March 9th, 2016 - 1:44pm

Transparency in Access to Information, Creating a National Alzheimer’s Office and Tax Credits for Small Breweries

 

OTTAWA – NDP MP Brian Masse introduced three new bills into Parliament today.  The first is An Act to Amend the Parliament of Canada Act and the Access to Information Act (transparency) that amends the Parliament of Canada Act to require the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons to open its meetings, with certain exceptions, to the public.

It also amends the Access to Information Act by clarifying the purpose of the Act and to give the Information Commissioner the power to make compliance orders on requests.

“As we enter the 42nd Parliament, and especially under a new government, it is more vital than ever that we allow Canadians the opportunity to hold Parliament to account,” stated Masse.

His second bill is An Act to amend the Public Health Agency of Canada (National Alzheimer Office) which will establish a National Alzheimer Office within the Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure that that our Government is taking the pressing issues of Alzheimer’s and dementia seriously.  Estimates from the Alzheimer’s Society suggest the possibility of Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers doubling in the next sixteen years as the seniors’ demographic continues to rise rapidly.

Masse also reintroduced today, from the last session of Parliament, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (small brewery tax credit). This bill will effectively provide a tax credit for Canadian brewers who brewed less than 15,001 hectolitres in a year including an automatic credit for brewers producing less than 5000 hectolitres annually, and, a formula specific for those brewing between 5001 and 15,001 hectolitres.

“We know that microbreweries account for 6% of the overall beer market share in Canada, a number that is estimated to triple in the coming years.  Now is the time to act to help these small businesses grow,” said Masse. “I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in the House to make these changes for Canadians.”

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