Bipartisan Suicide Prevention Helpline 988 A Reality
Plus latest GDP numbers, Liberal-Bloc coalition vote down relief for farmers, report on Beijing police stations, and more
Years of hard work and advocacy are finally paying off. On November 30th, 2023, the three-digit national suicide prevention helpline - ‘988’ – launched across Canada. This life-saving service will provide Canadians who are struggling with mental health the opportunity to call or text ‘988’ and receive free, confidential, immediate, and non-judgemental support.
We got here thanks to the parliamentary motion introduced and passed in Parliament by Conservative shadow minister for mental health and suicide prevention, MP Todd Doherty, in late 2020. Todd believed, and I agree with him, that a three-digit number is easy to remember and would make it easily accessible to those needing help. An easy to remember phone number makes mental health and crisis services infinitely more accessible to those who need mental health supports immediately.
Todd has been a long-time fighter for greater mental health supports. He has written and proposed in Parliament two private member’s bill just on this very issue including C-294 in the last Parliament and C-269 in the current one. He has proposed legislation to create a post-traumatic stress disorder awareness day and passed into law in his first Parliament a federal framework on post-traumatic stress disorder. When I say Todd cares and works hard on mental health supports as well as suicide prevention – I mean he really cares. For Todd, this is his vocation and pursuit. His devotion to getting this ‘988’ helpline is now a reality, and it will save lives.
The ‘988’ helpline will be open 24/7 and staffed by expert crisis responders. The launch of this crucial helpline will be the lifeline that so many Canadians need to help them keep fighting. I want to extend a personal and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been involved with the process of creating and launching 988. You are doing work that will save lives.
Please, if you are struggling with mental illness, know that you don’t have to suffer alone. You are loved and you are valued, and your life is always worth living.
Liberal-Bloc carbon tax coalition vote down relief for farmers
This week, Conservatives put forward a common-sense plan in Parliament calling on the Senate to immediately pass Bill C-234, a conservative bill that would axe the carbon tax on farmers who are struggling to produce affordable food for Canadians. The Liberal-Bloc coalition voted down our plan and chose to continue punishing farmers with the carbon tax. Next week, Senators will need to make a choice between supporting the Liberal government’s agenda or supporting farmers and Canadians. It must be made clear to Canadians that it does not matter what the Senate thinks about the bill, because taxation and spending are the exclusive right of the House of Commons, not the Senate. In our system, there is no taxation without representation. Section 53 of the Constitution says that all financial legislation must originate in this House. Standing Order 80 says that this House “alone grants aids and supplies”. The Senate must stop blocking hands with the Liberal government and do the right thing for all Canadians: bring the bill to a vote and vote yes for tax relief.
Beijing Police Stations were operating in Canada
This week, the Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship confirmed in a public report that the Communist Party of China operated overseas police stations in Canada. As the vice-chair of the committee, it is something I have worked on for a long time, hearing from witnesses and awaiting the evidence from government and non-government sources. Witnesses have testified that while some of these places offered services like recreation or driver license renewals, these police stations were used to “monitor diaspora communities, collect civil intelligence, harass and intimidate individuals who are critical of China policies and assist China public security authorities with coerced return operations.” Unlike other governments, the Liberal government did not shut them down. Instead choosing to remain silent on what exactly they will do to address this problem. It is time to sanction the individuals engaged in these repressive activities. Read the full report below.
Statistics Canada reports economy shrinks and GDP drops 1.1%
After months of trying to burnish their credentials as a government best suited to lead the economy, the latest economic numbers reveal the truth about the Liberal government. Their high tax, high spend agenda has had its consequences, as Statistics Canada revealed that Canada’s GDP dropped 1.1% last quarter, while just south of the border, the US economy grew by 5.2%. The Prime Minister deflects by pointing to investments in housing and dental care. However, a critical examination highlights just how poorly their financial management has been. Doubling our national debt and deficits every year are not responsible fiscal management. The facts are that the Liberal government’s economic policies are pushing Canadians into deep financial hardship. The interest rate hikes caused by this government’s reckless spending will add even more to the debt thanks to the mounting debt servicing costs, which will near $50 billion a year in 2028. While our trading partners experience growing economies, we fall further behind.
Auburn Bay Parade of Lights
Thank you to all residents that went out to the Auburn Bay Parade of Lights last Saturday. I met hundreds of you as I passed out hot chocolate and heard the concerns from many about the carbon tax, skyrocketing cost of living, and other issues of concern to the community.
If all Conservatives work as hard as you do Trudeau will be defeated in the next election. I enjoy your emails and and your snail mail. Keep up the good work.
Don G
I am so glad I live in the area you represent. Thank you Mr Kmiec for all that you do for us.