Happy Easter!
Dear Family,
Good Friday marks the darkest day in the Christian calendar — remembering the brutal crucifixion of Jesus Christ. We call it “good”, however, because of the hope that Sunday is coming. Easter Sunday holds the resurrection, the triumph over death, and the victorious redemption of humanity for those who embrace the gift.
Easter is a beautiful reminder that the greatest light often comes on the other end of the deepest darkness. It reminds us that hope is never lost, and that love is a sacrificial gift that is given freely.
Whatever your Easter celebrations may look like, whether it’s enjoying a church service, a meal with family, or even an Easter egg hunt, I want to extend my warmest wishes for a blessed Easter surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.
Working Hard for Haldimand—Norfolk:
I am deeply aware that Easter celebrations may not be easy this year for many people in our community. Affordability is at an all-time low, and families are cutting their budgets just to keep food on the table, to keep their kids in clothing that fits, to fill up their cars with gas, or pay their rent or mortgage. This is a heart-breaking reality for many across Haldimand—Norfolk. It didn’t used to be this way. That is why our Conservative team has never been more motivated to hold Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the Liberal-NDP coalition to account on the reckless spending and decisions they are making. I want to provide an update on some of the actions we’ve been taking in Ottawa to fight for you on affordability and on a number of other issues I know are important to you.
Carbon Tax:
Justin Trudeau’s punitive Carbon Tax continues to make life unaffordable for Canadians. On April 1st this tax will go up another 23%, which is equivalent to 17 cents per litre of gas. People in Haldimand—Norfolk rely on cars to get to work, to bring their kids to school, to get groceries, to see friends, and for nearly everything else. They do not have the option, like many of Trudeau’s urban cabinet ministers, to hop on an electric bus or catch a subway train. Our farmers, our industries and our businesses are also dependent on diesel trucks to transport their goods to market. Recently, I had an opportunity to put this reality to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities, who was at Transport Committee to answer for concerning statements from the Environment Minster about a decision to no longer fund new road expansions. You can watch that exchange here:
While Conservatives continue to fight the Carbon Tax that 70% of Canadians oppose, we also have been working on a Carbon Tax carveout for farmers through Bill C-234 which is currently before the House of Commons. While Liberal-appointed Senators voted to gut the bill before sending it back to the House, we will not stop fighting for Bill C-234 to be passed in its original form, without the Senate amendments, so farmers can continue to operate their farms and feed Canadians.
(Note: If you’re a farmer who has experienced the negative impact of the carbon tax on your operations, please reach out to my office to share your story and consider sharing your carbon tax receipts so I can advocate on your behalf in Ottawa).
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD):
Last year, my Conservative colleague Ed Fast put forward a very important private member’s bill to cancel the euthanasia regime’s expansion to those whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. After hosting a well-attended town hall in Dunnville late last year, it was clear that there is strong opposition to the radical Liberal expansion of the Medical Assistance in Dying policy. Sadly, despite much advocacy on this issue, this bill was defeated in the House of Commons by only 17 votes.
Orphaned Wells:
I was pleased to see the announcement coming from the Province of Ontario earlier this year pledging funding to help with managing the risks of orphaned oil and gas wells in Norfolk. This is an issue that has posed long-standing environmental, health, safety and financial risks to our community, and I have not stopped advocating on it since my election in the fall of 2021. Last year, I welcomed Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin to Ottawa to provide testimony before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. It’s encouraging to see progress on this issue and the fruit of cooperation between various levels of government.
Of course, these are just a few of the important issues we have been working on, among many others. There’s much more work to do as we fight for common sense and to keep our land glorious and free. I am blessed to represent the people of Haldimand—Norfolk and I thank you for your ongoing trust me in as your voice in Ottawa. Please continue to reach out to me and my office to share the issues that matter to you so I can represent your interests, and the interests of our community, in Ottawa.
Happy Easter!
In Your Service,
Leslyn Lewis Member of Parliament for Haldimand—Norfolk