So many different unresolved issues under the Liberals

Canada, we have a problem.

It has been building since the Trudeau Liberals formed government in 2015. Conservative MP’s and economic experts have been warning that large deficits in good times only make the bad times worse. And, after six-years of out-of-control spending, exacerbated by two years of pandemic relief programs, there seems to be no end in sight. Incompetent leadership, poor policies, inept decision making or just outright indecision, has resulted in an economic disaster.

Today’s economic reality is inflation, currently at a 30 year high. Many Canadian households were already struggling to get by before current cost increases were impacted by supplychain challenges.

And now the situation has been made worse by the recent Liberal decision to withdraw the vaccine exemption for cross-border truckers, without any evidence to suggest these essential workers have any measurable impact on the spread of COVID.

Combine that with carbon tax increases on home heating, gasoline and other necessities; added payroll taxes, rent increases, skyrocketing house prices (up over 26% in the last year), pending significant interest rate hikes, to name a few, and it’s easy to see the inflationary storm we are experiencing.

One would assume that the first step in dealing with these economic challenges is to acknowledge a problem exists and address it with a pandemic recovery plan to reignite the economy.

A clear plan that focuses on getting businesses reopened, people back to work, inflation under control, eliminating unnecessary spending, and reduce taxes, without the continued fear of restrictions and lockdowns. Unfortunately, the current government prefers to stick their heads in the sand on matters they have either no solution for or policies that continually fail. If leadership would make evidence-based decisions to address challenges, rather than arrogantly ignoring data and expert advice, our country could begin the work of recovery.

The Trudeau government’s only solutions appear to revolve around forcing Canadians to be vaccinated. While vaccinations have shown their value, they are not the panacea to fix all our economic woes. Programs to manufacture a new economy haven’t worked, with private sector investment at all time lows.

As Conservative leader Erin O’Toole has repeatedly stated, “We need to get spending under control, end the cycle of lockdowns and fix supply chain backlogs. There is work to be done. Canadians are tired of the hollow words of Justin Trudeau who never delivers on what he promises and doesn’t understand the challenges Canadians are facing.”

Fixing failed policies and abandoning ideological priorities could drive significant economic growth here in southern Alberta, if Canada could restore focus on our strengths – including agriculture, resource development, renewables, and carbon capture. These types of jobs drive others in finance, marketing, sales, service companies and create regional economic stability to support industries like hospitality and tourism.

Sadly, current rhetoric and actions suggest the Liberals are not ready to put country ahead of party.

My Conservative colleagues and I will continue to put forward plans that are in the best interests of Canadians and the country.