Dear Friends and Neighbours,

I hope you all had an amazing month of July! I was very happy to start last month by celebrating Canada Day with so many of you across the riding. I also engaged in several events across Canada these past few weeks in my capacity as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and I was grateful for the opportunity to witness much of the important work the department is doing to conserve and restore Canada’s natural environment.

It was great to see many of you at my constituency office last week for the latest installment of our MP Breakfast Connection Series! For those who may not know, or who have recently joined our mailing list (welcome!), this series brings Vancouver Quadra residents together to connect with your Member of Parliament, while hearing from guest speakers on topics that matter to our community. I want to again offer my sincere gratitude to Dr. Andrew Trites from the University of British Columbia for leading an insightful conversation on British Columbia’s resident killer whales, one of our coast’s most iconic, intelligent, and culturally significant species. I know this is a topic that many people across Vancouver Quadra are interested in. More on the discussion is included below, and keep an eye out for the next invitation!

While the House of Commons is in summer recess, our government has been hard at work to deliver on the priorities that mean the most to you. We are keeping our communities safe with our new Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, introducing sweeping reforms to make bail laws stricter and sentencing laws tougher for repeat and violent offenders. We have announced our Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy, supporting over $100 billion in annual trade and contributing more than $3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP. We have renewed the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, with an investment of over $600M toward programs that address gender-based violence, support survivors, and contribute to ending painful and repetitive cycles of violence. We have also announced a preferred supplier for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). These submarines will enable the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to defend against threats near and far from Canada’s shores, and their construction will have enormous, lasting benefits for Canadian industries and workers.

I look forward to August, and to continuing to spend time with, and learn from, all of you in our constituency. It remains my greatest honour to serve as your Member of Parliament. I am only a phone call or email away should you ever have anything you’d like to discuss with me.

Warm regards,

Wade

Canada Day in Vancouver Quadra: 

On the morning of Canada Day, I had the privilege of welcoming 60 new Canadians at a citizenship ceremony at Canada Place. Throughout the year, communities across the country come together at these ceremonies to welcome new citizens and share in the pride of what it means to be Canadian. It is a powerful and meaningful moment, marking the final step in becoming a Canadian citizen. My congratulations to all those who have recently received Canadian citizenship!

Later in the day, I had the opportunity to attend the Kerrisdale Community Centre’s flag raising and BBQ. And finally, it wouldn’t be a Vancouver Quadra Canada Day without performances at the Kitsilano Showboat! I hope you all had an incredible Canada Day. I hope we can all take time throughout the year to celebrate what a privilege it is to live in the best country on earth.

Brock House Annual Summer Fair: 

I had a great time at the Brock House Society’s annual Summer Fair. Between the music, the vendors and plenty of familiar faces, it was a fulfilling way to spend the afternoon. I hope to see you all next year!

Brock House Society is a seniors activity centre serving Vancouver, operating out of a sensational heritage building at Jericho Beach. To learn more about them, and the great work they do, click here.

Visit to TRIUMF with a Delegation from the Swiss Confederation: 

I was honoured to visit TRIUMF with the President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin, National Councillor Franz Grüter, and the official Swiss delegation. Located on the University Endowment Lands, TRIUMF is Canada’s Particle Accelerator Centre, and one of the world’s premier physics research facilities, delivering world-leading scientific advancements and providing cutting-edge research across a number of disciplines. We should all be proud to have such a leading institution in our community.

One of my last visits to TRIUMF was this time last year, when I accompanied my friend and colleague the Hon. Melanie Joly to announce $1.3 billion in funding supporting research excellence, innovation, and the next generation of scientific talent. Since 2016, the Government of Canada has invested more than $22 billion in Canadian research. I’m proud to be part of a government that believes deeply in the power of science and research. Thank you again to TRIUMF and the Swiss delegation.

Inaugural “Walk with Wade”: 

For any of you who may not know, I was born, educated and raised right here in Vancouver Quadra, and this has always been my home. As such, it turns out I know the area quite well! That’s why last week, I launched my inaugural event in our new Walk With Wade series, offering community members an opportunity to walk, talk, and connect with me in an informal setting, while exploring some of my old stomping grounds. I’d be very grateful if you’d join me in exploring this beautiful community that shaped the man I am today, learning about its rich history and enduring connection to the land, and enjoying a relaxed opportunity to connect along the way. Invitations for these are sent via this mailing list, so stay tuned for the next one!

Pancake Breakfast with Dr. Andrew Trites: 

As an installment in another series, I was happy to host another breakfast in my constituency office, this time with Dr. Andrew Trites, Professor at the University of British Columbia and Director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit within the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. We had a very informative discussion on declining salmon populations, changing ocean conditions, and the challenges facing resident killer whales. Dr. Trites also walked us through how scientists are working to better understand these remarkable animals and what their future may hold in a rapidly changing marine environment.

Apartment Construction Loan Program Announcement in Vancouver Quadra:

On behalf of the Hon. Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, I was pleased to announce last week that our government is providing over $174.7 million in low-interest loans to help build 349 rental homes, right here in Vancouver Quadra. The project includes three buildings – a 14-storey and two six-storey buildings with a mix of studio, one, and two-bedroom units, as well as three- and four-bedroom units for families, to meet the diverse needs of the people who will be living there. This project helps more of our neighbours, as well as students and staff at UBC, gain the stability of home, right in the community where they want to work, study and raise their families. Projects like this are possible thanks to the Apartment Construction Loan Program, which provides fully repayable, low-interest loans to finance much-needed rental homes.