By Karina Gould
April 2, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The world feels like an unsettled place with the American war in Iran and the unfolding crisis in the Middle East. If you or a loved one require consular assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office, and we will do our best to help where possible. Please avoid all travel to the Middle East. For anyone traveling abroad these days, it is prudent to register with the Government of Canada.
Kara Gould: Burlington MP since 2015
It seems like the right moment for Canada to have hit an important milestone this past month, meeting our 2% NATO target of GDP on Defense spending as well as the release of Canada’s Defense Industrial Strategy. While the Prime Minister has confirmed that Canada will not participate in the offensive war against Iran and has called for a de-escalation of the conflict, it is prudent to ensure Canada and Canadians have the protection we need now more than ever. This is all while we do what we can to supply humanitarian assistance to affected populations, particularly in Lebanon. I will also note, that Canada is also providing humanitarian assistance to Cuba, I have heard from many of you asking us to do our part in supporting the Cuban people during this exceedingly difficult time for them.
With the disruption to the world supply and trade of oil and natural gas resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, we – as is everyone around the globe – are seeing the impacts at the pump with soaring gas prices. Thus it feels particularly timely that the new Groceries and Essentials Benefit, supporting 12 million Canadians, will be coming into effect this Spring.
On the domestic front just yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that we will be temporarily removing the HST on all new build homes in Ontario for the next three years in an effort to make housing more affordable.
Karina Gould on the left, facing Mark Carney as they prepared to debate for the job as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He was already the Leader – appointed by the Party. This time, he had to compete for the job. Won by a landslide.
I am particularly excited by Tuesday’s announcement of the long awaited for Nature Strategy. It will help Canada achieve our 30×30 target, that is protecting 30% of Canada’s Land and Water by 2030.
Finally, let me just say that on Sunday, I had the chance to join the Prime Minister at Dofasco in Hamilton where I spoke with dozens of steel workers. Hamilton has been producing the world’s best steel for over a century, and our government is committed to ensuring that proud legacy and tradition continues for another century.
There is so much uncertainty in the world right now. What keeps me grounded is knowing that our community, our country, our government are there for each other and are working to protect your job, your livelihood, and our way of life.
Wishing you and yours a very happy Easter this weekend and Passover this week. Whether you celebrate or not, I hope this long weekend you are surrounded by the people you love and you get a meaningful rest.
The Gazette adds the following:
Joey Coleman of The Public Record provides some background on Gould and her role in the present Liberal government.
Burlington’s representative, former cabinet minister Karina Gould was not appointed to any role.
Gould ran in the Liberal Party leadership race, placing third with just over three percent of the vote. She is seated on the front row, near the entrance to the House.
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Seems like our MP has a case of selective amnesia. Allow me to provide some updates that were neglected.
MP’s got a pay raise of 3.9% on April 1st which means Carney got a raise of $15,800. My question is, Carney is a rich guy, why not give his salary back to Canadians like Trump returns his salary to Americans?
Industrial carbon tax increased by 16% from $95/tonne to $110/tonne which increases the price of everything in Canada and is more of a negative impact to the economy than any tariff from the US. So while the feds try to make housing more affordable this is a preverbal “shot in the foot” and raised the price of everything that goes into a house, and increases the cost of everything that is constructed through development charges, so eventually increasing development charges.
Beer, liquor and wine tax increased by 2%. Some say good, I don’t drink anyways. Well, I can tell you first hand this is impacting the restaurant business across Canada and jobs are being cut as a result – its death by a thousand cuts.
And just last week the PM could not call out genocide in China with the Uyghur Muslims. It’s ironic that the MP talks about human rights, but they try to sweep this one under the rug in favour of Chinese EV’s for the “chatter” class.
How is genocide being perpetrated by the CPC?
They force separate Uyghur husbands from their wife, then force the marriage of separated Uyghur wife to a Chinese man. This is sickening, enjoy your Chinese EV if you can.
It is great that the Federal Government is sending aid to Lebanon and Cuba. What about everyday Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet.
Whatever happened to “Charity begins at home”.
I find these updates are a waste of time and money. I include the “City Talk” update in this. An unnecessary expense when the cost of these could be diverted to more important causes.
“City Talk” in particular said nothing about anything.
Penny,
I agree 100%; along with all of the money our mayor spend on the “Mayor’s Calendar” and then, they were personally kept by our mayor to hand out as she wished to, but taxpayers who were actually forced to pay for these calendars were denied getting a copy of one!