Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Conservative Member of Parliament Alex Ruff says his priorities in 2024 will be affordable housing, better access to rural internet, supporting farmers and working to make life more affordable.
“We’ve got to quit spending money that we don’t have,” says Ruff, noting he and his federal colleagues will, “Continue to push the government to get inflation under control and get these national annual deficits under control.”
In a year-end interview which looked back at 2023 and ahead in 2024, Ruff says, he tabled his first private member’s bill (C-358) in 2023, with an aim to make life more affordable by calling for the removal of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from the carbon tax. “It hasn’t been moved for debate yet,” says Ruff who notes he’s heard from a number of constituents who take issue with a tax on a tax.
In 2023, the issue of foreign interference was a focal point for Ruff as a member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP). He says, “As some of the revelations came out in the public media and news reporting about the foreign interference, in particular the communist regime in China, that is something I got focused on.” Ruff says a draft report from the committee on the issue is nearing completion. He says it will then go to the Prime Minister, and eventually a redacted version will be released.
He says, “I am somewhat optimistic to see that the government is seeking consultation right now on changes to the Security of Information Act and changes to the CSIS Act and changes to the Criminal Code and other key pieces of legislation that will help Canadians and the Canadian government combat foreign election interference.”
He adds, “We need to have trust restored in our democratic processes and we need to make sure that foreign states can’t interfere with elections here in Canada and our democratic processes.”
Ruff says another big challenge of 2023 was trying to address the need for affordable housing, and trying to ensure rural Canada gets its share of support from the federal government, for example with regard to the Housing Accelerator Fund. He says, a similar issue is access to high speed internet, noting, before the holiday break, he tabled a petition from residents on the Bruce Peninsula and in Kemble who have concerns about the lack of high-speed internet.
He says another issue which was debated in 2023 was Bill-C21, regarding firearms legislation. Ruff argues it targets law-abiding firearms owners, and says there should be more focus on targeting firearms smuggling and ensuring repeat violent offenders get jail time instead of bail.
He says, “The good news was, we were able to get it amended sufficiently enough when it was still in the House to remove some of the really outrageous targeting of hunting rifles across Canada.” He believes the bill has curtailed Canadians’ sport shooting abilities, particularly those of handgun owners, and thinks it could potentially put an end to the sport.
Meanwhile, Ruff who is a retired Canadian Armed Forces Colonel also plans to continue to try to get eight female former members of Afghanistan’s parliament safely to Canada following the fall of the country to the Taliban in 2021.
Ruff has been part of an all-party group of Canadian MPs who are trying to get the women to safety, an effort which was made more urgent in January of 2023 when one of the women, Mursal Nabizada, was killed by gunmen in her home in Kabul.
“Not a single one of those women MPs are yet to be here in Canada,” says Ruff who adds that for those who have made it to neighbouring Pakistan, safety is not guaranteed because Pakistan is now sending people back into Afghanistan. “That’s where the real risk is, because these are the leaders, the women that represent everything the Taliban detests.” He says, “We’ve got to figure out ways to continue to put pressure on the government,” says Ruff, who notes the challenge is every time there’s a cabinet shuffle, new ministers need to be informed about the issue.
As for highlights of 2023, Ruff says Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada in Owen Sound was a special event. “It’s likely a once-in-a-lifetime thing for the majority of us to see such a big event and some celebrities here including Ron MacLean and a lot of the NHL alumni, so that was a pretty spectacular kickoff to 2023 locally,” says Ruff.
He adds, another highlight was getting back to events that were held pre-pandemic. Ruff says, “Just seeing things really return back to normal right across the riding,” adding, “I think 2023 really felt like the pandemic was over.”
Ruff also recognized over 20 local people with King’s Coronation pins, after presenting others with Queen’s Platinum Jubilee coins the year before. He says, “To have that opportunity to just, again, recognize some incredible people across the riding that just make a difference every day with their leadership and service to our community is always a highlight. It’s one of the greatest parts of the job.”
He notes, the federal government has decided to mint King’s Coronation medals, but details haven’t been shared with MPs on how those would be rolled out.
Ruff adds, “I wish everybody the best in 2024. I’m sure there will be ups and downs but ultimately, we are blessed to live in this great Country of Canada and people have just got to continue to do the best they can, and for those that are able, please help those that need help. Our support locally to our charities and our local businesses is the best way to keep Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound the best place to live in Canada.”