ROTARY MOMENT
President Linda talked about how fortunate we are to be able to attend any Rotary club in the world and be greeted warmly in Rotary friendship. Wherever you are in the wolrd, there is a Rotary Club and a meeting. And YES, there is an app for that.
Rotary Club Locator app: Find Rotary clubs worldwide with our free Rotary Club Locator app. You can search for clubs by keyword, country, state or province, district, and even meeting day. Or simply use the “Near me” feature to find clubs close to your current location. Note that when you search for nearby clubs, the map won’t display e-clubs. Use a keyword search to find information on e-clubs. Features: Display a club’s location on a map; Search for clubs by keyword; Search for clubs within 1 to 100 miles of your physical location; Save your search results; Add a club to your contact list; View club officer information (available only to Rotarians and Rotaractors).
Download the Rotary Club Locator app : Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad; Google Play for Android; App for Windows Phone Store
GUEST SPEAKER : Dr. Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa
Past President Dave Andrews introduced Colin. Colin needs very little introduction to The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood. We have had the pleasure of hearing Colin speak to our Rotary Club on several occasions. Over the years, Colin has also been a big contributor, to our annual Reverse Draw, Dinner, and Silent Auction Night. He buys a ticket every year, when asked and even contributes annually to our door prizes for our big event. We thank you every year for your generous assistance to The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, each and every year.
A graduate of Oshawa’s RS McLaughlin CVI, Colin earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo and graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1989. Following his graduation,Colin returned to Oshawa where he established a practice and began a family. Colin and his wife Elizabeth have three children.
Prior to entering Parliament, he co-owned and operated one of Durham Region’s leading chiropractic and wellness clinics.
Colin was proudly elected to represent Oshawa for the first time in June 2004 and was re-elected in January 2006, October 2008,.May 2011, and October 2015.
Colin created the first ever Conservative Automotive Caucus shortly after being elected. Colin has had the privilege of serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Industry, Health and Environment, during his time in Parliament.
Currently, now Colin serves as the Opposition Shadow Cabinet as Secretary for Canada-US Relations and has remained a tireless supporter of Canada's manufacturing industry, in that role.
Colin thanked each and every member of our Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood for our dedication to service both locally and internationally. Colin has traveled across Canada and to many countries, and what we have in Oshawa, with respect to community organizations and their level of serving the community is very unique in the world.
Colin noted that he is in the Shadow Government (the Loyal Opposition) as Secretary of Canada – US Relations. Every day, there is news about Canada and its relationship with the USA. As part of that Team Canada, Colin travels the globe, promoting Canada and assisting the government with ideas. Colin noted that there are many challenges ahead. He noted that there are many uncertanties such as NAFTA and noted that negotiations are most important. He said that a lot is riding on the negotiations. Only about 20% of Canada's economy is domestic business. 80% involves imports and exports.
Colin has been to the USA, 4 times for meetings with US Governors and Canadian Premiers . He noted that the tariffs are starting to hurt both sides, and the newest threat are automotive tariffs.
Colin has held roundtable meetings, here in Oshawa, in Ontario, and across Canada, with business leaders getting feedback on the potential effects of trade and tariffs.
Coilin strongly believes that being a member of the Opposition is not just to criticize, but also to give advice and assist the Government on all of the issues facing Canadians.
He has also gone door-to-door finding out what Canadians are concerned about. He noted that the carbon tax and the new marijuana laws are key issues of concerned Canadians.
He said that we live in the greatest country in the world. He noted that we are rich in energy but the carbon tax kills our advantage. He hopes that there is another way to reduce of greenhouse emissions. He believes that there will be new opportunities.
He talked about the differences in doing business and Ontario vs Michigan and cited the disadvantages and the numerous regulations facing Ontario entrepreneurs, here in Ontario. He said that we need businesses to be competitive to survive.
He talked about the cannabis laws coming in October and feels that Canada is not prepared and cited a few examples that we will face, including longer waits at the borders, for commercial vehicles, in particular and the intoxication levels and the effects and how law enforcement have to be prepared for detecting new types of intoxication. He said that being first, is not always the best.
He also said, from his door-to-door visits, that Canadians are concerned with the influx of refugees into Canada and the impact it has on the immigration system in Canada.
He has also been asked about the difficulty of young people and home ownership in Canada.
He said that we have to be understanding how we govern in Canada but also to be aware of unintended consequences.
He ended his comments by saying that Canada still has a very great future and we will meet these challenges.
Colin was asked about the lack of free trade between our provinces. He noted that it is incredibly important that we get our act together , here in Canada, if we are ever to get it right with the rest of the world.
He was also asked about toll roads in Ontario. Although a provincial matter, Colin noted that in other jurisdictions, toll roads pay for many social service projects. And in some areas of the USA and in other parts of the world, there are private / public joint ventures as excellent working models for airports, hospitals, etc.
He concluded his Q and A session by emphasizing that in Ontario, we are not competitive. People need cretainties when they invest in any community.
Dr. Colin Carrie had a chance to talk with Oshawa-Parkwood Rotarian Chris Birrell , after the meeting
Dr. Colin Carrie was thanked by Past President Hilda Finnigan
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP : Go online at www.rotary.org go to the Rotary Club Locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Robbie Larocque, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.