Hello Mission – Matsqui – Fraser Canyon,
This weekend (November 11th) is Remembrance Day, a time for us to honour the lives of those who fought for our freedom. Many years ago in 2011, I traveled to France and stood on the historic grounds where the Battle of Vimy Ridge happened. Walking the grounds where so many made the ultimate sacrifice, I was struck profound sense of history that still lingers in the air. I have never felt more Canadian than being in France at a place that revealed such a significant moment in Canada's military history and helped to shape the nation's identity.
I would ask that you all take some time to observe a minute of silence and visit memorials to honour the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for their country. This year, I will be attending an event at the Lillooet Legion on Sunday Nov. 10 and ceremony at 10:45am at the Cenotaph (615 Main St). Each year I try to attend a different event the riding. Hope to see you there if you are in town!
On November 11th, consider attending one of the many services in Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon.
- Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #15, Abbotsford:
Due to the encampment adjacent to city hall and the cenotaph, this year’s service has been altered and will be restricted to those marching in the parade, veterans, and dignitaries.
There will be a livestream that can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/TUCmhuCbl0E, or at Rotary Stadium.
Livestream begins at 10:00am. - Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada - Matsqui Unit 315, Mt. Lehman:
Service begins at 10:30am at the Cenotaph (30346 McNeil Ave) - Royal Canadian Legion Branch 57 Mission:
Service begins at 10:50am at the Cenotaph (32627 Logan Ave) - Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #32, Agassiz:
Service begins at 10:45am at the Cenotaph (Corner of Morrow Rd & Vimy Rd) - Boston Bar – North Bend:
Service begins at 11:00am at the Memorial Cenotaph (48846 Highline Rd) - Royal Canadian Legion Branch 113 Ashcroft:
Service begins at 10:30am at the Cenotaph (300 Brink St) - Royal Canadian Legion Branch 66 Lillooet:
Service begins at 10:45am at the Cenotaph (615 Main St) - Gold Bridge – Bralorne:
Service begins at 10:45am at the Gold Bridge Cemetery
Please watch this short message I filmed on Remembrance Day while working in Ottawa.
It’s been a been few weeks, so please note this week’s newsletter is a lot longer than usual!
Celebrating Diwali at the Khalsa Diwan Society in Abbotsford
Last weekend, I had a blast celebrating Diwali at the Khalsa Diwan Society in Abbotsford. Diwali is an Indian festival of lights. It’s a time for friends and family to come together and where they celebrate the ultimate triumph of good over evil and light over darkness!
My staff also took some time to attend the Diwali event hosted by the Mission Punj-Aab Culture Club!
Archway Community Builders Awards
Last night our office was able to join and celebrate community builders in Abbotsford at the annual Archway Community Builders Awards. We celebrated not only the winners, but each nominee for their contribution in building a better community for all. Individual volunteers, businesses, and non-profit organizations were recognized for their efforts in improving our community and making it feel welcome to all.
I want to congratulate the nominees and the winners and thank them for being an inspiration to all of us, showing how to give back to the community we are in!
Meeting with the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Canada
As the co-chair of the Netherlands Friendship Group, it was an honour to meet with the new Ambassador of the Netherlands to Canada, Margriet Vonno. I look forward to working the Ambassador in the future as we continue to build on the relationship between our two countries! Our discussion focused on our shared Calvinist history, and what Canada can learn from the Netherlands in respect land use planning. We also spoke learning how to make our streets walkable and business friendly.
Violence Against Correctional Officers
Last week, I attended a Virtual Reality presentation by the Union of Canadian Correction Officers showing the workplace challenges that correctional officers face. Here are some of the jarring statistics:
- Hundreds of officers have suffered violent attacks from inmates in the last few years.
- 29% of correctional officers have been diagnosed with PTSD.
- 54% have been diagnosed with at least one mental health condition within the first 5 years of employment.
They deserve our respect and our support. Warning this video contains violent images and offensive language. Please take some time to watch the video I did on this matter.
Parliament Still Paralyzed
Parliament is still paralyzed. This delay is because the government is refusing to table seven years’ worth of records related to the Sustainable Development Technologies Canada (SDTC) organization within 30 days. The organization, which has since been defunded, was a federal program which was found by the Auditor General of Canada to have broken conflict of interest rule and made significant lapses in managing public funds. At issue is the Auditor General’s finding that Liberal appointees gave $400 million tax dollars to their own companies, involving 186 conflicts of interest. Click here to read the full Auditor General Report.
In the spring, I addressed the damning report released by the Auditor General, which revealed that $123 million had been misappropriated by the board of the SDTC. Two weeks ago, I spoke on a privilege motion calling on the government to provide the relevant documents. And once again, I spoke in the house last week discussing a sub-amendment to the privilege motion. Canadians have had enough. As Parliamentarians, we must stand up for Canadians and ensure they have the information needed to make informed decisions. Please click here to watch the entire speech.
Food Delivery Services Survey
Do you own or manage a restaurant? As the Shadow Minister for Small Business Recovery and Growth, I want to hear from you about your experience using food delivery services like Uber Eats, SkiptheDishes, Foodora, DoorDash, etc. Here’s a link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/73Z9QFZ
Protecting Children from AI and Facial Recognition
As a father of three, I believe that it is more important than ever to ensure that the best interests of a child are put first in creating policies. Last week, I spoke in the House about a report tabled by the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) and the Growing Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This report looks at the benefits and risks of facial recognition and use in specific contents, such as law enforcement, as well as exploring AI governance issues. You can read the full report here.
In my speech, I spoke about my time as a member of the Industry Committee on how I worked towards including the “best interests of the child” into the amendments to the legislation of the Digital Charter Implementation Act, Bill C-27. We all know stories about the damages that online social media platforms have already done to our children and youth. Please take the time to listen to why this is so important, and how we must put children at the forefront when dealing with technological innovation. Click here to watch the speech.
Financialization of Housing
I hear from members of my community everyday. “Brad, I went to school got a good job, but I can’t afford a house for my family.” The cost of everything in Canada has gone up and the hope of the Canadian dream is lost for so many. To speak to this issue of the financialization of housing, my team and I put together a scenario of what it costs to save up for a single-family home in Abbotsford on a salary of $100,000 a year. Before Trudeau, it took 25 years to pay off a mortgage – now, it takes 25 years just to save up for a downpayment. The calculations just don’t add up. Click here to watch the full speech.
Petitions in the House
I stood up many times over these past few weeks in the House to read petitions. Click here to watch me read these in the House!
Hearing from you
In my last newsletter, I asked about starting a business in Canada and what your favourite small businesses are within Mission – Matsqui – Fraser Canyon, thank you for taking the time to fill it out!
I also want to thank those who took the time to write longer responses in the feedback box that asked for your favourite small businesses within Mission – Matsqui – Fraser Canyon. I wish I could include every small business, but here is what you responded with!
Many of you also took the time to voice feedback on what you think the government could do to encourage entrepreneurial spirits within Canada. Here’s a list of some of your ideas:
- Give entrepreneurs incentives to start and open small businesses
- Get ride of red tape and use tax breaks
- Regulations and wait times on real estate are insane
- Fight corporate overreach
- Prevent landlords from raising rent prices so high
- Reduce taxes
- Get rid of online digital tax (from an online Etsy seller)
- Lower taxes for small businesses and cut personal income taxes
- Too long to process anything
This weeks survey is inspired by an article that I read in the Globe and Mail this week titled “From diapers to inheritances, having a third child is both an emotional and financial decision.” It was saddening for me to reflect on the financial decisions that come into play when wanting more children. With the rising cost of living the author of this piece laments on wanting a third child but the uncertainty of raising costs scares her. She says “If money was no object, we would try to have another child in a heartbeat. But as it stands, as entrepreneurs with a growing business and many financial pressures, we just can’t make that decision yet.”
Please click here to fill out my survey on the Cost of Having Children, I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on what you think the government needs to do in order to support growing families.
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