Carol Hughes

[Petitions, March 21st, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by residents of Elliot Lake who want the government to identify hospice palliative care as a defined medical service to be covered under the Canada Health Act.

The petitioners state that palliative care and hospice palliative care help improve quality of life for patients and their families as they cope with terminal illness.

These services provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, while affirming life and regarding dying as a natural and normal process. The petitioners tell the government that hospice palliative care does not seek to hasten or postpone death but does so much to help with pain, as well as other physical and psychological problems patients and their loved ones must deal with. For these reasons, they ask the government to do the compassionate thing and have hospice palliative care covered by the Canada Health Act so it is available to all Canadians when and where they need it.

[National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act, March 20th, 2017]

Pursuant to Standing Order 67.1, there will now be a 30-minute question period.

It is at this time that I invite hon. members to rise in their place to give an indication of the number of members who would wish to participate in the 30-minute question period.

[Petitions, February 22nd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table this e-petition, signed by more than 500 individuals, in support of the Algoma passenger train service. It was sponsored by the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains, which created two online petitions as well as postcard and paper petition campaigns.

The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains wants to remind the government that for more than 100 years this passenger train provided safe and affordable access to nature in the region throughout the season, while supporting the tourism economy along this route.

The train provided access for first nations to their remote and traditional territory and was the only safe option available for 75% of the properties along that line. Since passenger service has stopped, people have been stranded when their vehicles have been badly damaged on industrial roads that are not maintained for public use.

Businesses cite the social, economic, employment, and tax-generating benefits documented in a 2015 BDO Canada report. That is why these petitioners are calling on the government to put the Algoma passenger train back in service and to ensure that the mission of Transport Canada is fulfilled.

[Eating Disorders, February 8th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, last week I hosted an event in support of the national initiative for eating disorders. This not-for-profit coalition works to increase awareness and education for the chronic situation facing sufferers of eating disorders and their families.

Misunderstood, inadequately treated, and underfunded, eating disorders are considered the deadliest of mental illnesses since they are 12 times more likely to lead to death than any other mental illness.

Recovery starts with understanding. Seeking help is a courageous step, and there is a big role for parents, families, and significant others to play.

It is important for parliamentarians to contribute to the fight against negative body image and improve awareness, research, and best practices for the treatment of eating disorders.

For these reasons, I was happy to reintroduce the motion that calls on Parliament to work with the provinces, territories, and indigenous communities to develop a coordinated Canadian strategy on eating disorders. It is my hope that Motion No. 117 will receive broad support from all sides of the House.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Return, January 30th, 2017]

With regard to the decision to classify Algoma Central Railway passenger service as rural and not remote: (a) what were the determining factors that the route was declared rural and no longer remote; (b) what roads service the community of Oba; (c) who maintains the roads in (b); (d) what information was provided to the new Minister of Transport to brief him on the decision to declare the route rural and not remote; (e) what are the details of all correspondence, evidence, or other information the Minister of Transport or Transport Canada possess that indicate that businesses in the area are thriving; and (f) what has the Minister of Transport done to encourage Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to assist with the Missinabie Cree proposal to run the Algoma Passenger Train

[Questions Passed as Orders for Return, January 30th, 2017]

With regard to infrastructure spending on consumer and commercial broadband internet connectivity in Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing: (a) what amount has been allocated for each of the past ten years and forecasted for the next five years; (b) which companies have been awarded contracts; (c) for each company in (b), (i) what services are they mandated to provide, (ii) to what specific communities are they providing service, or are required to provide service; (d) what is the minimum band width provided for each community; (e) what timelines have been set for the completion of service delivery; (f) what method is used to verify work is being completed as contracted; and (g) what progress has been made as of October 2016?

[Petitions, December 14th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition signed by individuals from Wikwemikong First Nation, who see how media concentration and digital convergence have made community TV and media even more important and necessary. They point out that the Broadcasting Act stipulates that community, private, and public broadcasting should complement one another and that CRTC policy states, “the community channel should be primarily of a public service nature, facilitating self-expression through free and open access by members of the community”.

The petitioners are asking the government to enable a network of community-operated media centres. They feel this would ensure the survival of community TV, the availability of local media in areas not served by private or public media, and would give all Canadians access to multi-platform media skills training and content distribution in the digital economy.

[Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing Food Banks, December 6th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the holidays are a time when Canadians think about helping their community, something the people who work at food banks do every single day.

They know that hunger never takes a holiday, and that need is always growing. Individuals like Pastor Dan Lee of Chapleau are part of the solution. He founded the food bank, alongside his ministry. Groups like the Rotary Club of Kapuskasing are taking their turn running the food bank after years of great service by the Kinsmen Club.

Food banks are not the only way that need is met in the north. On Manitoulin Island this November, over 6,000 individuals were served during the Homeland Missions' free food giveaway, led by Pastor Rodney Deforge. In Elliot Lake, the Al Collett memorial Christmas dinner continues a 33-year tradition of giving to those in need of food and company over the holidays.

These are just a few examples of how people all across Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing are volunteering to make their communities more compassionate and caring for the holidays and all through the year.

I thank everyone, and happy holidays to all.

[Petitions, December 5th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise again to table a petition with respect to the Algoma Central Railway passenger service. The petitioners are from Richards Landing, Echo Bay, Aweres Township, Prince Township, Goulais River, and Sault Ste. Marie.

The train has not been running for some time, and it has caused a major hardship, especially for businesses and property owners. The annual economic impact has been estimated to be about a $40 million to $50 million loss in northern Ontario, for a mere $2.2 million per year subsidy. Members can see that the impact is quite great.

The petitioners speak about the fact that it is also an issue for first nations in accessing remote regions of their traditional territories. They are calling on the Minister of Transport to put the Algoma Central passenger service back on line, in line with his mandate, which is “To serve the public interest through the promotion of a safe and secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system in Canada”.

[Petitions, November 29th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I am once again pleased to stand to table petitions, this time, from people from Desbarats, Echo Bay, Searchmont, Dundas, Barrie, Niagara Falls, and many others from Sault Ste. Marie.

The petition is with respect to the Algoma passenger train, which has not been operating for some time now. The economic impact on the communities affected is quite great and property owners are not able to access their properties. The passenger train service is necessary for first nations to access remote regions of their traditional territories.

The petitioners are asking the Minister of Transport to put the Algoma passenger train back in service, in order to ensure that the mission of Transport Canada to “serve the public interest through the promotion of a safe and secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation in Canada” is fulfilled.