Ottawa- Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP, Mark Strahl, stood in the House of Commons today to highlight the importance of resource development to local manufacturers.

"Mr. Speaker, Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon is about 1,500 kilometres from Fort McMurray, but the oilsands and natural gas exploration in Northern BC and Alberta play a major role in our economy.

Chilliwack- Through the Opportunities Fund, the Conservative Government is helping 1,600 Canadians with disabilities find employment, announced Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP, Mark Strahl.

"I am pleased that our Government is taking action to help connect Canadians with disabilities with jobs in small businesses. We want to raise awareness that people with disabilities can make a valuable contribution to the success of local businesses," said Strahl.

Chilliwack- Mark Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Status of Women, is encouraging his constituents to celebrate October 11, 2012 as the first-ever International Day of the Girl during Women's History Month.

Ottawa- On Thursday October 11 at 7:00 PM local residents will have an opportunity to participate in a telephone town hall meeting with Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP, Mark Strahl.

"In a riding as large as this one it is simply not possible to visit every community as often as I would like. The telephone town hall meeting allows me to have a dialogue with constituents in every corner of the riding," said Strahl.

Ottawa- Mark Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon applauded new legislation which, if passed by Parliament, would support three measures to help Canadian families balance work and family responsibilities.

The Helping Families in Need Act will enhance access to sickness benefits for parents receiving Employment Insurance (EI) parental benefits. The requirement to be "otherwise available for work" will be waived.

Ottawa- Contractors and builders in the Fraser Valley are being encouraged by Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP, Mark Strahl to make use of the new Helmets to Hardhats Canada web site which connects veterans and men and women in uniform with available jobs in the building and construction industry.

I attended a memorable memorial service last Saturday. We were there to celebrate the life of Gwyn Joiner, who passed away too soon at the age of 67, and left behind a powerful legacy of quiet service to his community, his country and most importantly, to his family.

I knew Gwyn when I was growing up, first because he was my uncle's uncle, second because my older sister figure skated with his daughter, Debbie, and third, because he was a Joiner, and everyone in Chilliwack knows about the famous Joiner corn.

Chilliwack- Local organizations are being encouraged by Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP, Mark Strahl to apply for funding through the Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF) to develop programs that target at-risk youth.

"The Government is investing in community-based projects that will make our communities safer by giving youth the life skills they need to stay away from criminal activity," said Strahl.

PEMBERTON – Seniors and people with disabilities in Pemberton now have increased access to affordable housing at Pemberton Villas, a new 22 modular unit building funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia along with community partners.

Chilliwack- On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister for Status of Women, Mark Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon is encouraging local community organizations to apply for funding for projects that will promote equality and prevent and reduce gender-based violence against women and girls.