Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you to all the honourable members of Parliament for inviting me as a witness for this important study.
I am Parm Bains. In 2021, I was honoured to be chosen by the people of Steveston—Richmond East to serve as their member of Parliament. However, well before I was elected—in my thirties—my doctor discovered that I was born with a solitary kidney and, at some point in my life, I would need a replacement.
As I began my work as an MP in Ottawa, my symptoms worsened and upon my return to B.C., I was informed that my only kidney was deteriorating faster than expected. The time had come to prepare for a transplant, and I was to immediately receive dialysis treatment.
To ensure that there were no conflicts with my parliamentary responsibilities, I trained myself to self-administer the dialysis treatment at the nocturnal dialysis unit at Vancouver General Hospital, where I would stay overnight three days a week. While I waited for my transplant, it was crucial that I avoid contracting viruses, like COVID-19, so that I could be operated on safely when the time came. If it had not been for the hybrid Parliament provisions, I could not have safeguarded my health and kept my commitment to represent my constituents in Parliament.
Because I was able to fulfill my responsibilities virtually in the House of Commons and in committees, I was able to speak to bills, the Emergencies Act and the study on military procurement, and share an untold inclusive Canadian heritage story confronting the realities of systemic racism. I was also able to provide statements in the House regarding key investments the government is making in Richmond—over $100 million so far, since 2015. I have been able to participate in all respective caucus meetings to communicate Richmond's economic and service priorities. I was able to vote on every important measure introduced in the House.
In 2016, this committee released a report entitled “Initiatives toward a family-friendly House of Commons”. Although the virtual proceedings were not one of the recommendations, the hybrid provisions are vital to the pressures caused by uncontrollable long absences from Ottawa. The hybrid provisions allowed me to fulfill my parliamentary obligations, limit my exposure, maintain strong mental health and reduce the fears my family had as they supported me through my health journey.
I would like to end by thanking all the medical professionals, the dialysis unit, Canadian Blood Services and the organ transplant team at Vancouver General Hospital for making it possible to appear before you all. I received my transplant in August. I am very fortunate and extremely grateful to be able to continue serving the city. I was raised in Richmond, British Columbia, the province in which I was born.
I look forward to joining my colleagues in the new year in Ottawa.
Thank you.