Why we need a change in Ottawa!?

In this section, I will be sharing some of my views on issues that I care deeply about and provide my thoughts that are aligned with the Liberal Party’s plan to strengthen our society and improve the lives of Canadians.

Why we need a change in Ottawa: Universal Pharmacare

Becoming a pharmacist was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  It has given me the opportunity to serve a wide diversity of people and to learn so much from different cultures and backgrounds.  I also learned how important it was to make sure I was fiscally responsible - that every dollar was accounted for and properly managed.  These lessons would serve me well as a Member of Parliament because I know how to manage money, how to set priorities and how to make sure that no resource is wasted.  I also realized how important it was for government to have the right policies to assist small business.  My professional career has also allowed me to marry my sense of responsibility for the environment with fiscally sound business practices.  I believe social responsibility and success in business go hand in hand and this approach is the most logical and pragmatic to grow our economy.

I have had the honour of being intimately involved in the health care needs of thousands of people.  However, the most frustrating aspect of my work is the lack of prescription drug coverage for some of my patients.  A recent study has determined that almost one-third of workers in Ontario have no drug coverage.  For me personally, that is not acceptable in a progressive and advanced society.  Other developed countries, such as France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand, to name just a few, provide universal coverage of prescription drugs.   We need to complete the circle in our health care system.  I will be a strong advocate for a universal nationwide pharmacare plan and hope to be part of the final process in making sure all of our citizens receive prescription drug coverage.

Why we need a change in Ottawa: the economy

A strong, solid middle class is essential for a vibrant, healthy economy within a democracy.  Although Canada is doing well on the whole, the middle class is struggling for the first time in a long time.   Statistics show us that the proportion of people in middle-income families has declined over the last decade, while a share of those at the low and high-range income rose. 

Examples:

  • Middle-income workers have not had significant pay raises for decades.
  • A high number of Canadians are carrying unprecedented levels of debt in order to keep up with the increased cost of living and inflation.
  • Young people are earning less money today than they did in 1970 although they are more highly educated and trained.
  • Many seniors live on fixed incomes and are sometimes forced to choose between food and their prescription drugs.
  • 60% of Canadians do not have an employer-sponsored pension plan.  For many of them, the Canada Pension Plan is their main source of retirement income.

Why?

  • The Conservative government has clearly failed to create employment and living conditions that would allow Canadians to live, work and thrive and create some form of safety net

Examples

  • The Harper government has cut $80 million in support from the Federal Economic Development Agency (FedDev) for Southwestern Ontario. 
  • 94% of the funds dedicated to our region have not been spent because the Advanced Manufacturing Fund has not made a single grant since the fund was announced in the 2013 budget.  This Fund was supposed to attract new investment to our area.
  • This is inexcusable.  We have a highly trained workforce in our area that is ready to work but we need a boost from government to get our region going again.   
  • The Harper government enacts policies that are popular with only segments of the population but they do not address the fundamental problems in the economy.  These policies do not create a climate for job creation and development that will see people in this area working and moving ahead.
  • By contrast the provinces have worked diligently to develop policies that will reduce poverty and help low-income Canadians. 

Recommendation

  • We need a government that spends more time and effort addressing the real issues such as, the need for meaningful employment within a flourishing economy.  Liberals have a proven track record and are known to advocate for bold policies that will solve larger problems, like reforming the pension system and fostering and creating jobs.

Solutions

I am advocating the following solutions for the federal government to reduce income inequality and the threat of a disappearing middle class:

  1. Boost spending especially in vast infrastructure projects (roads, highways, bridges).  I am a firm believer in Keynesian economics.  Spending on infrastructure will stimulate employment, increase productivity, attract investment and stabilize wages.  The middle class will grow and thrive.
  2. Play an active role in helping businesses.  Governments should strategically invest in job grants, which in turn boost employment.
  3. Invest in education at all levels from early childhood to post-secondary.  Make education affordable for children in mid and low-range income.
  4. Show leadership and work with the provinces to enhance the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) so that Canadians can live in dignity when they retire.  The Ontario government understands that this is an investment in our country’s future.  Once again, Stephen Harper shows his ideological approach to public policy here rather than using evidence- based research.
  5. Increase access to the labour market.  In our region the government should reverse the cuts to VIA rail service which has played a key role in connecting our region’s economic centres with the GTA as well as the whole country.  This reversal in cuts should be part of a larger commitment to revitalize rail service in Canada.
  6. Assist our provincial partners in providing greater incentives to work for individuals who are trying hard to get off social assistance. 

 Hard-working Canadian families in Kitchener Centre have a clear choice in the upcoming federal election - a candidate and a party that are advocating for a greater investment in people and in our region, or the government that has a track record of cuts to key services and opposing good public policy.

Why we need a change in Ottawa: the electoral system!

I am sure that you will agree with me that we need to reform our electoral system to strengthen our democracy.  It is unacceptable that the Harper government can fundamentally damage our domestic and foreign policies when their changes are opposed by the strong majority of Canada, both on Election Day and later.

I fully support the Liberal Party policy resolution that calls for major reforms of our electoral system and the creation of an all-party commission after the next federal election that would be committed to reform.  I strongly believe that we need to consult the public and take an evidence-based approach before we embark on this profound democratic change.  That reform could be proportional representation or preferential ballots, the practice currently used in Liberal Party nomination meetings.  I personally pledge to support the recommendation of that commission as I am sure all Liberals will.

For more information, please find here the links on democratic reform resolutions adopted at the 2014 Liberal Party Biennial Convention: