Happy New Year, Centennial!
I hope you all had time to spend with family and loved ones. As we enter 2026, I’m pleased to share some of the work we are doing to serve Canadians and support our community in the year ahead.
I also want to sincerely thank everyone who supported our annual toy drive for children with sickle cell anemia at the Scarborough Health Network!
Auto Theft Network Dismantled
Governments and law enforcement at all levels have been focused on stopping auto theft, which fell 26.7% in Toronto last year.
In December, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Ontario Provincial Police dismantled a criminal organization responsible for exporting stolen vehicles from Canada to overseas destinations. Through Project CHICKADEE, investigators recovered 306 stolen vehicles and seized more than $190,000 CAD and $32,000 USD in cash, along with firearms, vehicle-related equipment, shipping documents, electronic devices, and other tools used in the criminal operation. Twenty individuals have been arrested and charged with 134 offences.
This success reflects the dedication of our frontline officers and reinforces our government’s plan to hire 1,000 new CBSA officers and implement stronger border measures to combat organized crime, reduce auto theft, and keep Canadians safe.
Canada Adds 54,000 Jobs
Canada’s economy showed renewed strength this fall, with 54,000 jobs added in November, bringing the unemployment rate down to 6.5%. This is its lowest level in 16 months and the third consecutive month of job growth.
Since May, our government has moved quickly to protect and strengthen sectors most affected by U.S. tariffs, introducing new measures to help workers gain new skills, support businesses as they modernize and diversify, and boost domestic demand for Canadian goods. We also announced further measures to protect and transform our steel and lumber industries by incentivizing the use of Canadian steel and lumber across Canada.
Protecting Freedom of Religion
- Communities across Canada are facing a troubling rise in hate-motivated intimidation and violence. Bill C-9, the Combating Hate Act, is designed to ensure people of all faiths can practice their religion safely and without obstruction or intimidation.
I know some residents have raised concerns about the removal of section 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code, sometimes called the “religious exemption.” This change provides legal clarity and does not limit Canadians’ freedom of religion or expression, which remains fully protected under the Charter:
Sharing your faith is not hate speech. Courts have been clear for decades: reading scripture, teaching religious beliefs, or talking about your faith does not meet the legal test for promoting hatred.
- None of the major religions contain teachings that meet Canada’s hate-speech standard, and nothing in this bill affects worship, teaching, peaceful protest, or any Charter-protected freedom.
- In nearly 20 years of the “religious exemption” existing, courts have never relied on it to acquit an accused. In practice, Charter protections – not this exemption – have been the true safeguard for religious expression.
As your MP, I deeply value the vital role that faith institutions play in bringing people together, strengthening communities, and delivering essential programs and services. Our government remains firmly committed to protecting good-faith religious expression while taking decisive action to combat hate.