Fredericton, NB – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, released his plan to secure a more affordable future for Canadians. “Inflation is at a two-decade high, grocery bills have gone up 5 per cent, and each trip to the gas station seems to hurt just a little bit more,” said O’Toole. “This is the Canada of Justin Trudeau and the NDP. To lower prices, we need to get inflation under control and ensure there is more competition, not less.” With inflation rising, families are struggling to make ends meet. Canada’s Conservatives have a detailed plan to help families and make life more affordable. To lower food prices, a Conservative government will increase the maximum penalty for price-fixing from $24 million to $100 million and introduce criminal penalties, including jail time, for executives convicted of price-fixing. Canada’s Conservatives will also bring in a tough code of conduct to protect suppliers and to promote grocery competition. Canada’s Recovery Plan will also secure a more affordable future for families by: -- Bringing in legislation on open banking so that Canadians can connect with financial technology (fintech) companies that can provide a better offer for banking services such as a mortgage, line of credit, or credit card. -- Ordering the Competition Bureau to investigate bank fees. -- Requiring more transparency for investment management fees so that seniors and savers don’t get ripped off, including requiring the banks to show investment returns net of fees. -- Creating a technology task force within the Competition Bureau to examine whether dominance and anti-competitive behaviour of big technology giants is damaging to Canadian industry. -- Giving competition laws real teeth to prevent a few big companies from dominating whole industries and pushing up prices. -- Standing up to corporate Canada and rejecting mergers that substantially reduce competition and lead to layoffs and higher prices. If you don’t care about securing a more affordable future, you have three parties to choose from in this election. If you do, then there is only one choice – Erin O’Toole and Canada’s Conservatives.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”