New Era For The Conservatives
Plus the trucker convoy, my thoughts on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, your #JustInflation story, and more
New Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
On Wednesday, Conservative MPs voted to replace Erin O’Toole as leader of the Conservative Party. I thank him and his wife, Rebecca, and his two kids, Mollie and Jack, for their dedication and service to our country, our party, and our movement. Elected life is difficult on families and much sacrifices are asked of them. Errors and mistakes are extremely public and there is little margin for grace in these situations.
When the parliamentary conservative caucus removes a sitting Leader of the Opposition, the Reform Act of Canada then requires them to hold a second vote to confirm in a temporary, interim leader. The Interim Leader is a caretaker whose primary role is to continue fulfilling the constitutional requirement to loyally oppose the sitting federal government until a permanent leader is chosen by the political party they belong to. On Wednesday evening, the conservative caucus met a 2nd time and selected Candice Bergen for that distinguished role.
Candice has my complete and unreserved support during this transition period.
Government Documents Confirm FTHBI Program a Failure
I have long been critical of the federal government’s First Time Home Buyer’s Incentive (FTHBI). It was a program announced prior to the 2019 election to provide a slogan for the Ottawa Liberals, claiming their $1.25 billion expenditure would help 100,000 Canadians find a home by 2022. Over the past three years, I have consistently questioned the soundness of the program, questioning the head of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), filing access to information requests, questioning Liberal MPs in Parliament, and writing a formal letter to Minister Hussen about the inability to reach the targets set out. When I originally asked the question at the Finance committee about where the federal government got the number of 100,000 people, Department of Finance and CMHC officials could not figure out who between them had produced the number. My warnings were ignored. Internal documents from the CMHC reveal its President recognized a year into the program that they would not hit the 100,000-figure promised by the Ottawa Liberals. The figure was revised in a November 2020 memo I obtained to 65,000. Furthermore, after three changes to the program’s criteria, recent figures published in Parliament show there have been less than successful 14,000 applications in its final year, a far cry from even the CMHC’s own internal projections. The Liberal government has wasted three years trying to make the program work and has wasted three years trying to fix an unfixable mess. Part of good governance is admitting mistakes. There is no good reason to continue throwing good money after bad while trying to tinker with an unpopular program. The FTHBI is a failure. It is time to abolish it.
Russia-Ukraine Parliamentary debate
When Parliament resumed on Monday, the federal government called for a take-note debate on the military situation in Ukraine. As the conflict edges closer and Russian troops line up outside the country’s borders there was questions about how it would impact Canada and our NATO military commitments. A take-note debate is an opportunity for Member of Parliament to present their views on a situation of national concern to the government prior to any decisions they take. I spoke on the situation and questioned the government’s current policy of non-lethal defensive aid to Ukraine. Stronger actions must be taken to counter Russian aggression, and Canada must send lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine immediately to aid in their defense.
Trucker convoy continues protest on Parliament Hill and Ottawa
We are now a week into the trucker demonstration on Parliament Hill. The protesters have shown Canada and the world the deep frustrations that lie within our borders. Canadians desire a peaceful resolution to this current situation. To the truckers, keep the peace. Call out and denounce any racism, violence and hate that is near you. We all desire an end to these crippling restrictions and a return to normalcy in Ottawa. Let us, as Canadians, come together and find a resolution in these unprecedented times.
Government of Quebec scraps planned tax on the unvaccinated
After much speculation, the Quebec government has announced that it will scrap its planned tax on the unvaccinated after observing “growing discontent”. I was strongly against the plan when it was announced, noting that it targeted an unpopular minority just to show that the provincial government was acting to counter the ongoing pandemic. Dissent and disagreement are essential elements of public policy discourse, and in a free and democratic country like ours, governments should not and cannot enforce such policies against its citizens.
Share your #JustInflation story
Over the past several months, I’ve heard from many constituents who have concerns about the worsening cost-of-living crisis in Canada. One constituent, Jodi, shared with me that her utility bill had shot up by more than $200 in just a month, notwithstanding the price increases of other goods caused by the Liberal’s inflationary policies. This has had massive impacts on the livelihood of Canadians, burning a hole in their pocket as wages stay stagnant. I told her story in Parliament this week and now, I want to hear from you all. Share your #JustInflation story with me through a Substack comment or an email with the header #JustInflation. The federal government needs to know just how badly their policies are failing Canadians
I am most unhappy with the Conservatives support to the current trucker protest.
Jason Kenney took the caps off insurance and electrictiy. He should be listening to Albertans. Mr. Kimec I am still awaiting your apology about protestors lack of respect for the war memorial. I sent you an email about it last Sunday. These protestors have had their say and now need to go home. Lifting of restrictions is a provincial matter. Conservatives, whether MP's or MLA's need to listen to all Canadians, not just the ones who vote for them. Dialogue is about listening too!