Dear Mission – Matsqui – Fraser Canyon,
The start of this new year has brought many changes and uncertainty. As most of you know, Prime Minister Trudeau has resigned and prorogued Parliament until March 24th. Now, the Liberals are scrambling to hold a leadership election instead of the general election that should be taking place.
While I have appreciated the extra time at home, I am very concerned about the challenges Canada faces vis-a-vis the United States, our weak economy, national security shortcomings and the overall direction of Canada.
I’ve received dozens of emails about prorogation over the last month. Many have wondered how it is legal for the Prime Minister to suspend Parliament like Justin Trudeau egregiously did. Well, prorogation is a discretionary power operated by the Crown (Governor General) on the advice of the Prime Minister. Generally, it is used to terminate the business of Parliament and relieve MPs of their parliamentary duties for a certain period to reset a parliamentary and legislative agenda. While legally permitted, the spirit of prorogation is not meant to be used for political purposes such as avoiding a vote of non-confidence vote or replacing a political leader. That is why a civil society group is challenging the use of prorogation in our courts at this very moment.
<<To learn more about prorogation, click here>>
I’ve also received several questions related to Mark Carney’s leadership bid. Many people are surprised that a non-elected citizen can become the leader of our country without participating in a general election. This is another interesting aspect of parliamentary democracy in Canada. Prime Ministers are appointed by the Crown (Governor General). Our traditions, or parliamentary conventions, dictate that the leader of the political party with the most seats in Parliament gets the first opportunity to form a government from the elected House of Commons. But it's not a requirement for the head of a political party to have a seat in Parliament itself! The only other example we have is when John Turner shortly became Prime Minister in the 1980s. What’s unique about the current situation is that Mark Carney could become the first Prime Minister in the history Canada to have never served in Parliament before.
So, if Mark Carney wins the Liberal leadership race and Justin Trudeau resigns, he will be able to ask the Governor General to appoint him as Prime Minister. Eventually though, the Liberals will be subject to another parliamentary convention – responsible government! To hold power in Canada, a political party must maintain the confidence of the chamber. That is, a majority of the 338 elected members voting in favour of the government’s legislative agenda. For this week’s survey, I want to know whether you think that it is ethical for Mark Carney to become the prime minister?
If Mark Carney is appointed Prime Minister, he will have to open Parliament and bring forward a legislative plan known as a Speech from the Throne (governments can’t operate without the spending authority held by Parliament). This is when the Governor General would read out the broad direction of a government’s agenda after an election or prorogation. Speeches from the throne are also a matter of confidence and need to be approved by the House of Commons. If Mark Carney, or another Liberal leader can’t maintain the confidence of Parliament, we will go into a general election if the vote is lost.
If you find the above scenario complicated, you’re correct! The operation of democracy in Canada is a messy mix of laws, conventions, and unwritten practices. I spent six years and obtained two degrees studying these matters in university and I barely grasp the complexity of what’s happening.
All that said, Conservatives have been calling on the Liberals to put their partisan interests behind and recall Parliament immediately. Any major policy and fiscal response Canada can take will require the approval of Parliament. Let’s not forget, Justin Trudeau has resigned because his own caucus lost confidence in him. Although he maintains the legal authority to negotiate on behalf of Canada, he no longer has the moral authority to be making decisions that will shape the next generation of our nation.
Back in BC
Last week, I awarded a King Charles III Coronation medal to Bernie Fandrich, a dedicated member of the Lytton community. It all began 50 years ago with a 15ft raft and the launch of 'Bernie’s Raft Rides' along the Trans-Canada Hwy. In 1977, he opened his first base in downtown Lytton, and in 1994, he and his wife Lorna fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening Kumsheen Rafting Resort.
Beyond being a successful entrepreneur, Bernie played a key role in helping Lytton businesses recover from the 2021 wildfires. Congratulations again on this well-deserved honour!
I also awarded a medal to Don R. Campbell, a dedicated leader in economic research, mentorship, and philanthropy. His contributions have strengthened communities across the Fraser Valley and beyond, embodying the values of service and innovation. His work continues to inspire, fostering growth and opportunity for countless individuals.
Congratulations, Don, on this well-deserved recognition!
I was also able to join Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre to visit trades businesses that hold together the backbone of Canada.
I went to Boilermakers Lodge 359 who are essential in the building of major resource projects in British Columbia and across Canada. I appreciated meeting with workers and emphasizing the need to unleash Canada’s resources by immediately scrapping the Liberal anti-resource law C-69 and greenlighting LNG plans, pipelines, mines, factories, and port expansions to overseas markets.
We also visited Quadra Home and Black Maple Construction. After 9 years of this NDP-Liberal government, housing costs have doubled, with housing inflation rising faster than in any other G7 country. Before 2015, it took only 39% of the median pre-tax household income to cover homeownership costs. Now, it takes nearly 60%.
When visiting we emphasized how we will end this NDP-Liberal housing crisis by axing the sales tax on new homes, cutting bureaucratic red tape, and tying federal infrastructure dollars to housing construction.
BC Ministry of Health on the Drug Crisis
It’s been saddening for me to see the impacts of the BC drug crisis within our community. My heart goes to those the many of you who have lost loved ones to this epidemic. My Conservative colleagues and I have been saying for years that a significant portion of taxpayer funded drugs are ending up in the hands of organized crime and drug traffickers.
The NDP-Liberals have said there’s no evidence to support diversion yet reports continue to show this is a complete lie. A document released by the BC Ministry of Health said that these policies have led to a significant portion of opioids being diverted, and prescribed alternatives are being trafficked provincially, nationally, and internationally. On top of this, the number of taxpayer-funded opioids being dispensed has soared by about 20 times in recent years.
Conservatives will stop handing out taxpayer-funded hard drugs, impose mandatory life sentences on fentanyl kingpins, and invest in treatment and recovery to bring home our loved one’s drug-free.
Canada First Plans
During all the chaos surrounding Canadian sovereignty, Conservatives have been clear on plans that will put Canada First and support the well-being and future of Canadians.
Fixing the border
As an MP of a border town, I have heard many of your calls to increase the security to stop fentanyl, guns, human traffickers, and terrorists from crossing. Conservatives have a six-point plan to strengthen border security by deploying Canadian Forces, adding 2,000 border agents, and extending CBSA powers beyond official crossings. This plan will bring in surveillance towers, truck-mounted drones, and high-powered scanners at major crossings and ports to detect drugs, guns, and stolen vehicles. The plan will also track departures to identify deportees who remain in Canada illegally. Click here to read more.
Free Trade Between Provinces
Within 30 days of taking office, Pierre Poilievre will bring together the Premiers to eliminate as many trade exemptions as possible. A key priority will be establishing a single set of trucking rules to boost east-west trade, adding $1.6 billion to Canada’s GDP. The plan also includes creating a Blue Seal Professional Licensing Standard to allow doctors, nurses, and engineers to work across provinces and help skilled immigrants get certified faster. To encourage provincial cooperation, Conservatives will offer a Free Trade Bonus, returning increased federal tax revenue from reduced trade barriers back to the provinces to invest in schools, hospitals, and other priorities—without adding to the NDP-Liberal deficit. Click here to read more.
As we face uncertainty on who will become the next Liberal leader or whether the next general election will happen sooner or later, one thing for sure is that we need Canada to be put first. While it can become all consuming, it will continue to be an historic time to follow Canadian politics. I’d recommend for you to continue following the news and staying informed on how Parliament will proceed regarding the future of our nation.
I’m interested in hearing what you think about all this! As a reminder again, for this week's survey I want to know what does it mean to you to be Canadian in the 21st century? And do you think that it is ethical for Mark Carney to become the prime minister?
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