What I Stand For

Jared Pilon

Published

3 years ago

8 minute read

WHAT I STAND FOR: PARENTAL AUTHORITY

“Government needs to respect the right of all parents to raise their children in the way they choose.”

As Canadians, we want the very best for our children. We also realize that parents are best equipped to support and love their children.

With this in mind, government needs to respect the right of all parents to raise their children the way they choose. This includes the right to:

· Pass on religious beliefs

· Instill family values

· Decide on schooling

· Restrict access to their children

· Protect their child’s health

WHAT I STAND FOR: DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS

“Government is not the grantor of rights, rather the protector.”

Members of Parliament should respect and defend our rights in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Government policies should not interfere with the ability of individuals, families or the church to make decisions within their respective sphere of influence in a manner that they deem appropriate.

Individuals should be able to make decisions in accordance with their personal conscience.

Freedom of speech, the most important Charter Right, should be protected at all costs. If Canadians are able to freely express themselves, we are able to freely callout the problems we see in our country.

Government must protect our right to pursue gainful employment, even in the midst of a global pandemic. All businesses are essential to those who rely on it to provide for their families.

Our freedom of assembly must be protected as this ensures Canadians are able to fulfill one of the most important drivers of mental health, spending time with others.

Families should be able to participate in the difficult decisions that impact their children and government should consider and protect parental rights in legislative decisions.

Churches should be able to keep their doors open to provide services to their members and to the community. Government should respect all religions and provide support to allow for religious facilities to operate safely and without fear of persecution.

WHAT I STAND FOR: COMPASSION FOR THE VULNERABLE

“Government has an inherent duty to enact policies that protect its citizens and their liberty.”

Government has an inherent duty to enact policies that protect its citizens. The absence of safety and security leads to division, the breakdown of civil society and unrest.

Government policies should be reviewed to ensure that they have no negative impact on the least, the lost and the last. Additionally, Canadians should be encouraged to seek the dignity of work as this provides personal fulfillment and positive contributions to society.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed areas where government policy has woefully failed and must be immediately improved in order to better protect the vulnerable among us. Examples include:

· More stringent regulations within long-term care facilities

· Reinstituting funding to fight human-trafficking

· Fulfilling commitments to end long-term boil water advisories on First Nation reserves

· Supporting holistic treatment for those impacted by the opioid crisis

· Providing wrap-around supports for veterans

· Expand funding to pregnancy care centres

Providing hope for the most vulnerable should always be top of mind in society. Government can set the right tone through well-crafted policies and adequate supporting regulations.

WHAT I STAND FOR: FISCAL RESPONSBILITY

“It is inappropriate for government to heap debt upon the backs of our children.”

It simply is not realistic to continue printing money. As our national debt continues to worsen, we run the risk of inflation, devalued currency and increasing interest rates. All of these factors would significantly worsen the financial situation for the majority of Canadians, making it harder for our economy to rebound.

Government needs to shift away from perpetual spending and taxing. Instead, finances must be handled with prudence and in accordance with a balanced budget. This requires an understanding of the scarcity of resources and the importance of maximizing value for every dollar spent.

Policies such as carbon tax and the proposed new Clean Fuel Standard need to be eliminated. Discussions around estate, wealth and principal residence taxes need to end. Investors, businesses and consumers are looking for confidence at this time. New or expanded taxes do not provide this.

Government needs to allow businesses to return to operation. Revenues from the private sector will be required to get us through the post pandemic period and more importantly, to tackle the significant debt that has been accumulated in the government’s response to COVID-19. We need increased investor fueled production and less debt driven consumption.

WHAT I STAND FOR: ACCOUNTABILITY

“Elected officials should learn from constituents at in person town hall meetings every month.”

“I was criticized for being too much concerned with the average Canadians. I can’t help that; I am one of them!” – John Diefenbaker, 13th Prime Minister of Canada.

Do you know who your Member of Parliament is? Have you ever spoken with him/her?

If you’ve answered no to either or both of these questions, does this seem concerning to you considering this person is supposed to represent your interests on the national and international stage?

For far too long now, Canada has been governed by those seeking to benefit themselves, their friends, connected insiders or their political party through the position of power they were elected to.

It is time for a change. Members of Parliament work for you. You are the boss!

If elected, I commit to holding at least one monthly in person town hall meeting. We need to get back to grassroots politics where you have the ability to speak with your elected representative on a regular basis.

Politicians shouldn’t promise to fix every one of your concerns. That’s not possible.

Rather they should promise to meet with you, listen to your concerns and work as hard as possible to get government out of the way so you can solve your concerns as efficiently as possible.

https://www.jaredpilon.com/electionplatform

Jared Pilon

I have recently made the decision to seek nomination as a candidate in the federal electoral district of Red Deer - Mountain View. As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), I directly see the negative impacts of government policy on business owners and most notably, their families. This has never been more evident than in 2020. Through a common sense focus and a passion for bringing people together on common ground, I will work to help bring prosperity to the riding of Red Deer – Mountain View and Canada. I am hoping to be able to share my election campaign with your viewers/readers. Feel free to touch base with me at the email listed below or at jaredpilon.com. Thanks.

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International

California’s soaring electricity rates strain consumers, impact climate goals

Published on January 21, 2025

Todayville

From The Center Square

By Madeline Armstrong

While the greenhouse gas reduction programs that raise electricity rates are part of California’s climate goals, the increased prices actually discourage individuals from switching away from using fossil fuels impacting California’s ambitious climate goals.

