A new Conservative government will also boost the Adoption Expense Tax Credit

Andrew Scheer will make it easier for Canadian families to welcome a new child into their home by introducing EI adoption leave benefits for adoptive parents and boosting the Adoption Expense Tax Credit, David Sweet, the Conservative candidate for Flamborough-Glanbrook, announced today.

“Every year, thousands of Canadians adopt a child. By opening their homes and their hearts, these families provide stability, love, and a brighter future for some of the most vulnerable in Canada and around the world,” Sweet said. “Adoption is one of the most selfless things a Canadian can do. At the same time, it can also involve significant investments of time and money. Andrew Scheer will make it easier for Canadians to begin, expand, or complete their family through adoption.”

A new Conservative government will introduce 15 weeks of EI adoption leave benefits for Canadians who adopt a child under the age of 18. A new Conservative government will also amend the Income Tax Act to boost the Adoption Expense Tax Credit to $20,000, and make the tax credit fully refundable. As a result, those who pay little to no federal income tax will be eligible for up to the maximum amount.

Currently, the maximum tax savings a Canadian adoptive family is eligible to receive in 2020 is $2,482. Under a new Conservative government, that same family will receive $3,000, which is an increase of $518. The tax credit will continue to be indexed as is currently the case.

“Introducing EI adoption leave benefits for adoptive parents and boosting the Adoption Expense Tax Credit are two of the measures a new Conservative government will introduce to help Canadian families get ahead,” Sweet said.

ANDREW SCHEER’S PLAN FOR YOU TO GET AHEAD:

• Scrap the Trudeau Carbon Tax, lowering the cost of everyday essentials like gas, groceries, and home heating.
• Introduce the Universal Tax Cut, saving an average couple $850.
• Take the GST off home heating costs, saving your family $107 every year.
• Introduce the Green Public Transit Tax Credit, saving a family of four who take transit up to $1,000.
• Make maternity benefits tax-free, putting up to $4,000 back in the pockets of new parents.
• Introduce the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, allowing parents to claim up to $1,000 for sports activities.
• Introduce the Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit, letting parents claim up to $500 for arts and learning programs.
• Expand the Age Credit, benefiting the lowest income Canadians the most and giving a senior couple up to $300.
• Boost government-matching to RESPs by 50%, helping parents get more for their kids’ education.
• Introduce the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, putting up to $3,800 back in the pockets of Canadians for green home improvements.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

PBO Costing 1
PBO Costing 2

Trudeau has already raised taxes on more than 80% of middle-class families

Today Justin Trudeau announced that a re-elected Liberal government will immediately introduce legislation to lower taxes for the middle-class. But just like in 2015, Trudeau is lying. He will not lower taxes for middle-class families, he is not as advertised.

Justin Trudeau has already raised taxes by:

• Introducing a carbon tax – up to $1,100 per household.
• Cancelling the Family Tax Cut – up to $2,000 per household.
• Cancelling the Arts and Fitness tax credits – up to $225 per child.
•  Cancelling the Education Tax Credit – up to $720 per student.
• Cancelling the Textbook Tax Credit – up to $100 per student.
• Cancelling the Public Transit Tax Credit – up to $1000 per family.

If Justin Trudeau is re-elected he will:

• Increase natural gas prices for an average household by $469 a year.
• Add 31 cents/litre more to the price of gasoline.
• Implement a 50% tax on the sale of your home.
• Reintroduce tax hikes on Canadian small business by as much as 73%.

Only Andrew Scheer and the Conservative Party can be trusted to put more money in your pocket to help you get ahead:

• Introduce the Universal Tax Cut, saving an average couple $850.
• Take the GST off home heating costs, saving your family $107 every year.
• Introduce the Green Public Transit Tax Credit, saving a family of four who take transit up to $1,000.
• Make maternity benefits tax-free, putting up to $4,000 back in the pockets of new parents.
• Introduce the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, allowing parents to claim up to $1,000 for sports activities.
• Introduce the Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit, letting parents claim up to $500 for arts and learning programs.
• Expand the Age Credit, benefiting the lowest-income Canadians the most and giving a senior couple up to $300.
• Boost government-matching to RESP’s by 50 per cent, helping parents get more for their kids’ education.
• Introduce the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, putting up to $3,800 back in the pockets of Canadians for green home improvements.

Scheer to restore order, fairness, and compassion to Canada’s immigration system

A new Conservative government will restore public confidence in Canada’s immigration system by stopping the flow of illegal border crossers from the United States and prioritizing newcomers from the world’s most dangerous countries, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said.

“Canadians’ confidence in the immigration system has been rocked by Justin Trudeau’s chaos and mismanagement,” Scheer said. “When everybody follows the rules and the laws are enforced, immigration is good for the economy, good for jobs, and good for the people who have chosen to come to Canada.

As Prime Minister, I will take steps to restore confidence in the system and make sure Canada’s immigration system prioritizes those who need Canada’s help the most.”

As Prime Minister, Andrew Scheer will:

• Prioritize funding to support immigration services like language training, credential recognition, as well as services specifically designed for vulnerable newcomers like women, girls, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Prioritize those who apply to come to Canada through the appropriate immigration streams, especially in the family reunification program.
• Close the loophole in the Safe Third Country Agreement.
• Move existing Immigration and Refugee Board judges to common illegal border crossing points, speeding up the process and therefore making it less attractive to enter Canada illegally.
• Hire an additional 250 CBSA enforcement officers.
• Listen carefully to provinces on immigration issues, with an aim to work closely to best accommodate their needs and priorities. A Conservative government would be ready to negotiate with the Government of Quebec to discuss the selection of those who wish to settle in Quebec.  We will be open to requests to amend the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration.

“These measures will restore fairness and compassion to our immigration system while providing stronger enforcement of the law at the border,” said Scheer. “If these measures aren’t taken, confidence in immigration will continue to slide and legitimate refugees will wait longer and longer for Canada’s help.”

FACTS:

• In 2017, Justin Trudeau created an illegal border crossing crisis in Canada with his #WelcomeToCanada tweet, resulting in more than 50,000 illegal border crossers entering Canada and costing taxpayers $1.6 billion.
• A poll in August 2018 found that 65% of Canadians believed the massive influx of illegal border crossers was a “crisis.”
• Justin Trudeau has compensated Roxham Road residents $400,000 of taxpayer money for “disruptions” from those crossing the border illegally.
• Canada is built on a rock-solid foundation of enduring values, democratic institutions, the rule of law, and fundamental and universal human rights, and these values must be reflected in our immigration system.
• Only a Conservative government will restore compassion and fairness to Canada’s immigration system while protecting and securing our borders.

ANDREW SCHEER’S PLAN FOR YOU TO GET AHEAD:

• Scrap the Trudeau Carbon Tax, lowering the cost of everyday essentials like gas, groceries, and home heating.
• Introduce the Universal Tax Cut, saving an average couple $850.
• Take the GST off home heating costs, saving your family $107 every year.
• Introduce the Green Public Transit Tax Credit, saving a family of four who take transit up to $1,000.
• Make maternity benefits tax-free, putting up to $4,000 back in the pockets of new parents.
• Introduce the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, allowing parents to claim up to $1,000 for sports activities.
• Introduce the Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit, letting parents claim up to $500 for arts and learning programs.
• Expand the Age Credit, benefiting the lowest income Canadians the most and giving a senior couple up to $300.
• Boost government-matching to RESPs by 50%, helping parents get more for their kids’ education.
• Introduce the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, putting up to $3,800 back in the pockets of Canadians for green home improvements.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:

– Backgrounder

– PBO Costing

Trudeau refused to rule out legalizing more drugs in TVA debate

Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have left the door wide open to legalizing hard drugs in Canada if re-elected. Trudeau refused to rule out the possibility during the TVA debate saying he wouldn’t legalize hard drugs “right now”.

Here is what Trudeau said: https://youtu.be/KZEgvB0iALc

Parents who doubt Trudeau’s motivation need look no further than the radical positions on drug legalization of those running to be Liberal Members of Parliament across the country.

Studies have show that drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and crystal meth are extremely dangerous substances that tear families apart, make our communities unsafe, and have lasting effects on individuals who choose to use them. 

In 2018, Liberals voted overwhelmingly to remove criminal penalties for the possession of hard drugs: https://youtu.be/mad4EED9jyk

Trudeau’s plan to legalize all drugs is extremely irresponsible, and Canadians deserve to know exactly how this will affect their families and their communities.

Trudeau cannot be trusted to make responsible decisions for Canadian families. He is not as advertised.

Trudeau continues to assert that media stories are false despite ruling that he broke the law

Last night Justin Trudeau unrepentantly lied again to Canadians about the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal. In a debate exchange with Mr. Scheer, Justin Trudeau shockingly asserted that a Globe and Mail story, which first detailed how Justin Trudeau attempted to interfere in an ongoing corruptions and fraud court case, was false.

How do Canadians know Justin Trudeau lied last night? Check the record:

• Trudeau was investigated by the Ethics Commissioner who determined he broke the law over the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal; 
• Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould confirmed to a House of Commons committee that Trudeau pressured her to interfere in the SNC-Lavalin court case;
• Trudeau’s two most senior staff resigned in disgrace and former cabinet minister Jane Philpot resigned in protest over Trudeau’s unethical behavior; and
• The RCMP were blocked from investigating Justin Trudeau’s office.

Despite all this, Justin Trudeau still says the Globe and Mail story is false.

Why? Because Justin Trudeau is not as advertised. He is a fraud and he does not deserve to govern this country.

To ensure this never happens again, a Conservative government will launch a judicial inquiry into the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal and introduce the No More Cover Ups Act to allow the RCMP to access information protected by cabinet confidence.

A new Conservative government will fund projects that get Canadians home faster, reduce commute times

A new Conservative government will fund the Ontario Line and Yonge Subway Extension projects as part of a plan to prioritize projects that get Canadians home faster, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer announced today.

“The Ontario Line and the Yonge Subway Extension are two great examples of projects that reduce commute times and relieve traffic congestion for hard-working commuters,” Scheer said.

“These are exactly the kinds of infrastructure projects a new Conservative government will prioritize and I’m pleased to announce that as Prime Minister, my government will fund them.”

• The 7.4-kilometre Yonge Subway Extension will connect Toronto to Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill – one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario.
• The 15-kilometre Ontario Line will increase capacity by 30 per cent on a critically needed east-west and north-south route.

Scheer was joined by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Richmond Hill Mayor David Barrow and pointed out that despite a $187 billion infrastructure spending commitment, Justin Trudeau has failed to deliver much-needed commuter infrastructure for Canadians.

“Justin Trudeau was elected on a promise to invest in infrastructure and get these kinds of projects built. But four years later, he has spent the money but has nothing to show for it. We got the deficits without the infrastructure,” Scheer said. “Once again, he is not as advertised.”

Only Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to lower your taxes and put more money in your pockets so you can get ahead. We will build the desperately needed infrastructure Canadians need to get home faster at the end of the day.

FACTS:

• Commute times in Toronto are up an average of almost 8 per cent since 2013, with an average commute of 42 minutes.
• The Ontario Line is estimated to cost $10.9 billion and is scheduled to be complete by 2027.
• The Yonge Subway Extension is estimated to cost $5.6 billion and should be operational right after the Ontario Line opens.
• A new Conservative government would fund projects that reduce commute times across the country like the George Massey Tunnel replacement project in Vancouver and the third link across the Saint Lawrence River in Québec City.
• According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), for every dollar Justin Trudeau promised for infrastructure, he only spent 60 cents: “the Government failed to spend about 40 per cent of its planned infrastructure budget.”
• Analysis showed that for all his spending, there are no substantial results to show for it.
• In its analysis of Budget 2018, the PBO reported: “Budget 2018 provides an incomplete account of the changes to the Government’s $186.7 billion infrastructure spending plan. PBO requested the new plan but it does not exist.”
• If given four more years, Justin Trudeau’s debt and never-ending deficits will delay badly needed infrastructure, threatening the future of important projects like the Ontario Line and Yonge Subway Extension, and doing nothing to reduce commute times.
• Trudeau’s Carbon tax will add 31 cents a litre to the price of gas, adding hundreds of dollars to the cost of everyday essentials. In Ontario, his carbon tax will cost you over a thousand dollars each and every year.

ANDREW SCHEER’S PLAN FOR YOU TO GET AHEAD:

• Scrap the Trudeau Carbon Tax, lowering the cost of everyday essentials like gas, groceries, and home heating.
• Introduce the Universal Tax Cut, saving an average couple $850.
• Take the GST off home heating costs, saving your family $107 every year.
• Introduce the Green Public Transit Tax Credit, saving a family of four who take transit up to $1,000.
• Make maternity benefits tax-free, putting up to $4,000 back in the pockets of new parents.
• Introduce the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, allowing parents to claim up to $1,000 for sports activities.
• Introduce the Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit, letting parents claim up to $500 for arts and learning programs.
• Expand the Age Credit, benefiting the lowest income Canadians the most and giving a senior couple up to $300.
• Boost government-matching to RESP’s by 50 per cent, helping parents get more for their kids’ education.
• Introduce the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, putting up to $3,800 back in the pockets of Canadians for green home improvements.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Background

Trudeau’s story has changed at least four times since 2001

After media reports revealed that Justin Trudeau wore blackface during an event at West Point Grey Academy, Canadians have been asking why exactly Justin Trudeau left his teaching job at the school. It’s understandable why people have questions, after all Trudeau’s story has changed four times since 2001.

First, the Ottawa Citizen reported in 2001 that Trudeau would “give up his teaching job at a Vancouver private school next September to give speeches.” Several days later this claim was refuted by Trudeau in a statement issued by lawfirm Heenan Blaikie. The Montreal Gazette reported Trudeau was accepting a teaching job at a public school.

In his 2014 autobiography, Trudeau says he left the school after a dispute with the administration over an article written in the school newspaper. According to Trudeau, he convinced a student to write an article criticizing the fact that the girls at the school were never reprimanded for the way they dress. This article was deemed disrespectful by the school’s administration.

The Vancouver Sun reported in 2015 that the reason Trudeau left the school was “in part over a dispute over dress code and values.”

In a 2019 book by John Ivison, Trudeau’s departure is summed up as “a disagreement over an article written by a student for which Trudeau was responsible”.

On October 4, 2019 Trudeau said he left the school “because [he] was moving on with [his] life”.

That same day, the former headmaster of the school said that Trudeau left the school because he was going to study to be an engineer.

Why did Justin Trudeau leave West Point Grey Academy? What’s the real reason? Why has his story changed so many times, and if the above reports are incorrect, why hasn’t Trudeau corrected the record?

Trudeau will have the opportunity tonight to tell Canadians the truth.  

On behalf of Canada’s Conservatives, Mike Lake candidate for Edmonton – Wetaskiwin released the following statement:

“There is an estimated 1 in 66 Canadians aged 5 to 17 who are diagnosed with autism. Across Canada, families work tirelessly to support their children and care for their loved ones. Evidence-based therapies and services can cost up to $80,000 per year for children with high needs. The financial costs added to missed work, drives to appointments, and late nights all add up.

“At present, across the country, provinces and territories struggle to meet the growing needs of the autism community. There are jurisdictional inequalities in service deliveries that force families to move or seek services away from home.

“Canada’s Conservatives believe that the federal government can play an important role in developing a strategy to assist those living with autism and their families. As Prime Minister, Andrew Scheer will work with autism stakeholders to develop a National Autism Strategy.

“An initial investment of $50 million over five years would be invested to develop a comprehensive strategy in consultation with autistic individuals, autism organizations, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, and indigenous communities. The National Autism Strategy will be person-centred, include first-person perspectives, will be culturally appropriate, and will reflect the needs of Canada’s northern, rural, and remote communities.

“This is an important first step to support Canadians’ access to meaningful support and resources to live to their full potential, no matter where they live.

“A new Conservative government will work together with autism organizations across Canada, and the greater autism community to address the needs of the autism community so they can live their best life possible.”

New Conservative government to remove museum admission fees, celebrate past Prime Ministers

A new Conservative government will scrap admission fees from all of Canada’s national museums, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer announced today.

Removing these fees will make it easier for families to learn about Canada’s proud history and will make school field trips and family vacations more affordable.

“National museums celebrate Canada by sharing our foundational stories and most cherished artifacts, the very things that make us Canadian. They are places of beauty, discovery, and inspiration,” said Scheer. “Making them more accessible to Canadians and visitors is part of our plan to celebrate Canadian culture and make life more affordable for families across the country.”

As Prime Minister, Andrew Scheer will make it free to visit national museums 365 days a year for every visitor.

There are nine national museums across Canada:

• Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau, Quebec)
• Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
• Canada Science and Technology Museum (Ottawa, Ontario)
• National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• Canadian War Museum (Ottawa, Ontario)

A new Conservative government will also designate the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan as a national museum. Admission would also be free.

Scheer announced that a new Conservative government will also designate the gravesites of past Prime Ministers and Governors General as national historic sites.

“We can and we should celebrate the achievements of our historical giants like William Lyon Mackenzie King, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and Sir John A. Macdonald,” Scheer said. “These leaders, and others, have left their mark not only on our country, but on the entire world and they are worthy of honour and respect.”

FACTS:

• The first National Museum of Canada was established by the Department of Mines in 1927.
• The current system of national museums (listed above) are administered by six Crown Corporations.
• According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, this move would save Canadians more than $20 million per year.
• Admission fees generally represent small proportions of these museums’ revenue mix; these other revenue streams, including Parliamentary appropriations, will not be impacted by this measure, except to increase the appropriations to compensate for reduced revenue from this policy.
• Smithsonian Institution museums in Washington, D.C. have offered free admission since 1846.

ANDREW SCHEER’S PLAN FOR YOU TO GET AHEAD:

• Scrap the Trudeau Carbon Tax, lowering the cost of everyday essentials like gas, groceries, and home heating.
• Introduce the Universal Tax Cut, saving an average couple $850.
• Take the GST off home heating costs, saving your family $107 every year.
• Introduce the Green Public Transit Tax Credit, saving a family of four who take transit up to $1,000.
• Make maternity benefits tax-free, putting up to $4,000 back in the pockets of new parents.
• Introduce the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, allowing parents to claim up to $1,000 for sports activities.
• Introduce the Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit, letting parents claim up to $500 for arts and learning programs.
• Expand the Age Credit, benefiting the lowest income Canadians the most and giving a senior couple up to $300.
• Boost government-matching to RESPs by 50%, helping parents get more for their kids’ education.
• Introduce the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, putting up to $3,800 back in the pockets of families who make green-home improvements.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:

–Backgrounder

–PBO Costing 1

–PBO Costing 2

A new Conservative government would engage new strategies, partnerships and provide funding to support critical industry

Alfie MacLeod, Conservative Candidate for Cape Breton – Canso, and Eddie Orrell, Conservative Candidate for Sydney – Victoria, were in Glace Bay today to speak with local fish harvesters about Andrew Scheer’s plan to promote and support Canada’s fisheries by adopting new strategies and partnerships to strengthen relationships and build consensus on how to restore fish stocks. Similar announcements were made by Conservative candidates across the country.

“The Trudeau Liberals have failed to consult fish harvesters over the past four years and this has had a real impact on our coastal communities,” said Alfie MacLeod. “Livelihoods throughout our province depend on the fishery.  Conservatives will work with Nova Scotians to strengthen this vital resource.”

To renew engagement and consultation to support our fisheries, a new Conservative government will:

• Create advisory panels with fish harvesters and anglers, Indigenous groups, and other experts as appropriate, to rebuild critical stocks and ensure that everyone is working together.
• Enhance and rebuild wild Atlantic and Pacific salmon stocks by increasing support for community-led conservation and enhancement projects and increasing the price of the Salmon Conservation Stamp for non-residents to benefit the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
• Complete new recovery plans for all of Canada’s critical fisheries and develop strategies for managing predators and invasive species where necessary.
• Repeal measures that bypass community consultations for Marine Protected Areas while ensuring that the process is robust and timely. Justin Trudeau’s changes have short circuited important community consultations for Marine Protected Areas.
• Work with industry to develop a strategy for preventing seafood fraud.
• Create a modern aquaculture act.
• Support the advancement of technology and practices that reduce contact between wild and farmed salmon.

“It is so important to note the important role that fisheries play in our local economies,” said Alfie MacLeod. “To maintain infrastructure and support communities, a new Conservative government will provide $250 million in additional support for small craft harbours.”

Supporting our fisheries is also an important part of A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment. As part of our efforts to combat oceans plastic, a new Conservative government will work with international partners to reduce the prevalence of “ghost gear”, or abandoned and lost gear, which entangles marine wildlife and contributes to the world’s oceans’ plastic problem. We will work to protect our oceans against one of the deadliest forms of marine litter.

“A new Conservative government will support our fishing industry to ensure our local communities and economies continue to thrive,” said Eddie Orrell. “These are necessary measures – strategies, partnerships, and funding – to make sure this critical industry continues to thrive.”

Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives: “Justin Trudeau is not as advertised. This election, Canadians have a choice. Between the poor judgement of Justin Trudeau, and a new, positive Conservative government that will take immediate action to give you more help at home.” 

Supporting Document:

Backgrounder