2021 Election: Focus Areas
FOCUS AREA #1
Work as hard as you do, every day, to get government out of the way so you can find solutions to issues that concern you.
My Background
Growing up, my parents were small business owners. I learned from an early age the hard work, dedication and determination required to not only operate a small business but to be successful.
After graduating from high school, I spent a number of years working in the Alberta oil and gas industry while concurrently operating a small business in the construction industry.
This life experience helped me to understand the dignity of work and guided me into the next chapter of my life. Upon completion of post-secondary education, I received a CPA designation and began my career in the accounting profession.
Specific Goals
I want to apply the knowledge and life experience I have gained into the role of Member of Parliament with a focus in these broad areas:
Work with the private sector to expand markets, create value added revenue streams and reduce government red tape.
Work with health officials and existing facilities to provide lasting solutions to the COVID-19 and opioid pandemics.
Fight to protect your rights in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
FOCUS AREA #2
Consult with the oil and gas sector to improve market access and develop value added revenue sources.
Instead of complaining about existing laws and policies that impede Alberta’s oil and gas industry, it’s time to take a new approach. Solutions, not issues.
Specific Goals
Find a solution for connecting Western Canadian oil to consumers in the east and new offshore markets.
Explore options for businesses within the riding to participate in the expanding hydrogen and nuclear economy.
Develop relationships with trade partners to increase delivery of natural gas to foreign markets.
Educate Canadians on how much progress has been made to reduce our carbon footprint.
Demonstrate how much better the world would be using our cleaner burning natural gas and evolving technologies.
Find ways to show all Canadians the benefits of making Canada self-sufficient on our own resources rather than relying on countries with poor human rights records and environmental standards.
Support businesses who are pursuing new ideas and technology.
With Energy East sidelined and Keystone XL now cancelled, it is time to consider alternative options for moving Albertan oil east. One such option would be a pipeline between Cromer and Churchill, Manitoba. This pipeline would be constructed entirely within Manitoba. The strangling approval process outlined by the Canada Energy Regulator would then be avoided. I titled the project “Freedom Pipeline” and published a more detailed report at the following link: https://www.jaredpilon.com/policies.
Taxing Canadians will never reduce emissions in China and India. Instead, Canada should focus on exporting our liquid natural gas and technologies such as carbon capture in an effort to reduce global emissions. I have published a more detailed reported critiquing the Liberal government’s environmental plan along with proposing free market alternatives that benefit both the environment and our economy. More info can be found at this link: https://www.jaredpilon.com/policies.
Alberta produces the most ethically and environmentally sourced oil and gas in the world. I will continue to fight to get our products to market via a delivery method that maximizes profit margins.
FOCUS AREA #3
Consult with the agriculture sector to develop new markets and value added revenue sources.
Similar to the policies impacting our oil and gas industry, the Ag sector has suffered in recent years due to poor trade deals and unilateral closures to foreign markets.
In order to combat these forces upon our Ag sector, we need to take a new approach to these issues.
Seek out value-added opportunities for our existing commodities.
Explore new foreign trade partners that operate under similar democratic and moral principles.
Specific Goal #1
One area that has seen significant growth in recent years is the extraction of starch and protein from pulse crops. The ever growing market of health food products continues to drive this new market forward.
Alberta has favourable growing conditions for pulses and the use of existing grant programs would allow producers to move into this market with reduced risk. The spin-off from increased value-added crop production would be an increase in manufacturing jobs within the food industry as well as in the transportation industry.
Specific Goal #2
India’s economy is expected to nearly double in the next 10 years. As a result, India’s middle class will also double and overall consumption is expected to quadruple. India shares the same democratic policies as Canada and is already a strong trading partner.
In order to capitalize on this market, Alberta should explore expanding existing supply of goods such as poultry and pulses. Additionally, vegetable oil imports in India are growing rapidly and would be a good fit for Alberta producers based on existing crop production.
FOCUS AREA #4
Consult with the technology sector to create an attractive destination for businesses.
Part of diversifying our economy is moving away from commodity focused industries and into the service based industry. This includes technology, data, financial services, digital media and other similar important sectors.
We are well positioned to become a tech and financial services leader, similar to what the state of Texas has accomplished in the past couple of decades. The benefits will not begin immediately but the work to create these benefits can start immediately.
Specific Goal #1
In order to portray a united front to talent and capital, we need to work together in this province to build the infrastructure systems that the tech sector would benefit from. Through coordination with the A100 group (a Calgary based organization focused on inspiring and supporting generations of Alberta tech entrepreneurs), I will work to provide access to resources and promote policies that will benefit entrepreneurs and innovators. This will be done in a manner to connect existing companies in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge with the work that is being completed at Olds College.
Specific Goal #2
Tax regimes within Alberta and Canada are stifling economic growth. I will advocate for drastic reductions in taxes at the local, provincial and federal levels. We need to move away from centralized government which demands significant tax revenues to cover inefficiencies. Instead, we should adopt a system of consumption based taxation which would dramatically improve the business investment environment in this country. Tax reform that is focused on broad based changes instead of layering additional investment tax credits into an already complex tax code would be most beneficial for existing businesses and tech startups.
Specific Goal #3
The importance of medical research has never been more evident than now. Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the management, organization and delivery of health care services for their residents. The federal government is responsible for providing funding support for these health care services through the Canada Health Transfer.
All governments should be working together in order to deliver the most efficient and effective health care services possible. This would be best accomplished by revoking the Canada Health Act and ending Canada Health Transfers. Funds to support healthcare would then be collected locally in each province. This would spur competition and ultimately lead to better access to funding for medical research companies who are able to provide viable products to the market.
FOCUS AREA #5
Support the rights of hunters, farmers and law-abiding firearms owners while developing alternate policies to fight crime.
I hear stories of rural crime plaguing law abiding citizens on a regular basis when I speak with my Agriculture clients. The occurrence and severity of these crimes has been on the increase in recent years.
The May 1, 2020 Liberal Order in Council to prohibit 1,500 specific types of “assault-style” weapons has had no immediate impact on crime rates, nor do I think it will in the future. As this Order was passed without consultation or Parliament debate and because I support law abiding firearms owners, I would work with other MPs to repeal the Order.
With that said, it is important to address the root causes of crime in the Red Deer – Mountain View riding and provide solutions to protect law abiding citizens.
Law-abiding citizens have the right to life, liberty and security. I will work to protect these rights so that constituents are able to safely attend work and school while raising their families.
Specific Goal #1
Alberta needs to move away from its dependence on the Royal Canadian Mountain Police and instead employ a provincial police force. Recruiting officers directly from rural areas to serve in those same areas would drastically improve overall service. While this is ultimately a provincial matter, I believe that working closely with different levels of governments to achieve the best possible outcomes for constituents is the responsibility of a Member of Parliament.
Specific Goal #2
Once offenders have been caught, many take advantage of the “revolving door” legal system and subsequently target Central Albertans again after release.
The Liberal government’s introduction of Bill C-22 “An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act”, will repeal mandatory minimum penalties (MMPs) for offenses such as weapons trafficking, robbery with a firearm and other similar firearms related crimes. Reducing MMPs does nothing to discourage criminal offenses specifically targeting rural Albertans. One of the few responsibilities of government is to protect law-abiding citizens. We need to be tougher on criminals and that starts with MPs standing up against Bill C-22.
FOCUS AREA #6
Work with all levels of government within the riding to dramatically reduce red tape.
Businesses of all sizes succeed when they are able to make educated decisions in an efficient manner. This becomes increasingly difficult as governments continue to grow and more layers of bureaucracy are added to the business decision making process.
As a CPA, I have spent many years negotiating with the Canada Revenue Agency on a broad range of administrative policies and know how ever changing policies can negatively impact businesses.
Existing Red Tape Reduction Measures
The Government of Alberta currently has an online portal set up to solicit ideas re: cutting unnecessary red tape.
The City of Red Deer has conducted online surveys regarding red tape reduction but does not have an active online submission tool.
The same can be said for the various county offices within the Red Deer – Mountain View riding.
The Federal Government enacted the Red Tape Reduction Act on April 23, 2015 but government policies and legislation, specifically related to the Income Tax Act have become continually more complex in recent years.
Specific Goal
In order to truly reduce red tape and allow businesses to flourish, we need real ideas from real business owners, not bureaucrats. As such, I will work directly with business owners and associations such as the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to bring about change.
The 1-for-1 rule, a process where regulators are required to remove a regulation whenever they introduce a new regulation, is the government’s commitment to reduce the administrative burden on businesses. Unfortunately, exchanging one regulation for another does little to help businesses and can lead to increased burden if policies are changing too often. I will push for 2-for-1 exchange or better, using your real life examples as way to drive real change within government.
In order to promote your ideas I will seek out a “business speakers” series with independent news media organizations in order to draw broader attention to issues impacting you and your business. If a red tape issue is plaguing your business, it is very likely that it is also plaguing other businesses. A united voice from small business owners will be far more persuasive and impactful.
FOCUS AREA #7
Work with health officials to find a strategy that allows businesses to continue operating in a COVID-19 environment and restore consumer confidence.
