House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2021, with 60% of the vote.
Situation in Haiti December 13th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Haiti is particularly at risk for cholera because many people have low immunity. For example, children live with malnutrition and people live with HIV-AIDS. The national prevalence of acute malnutrition was 4.5% in 2000 and 9.1% in 2005. Haiti is also affected by a generalized HIV epidemic with 120,000 currently living with the virus.
I wonder if the member could tell us what an emergency response would look like with a minimum package of HIV prevention treatment and care services.
National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemic Disorders Act December 13th, 2010
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-605, An Act respecting a Comprehensive National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemic Disorders.
Mr. Speaker, my bill, a national strategy for sickle cell disease and thalassemic disorders, addresses the challenges faced by children and adults living with these inherited blood disorders. The bill calls on the Minister of Health to initiate discussions with the provincial and territorial health ministers to develop comprehensive patient care throughout the life cycle, develop national standards regarding universal screening, develop centres of excellence for both pediatric care and adult care, assess best practices for patients to succeed at school and in the workplace, develop information for medical education to prepare health care workers to meet the needs of Canada's diverse populations, develop adequate clinical guidelines and prompt pain management for patients in crisis, establish a program for funding to advocacy groups, and recognize June 19 as sickle cell anemia awareness day in Canada. I hope all hon. members will support the bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Veterans Affairs December 7th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, it is the third time and still no answer.
Some victims were refused an Agent Orange ex gratia payment because their spouse died before 2006. Others were refused because they were diagnosed with an ailment too late.
The government claims it cares about veterans and their families. Why, then, does it fight them on Agent Orange? Why does it nickel and dime those who have served our country?
Veterans Affairs December 7th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, first the Prime Minister broke his promise that he would compensate every Agent Orange victim. Then he arbitrarily denied compensation to the families of victims who died before 2006.
For the third time I will ask the same question: Will every cent of the promised $96 million go to the victims and their families?
Veterans Affairs December 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, qualification criteria for the Agent Orange ex gratia payment were so strict that many veterans who needed the assistance did not qualify.
Instead of coming to their aid, the Conservative government spent nearly $8 million fighting them. Thirty-three million dollars would go a long way to meeting the needs of widows.
Will the minister confirm that all $96 million will go to victims?
Veterans Affairs December 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, in 2005, the Conservatives promised to compensate anyone affected by Agent Orange at CFB Gagetown. Once in power, the Prime Minister broke this promise and compensated only those who survived until the very date they took power.
The Minister of Veterans Affairs now plans to return $33 million of the promised $96 million to the government coffers.
Will the minister instead confirm that every cent will go to victims and their families?
Military and Veteran Families Week Act November 24th, 2010
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-597, An Act respecting a Military and Veteran Families Week.
Mr. Speaker, our World War II veterans, our Korean veterans, our Canadian Forces veterans and all our Canadian Forces and reserves deserve more than one week of the year of recognition because of the enormity of their sacrifices. Their loved ones also deserve recognition and support.
My private member's bill calls upon the government to designate a national week for military and veterans' families, to honour the families of our military and our veterans, and acknowledge their sacrifices and their important roles.
It is my hope that designating a national week will encourage all Canadians to have increased recognition of the contributions of military and veterans' families and celebrate their spirit with a week of appropriate activities and ceremonies that pay tribute, support and thank these families, and increase awareness of the sacrifices made by military and veterans' families, particularly among Veterans Affairs Canada and the government.
I hope all hon. members will support this.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Terry Fox Museum November 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago, an average young man became a hero when he began the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research. He hoped to raise one dollar from each Canadian for research.
After 5,300 kilometres, Terry Fox announced that he would postpone the rest of the run, saying, “I'm gonna do my very best. I'll fight. I promise I won't give up”.
Since Terry's death, $550 million have been raised and the annual run takes place in countries such as Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.
There is a new dream, a dream to build a museum in Terry's honour in Vancouver, and the tremendous strides made in cancer research, a place for the world to come to contemplate and to inspire hope.
Will everyone help build the dream?
Veterans Affairs November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, veterans feel betrayed. The government failed to address their chief concern of the lump sum payment. Insufficient support is insufficient support whether it is a one-time payment or divided up over years.
Why does the government refuse to follow normal procedures to buy stealth fighter jets, which would free up $3 billion that could then be invested in our veterans?
Veterans Affairs November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, while the government claims to care about veterans, it ignored their concerns for five years. It took Canadian heroes, a passionate outspoken ombudsman and even a national day of protest to force the government to finally announce changes. Veterans remain disappointed and are already discussing another day of protest.
Is it going to take another national day of protest, unprecedented in over 100 years, to reel the Prime Minister out of his corner?