Latest News

  • Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole unveils Canada Job Surge Plan

    Winnipeg, MB – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, unveiled the Canada Job Surge Plan, a key part of Canada’s Recovery Plan that will recover the million jobs lost since the start of the pandemic by focusing on the hardest-hit sectors, incentivizing businesses to hire, reducing regulatory burden, and reforming our tax system to reward work. “Many Canadians have struggled for months to find work, especially women and young people,” said O’Toole. “As the country reopens, our top priority is getting as many people back to work in good jobs, in every part of Canada, in every sector, as quickly as possible.” Once the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) ends in October, an O’Toole government will get Canadians back to work by introducing the Canada Job Surge Plan, an initiative that will pay up to 50 per cent of the salary of net new hires for six months. The wage subsidy will be at least 25 per cent and will increase based on how long a new employee has been out of work, reaching 50 per cent for those who have been unemployed for ten months or more. The Canada Job Surge Plan will apply to all sectors, but it will be especially helpful to those sectors hit first and hardest by the pandemic, such as hospitality and tourism. “The Canada Job Surge Plan is just the beginning of our plan to secure jobs across Canada, and to secure the future,” O’Toole concluded. “The Liberals, NDP and Greens don’t have a plan to get Canadians back to work. Canada’s Conservatives got us out of the last recession—we’ll get our country out of this one too.”
    August 23, 2021

  • Erin O’Toole unveils his Contrat avec les Québécois et les Québécoises

    Quebec City, QC – The Contrat avec les Québécois et les Québécoises, announced today by the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, aims to put the economy back on track, promote regional economic development, and defend the interests of the Quebec nation. In the first 100 days of a Conservative government, several actions will be taken to give Quebec the powers of a nation. “After six years of Justin Trudeau’s overbearing and muddling-through style of government from Ottawa, Quebec needs a change,” said O’Toole. “We will work together to beat him. Quebecers deserve a federal government that listens to them and respects them. This is more than a promise, it’s a plan. The Conservatives will stimulate the economy, contribute to the development of our regions, respect the Quebec nation, and protect the French language. We will also ensure that Quebecers are well-represented at the negotiating table in Ottawa, as well as being a government that will always respect human rights, including a woman’s right to choose.” Within the first 100 days of a Conservative government, Erin O’Toole and his Conservative team will implement the Contrat avec les Québécois et les Québécoises, including: Increasing Quebec’s powers over immigration. Addressing the labour shortage. Preserving the history and built heritage of Quebec. Working with Quebec to apply Bill 101 to federally regulated businesses. Respecting the right of Quebec to pass its own laws to protect its language and culture. Negotiating the establishment of a single tax return for Quebec and maintaining the federal tax centres in Jonquière and Shawinigan. Ensuring predictable, stable, and unconditional federal health transfers. Ensuring integrity and fighting Liberal corruption. Not raising taxes and income taxes. Establishing a federalism based on partnership. “I dream of a Canada where the French language is well-protected, where Quebecers are heard, and where Quebec has all the tools to ensure its prosperity,” concluded O’Toole. “Together, we will preserve your heritage, your language, and your history. Together, we will put the economy back on track, maintain our standard of living, and build a better future. And together, we will stop Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.”
    August 18, 2021

  • Cost of living not a priority for Trudeau

    Ottawa, ON – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, released the following statement on Justin Trudeau admitting addressing the rising cost of living isn’t a priority for him: “Today, Justin Trudeau was asked what his government was going to do about the rising costs that Canadians are facing across the country. Instead of answering the question, Trudeau said it’s not something he is thinking about. “The simple fact is that Justin Trudeau has made life less affordable for Canadians. Unlike Justin Trudeau who doesn’t have to worry about paying for his gas, groceries, and mortgage – regular Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. “It’s time to make life more affordable for Canadians. That’s why I’ve put forward Canada’s Recovery Plan that will fight back against the growing cost of living crisis that Trudeau has created and secure the future for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. “If you aren’t worried about your personal finances, you have three parties to choose from. If you are, there is only one choice – Canada’s Conservatives.”
    August 18, 2021

  • Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole announces his plan to restore accountability to the federal government

    Quebec City, QC – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, announced that Canada’s Conservatives will pass an Anti-Corruption Act to greatly strengthen federal legislation on ethics, lobbying, and transparency. “Canada’s Recovery Plan will punish ethical violations by politicians and clean up the mess in Ottawa,” said O’Toole. “Canada’s Conservatives will introduce tougher ethics laws, prevent cover-ups, and ensure that lobbying is properly regulated.” Canada’s Conservatives will pass an Anti-Corruption Act to: Ensure there are monetary penalties for any violation of the Conflict of Interest Act. Justin Trudeau and Bill Morneau were both found to have behaved unethically but faced no penalties for their conflicts of interest. Increase fines for ethical violations from a maximum of $500 to a maximum of $50,000 to deter unethical behaviour. Ensure cabinet confidence can no longer be used to shield government insiders from criminal investigation. Cabinet confidence is meant to ensure good government, not shield illegal behaviour. Avoid a repeat of the SNC-Lavalin scandal by requiring all meetings by corporations and organizations to be reported, and ban lobbying on a matter where the entity is the subject of a criminal proceeding under that matter. Prevent Members of Parliament from collecting speaking fees. “In a democracy, nobody should be able to use their connections to get out of facing prosecution if they’re accused of breaking the law,” said O’Toole. “That’s why we will clean up entitlement, and restore ethics to government. There’s only one choice to secure accountability – Canada’s Conservatives.”
    August 18, 2021

  • Erin O’Toole announces month-long GST holiday

    Toronto, ON – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, announced a month-long GST holiday to provide pocketbook relief to Canadian families and support local retailers. “It’s getting harder and harder to afford the basics – food for the family, gas for the car, clothes for the kids,” said O’Toole. “And it will only get harder this fall. As Canadians look forward to getting to spend more time with their families, they also know that the holiday season is an expensive time of year.” With Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will implement a month-long GST holiday this December. All purchases at retail stores will be tax-free for a month. This will put $1.5 billion back in Canadians’ pockets and will drive increased demand for products sold in store. Canadians will not need to fill out any onerous applications to qualify for this tax holiday. They will receive the five per cent discount directly on their bill at the checkout when they make their purchase. “It’s time to give families a break – while helping our small retailers get back on their feet,” said O’Toole. “The GST holiday is part of our detailed plan to lower prices and help families.” and help families.”
    August 18, 2021

  • Conservatives standing up to Liberals’ unprecedented attacks on freedom of speech

    Ottawa, ON – Rachael Harder, Conservative Shadow Minister for Digital Government, and Alain Rayes, Conservative Shadow Minister for Canadian Heritage, issued the following statement after the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois shamefully colluded to try to ram Bill C-10 through Parliament, which aims to regulate the social media content of everyday Canadians: “Weeks ago, the Trudeau Liberals withdrew the section of their own bill that protects individual users’ content, making Canadians subject to broad and vague government powers to regulate their use of the internet, including on apps and social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Since then, Conservatives have fought daily to protect the freedom of speech of Canadians against attacks by the Liberals. “We have been hearing from experts and Canadians from all walks of life who are worried about the Liberals’ plan to restrict freedom of speech by regulating the internet. But now, they are taking it even further. Today, the Liberals are trying to shut down debate on Bill C-10 at committee stage, ramming the bill through Parliament. This extreme tactic has only been used three times in history – with no government having used this tactic for over 20 years. “Shutting down debate on a bill widely condemned for its attacks on freedom of speech sets a very dangerous precedent. If this controversial bill is rammed through without sufficient debate, a Conservative government will stand up for Canadians and repeal this deeply flawed legislation. Only Canada’s Conservatives will keep on fighting for the freedoms of Canadians.”
    June 07, 2021

  • Conservatives call on the Trudeau government to invoke pipeline treaty to save Line 5

    Ottawa, ON – Greg McLean, Conservative Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, and the Hon. Michael Chong, Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Gérard Deltell, House Leader of the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Enbridge Line 5: “Canadian energy security is at risk. “The governor of Michigan is trying to shut down Enbridge Line 5, regardless of the outcome of mediation and the court process, in a blatant violation of the Transit Pipelines Treaty that President Joe Biden supported as a senator. “If Line 5 is shut down, 30,000 jobs are in jeopardy across Ontario and Quebec, including 5,000 jobs in Sarnia. “Enbridge Line 5 carries Canadian oil east, providing around half of the crude oil needs of Ontario and Quebec. There is no alternative – if Line 5 stops flowing there will be immediate fuel shortages across Ontario and Quebec, increased fuel prices, and increased truck and rail transportation of oil with the attendant environmental risks and increased GHG emissions. “Enbridge intends to continue legal operation of Line 5, as approved by the US federal regulator and consistent with the treaty, pending a US court ruling. “The clock runs out tomorrow. Conservatives urgently call on Prime Minister Trudeau to call President Biden and invoke the 1977 Transit Pipelines Treaty to ensure this vital infrastructure link remains open. Canadians can’t afford another pipeline failure under this Liberal government.”
    May 11, 2021

  • Erin O’Toole calls on Trudeau to vaccinate Canadians by May long weekend

    Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on the Conservative Opposition Day motion calling on Justin Trudeau to ensure Canadians have vaccines by the May long weekend: “Today, Canada’s Conservatives are calling on the Trudeau government to ensure every Canadian adult has access to a vaccine by the May long weekend. There also needs to be a consistent and reliable testing system from coast-to-coast. “Justin Trudeau’s failure to secure sufficient vaccine supply led the government to ignore the direction of the vaccine manufacturers by ordering a four-month wait between doses, longer than any other country in the world. “Canada also has no national system of screening and rapid testing that is critical for a safe reopening. This is perhaps Justin Trudeau’s greatest failure. “According to modelling released by the federal government, Canadians cannot expect to begin to reopen until at least 20 per cent of Canadians are fully vaccinated, and 75 per cent have received at least one dose. “The current supply of vaccines we are receiving are insufficient to reach this goal before many provinces are scheduled to begin lifting their restrictions. “Canadians are frustrated. They want to get back to work, school, and see their loved ones again – and they want to know they are safe while doing so. We need vaccines to make that happen.”
    April 29, 2021

  • Secure Canada’s borders

    Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued the following statement calling on Justin Trudeau to take action and secure Canada’s borders:

    “Throughout April, dozens of COVID-positive flights have been landing in Canada. With them, they have brought the risk of new variants, including the double mutated variant that is currently overwhelming India’s healthcare system.

    “As soon as COVID-19 began to spread, Conservatives called on the Liberals to take action to secure the border and prevent the spread of the virus in Canada.

    “Justin Trudeau has done next to nothing to keep dangerous variants from Brazil, South Africa, and the United Kingdom out of Canada. 

    “We now see daily case counts for each variant on the rise, and shifts in how the virus is impacting Canadians, like more young people getting very sick as a result.

    “Canadians are being told not to go to work. Not to send their children to school. But hundreds of international flights continue to land in Canada each week.

    “We have a small window of opportunity to act, and we must move now. Canada’s Conservatives are calling on Justin Trudeau to secure Canada’s borders, and temporarily suspend flights from hot spot countries immediately.

    “Canadians deserve to know where COVID-19 is spreading, how emerging variants are changing transmission, and what vaccination levels are, both here and abroad. 

    “This temporary suspension will allow Canada to develop a clear set of parameters to identify the risks of emerging variants and share this information clearly with Canadians.”

    April 22, 2021

  • Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole on Justin Trudeau’s budget

    Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued the following statement ahead of Justin Trudeau’s 2021 federal budget:

    “Across the country, Canadians were looking forward to beginning to re-open and to round the corner on COVID-19. But now, we find ourselves in Justin Trudeau’s third wave. 

    “The Prime Minister has moved too slow for this virus – it is racing ahead of us now. Our healthcare workers, our heroes on the frontlines, are breaking their backs because we don’t have adequate vaccine supply.

    “For months, as provinces pleaded for more vaccines, the Liberals have been plotting an election. When Justin Trudeau tables his budget this afternoon, Canadians can expect the Liberal government to incur massive new financial commitments that he expects future generations to pay for. 

    “Justin Trudeau’s ‘reimagined’ economy is a risky ‘Ottawa-knows-best’ approach that picks winners and losers by deciding which jobs, sectors, and regions of our country will be prosperous. This unproven and incompetent economic approach threatens the personal financial security of Canadians.

    “In contrast, Canada’s Conservatives support Canada’s Recovery Plan that secures your personal finances by recovering millions of jobs that have been lost and taking immediate action on the hardest hit sectors, helping those who have suffered the most, including women and young people.

    “We will secure the economic future of Canada by creating new opportunities, more jobs, higher wages, and lower taxes.”

    April 19, 2021