MAKING A DIFFERENCE

ALBERTA’S TEAM IN

@webber4confed /lenwebberMP

/lenwebberyyc www.lenwebber.ca

Alberta has a strong team of Conservative Members of Parliament in Ottawa and we are making sure Alberta’s priorities are loudly heard in the House of Commons.

Being in Opposition means we have to work with other parties to advance important issues — and we have! We have managed to make a difference in a wide variety of areas for all Albertans, no matter who you voted for in the last election.

I am pleased to share a small sample of the amazing work and initiatives that your Alberta Conservative MPs have done on your behalf. We will continue to advocate for Alberta at every turn and ensure that Alberta is a key part of Canada’s economic recovery.

We will continue to defend our hard-working Albertans and demand that our province get its fair share of support during and after the pandemic.

By working together on your behalf, our Conservative team has been able to magnify our voices and our impact in Parliament. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and hard-working team.

As always, I appreciate your ongoing support and encouragement and consider it an honour to be your elected federal representative in the House of Commons.

Sincerely, Make sure your opinion

Len Webber, MP counts. Return the Alberta Caucus Chair survey in this booklet postage-free.

2 Alberta’s Conservative Team Working For You A message from your Member of Parliament ...... 2 Organ Donation & Government Transparency (, MP) ...... 4 Equalization & Transfers Fairness (, MP) ...... 4 Standing Up for Tourism (, MP) ...... 5 Compassionate Care Leave (, MP)...... 5 The RIFF Financial Security Act (Kelly McCauley, MP) ...... 6 Mental Health Awareness (, MP) ...... 6 Environmental Restoration (, MP) ...... 7 Getting Serious on Rural Crime (, MP) ...... 7 Civility In Politics (, MP) ...... 8 Supporting Firearms Owners (, MP) ...... 8 Protecting Western Aviation (, MP) ...... 9 Helping Those With Cystic Fibrosis (, MP) ...... 9 Agriculture Is Our Superpower (, MP) ...... 10 Standing Up For Abroad (, MP) ...... 10 Supporting Grieving Parents (, MP) ...... 11 Overcoming the Stigma (John Barlow, MP) ...... 11 Family-Based Violence (, MP) ...... 12 Ending Exploitation (, MP) ...... 12 Opening Foreign Markets (James Cumming, MP) ...... 13 Energy & Environment (Greg McLean, MP) ...... 13 Protecting Our Energy Supply (Jasraj Singh Hallan, MP) ...... 14 Supporting Oill & Gas Workers (, MP) ...... 14 Responsible Emergency Planning (, MP) ...... 15 Rural Communities & Businesses (, MP) ...... 15

3

ORGAN DONATION & GOV’T TRANSPARENCY Len Webber, MP Confederation

I have been a long-time advocate of political process as organ & tissue donation and was it continues instrumental in creating the organ through Parliament. donor registry in Alberta. Currently, my proposed Bill C-210 offers a very Government simple, very effective method to in- accountability and crease the organ donor base in Cana- transparency has been a part of my da. By adding a line to the tax forms, work on the Public Accounts Canadians could signal their intent to Committee where we review and become an organ & tissue donor and study the reports of the Auditor have this information passed onto General. We have been focusing on their provincial government’s existing many important reports that have donor registries. So far the Bill has shown a great deal of mismanage- passed unanimously throughout the ment and misspending on the part of this current Liberal government.

EQUALIZATION & TRANSFERS FAIRNESS Tom Kmiec, MP My Bill C-263, the Equalization and Alberta would have Transfers Fairness Act will ensure received $2.9B. fairness and transparency to Cana- da’s equalization and transfer system In 2018, despite by removing the per capita cap on Alberta’s massive payments, ensuring the federal gov- drop in revenues, ernment cannot unilaterally change the Liberal government supported the equalization formula, and making and extended the existing formula. a successful referendum on equaliza- Since 1961, Alberta’s net federal tion impossible to ignore. fiscal transfers have amounted to In 2015-2016, Alberta’s revenues more than $600 billion. dropped by $8.8 billion. With the We deserve a fair deal. It’s time for fiscal stabilization cap, Alberta only equalization fairness. Lean more at received $248.3m. Without the cap, tomkmiecmp.ca/equalizationfairness 4

STANDING UP FOR TOURISM Gerald Soroka, MP Yellowhead Tourism has been hard hit as a result As a member of the of COVID. With Jasper and Jasper Transport Commit- National Park in my riding I see the tee, we recently impact daily. finished a study on the impact COVID I have been working with travel has had on the advisors and local tourism businesses aviation sector and called for critical to advocate for their industry. The support for the industry. recovery for these businesses will not be an easy one but with the new With international travel restrictions, rapid Spartan Bio Science PCR test please consider your next vacation there is great potential to utilize this within Alberta and check out every- testing technology to encourage safe thing there is to do in Jasper at travel and help bring business back www.Jasper.Travel. to this sector and our province.

COMPASSIONATE CARE LEAVE Matt Jeneroux, MP Riverbend Grief is something we will all unfortu- take job-protected nately experience in our lives, but the leave to care for a federal government could help make terminally ill loved the process a little less painful. one. My Bill, C-220, proposes to extend Bill C-220 has compassionate bereavement leave unanimously passed Second Reading allowed to employees under the in the House of Commons in Canada Labour Code to 10 days, February and will return for its Third double the current five days of Reading in the coming weeks. bereavement time. You can find out more about my Bill This Bill originally proposed to extend at www.mattjeneroux.ca/bill-c220. Compassionate Care Leave, a program that some Canadians use to

5

THE RRIF FINANCIAL SECURITY ACT Kelly McCauley, MP In 2016, I introduced the RRIF duced because of Financial Security Act, to eliminate the additional the mandatory minimum withdrawal income forcing the for seniors who hold a Registered spending of these Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). savings. The PBO estimates At age 71, RRIF holders must start the added tax from RRIF withdrawals withdrawing a percentage of their tax is in the hundreds of millions. -protected savings each year – regardless of whether they need it. The current system punishes seniors Since these withdrawals count as for long-term savings and despite the income, they can trigger clawbacks of bill receiving support from all other benefits. A senior saving for Opposition parties, the Liberals voted late-in-life expenses like long-term against it. I plan on bringing it back at care, could have their benefits re- the earliest possible opportunity.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS Earl Dreeshen, MP Red Deer—Mountain View We all have a role to play in raising have a sustainable awareness and in helping to address food system with- mental health issues. I have been a out sustainable strong advocate on this for many farmers. We heard years - especially as it pertains to that stakeholders farmers and their families. In early and all levels of 2018, I convinced all parties to do a governments need to act quickly. I comprehensive study on the rising continue to advocate for stronger incidence of mental health issues awareness campaigns and for more among farmers, ranchers, and pro- assistance for Canadians struggling ducers. Our final report highlighted with mental health challenges. You areas where more coordinated action can read our report at is required and where more public www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/ education is needed. Canada cannot en/42-1/AGRI/report-16/

6

ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION Shannon Stubbs, MP Lakeland My Bill C-221 proposed a tax incen- help protect the tive for cleaning up closed and aban- environment, and doned wells to small and medium oil ultimately protect and gas producers – who are already taxpayers. remediation and restoration leaders. The Liberals, Bloc, This government’s anti-energy poli- and NDPs who voted against Bill cies are shutting down Canada’s oil C-221 are clearly all talk about the and gas, causing unprecedented environment because this bill would bankruptcies and job losses in Cana- have actually helped the private da’s energy sector, and a 300% sector to raise private funds for increase in orphaned and abandoned orphaned and abandoned well wells in Canada. This Bill would have reclamation and remediation, instead helped struggling small and medium of leaving it all up to the tax payers. energy businesses create jobs and

GETTING SERIOUS ON RURAL CRIME Blaine Calkins, MP Red Deer—Lacombe In recent years we have been seeing punished with a crime rates increase across Canada, fine. and that crime is also getting more severe. This is especially true in rural That is why I am areas across this province. proud to chair the Conservative Rural And while provincial governments Crime Caucus. Canada’s Conserva- across Canada have responded with tives are the only party dedicated to concrete measures to tackle this standing up for law-abiding serious issue, this Liberal government Canadians and we are developing has not only refused to take any legislation to address the issue of meaningful action but has actually rural crime and advocate for mean- made the issue worse by making it ingful change that will ensure that easier for offenders to get bail, and criminals face real consequences. so that more serious offences can be 7

CIVILITY IN POLITICS Mike Lake, MP Edmonton– Wetaskiwin Recent years have been challenging Before our political for democracy, with a rise in polariza- labels, we’re all tion and increasingly vitriolic language human beings. The used by hyper-partisans on all sides. middle of the road Social media has exacerbated the is simply our com- problem. Sides are chosen and an- mon ground. chored in Twitter bios. Talking points are delivered in echo chambers, Make no mistake - passionate amplified by cryptic algorithms. debate is foundational to a healthy democracy, but it’s most effective Decades ago, President Dwight Ei- when we engage not only seeking to senhower seemingly anticipated this, persuade, but open to being persuad- saying "The middle of the road is all ed. This will require a significant shift of the usable surface. The extremes, in our current thinking, but in the right and left, are in the gutters.” end, we'll all be better for it.

SUPPORTING FIREARMS OWNERS Tim Uppal, MP I didn’t grow up around hunting or stand in support of sports shooting. In fact, when I was a law-abiding firearm kid, I asked my dad to go camping owners and their and he said that he did not move to rights. Canada to cook and sleep outside. But I know how important it is for I’ve begun the pro- people in my riding, across Alberta, cess of getting my Possession and and right across Canada to own fire- Acquisition Licence (PAL) so that I arms and use them in a safe and am better informed on issues and lawful manner. It’s a way of life. challenges surrounding legal firearms ownership. Our Conservative team The reality is that Bill C-21 bans fire- will continue to stand up for law- arms used by law-abiding citizens abiding firearms owners. For more and doesn’t stop the dangerous crim- information, visit timuppal.ca/standing inals who obtain their guns illegally. I -up-for-legal-firearms-owners/ . 8

PROTECTING WESTERN AVIATION Stephanie Kusie, MP Calgary MIndapore The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a specific support to decimation of Canada’s aviation help these people industry, and Calgary has been hit who desperately hard. need it. With numerous layoffs, furloughs, We initiated a cancelled routes and flight reductions, Committee study into the Aviation this flagship airline is struggling to Sector and we recently brought a remain viable and the job losses are motion to the House of Commons yet another blow to Alberta’s econo- calling on the government to ensure my. As Shadow Minister for Transport these workers and their families see I have been working with Conserva- some kind of support in the next tive caucus Members and stakehold- federal Budget. It passed – despite ers to move the government towards the Liberals voting against it. realizing the urgent need for sector

HELPING THOSE WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS Martin Shields, MP Bow River Over 4,000 Canadians are afflicted By advocating for with Cystic Fibrosis and together with its approval, it has my Conservative colleagues, we are now been accepted raising awareness and creating better by Health Canada access to life-saving medicines. for Priority Review. This means Canadi- Through Conservative caucus leader- ans may soon be able to access ship, a multi-party initiative arose to these medicines to get some peace lobby the Health Minister because of mind – pending provincial approv- drugs like Trikafta have been bogged al. In Canada, we pride ourselves on down in the regulatory process. having world class healthcare Canadians are needlessly suffering options, and government regulation because access is delayed. This drug should not stand in the way of has the potential of treating about providing that care for Canadians. 90% of those with CF. 9

AGRICULTURE IS OUR SUPERPOWER Rachael Harder, MP As a southern Alberta MP, advocating but the use of cut- for our agricultural sector is one of ting-edge techno- my main priorities. I believe agricul- logy, scientific ad- ture is Canada’s unsung superpower! vancement, and Our producers not only feed Canada, leading the way in but we are blessed with abundance environmental that allows us to feed the world! Agri- protection and stewardship. We are culture and agri-food contribute over world leaders in technology and inno- $100 billion to our economy, which vation. As we emerge from the pan- is roughly 7% of the nation’s GDP demic, we need to put agriculture at and 12% of Canadian employment. the forefront of our recovery efforts. It’s remarkable! The agricultural sec- It’s Canada’s superpower and a glob- tor merits national pride and atten- al powerhouse. It is worthy of our tion. It’s not only about food security, focus, investment, and promotion!

STANDING UP FOR CANADIANS ABROAD Ron Liepert, MP It is now more than two years since of Foreign Affairs to Canadians Michael Spavor and elevate this file and were arbitrarily de- secure the freedom tained by the Chinese government. of these two inno- cent Canadians Michael Spavor’s family members are citizens. my constituents and are increasingly concerned for his well being . The Spavor family is grateful for the work of Canadian officials, including In contrast, Meng Wenzhou is given Ambassador Barton, however while due process in almost total freedom the Minister expresses concern for in , Michael Spavor has the two Canadians the file appears been a total prisoner of the Chinese stalled. Conservatives will continue to government in apparent retaliation for push the government to negotiate her arrest. I’ve called on the Minister their release. 10

SUPPORTING GRIEVING PARENTS Blake Richards, MP Banff—Airdrie After hearing from parents in his financial or riding whose infant tragically passed emotional hardship. away, MP Blake Richards was He introduced appalled to learn about the treatment Motion 110, a non- they received from the federal gov- partisan initiative, ernment. When trying to access gov- to study how the ernment support in their time of grief, government can better support they were met with a cold and heart- grieving parents after losing their less bureaucracy. These parents were infant. The study continues to make actually told that their support ended its way through Parliament, and rec- because their “child ceased to exist.” ommendations have been made to better support grieving parents. He wanted to ensure that families suffering the loss of an infant would Learn more at www.blakerichards.ca/ never again be faced with undue motion-110/

OVERCOMING THE STIGMA John Barlow, MP Foothills Opioid addiction is a serious problem, the cycle of misery but the situation has surpassed a and tragedy. crisis level due in large part to the stress and unemployment brought Working together, about by the pandemic. In Alberta we hope to build a specifically, opioid overdose deaths framework to get and suicides tripled from January to dealers off the streets and offer those July last year. struggling a tangible pathway to successful recovery. This is an issue we must take seri- ously. I am co-chairing a Conservative The effects of the pandemic on men- Opioid Crisis Working Group. Our tal health are real and long-lasting. aim is to look at the crisis holistically Finding a solution to the mental and with compassion. We are explor- health and opioid crisis in Canada ing policies to save lives and break simply cannot wait any longer. 11

FAMILY-BASED VIOLENCE Jag Sahota, MP As the Shadow Minister for Women sure that no and Gender Equality I have spent the person is forced last number of months meeting with to suffer abuse of stakeholders and survivors of family any kind. violence. I have heard from these individuals about how violence within Over the last year I their homes and relationships has have been developing and working impacted them and the long-lasting on ways that our Conservative effects it can have. These stories are Caucus can better combat family- often heartbreaking and are based violence and continue to hold completely unacceptable in a country this Liberal government accountable that values the rule of law. to the millions of Canadians that will experience family violence in their Each of us as individuals have a role lifetimes. to play in our relationships to make

ENDING EXPLOITATION Arnold Viersen, MP Peace River— Today, human trafficking is happen- In 2018, I launched ing 10 minutes from where you live the All-Party Parlia- and online exploitation can happen mentary Group to anywhere. That is why I have active- End Modern Slav- ly fought against these since elected ery and Human in 2015. Trafficking and we regularly hold briefings for Parliamen- My Motion M-47 instructed the tarians and actively move policies Health Committee to examine the forward including the introduction of public health effects of accessible the Modern Slavery Act. We facilitated online violent and degrading sexually the unanimous support for National explicit material on adults and youth. Human Trafficking Awareness Day Working across party lines, I was able every February 22. You can find out to gain the unanimous support of all more at www.mparnold.ca parties for Motion M-47. 12

OPENING FOREIGN MARKETS James Cumming, MP To support access to foreign markets, Opening trade I re-introduced my Private Members routes is key to Bill C-229, An Act to Repeal Certain thousands of jobs Restrictions on Shipping. that will lead Canada’s recovery- As producers of the most ethical and throughout Canada environmentally friendly energy in the and First Nations’ communities. world, Canada needs a reliable way to export its oil and natural resources Unfortunately, without support from to foreign markets. The ban on the other political parties, Bill C-229 shipping our product on the Western was recently defeated but I remain coast made this more difficult. There committed to standing up for our was no similar ban on our East coast energy industry and securing jobs for which continues to see foreign oil Canadian energy workers. imports at a staggering rate.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Greg McLean, MP Canada’s energy sector is unparal- ation, allowing the leled in its responsible approach to oil and gas sector resource development, to the eco- to be treated equi- nomic advancement of Indigenous tably with Canada’s communities, and in innovation that other industries. Bill protects the environment. We must C-262 incentivizes get that message out to Canadians carbon capture, utilization, and with results that cannot be denied. storage, and is our most tangible path forward to meeting Canada’s I have highlighted our province’s en- environmental commitments. ergy and environment achievements in Parliament and across Canada. My Highlighting our world class environ- two private members bills focused on mental leadership and innovation these themes. Bill C-214 would have moves our industry and our country created tax incentives for well remedi- forward while creating good jobs. 13

PROTECTING OUR ENERGY SUPPLY Jasraj Singh Hallan, MP Our caucus and I have been working supplies has been very hard at raising the awareness quite shocking for across the country on Pipelines and so many, particular- Oil & Gas issues but the potential ly those that work closure of Enbridge’s Line 5 in May in industries that has finally gotten the attention of depend on those people in Ontario and Quebec. products like refineries. Line 5 ships a significant amount of Just imagine a winter where there Alberta light oil and natural gas to isn’t enough natural gas to heat your Michigan, Ohio and Ontario and home and there isn’t enough Quebec. gasoline to get your kids to school or you to work. That will be an awfully Finding out that their province could cold reality for many people if that’s lose half of their oil and natural gas allowed to happen.

SUPPORTING OIL & GAS WORKERS Ziad Aboultaif, MP I have presented a motion to give the marvel in the 21st House of Commons an opportunity century and a hub to express its support to our energy for a cleaner sector. energy sector that incorporates It’s no secret that Albertans has ex- natural resources. perienced the effects of special inter- est groups fighting our industries. It is If we give up, we will not pave the more important than ever to bring way for green energy. Instead, we this Motion in front of Parliament so would empower a dependence proponents of oil and gas can speak towards regimes that do not care up and show how essential this about climate change and human industry and its products are to Cana- rights. We need to stand up for dians. We need to demonstrate that Canada and Canadian workers, Alberta’s energy is a technological especially here in Alberta. 14

RESPONSIBLE EMERGENCY PLANNING Glen Motz, MP —Cardston—Warner As a former law enforcement profes- best practices: sional, I know proper contingency minimize societal planning for emergency situations is impacts; inform the critical. After a year of record spend- public; and issue a ing and debt, Canada’s pandemic clear plan to ad- response remains incoherent. Canada dress it. But we still is not much further ahead. We have have no real plan different from a lost thousands of lives and hundreds year ago. Lockdowns were supposed of thousands of jobs. And the to buy time for permanent solutions, Liberals continue to ignore not create a perpetual pandemic. We emergency management principles. have no domestic vaccines and hotel quarantines instead of rapid Previous plans were based on hard testing. We will continue to hold lessons learned from past pandemics, the government accountable. based on emergency management

RURAL COMMUNITIES & BUSINESSES Dane Lloyd, MP Sturgeon River—Parkland As Shadow Minister for Rural Eco- Credit Unions are nomic Development I am passionate not being treated about fighting for our rural communi- fairly by the federal ties and businesses. Since taking on government. While the role, I have challenged the Liberal big corporate Government on their failure to banks get a break provide effective broadband access on charging GST for investment for rural communities. I have stood services, Credit Unions do not. It’s up for the Hunting & Angling sectors time to end the inequity between big that have struggled with the devastat- banks and the Credit Unions that ing impact of COVID-19 on tourism. rural Canadians rely on. I look forward to continuing to advocate I have also raised the case of Credit for the fair treatment of our local Unions, which are used by farmers, Credit Unions. small businesses, and rural residents. 15 Canada’s Conservatives will work with the provinces to mplement an innovative, national, Personal Low Carbon Savings Account. This will put a price on carbon for consumers without one penny going to the government. It will be completely transparent and engage consumers in the process of building a lower carbon future.

Canadians will pay into their Personal Low Carbon Savings Account each time they buy hydrocarbon-based fuel. They will be able to apply the money in their account towards things that help them live a greener life. That could mean buying a transit pass or a bicycle, or saving up and putting the money towards a new efficient furnace, energy efficient windows or even an electric vehicle.

Our plan will ensure that Canadians do their part to fight climate change, in the way that works best for them, and at a carbon price that is affordable: starting at $20/tonne and increasing to $50/ tonne but no further. Even at this lower carbon price, we will ensure that this does not place an unfair burden on low-income Canadians and farmers.

Read our plan at www.LenWebber.ca