Parliament resumed this week after MP’s spent several weeks working hard in their ridings. I am looking forward to returning to Ottawa for the Winter Session of Parliament. Working on Parliament Hill is an experience unto itself. It is the most exciting job in the world.

PHOTO CREDIT - GuyLauzon.ca

Cornwall - Jan. 30, 2012 - Parliament resumed this week after MP’s spent several weeks working hard in their ridings. I am looking forward to returning to Ottawa for the Winter Session of Parliament. Working on Parliament Hill is an experience unto itself. It is the most exciting job in the world.

Things move at lightning speed. Bells ring to call Members to the House of Commons for unexpected votes, emergency debates take place, and different procedural strategies are executed by the opposing parties. It is an extremely exciting place to be, but everyone has to be on their toes. No one wants to be responsible for their party losing a vote because they were not present. All members must stay within 15 minutes of Parliament Hill in case of a snap vote.

What will this session hold? Most notably, the priority this session will be the economy. Minister Flaherty will be introducing Budget 2012, the next phase of our Economic Action Plan, which I suspect will focus on job creation and economic growth. On a personal note, I am looking forward to the opportunity to debate my Private Members Bill. My bill will go through second reading on February 7th. The bill is entitled An Act to Amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Accountability of Offenders). This bill will take action to support victims and hold offenders accountable while improving restitution measures.

It proposes that inmates incarcerated in prison who are given monetary settlements due to a legal action should not personally benefit from these awards. My bill directs any funds to the inmate’s financial obligations including child support and restitution orders. I am hoping it will pass through the House of Commons quickly, receive unanimous consent from all parties and be law before summer.

Guy Lauzon
Member of Parliament
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry