Wellington Halton Hills MP Michael Chong returned on Monday from a successful trip to China – and was well aware of activities taking place at home during his absence.
Chong’s office was recently the target of protesters concerned about Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s announcement a few weeks ago that Old Age Security might be delayed until people reach age 67, up from the current 65.
They visited Chong’s office to complain, but left after learning he was out of the country.
Chong said in an interview Monday afternoon there is a good reason why the government is looking at the OAS. “Our focus is on the economy and sustainability of our federal finances.”
He explained officials considered Old Age Security and decided something had to be done, or it would eventually create financial problems.
Chong said people can be assured that those who are already retired and those who are nearing retirement will not be affected by any changes, and the federal government plans to give everyone else a lengthy opportunity to plan for the delay in that benefit.
“Ignoring this reality will jeopardize the federal finances and the retirement benefits for a younger generation of Canadians,” he said.
He added that not only will those affected have time to plan, but the changes will be “done in a fair manner.”
When asked about the protesters, Chong said he was told a large number of them are from Guelph, and they should be discussing the issue with their MP, Frank Valeriote.
He added that he will be pleased to talk with people who live in his riding about the proposal.
Long gun registry gone
Chong noted that a long standing Conservative promise to scrap the federal long gun registry is now completed.
The party has railed against that registry and its high costs since it was established in the 1990s.
Chong said the registry and the names on it will be destroyed.
He added, though, the federal hand gun registry, which was started in the 1930s, will remain on the books.
Trip to China
Chong said Canadian and local farmers will see much benefit in the latest trip by Canadian officials to China.
First, China and Canada signed a formal agreement to open that market to Canadian beef tallow. That market is worth about $50 million a year.
As well, China is near to signing an agreement to take Canadian bone-in beef under 30 months from Canadian farmers. In 2009’s trip there, the Chinese agreed to take deboned Canadian beef.
Further, said Chong, the Chinese are also close to accepting Canadian beef offal for import.
He said he was unable to provide exact figures for bone-in beef “but it is substantially bigger than the tallow.”
Pandas coming
Chong was on the China trip for a very specific reason and that part of his trip was also successful.
About three years ago, the Toronto Zoo asked Chong to represent them in efforts to obtain two giant pandas for display.
Chong was pleased to note that there is now an agreement that will see the two animals come to the Toronto Zoo for five years, and then move on to Calgary as part of a ten year lease of the very endangered and unique-to-China species.
Chong has been a part of the Rouge Park Alliance for many years and that group is working to obtain a national park in that area. The Toronto Zoo is part of that territory, and Chong said zoo officials knew him from his work there, and about three years ago they asked him to start working on bringing the pandas to Canada.
Chong said the animals are a symbol of “peace, friendship and good fortune,” and when they arrive parents will find the zoo an excellent place to visit with their children.
