Message From Tony
I have long advocated for our government to address the need to commit and deliver on spending 2% of GDP on defence spending. In fact, I recently reached out asking that this be discussed within national caucus. And although the actual details have yet to be released, I am encouraged that the target of 2% is on the table.
This represents a credible, responsible, and achievable target date (2032), which will allow Canada to ramp up its spending and procurement capacity on a realistic timeline, in line with commitments by several allies who have made comparable pledges.
Since 2013, when the previous Conservative government cut defence spending to less than 1% of GDP, our government has made historic investments in our military. In 2017, Canada released Strong, Secure, Engaged which laid out Canada’s plans to boost defence spending by over seventy percent – but as the global security situation deteriorated, it became clear that more investment was necessary. In 2022, we went even further – announcing Canada’s NORAD Modernization Plan – a $38 billion investment to deliver Canada’s largest upgrades to NORAD in a generation.
Most recently, in April 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence. This represents a $73 billion investment in defence over the next two decades, which focuses on the security of the Canadian Arctic and North and delivers new capabilities to strengthen the foundations of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. On July 10, 2024, our government announced that Canada is taking the first steps toward procurement of up to 12 conventionally-powered, under-ice capable submarines – and that Canada is launching the process to formally engage industry on this acquisition. This is an important step in implementing Canada’s renewed vision for defence, Our North, Strong and Free
With the funded initiatives in these plans, Canada is on track to almost triple its defence spending between 2014-15 and 2029-30 – and we will not stop there.
These investments will ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces is better equipped to accomplish its most important task: protecting Canada and Canadians. Defence investments are also investments in Canada’s growth and prosperity. The majority of defence investments are spent right here at home—supporting thousands of jobs and building up our domestic industrial capacity.
The challenges facing Canada and our NATO Allies are evolving rapidly—and we must tackle them head-on. Today’s commitment to reaching our NATO target will create a stronger, more capable, and better-prepared Canadian Armed Forces, while ensuring that Canada remains a reliable international ally and partner.
Helping young Canadians immerse themselves in STEM related fields
A key pillar of our government’s plan for youth is a focus on making life more affordable for young Canadians — because when young people have the support they need to thrive, they can contribute to the economy, build a better life for themselves, and play an active role in their communities. Through Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ), we’re creating opportunities for young Canadians to get the skills they need for well-paying jobs.
Last Thursday, I was pleased to join the Newmarket STEM Camp and meet some of the CSJ youth who have had the opportunity to work there. The STEM Camp is a not-for profit organization that offers fun and educational experiences for kids in Newmarket with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math. Through CSJ, the Newmarket STEM Camp received $32,006 to give 6 youth a summer job opportunity.
It was great to see the hard work that these students are doing at the camp and the skills they’ve developed and gained throughout the summer. Thank you for having me!
Carbon Rebates delivered yesterday
Our government is taking action to ensure our children are able to grow up with a healthy planet and a strong economy. Through the Canada Carbon Rebate, we’re making sure big polluters pay the most while putting money directly back in the pockets of Canadians.
Yesterday, Canadians will have received their second quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate of the 2024-25 year. This means that, in Ontario:
- A family of four will have received $280;
- A married couple with no children will have received $210; and,
- A single individual with no kids will have received $140.
If you have not already received your first quarterly payment and have filed your tax return, you should have received both payments yesterday. The amount may have increased if you qualify for the rural supplement.
Affordability is front and centre in our government’s price on pollution and Carbon Rebate. Families are counting on these cheques – they work them into their monthly budgets, especially the low- to middle-income Canadians who benefit the most.
Supporting the transition to a sustainable workforce
A net-zero emissions economy represents significant opportunities for Canadians — to secure and create good, well-paying jobs, to grow our industries and to lead the world with the resources and technologies it will need for generations to come.
One year ago, our government tabled Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, which will facilitate and promote the creation of sustainable jobs and support workers and communities in Canada as the world advances toward a net-zero future. It will put workers and communities at the centre of federal policy and decision-making by establishing a framework for accountability, a governance structure, and engagement mechanisms to guide effective federal action.
On June 20th, 2024, Bill C-50 successfully received Royal Assent, which is a historic step forward to ensure that Canadian workers and industries continue to be at the top of the world’s race to net-zero. The Act will:
- Require the development of Sustainable Jobs Action Plans, starting in 2025, to deliver concrete measures to advance these goals, while ensuring an inclusive approach is followed;
- Establish Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Secretariat to ensure effective collaboration and policy coherence across federal entities;
- Establish the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council so representatives of Indigenous organizations, labour, industry, and other Canadians can engage with Canadians and provide government with advice;
- Work in tandem with the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (CNZEAA) to ensure further accountability and consideration of the labour implications of emissions targets when developing Action Plans; and
- Commit the Government of Canada to regular progress reporting, ensuring Canadians can grade the performance of this government and future governments in this place.
Canadian workers and industries are building Canada’s long-term prosperity through their leadership in sectors from clean electricity to hydrogen, critical minerals, electric vehicle manufacturing, low-carbon building materials, and beyond. With the passage of the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, the Government of Canada firmly commits itself to support Canadian workers in seizing these historic opportunities today, while creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
