With Thanksgiving having just passed, I’m reminded of how thankful I am to have grown up here – both in Canada and more specifically in Copetown within Flamborough-Glanbrook. I’m thankful that my Omas and Opas took the chance of leaving everything they had behind in the Netherlands after World War II and immigrated here with their families to start a new life, believing firmly in the truth of the Proverb, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” I’m especially thankful that they not only did that for my parents and extended family, but also instilled it in me.
It helped that the Canada we grew up in was a place where hard work got you ahead and allowed you to save to buy a decent home in a nice area at a reasonable price, raise a family, and put aside money for retirement. Sadly, that isn’t the country we live in today. Life is unaffordable and housing is getting further and further out of reach. These days, for many Canadians, working hard doesn’t seem to pay off — they aren’t getting ahead. While Canada has so much to offer, Canadians are falling further and further behind.
But while I understand the pain so many in Canada are experiencing right now, I continue to see so much potential in Canada and in Canadians.
As I shared in my opening letter, I have had the privilege over the past few months of attending so many different events and talking with thousands of Canadians from all walks of life. What I see over and over is a determination to build a better life for themselves and their families. I see smart, innovative people who are coming up with new ways to solve problems and new technologies the world needs, while incorporating the knowledge and lessons learned that were passed on from those who came before them. I see wonderful people sharing their culture with others through vibrant celebrations, while also fully embracing the values of Canada. I see young people who are so passionate and eager to build a better Canada.
And while I see a lot that’s broken in Canada (as do most folks I talk to), I also see a country that together we can fix. But it’s hard to fix anything if you’re constantly worried about how you’re going to feed, heat, and house yourself and your family.
That’s why Canada’s Common Sense Conservatives are working hard to fix what has been broken after nine years of these Liberals, with a plan to axe the tax that’s driving up the cost of everything, build the homes that Canadians – both young and old – need, fix the budget that has piled debt onto everyone’s back, and stop the crime so that our communities are safe once again. It’s an ambitious plan, but one that Canada needs right now, and I know that Canadians still have the same ambition that my Omas and Opas passed down to me, to work hard to build a better life.