California has completed yet another year with some of the highest electricity rates in the country – almost double the national average. The state’s electricity rates have been increasing rapidly, outpacing inflation in recent years by approximately 47% from 2019 to 2023. This is due largely to the high rates charged by the state’s three large investor-owned utilities (IOUs).

According to a report published by the California Legislative Analyst Office, the factors driving rate increases are wildfire-related costs, greenhouse gas reduction mandates, and policies and differences in utility operational structures and services territories. Ratepayers bear the brunt of these costs with those who earn lower incomes and live in hotter areas of the state the most severely affected.

The report points out that while the greenhouse gas reduction programs that raise electricity rates are part of California’s climate goals, the increased prices actually discourage individuals from switching away from using fossil fuels impacting California’s ambitious climate goals.

These programs include the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires utilities to provide a percentage of retail electricity sales from renewable sources, raising costs for ratepayers. Additionally, SB 350 directs the CPUC to authorize ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs to meet California’s goal of doubling energy efficiency savings by 2030.

“While many other states operate ratepayer-supported energy efficiency programs, on average, we estimate that Californians contribute a notably greater share of their rates to such programs than is typical across the country,” the report notes.

Electricity rates pay for numerous costs related to the construction, maintenance and operation of electricity systems including the generation, transmission and distribution components. However, these rates also pay for costs unrelated to servicing electricity.

“Most notably, the state and IOUs use revenue generated from electricity rates to support various state-mandated public purpose programs,” the report says. “These programs have goals such as increasing energy efficiency, expediting adoption of renewable energy sources, supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), and providing lower-income customers with financial assistance.”

The largest public purpose program is the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), which provides discounts for lower-income customers. However, the report notes that while CARE benefits certain customers, it shifts the costs onto other slightly higher-income customers and that the majority of Californians spend a larger portion of their income on electricity compared to other states.

“According to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, California households in the lowest quintile of the income distribution typically spend about 6 percent of their before-tax incomes on electricity, compared to less than 1 percent for the highest-income quintile of households,” reads the report. “Notably, high electricity rates also can impose burdens on moderate-income earners, since they also pay a larger share of their household incomes toward electricity than their higher-income counterparts but typically are not able to qualify for bill assistance programs.”

Electricity bills also reflect other state and local tax charges including utility taxes that are used to support programs such as fire response and parks in addition to the state-assessed charge on electricity use that is put into the Energy Resources Programs Account (ERPA). This account is used to pay for energy programs and planning activities.

While many of the funds recovered through electricity rates are fixed costs for programs, these costs increased in 2022 following the repeal of a state law that limited fixed charges at $10, requiring the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to authorize fixed charges that vary by income. These come out to be around $24 per month for non-CARE customers and $6 per month for CARE customers.

Wildfire related costs have also been increasing. Before 2019, wildfire costs included in electricity rates charged by IOUs were negligible, but now it has grown between 7% and 13% of typical non-CARE customers. Reasons for this increase include California’s high wildfire risk and the state’s liability standard holding IOUs responsible for all costs associated with utility-caused wildfires.

“The magnitude of the damages and risks from utility-sparked wildfires have increased substantially in recent years,” reads the report. “Correspondingly, IOUs have spent unprecedented amounts in recent years on wildfire mitigation-related activities to try to reduce the likelihood of future utility-caused wildfires, with the associated costs often passed along to ratepayers. Furthermore, California IOUs and their ratepayers pay for insurance against future wildfires, including contributing to the California Wildfire Fund.”

According to the report, electricity use and rates for Claifornians are only expected to increase and the legislature will have to determine how to tackle the statewide climate goals while reducing the burden on ratepayers.

Madeline Armstrong

Reporter

Daily Caller

Pastor Lectures Trump and Vance On Trans People, Illegal Immigrants

Published on January 21, 2025

Todayville

From the Daily Caller News Foundation

By Nicole Silverio

President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance visibly rolled their eyes as the Episcopal bishop of Washington, Mariann Budde, lectured them on being kind to transgender people and immigrants at Tuesday’s National Prayer Service.

Budde requested that the newly sworn-in president and vice president “have mercy” on gay, lesbian and transgender people as well as illegal immigrants who are allegedly “scared” by the new administration. The new leaders did not appear amused by her lecture, with Vance repeatedly shooting looks to his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance.

“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde said. “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives. And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants, who work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors, they are faithful members of churches and our mosques, synagogues and temples.”

WATCH:

Trump and Vance attended the National Prayer Service along with Usha, First Lady Melania Trump and their families at the Washington National Cathedral. The interfaith service was held to “offer prayers of thanksgiving for our democracy” at the beginning of the new administration, according to a statement from the National Cathedral.

Budde, a staunch critic of Trump since his first term, said during a phone call in 2020 that she was “outraged” by the president’s speech about the importance of law and order at St. John’s Episcopal Church after it was set ablaze by Black Lives Matter protesters. She further seethed at Trump for allegedly being given no notice that the area surrounding the church would be cleared with tear gas.

Trump signed a slew of executive orders Monday evening to terminate birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants, declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and to direct the federal government to only recognize two sexes, male and female.

An Axios/Ipsos poll from Sunday found that 66% of Americans support deporting immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally, an action that Trump had promised to enact throughout his campaign. The poll surveyed 1,025 adults between January 10 to 12 with a 3.2% margin of error.

A national poll by PPRI in June 2023 found that 65% of Americans believe there are only two genders. The poll surveyed 5,000 adults between March 9-23 with a 1.5% margin of error.