Patrick Weiler
Patrick Weiler
Digital Newsletter - December 2020
December 1, 2020
I am writing to you from Ottawa, where I am for the remainder of this year’s parliamentary calendar for the introduction and debate of many important measures such as our climate action accountability legislation, implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into federal law, Medical Assistance in Dying, and the Fall Economic Statement (FES), among others.

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of joining our Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance for the announcement of the FES. The FES contains important priorities for our communities that I have been working hard to secure. Some of the highlights include significant funding to help with the health response to the pandemic, including testing, vaccines, and long-term care, support for our most vulnerable through extra funding to fight homelessness and to fight the opioid crisis.

We are making important investments in making housing more affordable by improving the First-Time Home Buyer’s Incentive and making more money available to fund affordable rental housing. We are also making life more affordable for families by setting in motion the initial steps to create a national early childhood education system and providing temporary additional support for parents.

We are taking action to protect jobs by increasing and extending the Wage Subsidy and the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (which is available for application now), and providing significant targeted support for hard hit sectors like tourism that is critical in our communities. Importantly, the request for a Regional Development Agency for British Columbia has been answered. This will replace Western Economic Diversification for BC businesses and allow for targeted support for businesses and innovation for the unique context of BC’s economy through this and our Community Futures offices.

We are also making important down payments on measures in our enhanced action climate plan, including creating grants for Canadians to make home retrofits, and important investments of nature-based solutions for climate change, which can provide up to 40% of the emissions reductions we are committed to achieving by 2030.

Going forward, we will be introducing economic stimulus measures ranging from 3-4% of GDP over the next three years to ensure that we build back better with a cleaner, more inclusive, more innovative and more competitive Canada.

As we enter the holiday season, I hope you and your families are doing well. I know many of us are concerned about the steady rise in COVID-19 cases across British Columbia and Canada, and around the world. It is important for you to know that the federal government has our backs to help us through this. While we are more prepared for this wave than in the spring, it is more important now than ever before for each of us to do our part to protect one another.

For the latest information from the federal government, please visit Canada.ca/coronavirus, and for information on all provincial public health orders and advice, please visit gov.bc.ca/covid19. We have flattened the curve before, and together we can do it again.

A reminder that you are invited to share your thoughts on the work that I am doing and the priorities that matter to you by filling out our Constituent Survey Google Form. I would love to hear from you about the issues that matter most to you and your community.

I am also providing free masks to anyone who would like one, so if you would like to have a mask mailed to you, please call our office at (604) 913-2660 or email us at [email protected].

I wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Shabe Yalda mobarak!

This MP update includes the following:
  • Constituency Staff Update
  • Fiscal Update from Finance Minister Freeland
  • Townhall with Minister Garneau
  • Working from Ottawa
  • Legislation in the House of Commons
  • Community Updates
  • Constituency Youth Council Applications
For real time updates, please follow me on social media @PatrickBWeiler and please reach out to me and my office at [email protected]
 
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Constituency Staff Update

I am pleased to welcome a new member to our Constituency Office team. Cassandra Sawtell is our new West Vancouver Outreach & Communications Assistant, who will be working on stakeholder engagement and assisting with communications work. Cassandra has deep ties to West Vancouver having been born and raised here. After completing her Bachelors of Law at the University of Edinburgh, Cassandra has returned home and we are thrilled to be working alongside her on our team. 

 
Fiscal Update From Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland
 
This week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, delivered the 2020 Fall Economic Statement to update Canadians on the Government of Canada’s plans to protect and support Canadian workers, families, and businesses during the pandemic and lay the roadwork for our post-pandemic economic recovery.

As we continue to fight COVID-19, we announced a suite of new investments in rapid testing and contact tracing, $500 million in procurement of personal protective equipment, and $150 million to improve ventilation in public buildings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Through a $1 billion new Long-term Care Fund, we are determined to help provinces protect people in home long-term care now and in the years to come.

To support businesses big and small through the second wave, we are increasing the maximum rate of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to 75 per cent for the period beginning December 20, 2020 and extending this rate until March 13, 2021, and will extend the current rates of the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until March 13, 2021. Both programs will be there for businesses until June 2021. In recognition of the changing nature of work, we’re also announcing a new tax credit so Canadians working from home can deduct up to $400 under a simplified Home Office Expense Deduction.

We’re launching new supports for Canada’s hardest-hit industries, like tourism, hotels, arts and culture, and the air sector, including the new Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program. As mentioned, our Government is also looking to create a new regional development agency for British Columbia, to most effectively deliver assistance to many businesses unable to take advantage of other federal pandemic support programs.

We know many families with young children are continuing to struggle with expenses during the pandemic, so we will provide temporary support of up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of six for families entitled to the Canada Child Benefit.

To support our economy in the long-term, our Government will invest in an economic stimulus over three years to jumpstart our recovery. With investments in transformative initiatives such as a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System, programs to support the economy’s green transformation, and initiatives to address systemic racism, we will Build Back Better towards an economy that is cleaner, more inclusive, more innovative and more competitive.

The FES also detailed a number of new announcements in our nature-based climate action programs including $3.16 billion, over ten years, starting in 2021-22 for our plan to plant 2 billion trees and $631 million over ten years to restore degraded ecosystems, protect wildlife, and improve land and resource management practices.

Our Government is also providing $2.6 billion over 7 years, starting in 2020-21 to help homeowners improve their home energy efficiency by providing up to 700,000 grants of up to $5,000 to help homeowners make energy-efficient improvements to their homes, up to one million free EnerGuide energy assessments, and support to recruit and train EnerGuide energy auditors to meet increased demand. Additional information on home energy efficiency grants will be provided in a future announcement, and eligibility for these grants will be retroactive to December 1, 2020.

I know many in our community are concerned with the level of expenditure that has been announced. It is important to remember, however, that Canada entered the pandemic in a position of strength, with the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio among G7 peers, a position we still retain. Our history of prudent fiscal management and current historically low borrowing rates have meant that Canada’s debt is affordable now, and will be for future generations. In fact, federal debt-servicing costs, relative to the size of Canada’s economy, are at a 100-year low.

As we work to implement this ambitious program of supports and investments, our Government is determined to support all Canadians through this crisis and ensure Canada’s future economy is resilient, inclusive, and strong for everyone.

 
Townhall with Minister Garneau
 
On November 26, I had the distinct pleasure of hosting the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, for a discussion on a range of transportation-related issues of interest in our community and across the country. Thank you to our two panellists, Bonny Brokenshire, Manager of Parks and Environment at Bowen Island Municipality, and Councillor Eric Scott from the District of Sechelt for attending and asking your important questions to the Minister.
 
Minister Garneau answered a myriad of questions sent in from constituents across our riding, both from emailed submissions and questions posed live, including on our Government’s work to remove derelict and abandoned vessels, zero-emissions technology and programs, improving urban-rural transportation connectivity, and the impacts of COVID-19 on BC Ferries. We also addressed progress on our climate change targets and commitments, and how Transport Canada will continue to take action to create a net-zero emissions future by 2050.

Thank you to the Minister for joining us for an engaging and productive town hall. You can watch the full town hall here: https://fb.watch/20jpP5v3tG/
 
 
Legislation in the House of Commons
 
My colleagues and I in the House have been working hard to pass a number of important bills into law as we continue to support all Canadians impacted by the pandemic and make progress on a number of other key priorities. Please see below for an update on our Government’s legislative work in the past month:
 
Bill C-7
The Government of Canada is amending our legislation on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). Bill C-7 – An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying) proposes amendments to the Criminal Code provisions on MAID in response to the Superior Court of Québec Truchon decision, which struck down the eligibility criterion requiring that natural death be reasonably foreseeable. It is identical to former Bill C-7, which was introduced on February 24, 2020. The Bill proposes to repeal the MAID eligibility criterion that requires a person’s natural death to be reasonably foreseeable while specifying that persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness are not eligible for MAID. It also creates two sets of safeguards that must be respected before MAID is provided, permits the waiver of the requirement to give final consent in specific circumstances, and makes changes to the MAID monitoring regime to capture information from a wider range of assessments approaches.
Bill C-8
The Government of Canada is taking action to amend the Citizenship Act. Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 94), aims to modify the Oath of Affirmation of Citizenship; the current oath has not been modified in over 40 years. The oath being taken will include both an allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and its modification will allow for recognition and reconciliation of the Indigenous Peoples of this country. We understand the struggles that Indigenous Peoples have faced in Canada and we recognize the necessity to familiarize the latest citizens of this country with these matters.
Bill C-9
Many have suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially businesses. The Government of Canada passed Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy), which provides simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021. The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) is provided directly to tenants, while also providing support to landlords. The CERS also supports businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop, by subsidizing a percentage of their expenses, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 65 percent of eligible expenses until March 13, 2021, as outlined by the Fall Economic Statement. The new Lockdown Support provides an additional 25% support through the CERS for qualifying organizations. When combined, businesses that have been affected the most by the pandemic could receive rent support of up to 90 percent. The extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to June 2021 will encourage employers to keep their employees or rehire them. This measure will fulfil the Government’s plan to restore the employment rate to what it was previous to the pandemic. In the Fall Economic Statement, we pledged to increase the Wage Subsidy’s maximum rate of 75% until March 13, 2021.
Bill C-10
The Government has taken action to amend the Broadcasting Act through Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts. The last major reform of the Broadcasting Act was in 1991 – before dial-up internet was widely available in Canada. Services like Crave, Netflix, Tou.TV and Spotify have dramatically changed how we watch television and movies and listen to music. However, online broadcasting services are not subject to the same rules as traditional broadcasting services like over-the-air television, cable and radio. This Bill delivers on the Government’s commitment to ensure that web giants contribute to the creation, production, and distribution of Canadian stories and music – in both official languages, as well as Indigenous languages. This legislation will ensure online broadcasters contribute their fair share to support Canadian music and stories, while providing more creative opportunities in Canada, for Canadians and by Canadians. We are ready to work with our colleagues in opposition parties to protect our culture and promote Canadian works and creators in Canada and abroad. 
Bill C-11
Our Government understands the importance Canadians place on their personal privacy and information. That is why we introduced Bill C-11, Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2020. This legislation will significantly increase protections to Canadians’ personal information by giving Canadians more control and greater transparency when companies handle their personal information. The DCIA would also provide significant new consequences for non-compliance with the law, including steep fines for violations. Modernized consent rules would ensure that individuals have the plain-language information they need to make meaningful choices about the use of their personal information. To further improve their control, individuals would have the right to direct the transfer of their personal information from one organization to another. For example, individuals could direct their bank to share their personal information with another financial institution. Additionally, the accessibility of information online makes it hard for individuals to control their online identity. This legislation would allow individuals to request that organizations dispose of personal information and, in most cases, permit individuals to withdraw consent for the use of their information.
Bill C-12
Our climate is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. In the North, warming is nearly three times as fast. Canadians recognize that much more work is required to protect the environment for the benefit of future generations which is why they are calling on the government to deliver a concrete plan on how we are going to achieve net-zero by 2050. Bill C-12, Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, will require that national targets and plans for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada be put in place, with the objective of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. The initial 2030 target must be set by the Minister of the Environment within six months of coming into force of this Act along with an emissions reductions plan. Both must be tabled in Parliament. A progress report must also be tabled by 2027. Countries around the world are accelerating their transition to a net-zero economy, and Canada cannot fall behind. We must seize the economic opportunity that climate action presents and provide the world with the cleanest, most cutting-edge innovations – not just now, but for decades to come. Net-zero is not just a plan for a healthier environment; it is a plan to build a cleaner, more competitive economy. This legislation will hold the federal government to its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and to exceeding our 2030 Paris target.
 
Community Updates & Stories
 
On November 11, we marked Remembrance Day, and while we were not able to hold events in person this year, our communities came together virtually to thank and honour the sacrifice of all our Canadian veterans who courageously served in the past and present for our country. You can watch my statement here: https://fb.watch/20kuZdRrbm/.

In addition to my weekly meetings with elected officials and stakeholders across our riding, last month, I had a great opportunity to engage broadly with Coast residents and small businesses during a Zoom meeting with the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce. We discussed a variety of issues, including my top priorities as your Member of Parliament during the pandemic and how the federal government will continue to support small businesses in the months to come. To say that this has been a difficult year for small businesses in our community is an understatement. The launch of applications for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) is an important new financial lifeline for struggling small businesses. Thank you to all the workers and business owners that continue to work for our communities during these difficult times, showing incredible resilience in the face of hardship. The Government of Canada will do everything it can to support you now and in the future.

As we head into the holiday season, we know that this Christmas in particular will be a difficult one for many in parts of our riding, especially the most vulnerable members of our community. Feed the Need is a program that was established by the West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre earlier this year in response to the pandemic, to support seniors who lacked the means to access regular meals. I am pleased to see that their matching grant program will keep going until December 31. The Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund, which is administered by the West Vancouver Foundation, will match donations up to $100,000 to help support the program. This is a great initiative so please consider donating if you have the means to do so.

Finally, a big shoutout to our own Constituency Youth Council member Jennifer Gu who will be joining Canada’s national junior golf team for the 2021 season. Congratulations Jenn on your incredible accomplishment!
 
 
2021 Constituency Youth Council – Application Deadline Extended
 
We are continuing to accept applications for the 2021 West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country 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

Extended deadline for application: December 20, 2020
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