Langley Advance Times runs a new weekly feature, call it “At Your Service.”
It’s another forum in which to put questions to our local politicians about key issues facing our community and its residents.
Using a basic question-and-answer format, elected officials will be asked one question at a time and given the opportunity to respond (to a maximum of 250 words) on that said issue.
Alternating between elected groups, Langley City and Langley Township councils, Langley school board, Langley MLAs, and Langley MPs each have a chance to participate.
The answers provided will be published in their entirety online each Sunday.
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MOST RECENT – AT YOUR SERVICE: Local MLAs agree more must be done to make life affordable in B.C.
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QUESTION
Both Langley MPs were asked the same question: What is your party doing about the rise in incidents of hate crime in Canadian society?
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ANSWERS
MP John Aldag
A. The rise in hate crimes is an issue that should deeply concern all of us.
We introduced a bill to fight online hate, sexual exploitation of children, and incitement of violence in June 2021.
We will re-introduce a similar bill after further review this parliament.
It is clear that harmful online content is a serious problem, but there is no consensus on how to solve it.
A panel of 12 experts will advise us on how best to address hateful content online. These experts will provide new solutions so we get this legislation right. This legislation will prevent and prosecute hate crimes in Canada.
Our government continues to work with anti-hate groups across Canada.
We have announced $15 million in funding for 85 anti-racism projects.
We will introduce a National Action Plan this year that includes recommendations from the Antisemitism and Islamophobia summits. It also includes specific action on fighting hate crimes in Canada, including possible changes to the Criminal Code, training, and tools for public safety agencies.
We will invest in digital literacy and prevention against violent radicalization.
We are taking steps through legislation, funding, and shaping our political culture to build a stronger and more inclusive society.
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MP Tako van Popta
A. My House of Commons colleagues and I are all working toward a safer Canada for everyone, through various pieces of government legislation and Private Members’ Bills.
MP Kevin Waugh has tabled Bill C-250, which seeks to prohibit the promotion of antisemitism, and MP Garnett Genuis has tabled Bill C-257, which would add political belief and political activity to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination.
These are among many other legislative efforts that the Conservative Party has undertaken to fight against ideological discrimination and hate.
Educating people about tolerance and compassion, to think critically and to take responsibility for their actions are also key components to a safer Canada.
In healthy communities, citizens need connection to others and to a purpose. Without that, a void is left, which makes it possible for negative forces to have influence on thoughts and behaviour.
At a national level, Canada must pay attention to and act on such issues as radicalization, and the impact of easily accessible misinformation online from sources at home and abroad.
Again, education is the key.
As stated at a public safety committee meeting by Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin, director of research at Mediasmarts (Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy): “We need to ensure that all people in Canada have the tools and critical capacities to safely and positively engage as ethical digital citizens.”
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UP NEXT
Next week’s Langley City councillors are being asked: Should the City reconsider its stance to permit cannabis stores to operate within municipal limits?
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Watch for their answers online Sunday.
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PAST COVERAGE
AT YOUR SERVICE: City council weighs in on supervised consumption sites
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley trustees applaud positives found amid pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Township council weighs in on lack of industrial land
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs see feds as partners in SkyTrain to Langley
AT YOUR SERVICE: Creating more housing, on all fronts, critical to stabilization: MPs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Heat wave another call to action – City council
AT YOUR SERVICE: Pools need to be part of Township-wide recreation planning
AT YOUR SERVICE: No current need for year-round schooling in Langley, trustees agree
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs suggest staying the course on battling of B.C. wildfire
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs call for borders to be safely re-opened
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley City council wants to keep higher density development north of Nicomekl
AT YOUR SERVICE: Passports key to keeping B.C. businesses open, people safe during pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Trustees ponder what kids are missing out on during pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Education should trump rules for vaccination of health-care workers, suggest MLAs
AT YOUR SERVICE: How to handle rising housing prices
AT YOUR SERVICE: City council divided on call for indoor pool
AT YOUR SERVICE: Council ponders vaccine requirements for workers
AT YOUR SERVICE: Skyrocketing enrolment prompts intensified lobby by trustees
AT YOUR SERVICE: Political stripes aside, MLAs agree heat dome was tragic and action required
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs agree much must be done to right wrongs for Indigenous
AT YOUR SERVICE: Is pay parking in the City a viable consideration?
AT YOUR SERVICE: Some suggest more needed to protect floodplains from development
AT YOUR SERVICE: Monitoring student transport not good use of school district resources – trustees
AT YOUR SERVICE: Liberal caucus floats all-party committee in reaction to emergencies
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley MPs address issue of rising food costs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Inflation inevitably hits City taxpayers in the pocketbook
AT YOUR SERVICE: Future of Aldergrove core up for debate
AT YOUR SERVICE: Trees and more greenspace at root of climate change solutions
AT YOUR SERVICE: Inflation inevitably hits City taxpayers in the pocketbook
AT YOUR SERVICE: Councillors differ on future of SkyTrain beyond Langley City
AT YOUR SERVICE: Bigger schools not necessarily solution to rising land costs
AT YOUR SERVICE: High gas prices of concern for MLAs of both stripes
AT YOUR SERVICE: Empty homes can be safety concern, but not huge concern in City
AT YOUR SERVICE: Most of council content with current pothole repairs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Survey gives school district tools for staff recruitment, retention
AT YOUR SERVICE: Liberal MLAs call for overhaul to B.C.’s student funding model
AT YOUR SERVICE: Canada must continue its support of Ukraine, MPs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Best use of industrial land paramount to Langley City councillors
AT YOUR SERVICE: More ALR land needs to be used for farming: Most of council
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