Federal and provincial investments in water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in southern B.C.
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City statement on $4.5 million for drinking water and wastewater
December 7, 2023 – Greenwood, British Columbia
Two communities in southern British Columbia will receive significant upgrades to their drinking water and wastewater infrastructure thanks to an investment of more than $4.5 million from the federal and provincial governments, along with the City of Greenwood and the Village of Keremeos.
Announced by Member of Parliament John Aldag, Minister Anne Kang, Mayor John Bolt, and Mayor Jason Wiebe, these projects will improve municipal services and support a healthier environment in and around these communities.
In Greenwood, funding will replace the existing water reservoir, construct a treatment facility and pump station, and upgrade the water supply well. The new facility, pump station, and associated infrastructure upgrades will include improved filtering and disinfecting systems to ensure that residents have reliable access to high-quality, drinking water.
A project in Keremeos will remove and replace approximately 25 manholes and approximately 12 sections of sanitary gravity collection pipe. The planned replacements will improve the efficiency of the existing sewage infrastructure in the village and mitigate groundwater infiltration, a risk that has become increasingly prevalent in the area due to climate change.
Once complete, these improvements will ensure residents have access to safe and reliable water and wastewater treatment that will also protect the environment and support community development.
“Investing in projects that help us adapt to the impacts of climate change is critical to building resilient communities. The funding announced today will improve both drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in Greenwood and Keremeos and help them to mitigate new climate-related challenges. We will continue to invest in the infrastructure that keeps our communities safe and healthy well into the future.” – 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
✘ Bill C-241 (Travel Expenses for Tradespersons)
Bill
Bill C-241, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons)
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
Bill C-241 creates significant issues including concerns around tax fairness between tradespeople and apprentices, a lack of safeguards to contain its scope and related costs, and the Bill exhibits a number of technical deficiencies which could lead to exploitation. We are moving forward with Bill C-19 with a Labour Mobility Tax Credit to allow workers in the building and construction trades to deduct up to $4,000 in eligible travel and temporary relocation expenses giving them a tax credit of up to $600 a year.
Passed.
Bill Status
At third reading in the Senate
✘ Bill C-219, Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-219, An Act to enact the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights and to make related amendments to other Acts
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
Although Bill C-219 shares our same goal of recognizing the right to a healthy environment in federal law, it differs from the current Government approach, such as integrating procedural rights like public participation into specific environmental statutes as is made possible through CEPA. This not only creates uncertainty as to how Bill C-219 and CEPA would interact, but it can also result in policy coherence issues and challenges when it comes to the interpretation of/with other federal statutes. Overall, this Bill is not well-aligned with CEPA, which recently received Royal Assent, or Bill C-226 (Environmental Racism). I would consider supporting a similar Bill that addresses these inconsistencies and uncertainties and is better aligned with the government’s overall environmental strategy.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated
✔︎ Bill C-295 (Neglect of Vulnerable Adults)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-295, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (neglect of vulnerable adults)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The Government of Canada values the many contributions made by seniors to our country, and to all who accompany them on a daily basis and is working hard to ensure their dignity, quality of life and well-being are protected. We recognize that the neglect of vulnerable adults is a serious issue affecting many older persons in Canada, made all the more apparent in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government shares the Member’s commitment to addressing the issue of neglect of vulnerable adults, particularly in long-term care facilities. The federal government also intends to ensure that managers and owners of LTC facilities respect their legal duties.
Passed.
Bill Status
At Second Reading in the Senate
✔︎ Bill C-322, National Framework for a School Food Program Act
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The Bill generally aligns with the 2021 mandate letter commitment instructing the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to “work with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders to develop a National School Food Policy and to work toward a national school nutritious meal program.” The Bill generally aligns with the ongoing work to develop a National School Food Policy. Supporting the Bill is consistent with the work the government has undertaken over the past year with stakeholders, Indigenous partners and provinces and territories.
Passed.
