Let's Talk Senior Housing

February 5, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario

Let's Talk Senior Housing
Another Opportunity to Join the Conversation
Town Hall - February 21, 2018

On November 22, 2017, following the extensive Canada-wide consultation “Let’s Talk Housing”, the Federal Government released Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy.

Moderated by Cloverdale-Langley City Member of Parliament John Aldag, the Town Hall will explore how the National Housing Strategy helps to ensure the availability of safe, affordable housing for seniors in our communities.

A panel will help us to understand the need for affordable senior housing and how the goals of the National Housing Strategy will be realized in communities. Time for questions and answers will be scheduled. Speakers include the Seniors Advocate of B.C., Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation Affordable Housing Centre, BC Housing Director of Regional Development, and Metro Vancouver Regional District Housing Committee Chair.

The National Housing Strategy holds the promise of significant improvement in the living conditions of seniors. Not only are they named as a ‘vulnerable population’ group of primary focus, senior women experiencing abuse, senior indigenous peoples, senior living with disabilities or dealing with mental health and addiction issues, and senior veterans are found among all of the other six groups included as ‘vulnerable populations’.

The Town Hall will take place in Surrey (Clayton Heights) at the Hope Community Church, 18625 Fraser Highway, from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. on February 21, 2018. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Invitations are extended to seniors and all other concerned members of the community including community based senior service providers, and the real estate, financial and development sectors. A special invitation is extended to the community housing sector which includes non-profit, co-ops and other housing providers such as charities and faith-based groups.

For more information:

Carly Haugen
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

Can Code

January 23, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario

The Federal Government is giving young Canadians here in Surrey and across Canada the digital skills needed for future jobs by providing funding for Can Code programs to teach the next generation of Canadians the coding skills required for the middle class jobs of tomorrow. Organizations such as The Learning Partnership here in Surrey are helping to administer these programs in local schools.

The federal government is investing in young Canadians to provide them with the digital skills needed for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow. Thanks to this wonderful investment in coding and digital skills training at Surrey Centre Elementary School, more young Canadians will be equipped with the in-demand digital literacy and problem-solving skills required by today’s employers.

The funding was announced by MP John Aldag of Cloverdale City along with MP Randeep Sarai of Surrey Centre during a visit to Surrey Centre Elementary School on January 24 th , 2018.

The investment is being allocated through the new CanCode program, a $50-million federal program that gives students from kindergarten to grade 12 the opportunity to learn coding and other digital skills. The funding will also provide thousands of Canadian teachers with the tools needed to educate Canadian youth on these skills. CanCode is a Budget 2017 commitment aiming to teach digital skills to over one million Canadian students and their teachers.

“Becoming the most innovative country begins with investing in Canadian talent. Our government is committed to equipping Canadian youth with the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future. By teaching kids to code today, we’re positioning Canada for future
success across all industries and sectors because these kids will facilitate digital adoption, making all Canadian industries more profitable and globally competitive.”

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“It’s great to see our young people actively engaged in the learning of the future. The young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow and the investment we make in them as youth is the foundation for the future of our country.”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

Quick Fact

• CanCode will invest $50 million over two years, starting in 2017–18, to support initiatives providing educational opportunities forcoding and digital skills development to Canadian youth from kindergarten to grade 12
• The program will also equip 63,000 teachers across the country with the training and tools to teach digital skills and coding.

For more information:

Kurtis Layden
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-992-0884
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

Constituency of Cloverdale-Langley City Celebrates 2nd Anniversary

January 17, 2018 - Surrey, BC

On January 17th, John Aldag, the  first MP for the riding of Cloverdale Langley City celebrated the half way point of his term by hosting his 2nd Annual Constituency Open House. The event was an opportunity for constituents to engage with Mr. Aldag in an informal setting. The Open House was well received with over 150 constituents attending, many of whom were visiting the office for the first time. Many familiar faces as well as various dignitaries were in attendance, including MP Ken Hardie, Fleetwood-Port Kells; Mayor Jack Froese, Township of Langley; Mayor Ted Schaffer, City of Langley, and many of the municipal Councilors.

"It was wonderful to see so many new faces at our event. I always appreciate the opportunity to meet with constituents over a cup of coffee."

– John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

For more information:

Carly Haugen
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

Legislation calling for Indigenous Representation on the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to be Debated in House of Commons

December 13, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario

Bill C-374, is the first Private Member’s Bill tabled by MP John Aldag

Liberal MP John Aldag’s legislation, C-374, had its first hour of debate in the House of Commons on Dec. 13. The legislation is seeking to amend the Historic Sites and Monuments Act to include three new representatives on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada; one each for
the First Nations, Metis and Inuit.

Aldag’s Private Member’s Bill, titled C-374, An Act to amend the Historic Sites and Monuments Act (composition of the Board), was tabled on Oct. 18. “I believe it is necessary to increasingly break down the walls of exclusion which have historically existed between the Federal Government and Indigenous peoples in Canada.” said Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City “

Currently, Section 4(d) of the Historic Sites and Monuments Act provides one representative from each province and territory, and while there is an Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Affairs Directorate, there is no formal representation of Indigenous peoples, organizations or Governments on the Board.

“It is my belief that the restriction of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to only
recognize provinces and territories within our Canadian system is an outdated legacy of Canada’s
historic mistreatment and structural exclusion of Indigenous peoples to full acknowledgement in
Canadian society.” said Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City.

This bill is a direct result of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action Number 79-1, which calls upon the federal government to amend the Historic Sites and Monuments Act to include First Nation, Inuit, and Métis representation on the Board and its Secretariat.

Learn more - https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&billId=9155473&View=0

Stakeholder Statement
 

“The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is an eager supporter of Bill C-374. As stated by Senator Murray Sinclair at the closing event of the Truth and Reconciliation, the TRC has described the mountain, the calls to action issued by the TRC represent the path to the top. The Calls to Action represent the synthesis of one of the largest engagement sessions with indigenous peoples in the history of the country. We must understand these calls as the articulation of the collective voices of thousands upon thousands of Survivors, families and communities across the Country.

Central in the work of reconciliation is this is the recognition that Canada, as a nation, has not accurately or effectively portrayed the perspectives of indigenous peoples in the telling of our collective history. So long as this continues, Canadians and visitors to this country will be prevented from knowing not only who we were, but will be denied an understanding of what we can become.

Including indigenous perspectives and histories in commemorating national historic sites is paramount. Ensuring there is a clear strategy to commemorate and honour community perspectives on the residential schools is in our national interest.

Through these collective steps, we have the potential to tell a much more accurate, richer and honest story of who we are and where we are going.

For these, and many other reasons, we offer our full support for this bill and encourage all
parliamentarians to do the same.”

- The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

For more information:

Kurtis Layden
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-992-0884
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

MP John Aldag Tables Legislation Calling for Indigenous Representation on the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada

This is MP John Aldag's first Private Member's Bill

October 25, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Liberal MP John Aldag introduced legislation in the House of Commons seeking to amend the Historic Sites and Monuments Act to include three new representatives on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada; one each for the First Nations, Metis and Inuit.

Aldag’s Private Member’s Bill is titled C-374, An Act to amend the Historic Sites and Monuments Act (composition of the Board).

“I believe it is necessary to increasingly break down the walls of exclusion which have historically existed between the Federal Government and Indigenous peoples in
Canada.” 

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

Currently, Section 4(d) of the Historic Sites and Monuments Act provides one representative from
each province and territory, and while there is an Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Affairs Directorate, there is no formal representation of Indigenous peoples, organizations or Governments on the Board.

“It is my belief that the restriction of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to only recognize provinces and territories within our Canadian system is an outdated legacy of Canada’s historic mistreatment and structural exclusion of Indigenous peoples to full acknowledgement in Canadian society.”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

This bill is a direct result of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action Number 79-1,
which calls upon the federal government to amend the Historic Sites and Monuments Act to include First Nation, Inuit, and Métis representation on the Board and its Secretariat.

Learn more: https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&billId=9155473&View=0

Stakeholder Statement

“The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is an eager supporter of Bill C-374. As stated by
Senator Murray Sinclair at the closing event of the Truth and Reconciliation, the TRC has described the mountain, the calls to action issued by the TRC represent the path to the top. The Calls to Action represent the synthesis of one of the largest engagement sessions with indigenous peoples in the history of the country. We must understand these calls as the articulation of the collective voices of thousands upon thousands of Survivors, families and communities across the Country.

Central in the work of reconciliation is this is the recognition that Canada, as a nation, has not
accurately or effectively portrayed the perspectives of indigenous peoples in the telling of our
collective history. So long as this continues, Canadians and visitors to this country will be prevented from knowing not only who we were, but will be denied an understanding of what we can become.

Including indigenous perspectives and histories in commemorating national historic sites is
paramount. Ensuring there is a clear strategy to commemorate and honour community perspectives on the residential schools is in our national interest.

Through these collective steps, we have the potential to tell a much more accurate, richer and honest story of who we are and where we are going.

For these, and many other reasons, we offer our full support for this bill and encourage all
parliamentarians to do the same.”

- The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

For more information:

Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

Seniors in Surrey have the Opportunity to Participate in a New Project Benefiting Many in their Community

September 26, 2016

Seniors in Surrey will receive financial support to conduct facility renovations to get their project off the ground, today announced John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

Investing in Canada’s communities is not only about creating good jobs and encouraging clean economic growth. It is also about building stronger communities. Partnerships with local governments, institutions and organizations are vital to deliver change and improve the lives of seniors.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6 is receiving $22,500 for their project funded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The organization will renovate the flooring to offer a safe environment for seniors to continue dance and participate in new seminars on wealth management and health workshops.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is providing approximately $35 million in New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) funding for close to 1,850 community-based projects approved through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals.
• Eligible organizations can receive up to $25,000 in NHSP funding for community-based projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
• Since 2004, the NHSP has funded close to 17,800 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total Government of Canada investment of more than $360 million.

“Through the many community-based projects we support each year, our government helps provide seniors with unique opportunities to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others in their community. Initiatives such as this highlight our commitment to the wellbeing of seniors and strengthen the fabric of our society through partnerships.”

- The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Canada

“Our government is dedicated to ensuring that Canadian seniors can get involved in community activities that meet their needs and interests, tap their collective resources and experiences, and promote their participation. We support New Horizons for Seniors Program projects like this one so that seniors across Canada can lead and participate in local activities beneficial to many.”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

Backgrounder

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.

The objectives of the NHSP are:

• promoting volunteerism among seniors;
• engaging seniors in the community through mentoring of others;
• expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
• supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors; and
• providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.

NHSP funding supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects. 

Community-based projects
Community-based project funding supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. These projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding. 

Close to 1,850 projects across Canada were approved through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects and are now in progress.

The NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects closed on July 10, 2015. It invited organizations to apply for funding of up to $25,000 for projects that help empower seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others and support communities by increasing their capacity to address local issues.

It is anticipated that the NHSP 2016–2017 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects will be launched in spring 2016. For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.

Pan-Canadian projects
Pan-Canadian projects test and share best practices across the country and replicate interventions that have worked well in addressing seniors’ issues.

Projects that have received funding through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Pan-Canadian Projects submitted an impact plan describing the roles they and their project partners would play in addressing the important issue of social isolation among seniors by using collaborative approaches that place an emphasis on measurable results.

Successful projects are up to three years in duration and are receiving funding between $150,000 and $750,000. More than $24.3 million (more than $8.1 million per year over the next three years) will be made available for pan-Canadian projects funded through the 2015–2016 NHSP Call for Proposals.

For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.

For more information:

Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

MP John Aldag Opens Nominations for Canada 150 Community Awards

September 11, 2017 - Surrey- BC

John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City announced today the launch of his Canada 150 Community Awards that will recognize residents of Cloverdale-Langley City for their outstanding service to country and community.

"Canada 150 is year to reflect on our rich history and the achievements of Canadians since Confederation. These awards are intended to recognize individuals from the riding of Cloverdale-Langley City who have made contributions to our community - and our country - regardless of age, gender of background."

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

MP Aldag is inviting you to nominate the Cloverdale-Langley City resident you believe has made an outstanding contribution to one or more of the following:

• Community Leadership
• Entrepreneurialism
• Environmental leadership
• Support for indigenous reconciliation
• Promotion of equality, diversity & inclusion
• Seniors or youth advocacy & engagement
• Volunteerism

To qualify, nominees must be a Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Cloverdale - Langley City. All ages are welcome to apply.

Nominations close October 15 and the winners will be announced on November 16, 2017. Residents of Cloverdale-Langley City can nominate themselves or a friend on MP Aldag's website. To learn more, visit johnaldagmp.ca/canada150awards

For more information:

Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

MP John Aldag Launches New Initiative to Engage with Constituents

July 17, 2017 

Residents of Cloverdale-Langley City will now have an additional option for communicating with their Member of Parliament, John Aldag. The newly-launched PlaceSpeak page allows constituents to engage meaningfully on topics that matter to the community in a safe and secure way.

Residents can participate in a poll on their priorities for the riding or engage in dialogue on wide ranging issues. They can also be notified of any upcoming events hosted by the MP.

"This made in Canada innovation allows me to consult with constituents directly by geographically limiting participation to only those who live in the riding. I am looking forward to getting input from residents in Cloverdale-Langley City on a wide range of issues such as upcoming legislation, hot issues and to get feedback on my work here at home and in Ottawa."

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

PlaceSpeak was developed with the support of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC-IRAP). Its unique geo-verification technology allows Aldag to hear exclusively from constituents in Cloverdale-Langley City while deterring negative online behaviour such as trolling or spamming, facilitating respectful online dialogue amongst participants.

As a Privacy by Design <https://www.ipc.on.ca/english/Privacy/Introduction-to-PbD/> ambassador, PlaceSpeak ensures that the personal information of participants remains private and secure. Individual privacy measures have been designed into the very architecture of the platform and personal information is never sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason. The dual emphasis on authentication and privacy renders PlaceSpeak unique in its approach to building legitimacy in the online citizen engagement process.

Residents of Cloverdale-Langley City can register and join the conversation from their computer or mobile device. To learn more, visit http://placespeak.com/MPJohnAldag.

For more information:

Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

$406,000 in 2017 Canada Summer Jobs Funding for Cloverdale-Langley City

130 Students in Cloverdale-Langley City set to benefit this summer from Federal Funding to the Canada Summer Jobs Program

June 27, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario

The Government of Canada continues to help young Canadians get the experience and develop the skills they need to get a strong start in their careers. The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)
program provides funding to help employers create summer job opportunities for students in their communities.

A summer job is an important way for young people to learn new skills and get valuable work experience for their résumés. Thanks to CSJ, young Canadians from across the country will be able to access thousands of summer jobs opportunities with small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and the public sector.

Last year, the Government of Canada nearly doubled the number of jobs available through the CSJ program, from 34,000 jobs to roughly 65,800. Since its inception in 2007, CSJ has helped approximately 330,000 students.

“Our government is committed to our plan to give Canadian youth the tools and supports they need to succeed, and Canada Summer Jobs is a big part of that plan. I invite all students who are looking for a summer job to take advantage of this opportunity to develop their skills, gain valuable work experience and earn money.”

- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"By investing in young students in Cloverdale-Langley City, we help them build a better future by providing them with opportunities to gain valuable skills and experience while earning money for the upcoming school year.”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

For more information:

Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca

Budget 2017 Brings a Real and Fair Chance at Success to Cloverdale-Langley City

March 23, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario

Yesterday, the Government of Canada tabled Budget 2017, “Building a Strong Middle Class.”
Budget 2017 is the next step in the Government’s ambitious plan to make smart investments
that will create jobs, grow our economy, and provide more opportunities for the middle class
and those working hard to join it. Budget 2017 puts Canada’s skilled, talented, and creative
people at the heart of a more innovative future economy – one that will create middle class jobs
today and tomorrow.

Following in the footsteps of Budget 2016, this year’s federal budget offers immediate assistance
to those who need it most and helps ensure that everyone has a real and fair chance of success.
With these smart investments and a commitment to fairness, the Government ensuring that
Canada’s best days lie ahead.

With its strong focus on innovation, skills, partnerships and fairness, Budget 2017 takes the next
steps in securing a more prosperous future for all Canadians and will directly benefit people
living in Cloverdale-Langley City.

Some key measures for British Columbians are:

• Making ambitious investments in public transit projects that will shorten commutes, decrease air pollution, and allow Canadians to spend more time with their families – through an investment of $20.1 billion, over 11 years, in partnership with the provinces and territories. 
• A major transfer of $6.7 billion in 2017-18, an increase of $194.9 million from the previous year. Of this, British Columbia will receive:
  •  $4.9 billion through the Canada Health Transfer, an increase of $142.3 million from the previous year
  • $1.8 billion through the Canada Social Transfer, an increase of $52.7 million from the previous year.
• Providing more – and better – home care and mental health supports for Canadians who need it – through an investment of 11 billion, over ten years. More specifically, the Government will provide British Columbia with an additional $1.4 billion in the next decade, of which:
  • $785.7 million will be dedicated to better home care – including addressing critical home care infrastructure requirements
  • $654.7 million will be allocated in support of mental health initiatives.
• $100 million to combat Canada’s opioid crisis, including urgently needed support of $10 million to the Government of British Columbia in February 2017, to address its opioid-related public health emergency.
• As part of a new National Housing Strategy, the Government will invest more than $11.2 billion in a range of initiatives designed to build, renew and repair Canada’s stock of affordable housing and help to ensure that Canadians have adequate and affordable housing that meets their needs.
• Budget 2017 proposes to invest an additional $7 billion over 10 years, starting in 2018–19, to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care spaces across the country. Over the next three years, these investments could:
  • Increase the number of affordable child care spaces for low- and modest-income families by supporting up to 40,000 new subsidized child care spaces.
• Establishing a National Strategy to Address Gender-Based Violence that will help the government make informed decisions to advance the goals of gender equality, fairness, and stronger workforce participation – through an investment of $100.9 million over five years, beginning in 2017-18, and $20.7 million per year thereafter.
• Supporting a Community Heroes benefit that will give the much-needed help to families of public safety officers who have fallen in the line of duty – through an investment that will be announced in 2018-19 - $80M over 5 years starting in 2018/19
• Strong support for business-led innovation “superclusters” – in key sectors such as digital and clean tech – that have the greatest potential to accelerate economic growth, through an investment of up to $950 million over five years, starting in 2017–18.
• Making Parental Leave more accessible by extending eligibility to allow parents to choose up to 18 months of benefits at a reduced rate.

Budget 2017 is a continuation of our Government’s commitment to Canadians from coast to
coast to coast. By investing in the economy today, we will create a stronger economy for
decades to come, and benefit Canadians today, and well into the future.

John Aldag
Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City