On Parliament Hill

Last week marked the start of the first sitting of the 44th Parliament of Canada.

It’s great to be back in Ottawa, representing Provencher in the House of Commons.

There is so much work to be done for Canadians, and my colleagues and I were (and are) eager to get back to work.

Unfortunately, while it is a new parliament, it’s still the same old Liberals.

In the Throne Speech, the Liberals trotted out the same things they’ve been talking about for six years. What was glaringly missing was a plan to fix our economy and deal with supply chain shortages and the rising cost of living.

Canadians are paying more for gas, groceries and housing, and the Liberal Government has no plan.

Canadians are seeing fewer goods available on store shelves, and the Liberal Government has no plan.

Canadians have yet to hear a clear plan to end the economic devastation caused by COVID-19 (and accompanying government restrictions).

Rather than focus on these serious (and growing) economic concerns, the Liberals’ first act was to cripple Parliament’s ability to hold them accountable.

Taking their lead from the Prime Minister – who couldn’t even be bothered to show up for the vote – and propped up by the NDP, the Liberals voted to return to a hybrid parliament.

As my Leader noted last week, we’ve seen how Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh are happy to show up in person at international conferences to further their own ideological agendas, but when it comes to facing tough questions in Parliament about the soaring cost of living, suddenly it’s “not safe” for Parliament to meet in person.

Canadians have returned to work, but the first act of the Liberal-NDP coalition – after 63 days of not working – is to shut down a permanent return to work for the people’s representatives.

They are advocating for special treatment and accommodations that the average Canadian doesn’t get and doing so to avoid being held accountable for how their failed policies are contributing to the economic insecurity of Canadians.

From day one this government has done all it can to avoid scrutiny.

Canadians expect the government to be accountable to the Opposition who ask tough questions on their behalf. Questions about why this government refuses to act on these pressing economic issues.

Conservatives believe that all MPs should be in the House of Commons, doing their job.

Conservatives are eager to work together and contribute to a constructive conversation about common-sense solutions.

We’re ready to get to work for Canadians.

We’ll be here when the Prime Minister decides that he and his party are ready to show for work.