,000 people became Canadian citizens and took an oath of citizenship at ceremonies across the country. Canada has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants. One of every six Canadian residents was born outside the country. Immigration has helped to make Canada a culturally rich, prosperous and progressive nation. Most Citizenship and Immigration forms can be obtained from their website, by calling the toll free number or by contacting our office. Permanent Resident (PR) Card The Permanent Resident Card is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada. Permanent Residents seeking to return to Canada and don t have a valid Permanent Resident Card will have to obtain a permanent resident travel document from a Canadian visa office abroad. More information is available at or by call the Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) call centre at

11 PASSPORT CANADA Passports Starting June 1, 2009, a U.S. law will require Canadians to present a valid passport to enter the United States by water or land. In 2007, a Simplified Passport Renewal Program was introduced in order to modernize Canadian passport services. It will allow Canadian citizens who meet certain eligibility criteria to renew their passport using a shorter form and without submitting documentary evidence of citizenship, supplementary identification and a guarantor declaration. Under the renewal program, passport applicants will only be required to submit the shorter form along with two new photos, the application fee and their last passport. Passport Canada also introduced a simpler guarantor policy, which will allow most Canadian adult passport holders to act as guarantors. If you are looking for a passport application you can pick one up at all Canada Post outlets, at the Passport Canada website or by contacting my constituency office

12 SPECIAL MESSAGES & IMPORTANT NUMBERS If you have a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday or a special award please don't hesitate to contact my office as I would be happy to send a congratulatory message and have one prepared on behalf of the government. Please note that certificates should be requested at least 4 weeks in advance. To receive greetings from Her Majesty the Queen, a copy of a birth certificate or marriage certificate will be required. Ben Lobb, M.P. Any Birthday/Anniversary/Special Occasion Prime Minister 65+ Birthday 25+ Anniversary Governor General 90+ Birthday 50+ Anniversary Her Majesty The Queen 100+ Birthday 60+ Anniversary 12

13 GOVERNMENT CONTACT INFORMATION Bruce County Municipality of Brockton Municipality of Huron-Kinloss Municipality of Kincardine Municipality of South Bruce Town of Saugeen Shores Huron County Municipality of Bluewater Municipality of Central Huron Municipality of Huron-East Municipality of Morris-Turnberry Municipality of South Huron Town of Goderich Township of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh Township of Howick Township of North Huron Provincial Member of Parliament Carol Mitchell, M.P.P

14 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTACT INFO Canada Border Services Agency Canadian Firearms Center Canadian Heritage Canada Mortgage & House Corporation Canada Post Canada Radio and Television Corporation Canada Revenue Agency General Inquiries Child Tax Benefit GST Refunds Forms Canada Student Loans and Grants Citizenship and Immigration Elections Canada Energuide for Homes Program Government Information Office (Goderich) Service Canada - O Canada Veterans Affairs

15 If you would like to join our mailing list, please or fill out the box below and send via Canada Post. Name: Address: City/Town: Postal Code: Tel: 15

16 CONTACT INFORMATION Ottawa Office Goderich Office 914 Justice Building 30 Victoria Street North House of Commons Goderich, Ontario Ottawa, Ontario N7A 3Y1 K1A 0A6 Toll free: Tel: Tel: Fax: Fax: Port Elgin Office Coming soon Website: NO POSTAGE REQUIRED BEN LOBB, MP House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6