As I have reported before, I have been crossing Canada on a Listening to Seniors Tour. In mid- January, I travelled to Timmins for a meeting with AbitiBowater pensioners, who, like workers from Fraser Papers and Nortel, are at risk of losing their pensions as their former employer teeters on the verge of bankruptcy.

After a three-day NDP caucus retreat on Jan. 18 in Wakefield, Quebec, I resumed my tour travelling to BC for four community meetings in Nanaimo, Victoria and Sidney-North.

I returned to Ottawa for the Anti Prorogation Rally on the Jan. 23. There are various accounts of how many people atteneded, but I would say there were far more than anticipated as much of Parliament’s front lawn was covered by these concerned citizens.

I remained in Ottawa for Jan. 25, which was the day we should have returned to work after the Christmas break. When I returned to Hamilton at week’s end, I attended an open house at the Hamilton Mountain Mosque where more than 300 people from different faiths toured the facility.

On Feb. 4, I joined with hundreds of volunteers and supporters of the United Way of Burlington Greater Hamilton to celebrate the meeting of their 2009 fundraising goal. Kudos must be extended to ArcelorMittal for their last-minute donation of $100,000, allowing the goal to be met.

My wife, Barbara, and I also attended the 25th annual Bishop Tonnos Charity Dinner. Each year, this wonderful event raises close to $90,000 for the needy of our community.

I resumed travelling on Feb. 11 to attend two pension round tables sponsored by the CLC, the first in Sudbury and a second in Toronto.

I will be hosting two Listening to Seniors events in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek. The first is today (Feb. 18) at 10:30 a. m. at the Hamilton Steelworkers Hall and then on Friday, Feb. 19 at 1 p. m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 622, 12 King St. E. in Stoney Creek.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, I will attend the Oscar party in support of the Hamilton AIDS Network.

Once again this year, I have the honour of being invited to address new cadets at the Hamilton James Street Armouries. This is always a rewarding evening for me, as I not only speak to them about my duties as MP, but also about what they can expect should they choose politics as a career. I also get to take questions from the cadets and this I always enjoy.

Then I don my human rights critic hat and return to Ottawa for an Amnesty International event on the United Nations periodic review of Canada’s human rights record.

So chances are I will see you out in the riding soon. Take care until then.