FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, BC – Vancouver Centre MP Hedy Fry’s Parliamentary voting record shows she has a habit of not showing up for work. In the last session of Parliament (2010-11) the longtime Liberal MP missed 35 votes, placing her 240th out of 308 MPs in attendance.  To be fair, this was an improvement over the previous session that saw her miss so many votes that she ranked 291st in MP absenteeism. By comparison, the MP’s of the separatist Bloc Quebecois have, on average, better voting attendance.

Add Hedy Fry’s expenses to her salary of $168,896 and it cost taxpayers a total of $740,520 in 2009-2010 to have her not show up for crucial votes in the House of Commons, a record that is apparently acceptable to Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff who holds the worst record of any MP for absenteeism.  It doesn’t matter what they say during an election campaign if they don’t show up to vote.

Hedy Fry did not show up to vote on Bill C-268, a bill imposing minimum sentencing for trafficking of minors. (A bill that the Liberal Party supported.)

Hedy Fry did not show up for voting on Bill C-15 to create minimum sentencing for serious drug offences committed with violence or through organized crime (Another bill which the Liberal Party supported.)

Hedy Fry did not show up to vote for the 2007 budget, the 2008 budget, for the Budget 2009 supplemental budget for more tax relief for working families and first time home buyers, nor for the 2010 budget.

Hedy Fry’s voting record, when she does show up, is puzzling.  On February 15th, Hedy voted in favour of the Conservative bill to reform the Early Parole Act.  On Wednesday, February 16th she voted against it.

“It’s time that Vancouver Centre had someone in Ottawa that they can trust to be there in person to represent their views and needs. It’s time Vancouver Centre voters retire a representative who after 18 years takes voters for granted and doesn’t show up for work. And, it’s time that Vancouver Centre had a strong voice in Ottawa, someone that is taken seriously and who will work hard for her constituents”, said Vancouver Centre Conservative Candidate Jennifer Clarke.

“What is needed is a strong, stable Conservative majority in Parliament so that the government can get on with the business of supporting all Canadians by creating jobs, supporting families through tax cuts and increased support for seniors and caregivers, and by making our streets and communities safe”, added Clarke.

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For more information contact:

Robin Wilson

604-230-5871

wilson@wwater.com

BACKGROUNDER

MP HEDY FRY’S VOTE ATTENDANCE RECORD AMONGST THE WORST IN OTTAWA

Issue: Hedy Fry consistently misses work

• In the last session of Parliament Hedy Fry missed 35 important votes
• Since joining the opposition in 2006 she has missed a total of 192 votes
• Hedy Fry’s attendance record is even worse when compared to her colleagues because every year she has one of the lowest attendance rates in the House of Commons

Compare Hedy Fry’s voting attendance to all other MPs:

Source: www.howdtheyvote.ca

Conclusion:  Hedy Fry had a mandate to represent the people of Vancouver Centre and on 192 occasions in the past 5 years Vancouver Centre had no voice on crucial votes in the House of Commons.  Why?  Put simply she just wasn’t there

Issue:  Hedy Fry misses important votes

• Bill C-268: minimum sentences for trafficking in minors (Sep 30, 2009)
• Bill C-15: minimum sentences for serious drug offenses (June 3 & 8, 2009)
• Bill C-2: European Free Trade (March 30, 2009)
• Bill C-5: establishing the Public Health Agency of Canada (June 20, 2006)

Source: www.howdtheyvote.ca

Conclusion:  Hedy Fry had a mandate to represent the people of Vancouver Centre and on critical occasions in the past 5 years Vancouver Centre had no voice on votes in the House of Commons.  Why?  Put simply she just wasn’t there.

Issue: Hedy Fry is getting paid for not showing up for work

• While consistently ranking amongst the lowest of MPs in terms of attendance there is one category in which Hedy Fry is near the top: MP expenses!
• Last year Hedy Fry cost taxpayers $740,520:  $571,624 in expenses and $168,869 in salary
• Her $571,624 in expenses was 23.5% higher than the $463,009 average for all MPs

Breakdown of Hedy Fry’s Compensation (April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010)

Source: The Board of Internal Economy & Public Disclosure – Parliament of Canada

Conclusion: Hedy Fry’s expenses are not just higher than most MPs, they are also increasing significantly from year to year. Last year she spent more than $68,000 in additional expenses over the previous year and $82,000 more than 2006 – 2007. Hedy Fry had a mandate to represent the people of Vancouver Centre and it cost taxpayers $740,520.04.

Hedy Fry’s Compensation for the Past Four Years

Source: The Board of Internal Economy & Public Disclosure – Parliament of Canada

Authorized by the official agent of the Jennifer Clarke Campaign.

Long-term job creation and economic growth will depend on private sector

WATERLOO, ONTARIO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will implement a range of measures, including reducing unnecessary regulation, to support small businesses in creating jobs and spurring economic growth.

“Canada’s entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, creating jobs and driving long-term economic growth in communities large and small across our country,” said Mr. Harper.  “It is important that government create the conditions for Canadian entrepreneurs to flourish and grow.”

A re-elected Stephen Harper Government will spur a culture shift within government by legislating a ‘one-for-one’ rule, so that government must eliminate an existing regulation every time it proposes a new one.  The success of the small- and medium-sized business sector contributes greatly to the economic and social success of Canada; however, 26 per cent of small business owners say they may not have gone into business had they known the true burden of regulation.

Stephen Harper’s Government has taken decisive action to address the needs and concerns of entrepreneurs in the last five years, including reducing taxes and red tape; improving access to business financing; making substantial investments in training, research, and development; and opening up new markets.  Building upon Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s declaration of 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur, a re-elected Conservative Government will further support Canadian businesses by:

• Moving forward with the Red Tape Reduction Commission, which will apply a small business lens to regulations to ensure that they do not have unintended impacts on small businesses.

• Introducing a $1,000 Employment Insurance tax credit for any new employees hired by a small business.

• Extending BizPal, an online service for businesses that provides streamlined, customized one-stop shopping for information on required permits and licences.

• Providing $20 million over two years for the Canada Youth Business Foundation, enabling young Canadians to launch more than 1,000 new businesses and generate an estimated 6,700 new jobs.

“As Canada emerges from a worldwide economic recession and government economic stimulus winds down, it is essential for Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs to drive our economic recovery,” said Mr. Harper.  “The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan will allow Canadian businesses do exactly that by giving them support, and will help spur the culture shift within government that they need to grow and create jobs.”

Mr. Harper also noted that the Ignatieff Liberal, NDP, Bloc Québécois plan to raise taxes on business would deal a harsh blow to Canada’s economic recovery, resulting in the loss of thousands of Canadian jobs.  “The high-tax agenda shared by the Ignatieff Liberals, the NDP and Bloc Québécois will kill jobs, stall our economic recovery and jeopardize the financial security of hard-working Canadian entrepreneurs and families.”

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