Bill Status
At at consideration in committee in the House of Commons
Governments of Canada and British Columbia invest in wastewater infrastructure improvements in Kimberley
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City statement on $90.6 million for wastewater in Kimberley
December 4, 2023 – Kimberley, British Columbia
The City of Kimberley will build new wastewater infrastructure after a combined investment of more than $90.6 million from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
Announced by Member of Parliament John Aldag, Minister Anne Kang, and Mayor Don McCormick, this project will construct a new wastewater treatment plant in Kimberley. The new plant will replace the aging Pollution Control Centre, built in 1967, which is located in a flood prone area. It will also have measures to make sure that the service is reliable and will take odour control measures to not disturb nearby communities.
Once complete, the plant will provide Kimberley with high-quality, reliable wastewater treatment that minimizes potential environmental impact on the St. Mary River and communities downstream of it. It will also eliminate the risk of flooding to the site.
“Investments in green infrastructure help us to build resilient communities while safeguarding our environment. The funding announced today will not only improve wastewater treatment in Kimberley, but will protect local inhabitants and ecosystems. We will continue investing in the well-being of Canadians and the preservation of our country’s natural assets.” – 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
The governments of Canada and British Columbia invest in Fraser River Bank Erosion Protection
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City statement on $19 million for Fraser River erosion protection
December 1, 2023 – Abbotsford, British Columbia
Efforts to reduce the risk of further erosion on the Fraser River bank, and in particular that of the Matsqui Dike, are receiving much needed support, thanks to the combined investment of more than $19 million from the governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with the City of Abbotsford.
Announced by MP John Aldag, Minister Nathan Cullen, and Mayor Ross Siemens, the project will increase the resilience of the dike -- which is situated on the Sumas First Nation’s traditional fishing territory, and also protects the Matsqui First Nation downstream.
This project is the first of its kind to address flooding and bank erosion concerns in Abbotsford through a collaborative approach between Sumas First Nation, the City, and the Province. The project design incorporates Indigenous knowledge, engineering, and environmental solutions to minimize the risk of Fraser River flooding due to a Matsqui Dike breach, while restoring fishing sites and improving fish habitat.
Overall, the project will reduce the likelihood of bank erosion creating a dike breach, due to climate change.
Making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for climate-related disasters can return as much as $13 to $15 in benefits.
“With increasing importance on protecting our environment and communities from climate change, investments in disaster mitigation is another step the federal government is taking to protect Canadians. With this announcement, we are working to mitigate climate issues that continue to impact the Fraser River and the Matsqui Dike by protecting this area from further erosion. We will continue to work with all levels of government to secure Canadians’ future, better protect homes, and create greater climate resilience.” – 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
✔︎ Bill C-275 (Biosecurity on Farms)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The government will support the Bill while seeking amendments to improve its enforceability and limit the legal risks associated with it. If all of the government's proposed amendments are rejected, the government will support the Bill as drafted.
Passed.
Bill Status
At Second Reading in the Senate
Statement on Guru Nanak Food Bank
Mr. Speaker,
On July 1, 2020, the Guru Nanak Food Bank was born, serving residents of Surrey and Delta in my province of British Columbia.
Under the banner “Recognize All Human Race as One”, the Guru Nanak Food Bank provides essential food and assistance to those in need. The Food Bank is assisted by 69 youth volunteers aged 9 to 17 who have collectively contributed a staggering 11,569 hours of volunteer work during their summer break.
Guru Nanak Food Bank serves 16,000 people monthly, accounting for 320,000 pounds of food. Just last week, they distributed over 50,000 pounds of bananas to the community!
Guru Nanak Food Bank takes pride in providing these services to this community. These are among the many reasons I strongly support Guru Nanak Food Bank in their application for BC Food Bank membership. I am proud of the progress they have made over the last three years and look forward to continuing my support for this fantastic organization.
✔︎ Bill C-316, Court Challenges Program Act
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-316, An Act to amend the Department of Canadian Heritage Act (Court Challenges Program)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
Bill C-316 requires that the Minister of Canadian Heritage establish and implement an independently administered program that provides financial support for Canadians to clarify certain constitutional and quasi-constitutional official languages and human rights.
Passed.
Bill Status
At consideration in committee in the House of Commons