Go Team Tardi!

Government of Canada invests in the YMCA Plusone program in Surrey

February 20, 2018 – Surrey, BC

Today, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $5 million over five years in federal funding from the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) to expand the YMCA’s Plusone Mentoring program.

The Plusone mentoring is a community-based program that aims at engaging early with youth at risk of committing crimes. It uses trained volunteers to individually mentor youth about the life challenges they are facing. The YMCAs of Québec are implementing the program in four cities across the country (Moncton, NB; Montreal, QC; Regina, SK; and Surrey, BC) and are hoping to help 720 participants between 10- and 17-years-old, with one volunteer mentor for each young person.

The program is proven to help deter at risk youth from coming into contact with the justice system. A review found that after six months, 86 percent of young people in the program had significantly improved their behaviour and changed their attitude.

“Our government is committed to implementing evidence-based criminal justice policies that are proven to prevent crime and victimization, and keep our communities and citizens safe. We are proud to partner with the YMCA to implement programming that stops crime before it starts by reaching out and empowering at-risk individuals to make positive and healthy decisions by giving them access to support and opportunities.”

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

“The YMCA’s Plusone mentoring program is just the kind of smart, innovative and evidence-based approach to crime prevention that Canadians expect. I know it will be yet another success story for the YMCA, and for our community.”

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

"The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is thrilled to partner with the YMCAs of Quebec to provide another positive outlet to vulnerable youth in our community. Today's teenagers face challenges that impact their overall health, confidence and ability to thrive. The YMCA Plusone Mentoring program will allow our Y to connect young people with mentors to share positive experiences, feel more connected to their community and gain a stronger sense of purpose. We are grateful for the Government of Canada&'s funding for this important preventative work."

- Steve Butz, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver

"I am very pleased to share with the Federal Government the YMCA's vast front-line experience with at-risk-youth. When kids come to the Y, it has a huge impact on their success in school, home life and health. It's about prevention. It's about keeping kids who are at-risk off the streets and encouraging healthy habits through the guidance and personalized support of a mentor. The YMCA Plusone Mentoring program is an  established and proven early intervention model, and this program demonstrates that the YMCA is a partner of choice engaged in helping young people  achieve success and attain their full potential."

- Stéphane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of The YMCAs of Québec

Quick Facts:

• The YMCAs of Québec are implementing the Plusone program in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Vancouver, the YMCA of Regina, the YMCA of Greater Moncton, and the YMCA Scotland (program founder).
• From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the Government of Canada supported 91 community-
  based crime prevention projects across Canada.
• Close to $43 million is committed to projects in 2017-2018 to support the National Crime
  Prevention Strategy. Through these investments, the government is supporting the
  development of cost-effective ways to prevent and reduce crime among at-risk populations
  and vulnerable communities by intervening to mitigate the underlying factors that put
  individuals at risk of offending.

Associated Links:

• National Crime Prevention Strategy
• YMCA Plusone mentoring

For more information:

Scott Bardsley
Press Secretary
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca

✘ C-378 (Fairness Principles)

Bill

C-378: An Act to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Act (fairness principles).

Second reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

Our government has taken significant steps to support our Veterans, including improvements to service delivery and introduction of new and better services. The principles in Bill C-378 are existing service standards and already included in the Veterans Bill of Rights.

Result

Defeated.

✘ C-371 (Prevention of Radicalization)

Bill

C-371: An Act respecting the prevention of radicalization through foreign funding and making related amendments to the Income Tax Act.

Second reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

While I supported the intent of C-371, most of what it sought to achieve is already accomplished by existing laws and iniatives, such as terrorist listings in the Criminal Code.

Result

Defeated.

✔︎ C-50 (Political Financing)

Bill

C-50: An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (political financing).

Third reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

I supported Bill C-50 because it would strengthen Canada's election laws, including making political fundraising events more open and transparent.

Result

Passed.

✔︎ M-133 (Private Members' Business - British Home Child Day)

Motion

M-133: Private Members' Business - British Home Child Day.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

M-133 passed unanimously in the House. I voted in favour of this motion because it is important that we recgonize the harships and stigmas that many of the Home Children endured, and the importance of educating and reflecting upon their story for future generations.

Result

Passed.

✔︎ M-148 (Private Members' Business - National Impaired Driving Prevention Week)

Motion

M-148: Private Members' Business - National Impaired Driving Prevention Week.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

M-148 passed unanimously in the House. I voted in favour of this motion because it is important we educate Canadians about the consequences of impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, fatigue and distraction. 

Result

Passed.

✘ C-365 (Firefighting Equipment)

Bill

C-348: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (firefighting equipment).

Second reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

I voted against the Private Members Bill because there was insufficent evidence to suggest that it would be effective in addressing the problem of firefighting equipment and vandalism. Further, there is not evidence that current criminal law has been ineffective in addressing this issue.

Result

Defeated.

Petition (Paris Agreement)

Let's Talk Senior Housing

February 5, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario

Let's Talk Senior Housing
Another Opportunity to Join the Conversation
Town Hall - February 21, 2018

On November 22, 2017, following the extensive Canada-wide consultation “Let’s Talk Housing”, the Federal Government released Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy.

Moderated by Cloverdale-Langley City Member of Parliament John Aldag, the Town Hall will explore how the National Housing Strategy helps to ensure the availability of safe, affordable housing for seniors in our communities.

A panel will help us to understand the need for affordable senior housing and how the goals of the National Housing Strategy will be realized in communities. Time for questions and answers will be scheduled. Speakers include the Seniors Advocate of B.C., Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation Affordable Housing Centre, BC Housing Director of Regional Development, and Metro Vancouver Regional District Housing Committee Chair.

The National Housing Strategy holds the promise of significant improvement in the living conditions of seniors. Not only are they named as a ‘vulnerable population’ group of primary focus, senior women experiencing abuse, senior indigenous peoples, senior living with disabilities or dealing with mental health and addiction issues, and senior veterans are found among all of the other six groups included as ‘vulnerable populations’.

The Town Hall will take place in Surrey (Clayton Heights) at the Hope Community Church, 18625 Fraser Highway, from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. on February 21, 2018. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Invitations are extended to seniors and all other concerned members of the community including community based senior service providers, and the real estate, financial and development sectors. A special invitation is extended to the community housing sector which includes non-profit, co-ops and other housing providers such as charities and faith-based groups.

For more information:

Carly Haugen
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca