COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – So far in 2026 – Let’s go

A few weeks ago , I talked about hope as we moved into 2026. Certainly, in recent weeks – amid global uncertainty and troubling domestic reports – there are many reasons to keep hope front and centre.

My hope for Canada remains simple and deeply shared: a country where Canadians have good jobs and live in affordable homes; where parents never have to sacrifice meals just so their children can eat, where families can live in their own homes in safe neighbourhoods without fear.

Sadly, newly released data reminds us why hope must be paired with action. A recent Angus Reid report shows us that 83 percent of Canadians currently feel unsafe walking after sunset. The reason? Sixty-two percent of Canadians believe crime has been rising in their communities over the past five years and violent crime is up almost 55 percent. For years Conservatives have warned that Liberal policies have weakened public safety. That’s why Conservatives would reverse failed Liberal bail laws to restore a justice system that puts law-abiding Canadians first, not criminals.

Canadians are also carrying the heavy burden of a decade of Liberal economic mismanagement. The latest MNP Consumer Debt Index is the second worst on record, surpassed only in 2022. Inflation driven by excessive Liberal spending has left 65 percent of Canadians hoping for lower interest rates, while 71 percent expect prices to rise further in 2026. The industrial carbon tax continues to raise the cost of building, transporting, and producing food. Housing prices have doubled, grocery bills have soared, and the dream of homeownership is slipping away—especially for young Canadians.

According to Statistics Canada’s December labour force survey, unemployment rose again in December with 73,000 more Canadians out of work including 27,000 lost jobs among youth aged 15-24. This is particularly troubling as the Liberal government plans to issue record numbers of Temporary Foreign Worker permits, even as young Canadians struggle to find their first jobs.

Canada doesn’t need more signing ceremonies or photo ops. Canadians need the Liberal government to get out of the way of Canadian workers, builders and investors to stimulate our economy, especially for our younger generations. Continuing down the same path will not deliver different results.

Conservatives have a plan forward. We have proposed repealing growth-blocking laws, ending the industrial carbon tax, scrapping the oil and gas cap, eliminating the EV mandate, lift the plastics ban and incentivizing reinvestment in Canada by removing capital gains taxes on reinvestments in Canada.

We were also promised by PM Carney a new economic and security deal with our closest ally, the United States—yet deadline after deadline has been missed. Now, the Prime Minister went on yet another trip—to China, despite Beijing’s record of election interference, human rights abuses, and intimidation of democratic partners like Taiwan. Two Liberal MPs were recently called back from their visit to Taiwan. Pulling them back from Taiwan only emboldens authoritarian pressure and sends the wrong message—to both our allies and our largest trading partner.

Conservatives are fighting every day to restore the Canadian promise. We believe in safe communities, affordable living, good-paying jobs and accessible home ownership.

We’ll keep fighting for you because Canada and Canadians deserve better.