✘ CPC Motion

Bill

CPC Motion: Support for Forestry Workers (Softwood Lumber)

First reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

Despite the $867 million forestry support package our Government announced in June, Opposition parties continue to link any debate on support for the forest sector to the government’s perceived inability to re-negotiate a Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA). Opposition MPs have persistently and aggressively questioned the government on how they will support the forest industry and its work force, particularly in light of the expiration of the SLA.  Since the expiry of the 2006 Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement, our government has been working hard to negotiate a new deal with the US. Minister Freeland raises the issue whenever she speaks with Commerce Secretary Ross, and the Prime Minister has repeatedly discussed softwood lumber with President Trump, including as recently as October 16.

Result

Defeated.

✘ C-349 (Criminal Organization)

Bill

C-349:  An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other acts (criminal organization) 

Second reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

There are a number of reasons why our Government opposes the proposed legislation:

Charter concerns: The listing process would likely contravene section 7 of the Charter (life, liberty and security of the person). By prohibiting people from wearing certain emblems, there is also a significant risk that the legislation would be inconsistent with section 2(b) (freedom of expression).

The proposed changes are unlikely to make organized crime easier to investigate or prosecute. This is because the type of evidence required to support successful organized crime prosecutions will also help to establish the existence of the criminal organization in any event. 

The PMB would significantly undermine the current organized crime regime because it would have the effect of requiring all criminal organizations to be listed in order to rely on the organized crime provisions in the Criminal Code. In other words, criminals could not be convicted under the organized crime provisions unless they were already on the list – this would be an obstacle to successful prosecution.

Result

Defeated.

✘ CPC Motion

Bill

CPC Motion: Minister of Finance's documents submitted to the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

First reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

The Ethics Commissioner has full trust of the Parliament to carry out her duties impartially and with integrity. 

Result

Defeated.

✘ NDP Motion (Universal Pharmacare Program)

Bill

NDP Motion: Universal Pharmacare Program

First reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

A national Pharmacare plan is a good idea. The reason I voted against it relates to timing. The Health Committee has been studying this issue for weeks, has heard from close to 100 witnesses, and is nearing the point where they will be making recommendations to our government on a direction forward in this issue. The vote was triggered by the Opposition, but is too early to know what the right solution might be. My strong hope is that our government will move forward on this issue after considering the Committee's findings.

Result

Defeated.

✘ C-345 (Canada Labour Code)

Bill

C-345:  An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (pregnant and nursing employees)

Second reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

This bill would create an uneven playing field for federally regulated workers across the country, as legislation in the provinces varies in each jurisdiction. It may have the negative effect of allowing employers to shirk their responsibility to accommodate pregnant workers. Preventive withdrawal provisions already exist in the Canada Labour Code (sections 132 and 204-205.2) to allow a pregnant or nursing employee, if there is a risk to her health or that of her foetus or child, to be reassigned or have her job functions modified without loss in pay or benefits, or if this is not reasonably practicable for her employer, to take a leave of absence without pay for the duration of the risk. This bill does not identify which, or how provisions in provincial legislation would apply to federally regulated workers in those provinces.

Result

Defeated.

✔︎ S-231 (Canada Evidence Act and the Criminal Code)

Bill

S-231: An Act to amend the Canada Evidence Act and the Criminal Code (protection of journalistic sources)

Third Reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

On June 19, 2017, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) studied Bill S-231, and recommended certain amendments, which our Government wholly support. With these amendments in place, the Bill will provide robust and unprecedented protection for journalistic sources, all the while being improved by clarifying certain provisions to avoid confusion, by preventing conflict of law issues and by ensuring that the new safeguards proposed in the Bill will only apply in appropriate cases.

Result

Passed.

✔︎ S-226 (Special Economic Measures Act and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act)

Bill

S-226: An Act to provide for the taking of restrictive measures in respect of foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and to make related amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

Third Reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

There is currently no Canadian legislation that authorizes the imposition of sanctions specifically for violations of international human rights obligations in a foreign state or for acts of corruption. Bill S-226 seeks to address this gap.

Result

Passed.

✘ Conservative Opposition Day Motion

Bill

Given the proposed changes to the taxation of private corporations as outlined in the Minister of Finance's paper “Tax Planning Using Private Corporations” will have a drastic negative impact on small and medium sized local businesses, the House call on the government to continue, until January 31, 2018, its consultations on these measures

First reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

Continuing these consultations for a longer period could exacerbate the current air of uncertainty for small business owners. The current due date allows our Government to deliver a framework for the new system to allow business owners time to plan for any changes ahead.

Result

Defeated.

Seniors in Surrey have the Opportunity to Participate in a New Project Benefiting Many in their Community

September 26, 2016

Seniors in Surrey will receive financial support to conduct facility renovations to get their project off the ground, today announced John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

Investing in Canada’s communities is not only about creating good jobs and encouraging clean economic growth. It is also about building stronger communities. Partnerships with local governments, institutions and organizations are vital to deliver change and improve the lives of seniors.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6 is receiving $22,500 for their project funded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The organization will renovate the flooring to offer a safe environment for seniors to continue dance and participate in new seminars on wealth management and health workshops.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is providing approximately $35 million in New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) funding for close to 1,850 community-based projects approved through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals.
• Eligible organizations can receive up to $25,000 in NHSP funding for community-based projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
• Since 2004, the NHSP has funded close to 17,800 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total Government of Canada investment of more than $360 million.

“Through the many community-based projects we support each year, our government helps provide seniors with unique opportunities to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others in their community. Initiatives such as this highlight our commitment to the wellbeing of seniors and strengthen the fabric of our society through partnerships.”

- The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Canada

“Our government is dedicated to ensuring that Canadian seniors can get involved in community activities that meet their needs and interests, tap their collective resources and experiences, and promote their participation. We support New Horizons for Seniors Program projects like this one so that seniors across Canada can lead and participate in local activities beneficial to many.”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

Backgrounder

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.

The objectives of the NHSP are:

• promoting volunteerism among seniors;
• engaging seniors in the community through mentoring of others;
• expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
• supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors; and
• providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.

NHSP funding supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects. 

Community-based projects
Community-based project funding supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. These projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding. 

Close to 1,850 projects across Canada were approved through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects and are now in progress.

The NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects closed on July 10, 2015. It invited organizations to apply for funding of up to $25,000 for projects that help empower seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others and support communities by increasing their capacity to address local issues.

It is anticipated that the NHSP 2016–2017 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects will be launched in spring 2016. For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.

Pan-Canadian projects
Pan-Canadian projects test and share best practices across the country and replicate interventions that have worked well in addressing seniors’ issues.

Projects that have received funding through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Pan-Canadian Projects submitted an impact plan describing the roles they and their project partners would play in addressing the important issue of social isolation among seniors by using collaborative approaches that place an emphasis on measurable results.

Successful projects are up to three years in duration and are receiving funding between $150,000 and $750,000. More than $24.3 million (more than $8.1 million per year over the next three years) will be made available for pan-Canadian projects funded through the 2015–2016 NHSP Call for Proposals.

For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.

For more information:

Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

MP John Aldag Opens Nominations for Canada 150 Community Awards

September 11, 2017 - Surrey- BC

John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City announced today the launch of his Canada 150 Community Awards that will recognize residents of Cloverdale-Langley City for their outstanding service to country and community.

"Canada 150 is year to reflect on our rich history and the achievements of Canadians since Confederation. These awards are intended to recognize individuals from the riding of Cloverdale-Langley City who have made contributions to our community - and our country - regardless of age, gender of background."

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

MP Aldag is inviting you to nominate the Cloverdale-Langley City resident you believe has made an outstanding contribution to one or more of the following:

• Community Leadership
• Entrepreneurialism
• Environmental leadership
• Support for indigenous reconciliation
• Promotion of equality, diversity & inclusion
• Seniors or youth advocacy & engagement
• Volunteerism

To qualify, nominees must be a Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Cloverdale - Langley City. All ages are welcome to apply.

Nominations close October 15 and the winners will be announced on November 16, 2017. Residents of Cloverdale-Langley City can nominate themselves or a friend on MP Aldag's website. To learn more, visit johnaldagmp.ca/canada150awards

For more information:

Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca