I hope that everyone had a safe, healthy and happy Christmas and holiday season. 

As we start 2025, I would like to take some time to review some the work our team and I have done in Ottawa and through our Community Office over the last year.

2024 saw my Conservative colleagues and I holding this Liberal government to account on a number of important issues.

On the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities – of which I serve on as Vice Chair – we heard from many expert witnesses, including residents from Kelowna-Lake Country. I’ve always made it a goal to bring the voices of Kelowna-Lake Country to Ottawa on the committees that I sit on. Notably, we heard how the Liberal government’s increasing of the capital gains tax will hurt tech innovators, home construction and prospective retirees. We also heard how many poverty metrics have gotten worse, how the Liberal government broke promises to persons living with disabilities, and how federal government policies and red tape are increasing homebuilding costs. There will be more work to do on studies regarding employment, labour, income security, skills development, and disability issues in the new year.

One clear priority this year was opposing this government’s costly carbon tax, which has raised the cost of everything. We know how impactful the carbon tax is: the Fraser Institute reported that it will lead to 57,000 fewer jobs and will reduce Canada’s GDP by 6.2% by 2030, costing the Canadian economy $30.5 billion. Conservatives consistently called for the Liberal government to axe the tax, which also has GST added adding even more costs to taxpayers – a tax on a tax.  

Conservatives also held this government to account on the Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) ‘Green Slush Fund’ scandal, which saw the Liberal government paralyze the work of Parliament for months due to them not handing over all unredacted documents to the RCMP. The federal government agency, SDTC, inappropriately awarded nearly $400 million dollars to board members (who were appointed by Liberal Ministers) having been found to be in conflict of interest by the Auditor General of Canada.

My Conservative colleagues and I pressed the government on their disastrous drug decriminalization experiment in BC. There was evidence of taxpayer-funded drugs even being diverted to children. It helped fuel the illegal drug trade further and did not reverse the deadly drug crisis. In fact, since this Prime Minister was first elected, over 47,000 Canadians have died from drug overdoses. I have questioned ministers on this crucial issue and will continue to push the government on their tragic failure to keep Canadians safe from deadly drugs.

Throughout the year, other issues I heard the most about from residents in Kelowna-Lake Country and what I’ve advocated on included their concerns with rising crime, the new Liberal firearm confiscation scheme targeting law abiding hunters and sports shooters, and the potential loss of available natural health products due to new federal government fees and rules.

I also greatly appreciate all the opportunities I had over the last year to connect with many businesses including farmers, not for profits, and residents, and to be boots on the ground meeting people at their doorsteps. The “spirit of Kelowna-Lake Country” was strong with generosity of fundraisers and volunteers in our community helping each other. Attending many community activities such as Canada Day, Rutland Scare Crow Festival, Remembrance Day, car shows and numerous cultural, heritage and religious events that make our community vibrant is a meaningful way for me to connect with many residents.   

Our annual project of offering Canada flag sets for residents’ homes is always extremely popular.  We were proud to continue our Mothers Day and Fathers Day cookie drop-off to organizations who serve some of the most vulnerable in our community.

New activities by our Community Office team this year included proudly hosting a Citizenship Reaffirmation Ceremony to congratulate and meet new local Canadian citizens. Our Community Office also launched a Youth Council as a way of connecting with and getting feedback from young adults.

This next session of parliament runs until June and will be the last session before the next election. It will therefore be incredibly important for holding the government to account as the Official Opposition.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have thoughts to share on my work over the last year, or if you have thoughts how to best represent Kelowna-Lake Country in the new year.

Please reach out to 250-470-5075 or [email protected] if you need assistance with any federal programs.