Tagged with: Politics

You’re invited to my Christmas Open House…

The all-party Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group endorses Bill C-306

I’m so pleased that the all-party Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group has endorsed my bill, C-306.

Bill C-306 condemns a dark chapter in history and renews Canada’s principled stance in support of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

Read the full text of Bill C-306 here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Bills/421/Private/C-306/C-306_1/C-306_1.PDF

Ten good reasons a carbon tax won’t work

By KERRY DIOTTE

We’ve heard a lot about carbon taxes lately. 

In Ottawa, the Liberal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have enthusiastically touted imposing a carbon tax nationwide as a way to actually create scores of new jobs (believe it or not).

In reality, a carbon tax will cripple our economy and lead to job losses. 

My Conservative colleagues and I are fighting tooth and nail to stop this ill-conceived tax grab. 

Here are my Top 10 good reasons Canada’s federal government shouldn’t impose a carbon tax. 

1. Day-to-day costs will increase for Canadians, adding up to more than $2,500 annually for the average family. 
2. It will be especially painful for people in northern communities who already pay dearly for home heating, vehicle fuel and groceries including milk. 
3. A carbon tax tilts the economic playing field in favour of our competitors that don’t pay carbon taxes.
4. Canada is already in an economic downturn and this will cause a further weakening of our economy when we can least afford it. 
5. Liberals say it’ll create jobs. Yeah right. Maybe for tax collectors and solar panel salespeople but not for other sectors. 
6. Canadians weren’t crying out for a carbon tax. In oil and gas producing provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, the majority of people are opposed to a carbon tax.
7. The tax will have a negligible effect on reducing greenhouse gases on the planet.
8. While Canadian prosperity would suffer under a tax on carbon, countries like China would see an economic boom spurred by continued construction of greenhouse gas producing coal-fired power plants. 
9. Canada produces just .001 of greenhouse gases. Even if we were to meet our carbon reduction targets as hoped by 2030, all of our efforts and sacrifices would be nullified if the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters continue to increase their emissions.
10. Taxing Canadians won’t reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are efficient solutions to battling climate change including investing in carbon capture and storage projects, offering Canadians incentives to reduce their carbon footprint and encouraging industries to come up with cleaner technologies.

What are your thoughts on this issue? I want to hear them. E-mail [email protected].

Discussing Alberta’s job climate with students and young professionals

My colleague, Rachel Harder and I hosted a Youth Jobs Roundtable at NAIT in Edmonton.

We got important feedback from students and young professionals on today’s job climate. We heard some horror stories about how the economy is hurting youth employment opportunities. But there were also some solid solutions suggested by our roundtable participants including: urging governments to support more paid internships, controlling federal spending and pushing to see carbon taxes stopped.

Thanks to all the participants. Rachel and I really value your opinions and solutions.

Alberta is facing some of the highest job losses in Canada but the Liberal government has not put forward a jobs plan.

Our Conservative caucus launched the Alberta Jobs Taskforce to address the growing jobs crisis in Alberta. We want to hear from everyday Albertans like you. Share your story here.

Calling on Canada to recognize the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944 as genocide

Today, I had the honour to begin the debate in the House of Commons on my Private Member’s Bill, Bill C-306 – the Crimean Tatar Deportation (“Sürgünlik”) Memorial Day Act.

This Act would recognize the mass deportations of Crimean Tatars in 1944 by the Soviet regime as genocide and establish May 18 as a day of commemoration.

In 2015, the Parliament of Ukraine officially recognized the deportations of 1944 as genocide. Subsequently, they called on other countries to join them in recognizing this atrocity as genocide.

Canada has long-been a defender of human rights and the rule of law. As a loyal friend to Ukraine, now is the time to respond to that call.
This Bill is important today because we cannot separate the deportations of 1944 and Russia’s theft of Crimea from Ukraine 70 years later.

Happy to visit constituents door-to-door in Edmonton Griesbach

One of my favourite things to do is visit people door-to-door and hear what’s important to folks in our riding of Edmonton Griesbach.

It was a chilly day Saturday, Oct. 15 in Edmonton but our team got a great reception and heard some of the issues that are important to you.

By far, the biggest worry on their minds is the Liberals’ promised carbon tax that will make life costlier for all of us in Canada and have a negligible effect combating greenhouse gases.

One senior citizen I talked to said she feared it could increase costs on her to the point she wouldn’t be able to stay in her home.

I assured her our Conservative Official Opposition would continue to fight that on her behalf and she was very pleased.

Thanks to the volunteers who joined me door knocking and to all the nice residents of Edmonton Griesbach.

As your Member of Parliament, I always want to hear what’s important to you.

Have your voice heard

Here’s an important opportunity to have your voice heard and demand a referendum.

The House of Commons’ Special Committee on Electoral Reform is holding public open microphone sessions in the Edmonton area tomorrow.

When: Thursday September 29, 2016.
4:15pm to 5:00 p.m.
7:30pm to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel (attached to the airport)
4236 – 36 St. East
Leduc, AB

To speak, you must be registered at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the session.

If you can’t make it to this meeting, you can also complete the Committee’s online e-consultation form here.

Great discussion with local business and community leaders

I was pleased to host an Economic Roundtable at Concordia University in my riding of Edmonton Griesbach.

This roundtable was an opportunity for me to hear the priorities of local business and community leaders when it comes to growing the economy, creating jobs and ensuring the long-term prosperity of all Canadians.

Roundtable participants agreed that the federal government must do more to support the development of our natural resource sector – including getting Alberta’s oil to wider markets, abandon tax hikes, control spending and streamline inter-provincial trade.

Great roundtable discussions on the future of the Canadian Armed Forces

I was pleased to host a roundtable discussion on the future on the Canadian Armed Forces. Participants all had valuable perspectives and insights on the topic. We had a great conversation about the many important issues facing our military and our national security.

It’s important to me that my constituents have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the Liberal government’s defence policy review to help ensure that it is truly reflective of Canadian values.

Canada needs a robust defence policy that ensures that our men and women in uniform have the support and resources they need to do their job and that our borders are secure.

Does Canada need electoral reform?