MP John Aldag Elected Chair of the House of Commons Environment and Sustainable Development Committee

September 26, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario

John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City has been elected the new Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. MP Aldag was elected unanimously by his colleagues on the committee.

“It is a distinct privilege to take on this new role. I am humbled by the confidence and trust that members of the committee have placed in me,” said Aldag. “The committee has studied a broad range of issues of great importance to Canadians and I’m excited to continue supporting this work as Chair.”

Since his appointment to the Environment Committee in 2016, MP Aldag has participated in a number of studies and reviews of legislation. This has included review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), a study on the state of Canada’s built heritage, and most recently study of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Three government bills, including new impact assessment legislation and three private members bills, including MP Aldag’s own bill C-374 were also studied by the committee.

“I look forward to this new challenge and the experience it will offer. I would like to thank former Chair Deb Schulte, Member of Parliament for King–Vaughn for her leadership and tireless work on the Committee.”

Contacts:

Kurtis Layden
Executive Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-992-0884
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

Statement by Member (Government Performance)

Mr. Speaker, looking back on the summer, it is clear that our government is delivering for the people of Cloverdale—Langley City. We are investing in families. The enhanced, tax-free Canada child benefit means more money for over 12,000 families in my communities, making things like school supplies and sports more affordable for kids.

We are investing in transit. Three billion dollars in federal and provincial funding will shorten commute times for people in my communities and ensure that residents get to spend more time at home and not stuck in traffic.

We are tackling gun and gang violence, which continues to affect my region. The Prime Minister, the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, and the Minister of National Defence all visited my riding recently to discuss how we tackle this persistent issue and make our communities safer for everyone.

I am proud of the work we do for the people of Cloverdale—Langley City as a part of a government delivering on its commitments to Canadians.

e-Petition 1597 (Labelling of Food Products)

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table e-petition 1597, labelling of food products. In part, the petition notes that recent studies all concluded that a moderate amount, three to five grams daily, of sodium is an optimal population-wide recommendation. Below this amount, an increased risk of disease and death is seen. It goes on to note that saturated fats were condemned in the 1950s based on weak and unreliable data. The evidence since then has failed to support the diet-heart hypothesis. Limiting saturated fats may cause harm. The largest observational study to date found that low consumption of saturated fats was associated with higher rates of mortality and stroke. Finally, good science is the best way to inform good public health policy.

Second Reading (Bill C-81 Accessible Canada Act)

Mr. Speaker, I was in the House last week when the minister responsible for Bill C-81 introduced the legislation. As someone who has spent my career in the federal public service, I was really pleased to see that the legislation called for the federal workforce to become more representative of the Canadian population by including persons with disabilities, and different abilities, within the workforce.

I was also really pleased to hear about the funding that would be available to make improvements for accessibility across federal assets. I know the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands has a place within her riding very near and dear to me, the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Perhaps the member could speak to some of the great benefits we would see at Gulf Islands National Park Reserve arising from Bill C-81, because I think it would help workforce and visitors to that area to have inclusive experiences. I would like to hear the member's thoughts on how this legislation might benefit her own backyard.

✔︎ S-228 (Food and Beverage Marketing to Children)

Bill

S-228: An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children).

Third Reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

I voted in favour of Bill S-228 because this legislation will be a major step forward in the fight against childhood obesity.

Result

Passed.

Enhanced Canada Child Benefit arrives in Cloverdale – Langley City

July 20, 2018 – Surrey, British Columbia

Helping hard-working middle-class families provide the best start in life for their children is a top priority for the Government of Canada. That is why two years ago the Government launched the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to help families with the high cost of raising kids. The CCB—which is targeted to middle-class families and those working hard to join the middle class—is simpler, taxfree and more generous than previous child benefit programs.

Today the CCB will be increased to keep up with the cost of living. This change comes two years ahead of schedule and will give parents even more money each month to help them provide for their children. 

Indexing the CCB sooner will ensure that it will continue to play a vital role in supporting families. This means that the CCB will now have a maximum annual benefit of $6,496 per child under age 6 and $5,481 per child age 6 through 17. On average, families benefitting from the CCB received $4,600 more over the last two years.

Thanks to the CCB, 9 out of 10 Canadian families have more money to help pay for things like healthy food, sports programs and music lessons. Even more importantly, the CCB has helped lift more than half a million people—including 300,000 children—out of poverty.

Quote

“The enhancement of the Canada Child Benefit will mean more money for Canadian families starting tomorrow. Our government is committed to ensuring that this tax-free benefit continues to help the middle class and those who are working hard to join it.”

– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec

“With more money in the pockets of hard working Canadians, families will be able to continue supporting and investing in their child’s future. Today’s Canada Child Benefit increase is another step forward in our government’s commitment to support the middle class and today, families across Surrey and Langley will be better off because of it.”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament (Cloverdale - Langley City)

Quick Facts

• Cloverdale-Langley City is home to the country’s second youngest population.

• In Cloverdale-Langley City, the CCB has supported 23,960 children with 13,560 monthly payments of on average $560

• Total monthly payments in Cloverdale-Langley City equals $7,570,000

• Across Canada, CCB payments worth over $23.3 billion benefit nearly 3.7 million Canadian families.

