Please join me for a virtual town hall discussion with the Honourable Marc Garneau, the Government of Canada’s Minister of Transport, on Thursday, November 26 at 1:00-2:00pm PST.

We look forward to covering topics of high interest in our community, and across the country, such as how we are changing and regulating the way we travel and trade in our country and around the world by boat, train, and by airplane.

Please feel free to share this event with your friends and networks, and submit any questions you would like to have answered to [email protected].

Topic: Town Hall with Minister Garneau and MP Patrick Weiler

Time: Thursday, November 26 at 1:00pm PT Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/PatrickBWeiler/

Last month, I had the pleasure of hosting the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, for a discussion on our Government's ambitious climate action strategy and our plans for a cleaner environment, and a more sustainable and circular economy. We discussed a myriad of topics, ranging from global climate cooperation to addressing local issues here in our community. Minister Wilkinson reaffirmed our commitments to meet and exceed Canada’s 2030 climate targets and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and spoke on the next steps to achieve these important goals.

We also discussed our Government’s plastic reduction strategy and our commitment to ban certain single-use plastics by the end of 2021. We are continuing to develop this plan in coordination with the provinces and territories, scientists, community organizations, small businesses, and stakeholders across the country to ensure an effective and seamless transition as we prevent plastic from entering our terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments.

Minister Wilkinson and I also highlighted the important opportunities that climate action brings as we transition to the new green economy which will be a key component of our plan to Build Back Better from the pandemic and to create a million jobs across the country in the process. You can watch the full Townhall here on my Facebook page, as well as previous town halls with the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources.

We have seen our communities coming together in extraordinary ways to support each other throughout this pandemic. Charities and those that volunteer for them are at the heart of providing this support, and is especially important in helping the most vulnerable people in our communities. Thank you to all those who have and continue to step up and give a helping hand to those in need.

Our Government will continue to support volunteers and community organizations through emergency COVID-19 measures, such as the COVID-19 Emergency Community Support Fund that is being administered by the West Vancouver Foundation, the Bowen Island Community Foundation, the Sunshine Coast Foundation, the Squamish Community Foundation, and the Whistler Community Foundation. I invite you to learn more about the incredible work that is being supported in our community by visiting their websites.

Through the Government’s New Horizons for Seniors program, we have been able to support seniors organizations across our riding to help them adapt to the pandemic so they can continue providing essential services and address social isolation for our seniors. The North Shore Volunteers for Seniors in West Vancouver was able to utilize their grant to purchase hand sanitizer, air purifiers, and Plexiglass, enabling members to gather safely, reinstate social games, and attend fun workshops with friends and family. Ensuring pandemic safety while supporting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of isolated vulnerable community members will only become more important in the months ahead. Our Government is committed to meeting those needs through our support and funding programs as we get through the pandemic together.

Are you in high school or university and interested in engaging in federal politics and making a difference in your community?

We are now accepting applications for the 2021 Constituency Youth Council (CYC)! The CYC is a valuable opportunity for youth aged 15 to 21 to engage in the political process and get involved in our community. This is a non-partisan group of youth that gather to discuss and take action on political issues that are of relevance to their generation. The CYC provides valuable input to help guide me and our Government in addressing these issues, and is a unique opportunity for youth to get involved in politics. The typical time commitment involved in being part of the CYC is 1-2 monthly meetings for a

total of approximately 2 hours per month. In accordance with COVID-19 public health guidelines and orders, most of these meetings are likely to be held virtually for the foreseeable future.

Projects undertaken by past CYCs have ranged from food drives, hosting public forums, and ministerial letters. Past councils have been focused on tackling important issues such as climate change, gender equality, and youth employment. This year’s Council will have the chance to build on these discussions and take on projects that will positively impact our community.

Apply now to join the CYC using this form: https://forms.gle/r7XwAGLCSYG1kXip6

Deadline for application: November 30, 2020

First proposed by the former Conservative MP Rona Ambrose through a Private Member’s Bill, Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code has re-entered the House floor and I am proud to say received unanimous consent, in principle, from all parties. Survivors of sexual assault in Canada deserve to have confidence that the judges ruling on their cases will have the necessary training to understand the complex nature of sexual assault cases as well as be educated on the myths and stereotypes that often surround them. Bill C-3 will address these issues by strengthening training requirements for newly appointed federal judges and providing existing judges with broader training and education on sexual assault.

The Government of Canada is continuing to take significant and decisive action to support Canadians and protect jobs during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. That is why we introduced and passed Bill C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19. The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) provides support to contract and gig workers (that do not qualify for EI) that are involuntarily without work due to COVID-19 with financial support. The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit provides up to 2 weeks of paid sick leave. The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit provides support for workers who are unable to work because they must care for a dependent. For more information on these and other COVID-19 related programs, please visit Canada.ca/coronavirus.

There is no relationship more important to Canada than the one with Indigenous Peoples. Canada recognizes the harm that Residential Schools among other discriminatory policies have had against First Nation, Inuit and Metis people. We are therefore following through on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action (#80) with Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) to make September 30th the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the survivors of Residential Schools. We will continue to work in collaboration with Indigenous peoples to plan this National Day, and we will soon be introducing legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into federal legislation.

Conversion therapy is a degrading practice that targets vulnerable LGBTQ2 Canadians in an attempt to change their sexual orientation or gender identity and can lead to life-long trauma. It is rooted in the belief that sexual orientation or gender identity can and should be changed to fit a narrow idea of what is ‘normal’ or ‘natural’. We introduced Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Conversion Therapy) to criminalize this heinous practice. It is identical to former Bill C-8, which was introduced on March 9, 2020.

Medical assistance in dying is a deeply personal issue for our community and one that affects many individuals and families across the country. The campaign to amend our laws to allow this practice has in fact been championed by those in our riding, including the late Gillian Bennett of Bowen Island. Revitalized and on the floor, Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code Medical Assistance in Dying, will bring the legislation in line with a recent decision by the Quebec courts, and it follows a robust public consultation process where 300,000 Canadians participated in online across Canada. Bill C-7 proposes to remove the reasonably foreseeable death clause and instead will introduce a two-track approach to procedural safeguards that will assess the unique situation of each candidate. This legislation also recognizes the significant role that social, mental health, disability and community support services play in the full realization of these rights. A further parliamentary review will take place in 2021.

Do you know of an organization or person that has not received the recognition that you think they deserve for their volunteer contributions to our community or country?

Volunteers are an important part of any community, providing valuable services, connection and engagement. The inaugural Unsung Champions awards are one way to highlight and celebrate the value they add to our communities and/or the lives of our community members.

Please nominate individuals and organizations one at a time - to nominate a different person, please submit a new form.

Click here for the Nomination Form

Deadline for submissions: November 15, 2020, at 11:59 pm.

If you have any questions or prefer a hard copy of the nomination form, please connect with [email protected]

Hearing from and listening to constituents is essential to my work and the advocacy that I bring to Ottawa. To help facilitate that, you are invited to share your thoughts by filling out this Google Form. I would love to hear from you about the priorities and issues that matter most to you and your community.

Deadline for submissions is November 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

Due to COVID-19, Remembrance Day will be celebrated differently throughout the riding. While we may not be gathering in large groups as we normally do, I invite you to connect to your regional Legion to support or livestream the Remembrance Day ceremony to appreciate and give thanks for the sacrifices our veterans have and continue to make to keep us safe.

• West Vancouver Legion #60
• Squamish Legion #277
• Bowen Island Legion #150
• Pemberton Legion #201
• Roberts Creek Legion #219
• Sechelt Legion #140 (This year's ceremony will also be broadcasted by Coast Cable Company)
• Pender Harbour Legion #112
• Gibsons Legion #109
• Lions Bay Legion
• Whistler Legion