Frank Caputo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

FEDERAL POLITICS

Affordability was top issue of 2023 for Kamloops MP Caputo

Dec 20, 2023 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Over the course of 2023, the federal Conservatives saw a surge in public support, now projected to win a majority government in the next vote. It was the second year in office for freshman MP Frank Caputo, who utilized his time in Ottawa to put forward a number of private members bills on bail reform. The past year also saw the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo representative move into a justice critic role within the Tory caucus.

The next federal election could be two weeks away or two years — such is politics in the world of a minority government. And while the Kamloops MP wouldn’t hazard a guess as to when Canadians could be headed to the polls, he’s confident he know what issues will be top of mind for voters.

“When we see the government so flippantly spending money, so carelessly, so casually spending people’s money on things that aren’t directly impacting others, that to me is so difficult. Affordability is the number one thing on peoples minds,” Caputo told CFJC News.

The Tories have been running strong with the ‘axe the tax’ slogan. In B.C., the carbon tax is imposed by the province, but still mandated by federal rule.

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“People are really struggling these days,” began Caputo, “so when somebody says to me, ‘I’m a farmer and I got a $1,000 bill and $250 is tax,’ that $250 has to come for somewhere. Somebody has to pay for it, so you are going to pay more money for your tomato or your corn, or your canola oil — whatever it is, you will be paying more.”

With the ongoing conflicts beyond the Canadian border, discussion surrounding our nation’s role have come forward with Ukraine asking for further support to fight back against Russia.

“I would love to see us be in a position to be able to send more munitions to Ukraine. This is an illegal invasion, that was brought about by a dictator and Ukrainian people should be entitled to defend themselves to the fullest extent. And I would love to see us do everything we possibly can. Unfortunately, our military has been so gutted that I worry our infrastructure is not where it should be to do as much as we possibly can,” said Caputo.

After moving private member’s bills on bail reform and child pornography, Caputo expects to be busy with petitions early in 2024.

“This is our way of communicating, our way of drawing our line in the sand, saying, ‘This is where I stand.’ For instance, you can do that through a petition — petitions on mandatory minimums for sexual offenses, or eliminating house arrest for sexual offenses. Those are some of the things I’m considering for 2024,” added Caputo.

The House of Commons’ 2024 session begins sitting in late January.