• The CCB has helped lift 300,000 children out of poverty in Canada.

• Thanks to the CCB, 9 out of 10 Canadian families have more money.

• The CCB will now have a maximum annual benefit of $6,496 per child under age 6 and $5,481 per child age 6 through 17.

• As an example, for a single parent earning $35,000 with two children, the accelerated indexation of the CCB will contribute $560 towards the increasing costs of raising his or her children for the 2019–20 benefit year.

Associated Links

Canada Child Benefit 

Canada Child Benefit Overview

Canada Child Benefit Calculator

Contacts:

Kurtis Layden
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-992-0884
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Government of Canada Supports Construction of World’s Largest Passive House Building

July 5, 2018 – Surrey, British Columbia

Energy efficiency is hard to see, but we feel its benefits in our homes, environment and economy. Investments in energy efficiency save Canadians’ hard-earned money. Canada’s clean energy future includes federal investments driving economic growth, reducing environmental impacts and creating new, clean technology jobs for our middle class and those looking to join it.

John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today announced the Government of Canada’s contribution to the future site of North America’s first and the world’s largest community centre built according to Passive House certification guidelines in Surrey, B.C.

Natural Resources Canada will provide $1.3 million toward the new $43.5-million Passive House community centre through the Energy Innovation Program, which furthers research, development and demonstration of solutions supporting the adoption of high-efficiency building codes.

Passive House is a leading standard in energy-efficient construction, with buildings built to this standard achieving excellent indoor air quality, improved comfort, simplified operation and little to no direct greenhouse gas emissions.

The Passive House standard provides a pathway for the Canadian market transition toward net-zero and net-zero–ready new buildings.

“Energy efficiency is the quickest, cleanest and cheapest way to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and meet our future energy needs. The benefits of investing in energy-efficient buildings go beyond lower energy costs and include improved health, comfort, productivity and increased asset value. The most important gain will come from the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, helping Canada address climate change. Our government is proud to support the City of Surrey and this impressive project.”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament (Cloverdale - Langley City)

For more information:

Kurtis Layden
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-992-0884
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
NRCan.media_relations-media_relations.RNCan@canada.ca

Mackenzie Radan
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
613-462-7117
Mackenzie.Radan@canada.ca

Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives Funding Announcement

June 27, 2018 – Langley, British Columbia

John Aldag Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City announces New Funding for Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives in Langley and Surrey B.C. This new Government of Canada initiative will support community-led projects events, and community capacity building the Surrey and Langley community.

Today, John Aldag MP for Cloverdale-Langley City announced three new funding streams that will strengthen diverse communities and support anti-racism initiatives in Surrey and Langley B.C. The government is investing a total of $51.9 million over three years, which includes new funding of $21 million for projects, events, and community capacity building. MP Aldag made this announcement on behalf of The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism.

Consisting of three components, this new funding will support:

1. Projects that address racism and discrimination with a focus on Indigenous Peoples and racialized women and girls;

2. Events that promote intercultural and interfaith understanding, and celebrate a community’s history and culture, such as heritage months recognized by Parliament; and

3. Community capacity building projects that will help recipients support the inclusion of newcomers and diverse communities.

Programs like these help bring Canadians together and enable people from all backgrounds to fully participate in society. Those interested in applying for this new funding are asked to contact Canadian Heritage at pch.soutienauxcollectivités-communitysupport.pch@canada.ca.

Quotes

“Although Canada is a welcoming and diverse country, our government knows that we can do better. That’s why we are proud to launch funding for initiatives that will celebrate our diversity, embrace our differences and address issues of racism and discrimination. By encouraging mutual understanding between all Canadians, programs like this will help build a society where everyone feels a true sense of belonging and can fully participate in their community.”

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for
Multiculturalism

“Diversity is our strength and it is important that each of us works towards fostering a more caring and inclusive Canada. This funding will help us celebrate and embrace our differences, show pride in our individual and collective identities and ancestries, and work towards better understanding of others."

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament (Cloverdale - Langley City)

Quick Facts

In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada announced $23 million in new funding over two years
tackle racism and discrimination, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples and racialized women and girls, of which $21 million will support funding resources for anti-racism and community support initiatives.

Canada is continuing to combat inequity and exclusion that prevents some Canadians from fully
participating in our society.

Contacts:

Carly Haugen
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag.c1@parl.gc.ca

Media only:

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

✔︎ C-71 (Gun Reform)

Bill

C-71: An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms.

Third reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

I voted in favour of Bill C-71 because it will make our country less vulnerable to the scourge of gun violence, while treating law-abiding firearms owners in a fair and reasonable manner.

Result

Passed.

✔︎ C-21 (An Act to amend the Customs Act)

Bill

C-21: An Act to amend the Customs Act.

Third Reading.

Vote

Yes.

Rationale

I support C-21 because it is important for Canada to keep track of who leaves the country, otherwise leaving a hole in our security and administrative framework.

Result

Passed.