House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2015, with 27% of the vote.
Petitions November 20th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I have a third petition. It calls on the government to keep the eligibility for old age security at 65 years, not 67 years, and to enhance the pension system through the guaranteed income supplement program so that all seniors can be lifted out of poverty.
Petitions November 20th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I have another petition. It calls upon the government to mandate side guards on all trucks in order to save pedestrians' and cyclists' lives, as well as to save fuel. The petitioners note that another cyclist died under the back wheels of a truck without side guards. This accident occurred in my riding of Trinity—Spadina.
Petitions November 20th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present a petition on behalf of thousands of Canadians who are concerned about cruelty to animals. They note that animals are capable of feeling pain and that those who abuse animals should face conviction and significant penalties.
The petitioners call upon the government to stop being soft on crime against animals, to amend the Criminal Code to recognize animals as beings that can feel pain, and to close the loopholes that allow abusers to escape penalties.
Rail Transportation November 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, let us be specific. The safety board recommended installing an automatic braking system called “positive train control” in all trains, and video cameras in all locomotives. Together these measures will save lives. The American government has made emergency braking systems mandatory in all their trains, but here in Canada the minister would rather just talk, meet and delay.
More talk will not protect the public. Why will the government not act on rail safety?
Rail Transportation November 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, three engineers died and many passengers were injured when a train derailed in Burlington, Ontario. The Transportation Safety Board made key recommendations to prevent future accidents, and now the board is accusing the government of failing to act, failing to put safety first. I met with a widow of an engineer who died in the crash, and she is demanding action from the government.
When will the minister fully implement all of the safety board's recommendations?
Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2 October 29th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, a few steps away from here, 600 people are gathering for the first national conference on ending homelessness.
As we know, there are 200,000 homeless people in Canada every year. There is a slow-motion crisis going on, and it is definitely a national disaster, yet in the debates, in the throne speech, and in the action plan, there is hardly any investment for building affordable housing. Also, the end of the housing agreement in 2014 will mean that hundreds of thousands of people who now have affordable housing will lose that affordable housing.
Given the homelessness crisis that is facing Canada, what should Canada's response be and what should be in this budget document?
Rail Transportation October 21st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, speaking about safety, we have another train derailment, another fire, and another community evacuation, and yet unlike her American counterpart, the minister will not make the installation of an automatic braking system mandatory. She will not increase inspections. She will not tell municipalities what dangerous cargoes are coming through their neighbourhoods. Canadians deserve better rail safety.
When will the minister act and prevent future derailments and keep our neighbourhoods safe?
Rail Transportation October 17th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the NDP has long called for action on rail safety, including informing municipalities of dangerous goods being transported and implementing a dozen outstanding safety board recommendations. Three months have passed since the tragic Lac-Mégantic disaster, and yet the throne speech only contained vague commitments. Testing crude oil and putting it back in the same old, dangerous rail cars will not improve rail safety.
My question to the minister is simple: when will she phase out these dangerous, outdated tanker cars, DOT-111? When will she get it done?
Petitions June 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the fourth petition is from constituents in Toronto who note that a year and a half ago Jenna Morrison, a pregnant mom, died under the wheels of a heavy truck and that perhaps her death could have been prevented had the truck had side guards installed.
They are asking the Government of Canada to introduce regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act requiring side underrun guards for large trucks and trailers, to prevent cyclists and pedestrians from being pulled under the wheels of these vehicles.
Petitions June 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the third petition is from people in Oshawa who note that the Oshawa Port Authority is ruining the city's waterfront with a 12-storey ethanol plant that was rubber-stamped behind closed doors, and that the Oshawa Port Authority is ignoring the will of local residents, Oshawa city council, the mayor, and Durham regional council.
They are calling on the government to cancel the approved FarmTech ethanol plant, halt all construction, publish all documents pertaining to the FarmTech long-term lease and other Oshawa Port Authority lease agreements, and start negotiating with the City of Oshawa for the divestment of the port to the municipality.