Parm Gill

[Veterans Affairs, March 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, June 6 marks the 75th anniversary of the historic Allied invasion on D-Day.

Yesterday, the Minister of Veterans Affairs proudly announced Canada's effort to recognize and support the men and women who bravely fought on the beaches of Normandy. Our government will provide a maximum of $2,000 in travel assistance for up to 180 D-Day and Normandy veterans wishing to go to France in June. The application forms are available online, by email, or simply by calling Veterans Affairs Canada.

We are committed to helping make it possible for these great Canadians to be recognized for their service and sacrifice.

Lest we forget.

[Veterans Affairs, February 14th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the hon. member for Palliser. He is a hard-working member on behalf of his constituents.

Last year, our government doubled the financial payment, now totalling up to almost $10,000, while making the program itself easier to use for veterans' families. This week, economic action plan 2014 added $108 million for the Last Post Fund to ensure that modern-day veterans of modest means can have a dignified burial.

Here is what the president of the Last Post Fund said:

I am very pleased that the issue of eligibility of modern-day Veterans for the Funeral and Burial Program has been positively dealt with in this budget.

[Veterans, February 14th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, since coming to office in 2006, our government has invested over $4 billion in additional funding to help Canada's veterans, to provide them the services and the benefits that they deserve.

Every single time we have brought forward initiatives to help our veterans, the NDP and the Liberals have both voted against every single measure.

We on this side of the House will continue to stand up for Canada's veterans.

[Veterans, February 14th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I understand that math is not necessarily the NDP's thing. Let me explain it for him. Our government has created 600 additional points of service across this great nation. There are now approximately 650 points of service in communities, in neighbourhoods, where a district office did not exist. We are putting points of service where veterans need them the most in the communities.

In the event that a veteran is unable to travel to a district office or is seriously injured, we will send a registered nurse or a case manager to the comfort of his or her home.

[NATO Council Secretariat Intern, February 14th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great, young, and bright Bramptonian. Jeelan Syed, a 24-year-old, is currently completing his internship at the council secretariat of the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

He studied in Toronto and Paris, specializing in international relations, with the aim of serving Canada as a diplomat. In addition to speaking both of Canada's official languages, he also speaks German, Russian, Arabic, Urdu, and Spanish. While at the University of Toronto, he was president of the francophone student association, promoting bilingualism. Motivated to see people of different backgrounds living together in harmony, he worked on peace-building projects in India, Kosovo, and Morocco, as well as working at the Canadian mission in Vienna, Austria.

Jeelan's passion to serve his community and promote multiculturalism continues to benefit those he helps. I invite all members to join me in recognizing Mr. Syed.

[Citizenship and Immigration, February 11th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in Brampton-Springdale we hosted a meet and greet in our office to help welcome new citizens to our growing and vibrant community. The event was a resounding success where constituents from across our community came to share their immigration stories with one another. It was an excellent event that allowed us to meet some amazing Canadians coming from all different backgrounds, including Polish, Afghani, Mexican, and many more.

Each year, thousands of people come to our country in hopes of building a better life, to share in the values of freedom, opportunity, respect for the rule of law, and equality that help make Canada the greatest country in the world. Canada is a land of freedom and opportunity.

To hear the gratitude in the voices of new Canadian citizens from all backgrounds is truly moving. I look forward to doing this again in the near future.

[Veterans Affairs, February 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we till take no lessons from the Liberal Party over there until the leader of the Liberal Party fires the member for Scarborough—Agincourt for disrespecting veterans on Remembrance Day, for saying that giving money to veterans is like hanging a case of beer in front of a drunk; they go and spend it either trying to buy a house or buying a fast car, or spend it on booze or addiction. That is what the Liberals—

[Veterans Affairs, February 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Liberal Party over there. Mr. Speaker—

[Veterans, February 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is dedicated to ensuring that veterans and their families have the support they need, when and where they need it, from coast to coast to coast.

I would like to share one of the many letters recently received by the Minister of Veterans Affairs:

It states:

Dear Minister [...]

I am a Veteran of the...Royal Canadian Navy. I have struggled with hearing problems since serving.... By last year, my hearing loss had become so pronounced, I could no longer hear birdsong at all.

[I visited the Veterans Affairs Office in Edmonton]...upon arrival we were...treated like Royalty! There we completed a[n]...interview and presented the Hearing Tests from an Audiologist.... We mailed the completed forms in late November.

...we received a phone call from Veterans Affairs to inform us that my application had been approved, that [benefits would be paid] for the hearing loss...plus the hearing aids would be paid by Veterans Affairs!

Minister [...] I have to tell you that we expected nothing in all these years since my service in the early 1960's.... Kudos to Veterans Affairs! They have been amazing....

Gratefully Yours,

[A Canadian Veteran]

[The Environment, February 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the only thing I agree with the hon. member opposite on is that actions speak much louder than words. There is no doubt about that. That is exactly why our government has brought forward initiatives and has invested billions of dollars so that our veterans can be looked after with the services and benefits we provide. That member and all opposition parties can continue to vote against them. Our commitment is that we will continue to stand up for Canada's veterans, and we will do that.