By Denise Savoie

I know that for many of you, 2012 has brought another year of uncertainty with the recovery from the global economic recession still not in sight. This is a time when it is more important than ever for Canadians to feel that their federal government is safeguarding the public interest. Unfortunately, on so many levels, the opposite is true.

The Conservative government has unilaterally cut federal health transfers, a move the Parliamentary Budget Officer warns will threaten the sustainability of our healthcare system and force provinces to cut vital services.

They have cut hundreds of jobs at Service Canada resulting in a dramatic increase in the length of time needed to process employment insurance claims for Canadians who have lost their jobs.

The Conservatives are dismissing opponents of the dangerous Enbridge pipeline as foreign-financed radicals, while the government gambles with our fragile coastline and exports value-added Canadian processing jobs to foreign refineries.

It is not in the public interest for Parks Canada to allow a private company to construct an intrusive thrill-seeking structure in Jasper National Park at the approach to the world-renowned Icefields Parkway. And yet this is what is being considered by the federal government.

As I visited with friends and family in Victoria over the holidays, and spoke with so many of you at community events, I was encouraged by the determination to keep speaking out about the kind of society we want. Many of you have written to me to voice your opposition to the pipeline and are offended by the campaign out of Ottawa to discredit British Columbians who support a tanker ban and want to see Canada restore the strength of its environmental protection laws. I also heard from many constituents as they witnessed the loss of Canada's international reputation at the climate change conference in Durban, South Africa, last fall.

Climate change is a question of intergenerational equity. We must ensure that we leave a healthy planet for our children and future generations. We have many young MPs in our New Democrat caucus and they understand and also convey to the Government that climate change is one of the major issues facing their generation.

There is strength in working together, and in that vein I invite you to participate this month in a Community Services Fair that I am hosting February 11, 1-4 p.m., at the Monterey Recreation Centre, 1442 Monterey Avenue in Oak Bay. The event will bring together federal government agencies with community and non-profit groups that help people with issues ranging from support services for seniors, parents and new Canadians, to greening your home to accessing housing information and pension benefits.

In March, I will once again be hosting my annual celebration of International Women's Day, and I invite you to attend, Sunday, March 11, 1-3 p.m. at The Belfry, 1291 Gladstone Avenue in Fernwood. I also want to wish you all a Happy Chinese New Year as we embark on the Year of the Dragon.