Petitions

NEW STATUS: Open for Signature until September 30, 2026 at 11:59 (EST)  

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts is one of Parliament's principal oversight committees. It is responsible for examining how public funds are spent, reviewing reports from the Auditor General of Canada, and holding government departments and agencies accountable to ensure taxpayers receive value for their money. Through its studies and recommendations, the Committee plays an important role in promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible government spending.

As your Member of Parliament and a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts, I believe Canadians expect their government to be accountable for every tax dollar it spends and to demonstrate that those investments are achieving meaningful outcomes.

At a time when many Canadians are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living—paying more for housing, groceries, gas, and other everyday necessities—Canada continues to spend billions of dollars annually on foreign aid. As families across the country make difficult financial decisions and work harder to make ends meet, it is reasonable to ask whether these programs are delivering meaningful results and whether taxpayers are receiving appropriate accountability and transparency for their investments.

I am seeking your feedback on whether I should bring forward a motion to the Public Accounts Committee to undertake a study of Canada's foreign aid spending. Such a review would examine whether foreign aid programs are achieving their intended objectives, providing value for taxpayers, and operating with appropriate oversight, accountability, and transparency.

STATUS: Open for Signature until August 31, 2026 at 11:59 (EST)  

Petition to the Government of Canada . We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada:

Whereas:

• A Pleasure Craft License (PCL) is a unique vessel ID required under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, to demonstrate compliance with regulations and support law enforcement and search-and-rescue authorities;
• For more than two decades, PCLs did not expire and were renewed only when ownership, key vessel or owner information changed;
• Transport Canada has not charged a service fee to issue, transfer, renew, or replace a PCL;
• The provinces of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan have modernized vehicle licensing, eliminating validation stickers and, in Ontario’s case, license plate renewal fees to ease cost-of-living pressures;
• The Government of Canada amended Small Vessel Regulationson December 31, 2025, and announced PCL changes on January 6, 2026;
• These changes mandate five-year renewals and impose a $24 service fee, with future inflationary increases, on recreational boaters nationwide;
• Transport Canada estimates administrative costs at approximately $39 million, while service fees on recreational boaters will generate substantially greater revenue;
• The Prime Minister has stated the Government of Canada is focused on reducing cost-of-living pressures for Canadians;
• These amendments impose new, recurring costs on recreational boaters, contrary to provincial efforts to reduce administrative and financial burdens on the public;

We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to repeal mandatory five-year renewals and service fees for Pleasure Craft Licences, and to maintain a licensing system that protects public safety without unnecessary financial burdens on recreational boaters.