The State of Canadian Infrastructure The centrepiece of Justin Trudeau’s 2015 campaign was his promise to invest $180 billion over 12 years in infrastructure. However, the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) found there was no additional infrastructure built in Canada over and above what would have otherwise been built. In fact, the Liberals allowed one-third of the infrastructure funding for their Investing in Canada Plan for 2016-2019 to sit unused. The PBO found that the infrastructure plan touted by the Liberals “does not exist.” The Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) was also a key platform pledge for Justin Trudeau in 2015, promising that it would be operational by 2017 with a clear mission to invest $35 billion of federal funding in revenue-generating infrastructure projects. The PBO also found the CIB has had a limited impact since it was not successful in securing private investment and has failed to invest the billions of dollars set aside for its mandate. To date, the CIB has invested only $4.3 billion of its $35 billion budget. In fact, the CIB has made more headlines for the exorbitant bonuses it has paid its executives than for actual project investments. Unleashing Canada’s Infrastructure Spending Canada’s Conservatives will refocus Canada’s infrastructure spending on getting money out the door for shovel-ready projects. Through Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will immediately invest in key projects that will create jobs, cut commute times, improve quality of life for Canadians, and reduce emissions. A Conservative government will make historic investments in nationally significant projects across the country, such as the SkyTrain extension to Langley (British Columbia), Ontario’s GTA transit plan, Quebec City’s Third Link (Quebec), the Calgary Green Line (Alberta) and VIA Rail’s high-frequency rail project. Canada’s Conservatives will also ensure that our infrastructure spending benefits Canadian workers by requiring that equipment and materials for federally funded infrastructure projects be purchased from Canadian companies, or from countries where there is a mutual agreement to allow workers to supply each other’s infrastructure projects. Supporting Northern Infrastructure Conservatives realize that infrastructure spending is not only needed in our urban centres, but also in our northern and rural areas. Canadians from coast to coast to coast rely on infrastructure like roads, bridges, and ports to get around, including ensuring these projects can weather the harsher conditions in Northern Canada. A Conservative government will ensure that the territories receive their fair share of infrastructure funding by reserving a funding envelope for them that accounts for the high construction costs and weather conditions in the North. Conservatives will address the Northern infrastructure gap in housing, telecommunications, transportation, energy, and climate change preparedness. Connecting more communities concurrently to the power grid, road and broadband networks will also reduce reliance on diesel fuels and improve the quality of life for residents in these communities. The Conservative plan for northern infrastructure includes: -- The Grays Bay Port and Road Project -- The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Line -- Completing the Tuktoyaktuk road and port -- A large-scale project to provide clean power to the Yukon, developed in partnership with the Government of the Yukon Bridging the Digital Divide The Trudeau government set up eight different federal funding programs for broadband, including the Universal Broadband Fund, Connect to Innovate, Connecting Canadians, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Broadband Fund, rural and northern economic development funds, and funding available through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The Liberals made numerous big-dollar broadband announcements, but like the rest of their infrastructure announcements, few projects have been funded and built as they don’t coordinate with other levels of government, or even among themselves. They also require private sector companies to jump through many regulatory hoops to get projects built. Some rural broadband projects take three to five years to get approved. Canada’s Conservatives are committed to connecting all of Canada to high-speed Internet by 2025. A Conservative government will consolidate all rural broadband programs and work with telecommunications companies to immediately begin a massive investment in rural broadband access and increased network capacity. Canada’s Conservatives will also work closely with the provinces to coordinate federal investments and ensure money goes out the door to shovel-ready projects.

Ottawa, ON – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, announced his plan to build key infrastructure to get the economy moving through Canada’s Recovery Plan. “As Prime Minister, I will end the delays and get shovels in the ground on these major infrastructure projects to create jobs and improve the lives of millions of Canadians,” said O’Toole. “We’re going to build the world-class public transit, road, and 5G networks our country needs to compete and get every part of Canada moving again.” Instead of building the modern infrastructure needed for growing communities across Canada, the Trudeau Liberal government sat on billions of unspent infrastructure dollars and waited months to step up as a full funding partner for nationally significant projects. Canada’s Conservatives will be partners on key projects across the country, like Ontario’s GTA transit plan, Vancouver’s SkyTrain extension to Langley, Quebec City’s Third Link, and the Calgary Green Line. Through Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will immediately unlock those unused dollars and invest in shovel-ready projects that will put Canadians to work, cut commute times, and clean up the environment. Under the infrastructure plan, Canada’s Conservatives will also: -- Provide more flexibility to municipalities and First Nations by removing onerous requirements to receive federal infrastructure funding. -- Scrap the failed Canada Infrastructure Bank and commit the money sitting unused on its books to infrastructure projects that can strengthen our economy. -- Reprioritize the Investing in Canada Plan toward infrastructure projects that would have the maximum benefit for economic recovery. -- Build digital infrastructure to connect all of Canada to high-speed Internet by 2025. “Our infrastructure investments are pivotal to rebuilding our economy and making life easier for Canadians,” said O’Toole. “Only Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to build infrastructure faster and create good jobs for Canadians to fuel our recovery.”

Ottawa, ON — Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, shared his plan to get government spending under control and balance the budget over the next decade. “The Trudeau government is spending $424 million a day more than we can afford and neither the Liberals nor the NDP have a plan to prevent endless deficits,” said O’Toole. “Only Canada’s Conservatives have a detailed plan to put Canada’s fiscal house in order and protect social services.” The Conservative plan to secure Canada’s finances will: -- Adopt a responsible and measured approach to balance the budget over the next decade. -- Rein in deficits to address inflation and the rising cost of necessities like groceries and gas. -- Wind down emergency pandemic supports in a responsible and compassionate way as the recovery gets underway. -- Invest in targeted stimulus measures, such as infrastructure, to create jobs and improve the quality of life of Canadians. -- Get back to robust economic growth with Canada’s Recovery Plan, a plan to grow the economy. “Canadians will have a critical choice in the coming election: to continue down the path of failure and soaring debt with the Liberals and NDP,” said O’Toole. “Or, a Conservative government that will build a stronger Canada with great jobs and rising wages. A Canada where every sector of the economy can share in the success of our great nation.”

Ottawa, ON – Today, Conservative Candidate Pierre Paul-Hus commented on resurfaced documents that show Justin Trudeau’s Liberal candidate owes arrears to the Government of Quebec: “Justin Trudeau frequently criticizes Canadians, saying taxpayers need to pay their fair share of taxes. However, for the last two years, one of Justin Trudeau’s candidates has owed taxes to Revenu Québec, and has not been paying his fair share. “Even Trudeau’s candidate, Steven Guilbeault, has said himself that others should pay their ‘fair share.’ This is typical of the Trudeau Liberals – one set of rules for them, another set of rules for everyone else. “Trudeau’s candidate needs to come clean, and tell Canadians how much he owes in taxes, and pay his fair share, like all other Canadian families.”

King City, ON – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, released his plan to ban puppy mills, end abuse and violence against animals, and protect the humans who care for them. During the pandemic, many Canadians opened up their homes to welcome a pet. In fact, over half of Canadian homes now have a pet and 90 per cent of Canadian pet owners see their pet as a family member. However, this trend has brought to light additional issues for animal welfare, including a surge in unethical breeding and animal abuse. “We also know that there is a link between cruelty to animals and violence towards people,” said O’Toole. “Canada’s Conservatives will add animal cruelty as an aggravating factor in domestic violence prosecutions to go after abusers who hurt their spouse by hurting their spouse’s pet. We will also support pet owners fleeing violence by working with shelters to ensure that there are better options for women to leave abusive homes without having to abandon their pets.” Canada’s Conservatives will: -- Ban puppy mills and stop imports of animals bred inhumanely. -- Strengthen the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s ability to enforce current regulations and seize animals when imported under poor welfare conditions. -- Ban cosmetic testing on animals. -- Add animal cruelty as an aggravating factor in domestic violence prosecutions to go after abusers who hurt their spouse by hurting their pet. -- Support pet owners fleeing violence by working with the sector to ensure there are better options for women to leave abusive homes without having to abandon their pets. -- Provide $10 million a year to train judges and prosecutors on the links between violence against animals and violence against people. -- Work with the Council of Ministers of Education to promote animal welfare education as part of a child’s education on the environment and sustainability. “As someone who is proud to call our dog Wexford not only a loyal companion and best friend, but a part of our family, I will work diligently to secure the future for our furry friends,” O’Toole said.

Saint-Hyacinthe, QC – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, introduced his plan to rebuild Main Streets across the country and help small businesses get back on their feet and create jobs. “Canada’s small businesses employ millions of people and have been hit hard by the pandemic,” O’Toole said. “They need real support to help rebuild or restart their business and hire back workers – and that’s exactly what Canada’s Recovery Plan will deliver.” To restore the one million jobs lost during the pandemic and rebuild Canada’s Main Streets, a Conservative government will introduce the Rebuild Main Street Tax Credit. The new incentive will give Canadians an opportunity to support small businesses by providing a 25 per cent tax credit on amounts of up to $100,000 that someone personally invests in a small business over the next two years. A Conservative government will also introduce the Rebuild Main Street Business Loan, which will immediately make available interest-free loans of up to $200,000 to help small and medium businesses, with up to 25 per cent forgiven depending on revenue losses. These loans are significantly more generous than the Liberals’ $60,000 Canada Emergency Business Account loan, which fell short of the needs of thousands of eligible businesses. In addition to the Rebuild Main Street Tax Credit and the Rebuild Main Street Business Loan, Canada’s Conservatives will introduce a Canada Investment Accelerator tax credit, which will provide five per cent back for any capital investment made in 2022 and 2023, with the first $25,000 to be refundable for small businesses. “Canadian small businesses have given back to their communities in countless ways – whether it was sponsoring the local kids’ soccer team or raising money for charity,” said O’Toole. “A Conservative government will have their backs and ensure we secure the future for Canada’s Main Streets.”

Corner Brook, NL – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, released his plan to increase EI benefits for seriously ill workers from 26 to 52 weeks. “Canadian workers should know we have their backs if they become seriously ill,” said O’Toole. “But all too often, workers see their EI run out after 26 weeks while battling life-threatening diseases like cancer. Canadian workers and their families deserve better. It is time for the government to stand up for workers and their health.” With Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will ensure that workers who need to take sick leave receive the support they need to recover and support their families by increasing EI sickness benefits from 26 weeks to 52 weeks for those suffering from a serious illness. “You can’t have a healthy economy without healthy workers. Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to put workers at the front of the country’s recovery and get the economy back on track,” O’Toole said. “Together, we can secure the future.”

Ottawa, ON – Today, Conservative Candidates, Yves Levesque and Michael Barrett, commented on a resurfaced column in which Justin Trudeau’s candidate for Trois-Rivières criticizes Trudeau for his corruption. “Justin Trudeau is too corrupt for even his own candidates – and it’s not surprising. Trudeau has been found guilty of breaking federal law twice, and his cover-ups and deception have become commonplace,” said Barrett. In an editorial dated July 15, 2020, Martin Francoeur, Liberal Candidate for Trois-Rivières, criticizes Justin Trudeau’s WE scandal, saying, “The fact of awarding a contract without a tender to an organization closely linked to the Trudeau family is a perfectly stupid move.” He goes on to say that the Prime Minister’s apology “does not detract from the gravity of these acts of favouritism and this form of interference by the Prime Minister.” Francoeur continues, “Therein lies the problem with Justin Trudeau. His lapses of ethics and his annoying tendency to place himself in a situation of conflict of interest seem most often associated with candour or a kind of carelessness or even a lack of judgment, which makes the matter even more astounding.” The Liberal candidate concludes his column by citing when Justin Trudeau broke federal law, including Trudeau’s trip to a billionaire’s island. “Does Mr. Francoeur still think Justin Trudeau is a corrupt politician,” asked Levesque. “And will Mr. Francoeur speak out against other Liberal candidates, like Judy Sgro, who believe that federal laws should not apply to them?” “Canadians can’t afford any more of Justin Trudeau’s corruption,” Barrett and Levesque concluded. “Canada’s Recovery Plan is Erin O’Toole’s plan to secure the future by restoring accountability to Ottawa.” The full column can be read here: https://www.lenouvelliste.ca/opinions/editorial/lethique-elastique-de-justin-trudeau-b04eeaba5539dd2d13fda450752d11c9

Ottawa, ON – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, introduced his plan to protect gig economy workers by ensuring their access to employment insurance (EI) benefits. “Millions of Canadians don’t qualify for EI because they’re on contract or only have temporary work,” O’Toole said. “So when a crisis like COVID-19 hit, these workers had no safety net. A Conservative government will provide security to gig economy workers.” With Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will require gig economy companies to make contributions equivalent to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and EI premiums into a new, portable Employee Savings Account every time they pay their workers. The money will grow tax-free and can be used to pay CPP premiums or accumulate savings that will be withdrawn by the worker when they need it. “The Canadian workplace has changed and the support Canada provides to workers must change as well,” said O’Toole. “Only Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to secure the future for Canadian workers.”

Brantford, ON – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, introduced the Canada Mental Health Action Plan. The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened Canada’s mental health crisis, especially for youth. After a year of lockdowns, one in five Canadians has screened positive for symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. “As a country, we need to recognize that mental health is health,” said O’Toole. “We have tremendous work to do to end the stigma and build more integrated mental health care systems across the country. Only Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to secure the mental health of Canadians.” To help those struggling with mental health, as part of the Canada Mental Health Action Plan, a Conservative government will: -- Massively boost health transfers to the provinces to six per cent annually, doubling the Liberal commitment and representing $60 billion more health care dollars over the next 10 years. -- Work with the provinces to invest in mental health as the health priority it is with the goal of providing enough funding through health transfers for an additional million Canadians to receive mental health treatment every year and cut the waitlists for help. -- Encourage employers to add mental health coverage to the employee benefit plans or boost their coverage by offering a tax credit for 25 per cent of the cost of additional mental health coverage for the first three years. -- Provide $150 million over three years in grants to nonprofits and charities delivering mental health and wellness programming. -- Create a nationwide three-digit suicide prevention hotline. -- Make the single largest investment in Canadian history for mental health supports for Indigenous people by providing $1 billion over five years to boost funding for Indigenous mental health and drug treatment programs, including providing culturally appropriate supports. “Canada’s Conservatives believe that mental health is as important as physical health and now is the time to act,” said O’Toole. “I want Canadians who are struggling to know that we are here to support you and ensure help is on the way.”