MP John Aldag presented with ‘Polio Hero’ Award

March 11, 2024 – Langley, British Columbia

By Lilianne Fuller

Member of Parliament, John Aldag, was presented with two special honours at the Rotary Club of Langley Central’s March 6th meeting. He was presented with a Rotary Polio Hero award and a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Dean Rohrs, Chair of the Rotary Polio Advocacy Committee for Canada and the former Vice President of Rotary International presented Aldag with the Rotary Polio Hero Award. “John has been a polio warrior. He has supported our cause and been instrumental in setting up meetings and events in Ottawa for Rotary - over the past 5-8 years,” she said. “A few weeks ago, he rose to read a letter to the caucus advocating for more funding for polio eradication,” she added.

Rotary and Polio eradication go hand in hand and the government of Canada has played an active role in global polio eradication. To date Canada has contributed just short of a billion dollars and Canada was the first country to place polio eradication on the G8 (now G7) agenda when it hosted the 2002 summit. In 2010 and 2018, the G7 reaffirmed its commitment to global polio eradication. “Canada’s work to end polio spans decades and transcends party. Together we’ve used our collective strength to defeat this devastating disease in almost every part of the world,” said Past Rotary International President John Germ.

One of the founding principles of Rotary is the eradication of polio. Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary's advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort. In Langley, Rotary has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through member donations, special fundraisers, and bequests from Rotarian member’s wills.

At the meeting, President Rudy Storteboom of the Rotary Club of Langley presented Aldag with a Paul Harris Fellowship award for his contributions to Rotary. In 1905, Chicago Attorney Paul Harris founded Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Fellowship recognition acknowledges individuals who embody Rotary’s ideal of Service Above Self and who contribute financially, or have contributions made in their name to the Rotary Foundation. “John is a friend and personal hero of mine. John is a champion for his constituents, and he demonstrates the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’ in all that he does,” said Storteboom.

Contacts:

Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca

Dean Rohrs, Chair Rotary Polio Advocacy Committee for Canada 604-836-1454 Dean@cbrplus.com

✔︎ Bill C-295 (Neglect of Vulnerable Adults)

Bill

Bill C-295, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (neglect of vulnerable adults)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Government of Canada values the many contributions made by seniors to our country, and to all who accompany them on a daily basis and is working hard to ensure their dignity, quality of life and well-being are protected. We recognize that the neglect of vulnerable adults is a serious issue affecting many older persons in Canada, made all the more apparent in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government shares the Member’s commitment to addressing the issue of neglect of vulnerable adults, particularly in long-term care facilities. The federal government also intends to ensure that managers and owners of LTC facilities respect their legal duties.

Passed.

Bill Status

At Second Reading in the Senate

✔︎ Bill C-293, Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act

Bill

Bill C-293, An Act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Act supports the designation of a pandemic prevention and preparedness coordinator and the development of a pandemic prevention and preparedness plan to support the Government in improving its emergency response and preparedness efforts.

Passed.

Bill Status

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

✔︎ Bill C-252, Child Health Protection Act

Bill

Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Government supports sending Bill C-252 to Committee. The Bill is well-aligned with the Government’s commitment to promote healthy eating, and help prevent obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases.

Passed.

Bill Status

At second reading in the Senate

✘ Bill C-278, Prevention of Government-imposed Vaccination Mandates Act

Bill

Bill C-278, An Act to prevent the imposition by the federal government of vaccination mandates for employment and travel

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

This Bill was introduced in the context of the measures adopted by the federal government to control the spread of COVID-19 including the application of the Quarantine Act to international travelers as well as vaccine mandates for the federal public sector and in the federally regulated transportation context. The proposed amendments would restrict the government’s ability to take necessary actions to protect public health and safety in response to the current pandemic, which continues to evolve, as well as future public health emergencies. These amendments are broad in their scope, without limits, which would lead to policy implications on all levels of government.

Failed.

Bill Status

Bill defeated

✔︎ Bill C-284, National Strategy for Eye Care Act

Bill

Bill C-284, An Act to establish a national strategy for eye care

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

More than eight million Canadians have one of four common eye diseases and are at serious risk of losing their vision. A national strategy for eye care would lay out a common direction and shared leadership for governments and stakeholders to work together to address vision loss. It would establish a mechanism for efforts towards coordinated action on eye care to reduce duplication across jurisdictions and maximize the collective impact of efforts to prevent and manage eye diseases across the country. In addition, it could provide Indigenous peoples and organizations with an opportunity to engage in an FPT strategy, including consideration for a distinctions-based approach. The Government will also designate and promote February as “Age-Related Macular Degeneration Month”. Awareness about eye health and the risks of eye disease is a key tool we need to leverage to make sure Canadians have the information they need to preserve their vision for the long term. Supporting Bill C-284 demonstrates the Government’s commitment to reducing the significant burden of vision loss.

Passed.

Bill Status

At second reading in the Senate

Question to Min. Holland on Federal-BC Healthcare Agreement

Thank you to Minister Holland for answering my question in the House of Commons about the government’s recent $1.2B healthcare agreement with the province of British Columbia.

Supporting BC’s healthcare needs

October 11, 2023 – British Columbia

Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, has announced a funding agreement between the federal and British Columbian governments.

Earlier this year, the federal government earmarked $25 billion for tailored bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to address each region’s unique healthcare needs.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia have signed a three-year, $1.2 billion health deal to improve the province’s healthcare system.

Through this agreement, the Government of Canada is helping to develop a model of care at 83 acute care sites throughout the province.

This deal will also enhance access to mental health and addiction services, including by expanding the number of Foundry centres across the province from 16 to 35 and reducing 30-day re-admissions for mental illness and substance use.

The province has also agreed to work with the First Nations Health Authority to improve access to culturally appropriate and informed care for Indigenous residents.

“British Columbians want and deserve better access to healthcare services. This announcement is a significant step in the direction of supporting better health outcomes for everyone. I look forward to seeing how these new measures will improve access to healthcare and mental healthcare for residents of Cloverdale – Langley City.” – John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City

Contacts:

Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca

✔︎ Bill C-224, National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act

Bill

Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Act builds on our commitments through the 2021 comprehensive Action Plan to protect firefighters from harmful chemicals released during household fires and the Minister of Health’s mandate letter.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

Federal Government investing $198.6 billion in universal healthcare for provinces and territories

February 13, 2023 – British Columbia

Last week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a major funding announcement to address the ongoing healthcare crisis.

The Government of Canada is investing $196.1 billion over ten years to provinces and territories to improve healthcare services for Canadians. This funding will be distributed partly through the Canada Health Transfer and partly through tailor-made agreements with provinces and territories that will allow for flexibility for jurisdictional healthcare system needs. The Government is also investing $2.5 billion over 10 years to support Indigenous priorities and complementary federal support.

These investments are built on the pillars of access to quality family health services, a resilient and supported health workforce, access to timely and quality mental health and addiction services, and access to electronic health information.

Collaborative work is underway to support access to home and long-term care. Provinces and territories are also being asked to streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally-educated health professionals and to advance labour mobility.

British Columbians can expect over $28 billion over the next ten years to address immediate pressures on our universal healthcare system, as well as long-term concerns. By working together, the federal and provincial governments can fix this healthcare crisis.

“Healthcare in Cloverdale – Langley City and the rest of British Columbia is not meeting expectations. The demand for family doctors has risen and the wait times to access healthcare services have increased to unacceptable levels. This funding from the federal government will help the province deliver healthcare services in Cloverdale – Langley City and throughout our province, through our universal, publicly funded system. I welcome this new funding from the federal government, and I am excited to continue the discussion as more information becomes available.”

Contacts:

Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca