Dear Constituents:

As the Parliamentary session has come to a close, here is a brief update of my work on your behalf:

Private Member’s Bills

Our Party has had a busy legislative agenda this Parliamentary session.  Conservative MPs successfully shepherded seven Bills through the House of Commons, five of which have also passed the Senate and await Royal Assent.  Among these are:

• Bill C-208 will remove the unfair tax burden families face when transferring a farm or business to their children.
• Bill C-210 will make it easier to become an organ donor.
• Bill C-218 legalizes single-event sports betting and allow the provincial governments to regulate it in a safe and responsible way.
• Bill C-220 will allow for more time off following the death of a loved one. I seconded this Bill in Parliament.
• Bill C-228 will reduce recidivism and help end the revolving door in our prison system.

Two more Conservative Private Member’s Bills have passed the House of Commons and have been forwarded to the Senate for its consideration, and these include:

• Bill C-204 would end the practice of Canada treating the rest of the world as our dumping ground by stopping the shipping of plastic waste to foreign countries for disposal.
• Bill C-206 would remove the carbon tax on gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas used by Canadian farmers.

Our Conservative Opposition remains focused on holding the federal government accountable for its actions and policy, but we also remain engaged as Parliamentarians who propose thoughtful and constructive legislation of our own.  It’s worth noting that most of our Bills passed with large majorities.

Residential Schools

Conservatives have called for a swift timeline and funding to deliver on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 71 to 76 involving missing children and providing healing for families.  We pledge our support for this effort and again ask for Prime Minister Trudeau to take action ahead of Canada Day to support the Indigenous communities, and our country, in mourning.

If you are a former residential school student in distress or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.

Agriculture & Forestry Funding

The Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon is rich in thriving farmlands and forests that, with careful stewardship, offer so much to our communities. Thanks to the Indigenous Agriculture Initiative Lytton First Nation and Xaxli’p First Nation received over $1 million in support of their work in creating a Food Hub that will generate jobs and protect food security, along with agricultural land studies.

After advocating to Environment and Climate Change Minister Wilkinson, I am thrilled that we were able to secure $646,874 for the Fraser Valley Conservancy’s important work in community engagement on action against climate change.

I’m happy to support youth through the Canada Summer Jobs program and in partnership with ESDC secured 47 jobs for youth working in Cache Creek and Lillooet in the forestry, agricultural and environmental conservation sectors with businesses and non-profits such as the Lillooet Regional Invasive Species Society, Wolfe’s Green Dirt Farm, Apex Reforestation, Black Tusk Silviculture and North Face Reforestation.

Fire Hall Infrastructure Funding

In my discussions with Mayor Roden of Ashcroft and Mayor Facio of Harrison Hot Springs, both raised their concerns of aging fire services infrastructure and the need for funding. With wildfire season upon us in B.C., we are acutely aware of how important investments in local fire services are to support the career and volunteer crews, which is why we worked to ensure over $1 million will be invested in critical infrastructure upgrades. The Village of Ashcroft and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs are being awarded $550,887 and $600,000 respectively in federal funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to expand and renovate facilities ensuring they meet seismic requirements and improve emergency response times.

Rural Broadband Internet Funding

Too many rural and remote residents in Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon still have internet access that is slow, inconsistent and altogether non-existent during stormy weather which is why I am working hard to bring all stakeholders to the table to collaboratively close the connectivity gap. I am so pleased $2.9 million of the Connecting British Columbia program will be invested in providing quality high speed internet by Telus, empowering our rural and First Nation communities in parts of the lower Fraser Canyon. Residents of Dogwood Valley, Squeah, Yale, Skawahlook, Chawathil and Yale First Nation will soon no longer be disconnected from this essential service!

Summer 2021

As COVID-19 restrictions lift, I am so excited to see more of you in person. I plan to visit as many places in our beautiful riding as possible and will be out in Lillooet, Ashcroft and Cache Creek next week. If you would like to meet or have an event you would like me to join, please contact my office.

This heat wave is incredible and our very own Lytton, B.C. broke the national highest temperature record at 49 degrees Celsius (as of time of writing). I hope you are all staying safe and I will be reaching out to local producers whose crops may be at risk due to the heat wave soon.

Also, Canada Day is fast approaching, and we still have many Canadian flags, pins and other Parliamentary swag. Please call or stop by my office for a complimentary flag. The office will be closed on July 1^st. Please see my Canada Day message here. Happy Canada Day!

You’re My Boss

Your input 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].

Thank you,

Brad Vis, MP

Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon