Press Release: MP Thomas Responds to the NDP-Liberal Budget

OTTAWA, ON— Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, AB, Rachael Thomas, reacted to the federal government’s budget shortly after it was tabled by the Liberal Finance Minister in the House of Commons.

“The NDP-Liberal government has doubled down on their uncontrolled borrowing and higher taxes. The budget projects more than $56 billion in new spending. Sadly, this will offer short- term relief followed by long-term pain. The cost of living will continue to skyrocket due to inflation and those who are already struggling will bear the brunt of it.

“Think about what this means for Lethbridge. We currently have the highest level of child poverty in the province and foodbanks are already overwhelmed by the present demand. Imagine what will happen when more and more people are unable to afford to pay their bills and feed their families.

“To control inflation, you have to control spending. To put it simply, the government has failed. Mr. Trudeau is continuing his tax-and-spend agenda to satisfy the demands of the NDP made during their backroom negotiations.

"Today’s government spending becomes tomorrow’s taxes, but tomorrow has arrived. It has come in the form of inflation. We currently have an inflation rate of 5.7 percent, the highest in 30 years. Instead of reigning in the excessive spending, the NDP-Liberals are pouring gasoline on the fire.

“The Prime Minister promised to grow “the middle class,” but in reality, his policies are making it more and more difficult for Canadians to make ends meet, let alone make financial gains.

“Many have come into my office, heating bill in hand and tears in their eyes, because the cost of heating their homes is overwhelming—especially for someone like Charlie or Emma who are seniors on fixed incomes.

“It’s not hard to spend money—especially when its someone else’s. It seems the NDP-Liberal solution to everything is spend, spend, spend, but since when is the amount of money spent a credible metric for success? Never! Success is not measured based on how many government cheques are written. Success is measured based on what’s achieved by that spending.

“People are always better off when they are empowered to be masters of their own destiny, not slaves to an over-taxing government.

“It pains me to know that we are dead last among the OECD countries when it comes to economic growth. This is due to the government’s negative attitude toward business owners and entrepreneurs, along with their insistence on driving out investment.

“In this budget, there is no grand vision to restore Canada’s reputation on the world stage, nor is there a plan to harness the economic power of our natural resources and generate wealth for the country.

“The NDP-Liberals like to say they have Canadians’ backs, but all of this excessive spending is driving up the price of goods and crushing the value of hardworking Canadians’ dollars. This is the very opposite of care, compassion, and support.

“So, what is the solution? Less government and more Canada. It is not a leader, a political party, or the government that is going to restore economic prosperity and future success for this country—It is the Canadian people.

“Despite the misguided agenda of the federal government, I remain confident in our future because I remain confident in Canadians.”

-30-

Lethbridge Herald: Therapeutic moralism flaunted as environmentalism

Several years ago, I was in a car accident and suffered severe whiplash. I was told I needed physical therapy to heal and regain the full function of my neck. Though the treatment was uncomfortable and even painful at times, I saw positive results so I kept going.

People are usually willing to keep doing something, even if its painful, as long as it produces the desired outcome.

The carbon tax went up by 25 per cent yesterday. It was April Fools, but the devastating impact of this tax is no joke! Canadians will pay extra for gas, home heating, food, and so much more.

No doubt, it makes some Canadians feel good to know they’re “doing their part” to save the planet.

I don’t blame them.

Millions of dollars have been spent on environmental campaigns with a single agenda: to end the use of fossil fuels.

The impetus for this type of action is varied. There are links to alternative energy corporations and green technology investors who get a huge economic bump from the government cheques they collect. Meanwhile, environmental ideologues get a morality boost from eating plant-based meat and driving electric vehicles to work.

There is a growing agenda to persuade the Canadian people into adopting certain behaviours with the promised reward of reducing emissions and protecting against climate change. The approach is moralistic, rather than practical.

We’ve been told oil and gas are bad, plastics should be banned, pipelines should be blocked, electric cars should be purchased, a price should be placed on carbon, and taxes should be increased.

Without studying whether the promised effect is being achieved, we get on board.

Are we doing what we’re told because it’s making an impact, or because it makes us feel better regardless of the outcome?

Are we truly stewarding Canada’s land, water, and air? Or are we simply marching dutifully?

If we are forced to change how we live, evidence of the desired outcomes should be provided. When it comes to the federal carbon tax, the government has failed to do this. In fact, on the contrary, carbon emissions continue to climb.

In other words, the government’s prescribed solution seems to be therapy for the guilty conscience, but not a solution for the planet.

The fact is, when it comes to resource development, Canada has some of the highest environmental regulations in the world, while many other oil-producing countries have none. The global demand for oil and gas continues to climb. By reducing our production to “protect the environment,” Canada is effectually boosting production in countries like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Russia.

While the NDP-Liberals like to preach they are doing the right thing by crippling our oil and gas industry and congratulate those who comply with their anti-energy agenda, the fact of the matter is, they are doing the exact opposite. They are boosting oil production in countries that don’t care about environmental protection, or producing oil and gas ethically, or paying workers well.

The current government’s environmental policy is nothing more than therapeutic moralism.

It’s disastrous! The environment isn’t being stewarded, the economy is tanking, and dictators are being empowered.

Instead of cancelling pipeline projects that could get more of our product to market, we should be investing and building our export capabilities. Boosting oil and gas production in Canada would create more jobs and generate more revenue that could be directed toward vital infrastructure projects. It would not only make us more prosperous economically, but it would also ensure energy security for our nation and allow us to export to other countries.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown the world that energy security is integral to national security. Putin’s war machine is powered largely from oil and gas revenue brought in from European countries that are forced to purchase from Russia. Exporting Canadian oil and gas to nations that are currently dependent on dictators would help safeguard humanity.

Furthermore, Canadian LNG can play a significant role in lowering global emissions. A 2020 study in the Journal for Cleaner Production demonstrates that China’s emissions could be lowered by 62 per cent if coal was replaced by imported natural gas from Canada. Canada must plan and act globally if we truly wish to make a difference. Currently, that’s not the case.

It’s important to take a step back and question whether this false sense of gratification is worth it. Do we simply want to feel like we’re doing something worthwhile, or do we actually want to have an impact?

Knowing what I know about Canadians, I believe the majority of us truly desire to make our country and the world a better place. We don’t want to be swindled to advance someone else’s dishonest agenda.

Canadians have incredible grit, intelligence, and pragmatism.

Let’s insist on more than therapeutic moralism masquerading as a so-called environmental plan.

Lethbridge Herald: No to government control, yes to choice

Whenever we see government attempt to exert more control over the lives of Canadians, we should be on high alert.

Many have classified the Internet as the new public square.

A place where people are free to speak, debate, share, listen, critique, and learn from one another.

This space is unique in that it allows for connections to be made irrespective of geographical location. It is truly amazing!

The Internet has given us the opportunity to learn about different cultures, enjoy music from all over the world, find recipes from the 1600s, and learn how to maintain an urban garden, or change a flat tire.

Creators have been empowered to reach a global audience and viewers are able to access pretty much anything they wish.

Who could have predicted, even 30 years ago, the vast reach individuals would have through the Internet, or the success artists would achieve on various digital platforms? It is something remarkable and, I believe, something we should protect.

Why, you might ask, does this new public square need to be protected?

Quite simply, because the Liberal government is not comfortable with this vast space of open communication existing outside of its control.

There are tens of thousands of digital first creators and artists in Canada who have found a way to capitalize on this new system of digital communication.

They have built businesses and exported their art around the globe.

Instead of celebrating these accomplishments and encouraging these entrepreneurs to continue, the government has decided they need to be punished by having the draconian rules of the Broadcasting Act applied to them.

Enter Bill C-11.

Bill C-11 is the new iteration of Bill C-10. Its claimed intent is to level the playing field and make big web giants “pay their fair share.”

With this legislation, Canada will become the very first democratic country to apply its broadcasting act to the Internet.

In effect, Bill C-11 will put in place an “Internet czar”—the CRTC—which will govern how easily creators are able to make their content accessible online, and how easily viewers can access it.

In short, Canada will join the likes of China, Turkey, Iran, North Korea and Russia.

If that sounds alarming, it’s because it is!

It is important to note that the Broadcasting Act was never meant to regulate the Internet, which is infinite.

The Broadcasting Act was written for the purposes of regulating public television and radio programming.

The Liberals claim that bringing more government intervention through bureaucratic regulation will boost the Canadian arts and culture sector, but tell me about a time in history where more red tape and regulation has increased innovation, incentivized artistic creation, or prosperity.

You cannot because it does not.

This legislation sets up the CRTC as an unguided missile. Former CRTC Commissioner, Peter Menzies has warned, “a regulator left without limits will continue to seek to expand them.”

The Liberals assure us that this bill will protect and promote Canadian culture, but in actuality, it will prevent Canadian creatives from being able to organically gain and maintain a following.

The government, through the CRTC, will dictate what is “Canadian” enough to be kept on page one of your YouTube search, and what has to be bumped to page 53.

In other words, the CRTC will choose which creators get to succeed and which do not.

It will be up to government-instructed bureaucrats to pick winners and losers.

In effect, the government will simultaneously act as the arbiter of what you should and should not wish to watch based on a convoluted definition of how “Canadian” the content is.

Talk about a heavy-handed approach and a direct imposition on your freedom to choose.

World renowned Canadian YouTube artist, Lilly Singh said, “creators who have built their careers on the Internet need to be consulted on these decisions.”

“In trying to do what seems like a good thing –highlighting great Canadian-made content –you can unintentionally destroy a thriving creative ecosystem.”

Canadian digital first creators are hitting it out of the park without any intervention, strings-attached support, or regulation from the government.

As Morghan Fortier from Skyship Entertainment so eloquently put it:

“In Canada, digital content creators have built a successful, thriving industry on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and others that exports a huge amount of Canadian content to the rest of the world…. They’ve done this through their entrepreneurial spirit, their hard work, and largely without government interference or assistance. This achievement should be supported, celebrated and encouraged.”

Bill C-11 is a solution looking for a problem that doesn’t exist.

Digital first creators are against this bill because they do not want the government getting in the way of their potential. Canadian viewers are concerned because they do not want the government to limit their viewing choice.

I am listening, and I could not agree more.

NO to government deciding what is best for Canadians to produce and view, and YES to Canadian artists and Canadian consumers choosing for themselves.

If you agree with me, please take a minute to write a two-word email to the Heritage minister, Mr. Rodriguez: “No C-11!”

He can be emailed here: hon.pablo.rodriguez@pch.gc.ca