✔︎ Bill C-323, (Mental Health Services)

Bill

Bill C-323, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (mental health services)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The government is very supportive of the policy but there are tax integrity concerns with the implementation of this bill. It is suggested that this bill be studied at length to protect the integrity of the tax system, ensure this is done in-step with provinces and territories, and that it applies to regulated mental health services. The Bill has been voted through for further consideration at committee.

Passed.

Bill Status

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

✔︎ Bill C-288 (Transparent and Accurate Broadband Services Information)

Bill

Bill C-288, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

Under the proposed Direction, the CRTC will be required to undertake a number of activities to promote competition and consumer rights. They include a requirement to implement mandatory broadband testing and performance reporting. It also goes further to require rigorous evaluation and reporting on mobile wireless (cell) coverage.

Passed.

Bill Status

At second reading in the Senate

Funding for organizations supporting Indigenous Women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in British Columbia

September 26, 2023 – British Columbia

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlighted the underlying systemic causes of ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The COVID-19 Pandemic also created unprecedented challenges for victims and survivors seeking help and the frontline organizations that support them.

On behalf of Minister Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, and Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced over $3.8 million for ten organizations in British Columbia that work to end gender-based violence in Indigenous communities.

Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society (LFVAS), located in Langley City, received $400,000 of the $3.8 million. With this funding, LFVAS will be able to increase its capacity to address the root causes of gender-based violence and ensure that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and their communities, can prosper now and in the future.

“The high rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls are alarming. Frontline organizations, activists, and volunteers, like Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, are leading this systemic change. Supporting their life-saving work is a priority. This funding will help bolster capacity to prevent and address the root causes of gender-based violence and continue to build a safer community in 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

Statement about Don and Kaye Aldag

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 

Mr. Speaker the year was 1958. John Diefenbaker was Prime Minister of Canada, and the 24th session of Parliament began on May 12. Tommy Douglas was the Premier of Saskatchewan, and Terry Fox was born that year. The Avro Arrow flew for the first time, Canada-wide television started, and the Canadian Football League was established (Go Riders).  

 Arguably the best news event of 1958 was when my parents, Don and Kaye Aldag, were married in southwestern Saskatchewan at the Good Hope Lutheran Church. My parents raised our family, including my siblings, Debbie and Rick, on the family farm that my great-grandparents homesteaded, instilling the values of hard work and optimism even during the most challenging of times.  

This past summer, our family celebrated Mom and Dad’s 65th wedding anniversary. Thank you to my parents for their unwavering support for myself and my siblings. Happy anniversary Mom and Dad. I love you. 

✔︎ Bill S-224 (Trafficking in Persons)

Bill

Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The current definition of exploitation focuses on the impact of the trafficker’s conduct on a reasonable person in the victim’s circumstances. As this definition has been interpreted broadly, including by appellate courts, and has secured convictions, we cannot support Bill S-224’s proposal to remove it from the Criminal Code. We propose amending Bill S-224 to add its proposed definition of exploitation as an additional definition that could be used in appropriate cases, providing prosecutors with an additional tool to ensure traffickers are held to account.

Passed.

Bill Status

At report stage in the House of Commons

Statement on the International Day of Democracy, 2023

Today, Canada is joined by like-minded partners from all over the world in the celebration of democracy and the international rules-based order that supports it.

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Together, we must continue to uphold our democratic values and protect human rights in Canada and around the world. We must use this opportunity to continue building a better, safer future for everyone.

Democracy is not only about free and fair elections. Democracy is about the freedom of the press, the rule of law, and the accountability of public institutions.

As Ukrainians continue to defend their country against Russia’s illegal invasion, they are also defending the values that define and unite democracies. My heart is with the people of Ukraine today as they fight to uphold the principles of democracy.

On the International Day of Democracy, we renew our commitment to upholding the democratic values and principles that are at the core of who we are as Canadians. Let us reflect on our democratic values.

John Aldag
Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

Contacts:

Megan Waddington

Constituency Assistant

Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament

Megan.Waddington.807@parl.gc.ca

Supporting Canadians and Small Businesses with the High Cost of Living

September 14, 2023 – British Columbia

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced three new initiatives to support Canadians and small businesses with the high cost of living.

To address the cost of groceries, The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, is calling the heads of large grocers to Ottawa to address the high cost of food. Large grocery retailers are expected to present their plans to reduce consumer costs by Thanksgiving of this year. If plans do not provide real relief to Canadians, the federal government will take further action, not excluding potential tax measures. Minister Champagne will also be looking into reforming the Competition Act, making large businesses more accountable to Canadians.

The federal government is eliminating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the construction of new rental apartments immediately to make housing more affordable. This measure will incentivize the construction of much-needed rental homes. The Government of Canada is also calling on provinces to match this action in removing the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on the construction of new rentals. Local governments are now required to end exclusionary zoning and encourage the building of apartments near public transit in order to have their Housing Accelerator Fund applications approved.

