The Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, today released the following statement on Remembrance Day:

To every Veteran across Canada, on this Remembrance Day, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and for everything you have given in the service of our country.

Your bravery is why Canadians from coast to coast enjoy the freedoms that we do today. Your courage is why so many from around the world continue to seek out Canada to realize its promise of peace and freedom.

No matter where you have served – in World War II or the Korean War, in Afghanistan, or in conflict zones around the world – you deserve our unconditional and heartfelt gratitude. Not just on Remembrance Day – but every day.

On behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, we will never forget those we have lost. We will always honour their memory, and we will always cherish the heroes who put their lives on the line for us.

Justin Trudeau is scheming up a plot to cling to power by forming a coalition with the NDP. This is the coalition that you cannot afford.

We know that the Trudeau-NDP coalition will mean:

• Higher taxes;
• Bigger deficits;
• And, fewer good-paying jobs.

The last time there was a Liberal-NDP coalition was from October 1972 to July 8, 1974 under Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

In less than two years, the Liberal-NDP coalition:

• Jacked up personal income taxes by 40 per cent.
• Increased taxes on job creators by 66 per cent.
• Raised other taxers by 61 per cent.
• Increased Canada’s total debt by 19 per cent.

Source: Finance Canada Fiscal Reference Tables, September 2019.
Can be viewed at: https://www.fin.gc.ca/frt-trf/2019/frt-trf-19-eng.asp

Now is not the time for a Trudeau-NDP coalition that you can’t afford. Only a Conservative majority government will put more money in your pockets so you can get ahead.

Both Liberals and NDP say they will halt all new pipeline development

Both Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh’s campaigns mused yesterday about cancelling ongoing and future pipeline projects. Singh doubled-down yesterday reminding Canadians that he’s “fully opposed to Trans Mountain”.

Meanwhile, Trudeau’s star candidate in Quebec confirmed that under Trudeau’s plan “many of these [pipelines] are incompatible with the goals we have for 2030”.

The Trudeau-NDP coalition is the coalition you can’t afford. Their radical position on pipeline development will mean fewer jobs for Canadians and less future revenue that can be put toward health care, education and social services across Canada.

As a result, a Trudeau-NDP coalition would be forced to raise taxes on middle-class Canadians in order to fund any new health care spending.

Only Andrew Scheer and the Conservative Party has a plan to build a national energy corridor that will encourage greater investment in the Canadian energy sector. Greater economic development means Andrew Scheer will be able to lower taxes to put more money in your pocket to help you get ahead.

There is one set of rules for Trudeau Liberals and another set of rules for the rest of us

Media are reporting that Trudeau Liberal, Sven Spengemann didn’t disclose his position as a director of cannabis start-up, Andean Farm and Pharma Corp. The company is co-founded by Liberal insider, Dan Veniez.

Corporate cronyism has become all too common under Justin Trudeau. It’s not surprising that Mr. Spengemann believed he could get away with this after Justin Trudeau bent to the will of the corporate lobbyists at SNC-Lavalin.

It’s clear that there are one set of rules for Trudeau and his friends, and another set of rules for the rest of us.

Justin Trudeau and his Liberal candidates have no respect for rules and it’s clear that he cannot be trusted. If re-elected, Justin Trudeau will continue to break laws and grant insider access to Liberals and corporate lobbyists.

Under Prime Minister Andrew Scheer the corruption in Ottawa will end. It starts with introducing legislation to attach stiff penalties for violating ethics laws and strengthen the powers of parliamentary watchdogs.

A Conservative government led by Andrew Scheer will uphold the rule of law, respect our democratic institutions, and help all Canadians get ahead.

Liberals continue to attack whistleblowers and bully critics who stands up to their corrupt behaviour

Ottawa, Ontario – The media are reporting that a whistleblower was let go by a Trudeau cabinet minister after the whistleblower tried to flag concerns about a conflict of interest. According to the media, the Liberal Government appointed Moreen Miller as the new Chair of the of Defence Construction Canada (DCC). The only problem is that Ms. Miller continued her role as President of Fowler, a firm that bids on DCC contracts.

Only now, after once again being exposed, the Government was forced to order an ‘urgent’ investigation into the file. This, on the eve of an election.

This is a pattern. First Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was thrown under the bus for raising concerns about the Trudeau government’s unethical behaviour. Then Jody-Wilson Raybould was fired for raising concerns about the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal.  Now a third whistleblower has been let go for flagging a conflict of interest.

It’s obvious that there are one set of rules for Trudeau and his friends, and another set of rules for the rest of us.

Justin Trudeau cannot be trusted and if he is re-elected he will continue to break laws and grant insider access to Liberals and corporate lobbyists.

Under Prime Minister Andrew Scheer the corruption in Ottawa will end. It starts with a judicial inquiry into the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal and introducing the No More Cover Ups Act to allow the RCMP to access information protected by cabinet confidence.

Justin Trudeau is scheming up a plot to cling to power by forming a coalition with the NDP. This is the coalition that you cannot afford.

We know that the Trudeau-NDP Coalition will mean:

• Higher taxes;
• Higher deficits;
• And, fewer good-paying jobs.

But, what exactly does it mean for you? We did the math.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has listed his five demands to be a part of the coalition:

1. Wealth Tax
2. Pharmacare
3. Universal Dental Care
4. Affordable Housing
5. Removing Interest from Federal Student Loans

When you combine these promises with the Liberal platform, it will mean even bigger deficits and higher taxes.

The Liberal/NDP Coalition Deficits will average $34.7 billion over the next four years.

To pay just half of their deficits, the coalition would have to:

• Raise the lowest personal income tax bracket from 15% to 19.5%
• Raise the GST from 5% to 7.5%
• Cut the Canada Health Transfer by 41%
• Cut the Canada Social Transfer by 100%

Source: Liberal Platform, NDP Fiscal Plan

Source: PBO Ready Reckoner, PBO Election Costing Baseline

Families will start saving hundreds of dollars per year for coldest winter months

As part of its 100 Day Action Plan, a new Conservative government will repeal Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax as its first piece of legislation, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said today. 

Scheer has already announced that he will convene Parliament, at which time he will introduce and pass the Carbon Tax Repeal Act so Canadians aren’t stuck paying a carbon tax over another long, cold winter.

“Canadians cannot afford to be punished every time they drive their kids to school or turn up their thermostat on a cold winter day,” Scheer said. “That’s why a new Conservative government will make sure Trudeau’s carbon tax is history by January 1 and we will use every legislative tool at our disposal to get it done.”

Trudeau’s Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has already confirmed that the carbon tax will go up if the Liberals are re-elected, but hasn’t said by how much. With Trudeau and the NDP now scheming to form a coalition government, Scheer said the carbon tax will go through the roof.

“A government with Trudeau as the spokesman and the NDP calling the shots would be the worst possible outcome for Canadians,” Scheer said. “Part of the NDP’s price to keep Trudeau in power will be a massive increase to the carbon tax. It’s the coalition Canadians can’t afford.”

Scheer also highlighted another part of his 100 Day Action Plan: removing the GST from Canadians’ home heating bills.

“In Canada, heating your home is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Scheer said.  “Rising home energy costs are a particular burden on low and middle class families. Justin Trudeau believes we should tax these families for the privilege of heating their homes. I disagree. I will take the GST off home heating in my first 100 days as Prime Minister.”

Scheer highlighted how families in Ontario will save as a result of these measures.  Repealing the Trudeau Carbon Tax will save the average Ontario family $244 per year, while removing the GST on home energy costs will save them $114 more. 

ANDREW SCHEER’S FIRST 100 DAY ACTION PLAN

1. Introduce ‘Get Ahead Fiscal Update’ within 45 of days of taking office.
2. Implement Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, Children’s Fitness Tax Credit,
3. Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit and Green Public Transit Tax Credit by January 1, 2020.
4. Call a Premier’s Meeting for January 6, 2020, to discuss removing trade barriers between provinces.
5. Begin negotiations with Quebec on a single tax return.
6. Bring in a maximum penalty of $20,000 for politicians who break the Conflict of Interest Act.
7. Scrap the Trudeau Carbon Tax by January 1, 2020.
8. Take the GST off home energy costs by January 1, 2020.

HOW YOU WILL GET AHEAD: 

• Under a new Conservative government, an average retired couple living in Tsawwassen will save $2,580 a year.
• Under a new Conservative government, a family of four – soon to be five – in Montreal will save $4,642 a year.
• Under a new Conservative government, a family of four in Markham will save $3,264 a year. 

ANDREW SCHEER’S PLAN TO HELP YOU 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.

New Conservative government to bring real accountability and transparency to government

A new Conservative government will introduce legislation to attach stiff penalties for violating ethics laws and strengthen the powers of parliamentary watchdogs during its first 100 days, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer announced today.

Scheer said he will establish penalties for violations of the Conflict of Interest Act that do not currently carry penalties. The penalties will be proportional to the severity of the violation and the seniority of the offender and they will carry a maximum fine of $20,000. This includes the sections of the Act that deal with conflict of interest, preferential treatment, insider information, influence, accepting gifts and other violations.

“When you break ethics laws, as Justin Trudeau has done twice, there should be real consequences,” Scheer said. “As Prime Minister, I will make sure politicians who break the law to benefit themselves and their friends will pay a heavy price.”

When Finance Minister Bill Morneau failed to disclose his villa in France to the Ethics Commissioner, he was only forced to pay a fine of $200.

When Justin Trudeau was found guilty of violating the Conflict of Interest Act for accepting a free vacation to the Aga Khan’s private island and for interfering in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin, there were no penalties at all.

“Canadians expect accountability when their leaders violate the law and violate their trust and that’s what I will deliver,” Scheer said.

Currently, the maximum fine for breaching the Conflict of Interest Act is five hundred dollars, and only applies when public office holders fail to meet reporting requirements.

A new Conservative government will also restore accountability and transparency in government by:

• Increasing oversight powers of the Ethics Commissioner and Lobbying Commissioner
• Strengthening lobbying restrictions
• Closing the loophole in the Conflict of Interest Act that allows the indirect holding of shares by Cabinet ministers
• Introducing legislative reforms for whistleblowers

Scheer has already announced he will hold a judicial inquiry into the SNC-Lavalin scandal and pass the No More Cover Ups Act, which will prevent corrupt politicians from using Cabinet confidence to cover up their scandals.

“In 2015, Justin Trudeau promised he would be ethical and accountable. Every day since then, he has proven that he is not as advertised,” Scheer said. “Time and time again, he and his Ministers have abused the power of their office for their own personal gain. A Prime Minister who so willingly deceives and breaks the law simply cannot be entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of governing for Canada.”

On October 21, Canadians have a choice between Justin Trudeau who abuses his power, bends the law for his friends, attempts to silence his critics and destroys their reputations – and a Conservative government led by Andrew Scheer who will uphold the rule of law, respect our democratic institutions, and help all Canadians get ahead.

FACTS:

• The Conflict of Interest Act was introduced by the previous Conservative government through the Federal Accountability Act, replacing the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders.
• Currently Canada’s Conflict of Interest Act “does not provide for any sanctions for breaches found following an examination by the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner.”
• The only penalties the Ethics Commissioner has the power to impose under the Act are “administrative monetary penalties,” which only apply when public office holders fail to meet reporting requirements.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

Background

CPC Platform

Trudeau calls on Québecers to fight Ontario and Alberta

Today during a press conference, Justin Trudeau called on Québecers to fight Albertans and Ontarians.

Here is what Trudeau said:

“[Q]uébecers need to stand up and fight against those like Jason Kenney and Doug Ford and other conservative politicians.”

But here is what Trudeau said just yesterday:

“Everything I tried to do in the last four years has been focused on bringing the country together. Yet we find ourselves now in a more polarized, more divisive election than even the 2015 one.”

Justin Trudeau disparages the 19 million Canadians these leaders represent. He is a hypocrite and cannot be trusted to unite Canadians. Trudeau is simply not as advertised.

Regardless of our differences, or our political views, politicians should never pit Canadians against one another. Trudeau’s comment today is unbecoming of an individual who aspires to be Prime Minister, and whose job it is to unite Canadians.

This is just another example of how Justin Trudeau will do and say anything to get re-elected, even turn Canadians against each other for his own political gain.

Andrew Scheer is a consensus builder, he has run a positive campaign focused on what leaders across provinces and cities can accomplish together, regardless of party affiliation.

The Conservative Party is the party of nation building and on October 22nd, we will start to repair the damage Justin Trudeau has done to our federation.

New conservative government to extend EI parental leave to parents in mourning

A new Conservative government will ensure that EI parental leave is extended for eight weeks following the death of a baby, affording parents experiencing unimaginable tragedy a much-needed opportunity to begin coping with their loss.

“With this policy, we hope to give grieving parents some much-needed support during a time of unimaginable loss,” said Blake Richards, Conservative Candidate for Banff-Airdrie. “The government can, and must, do more to support Canadians undergoing such trying times.”

The loss of a child is a situation no parents should ever have to face. Unfortunately, so many Canadians across the country are put in this terrible situation and parents are sometimes forced to return to work with no opportunity to begin to address the profound and recent tragedy that confronts them.

Currently, EI parental benefits end abruptly the week following the loss of a child, which comes as a shock to many. A parent’s sadness should not be compounded by financial worry, and these parents should not have to worry about their bottom line. Extending EI parental benefits is the least a government can do.

“There is nothing that can prepare a parent for this experience. We hope that by offering more time, parents will have the important opportunity to cope, to seek help, and to be comforted by those around then,” said Richards. “My deepest sympathies go out to parents who have struggled with the loss of a child. I am proud that a new Conservative government will do more to provide support and relief to Canadians experiencing such difficult times in their lives.”

Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives – “The death of a child, at any age is a painful experience – and the loss of a child is followed by the most intense grief. By extending EI benefits to grieving parents, a Conservative government will provide some relief to mourning parents.”