MAKING A DIFFERENCE - ALBERTA'S TEAM IN OTTAWA - Len Webber
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
ALBERTA’S TEAM IN OTTAWA
@webber4confed /lenwebberMP
/lenwebberyyc www.lenwebber.ca
Alberta has a strong team of Conservative Members of Parliament in Ottawa and
we are making sure Alberta’s priorities are loudly heard in the House of Commons.
Being in Opposition means we have to work with other parties to advance
important issues — and we have! We have managed to make a difference in a
wide variety of areas for all Albertans, no matter who you voted for in the last
election.
I am pleased to share a small sample of the amazing work and initiatives that your
Alberta Conservative MPs have done on your behalf. We will continue to
advocate for Alberta at every turn and ensure that Alberta is a key part of
Canada’s economic recovery.
We will continue to defend our hard-working Albertans and demand that our
province get its fair share of support during and after the pandemic.
By working together on your behalf, our Conservative team has been able to
magnify our voices and our impact in Parliament. I am thankful that I have the
opportunity to work with such a dedicated and hard-working team.
As always, I appreciate your ongoing support and encouragement and consider it
an honour to be your elected federal representative in the House of Commons.
Sincerely,
Make sure your opinion
Len Webber, MP
counts. Return the
Alberta Caucus Chair survey in this booklet
postage-free.
2
Alberta’s Conservative Team
Working For You
A message from your Member of Parliament ............................................. 2
Organ Donation & Government Transparency (Len Webber, MP) ........ 4
Equalization & Transfers Fairness (Tom Kmiec, MP) .............................. 4
Standing Up for Tourism (Gerald Soroka, MP) ......................................... 5
Compassionate Care Leave (Matt Jeneroux, MP)...................................... 5
The RIFF Financial Security Act (Kelly McCauley, MP) ............................ 6
Mental Health Awareness (Earl Dreeshen, MP) ....................................... 6
Environmental Restoration (Shannon Stubbs, MP) ................................. 7
Getting Serious on Rural Crime (Blaine Calkins, MP) ............................... 7
Civility In Politics (Mike Lake, MP) .............................................................. 8
Supporting Firearms Owners (Tim Uppal, MP) ......................................... 8
Protecting Western Aviation (Stephanie Kusie, MP) ................................. 9
Helping Those With Cystic Fibrosis (Martin Shields, MP) ........................ 9
Agriculture Is Our Superpower (Rachael Harder, MP) ............................. 10
Standing Up For Canadians Abroad (Ron Liepert, MP) ............................ 10
Supporting Grieving Parents (Blake Richards, MP) ................................... 11
Overcoming the Stigma (John Barlow, MP) ................................................ 11
Family-Based Violence (Jag Sahota, MP) .................................................... 12
Ending Exploitation (Arnold Viersen, MP) ................................................. 12
Opening Foreign Markets (James Cumming, MP) ..................................... 13
Energy & Environment (Greg McLean, MP) .............................................. 13
Protecting Our Energy Supply (Jasraj Singh Hallan, MP) ......................... 14
Supporting Oill & Gas Workers (Ziad Aboultaif, MP) ................................ 14
Responsible Emergency Planning (Glen Motz, MP) .................................. 15
Rural Communities & Businesses (Dane Lloyd, MP) ................................ 15
3
ORGAN DONATION & GOV’T TRANSPARENCY
Len Webber, MP
Calgary Confederation
I have been a long-time advocate of political process as
organ & tissue donation and was it continues
instrumental in creating the organ through Parliament.
donor registry in Alberta. Currently,
my proposed Bill C-210 offers a very Government
simple, very effective method to in- accountability and
crease the organ donor base in Cana- transparency has been a part of my
da. By adding a line to the tax forms, work on the Public Accounts
Canadians could signal their intent to Committee where we review and
become an organ & tissue donor and study the reports of the Auditor
have this information passed onto General. We have been focusing on
their provincial government’s existing many important reports that have
donor registries. So far the Bill has shown a great deal of mismanage-
passed unanimously throughout the ment and misspending on the part of
this current Liberal government.
EQUALIZATION & TRANSFERS FAIRNESS
Tom Kmiec, MP
Calgary Shepard
My Bill C-263, the Equalization and Alberta would have
Transfers Fairness Act will ensure received $2.9B.
fairness and transparency to Cana-
da’s equalization and transfer system In 2018, despite
by removing the per capita cap on Alberta’s massive
payments, ensuring the federal gov- drop in revenues,
ernment cannot unilaterally change the Liberal government supported
the equalization formula, and making and extended the existing formula.
a successful referendum on equaliza- Since 1961, Alberta’s net federal
tion impossible to ignore. fiscal transfers have amounted to
In 2015-2016, Alberta’s revenues more than $600 billion.
dropped by $8.8 billion. With the We deserve a fair deal. It’s time for
fiscal stabilization cap, Alberta only equalization fairness. Lean more at
received $248.3m. Without the cap, tomkmiecmp.ca/equalizationfairness
4
STANDING UP FOR TOURISM
Gerald Soroka, MP
Yellowhead
Tourism has been hard hit as a result As a member of the
of COVID. With Jasper and Jasper Transport Commit-
National Park in my riding I see the tee, we recently
impact daily. finished a study on
the impact COVID
I have been working with travel has had on the
advisors and local tourism businesses aviation sector and called for critical
to advocate for their industry. The support for the industry.
recovery for these businesses will not
be an easy one but with the new With international travel restrictions,
rapid Spartan Bio Science PCR test please consider your next vacation
there is great potential to utilize this within Alberta and check out every-
testing technology to encourage safe thing there is to do in Jasper at
travel and help bring business back www.Jasper.Travel.
to this sector and our province.
COMPASSIONATE CARE LEAVE
Matt Jeneroux, MP
Edmonton Riverbend
Grief is something we will all unfortu- take job-protected
nately experience in our lives, but the leave to care for a
federal government could help make terminally ill loved
the process a little less painful. one.
My Bill, C-220, proposes to extend Bill C-220 has
compassionate bereavement leave unanimously passed Second Reading
allowed to employees under the in the House of Commons in
Canada Labour Code to 10 days, February and will return for its Third
double the current five days of Reading in the coming weeks.
bereavement time.
You can find out more about my Bill
This Bill originally proposed to extend at www.mattjeneroux.ca/bill-c220.
Compassionate Care Leave, a
program that some Canadians use to
5
THE RRIF FINANCIAL SECURITY ACT
Kelly McCauley, MP
Edmonton West
In 2016, I introduced the RRIF duced because of
Financial Security Act, to eliminate the additional
the mandatory minimum withdrawal income forcing the
for seniors who hold a Registered spending of these
Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). savings. The PBO
estimates
At age 71, RRIF holders must start the added tax from RRIF withdrawals
withdrawing a percentage of their tax is in the hundreds of millions.
-protected savings each year –
regardless of whether they need it. The current system punishes seniors
Since these withdrawals count as for long-term savings and despite the
income, they can trigger clawbacks of bill receiving support from all
other benefits. A senior saving for Opposition parties, the Liberals voted
late-in-life expenses like long-term against it. I plan on bringing it back at
care, could have their benefits re- the earliest possible opportunity.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Earl Dreeshen, MP
Red Deer—Mountain View
We all have a role to play in raising have a sustainable
awareness and in helping to address food system with-
mental health issues. I have been a out sustainable
strong advocate on this for many farmers. We heard
years - especially as it pertains to that stakeholders
farmers and their families. In early and all levels of
2018, I convinced all parties to do a governments need to act quickly. I
comprehensive study on the rising continue to advocate for stronger
incidence of mental health issues awareness campaigns and for more
among farmers, ranchers, and pro- assistance for Canadians struggling
ducers. Our final report highlighted with mental health challenges. You
areas where more coordinated action can read our report at
is required and where more public www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/
education is needed. Canada cannot en/42-1/AGRI/report-16/
6
ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION
Shannon Stubbs, MP
Lakeland
My Bill C-221 proposed a tax incen- help protect the
tive for cleaning up closed and aban- environment, and
doned wells to small and medium oil ultimately protect
and gas producers – who are already taxpayers.
remediation and restoration leaders.
The Liberals, Bloc,
This government’s anti-energy poli- and NDPs who voted against Bill
cies are shutting down Canada’s oil C-221 are clearly all talk about the
and gas, causing unprecedented environment because this bill would
bankruptcies and job losses in Cana- have actually helped the private
da’s energy sector, and a 300% sector to raise private funds for
increase in orphaned and abandoned orphaned and abandoned well
wells in Canada. This Bill would have reclamation and remediation, instead
helped struggling small and medium of leaving it all up to the tax payers.
energy businesses create jobs and
GETTING SERIOUS ON RURAL CRIME
Blaine Calkins, MP
Red Deer—Lacombe
In recent years we have been seeing punished with a
crime rates increase across Canada, fine.
and that crime is also getting more
That is why I am
severe. This is especially true in rural
areas across this province. proud to chair the
Conservative Rural
And while provincial governments Crime Caucus. Canada’s Conserva-
across Canada have responded with tives are the only party dedicated to
concrete measures to tackle this standing up for law-abiding
serious issue, this Liberal government Canadians and we are developing
has not only refused to take any legislation to address the issue of
meaningful action but has actually rural crime and advocate for mean-
made the issue worse by making it ingful change that will ensure that
easier for offenders to get bail, and criminals face real consequences.
so that more serious offences can be
7CIVILITY IN POLITICS
Mike Lake, MP
Edmonton– Wetaskiwin
Recent years have been challenging Before our political
for democracy, with a rise in polariza- labels, we’re all
tion and increasingly vitriolic language human beings. The
used by hyper-partisans on all sides. middle of the road
Social media has exacerbated the is simply our com-
problem. Sides are chosen and an- mon ground.
chored in Twitter bios. Talking points
are delivered in echo chambers, Make no mistake - passionate
amplified by cryptic algorithms. debate is foundational to a healthy
democracy, but it’s most effective
Decades ago, President Dwight Ei- when we engage not only seeking to
senhower seemingly anticipated this, persuade, but open to being persuad-
saying "The middle of the road is all ed. This will require a significant shift
of the usable surface. The extremes, in our current thinking, but in the
right and left, are in the gutters.” end, we'll all be better for it.
SUPPORTING FIREARMS OWNERS
Tim Uppal, MP
Edmonton Mill Woods
I didn’t grow up around hunting or stand in support of
sports shooting. In fact, when I was a law-abiding firearm
kid, I asked my dad to go camping owners and their
and he said that he did not move to rights.
Canada to cook and sleep outside.
But I know how important it is for I’ve begun the pro-
people in my riding, across Alberta, cess of getting my Possession and
and right across Canada to own fire- Acquisition Licence (PAL) so that I
arms and use them in a safe and am better informed on issues and
lawful manner. It’s a way of life. challenges surrounding legal firearms
ownership. Our Conservative team
The reality is that Bill C-21 bans fire- will continue to stand up for law-
arms used by law-abiding citizens abiding firearms owners. For more
and doesn’t stop the dangerous crim- information, visit timuppal.ca/standing
inals who obtain their guns illegally. I -up-for-legal-firearms-owners/ .
8PROTECTING WESTERN AVIATION
Stephanie Kusie, MP
Calgary MIndapore
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a specific support to
decimation of Canada’s aviation help these people
industry, and Calgary has been hit who desperately
hard. need it.
With numerous layoffs, furloughs, We initiated a
cancelled routes and flight reductions, Committee study into the Aviation
this flagship airline is struggling to Sector and we recently brought a
remain viable and the job losses are motion to the House of Commons
yet another blow to Alberta’s econo- calling on the government to ensure
my. As Shadow Minister for Transport these workers and their families see
I have been working with Conserva- some kind of support in the next
tive caucus Members and stakehold- federal Budget. It passed – despite
ers to move the government towards the Liberals voting against it.
realizing the urgent need for sector
HELPING THOSE WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Martin Shields, MP
Bow River
Over 4,000 Canadians are afflicted By advocating for
with Cystic Fibrosis and together with its approval, it has
my Conservative colleagues, we are now been accepted
raising awareness and creating better by Health Canada
access to life-saving medicines. for Priority Review.
This means Canadi-
Through Conservative caucus leader- ans may soon be able to access
ship, a multi-party initiative arose to these medicines to get some peace
lobby the Health Minister because of mind – pending provincial approv-
drugs like Trikafta have been bogged al. In Canada, we pride ourselves on
down in the regulatory process. having world class healthcare
Canadians are needlessly suffering options, and government regulation
because access is delayed. This drug should not stand in the way of
has the potential of treating about providing that care for Canadians.
90% of those with CF.
9AGRICULTURE IS OUR SUPERPOWER
Rachael Harder, MP
Lethbridge
As a southern Alberta MP, advocating but the use of cut-
for our agricultural sector is one of ting-edge techno-
my main priorities. I believe agricul- logy, scientific ad-
ture is Canada’s unsung superpower! vancement, and
Our producers not only feed Canada, leading the way in
but we are blessed with abundance environmental
that allows us to feed the world! Agri- protection and stewardship. We are
culture and agri-food contribute over world leaders in technology and inno-
$100 billion to our economy, which vation. As we emerge from the pan-
is roughly 7% of the nation’s GDP demic, we need to put agriculture at
and 12% of Canadian employment. the forefront of our recovery efforts.
It’s remarkable! The agricultural sec- It’s Canada’s superpower and a glob-
tor merits national pride and atten- al powerhouse. It is worthy of our
tion. It’s not only about food security, focus, investment, and promotion!
STANDING UP FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
Ron Liepert, MP
Calgary Signal Hill
It is now more than two years since of Foreign Affairs to
Canadians Michael Spavor and elevate this file and
Michael Kovrig were arbitrarily de- secure the freedom
tained by the Chinese government. of these two inno-
cent Canadians
Michael Spavor’s family members are citizens.
my constituents and are increasingly
concerned for his well being . The Spavor family is grateful for the
work of Canadian officials, including
In contrast, Meng Wenzhou is given Ambassador Barton, however while
due process in almost total freedom the Minister expresses concern for
in Vancouver, Michael Spavor has the two Canadians the file appears
been a total prisoner of the Chinese stalled. Conservatives will continue to
government in apparent retaliation for push the government to negotiate
her arrest. I’ve called on the Minister their release.
10SUPPORTING GRIEVING PARENTS
Blake Richards, MP
Banff—Airdrie
After hearing from parents in his financial or
riding whose infant tragically passed emotional hardship.
away, MP Blake Richards was He introduced
appalled to learn about the treatment Motion 110, a non-
they received from the federal gov- partisan initiative,
ernment. When trying to access gov- to study how the
ernment support in their time of grief, government can better support
they were met with a cold and heart- grieving parents after losing their
less bureaucracy. These parents were infant. The study continues to make
actually told that their support ended its way through Parliament, and rec-
because their “child ceased to exist.” ommendations have been made to
better support grieving parents.
He wanted to ensure that families
suffering the loss of an infant would Learn more at www.blakerichards.ca/
never again be faced with undue motion-110/
OVERCOMING THE STIGMA
John Barlow, MP
Foothills
Opioid addiction is a serious problem, the cycle of misery
but the situation has surpassed a and tragedy.
crisis level due in large part to the
stress and unemployment brought Working together,
about by the pandemic. In Alberta we hope to build a
specifically, opioid overdose deaths framework to get
and suicides tripled from January to dealers off the streets and offer those
July last year. struggling a tangible pathway to
successful recovery.
This is an issue we must take seri-
ously. I am co-chairing a Conservative The effects of the pandemic on men-
Opioid Crisis Working Group. Our tal health are real and long-lasting.
aim is to look at the crisis holistically Finding a solution to the mental
and with compassion. We are explor- health and opioid crisis in Canada
ing policies to save lives and break simply cannot wait any longer.
11FAMILY-BASED VIOLENCE
Jag Sahota, MP
Calgary Skyview
As the Shadow Minister for Women sure that no
and Gender Equality I have spent the person is forced
last number of months meeting with to suffer abuse of
stakeholders and survivors of family any kind.
violence. I have heard from these
individuals about how violence within Over the last year I
their homes and relationships has have been developing and working
impacted them and the long-lasting on ways that our Conservative
effects it can have. These stories are Caucus can better combat family-
often heartbreaking and are based violence and continue to hold
completely unacceptable in a country this Liberal government accountable
that values the rule of law. to the millions of Canadians that will
experience family violence in their
Each of us as individuals have a role lifetimes.
to play in our relationships to make
ENDING EXPLOITATION
Arnold Viersen, MP
Peace River—Westlock
Today, human trafficking is happen- In 2018, I launched
ing 10 minutes from where you live the All-Party Parlia-
and online exploitation can happen mentary Group to
anywhere. That is why I have active- End Modern Slav-
ly fought against these since elected ery and Human
in 2015. Trafficking and we
regularly hold briefings for Parliamen-
My Motion M-47 instructed the tarians and actively move policies
Health Committee to examine the forward including the introduction of
public health effects of accessible the Modern Slavery Act. We facilitated
online violent and degrading sexually the unanimous support for National
explicit material on adults and youth. Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Working across party lines, I was able every February 22. You can find out
to gain the unanimous support of all more at www.mparnold.ca
parties for Motion M-47.
12OPENING FOREIGN MARKETS
James Cumming, MP
Edmonton Centre
To support access to foreign markets, Opening trade
I re-introduced my Private Members routes is key to
Bill C-229, An Act to Repeal Certain thousands of jobs
Restrictions on Shipping. that will lead
Canada’s recovery-
As producers of the most ethical and throughout Canada
environmentally friendly energy in the and First Nations’ communities.
world, Canada needs a reliable way
to export its oil and natural resources Unfortunately, without support from
to foreign markets. The ban on the other political parties, Bill C-229
shipping our product on the Western was recently defeated but I remain
coast made this more difficult. There committed to standing up for our
was no similar ban on our East coast energy industry and securing jobs for
which continues to see foreign oil Canadian energy workers.
imports at a staggering rate.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Greg McLean, MP
Calgary Centre
Canada’s energy sector is unparal- ation, allowing the
leled in its responsible approach to oil and gas sector
resource development, to the eco- to be treated equi-
nomic advancement of Indigenous tably with Canada’s
communities, and in innovation that other industries. Bill
protects the environment. We must C-262 incentivizes
get that message out to Canadians carbon capture, utilization, and
with results that cannot be denied. storage, and is our most tangible
path forward to meeting Canada’s
I have highlighted our province’s en- environmental commitments.
ergy and environment achievements
in Parliament and across Canada. My Highlighting our world class environ-
two private members bills focused on mental leadership and innovation
these themes. Bill C-214 would have moves our industry and our country
created tax incentives for well remedi- forward while creating good jobs.
13PROTECTING OUR ENERGY SUPPLY
Jasraj Singh Hallan, MP
Calgary Forest Lawn
Our caucus and I have been working supplies has been
very hard at raising the awareness quite shocking for
across the country on Pipelines and so many, particular-
Oil & Gas issues but the potential ly those that work
closure of Enbridge’s Line 5 in May in industries that
has finally gotten the attention of depend on those
people in Ontario and Quebec. products like refineries.
Line 5 ships a significant amount of Just imagine a winter where there
Alberta light oil and natural gas to isn’t enough natural gas to heat your
Michigan, Ohio and Ontario and home and there isn’t enough
Quebec. gasoline to get your kids to school or
you to work. That will be an awfully
Finding out that their province could cold reality for many people if that’s
lose half of their oil and natural gas allowed to happen.
SUPPORTING OIL & GAS WORKERS
Ziad Aboultaif, MP
Edmonton Manning
I have presented a motion to give the marvel in the 21st
House of Commons an opportunity century and a hub
to express its support to our energy for a cleaner
sector. energy sector that
incorporates
It’s no secret that Albertans has ex- natural resources.
perienced the effects of special inter-
est groups fighting our industries. It is If we give up, we will not pave the
more important than ever to bring way for green energy. Instead, we
this Motion in front of Parliament so would empower a dependence
proponents of oil and gas can speak towards regimes that do not care
up and show how essential this about climate change and human
industry and its products are to Cana- rights. We need to stand up for
dians. We need to demonstrate that Canada and Canadian workers,
Alberta’s energy is a technological especially here in Alberta.
14RESPONSIBLE EMERGENCY PLANNING
Glen Motz, MP
Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner
As a former law enforcement profes- best practices:
sional, I know proper contingency minimize societal
planning for emergency situations is impacts; inform the
critical. After a year of record spend-
public; and issue a
ing and debt, Canada’s pandemic clear plan to ad-
response remains incoherent. Canada dress it. But we still
is not much further ahead. We have have no real plan different from a
lost thousands of lives and hundreds year ago. Lockdowns were supposed
of thousands of jobs. And the to buy time for permanent solutions,
Liberals continue to ignore not create a perpetual pandemic. We
emergency management principles. have no domestic vaccines and hotel
quarantines instead of rapid
Previous plans were based on hard testing. We will continue to hold
lessons learned from past pandemics, the government accountable.
based on emergency management
RURAL COMMUNITIES & BUSINESSES
Dane Lloyd, MP
Sturgeon River—Parkland
As Shadow Minister for Rural Eco- Credit Unions are
nomic Development I am passionate not being treated
about fighting for our rural communi- fairly by the federal
ties and businesses. Since taking on government. While
the role, I have challenged the Liberal big corporate
Government on their failure to banks get a break
provide effective broadband access on charging GST for investment
for rural communities. I have stood services, Credit Unions do not. It’s
up for the Hunting & Angling sectors time to end the inequity between big
that have struggled with the devastat- banks and the Credit Unions that
ing impact of COVID-19 on tourism. rural Canadians rely on. I look
forward to continuing to advocate
I have also raised the case of Credit for the fair treatment of our local
Unions, which are used by farmers, Credit Unions.
small businesses, and rural residents.
15Canada’s Conservatives will
work with the provinces to
mplement an innovative,
national, Personal Low Carbon
Savings Account. This will put a
price on carbon for consumers without one penny going to the
government. It will be completely transparent and engage consumers
in the process of building a lower carbon future.
Canadians will pay into their Personal Low Carbon Savings Account
each time they buy hydrocarbon-based fuel. They will be able to apply
the money in their account towards things that help them live a
greener life. That could mean buying a transit pass or a bicycle, or
saving up and putting the money towards a new efficient furnace,
energy efficient windows or even an electric vehicle.
Our plan will ensure that Canadians do
their part to fight climate change, in the
way that works best for them, and at a
carbon price that is affordable: starting
at $20/tonne and increasing to $50/
tonne but no further. Even at this lower
carbon price, we will ensure that this
does not place an unfair burden on
low-income Canadians and farmers.
Read our plan at
www.LenWebber.caYou can also read
