House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2011, with 37% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs October 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, policy, research and education, indeed they are important, but they are simply not enough. The time for action is now. Yesterday there were 71 vigils to honour the memory of the missing and murdered aboriginal women.
Our calls for action have received nothing but a tepid and gratuitous response. Why will the government not show respect for aboriginal Canadians? Pretty words are not enough. Why will it not launch a full investigation into this matter now?
Aboriginal Affairs October 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the government made a choice, a choice not to act. Instead, it simply released a statement on the missing and murdered aboriginal women.
We know that families are wondering how many more mothers, sisters and daughters they have to lose before real action is taken by the government.
When will the government launch a real, comprehensive, national investigation into this matter?
Persons Case October 1st, 2009
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the six recipients of Governor General awards to commemorate the Persons Case. The Persons Day award recognizes outstanding individuals who have contributed to the advancement of women's equality in their communities in Canada and throughout the world. The award was instituted in 1979 to honour the 50th anniversary of the Persons Case.
Recipients this year include: Jeanette Corbiere-Lavell, the newly elected president of NWAC; Daphne Dumont; Bev LeFrancois; Karen Messing; Pauline Fogarty; and a dear friend, Mary Scott, who is at the heart of the equality seeking movement in Winnipeg.
Their contributions to women's equality include: LEAF, UNIFEM, community crisis centres, workplace equity, rights for aboriginal women, and mental health advocacy.
May their dedication and achievements serve as an inspiration to those who continue to work for women's equality and justice worldwide.
Health September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I hope an apology will be coming.
The Minister of Health misleads Canadians by telling them that first nations are prepared for H1N1. She claims that 90% of communities have a pandemic plan. Yesterday, the grand chief of MKO told us that only two of his thirty communities had a plan. That does not sound like 90%.
When will the minister stop misleading Canadians, start working with first nations and develop a truly national pandemic plan?
Health September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health knows of the poverty in first nations communities. She knows of the challenging living conditions.
Her department shipped body bags to prepare them for H1N1. We also know she refused to take responsibility. The minister said that it was regrettable. That is not good enough.
When will the minister apologize to first nations peoples for sending body bags to those Manitoba communities?
Infrastructure September 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, from time to time there comes an individual willing to stand up for what is right and just, exposing the truth no matter the consequences to himself or herself.
A regional councillor from York stood up against his own party and blew the whistle on politicized infrastructure spending. Gordon Landon lost his candidacy in the Conservative Party because he dared to tell the truth. Gordon Landon blew the whistle on a scandal of epic proportions, billions of taxpayer dollars being dumped in Conservative ridings for political purposes, billions of taxpayer dollars being manipulated to serve only the interest of the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer requested documents last week to investigate the situation. Shockingly, the government refused his request.
This is how the government operates, firing candidates for exposing the truth and stonewalling the Parliamentary Budget Officer to cover up this massive scandal. This is how the Conservative government operates.
Health September 17th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, last spring the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development visited Island Lake, Manitoba. What did he see? He saw limited water facilities and overcrowded, mouldy homes. What did he do? He did almost nothing.
The communities were soon hit with H1N1. They waited and waited for help. Little real help came, but body bags came. Will the outcry over this shameful response force the government to get serious about the real needs of Manitoba's aboriginal communities?
Hazardous Products Act September 17th, 2009
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-439, An Act to amend the Hazardous Products Act (products made with dog or cat fur).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce my private member's bill, An Act to amend the Hazardous Products Act (products made with dog or cat fur), which has been seconded by my colleague from Dartmouth—Cole Harbour.
While products that use dog and cat fur are banned in countries all over the world, these products remain legal and can be imported, exported and sold in Canada without labels.
I hope that all members of the House will support the bill to ban this deplorable trade.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Greyhound Canada September 16th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, with the recent announcement that Greyhound Canada would be cutting its services to rural areas, many towns and cities have been let down.
When these changes come into effect, residents in rural communities will be left with limited or non-existent options for travel. For thousands of communities between Sault Ste. Marie and Winnipeg, Greyhound is indeed their lifeline to the world.
By not working with Greyhound, by not working with the provinces and local communities to find solutions, this Reform-Conservative government has let rural Canadians down. Where is the Prime Minister? Why is he not sitting down with Greyhound, the municipalities and the provinces to deal with this very troubling issue?
This is not an issue that requires years of study or philosophical thought. We are talking about people not being able to travel down the highway in order to get medical checkups or prescriptions.
Immediate action is required. It is clear that the Prime Minister is not willing to stand up for rural Canadians. Canadians deserve better. Canada can do better.
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns September 14th, 2009
With regard to expenditures, funding contributions, or cost shared contributions to short-line rail in Manitoba: (a) how are expenditures, funding contributions, and cost shared contributions determined; (b) what rail companies have received expenditures, funding contributions, or cost shared contributions; (c) how much federal money has been allocated to short line rail in Manitoba since the 2006-2007 fiscal year; (d) how many companies or groups have applied for any type of funding; and (e) which ones by name have been rejected?