Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams says he didn’t believe the Conservatives would still be the opposition at this point but that his party is ready to form the next government and has a broad plan to improve the lives of Canadians.
Williams was the guest speaker at Wednesday morning’s Belleville Chamber of Commerce breakfast held at Sans Souci in the Downtown District.
He told those in attendance that the opposition does have a valuable role to play as they hold the government to account and that is something they’ve had many opportunities to do over the last two years.
But Williams says the first order of business for a Pierre Poilievre government would be to axe the Carbon Tax which has hurt businesses and farmers and driven up grocery prices.
He adds they would return $2.5 billion worth of carbon tax rebates owed to small businesses that the Liberals aren’t releasing.
Building more homes is also one of his party’s top priorities.
“We have less homes per capita in the whole G7 than any of those nations combined. We need3.5 million homes today just to reach the median of houses built for the G7.”
He says they will reduce red tape for builders and encourage more building of all types of homes, especially affordable rental units by offering more incentives for municipalities that meet or exceed their building targets.
When it comes to the federal budget, Williams says they will fix its issues with a simple policy – find a dollar to spend – find a dollar to cut wasteful spending.
He also told attendees a Poilievre government will stop crime, ending the revolving door of catch and release criminals by repealing Bills C-75 and C-5.
“We have to give the police back the tools to put people away and keep them away. If we have repeat violent offenders who are violent, who deal drugs, who steal cars, who have auto theft, our government will re-institute mandatory minimum sentences, revoke the option for house arrest for violent criminals. We’re gonna repeal C-75 and C-5 and restore jail not bail for repeat offenders.”
He says these changes will help stop the flow of illicit, often deadly drugs into our region.
And addressing the recent drug issues that have put Belleville on the national stage and caused the city to declare a state of emergency, Williams says while tougher sentences for drug dealers are needed, it does not necessarily mean people struggling with addiction should be treated like criminals.
He says the province needs to step up its support and following the city’s meeting with Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions last week, Williams is confident The Bridge support centre will become a reality.
The first-time MP ended his talk focusing on the Conservatives’ plan to create more competition within Canada to lower prices for goods and services.
He says in 1986 there were eight major Canadian grocers while today there are only three.
“We’re probably gonna have to look at breaking up some elements of Loblaws. We’re gonna be looking at how the wholesale market works. We’re looking at ways that, when a new Loblaws comes into town, they can’t stop other grocery stores or other boutiques from opening around it. We’re gonna ensure that we have more Canadian wholesalers and more food processors that develop Canadian food.”
He says his party will also increase competition to lower the cost of cell service, internet, air travel, beer and more.
Williams is currently the Competition and Pan-Canadian Trade Critic.
