Dear Constituents, an update from my office: 

In the House 

It has been great to be back fighting for you in the House of Commons over the last few weeks. I have been busy raising the concerns I heard from you over the summer, particularly the rising cost-of-living and the ongoing supply crisis in our housing market.  

This week, I was thrilled to attend the 2022 Prime Minister’s Awards ceremony where Abbotsford’s own Nerlap Kaur Sidhu was given the 2022 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Congrats Nerlap! 

Below are my most recent clips from my work on your behalf in the House of Commons: 

• Speech on Bill C-30: An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (temporary enhancement to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit) 
• Adjournment Proceedings, October 3, 2022 (Housing) 
• Question Period, September 29, 2022 (Tax increases) 
• Tabling of Petitions, September 27, 2022 (Pregnancy centres and human trafficking)  

Want to keep up to date on my work? Follow me on Facebook! 

Keeping You in The Loop: Adapting to Rising Flood Risk Report 

Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon has been plagued by natural disasters. We know firsthand that reform for emergency disaster response and recovery is sorely needed.  Flooding like we saw in 2021 will happen again, it is not a matter of if, but rather when. We must be prepared so that homes, businesses, lives and livestock are not lost once again.   

The Government of Canada’s Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation has proposed four models to provide insurance to properties with high flood-risk. You can read their full report here. 

Flat cap high-risk pool  

• Private insurance subsidized by governments.   
• Low premium cap ($500) 
• Coverage up to $300,000.  
• Mandatory offer, optional purchase. 
• Available to high-risk properties only.  

Tiered high-risk pool  

• Private insurance subsidized by governments.  
• 5 premium cap levels ($250, $500, $1,000, $2,000, $4,000) based on estimated reconstruction costs.  
• Coverage up to $300,000.  
• Mandatory purchase with mortgage, optional without mortgage.  
• Available to high-risk properties only. 

Public insurer  

• Insurance is entirely provided by governments.  
• Higher premium cap ($3,000).  
• Income-based subsidies on a sliding scale.  
• Coverage up to $300,000.  
• Mandatory purchase via bundling with home insurance.  
• Available to all homeowners. 

Public Reinsurer 

• Private, two-tiered insurance, with the second layer reinsured by governments to reimburse insurers for losses.  
• Income-based subsidies on a sliding scale for second layer.  
• Combined coverage up to $325,000.  
• Available to all homeowners. 

I am actively reviewing these options and working with my colleague, MP Dane Lloyd on a response. 

A Heads Up: Changes to EI (Employment Insurance) 

Temporary EI measures that were implemented for the COVID-19 Pandemic have expired.  Below, I have outlined the changes and what the plan moving forward currently looks like. 

EI before the Pandemic 

• Based on the unemployment rate in your area, you'll need between 420 (areas with high unemployment) and 700 (areas with low unemployment) hours of insurable employment during the qualifying period to qualify for regular benefits. 

Temporary Measures During the Pandemic 

• Workers qualified for EI based on a national requirement of having 420 insurable employment hours. 

• Those with at least 120 hours worked received a credit of 300 hours allowing them to qualify. Essentially, you needed to work just three weeks to qualify for full EI benefits. 

• Additionally, pay received on separation from a job, such as severance, was not deducted from benefits. 

For more information on Employment Insurance benefits, please visit the Government of Canada’s website. 

Have you been affected by these changes to EI qualification? Let me know your thoughts on these changes here. I’d also still like to hear from you on what issues are top of mind for you this fall, so please take a moment to let me know here! 

Agassiz Fall Fair  

I had a terrific time at the recent Agassiz Fall Fair visiting friends and colleagues. 

Congrats to the Kiesltra/Tebrink family on being crowned the Royal Corn Family (Corn King competition). 

Congrats to Tyson, The 4H Champion! 

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