B.C. Conservatives host Christian advocacy group at legislature to discuss MAID, transitioning minors
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and about 20 of his MLAs attended an event at the legislature this week where a Christian political advocacy group pushed for restrictions to medical assistance in dying and gender transition by youth.
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Heather Maahs, Conservative MLA for Chilliwack North, welcomed representatives from the Association for Reformed Political Action at the Tuesday event.
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'I've always appreciated and admired the unapologetic stance that ARPA has taken on core values of Christianity, which as we know can be quite unfashionable in many parts of society these days,' Maahs said in opening remarks.
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'They defend parental rights. They speak for the protection of life, and harm created by MAID, and for the division created by the learning resource SOGI 123 in our public schools. Very importantly, ARPA has raised concerns around the federal finance committee's recommendation of stripping charitable status from religious organizations.'
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Mike Schouten, ARPA's executive director, addressed MLAs about the work being carried out by his organization and what he is hoping to see from the provincial government.
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He said Canada was founded on 'Judeo-Christian principles' but that the country has got away from those principles in recent years, particularly when it comes to how the government is handling what he called mental health challenges.
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'I think if we observe our country today, we would all agree that at some level many people have been complicit in actively destroying those foundations, and it's because of that that we're seeing a lot of the challenges that we are grappling with and dealing with day by day,' said Schouten.
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Of specific concern for Schouten was the federal government's plan to expand medical assistance in dying in 2027 to people suffering from mental health problems and the treatment of what he called 'gender dysphoria' among youth with puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender transition surgeries.
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National Observer
a day ago
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Freeland tells MPs she is 'dismayed' by BC Ferries' decision buy Chinese ships
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Before Friday's meeting began, Bloc MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval said he'd like to see an apology from the government and from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. He said it's "unacceptable" and "problematic" that the government plans to invest in foreign infrastructure when Canada's steel industry is facing tariffs from the United States. The new vessels are expected to join the BC Ferries fleet between 2029 and 2031. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Vancouver Sun
Freeland tells MPs she is dismayed by B.C. Ferries' decision to buy Chinese ships
Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland told MPs Friday she was dismaye' by BC Ferries' decision to purchase four new electric-diesel ships from a Chinese shipbuilder using a $1 billion federal loan — but did not call for the loan's cancellation. The House of Commons transport committee launched a study of the Canada Infrastructure Bank loan on Friday. BC Ferries announced in June that it had hired China Merchants Industry's Weihai Shipyards to build the new ships after a five-year procurement process that did not include a Canadian bid. The Canada Infrastructure Bank contributed a $1 billion loan and said in June that the new ferries 'wouldn't likely be purchased' without this financing. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. In her opening remarks before the committee Friday, Freeland said she was troubled by the planned purchase and she believes in supporting Canadian jobs. She said she has sent 71 letters directing all organizations under the Transport Canada umbrella to prioritize Canadian content in their major procurements where feasible — particularly Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber. When Canadian options aren't available, she said, the preferred option is to buy from countries with trade deals that include reciprocal procurement agreements. Dan Albas, Conservative transport critic and committee co-chair, requested the committee study of the purchase and has asked why $1 billion in public funds was earmarked to finance overseas shipbuilding in the middle of a trade war with the U.S. Freeland said Transport Canada will be convening a meeting with provinces and territories, ferry owners and operators, shipyards, labour representatives and the steel industry. She said she's also assembling a second meeting with major rail operators. Freeland did not directly respond when MPs asked her whether the government would push for the cancellation of the loan. She said she agrees that this is a moment of crisis for the steel and aluminum sectors and they need the government's support. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is accountable to Parliament through Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, who also testified. Robertson told committee members that the shipbuilder was chosen by BC Ferries, not the federal government or the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Robertson said he's disappointed by BC Ferries' decision and wants more Canadian-built vessels and more opportunities for domestic industry to participate in major infrastructure projects. He also called the purchase a 'critical' investment and said that 'these ferries need to get built.' Robertson said the government is looking closely at how it can better align its industrial policy, procurement tools and investment incentives to 'support and scale up Canadian capacity in important sectors like shipbuilding.' He said the Canada Infrastructure Bank is independent of government and that most of the projects it has funded involve Canadian infrastructure and businesses. BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez told the committee that it received six compliant bids to replace its four oldest ships, all from foreign countries. While two Canadian shipyards pre-qualified for the competition, he said, neither chose to submit a proposal. The organization chose the proposal that offered the best combination of value, quality, delivery, speed and protections for customers, Jimenez said. 'This was a choice between a foreign bid or no new ferries,' Jimenez said, adding that BC Ferries spoke with officials from the federal Transportation Department in April about the fact that the procurement was coming to a close. Jimenez said that if the company had gone with another foreign proposal, it would have cost up to an extra $1.2 billion. If there had been a Canadian bid, he said, 'it too would have cost more and those ships would have taken up to a decade longer.' 'British Columbians desperately need safe, affordable, reliable new ships to keep them and our economy moving. Our decisions have saved our customers and British Columbians from unaffordable, unnecessary fare increases,' he said. Ehren Cory, CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, told MPs that the Crown corporation played no role in BC Ferries' procurement decision. He said it's not the bank's role to tell project partners where they should buy their components. Cory said that regardless of where BC Ferries gets its vessels, the benefits of the Canada Infrastructure Bank's financing go directly to service users 'by keeping fares more affordable and ensuring new, reliable, cleaner ships are in service as soon as possible.' Jeff Groot, executive director of communications for BC Ferries, has said the company signed the loan with the bank before the contract with the Chinese shipyard was finalized. Before Friday's meeting began, Bloc MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval said he'd like to see an apology from the government and from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. He said it's 'unacceptable' and 'problematic' that the government plans to invest in foreign infrastructure when Canada's steel industry is facing tariffs from the United States. The new vessels are expected to join the BC Ferries fleet between 2029 and 2031. With files from David Baxter
