It has been a busy fall in Ottawa for MP Kevin Sorenson. As Minister of State for Finance he has been part of some major announcements in regards to tax changes, however Canada’s response to the crisis in Iraq has dominated parliament.
    There was vigorous debate in the House of Commons last week as to Canada’s response to the aggression of the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-ASham (ISIS). In the end, the government passed a motion that allows Canadian CF 18's to undertake air strikes to curb the group.
    Sorenson said he has heard support from the area for this decision.
    “The calls heard in my constituency offices are saying they can watch a beheading on the Internet if they want. The media is telling these stories and showing what ISIS is doing,” said Sorensen. “They (ISIS) have moved into a big territory in Iraq and Syria and are coming up against Turkey. It is really like a rouge caliphate that has said ‘we are the government and we’re taking over.’”
    “We believe we need to respond and we need to respond with our allies. We are committed not to put boots on the ground, but to do part of this overall strategy. We have been asked to do air strikes.”
    He says Canada’s commitment does go beyond simply air strikes.
  “We are going to have some refueling capacity and there will be a few other things we may end up doing on maintenance and reconnaissance flights,” he said.
  “We want to stand up and by far the majority of people are thanking us for it.”
  Amid the talk of air strikes, the government last week also made a significant announcement in regards to a tax break for families.
 Prime Minister Harper announced the intention of the government to double the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.
    “The Prime Minister always asks questions with any kind of tax change, like ‘how does this affect families?’ One of the things that has been a pleasant surprise is his focus on families and delivering for them,” said Sorenson. "Doubling the fitness tax credit is certainly going to be a help for families.”    
    The Children’s Fitness Tax Credit was first in place in 2006. When the changes are implemented, the credit will go up to $1,000. They expect the enhancements to benefit 850,000 families.
    “Parents know that regular exercise is a key part of their children’s development and gets them started on a lifetime of healthy, active living. Our Government recognizes the impact that expenses for sports activities can have on families, particularly those with lower incomes. That is why we are following through on our promise to enhance this tax credit by doubling the maximum amount and making it refundable,” said Harper upon the announcement.
     Sorenson says there are many benefits to encouraging activity.
    “We know it is going to fight obesity, and keep health care costs low,” he said.
    The change does not extend to the Children’s Art Tax Credit.
 This announcement came weeks after Sorenson announced a plan to lower EI premiums for small businesses.
    The Small Business Job Credit lowers the current legislated rate that small business pays EI benefits from $1.88 to $1.60 per $100 of insurable earnings.  He explains the EI fund has increased significantly over the last few years.
    “Now it (EI Fund) is coming to surplus, so now we want to lower it for small and medium sized businesses,” he said.
    Harper was back in his riding for the Thanksgiving Holiday. While next week there is a break, he will be speaking in Winnipeg, Brandon, Prince Albert, and Melfort.

Drumheller Court House.

    A man was found guilty of possession of drugs for the purposes of trafficking last Friday in provincial court in Drumheller.
    Dwayne Sorenson appeared in provincial court in Drumheller for trial. He was charged with simple possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking.
    Procedurally, his court day was largely held in voir dire (or a trial within a trial), as his lawyer launched a constitutional challenge of the validity of his client’s arrest.
    The court heard how on April 11, 2013, Sorenson, 30, of Prince Albert was travelling eastbound on Highway 9 a few kilometres east of Morrin Corner. The vehicle he was driving caught the attention of Constable Jeremiah Jones and Auxiliary Constable Gerald Bystrom who were performing traffic enforcement.
    As the car passed, Jones noted the license plate was not clearly illuminated and preceded to conduct a traffic stop.
    Auxiliary Constable Bystrom first approached the stopped vehicle from the passenger side and noted the smell of burnt marijuana. He also noted a small marijuana cigarette in the driver’s lap. Constable Jones then approached the car and arrested Sorenson for possession of marijuana.  Jones directed Sorenson to sit in the police cruiser while he searched the car Sorenson was driving. In the centre console, he discovered approximately 500 grams of cocaine in brick form, worth between $25,000 and $50,000.
    Sorenson was rearrested for possession for the purposes of trafficking.
    The defense’s main argument was that the initial traffic stop was not justified because the officers would not be able to make the assessment that the license plate was not well illuminated as the vehicle passed at highway speed.
    Judge Mike Dinkel heard the evidence and agreed the case rises and falls on the validity of the initial stop. He concluded the stop was justified and that makes Sorenson’s detainment lawful.
    The Federal Prosecutor asked that the evidence heard in the voir dire be added to the trial record. Defense called no further evidence.
    Judge Dinkel found Sorenson guilty of the two counts.
 Sorenson was released and a presentence report was ordered. He will be returning to court for sentencing in the future.