The following year-end opinion piece was sent to Village Media by Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard.
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As 2020 comes to an end, I know its cliché to say this, but this past year was unlike any other in most of our lifetimes.
“Unprecedented” is
COVID-19 has dominated the headlines and our lives — with a steep cost to our health and our economy.
From the start, all levels of government and all political parties have worked together to limit the financial impact on Canadians. Programs like the CERB, wage subsidies, and commercial rent relief were approved quickly by Parliament.
However, it was obvious that many of these programs fell short or were too prescriptive of what was needed to keep businesses open and people on the payroll. Even the CERB, with its universality, left many Canadians behind, unable to access the benefit that for many meant the difference of just making it through the crisis.
Understanding our role as the Opposition, and I would include other opposition parties in this, Conservatives worked with the governing Liberals to propose solutions that would ensure more Canadians and businesses had access to benefits. To coin a phrase used often during this crisis, it was a 'Team Canada' approach.
What I have learned over the last nine months is that when Canadians need help, the lines and levels of government become “blurred." The only successful approach is a united one and that is the approach all opposition parties have attempted.
It doesn’t mean, however, that government accountability is simply cast aside as if it’s an inconvenience. Canada is still a democracy, after all, and our democratic institutions must be respected. It is the responsibility of the Opposition to hold the government to account, more so in a crisis and as uncomfortable as that may be, we have not relented.
An early attempt at an unprecedented power grab by the Trudeau Liberals was met with fierce resistance by all opposition parties last spring and grabbed the attention of Canadians in a way not seen before, not even during wartime.
We all want this pandemic to end and life to return to normal, but that’s not likely to happen — at least in the short term and that will cause many Canadians to face uncertainty in 2021. Taxes on the benefits received like CERB will need to be paid at tax time and unclear instructions in accessing pandemic benefits will impact the finances of many.
Despite the challenges, I think it’s important to remain hopeful for the new year.
I would like to sincerely thank our first-responders, health-care workers and all front-line workers who have persevered throughout the health crisis and will continue to go above and beyond this year. Your dedication and commitment to Barrie-Innisfil is appreciated.
My staff and I remain focused on helping people and businesses navigate the challenges that will be significant in the upcoming months. We will continue to share information with you and invite your feedback on the issues Canada faces. Please reach out by email at [email protected] or call 705-726-5959 if you need our assistance. We are here for you.
As a community, we can support each other by shopping and supporting local stores and restaurants as much as possible. Our small businesses and the people they employ need our help now more than ever.
I’m hopeful that in 2021 we will once again be gathering at local events and enjoying all that our community has to offer.
I wish everyone great health, happiness, and prosperity in 2021.
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