Dear constituents, an update from my office:
Budget 2024
Next week, the Finance Minister will be tabling the 2024 federal budget. You’ve probably heard the grand promises the Liberals have been making over the last couple of weeks.
Conservatives are clear – we will not support Budget 2024 unless it does three things:
- Commits to passing Bill C-234 in its original form to exempt farmers from the carbon tax and bring down food prices;
- Builds homes, not bureaucracy by requiring municipalities to increase permitting for home building by 15% each year or lose federal infrastructure funding; and
- Caps spending and implements a dollar-for-dollar rule, requiring any new spending be offset by savings elsewhere.
Canadians can’t afford another massive inflationary deficit, they can’t afford a home, nor can they afford the April 1st carbon tax hike. These simple measures will help fix the budget and bring home lower prices for Canadians.
As we approach Budget 2024, I want to hear from you. What are you hoping to see in this year’s budget? Do you agree with our priorities? Let me know by filling out my survey here.
What Should I Call These Newsletters?
I am so pleased by the positive feedback I continue to hear from you on these regular email newsletters. As your MP, I am committed to keeping you up to date and well informed on the issues being debated in Ottawa and my work on your behalf.
Currently, I am working on a name for these newsletters and have a couple in mind. Let me know what you think I should call it in this week’s survey!
Fixing the Broken Liberal Privacy & AI Bill
Bill C-27 is broken, but Conservatives on the Industry Committee are working hard to fix it. This week, we began the clause-by-clause stage of our study, where we are debating hundreds of amendments.
On Monday, I proposed an amendment to enshrine a right to privacy for Canadians. My amendment would ensure that a right to privacy is enshrined within both proposed pieces of legislation, the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) or the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA).
As we continue this process, my Conservative colleagues and I will be tabling dozens of amendments to fix this broken bill and protect Canadians, particularly our children, and their private information.
Canada’s Productivity Emergency
In March, the Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada stated, “I’m saying that it’s an emergency – it's time to break the glass,” in reference to the alarmingly low productivity of Canada’s economy. Canada currently ranks 29th out of 38 OECD countries in labour productivity and has the fewest manufacturing companies with at least 250 employees per 1 million people.
Compared to the US, Canada invests less than half in research and development, software, hardware, and data. This must improve.
On Monday, I tabled a motion calling on the Industry Committee to commence an immediate study into Canada’s productivity emergency so that we can get to the bottom of this issue and propose common sense solutions to unleash Canada’s economy. Disappointingly, the Liberal, NDP and Bloc members of the committee voted down my motion.
Save our Supplements!
On Monday, I presented another petition calling on the federal government to reverse the changes made to regulations on natural health products that are putting the industry at risk in Canada. These new fees and labelling requirements could lead to many of the vitamins, protein powders, and other supplements Canadians rely on becoming much more expensive or disappearing from store shelves entirely.
Last fall, I made a video talking about these changes and what they will mean for Canadians; you can watch it here.
Tomorrow, Bill C-368 will be up for debate in the House. This bill, introduced by my Conservative colleague MP Blaine Calkins, would clarify that natural health products are not considered therapeutic products under the Food and Drugs Act, and thus are not subject to the same regulations. I will be speaking, so please tune in between 2:30pm and 3:30pm PT!
Supporting the Trades
Before Easter, I stopped by K-Line Trailers, a local family-owned business in Abbotsford that produces many of the flatbed trailers used across the Fraser Valley and employs over 200 people. They even train students in conjunction with local trades schools!
Later, I had a chance to visit the Boilermakers Lodge 359 to learn about the awesome work they are doing to build major resource projects across British Columbia. We need to empower more people to obtain their Red Seal in trades so they can earn powerful pay cheques that spur our economy, provide stability and support families.
Last week, I had the chance to tour the Lower Mainland with Pierre Poilievre. We met with some incredible entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as students at Vancouver Community College, who are training to become the next generation of common-sense workers that Canada needs.
Happy Vaisakhi!
Last week, I joined the Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association for their 35th annual Vaisakhi Luncheon. As always, it was an awesome event and I really enjoyed connecting and celebrating with friends!
I look forward to celebrating Vaisakhi with even more of you over the coming weeks at events across our riding and the Lower Mainland.
Hearing from you
In my last newsletter, I asked for your thoughts on the April 1st carbon tax hike. In total, I heard from 395 people. Thank you for the feedback!
This week, I want to hear from you on your priorities for Budget 2024. Please share your thoughts by completing my survey here.
Your feedback is valued. Please do not hesitate to contact my office to voice your concerns or seek assistance with any federal government programs at 604-814-5710 or [email protected]. I also encourage you to follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, where I post more frequent updates on my work as your MP.
Thank you,
Brad Vis, MP
Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon