ALL PARTY SUPPORT FOR CALKINS’MOTION

 For Immediate Release                                                     October 7, 2009 

Ottawa, Ontario:  Blaine Calkins, MP for Wetaskiwin had his Private Members’ Motion (M-271) on the First Nations cadet programs debated in the House of Commons on October 6, 2009.

“It was heartening and highly unusual for a Private Members’ motion to receive all party support in the first hour of debate,” said Calkins.  The Motion called on the Government to examine First Nations cadet programs and develop a plan to facilitate, promote and help monitor First Nations community cadet programs across Canada.

With program founder and co-ordinator, RCMP Constable Richard Huculiak and Captain Noreen Buffalo, Hobbema Cadet Society President looking on from the gallery, Mr. Calkins told the story of how the Hobbema Cadet program began and its importance as a crime prevention initiative. 

Calkins said his purpose in putting forward this motion was “to bring to the attention of the House a unique and special community cadet program that is helping to bring a positive choice to the youth of the four bands of Hobbema, while stemming the tide of violence and the spread of gang recruitment on the Reserves in the Constituency of Wetaskiwin”.

Members of Parliament were moved by the dedication of the cadets and their leaders and their commitment to an alternative life style that offers the participants a chance to learn new skills, to make new friends, and have new, rewarding experiences.

The Motion is tentatively scheduled to receive a second and final hour of debate on November 18th and Mr. Calkins is hoping that all Members of Parliament will confirm their support for this remarkable, grassroots initiative.     

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For information please contact:

Blaine Calkins, MP

613-995-8886 (Ottawa)

403-783-5530 (Ponoka)