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Ernie Klassen

@ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social

140 followers 93 following 25 posts

Member of Parliament for South Surrey-White Rock Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries http://ernieklassen.ca/

ernieklassen.ca

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Jul 14

Hello Bluesky! I'm looking forward to connecting with my fellow Canadians here, especially those from my home in South Surrey-White Rock. Let's build Canada together!

A gentleman speaks into a microphone while smiling. He is wearing a pale grey suite jacket with white and navy blue stripes, and a navy blue shirt. A Canadian flag is visible in the background.

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 2d

Wishing a happy Mid-Autumn Festival to everyone celebrating in South Surrey-White Rock!

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 9d

Please note that in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our office will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, September 30. We’ll be back open on Wednesday, October 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as usual.

Thank you for your understanding!

An orange graphic image with silhouettes of a large eagle, a feather, and an inukshuk. The image announces the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, and a sidebar notes that the office will be closed on the same day.

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Reposted by Ernie Klassen

Canadian Human Rights Commission @cdnhumanrights.bsky.social · 9d

Tomorrow marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We honour the children who never came home, the courage of survivors, and the leadership of Indigenous communities. True #reconciliation calls for action – today and every day. #NDTR

Statement: www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/resources/ne...

Graphic with a split design. On the left, a white background with bold black text that reads: “STATEMENT - Advancing reconciliation: A shared human rights responsibility". On the right, an orange-toned image of a sunset over water with three black circular icons at the bottom: a bird in flight, a narwhal, and a flower.

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 15d

Gender Equality Week helps us recognize the contributions women have made to Canada, highlight progress towards a just society, and strengthen our pursuit of equality.

My thanks to my colleague the Honourable @rechievaldez.bsky.social for her tireless work as Minister for Women and Gender Equality.

A poster-style image reading:

Gender equality means equal opportunity for all. Equal rights. Equal pay. Equal respect. This is how we build Canada strong.

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 16d

Happy Rosh Hashanah to Jewish communities celebrating in South Surrey-White Rock. May this new year be filled with reflection, renewal, and hope. Shanah Tovah!

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 19d

I know that many constituents are concerned about safety of their communities. On Wednesday, our caucus invited ministers to attend our meeting to discuss crime, the drug overdose epidemic, street safety, and the homelessness crisis from a BC perspective.

A group of Canadian parliamentarians discuss matters in the Pacific caucus of the federal parliament.

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 22d

I've received many messages from concerned constituents over the past 24 hours, asking me about the standing ovation connected to Charlie Kirk in yesterday's session in the House of Commons. Please see my statement on the matter.

Over the past 24 hours, I’ve received many messages from constituents asking whether I stood for Monday’s ovation in the House of Commons connected to the murder of American podcaster Charlie Kirk. The answer is no, I did not stand. Neither did many of my Liberal colleagues.

Let me be clear: I am strongly opposed to political violence in all its forms. I am also strongly opposed to hate speech and discrimination, which unfortunately permeated Mr. Kirk’s work. Furthermore, his violent death in the United States has only led to escalating violent rhetoric here in Canada. We have seen intensified hate speech and threats, harassment campaigns stoked by public officials, and organized mobs trying to destroy the careers of fellow Canadians. The injustice of what befell him last week should not be used to excuse or ignore any of this.

Ignoring the harms that hate speech and harassment inflict on vulnerable communities means abandoning those who fear for their safety in the face of that rhetoric. I will not stand by while Canadians feel dehumanized by violent rhetoric, and threatened by the political movements and actors that wield it.

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 26d

This week I joined my fellow Members of Parliament in the Liberal Environment and Climate Caucus, an initiative spearheaded by my colleagues @ericstpierre.bsky.social and Shannon Miedema, where we discussed advancing Canada’s climate commitments to build a clean, sustainable energy future.

A group of a few dozen Liberal MPs, all part of the Liberal Environment and Climate Caucus, stand together and smile at the camera.

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 26d

Please see this joint statement from the Canadian Pride Caucus. No student should have to go to school in fear.

As students across Canada return to school, this should be a time of excitement for the start of a new school year, and a happy time where their most pressing concerns are making new friends, meeting their teachers, and getting back into the routine of waking up early and focusing on homework.
Unfortunately, for too many students who are Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex (2SLGBTQI+), the return to school this year is fraught with added anxiety as they find themselves dealing with hostile hallways and increasingly on the frontlines of coordinated politically motivated attacks. As 2SLGBTQI+ parliamentarians, we feel compelled to speak out against this increasing wave of hate, prejudice, and discrimination.
No student should have to go to school in fear. All Canadian schools, by law, must be places that respect sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as inalienable human rights. Sadly, for 2SLGBTQI+ youth these human rights continue to remain under threat.
The past several years has witnessed an unprecedented attack against trans and sexual minority students in Canada. Discriminatory legislation passed in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and later rescinded in New Brunswick has been central to regressive

movements seeking to roll back social progress and undermine the health, safety, and well being of vulnerable 2SLGBTQI+ youth and their families.
Within the last few weeks, after international condemnation, the Government of Alberta was forced to retreat on an its ill-conceived attempt to ban books in K-12 schools, which they described as having objectionable or sexualized content. While they have since revised the order, their original ban was so broad that it included celebrated works from renowned Canadian authors. They have also instituted a wide-ranging ban prohibiting transgender females from participating in all competitive sports, including within K-12 schools. When governments engage in overt discrimination and censorship democracy is in peril.
As students return to school, our message to 2SLGBTQI+ students, families, and allies across the country is clear: “As parliamentarians, we stand with you, we support you, and we will fight for you and your rights in the halls of parliament and beyond. Canada is a nation built on diversity and we will not allow our great country to move backwards. We are united in building a country that includes everyone and continues to be a beacon of light for inclusive democracies across the world.”

Alors que les élèves de partout au Canada font leur rentrée scolaire, ce moment devrait être une occasion d'enthousiasme, de joie et d'espoir pour une nouvelle année scolaire. Leurs principales préoccupations devraient être de se faire de nouveaux amis, de rencontrer leurs enseignants et de reprendre le rythme des réveils matinaux et des devoirs.
Malheureusement, pour trop d'élèves bispirituels, lesbiennes, gays, bisexuels, transgenres, queer et intersexués (2ELGBTQI+), la rentrée scolaire cette année est source d'anxiété supplémentaire, car ils se retrouvent de plus en plus confrontés à des couloirs hostiles et des attaques coordonnées à motivation politique. En tant que parlementaires 2ELGBTQI+, nous nous sentons obligés de dénoncer cette vague croissante de haine, de préjugés et de discrimination.
Aucun élève ne devrait avoir à aller à l'école dans la peur. Toutes les écoles canadiennes, en vertu de la loi, doivent être des lieux qui respectent l'orientation sexuelle, l'identité de genre et l'expression de genre comme des droits humains inaliénables. Malheureusement, pour les jeunes 2ELGBTQI+, ces droits humains continuent à être menacés.

Ces dernières années ont été marquées par des attaques sans précédent contre les élèves transgenres et contre les élèves issus de minorités sexuelles au Canada. Les lois discriminatoires adoptées en Saskatchewan et en Alberta, puis abrogées au Nouveau-Brunswick, ont joué un rôle central dans les mouvements régressifs qui cherchent à faire reculer les progrès sociaux et à compromettre la santé, la sécurité et le bien-être des jeunes 2ELGBTQI+ vulnérables et de leurs familles.
Au cours des dernières semaines, après avoir été condamné par la communauté internationale, le gouvernement de l'Alberta a été contraint de faire marche arrière sur une tentative malavisée d'interdire dans les écoles primaires et secondaires des livres jugés choquants ou à caractère sexuel. Bien qu'il ait depuis révisé son décret, l'interdiction initiale était si large qu'elle incluait des œuvres célèbres d'autrices canadiennes renommées et d'auteurs canadiens renommés. Le gouvernement a également instauré une interdiction générale empêchant les femmes transgenres de participer à toutes les compétitions sportives, y compris dans les écoles primaires et secondaires. Lorsque les gouvernements se livrent à une discrimination et à une censure ouvertes, la démocratie est en danger.
Alors que débute cette nouvelle année scolaire, notre message aux élèves, aux familles et aux alliés 2ELGBTQI+ de partout au pays est clair : « En tant que parlementaires, nous sommes à vos côtés. Nous vous soutenons et nous défendrons vos droits dans les couloirs du Parlement et au-delà. Le Canada est une nation fondée sur la diversité et nous ne permettrons pas que notre pays recule. Nous sommes unis pour bâtir une société qui inclut tout le monde et qui continue d’être un phare pour les démocraties inclusives à travers le monde. »

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · 29d

I condemn the Israeli government's further escalation of the humanitarian horror in Gaza in recent days, including declaring their intent to violently clear Palestinians from Gaza City, and bombing a residential neighbourhood in the sovereign nation of Qatar, in violation of international law.

I condemn the Israeli government's decision to further escalate the humanitarian horror in Gaza over the past several days by announcing their intention to violently clear Palestinians from Gaza City, and by bombing a residential neighbourhood in the sovereign nation of Qatar in violation of international law.
I feel strongly that we must defend basic human rights around the world. Our collective priority must be to achieve peace and stability in the region, and I will continue to raise this issue. This latest escalation will only deepen the suffering of countless civilians. There must be an immediate ceasefire, and good faith negotiations towards lasting peace, grounded in respect for human dignity.

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Reposted by Ernie Klassen

Neil Squire Society @neilsquiresociety.bsky.social · Aug 28

Today, we were thrilled to host MP Ernie Klassen (@ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social)‬ at our head office in Burnaby, giving him a tour of our office and programs as well as demonstrations of our assistive technology. [1/2]

Gary, Eric, Justin, MP Ernie Klassen, Nate, and Chad smile together in a group photo behind a table with assistive technology on it.

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Reposted by Ernie Klassen

Anna Gainey @annamgainey.bsky.social · Aug 28

When we invest in our children, we invest in the future of our country.

640 new child care spaces across B.C. will save families thousands of dollars and strengthen the economy for everyone.

🇨🇦

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Reposted by Ernie Klassen

Jill McKnight @jillmcknightdelta.bsky.social · Aug 26

Last week I joined my colleague & friend Ernie Klassen’s community BBQ in White Rock–South Surrey. Great to connect with constituents, meet former MP Gordie Hogg & spend time with community members. Conversations like these help us build stronger together.

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Aug 20

Please see my statement on the Air Canada flight attendants' strike above.

As the representative for a riding that many hard-working flight attendants call home, I am sympathetic to the challenges faced by these workers, as well as to the disruption caused to air passengers by the cancellations of flights.

While I recognize the unprecedented economic uncertainty Canada currently faces, I am a strong advocate for workers, for fair pay, and for the constitutional right to strike. I believe in the importance of a fair collective bargaining process.

I am pleased to hear that Air Canada returned to the bargaining table with its workers, and have reached a tentative agreement that will be evaluated and voted on by the workers, as is their Charter right.

The announcement that we will investigate unpaid wages in this industry and close exploitable loopholes is a positive step forward. I believe airlines should pay and treat all their workers fairly.

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Aug 11

We recently announced a significant pay raise for our armed forces, up to 20%. Additional pay benefits tied to years of service, frequent moves, and separation from family are also being made available. This raise is part of our ongoing effort to reward their valuable service to this country.

Poster showing a Canadian Forces naval vessel.

"Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are getting a pay raise!"

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Aug 5

You're invited to my first annual summer BBQ!

📅August 16
🕐1PM - 3PM
📍Bakerview Park (1845 154 St., Surrey)

Come celebrate summer with free food and drinks, and great company!

A poster for a community event, that reads:

Join MP Ernie Klassen at our first annual Community BBQ! Free food & activities for all ages.

Bakerview Park, 1845 154 Street, Surrey, BC, V4A 5J8

Saturday August 16, 2025, 1PM - 3PM

Interested in volunteering? Contact us at:
604-678-0220
Ernie.Klassen@parl.gc.ca
135-1959 152 St., Surrey

Reposted by Ernie Klassen

Mark Carney @mark-carney.bsky.social · Aug 1

My statement on Canada-U.S. trade:

Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Canada-U.S. trade.

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Aug 1

August 1 is Emancipation Day. Slavery was once practiced throughout the British colonies, including Canada. On this day in 1834, it was finally outlawed.

Let's continue the work of dismantling racism, while recognizing the resilience of Black communities in the face of injustices past and present.

"On August 1st we commemorate Emancipation Day"

A graphic art image of two black people, back to back, looking upwards against a backdrop of broken chains. Doves fly up from the broken chains. The image is warmly coloured and hopeful in tone.

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Jul 31

This week, Surrey's Salmon Habitat Restoration Project celebrated its 30th season of work! For thousands of years salmon have been critical to those living on this land, and I was happy to join in celebrating efforts to protect and maintain that relationship with nature.

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Jul 28

On Sunday, I attended the 1st Annual Culture Night, hosted by C-FACE (Folk Art + Culture Exchange). So many incredible dancers put on a performance with roots reaching all around the world, and provided a fantastic showcase of the strength and beauty to be found in Surrey's diverse communities.

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Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Jul 22

I had the pleasure of attending the open house at Buena Vista Montessori Preschool! Local educators Angie Boparai and Sandy Hans stepped in to lead a new chapter for the school. It was a pleasure getting to know them, and I wish them all the best in this new venture.

Member of Parliament Ernie Klassen is wearing a floral patterned shirt and blue jeans, and is standing alongside two women, one wearing a green dress and the other wearing a dark grey dress.

Mayor Megan Knight of White Rock cuts a blue ribbon at the gate outside of a local preschool. Member of Parliament Ernie Klassen stands and smiles alongside her, along with other members of the community.

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Jul 21

Here's to one more beautiful year of Pride Ride!

Member of Parliament Ernie Klassen rides in a convertible car alongside two other people with rainbow-patterned costuming and decor.

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Jul 21

Last Friday I joined the White Rock Pride Society for another year of Pride Ride! Together we decorated our vehicles and our selves, and cruised through White Rock to celebrate love in all its colours.

Member of Parliament Ernie Klassen, wearing rainbow-patterned shirt, sits inside a convertible car.

A series of cars sporting rainbow balloons, flags, and other decorations drive through the streets of White Rock.

Member of Parliament Ernie Klassen, wearing rainbow-patterned shirt, smiles while standing in a parking lot with several others, some of them also dressed in rainbows.

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Jul 19

Thank you Minister Maninder Sidhu, for the important discussion at the Surrey Board of Trade and South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce to discuss the future of Canadian trade - investing and supporting local businesses. Looking forward to continued collaboration to build a prosperous future.

Ernie Klassen @ernieklassen-mp.bsky.social · Jul 19

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) was just improved again this year!
Families are now eligible for:

• Up to $7,997 per child under the age of 6
• Up to $6,748 per child aged 6-17

We recognize the hard work families put in every day- and we're committed to providing policies that reflect that effort.