Vancouver, BC – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, released his plan to hire an additional 200 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers and support police forces across the country. “Every Canadian should have confidence that when they pick up the phone and call 9-1-1, someone will be available to help,” said O’Toole. “Canada’s Conservatives will give police the resources they need to do their job and make our communities safer, including putting more boots on the ground.” The Liberal government has ignored calls by the RCMP and its union to address staffing shortages during the pandemic. A Conservative government will make the necessary investments in police forces across the country, including hiring additional officers and providing more education and training, to combat rising episodes of gun violence and gang activity. To tackle crime, through Canada’s Recovery Plan Canada’s Conservatives will: -- Hire an additional 200 RCMP officers to combat gangs and the smuggling of guns and drugs. The majority of officers will be based in the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario and the Lower Mainland in British Columbia to help keep communities safe. -- Provide $100 million over five years to support training for non-provincial police forces in the areas of sexual exploitation, cyber-security and online offences, and the investigation of sexual offences. “Canadians deserve to feel safe and secure. A Conservative government will take real action to rid our communities of violent crime, address police staffing shortages, and invest in police training and education to keep Canadian families safe,” said O’Toole. If you don’t care about holding violent criminals accountable and keeping Canadians safe, you have three parties to choose from in this election. If you do, then there is only one choice – Canada’s Conservatives.

Coquitlam, BC – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, announced his plan to fight the Delta-driven fourth wave of COVID-19. “Justin Trudeau calling an election in the middle of the pandemic was not the right thing to do, but Dr. Tam’s alarming briefing yesterday should be a wakeup call for all of us that the fight against COVID-19 is not over,” said O’Toole. “We need to come together now and urgently find a path out of this crisis. The Conservatives are ready to deliver a plan to protect the health and safety of all Canadians from this threat.” Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to stop a Delta-driven fourth wave of COVID-19 and protect Canadians by immediately calling for action in the following areas: -- Information – Resume regular national public health briefings to provide accurate and up-to-date information to Canadians on the crisis, no matter how concerning or inconvenient it is for the government of the day. -- Fairness – Ensure political parties and campaigns lead by example and follow all national, provincial, and local public health restrictions and guidance in order to protect Canadians and stop the spread of COVID-19. -- Unity – Put aside divisive politics on questions of public health and science, and stand united in efforts to persuade every Canadian that vaccines are safe, effective, and the best route out of the crisis. -- Cooperation – Work with the provinces to understand the steps needed to contain, control, and eradicate COVID-19, including delivering more vaccines and rapid tests, tracking outbreaks, and managing PPE stockpiles. Working together, Canadians can get vaccination numbers up to where they need to be and keep one another safe. “Right now, we cannot afford to divide the country when the lives of tens of thousands of Canadians are on the line,” concluded O’Toole. “Canada’s Conservatives will be laser-focused on solutions and ensuring we have the information, fairness, unity, and cooperation necessary to beat the fourth wave.”

The State of Canadian Infrastructure The centrepiece of Justin Trudeau’s 2015 campaign was his promise to invest $180 billion over 12 years in infrastructure. However, the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) found there was no additional infrastructure built in Canada over and above what would have otherwise been built. In fact, the Liberals allowed one-third of the infrastructure funding for their Investing in Canada Plan for 2016-2019 to sit unused. The PBO found that the infrastructure plan touted by the Liberals “does not exist.” The Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) was also a key platform pledge for Justin Trudeau in 2015, promising that it would be operational by 2017 with a clear mission to invest $35 billion of federal funding in revenue-generating infrastructure projects. The PBO also found the CIB has had a limited impact since it was not successful in securing private investment and has failed to invest the billions of dollars set aside for its mandate. To date, the CIB has invested only $4.3 billion of its $35 billion budget. In fact, the CIB has made more headlines for the exorbitant bonuses it has paid its executives than for actual project investments. Unleashing Canada’s Infrastructure Spending Canada’s Conservatives will refocus Canada’s infrastructure spending on getting money out the door for shovel-ready projects. Through Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will immediately invest in key projects that will create jobs, cut commute times, improve quality of life for Canadians, and reduce emissions. A Conservative government will make historic investments in nationally significant projects across the country, such as the SkyTrain extension to Langley (British Columbia), Ontario’s GTA transit plan, Quebec City’s Third Link (Quebec), the Calgary Green Line (Alberta) and VIA Rail’s high-frequency rail project. Canada’s Conservatives will also ensure that our infrastructure spending benefits Canadian workers by requiring that equipment and materials for federally funded infrastructure projects be purchased from Canadian companies, or from countries where there is a mutual agreement to allow workers to supply each other’s infrastructure projects. Supporting Northern Infrastructure Conservatives realize that infrastructure spending is not only needed in our urban centres, but also in our northern and rural areas. Canadians from coast to coast to coast rely on infrastructure like roads, bridges, and ports to get around, including ensuring these projects can weather the harsher conditions in Northern Canada. A Conservative government will ensure that the territories receive their fair share of infrastructure funding by reserving a funding envelope for them that accounts for the high construction costs and weather conditions in the North. Conservatives will address the Northern infrastructure gap in housing, telecommunications, transportation, energy, and climate change preparedness. Connecting more communities concurrently to the power grid, road and broadband networks will also reduce reliance on diesel fuels and improve the quality of life for residents in these communities. The Conservative plan for northern infrastructure includes: -- The Grays Bay Port and Road Project -- The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Line -- Completing the Tuktoyaktuk road and port -- A large-scale project to provide clean power to the Yukon, developed in partnership with the Government of the Yukon Bridging the Digital Divide The Trudeau government set up eight different federal funding programs for broadband, including the Universal Broadband Fund, Connect to Innovate, Connecting Canadians, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Broadband Fund, rural and northern economic development funds, and funding available through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The Liberals made numerous big-dollar broadband announcements, but like the rest of their infrastructure announcements, few projects have been funded and built as they don’t coordinate with other levels of government, or even among themselves. They also require private sector companies to jump through many regulatory hoops to get projects built. Some rural broadband projects take three to five years to get approved. Canada’s Conservatives are committed to connecting all of Canada to high-speed Internet by 2025. A Conservative government will consolidate all rural broadband programs and work with telecommunications companies to immediately begin a massive investment in rural broadband access and increased network capacity. Canada’s Conservatives will also work closely with the provinces to coordinate federal investments and ensure money goes out the door to shovel-ready projects.

