Blog

By KERRY DIOTTE
Member of Parliament

“Opportunity is coming. Growth is coming. Jobs are coming.”

Those were the upbeat and naive words used by Liberal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in summing up the first budget her government has tabled in two long years.

I beg to differ with her optimistic summation.

Something is coming all right. But it’s a train — a runaway train of Liberal spending.

There’s more than $100 billion alone in brand new spending.

It details plans to tack on a half a trillion dollars in national debt.

As well, it will push our debt to GDP ratio to the stratosphere. That debt to GDP ration will soar to nearly 50% in five years.

Our deficit will be an obscene $354.2 billion. 

That’s the amount of money the Liberals will spend that we don’t have.

The Liberals called this budget “A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience.”

But there’s no true plan.

As our Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole pointed out — this is not an economic recovery budget. This is an election budget. 

There’s money offered like juicy carrots to just about everybody. 

Here’s just SOME of the spending: $30 billion for national daycare, $8.9 billion for low-wage Canadians, $5.7 billion for youth, $12 billion for wage, rent and business subsidies,”  “$18 billion to further narrow gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples,” “$2.2 billion to help end the national tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls,” and  “$5 billion over seven years, starting in 2021-22, in the Net Zero Accelerator.”

Yes, there are a half dozen references in the budget speech to the word “green.’’ Freeland boasted of “investing in Canada’s green transition and the green jobs that go with it.”

But you know two words that failed to get a mention in the budget speech? 

There was not one mention of the word oil or gas.

It just goes to show you how out of touch these Liberals are with Alberta and the lifeblood energy industry that fuels this nation and pays the bills for the country.

While there was plenty of talk about green schemes there was no mention, for instance, of things such as promoting pipelines to get our ethical natural resources to world markets.

How on earth will we ever be able to afford this massive Liberal, election-style spending spree unless we champion our God-given natural resources and support them?

Taxing and spending is not the magic bullet. But that seems to be the bullet train Justin Trudeau and his Liberals love.

The Liberals should (but won’t) heed the words of the late, former British PM Margaret Thatcher who’s frequently quoted as saying: “The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.” 

So true. Woe Canada.

What we Conservatives would have done differently on COVID-19 

I’m often asked what Conservatives would have done differently than Justin Trudeau on the COVID pandemic front.

There are lots of things — but here are some key ones:

1) Unlike Trudeau we would have recognized earlier on that COVID was a worldwide pandemic.

2) We would have quickly closed our borders to people arriving from COVID hotspots instead of saying such an action was somehow racist.

3) We wouldn’t have depleted Canada’s supply of PPE by shipping 16 tonnes of it to China.

4) We wouldn’t have gambled by trying to partner with China to get a vaccine — a deal that fell flat and left us late to the game in purchasing vaccines from other pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer.

5) We’d have been quicker to produce a contact tracing app.

6) We’d have more rapidly produced and employed federal rapid testing.

These are several key things we would have done differently as we worked to support Canadians through the pandemic. 

CNN scathing report on Trudeau’s COVID-19 response 

Trudeau’s failed COVID-19 response is making international headlines. Recently, CNN responded on how Trudeau has botched the vaccine. 

Instead of accepting responsibility for his government’s failures, the prime minister doubled down. He bizarrely claimed Britain was facing a “very serious third wave.” This is despite the fact that Britain has far fewer active cases and are actually beginning to open up thanks to their successful vaccine program. 

He then went on to claim the factual CNN report wasn’t actually factual. CNN journalist Jake Tapper was having none of the “Tru-Anon” talking points and conspiracies.  

Canadians deserve better! 

It’s time to end the blood ban

My friend and colleague Eric Duncan is right. The ban doesn’t make sense, prevents donors from donating and needlessly discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community. It’s time to end it. 

The U.K.’s policy on overseas pensions is costing Canadian taxpayers

The British governments refusal to uprate pensions for British-Canadians is an unfair policy that hurts thousands of Canadians — including several of my constituents.

These pensioners paid their dues, they deserve their full pensions.

Other countries have agreements, why not Canada?

In the news

• Damning CNN report scrapes off some of Trudeau’s glitter. Link
• Hajdu announces $7.7 million fund to deal injectable drugs to Toronto addicts. Link
• A plan to reduce emissions while growing our economy. Link
• Edmonton mayor furious with police for touring councillors through convention centre homeless shelter. Link
• NASA successfully flies the first-ever helicopter on Mars. Link
• Court rules Canada can turn away asylum seekers entering from the United States. Link
• City of Edmonton opening up 10 kilometres of road to pedestrians, cyclists for more distancing space. Link
• Jake Tapper calling Trudeau supporters ‘Tru-Anon’ is perfect. Link
• Even madmen and communists understand the real ‘energy transition’, Canada’s leadership couldn’t run a hot dog stand. Link
• Trudeau government failed to keep out the variants tearing through Canada. Link
• Travellers can avoid paying for Canada’s hotel quarantine. Link

You said it

• “They have done a very bad job.” [Discussing Liberal vaccine procurement] —  Cheryl M. 
• “That China fixation is another “blind spot” of Mr. Trudeau’s. Seems to stem from the same perspective his father had. A world view of nations based on privileged tourist experiences. Those high minded ideals have cost Canadians a lot.” —  Preston L. 
• “He failed miserably in obtaining vaccines. This is only one of his many failures.” —  Mary P.

Last week’s straw poll results

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks if they thought Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government has botched Canada’s vaccine procurement.

Folks universally agreed that the Liberals botched it.

A big thanks to everyone who took part. I always appreciate hearing from you. 

Have your say

In the recent Liberal budget the Liberals commit to billions of dollars of more debt in an endless spending spree. This is of course a government that came in promising to only run three small deficits, we all remember how that worked out. 

Are you concerned about Canada’s record debt levels and the lack of a Liberal plan back to balance? 

Have your say in my unofficial poll.

I’ll publish the results in next week’s e-newsletter. 

Latest news on COVID-19 

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Health Services or the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Alberta Health Services can also be reached by phone at 811. 

Benefits available for Canadians

There are programs available to help you and your family during this COVID pandemic. 

Share this valuable e-newsletter with a friend or post it on social media

You can share it here.

If you’re not subscribed to this regular e-newsletter, sign up below.

Members of Parliament get the most current, accurate and comprehensive updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Want regular highlights of these? Sign up for my e-newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up here.

I want to hear from you 

I’m always eager to hear from you. Do you have beefs? Bouquets? Suggestions?

Drop me a note to my e-mail address.

Please note our local Edmonton constituency office is currently still open to serve you but it’s by appointment only. We simply ask that you call ahead to book an appointment.

Call or e-mail us and we’ll be happy to serve you.

Thanks so much. Stay healthy!

E-mail:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau wound up a three-day Liberal convention Saturday with a partisan speech that sounded much like the launch of an election campaign.

While the prime minister has insisted he has no interest in plunging the country into an election in the midst of the deadly third wave of COVID-19, his speech was aimed at positioning the governing Liberals as the only party with “real solutions to the real problems” facing Canadians.

Victory at Vimy

Located in northern France, Vimy ridge was a crucial position that needed to be taken. From the ridge the German army had a commanding view over allied positions from which they could direct artillery barrages.  

After previous allied attempts failed to take the ridge, the Canadian Corps was tasked with this important mission. 

On Apr.9, 1917 all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force — including Edmonton’s own 49th Battalion —  came together in an assault on Vimy Ridge.

On Apr.12, 1917 after four long brutal days of fighting, Vimy ridge was in Canadian hands. 

This important victory, earned Canadian soldiers a reputation as formidable and effective soldiers. 

This also marked the first time that all four Canadian divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force would fight together as one unit composed of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This was a defining moment in Canadian history and helped forge our nation.

Yet, this victory came at a huge cost, 3,598 Canadians lost their lives and 7,000 were wounded during the battle. Overall, more than 60,000 Canadians were killed during the First World War and 172,000 were wounded. It stands as the bloodiest conflict for Canada in Canadian history.

Lest we forget.

We will not allow China to silence us

By MICHAEL CHONG MP
Globe and Mail

China is trying to silence the truth abroad, after having silenced it at home.

Just over two weeks ago, I woke up to news that China’s government had sanctioned me, adding me to a list of officials in the United States, Britain and Europe who have been sanctioned for simply speaking. Speaking against Beijing’s genocide of its Uyghur Muslim minority. Speaking against its crackdown on Hong Kong.

The sanction bans me from visiting China, and prohibits Chinese citizens and institutions from doing business with me. I have no travel plans or business in China, so the sanctions will have no effect on me. Nevertheless, they should be taken seriously as an attempt to silence the growing criticism of the Chinese government’s human rights record and violations of international law.

Since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, China has become increasingly assertive in shutting down criticism. Increasing threats have accompanied this shift.

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have now been detained for more than two years. Robert Schellenberg is on death row. The fate and whereabouts of Huseyin Celil remain unknown. China’s government has arbitrarily banned imports that targeted Canadian pork, beef and canola farmers. But Canada is not the only target of China’s government.

From its growing intimidation of Taiwan to its recent border skirmishes with India and the unilateral extension of its boundaries in the South China Sea, China’s leadership is increasingly threatening its neighbours.

It is not only abroad where China’s government is challenging the rules-based international order. In its crackdown on Hong Kong, it is violating the Sino-British Joint Declaration – an international treaty guaranteeing Hong Kong’s autonomy for 50 years. In the mass detention and sterilization of Uyghurs, it is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention – the first human rights treaty adopted at the United Nations. The abuse of other minorities continues, with its treatment of Christians, Falun Gong practitioners and long-suffering Tibetans.

We must wake up to the reality that in recent years, instead of improving their record on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, authoritarian governments have used their new-found prosperity to reinforce their authoritarianism.

(Read the full article by Michael Chong at the link below)

Conservatives demand public inquiry into the government’s pandemic response

 The Liberal government’s slow and incompetent pandemic response means Canada has entered a third COVID-19 wave. A public inquiry will make sure this never happens again.

Remembering the life of Prince Philip

Sad to hear of the passing of a friend and legendary journalist 

I’m saddened to hear about the death of my friend, legendary correspondent Matthew Fisher. 

He and I got to know each other well when we were on a journalism assignment aboard the QE2 with hundreds of Second World War veterans returning to the shores of Normandy to commemorate the 50th anniversary of D-Day. 

We last talked in the fall when I’d agreed to write an endorsement for him in his quest to be a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada. Sadly, they just don’t make journalists like Matthew anymore — and I’ve seldom met a guy with such a wealth of fascinating stories. RIP, my friend.

In the news

• • • Trudeau government threatens Halifax Security Forum over proposed Taiwan award. Link
    • The facts in the WE scandal are clear. It’s not complicated. Link
    • New Democrats reconvene as hiccups, frustrations plague national policy convention. Link
    • Universal basic income would cost over $85 billion per year: PBO. Link
    • Liberals shut down probe into sexual misconduct in Canadian military. Link
    • Nonprofit involved with 1,400 California schools being investigated by Canadian parliamentary committee. Link
    • Justin Trudeau’s guinea pigs respond not so kindly. Link
    • Feds’ anti-racism training deals with political agendas, nothing else. Link
    • Half of Canadians believe journalists mislead the public: poll. Link
    • Who wants to abolish billionaires? A look at the federal NDP’s convention resolutions. Link
    • CBC spends $900,000 on five person “strategic intelligence” department. Link
    • Canadians conquered Vimy Ridge. We can win the battle against COVID, too. Link

You said it

• “I don’t think we should be sending a team to China for the Olympics, with all that they are doing.” —  Barry N. 
• “So can someone verify this for me; Apparently the NDP wants to disband the Canadian Armed Forces if they win the next election?” —  Darren P.
  
  
• “Other Priorities: Do more to unify the polarizing political spectrum.” —  Bonnie D.

Have your say

Canada continues to lag behind scores of other developed countries in vaccine procurement. As of Apr.12, Bloomberg News has our vaccines per population rate at 47th in the world.

Do you think Justin Trudeau and this Liberal government has botched Canada’s vaccine procurement? 

Have your say in my unofficial poll.

I’ll publish the results in next weeks e-newsletter. 

Latest news on COVID-19 

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Health Services or the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Alberta Health Services can also be reached by phone at 811. 

Benefits available for Canadians

There are programs available to help you and your family during this COVID pandemic. 

Share this valuable e-newsletter with a friend or post it on social media

You can share it here.

If you’re not subscribed to this regular e-newsletter, sign up below.

Members of Parliament get the most current, accurate and comprehensive updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Want regular highlights of these? Sign up for my e-newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up here.

I want to hear from you 

I’m always eager to hear from you. Do you have beefs? Bouquets? Suggestions?

Drop me a note to my e-mail address.

Please note our local Edmonton constituency office is currently still open to serve you but it’s by appointment only. We simply ask that you call ahead to book an appointment.

Call or e-mail us and we’ll be happy to serve you.

Thanks so much. Stay healthy!

E-mail:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Many constituents have written to me concerned about the pay hike that Members of Parliament automatically received Apr. 1, 2021. I also share those concerns. 

Many people feel that, in the middle of an emergency, the last thing that needs to be done is to increase the pay of politicians. 

The pay hike was set up by the Liberals and automatically occurs without a vote in the House of Commons. 

As incredible as it sounds, there’s no way I can stop receiving it.

As such there’s the next best thing. I’ll be donating the money I get in this pay hike to charities and organizations in Edmonton that have a good track record of helping folks in our community.

This way the money goes to good causes.

This is exactly what I did the last time we were forced to take an automatic pay raise.

But the idea that the Liberals would continue to raise the pay of federal MPs when so many Canadians are struggling is plainly offensive to taxpayers.

Trudeau government failed Canada in COVID response

By BRIAN LILLEY
Toronto Sun

The Public Health Agency of Canada was woefully unprepared for the arrival and impact of COVID-19 in Canada, according to an audit by Canada’s auditor general.

