LLOYDMINSTER - The following is the statement from Battlefords-Lloydminster MP Rosemarie Falk following the end of the fall session of Parliament last week:
"Last week brought an end to the first fall session of the 44th Parliament. Following an unnecessary election and a delayed start, the Trudeau government’s throne speech and the fall economic statement confirmed that the prime minister’s political priorities continue to be ideologically and partisan driven.
"Across the country, Canadians are struggling with skyrocketing inflation and a cost-of- living crisis. It is expected that the average family will pay an additional $1,000 just to feed their families next year, making it harder and harder to make ends meet. Inflation is driving up costs of basic necessities and in turn increasing taxes for Canadians. In rural communities, like ours, soaring inflation is compounded by the failed Liberal carbon tax, an issue I raised in the House of Commons recently. The fall economic statement presented in the final week of sitting completely failed to address it, instead it further builds on the Liberal high-tax, high-deficit agenda that will cripple our economy and worsen the cost-of-living crisis.
"The passage of Bill C-2 will provide important supports for our tourism sector and hardest-hit businesses. Additionally, this bill was amended to include a Conservative private member’s bill to extend parental bereavement leave in federally regulated industries. Parents who have experienced a stillbirth, the death of a minor child or the death of a child with a disability in their care will have access to eight weeks of unpaid leave. Bereavement leave is an issue that I studied closely during my time as a member of the HUMA committee, and it is great to see this compassionate bill pass to help parents at time when they need it the most.
"Following continued pressure from our Saskatchewan Conservative caucus, the House of Commons will now debate section 24 of the Saskatchewan Act when the House returns. Through this section of the act, Canadian Pacific Railway continues to benefit from a permanent tax exemption given to them before Saskatchewan joined confederation. The Saskatchewan legislature unanimously passed a resolution to end this unfair tax exemption and shamefully, the Liberals blocked our motion that reflected that resolution. We will continue to fight for the will of Saskatchewan in the upcoming debate, standing up for tax fairness and respect for provinces.
"The House of Commons also adopted a Conservative motion to create a special committee to hold the Trudeau government to account for their failures in the Afghanistan crisis.
"Canadians continue to face extraordinary challenges. There is lots of work to do in the year ahead as I continue to be a voice for my constituents who are being left behind by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s agenda."
