Statement on Truth and Reconciliation Day
Mr. Speaker,
On May 27, 2021 the remains of 215 children were found buried on the site of the former Residential School in Kamloops.
On June 14, 2021 volunteers from the community of Langley put up 215 crosses and children’s clothing at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum to remember and honour those children who did not make it home. The idea came from Cecilia Reekie, a former Langley school trustee and an inter-generational warrior, a term to replace warriors as encouraged by Kwantlen Chief Marilyn Gabriel. Cecilia was inspired by the sight of crosses with clothing when she visited Kamloops after news of the discovery. One year later, this memorial to the missing children still stands.
I attended the candlelight vigil at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation last Friday and was once again moved by this display. Thank you to Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society and United Churches of Langley for organizing this vigil. And a special thank you to Cecelia Reekie for all the work she has done and continues to do to make sure everyone remembers the children who never returned home.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
✔︎ Bill C-30, Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 1, (Targeted Tax Relief)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-30, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (temporary enhancement to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The Act enacts some of the affordability measures laid out by the Prime Minister during the September 13 2022 press conference.
Passed.
Bill Status
Royal Assent received
✘ Bill C-237 (Canada Health Transfer)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-237, An Act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act and the Canada Health Act
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
The Act would have exempted Quebec from national criteria and conditions set out in the Canada Health Transfer.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated.
✘ Bill C-230, Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-230, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (intimidation of healthcare professionals)
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
Bill C-230’s proposed intimidation offence prohibiting the use of violence, threats of violence, coercion or intimidation to compel participation in MAiD would be largely duplicative of other Criminal Code offences and offer no additional protection to healthcare professionals. Specifically, the Criminal Code prohibits all forms of assault and uttering threats to cause bodily harm or death or damage property.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated.
✘ Bill C-210, Right to Vote at 16 Act
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-210, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (voting age)
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
Lowering the voting age would represent a significant change to the federal electoral process; the voting age has been set at 18 federally since 1970. Lowering the voting age may, in turn, lead to calls to amend other federal laws that set the minimum voting age at 18 in other electoral contexts. More broadly, all provinces and territories use either 18 or 19 years old as the “age of majority” or “full age” - the point at which a person transitions from being a minor to an adult, with the associated legal rights and responsibilities.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated.
✘ Bill C-238 (French Language Protections)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-238, An Act respecting the French language
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
Our government is in the process of modernizing the Official Languages Act will Bill C-13, which includes provisions to protect the right of Francophones to work and be served in French in Quebec and other regions with a strong Francophone presence. C-13 will enshrine an ambitious Francophone immigration strategy, focused on maintaining and increasing the demographic weight of Francophones across Canada. The scope of our bill is much broader than Bill C-238, which focuses only on French in Quebec, because our government recognizes that we have an obligation to protect and promote French everywhere in Canada, including in Quebec.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated.
✔︎ Bill S-206 (Disclosure of Information by Jurors)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill S-206, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (disclosure of information by jurors)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
There is increasing awareness of the psychological stresses associated with jury service and the toll that criminals trials can take on jurors. The pandemic has also impacted the mental health of Canadians. The Bill seeks to address concerns over the offence in section 649 providing an obstacle to jurors seeking mental health support following the completion of a trial.
Passed.
Bill Status
Royal Assent received
Statement of Mourning
Mr. Speaker, on the morning of July 25, residents in our community awoke to an emergency alert. It was only the second time it has been used in British Columbia. This alert was the result of a series of targeted shootings that occurred throughout the night of July 25 in parts of the Langleys.
This tragic event left two people dead and two people injured. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Paul David Wynn and Steven Furness, who were killed in these senseless shootings. Our community continues to mourn the loss of these two individuals, who were sons, brothers and friends to many.
These shootings highlighted the ongoing danger the vulnerable and homeless population faces. When one person is forced to live on the streets, we are all diminished. Homelessness is a reality for too many Canadians and a challenge for every Canadian community. We must continue to work together with all levels of government, NGOs, indigenous partners and communities across Canada to increase support for vulnerable groups.
Through the Reaching Home strategy, I am pleased that many organizations in my community have received support for these vulnerable populations, but more work must be done. Only by working together can we end chronic homelessness for all Canadians.
✘ Bill C-245 (Canada Infrastructure Bank)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-245, An Act to amend the Canada Infrastructure Bank Act
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
The CIB was established as an arm’s length Crown corporation granted with an array of financial tools to attract private sector capital and execute complex project partnerships. Government of Canada priorities for the CIB have evolved from trade and transportation, public transit and green infrastructure to include broadband connectivity and an expected role with respect to clean power and support for Indigenous projects. Additional opportunities and flexibilities are being considered as part of Budget 2022 regarding the deployment of the CIB’s innovative tools to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Looking forward, the requirement for a five-year legislative review - including appropriate consultation with partners, Canadians and parliamentarians - will be triggered in June 2022 and is expected to conclude by June 2023, at which time proposed amendments could be.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated.
MP Aldag Calls for Preservation of 300-acre Federal Lands for Agricultural Use
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City statement on 300-acre Federal Lands for Agricultural Use
June 22, 2022 – British Columbia
MP Aldag has advocated since the 42nd Parliament for the 300-acre federally owned lands along the Surrey-Langley border, currently used by local vegetable farms, to remain agricultural after the government’s current disposal process:
“I toured these agricultural lands one day after the extreme flooding last November. We drove across fields in a truck while most other farmland was under water — a testament to the quality and importance of these lands for our economy, food security, and environment.
“I advocated for these lands in the 42nd Parliament and have doubled down by leading the advocacy in the past year. The 300-acre site is an essential producer of vegetables for our region and all of British Columbia. I believe the best use of these lands is continued agricultural production. These lands are critical in preserving food security and mitigating climate change in our community and British Columbia. While I support the development of industrial space in many parts of our community, these specific lands must remain agricultural.
“I converged a bipartisan group of local MPs to ensure that the voices advocating for continued agricultural use are heard. I have been briefed by the departments of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development and Public Services and Procurement Canada. I advocated for a complete review of these lands, including for agricultural and not only industrial use. I believe these lands are best placed in the provincial Agricultural Land Reserve. This is one of many steps needed between now and the finalization of the department’s disposal process, including meaningful consultations with First Nations groups. Depending on the outcome of those consultations, I am committed to seeing these lands remain in agricultural production.”
Contacts:
Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca