New Year, New Hope

8 January 2026

New Year’s celebrations rang joyously throughout our communities. As the clock struck 12:00am on January 1, I reflected on all that was in 2025, and I was overwhelmed with emotion with what can be accomplished in 2026. This year, I invite every Canadian to make a choice: to choose hope. Hope in the belief that, together, we can confront the challenges we face, and build a future that is stronger, safer, and more secure. It is the conviction that through hard work and responsible leadership, families can regain confidence in their everyday lives.

Across our community, I hear the same concerns again and again. Families are feeling the strain of rising costs, grocery bills are higher than ever, and many are worried about how to make ends meet. These pressures are not abstract—they affect real households every day. Mark Carney himself said Canadians should judge his government by the cost at the grocery store. The verdict is clear: food prices rose 4.7 per cent year over year in November, the largest increase in nearly a year. Nearly 2.2 million Canadians, including more than 700,000 children, relied on food banks monthly last year. A typical family of four will spend $17,571 on groceries in 2026, almost $1,000 more than the year before. Everyday essentials like milk, bread, eggs, fresh produce, even holiday treats, have grown significantly more expensive.

These costs are not inevitable. Canadian food inflation continues to rise at more than twice the rate in the United States. Additional taxes and regulations, from the Liberal industrial carbon tax to charges on food packaging and fuel, add to the burden for families. Conservatives have been clear: strong take-home pay, lower taxes, and responsible fiscal management are essential to help Canadians afford what they need. Eliminating these unnecessary taxes that add costs supports households, empowers farmers and producers, and ensures that every family can put food on the table without compromise.

Affordability is only part of the Canadian promise. Families also want to feel safe, and Canadians want a country that can stand confidently on the world stage. Concerns about legislation affecting freedom of expression, economic stability, and Canada’s strength abroad are legitimate. A nation built on freedom, fairness, and opportunity must respond to these concerns with integrity and clarity. Instead of limiting job opportunities with unreasonable and unsustainable immigration policies, the government must invest in the next generation. Youth unemployment in the Greater Toronto Area is hovering close to 20%.

Focusing on youth employment is essential for building a stable and prosperous society. Young people represent the future workforce, innovators, and leaders, yet unemployment limits their potential and confidence. Without access to jobs, youths may face poverty, poor mental health, and social exclusion. High youth unemployment also slows economic growth and increases dependency on governments. By investing in education, skills training, and job creation, societies can empower young people to contribute productively. Addressing youth unemployment reduces crime, promotes social stability, and ensures sustainable development. Prioritizing youth employment today secures economic and social progress for future generations.

Even in difficult times, I am hopeful because I see the strength of Canadians every day. Neighbours help neighbours, communities pull together, and families persevere with courage and generosity. Hope is strengthened when we see that solutions exist, that our hard work is respected, and that the future can be brighter.

As your Member of Parliament, I am proud to work alongside Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to advance policies that restore affordability, protect freedom, and strengthen our communities.

The challenges before us are real, but so too is our capacity to overcome them. I will continue to fight for our community. In this new year, let us choose hope. Let us believe that paycheques can go further, communities can be safer, and Canadian families can look forward to a future of opportunity, security, and dignity. Together, by choosing hope, we can make that future a reality.