✔︎ S-232 (Canadian Jewish Heritage Month)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
S-232: An Act respecting Canadian Jewish Heritage Month.
Third Reading.
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
Supporting Bill S-232 is aligned with the Government’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as with the Canadian Multiculturalism Policy which aims to recognize the existence of communities whose members share the same origin and their contribution to the history of the country, and to foster their development. The month of May is also already recognized as Jewish Heritage Month by the province of Ontario (since 2012) and in the United States (since 2006). The recognition at the federal level would bring awareness towards this month in Canada.
Result
Passed.
✘ C-373 (Distracted Driving)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
C-373: An Act respecting a federal framework on distracted driving.
Second reading.
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
While I supported the intent of Bill C-373 and objective of combatting distracted driving, I voted against this bill as it would overlap with provincial/territorial responsibilities, duplicate existing work being done by Transport Canada, and have financial implications for both federal and provincial governments.
Result
Defeated.
✘ C-364 (Political Financing)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
C-364: An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act (political financing).
Second reading.
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
Canada already has a strong political financing system. The Government of Canada already provides political parties with financial support through the rebates to parties and candidates. A tax credit is also offered to individuals who make poltiical donations.
Result
Defeated.
✘ M-147 (Private Members' Business - (Special Committee on Homelessness)
Voted nay. Motion defeated.
Motion
M-147: Private Members' Business - (Special Committee on Homelessness.
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
I opposed M-147 because it would've duplicated existing work being done by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the Advisory Committee on Homelessness.
Result
Passed.
MP John Aldag Applauds Budget 2018 for Breaking Down Barriers to Gender Equality
Today, MP John Aldag was in the House of Commons for the introduction of Budget 2018 and was pleased by how investments in Budget 2018 will help the Government take the steps needed to encourage the broader participation of women in the workforce and build an economy that work for everyone.
February 27, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario
The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers to gender equality in education, employment and entrepreneurship, so that women and girls can participate in, and contribute to, Canada's growing economy to the benefit of the middle class and those working hard to join it. When women have equal opportunities to succeed they can be powerful agents of change-driving strong economic growth and improving the quality of life for their families and their communities.
Today, MP John Aldag was in the House of Commons for the introduction of Budget 2018 and was pleased by how investments in Budget 2018 will help the Government take the steps needed to encourage the broader participation of women in the workforce and build an economy that work for everyone.
With Budget 2018, the Government proposes to introduce a new Employment Insurance Parental Sharing Benefit that would provide an additional five weeks of Employment Insurance Parental Benefits when parents-including adoptive and same-sex couples-agree to share parental leave. This "use-it-or-lose-it" incentive encourages a second parent in two-parent families to share equally in the work of raising their children-which will allow greater flexibility for new moms to return to work sooner.
With equality of opportunity as a guiding principle, Budget 2018 takes the next steps in the Government's plan to create good, well-paying jobs, improve lives and grow the economy for all Canadians.
"For our economy to grow and create jobs that benefit the middle class, we need
more women to be able to seize the opportunities of a growing economy. The
Government knows that gender equality is not only good for Canada; it is good for our
economy. Providing women with equal economic opportunities and unleashing their
full potential will drive innovation and support the middle class."
- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City
For more information:
Kurtis Layden
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-992-0884
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca
Government of Canada invests in the YMCA Plusone program in Surrey
Today, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $5 million over five years in federal funding from the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) to expand the YMCA’s Plusone Mentoring program.
February 20, 2018 – Surrey, BC
Today, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $5 million over five years in federal funding from the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) to expand the YMCA’s Plusone Mentoring program.
The Plusone mentoring is a community-based program that aims at engaging early with youth at risk of committing crimes. It uses trained volunteers to individually mentor youth about the life challenges they are facing. The YMCAs of Québec are implementing the program in four cities across the country (Moncton, NB; Montreal, QC; Regina, SK; and Surrey, BC) and are hoping to help 720 participants between 10- and 17-years-old, with one volunteer mentor for each young person.
The program is proven to help deter at risk youth from coming into contact with the justice system. A review found that after six months, 86 percent of young people in the program had significantly improved their behaviour and changed their attitude.
“Our government is committed to implementing evidence-based criminal justice policies that are proven to prevent crime and victimization, and keep our communities and citizens safe. We are proud to partner with the YMCA to implement programming that stops crime before it starts by reaching out and empowering at-risk individuals to make positive and healthy decisions by giving them access to support and opportunities.”
- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
“The YMCA’s Plusone mentoring program is just the kind of smart, innovative and evidence-based approach to crime prevention that Canadians expect. I know it will be yet another success story for the YMCA, and for our community.”
- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City
"The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is thrilled to partner with the YMCAs of Quebec to provide another positive outlet to vulnerable youth in our community. Today's teenagers face challenges that impact their overall health, confidence and ability to thrive. The YMCA Plusone Mentoring program will allow our Y to connect young people with mentors to share positive experiences, feel more connected to their community and gain a stronger sense of purpose. We are grateful for the Government of Canada&'s funding for this important preventative work."
- Steve Butz, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver
"I am very pleased to share with the Federal Government the YMCA's vast front-line experience with at-risk-youth. When kids come to the Y, it has a huge impact on their success in school, home life and health. It's about prevention. It's about keeping kids who are at-risk off the streets and encouraging healthy habits through the guidance and personalized support of a mentor. The YMCA Plusone Mentoring program is an established and proven early intervention model, and this program demonstrates that the YMCA is a partner of choice engaged in helping young people achieve success and attain their full potential."
- Stéphane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of The YMCAs of Québec
Quick Facts:
- The YMCAs of Québec are implementing the Plusone program in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Vancouver, the YMCA of Regina, the YMCA of Greater Moncton, and the YMCA Scotland (program founder).
- From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the Government of Canada supported 91 community-
based crime prevention projects across Canada. - Close to $43 million is committed to projects in 2017-2018 to support the National Crime
Prevention Strategy. Through these investments, the government is supporting the
development of cost-effective ways to prevent and reduce crime among at-risk populations
and vulnerable communities by intervening to mitigate the underlying factors that put
individuals at risk of offending.
Associated Links:
For more information:
Scott Bardsley
Press Secretary
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca
✘ C-378 (Fairness Principles)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
C-378: An Act to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Act (fairness principles).
Second reading.
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
Our government has taken significant steps to support our Veterans, including improvements to service delivery and introduction of new and better services. The principles in Bill C-378 are existing service standards and already included in the Veterans Bill of Rights.
Result
Defeated.