To support small businesses, the Government of Canada is extending the repayment deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan program by one year. Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy and many relied on the CEBA program to stay afloat during the pandemic. Extending the CEBA repayment deadline until the end of 2024 will help more small businesses keep their doors open, supporting local economies. 

“I am encouraged by the measures announced to help Canadians and small businesses with the high cost of living. Our government is showing real leadership with these measures and we’re letting the middle class and those wishing to join it know that they are not being left behind. I am eagerly looking forward to this government announcing more measures to address affordability for all Canadians.” – 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

CSRF supporting organizations in Langley City

September 6, 2023 – British Columbia

Community service organizations are at the forefront of addressing community needs. During the pandemic, many of these vital organizations struggled with increased demand for their services, reduced revenues, declines in charitable giving and a greater reliance on digital tools. Their post-pandemic recovery is key to their continued ability to offer services and adapt to the changing needs of communities across Canada.

Today, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, on behalf of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, announced that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley, Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, Langley Senior Resources Society, and Langley Lodge will receive funding through the Community Services Recovery Fund.

For its project, “Archival Digitization”, Big Brothers Big Sisters Langley has been allocated $45,400. Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society’s Iyáqt ("to transform" in Halq'eméylem) Project has been awarded $99,886. $72,240 will be going to Langley Senior Resources Society for the “Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers in the 21st Century” project. Langley Lodge will receive $30,000 for its “Systems Enhancement” project. These amounts are included in the $368,446 distributed to organizations across Cloverdale – Langley City.

The Community Services Recovery Fund will help community service organizations adapt, modernize, and be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility, and sustainability of the community services that they provide. Whether the funded projects focus on recruitment and retention, modernizing organizational systems and processes, or innovating program delivery, the Community Services Recovery Fund reflects the Government’s commitment to invest in this sector, so that community service organizations can continue to support communities across Canada.

“These service organizations are the backbones of our communities, providing real-time help to residents in need. Through the Community Services Recovery Fund, the Government of Canada is providing these community service organizations with the support they need to uplift residents at the local level. I look forward to seeing the positive changes brought about by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley, Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, Langley Senior Resources Society, and Langley Lodge that will be made possible by this funding.”

Contacts:

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

CSRF supporting organizations in Cloverdale

September 6, 2023 – British Columbia

Community service organizations are at the forefront of addressing community needs. During the pandemic, many of these vital organizations struggled with increased demand for their services, reduced revenues, declines in charitable giving and a greater reliance on digital tools. Their post-pandemic recovery is key to their continued ability to offer services and adapt to the changing needs of communities across Canada.

Today, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, on behalf of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, announced that Waceya Métis Society and Zion Park Manor will receive funding through the Community Services Recovery Fund.

For its “Empowering Waceya Personnel to Effectively Serve Our Community” project, Waceya Métis Society has been allocated $20,920. Zion Park Manor is to receive $100,000 for its project, “Nurse Call System Replacement”. These amounts are included in the $368,446 distributed to organizations across Cloverdale – Langley City.

The Community Services Recovery Fund will help community service organizations adapt, modernize, and be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility, and sustainability of the community services that they provide. Whether the funded projects focus on recruitment and retention, modernizing organizational systems and processes, or innovating program delivery, the Community Services Recovery Fund reflects the Government’s commitment to invest in this sector, so that community service organizations can continue to support communities across Canada.

“These service organizations are the backbones of our communities, providing real-time help to residents in need. Through the Community Services Recovery Fund, the Government of Canada is providing these community service organizations with the support they need to uplift residents at the local level. I look forward to seeing the positive changes brought about by Waceya Métis Society and Zion Park Manor in Cloverdale that will be made possible by this funding.”

Contacts:

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

The governments of Canada and British Columbia invest in the Montrose Exchange in Abbotsford

28 August, 2023 – British Columbia

Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit President and Chief Executive Officer announced a joint investment of more than $8.4 million to support upgrades to the Montrose Avenue Transit Exchange in the City of Abbotsford.

Project funding will help with the construction of an enhanced transit exchange on Montrose Avenue in downtown Abbotsford. This exchange is required to create the Transit Future Network in Abbotsford and surrounding regions. Further, once completed, the Montrose Exchange will feature approximately ten bus bays, transit shelters, new bike lockers, bike racks, cycling amenities, bus operator washroom facilities, and improvements to pedestrian and road infrastructure.

Public transit is key to creating sustainable economic growth and more inclusive communities.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

“As the need for public transit grows, our government will continue to support modern, reliable public transportation services for all Canadians. This investment will improve public transit around Abbotsford and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Contacts:

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