COVID-19 has destroyed many small businesses. Current medical policies give little reassurance to those fortunate enough to still be operating. In order to repair the economy, we need to find solutions for returning to pre-COVID life as the virus is not guaranteed to disappear in the near-term and more lockdowns would do more irreversible damage.
How are we supposed to push the economy forward when the virus is still lingering?
Explore all potential preventative treatments, most notably those currently in use by our allies.
Lead from a position of shared knowledge and collaboration, not fear.
Rely on Canadians to make informed healthcare decisions for themselves and their families.
Specific Goal #1
Potential prophylactic treatments for COVID-19 have also been severely censored. Proven treatments that are easily accessible, cheap and widely distributable need to be explored. One such treatment is Ivermectin. Governments across Canada have stated that lockdowns are necessary in order to protect the fragile healthcare system from collapsing. This could be avoided if we took a preventative approach instead of a reactive approach to treating the virus.
Specific Goal #2
It appears in all likelihood that COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future, if not permanently. As such, we need to learn to live with the virus. This can be accomplished if government leads with information instead of fear. I will work to provide an ongoing platform for those looking to provide solutions to the problems we face today.
Specific Goal #3
Doctors, nurses and other qualified health professionals have seen unprecedented censorship over the past 18 months. I will advocate on their behalf to ensure they have a platform to share their research with Canadians and push back against professional colleges who have threatened their livelihoods as a result of speaking up. Individual Canadians are best equipped to make healthcare decisions for themselves and their families. Having ongoing access to medical professionals who reject the narrative of fear would allow Canadians to make the most informed decision.
FOCUS AREA #8
Work with existing facilities and existing initiatives from other levels of government to support those experiencing homelessness and those who are impacted by the opioid crisis.
The ongoing impacts of the opioid crisis in the City of Red Deer, as with many cities across our nation, have been drastic and long standing. There are currently many organizations in Central Alberta doing great work to help individuals impacted by homelessness and opioids and I applaud their continued efforts. Unfortunately, the crisis rages on and more needs to be done to address the underlying problems leading to homelessness and opioid abuse.
Existing Government Initiatives
In mid-July 2020, The Government of Alberta announced funding for addiction treatment centres, one of which is to be built in Red Deer. The facility will operate 75 beds as part of its recovery community program.
The Red Deer Dream Centre has received approval for construction plans to open a 40 bed treatment facility in downtown Red Deer. Funding is needed in order to get the project underway.
Both of these facilities would offer long-term options for those experiencing homelessness and those impacted by the opioid crisis. They address the fact that addiction is a physical, mental and spiritual problem. Safe injection sites have undoubtedly saved lives but these sites do not have the resources to help individuals overcome the underlying factors that led them to use a safe injection clinic in the first place.
Specific Goal
There is dignity in work. There is purpose in a paycheque. There is hope in employment.
Never have these words been truer than over the past 18 months as government mandates destroyed jobs and small businesses across this country. The result? The highest recorded number of deaths due to opioid overdose in Canadian history. Lockdowns deprive us of our need for human interaction. Government subsidies strip us of our purpose found through gainful employment.
I have proposed a plan to help those experiencing homelessness to get back on their feet and to regain the purpose that many had stripped away through government mandated lockdowns. I titled the project “There’s a Better Way” and published a more detailed report at the following link: https://www.jaredpilon.com/policies. The program brings non-for-profits groups, local businesses and municipal governments together to provide short-term employment opportunities to those experiencing homelessness. This program, in conjunction with the recovery facilities noted above will provide the foundation for future success born out of personal responsibility.
FOCUS AREA #9
Champion the businesses and individuals in the Red Deer – Mountain View riding.
Over the course of the past six years, Canada has become an increasingly divisive nation. When governments enact policies to give one group of people a leg up, it by nature, negatively impacts a different group of people.
Everyone, regardless of their race, age, gender, sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs should have equal opportunity to succeed. Governments cannot guarantee equal outcomes, they can however, treat everyone equally and with respect.
Specific Goals
To vote on legislation in accordance with the interests of the constituents of Red Deer – Mountain View.
Work to bring the community together around common goals and prosperity.
Treat everyone with respect even though we may not agree on all aspects of a problem.
Unequivocally support our oil and gas industry and the agriculture sector.
Compassionately support those experiencing homelessness and those impacted by the opioid crisis.
Work to ensure that law-abiding citizens feel safe within their communities.
Work to see that all citizens within the riding have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Promise not to patronize or pander for votes, rather work for real results for all constituents.
https://www.jaredpilon.com/electionplatform
https://www.jaredpilon.com/policies