March Update from your Member of Parliament

March 31, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

I hope this letter finds you well. As we move into spring and warmer weather, our government remains focused on taking meaningful action to support Canadians and deliver on the priorities that matter most.

In recent weeks, we have advanced key measures to strengthen our economy, address affordability, and ensure Canadians are supported during a time of global uncertainty. Through new legislation, targeted investments, and collaboration with partners across the country, we are working to build a more resilient and stable future for communities like Vancouver Quadra.

Here at home, the arrival of spring brings a renewed sense of energy, with more community events and local festivals taking place across the riding. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the weeks ahead.

Warm Regards,

Wade

Local Food Security Initiatives & The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit:

Food insecurity is a significant hardship experienced by many individuals and families across Canada, and right here in Vancouver. To tackle the root causes of food insecurity, our government is developing a National Food Security Strategy that strengthens domestic food production and improves access to affordable and nutritious food. This strategy will also include measures to implement unit price labelling and support the work of the Competition Bureau in monitoring and enforcing competition in the market, including food supply chains.

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to visit the AMS Food Bank at the University of British Columbia. Operated by UBC’s Student Union, the AMS Food Bank serves thousands of students a year and is supported by the university, community grants, sponsorships, and local grocers. I was also happy to volunteer at Union Gospel Mission’s Dinner Service providing hot meals and holistic care services to residents of the Downtown Eastside, and toured the CityReach Care Society facility, where they provide a network of support through a variety of programs and community events, and specialize in meeting tangible needs through food security initiatives. I’m incredibly proud of all of these organizations and the outsized impact they have on our community.

Recently, Parliament expedited passage of Bill C-19 – the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act – this legislation received Royal Assent to deliver that support. This will provide relief to more than 12 million low and modest-income Canadians, helping them afford day-to-day essentials starting in the spring of 2026.

Bill C-19 will:

Combined, these measures mean a family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year, and about $1,400 annually for the next four years; and a single person will receive up to $950 this year, and about $700 annually for the next four years.

That’s how we Build Canada Strong. If you have any questions regarding eligibility for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, please click here, or contact my office at [email protected], or (778) 331-1245 for more information.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Visit to the UK:

On March 9th, Canada and 56 other countries celebrated Commonwealth Day, a shared celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations and our shared values of democracy, equality and peace. In light of this celebration, I was very grateful to visit the United Kingdom with my colleague MP Grant Jackson on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). Together we toured the Palace of Westminster, attended Prime Minister’s Questions (similar to Canada’s version of Question Period), and participated in a number of informative sessions about parliamentary systems across the world. These included seminars on artificial intelligence tools and effective engagement as a parliamentarian, parliamentary work through a diversity, inclusivity and gender-sensitive lens, and using parliamentary resource effectively. Many thanks to the CPA and all who made this wonderful experience possible!

Exploring Victoria’s Environment: Meetings with Organizations and Parks Canada Officials: 

As Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Nature (ECCC), I travelled to Victoria to engage with key departmental partners and environmental organizations. I met with ECCC teams at the Queenswood campus, including the Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCMA) and the Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division (WHERD), and learned about their work in partnership with the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC). I also heard insights from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) on regional climate initiatives, and met with Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), a world-leading ocean observatory based at the University of Victoria. These discussions built on recent engagements with Minister Dabrusin and highlighted the strength of climate science and collaboration in the region.

During the visit, I also had the opportunity to visit Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site and Gulf Islands National Park Reserve with Parks Canada officials. I was excited to learn about the ecological restoration initiatives underway, wildfire management efforts, and the important work being done to protect these incredible landscapes and ecosystems.

Visit to Hogan’s Alley:

I was pleased to be joined by my colleague, MP Fares Al Soud from Mississauga Centre, to meet with Dr. June Francis of the Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS) to discuss their recent proposal to the Build Canada Homes Program. Hogan’s Alley was once the heart of Vancouver’s Black community, known for its vibrant culture, local businesses, and strong sense of community before it was largely dismantled in the 1970s with the construction of the Georgia Viaduct. Since then, HAS has been working to advance redress and ensure Black communities are centred in decisions about land, housing, and cultural belonging. Dr. Francis and members of HAS also guided us on a tour of the area, which was both deeply informative and meaningful, and an experience I am very grateful for.

Canada Reaches 2% NATO Spending:

Our new government has now reached the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) defence spending target in the 2025–26 fiscal year, marking a significant milestone in Canada’s approach to national defence and collective security. This coincides with applications to join the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) up nearly 13%. Canada’s defence infrastructure investments are expected to generate significant economic activity and job creation across the country over the next decade, supporting $59 billion in infrastructure-related spending, approximately 340,000 jobs, including both direct and indirect employment across the construction sector and related supply chains.

We have also delivered Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy. This is a strategy to transform our defence industries by prioritizing Canadian suppliers and materials, investing in Canadian innovation and commercialisation, and streamlining procurement to give businesses consistent and predictable demand. This will enable Canada’s aerospace, cyber, and other industries to scale up operations to sell more at home and to trusted partners around the world, creating high-paying careers for Canadians across defence supply chains.

Our government will continue to invest in our ability to shape the world we live in, because a peaceful, prosperous world is one where Canada thrives.

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns. If anyone you know would like to receive these updates, please direct them to contact my office at [email protected].

Warmly,

Wade Grant, M.P.
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra