Hello friends!
This week, ArriveScam contractor Kristian Firth became the first private citizen to appear before the bar of the House of Commons in over a century. His refusal to answer questions before parliamentary committee landed him in a hot seat of historic proportions. More on that below.
The Iranian regime’s attempted air assault on Israel last weekend increased tensions in the Middle East and brought to the fore the critical need to pass my Bill C-350, which would list the IRGC as a terrorist organization and shut down their operations in Canada.
Indigenous Contracting
In our investigation of the ongoing ArriveScam scandal, we recently discovered shocking abuses of the Indigenous procurement system. Government contracts meant for Indigenous Canadians have been dished out to a handful of Liberal insiders who made millions just by subcontracting the work to others. One contractor claimed that the set-aside isn’t actually meant to help Indigenous communities!
Thankfully, earlier this week Conservatives succeeded in passing a motion to order the government to hand over detailed information about Indigenous procurement, and to consider additional steps once those documents have been provided.
When I raised these abuses in committee a few weeks ago, Indigenous Affairs Minister Patty Hajdu jumped straight to accusations rather than saying anything substantive on the issue.
The Historic Hot Seat
Just this week, the House of Commons took the incredibly rare step of calling a private citizen to the bar of the House of Commons. This hasn’t happened in over a hundred years, and it was the historic corruption of this NDP-Liberal government that warranted the occasion.
Kristian Firth, one of the two-men behind GC Strategies, a favoured contractor of this government, was admonished for his refusal to answer questions in parliamentary committees these past few months and forced to face multiple rounds of questioning from MPs of all parties. I streamed the entire hearing live, and you can watch it here.
Despite the reprisal, it still wasn’t easy getting answers out of him.
I asked about his interactions with Jeremy Broadhurst, Liberal Campaign Director and former Chief of Staff to Chrystia Freeland. He boldly claimed that he didn't know anything about it. Take a look:
Escalations in the Middle East
Last weekend, the Iranian regime further escalated the ongoing conflict in the Middle East with its airstrike against Israel. This attack was perpetrated specifically by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (the IRGC), a terrorist organization that is still perfectly able to raise funds and recruit inside of Canada’s borders. (If you’re unfamiliar with the IRGC, check out my mini-documentary, Canada Under Attack.)
The Iranian regime's actions extend beyond direct attacks on Israel, impacting Muslim-majority nations such as Lebanon, Syria, and Afghanistan as well.
Six years ago, the House voted to designate them as a terrorist organization, yet the government has continued to do nothing. My bill C-350 would do just that, yet they have blocked it’s movement through the House at every turn.
I pressed the Minister on Foreign Affairs on why six years have passed with no action on this file, but she refused to give a substantive answer.
A Conservative government would immediately list the IRGC as a terrorist organization and shut down their operations in Canada.
The Urgency of Victory for Ukraine
Conservatives have always supported a free and independent Ukraine and always will. I recently spoke in the House about the urgency of victory, not just the importance of an eventual victory. In this spirit of urgency, Canada should be sending weapons to Ukraine.
Trade Shows Galore!
Last weekend, I had a great time with my team at the 39th Annual Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair & Sale. It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with local businesses from our riding.
This weekend we’ll be at the Fort Saskatchewan & District Chamber of Commerce Trade Show & Market at the Dow Centennial Centre. If you’re in the area, drop by our booth to say hello! Admission is free all weekend long and details about the event can be found here.
Garnett/ good job - keep up the great work. Thanks, ED
Research the real reason for the Ukraine war, we should have nothing to do with this, get us involved, send your children and family first