What's what with Jeremy - Issue 3
I'm running to be your Conservative Party Candidate in Calgary Signal Hill.
Carbon tax hike a crushing blow for Alberta’s charitable sector
On April 1, the Trudeau Liberals raised the price of everything when they increased the disastrous carbon tax by another 23 per cent — a crushing blow for families and businesses.
Although this may seem like an April Fool’s Day prank, it is anything but for people already struggling to cope with an affordability crisis that has made it impossible to make ends meet.
As someone who spent years working in Alberta and Canada’s charitable sector, I’m especially concerned about the effect this latest carbon tax hike will have on the charities that do so much important work in our communities, often on shoestring budgets. Despite the important work charities do, these critical organizations get little forgiveness in paying the carbon tax. I consider this a national disgrace.
The repercussions of the carbon tax hike will only make life harder and more expensive for Alberta’s charities.
Our food banks are already witnessing unprecedented demand. Food bank use in Canada is up 78.5 per cent since 2019, and one in five Canadians report skipping meals due to increased food costs. Our food banks already struggle with sourcing nutritious food at affordable prices. This carbon tax hike will directly translate to increased transportation costs for food suppliers, which will inevitably trickle down to the food banks. As a result, food banks will be forced to stretch limited budgets even further, potentially reducing the quantity or quality of the food they provide at a time of record need.
Read the rest of my recent column in the Calgary Herald here.
The Federal Government is Making Housing More Expensive
To restore housing affordability, we need to make it easier to build more homes. And we’re doing that in Alberta. Housing starts in Calgary are up 35% from last year, and housing completions have risen by 54%.
Across Canada it’s a different picture, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) predicts lower numbers of housing starts in 2024. In fact they paint a bleak picture for 2024, with increased rents, higher demand (due to immigration), and record-low vacancy rates.
Record levels of immigration are driving up rent, and the price of home ownership. In January the CBC reported that the Federal government was warned 2 years ago that increased immigration levels would make housing more expensive. The report also advised that housing construction was not keeping pace with population growth. Despite this, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals pushed ahead with increasing the number of immigrants brought into Canada.
The latest announcement from the Liberal Party is the “Rental Protection Fund”. This policy will not result in any new homes being built. Instead, it purports to offer money to non-profits to purchase market apartment buildings should they be listed for sale. This policy will not put more shovels in the ground and will tie non-profits to strict Federal eligibility criteria. It also oversteps into Municipal and Provincial jurisdictions, again.
Here in Alberta, we do our best to make it easier to build a home. But we need a Federal government that will work with, not around the Provinces. We also need a government that understands if you invite people to come live in Canada, they are going to need somewhere to live.
True North Strong and Free - Improving Canada’s Defenses
Canada spends just under 1.4% of its GDP on defense, by contrast it’s now spending 27% of its GDP on the public sector. Even Liberal Defense Minister Bill Blair, doesn’t seem to have much positive to say about Canada’s defense force.
"Canada must and will spend more on defense," Bill Blair told the annual Ottawa Conference on Security and Defense. "We know we need to do much more." Reuters reported last month.
He’s also suggested the Canadian Forces are facing “a death spiral” when it comes to recruitment, according to a Global News story. More people are leaving the Canadian Armed Forces rather than joining it.
A Conservative government will properly fund Canada’s defense forces. We’ll increase recruitment for our Armed Forces, and replace outdated and worn-out equipment. Canada has large open borders, particularly in the Arctic that need a proper defense force. We’ll meet our NATO commitments, and help keep Canada the true north strong and free.
Ways to Help
Host a coffee party – Invite Jeremy and 10 of your friends who live in the riding over for a coffee and a chat. The small group setting makes for a comfortable environment for discussions and is a great time to sign up for a Federal membership!
Buy a Conservative Party Membership – You will need a valid Federal Conservative Party Membership to vote in the nomination. The nomination could be called any day so why delay, sign up today.
Volunteer – We need people to help with door-knocking, dropping off leaflets, calling voters, and more! Even if you are only available for a few hours a month I would greatly appreciate your help.
Donate – If you’re able to give a financial gift it will greatly assist in my nomination campaign.
Social Media - Like and reshare my posts on Facebook and Twitter.
Communities in Signal Hill
Aspen Woods, Christie Park, Coach Hill, Cougar Ridge, Crestmont, Discovery Ridge, Glamorgan, Glenbrook, Glendale, Patterson, Rosscarrock, Signal Hill, Springbank Hill, Spruce Cliff, Strathcona Park, The Slopes, Valley Ridge, Wentworth, Westgate, West Springs and Wildwood
Update on Redistribution
The earliest date the new boundaries can take effect is April 23, 2024. We’ll expect to see an announcement from Elections Canada formally announcing the new boundaries around this time.