Merrifield appointed to the House of Common's Board of Internal Economy

Yellowhead Member of Parliament Rob Merrifield has been appointed to the House of Common’s Board of Internal Economy.

Merrifield was overlooked by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in May when Manitoba MP Steven Fletcher was named the new minister of state (transport). Merrifield was first appointed as minister of state in 2008.

The Board of Internal Economy (BOIE) is in charge of monitoring the entire budget of the House of Commons, including all expenses incurred by MPs. Merrifield said it is a privilege to be asked by the prime minister to serve as one of three Privy Councillors on the board. The Board of Internal Economy examines and approves annual budget estimates of the House of Commons and regulates the use of all parliamentary resources made available to MPs. The Board of Internal Economy is the only board on which members must swear a vow of secrecy and confidentiality to deal with the affairs of the Parliament of Canada.

“We will be looking to make sure taxpayers dollars are spent in a reasonable and responsible way in Parliament, as I firmly believe this is something the people of Yellowhead have sent me to Ottawa to do,” Merrifield said.

As the former chair of the Finance Committee, Merrifield said he thinks he will enjoy overseeing these budgets very much.

“Together with my colleagues, the Hon. Peter Van Loan, the Hon. Gordon O’Connor, and the new Speaker of the House, we will represent the views of the government on this board,” Merrifield said. “The job will be interesting and difficult at times, but Canadians deserve to know that their tax dollars are being used wisely. We do not want to see the corruption that happens in other parliaments, happen here in Canada.”

The United Kingdom is an example of a government that mis-used parliamentary funds, and was not re-elected to govern another term, he said. Gross mismanagement of public funds is something Canada’s Parliament should never have to see.

“I am happy to take on this role and serve my team on the Board of Internal Economy. However, my No. 1 priority has always been, and will continue to be, the people of Yellowhead. It is a privilege to represent you in Ottawa and something I never take for granted.”

Merrifield is also applauding the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, saying it will have positive benefits for Alberta families, seniors and job-creating businesses.

Canada is weathering the global recession in a stronger position than nearly all major economies, with nearly 540,000 new jobs created since July 2009, he said, but the global economy is still fragile, and Alberta needs to stay focused on the economy. The next phase of the Conservative government’s Plan keeps taxes low to promote jobs and economic growth, while supporting Alberta families and seniors, he said. It includes:

• Preserving Canada’s fiscal advantage: eliminating government waste, limiting spending and growth, closing unfair tax loopholes to ensure Canada stays on track for balanced budgets.

The government will also eliminate per-vote subsidies for political parties. It will introduce legislation to gradually reduce the $2.04-per-year per-vote subsidy in $0.51 increments starting April 1, 2012 until it is completely eliminated by 2015-16 saving up to $30 million by 2015-16.

• Supporting job creation: keeping taxes low for employers by introducing a temporary hiring credit for small businesses to support job growth; and expanded work sharing; extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit, extending tax relief for investments in new equipment and machinery, investing in innovation to help our agriculture sectors grow; and more.

• Strengthening families and communities: up to $5,000 grants for Alberta families to make their homes more energy efficient; up to $840 in new annual financial support for needy Alberta seniors; a new Family Caregivers Tax Credit, a new Children’s Arts Tax Credit; loan forgiveness to attract doctors and nurses to rural Alberta; a new $3,000 volunteer firefighters’ tax credit; and the waiving of license renewal fees for hunters and firearm owners.

• Investing in the economy of tomorrow: help for Alberta farmers with a new $50-million Agricultural Innovation Initiative; increased support for research and technology; improved federal student loans program for Alberta students; and more.

The next phase of the plan also reinforces the Conservative government’s longstanding rejection of the former Liberal government’s legacy of balancing the federal budget on the backs of Alberta and other provinces through deep transfer cuts to health care and education, Merrifield said.

“I am proud of the budget we introduced today — it has a lot of good things in it for Alberta.”