The agency failed to look at the potential spread of the virus in assessing risk and failed to properly ensure compliance with quarantine rules to contain the spread.

This audit shows PHAC was neither even though responding to pandemics response was the overarching goal of the organization at its inception in 2006.

“We found that the agency’s Global Public Health Intelligence Network did not issue an alert to provide early warning when the virus was first reported,” the audit states, noting that subscribers would have received an email, a lower level of communication than an alert. Essentially, a network designed to alert Canadian officials, and international partners, didn’t do its job.

(Read the full article by Brian Lilley, Toronto Sun at the link below.)

Sign my petition to bring back Bachman

The taxpayer-funded CBC is making a very poor decision by cancelling a popular national radio show called Vinyl Tap by legendary musician Randy Bachman.

Please sign the petition below and let’s fight back against this affront by CBC to a Canadian cultural icon.

I’ll send a letter to CBC on behalf of everyone who signs this petition.

Shortage of volunteers keeps kid waiting for big brother in Calgary

I’ve seen firsthand the great work the Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area do for children in our community so I hope the Calgary chapter can find the volunteers they need shortly.

The Edmonton chapter is also looking for volunteers. If you’re interested or know someone who is, you should reach out to them.

In the news

• Egerton Ryerson has been falsely accused of trying to erase Indigenous culture. Link
• Regina council votes in favour of removing statue of Sir John A. Macdonald from Victoria Park. Link
• Trudeau has spent nearly double what government spent during WWII: Fraser Institute. Link
• Public officials have failed to prepare Canadians for COVID-19. Link
• Opposition MPs blast Liberal ‘defiance’ after second staffer blocked from testifying on WE. Link
• ‘It’s unbelievable’: Searchers find Ontario toddler alive after four days in thick woods. Link
• Journalism is pure madness. Link
• Canadians have been patient during the pandemic. That’s not necessarily a good thing. Link
• Vaccinated snowbirds say they’re being ‘punished’ with Canada’s COVID-19 hotel quarantine. Link
• Preposterous NDP policy resolutions suggest the inmates are taking over. Link
• Why did Trudeau trust China on vaccines? Link

You said it

• “Keep up your good work Kerry. These are crazy times. We all have to pay attention to what’s going on. I think our country is in for a very hard time. I feel very sorry for my grandchildren. I always tried my best to do the right thing. Maybe I was too busy caring for my family and making ends meet I forgot to pay attention to what our government was doing. Me and millions of other people. That’s what corrupt governments count on.”  —  Ellen G. 
• Commenting on allowing 16 year olds the right to vote: “Sixteen year old’s can have their ideologies persuaded and have their opinions easily swayed by those on the left who are very adept at pandering to the less seasoned, travelled, and rational person. I don’t believe that they have matured enough to understand the consequences of their decisions can have on the masses. They live at home, believe the world owes them a living, and like Trudeau, they think that budgets balance themselves.” —  Fred S. 
• “That’s all a Liberal knows to do, tax, tax, and tax again. A Liberal never met a tax he didn’t like. Part of the Liberal party platform is if it moves, tax it. If it’s still moving, tax it again.” —  Andrew G.

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked what people thought about the plans to lower the voting age to 16 introduced by former Green Party leader, MP Elizabeth May. 

There was a large turnout and a clear majority. Of those surveyed 96% said they opposed lowering the voting age to 16.

As your Member of Parliament, I’ll continue to support keeping the voting age at 18. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

Latest news on COVID-19 

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Health Services or the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Alberta Health Services can also be reached by phone at 811. 

Benefits available for Canadians

There are programs available to help you and your family during this COVID pandemic. 

Share this valuable e-newsletter with a friend or post it on social media

You can share it here.

If you’re not subscribed to this regular e-newsletter, sign up below.

Members of Parliament get the most current, accurate and comprehensive updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Want regular highlights of these? Sign up for my e-newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up here.

I want to hear from you 

I’m always eager to hear from you. Do you have beefs? Bouquets? Suggestions?

Drop me a note to my e-mail address.

Please note our local Edmonton constituency office is currently still open to serve you but it’s by appointment only. We simply ask that you call ahead to book an appointment.

Call or e-mail us and we’ll be happy to serve you.

Thanks so much. Stay healthy!

E-mail:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Randy Bachman is a Canadian musical icon with a popular CBC radio show called Vinyl Tap.

CBC’s mandate is to promote Canadian culture and music yet you’re cancelling the musician’s very popular show.

As a Canadian taxpayer who pays good money for CBC, I strongly urge you to revisit this cancellation decision.

I’ll be writing to CBC on behalf of all the petitioners to bring back Bachman. 

Please also subscribe to my weekly e-newsletter. You can subscribe here.
You can unsubscribe at any time.