As I reflect on the resumption of Parliament today, let me begin by saying, Canada’s Conservatives as her majesty’s loyal opposition will continue to provide solutions to the challenges facing Canadians while holding the government accountable, even if they or Justin Trudeau don’t like it. We will advocate for a strong, sensible, and realistic exit plan from the pandemic using every tool available to us
Canadians are facing serious challenges to their financial security including skyrocketing inflation and food prices, a housing crisis and, of course, the impacts of restrictions and lockdowns as a result of the pandemic.
The state of our economy, in the face of unprecedented government spending, is worrisome and to say that I am worried about it and other issues facing our nation as a policy maker and a father is an understatement.
Canada has incurred more debt under Trudeau than under all previous prime ministers combined. The question I am most often asked is how we are going to pay for this and sincere concern for the generational debt being passed on to our children and grandchildren. This concerns me as well.
Yes, Canadians needed support when shutdowns happened, but there is growing evidence that billions of dollars were obtained fraudulently or even criminally. There is also evidence that well-connected Liberal insiders received billions in pandemic payments for contracts that were not properly tendered. After almost two years, several of those contracts have not been fulfilled.
Our country has never been more divided along regional, religious, and racial lines and the chasms created by Justin Trudeau are growing as he now includes the vaccine status of our neighbours as a reason to create greater intolerance, division, and fear.
Many people are struggling with mental health issues, especially troubling for young Canadians impacted especially hard by lockdowns, being away from their friends, and the constant barrage of negative news and education disruptions.
Our democratic institutions are under assault by a government that repeatedly shows contempt for Parliament, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, and openness that should be cornerstones of those institutions and a functioning democracy.
We are seeing the systematic dismantling of certain sectors of our economy and that is threatening our energy and food security and with it hundred of thousands of jobs that working class Canadians need to look after their families.
Canada, once a proud beacon of principled foreign policy and great defender of human rights and freedoms around the world is a diminished nation by a lack of leadership from the prime minister. Under this Liberal government our foreign policy has been reduced to messages of “support for”, “we are monitoring the situation”, or “hashtags” on Twitter instead of rallying the world, standing up and defending what is right and what is principled.
For example, the Chinese Communist regime continues imposing its will on Hong Kong and is threatening Taiwan all while contributing to western political and societal instability. Russia is advancing on Ukraine. Afghanistan continues to face an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and the United States is turning more inward and protectionist.
And what is Canada’s reaction all of this? A few idealistic words on Twitter and offerings of little substance.
Canada’s recovery must involve every sector and every region, and it will be led by businesses, the people they employ and the products and services they produce. Canada must be competitive both domestically and internationally to generate the revenue needed to repay the billions that Trudeau has spent.
Canadians of all ages are frustrated and fed up. Many are losing hope or have already lost hope for a brighter future for their families. Over the weekend in Ottawa and around the country including Barrie-Innisfil, protests were held as a manifestation of that frustration on the many issues I have highlighted above.
Canadians need leadership. They need to be inspired and united, not incited and divided.
As I walk back into the House of Commons today and take my seat in our symbol of democracy, my sincere hope is that we, as Members of Parliament inspire the nation in the we work we do and although we may not always agree, we must work together to find solutions that restores hope, prosperity, and opportunity for everyone.
