StettlerLocal.com April 7, 2021 @ 1:30pm
Damien Kurek, MP, Battle River-Crowfoot, attended the Stettler Town Council meeting on April 6, 2021 as a delegate. Kurek, elected as a Conservative MP on October 21, 2019, had grand plans to get out and meet as many of his constituents as possible and then COVID hit.
Kurek introduced himself to other delegations and the media and thanked the Town Council and staff for giving him the opportunity to speak at the meeting.
“I have had a number of conversations with Mayor Nolls and CAO Switenky and extend my kudos to Stettler as they have been hit hard by the oil and gas industry fallout and other economic impacts.” - Damien Kurek, MP Battle River - Crowfoot
Kurek’s constituency offices are open in accordance with health guidelines and they were not closed during the pandemic. There have been many demands on social support during the pandemic, and his office has received many calls specific to the CRA, Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP). It has been difficult for his constituents to get through to CRA particularly around the Canada Recovery Benefit,
“My three main objectives are to connect with the ground level of elected officials, continue to amplify my constituents and advocate policy for the current government.“ - Damien Kurek, MP Battle River - Crowfoot
Kurek is a member of an opposition group working on the tourism industry. Kurek said that hotels are one part of the industry that has suffered and the wage subsidy programs have helped the hotels to stay afloat during the pandemic.
The Canada Summer Jobs program provides funding support to businesses, many of which are not for profits, for summer positions from May to August.
“Many people have been anxiously awaiting an update on the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program and the amount being provided of $1.3 million is a pittance with $1 billion promised last year, and the CSJ Program is three times oversubscribed.” - Damien Kurek, MP Battle River - Crowfoot
The federal budget is scheduled to be released April 19, 2021 and Kurek stated that a federal election may soon be forthcoming. While information on the total cost of the vaccination program in Canada is not available, Kurek reassured us there is hope on the horizon with the vaccine coming.
Kurek encourages his constituents to sign up for his newsletter at https://www.damienkurek.ca/ or contact his office.
Email damien.kurek@parl.gc.ca Text:403-575-5625 Call: 780-608-4600
Kurek’s constituency offices are located in Camrose and Consort, and Stettler is the third largest area of his constituency.
Jody Craig, Reporter
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