Ottawa, ON – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, announced his plan to build key infrastructure to get the economy moving through Canada’s Recovery Plan. “As Prime Minister, I will end the delays and get shovels in the ground on these major infrastructure projects to create jobs and improve the lives of millions of Canadians,” said O’Toole. “We’re going to build the world-class public transit, road, and 5G networks our country needs to compete and get every part of Canada moving again.” Instead of building the modern infrastructure needed for growing communities across Canada, the Trudeau Liberal government sat on billions of unspent infrastructure dollars and waited months to step up as a full funding partner for nationally significant projects. Canada’s Conservatives will be partners on key projects across the country, like Ontario’s GTA transit plan, Vancouver’s SkyTrain extension to Langley, Quebec City’s Third Link, and the Calgary Green Line. Through Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will immediately unlock those unused dollars and invest in shovel-ready projects that will put Canadians to work, cut commute times, and clean up the environment. Under the infrastructure plan, Canada’s Conservatives will also: -- Provide more flexibility to municipalities and First Nations by removing onerous requirements to receive federal infrastructure funding. -- Scrap the failed Canada Infrastructure Bank and commit the money sitting unused on its books to infrastructure projects that can strengthen our economy. -- Reprioritize the Investing in Canada Plan toward infrastructure projects that would have the maximum benefit for economic recovery. -- Build digital infrastructure to connect all of Canada to high-speed Internet by 2025. “Our infrastructure investments are pivotal to rebuilding our economy and making life easier for Canadians,” said O’Toole. “Only Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to build infrastructure faster and create good jobs for Canadians to fuel our recovery.”

Ottawa, ON — Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, shared his plan to get government spending under control and balance the budget over the next decade. “The Trudeau government is spending $424 million a day more than we can afford and neither the Liberals nor the NDP have a plan to prevent endless deficits,” said O’Toole. “Only Canada’s Conservatives have a detailed plan to put Canada’s fiscal house in order and protect social services.” The Conservative plan to secure Canada’s finances will: -- Adopt a responsible and measured approach to balance the budget over the next decade. -- Rein in deficits to address inflation and the rising cost of necessities like groceries and gas. -- Wind down emergency pandemic supports in a responsible and compassionate way as the recovery gets underway. -- Invest in targeted stimulus measures, such as infrastructure, to create jobs and improve the quality of life of Canadians. -- Get back to robust economic growth with Canada’s Recovery Plan, a plan to grow the economy. “Canadians will have a critical choice in the coming election: to continue down the path of failure and soaring debt with the Liberals and NDP,” said O’Toole. “Or, a Conservative government that will build a stronger Canada with great jobs and rising wages. A Canada where every sector of the economy can share in the success of our great nation.”

Ottawa, ON – Today, Conservative Candidate Pierre Paul-Hus commented on resurfaced documents that show Justin Trudeau’s Liberal candidate owes arrears to the Government of Quebec: “Justin Trudeau frequently criticizes Canadians, saying taxpayers need to pay their fair share of taxes. However, for the last two years, one of Justin Trudeau’s candidates has owed taxes to Revenu Québec, and has not been paying his fair share. “Even Trudeau’s candidate, Steven Guilbeault, has said himself that others should pay their ‘fair share.’ This is typical of the Trudeau Liberals – one set of rules for them, another set of rules for everyone else. “Trudeau’s candidate needs to come clean, and tell Canadians how much he owes in taxes, and pay his fair share, like all other Canadian families.”

King City, ON – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, released his plan to ban puppy mills, end abuse and violence against animals, and protect the humans who care for them. During the pandemic, many Canadians opened up their homes to welcome a pet. In fact, over half of Canadian homes now have a pet and 90 per cent of Canadian pet owners see their pet as a family member. However, this trend has brought to light additional issues for animal welfare, including a surge in unethical breeding and animal abuse. “We also know that there is a link between cruelty to animals and violence towards people,” said O’Toole. “Canada’s Conservatives will add animal cruelty as an aggravating factor in domestic violence prosecutions to go after abusers who hurt their spouse by hurting their spouse’s pet. We will also support pet owners fleeing violence by working with shelters to ensure that there are better options for women to leave abusive homes without having to abandon their pets.” Canada’s Conservatives will: -- Ban puppy mills and stop imports of animals bred inhumanely. -- Strengthen the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s ability to enforce current regulations and seize animals when imported under poor welfare conditions. -- Ban cosmetic testing on animals. -- Add animal cruelty as an aggravating factor in domestic violence prosecutions to go after abusers who hurt their spouse by hurting their pet. -- Support pet owners fleeing violence by working with the sector to ensure there are better options for women to leave abusive homes without having to abandon their pets. -- Provide $10 million a year to train judges and prosecutors on the links between violence against animals and violence against people. -- Work with the Council of Ministers of Education to promote animal welfare education as part of a child’s education on the environment and sustainability. “As someone who is proud to call our dog Wexford not only a loyal companion and best friend, but a part of our family, I will work diligently to secure the future for our furry friends,” O’Toole said.

Saint-Hyacinthe, QC – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, introduced his plan to rebuild Main Streets across the country and help small businesses get back on their feet and create jobs. “Canada’s small businesses employ millions of people and have been hit hard by the pandemic,” O’Toole said. “They need real support to help rebuild or restart their business and hire back workers – and that’s exactly what Canada’s Recovery Plan will deliver.” To restore the one million jobs lost during the pandemic and rebuild Canada’s Main Streets, a Conservative government will introduce the Rebuild Main Street Tax Credit. The new incentive will give Canadians an opportunity to support small businesses by providing a 25 per cent tax credit on amounts of up to $100,000 that someone personally invests in a small business over the next two years. A Conservative government will also introduce the Rebuild Main Street Business Loan, which will immediately make available interest-free loans of up to $200,000 to help small and medium businesses, with up to 25 per cent forgiven depending on revenue losses. These loans are significantly more generous than the Liberals’ $60,000 Canada Emergency Business Account loan, which fell short of the needs of thousands of eligible businesses. In addition to the Rebuild Main Street Tax Credit and the Rebuild Main Street Business Loan, Canada’s Conservatives will introduce a Canada Investment Accelerator tax credit, which will provide five per cent back for any capital investment made in 2022 and 2023, with the first $25,000 to be refundable for small businesses. “Canadian small businesses have given back to their communities in countless ways – whether it was sponsoring the local kids’ soccer team or raising money for charity,” said O’Toole. “A Conservative government will have their backs and ensure we secure the future for Canada’s Main Streets.”

Fredericton, NB – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, released his plan to secure a more affordable future for Canadians. “Inflation is at a two-decade high, grocery bills have gone up 5 per cent, and each trip to the gas station seems to hurt just a little bit more,” said O’Toole. “This is the Canada of Justin Trudeau and the NDP. To lower prices, we need to get inflation under control and ensure there is more competition, not less.” With inflation rising, families are struggling to make ends meet. Canada’s Conservatives have a detailed plan to help families and make life more affordable. To lower food prices, a Conservative government will increase the maximum penalty for price-fixing from $24 million to $100 million and introduce criminal penalties, including jail time, for executives convicted of price-fixing. Canada’s Conservatives will also bring in a tough code of conduct to protect suppliers and to promote grocery competition. Canada’s Recovery Plan will also secure a more affordable future for families by: -- Bringing in legislation on open banking so that Canadians can connect with financial technology (fintech) companies that can provide a better offer for banking services such as a mortgage, line of credit, or credit card. -- Ordering the Competition Bureau to investigate bank fees. -- Requiring more transparency for investment management fees so that seniors and savers don’t get ripped off, including requiring the banks to show investment returns net of fees. -- Creating a technology task force within the Competition Bureau to examine whether dominance and anti-competitive behaviour of big technology giants is damaging to Canadian industry. -- Giving competition laws real teeth to prevent a few big companies from dominating whole industries and pushing up prices. -- Standing up to corporate Canada and rejecting mergers that substantially reduce competition and lead to layoffs and higher prices. If you don’t care about securing a more affordable future, you have three parties to choose from in this election. If you do, then there is only one choice – Erin O’Toole and Canada’s Conservatives.

Corner Brook, NL – Today, the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, released his plan to increase EI benefits for seriously ill workers from 26 to 52 weeks. “Canadian workers should know we have their backs if they become seriously ill,” said O’Toole. “But all too often, workers see their EI run out after 26 weeks while battling life-threatening diseases like cancer. Canadian workers and their families deserve better. It is time for the government to stand up for workers and their health.” With Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will ensure that workers who need to take sick leave receive the support they need to recover and support their families by increasing EI sickness benefits from 26 weeks to 52 weeks for those suffering from a serious illness. “You can’t have a healthy economy without healthy workers. Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to put workers at the front of the country’s recovery and get the economy back on track,” O’Toole said. “Together, we can secure the future.”