Dear Constituents,  

Official Visit from US President Joe Biden 

As I am sitting here finishing up this email blast, President Joe Biden is making his first official visit to Canada since taking office. My Conservative colleagues and I are calling on the government to use this opportunity to: 

• finally make progress on a softwood lumber agreement; 
• negotiate an exemption from 'Buy America’ policies; and 
• Close Roxham Road. (It looks like the government finally reached an agreement with the United States on this!) 

The Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition, Pierre Poilievre will also be meeting with President Biden and will be raising all of these issues. Canada must work on strengthening our relationship with our southern neighbour and largest trading partner. 

Bill C-11 

Recently, Bill C-11: Online Streaming Act, returned to the House of Commons for a final debate. In the Senate, amendments were made that would exempt user-generated content on social media from CRTC regulation; however, the Liberals have rejected those amendments. This legislation is nothing more than an attempt to control what Canadians are able to see and post online.  

Be assured, Conservatives are working hard to stop this attack on free speech in Canada. Should this bill pass and become law, a future Conservative government will repeal it. I encourage you to watch my recent video and Pierre Poilievre’s recent speech on Bill C-11. I also encourage you to contact the Minister of Canadian Heritage and tell him to #KillBillC11.  

Foreign Interference 

Canadians are rightfully concerned to hear of CSIS reports suggesting that there were targeted influence campaigns by the Chinese Communist Party during our last two federal elections. Canadians expect that our elections are free and fair, without influence or coercion from foreign governments. Over the last few weeks, opposition parties have all called for a public inquiry on election interference, however the Trudeau government refuses. 

With allegations that a Liberal MP met with Beijing officials and advised them not to release the two Michaels as it would supposedly benefit Conservatives electorally, Canadians deserve nothing less than an open and transparent investigation that a public inquiry would provide. Confidence in our democratic institutions depends on it. My Conservative colleagues and I continue to call on the Liberals to do the right thing and call the inquiry.  

Check out my recent video on foreign interference here. 

In the Riding 

Earlier this month the Lets’emot Forum met to discuss areas of concern and mutual collaboration among the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, the District of Kent, and the First Nations of Sts’ailes, Cheam, Seabird Island and Sq’ewlets, as well as the Fraser Valley Regional District and MLA Paddon’s office. I am so grateful to be part of such a fantastic forum where we truly see efforts towards reconciliation at work.  

At Cheam First Nation, this month’s meeting focused on the Lets’emot Regional Aquatic Centre, flood mitigation, priorities our local communities want to see in the upcoming federal budget, public safety and more.  

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak to the Mission Midday Rotary and provide an update on my work in our riding. Mission is so blessed to have such amazing Rotarians who generously give their time and resources back to the community.  

I also had the opportunity to visit Sq’ewlets First Nation to hear from Chief Williams and their leadership on infrastructure challenges. Their new daycare facility is almost ready and will serve as a fantastic space for children to grow. Sq’ewlets First Nation is very intentional about creating a sense of belonging for their youth and all members through soccer, paddling and other activities. I look forward to getting out on the water with them soon!  

Underused Housing Tax 

On January 1st, 2022, the Underused Housing Tax Act came into effect. The Act imposed an annual 1% tax on the value of vacant or underused residential property. In most cases, these are homes that are owned to non-residents. However, in some cases it also applies to Canadian homeowners. Every residential property owner, except those deemed an “excluded owner” under the Act, must file an annual information return, which is due on April 30, 2023. 

I’ve heard from many accountants on the complexity of this new tax and my Conservative colleagues and I are working hard on a solution. 

You can find more information on whether this tax applies to you on the government’s info page or in the flowchart below. 

In the House 

It's been great to be back in the Chamber over the last few weeks debating the issues that matter most to you. On Tuesday, March 7, I had the chance to speak on Bill C-27, the government’s attempt at modernizing Canadian consumer privacy protections. As I outlined in my speech, this bill fails to adequately protect the private data of Canadians and often puts corporate interests ahead of privacy rights. 

At the Industry Committee, we heard from witnesses on my colleague Jeremy Patzer’s Bill C-294: An Act to amend the Copyright Act (interoperability). This bill seeks to make changes to the Copyright Act to allow for the circumvention of technological protection measures for the purpose of making technology interoperable with different devices. In other words - it would make it easier for developers to make programs that work across your various devices like iPhones, Androids, Windows PCs and Mac computers. Conservatives are committed to getting government out of the way of innovation in Canada. You can watch my intervention here. 

We’ve also been studying my colleague Dan Mazier’s Bill C-288: An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information). This bill would require internet providers to be transparent with customers and provide more accurate information on expected network speeds. Rural Canadians in particular know the frustration of not receiving the internet speeds they pay for, and this bill seeks to put an end to it. You can watch my recent intervention here. 

It was great to meet with BC dairy farmers during the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s day on the Hill. Thanks for stopping by and raising your concerns. 

Finally, I presented two petitions recently, one on Bill C-21 (Firearms) and the other on federal health transfers. If you would like to sponsor a petition on an issue important to you, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. My staff are here to assist you. 

Hearing From You 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out my recent survey on the upcoming increase to the Excise Tax on beer, wine and spirits. There were a total of 90 respondents and below are the results. 

This week, I want to hear your priorities for Budget 2023, which will be tabled on March 28. Let me know here! 

You’re My Boss  

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 where I post more frequent updates on my work as your MP. 

Thank you, 

 

Brad Vis, MP  

Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon