Filomena Tassi

[The Economy, November 3rd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I continue to meet with many local innovative business leaders as part of the consultation for the creation of the innovation agenda. They raise the various different challenges that they face in growing a business in Canada. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development share with us how the fall economic update tabled this week will address those challenges and help to create jobs for Canadians?

[Hamilton Food Festival, October 20th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, my ambitious city of Hamilton is making a feast of Small Business Week by hosting its first annual NOSH festival, a week-long celebration of the city's culinary scene.

NOSH is showcasing the variety in Hamilton's kitchens through a series of mouth-watering events. There are many diverse foodie scenes in Hamilton. I have had the pleasure of enjoying wonderful meals at the Ancaster Mill, Quatrefoil, Koosh Bistro, Carmen's, India Village, Sammy Jo's, and the Bean Bar, to name a few. The local stores that I shop at regularly, like Cumbrae's and Picone Fine Food, contribute to the incredible food scene in The Hammer.

Hamilton is just a delicious place to live these days. I invite you, Mr. Speaker, and all of my colleagues to come and taste what Hamilton has to offer.

[Standing Orders and Procedure, October 6th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, when I was canvassing for the election, some people wanted to throw me off their porch. They were fed up and frustrated, and I understand that. Their comments were with respect to what happens in the House. I appreciated that, and I know we can do better. As a new MP to this place, I have to say I am amazed at the intelligence, the wisdom, the passion, the commitment, and the dedication that I have witnessed here.

With respect to ensuring that these debates are more wholesome and focused, there have been ideas. A number of people have commented about the member who talked about sharing meals. I think that is brilliant. I actually like to see children in the House. I was pleased to see one of the toddlers in the House today in the arms of one of the members.

One of the things I have done is to start meditation before QP, and I attend the prayer breakfasts on Wednesdays. All of these things are helpful. I heard the member's speech, and it was very well delivered. What I would like to hear is how we can further encourage the development, presentation, and submission of these ideas and make them come to fruition, so that this place can really experience the level of gifts that this House holds?

[Pensions, September 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I believe strongly that we are judged by how we treat our most vulnerable. Today, I focus on a crisis that is of great importance to me personally, as well as my colleagues from Hamilton East—Stony Creek, and Burlington, and the caring people of Hamilton, namely, securing the pensions and benefits of our city's retired steelworkers.

I believe the best solution to the U.S. Steel Canada crisis is the emergence of a viable company that continues to make steel and employ Hamiltonians in high-paying, secure jobs. However, the pensions and benefits of retired U.S. Steel workers should not be sacrificed in the process.

I have heard their stories. They told me of days when they were younger and full of hope, when they took jobs in a hazardous work environment in the faith that their retirement benefits would cover the cost of the drugs for any illness they might develop. Today, the U.S. Steel retirees and their families are racked by uncertainty. They deserve better.

[Seniors, June 14th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as the member of Parliament for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, I know that my province has a diverse ethnic population. Seniors living here require support and resources that are tailored to meet their individual needs. Most at-risk seniors are those who live alone, have disabilities or poor health, have low-income, have language barriers, or have reduced access to services.

Can the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development inform the House about what the government is doing to help support seniors in Hamilton?

[Status of Women, June 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian women and girls have achieved significant progress in recent decades, and much remains to be achieved.

In our cultural mosaic, Canadian women lead diverse lives, in a great range of different experiences and circumstances. In this diversity, we must build platforms for women to realize their brilliance by ensuring pay equity, while also investing in child care, health care, housing, employment, training, and other areas that influence women's choices and opportunities.

Organizations like the YWCA, in my home town of Hamilton, need long-term, sustainable investments, so that they can continue to offer women and girls reliable supports to help them seize and create opportunities to reach their full potential.

Building a better future for all Canadians starts with recognizing the potential of women and girls, and creating systems that enable them to flourish.

[Finance, May 10th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, for the past two weeks, representatives of the International Monetary Fund were in Canada as part of its annual consultations under IMF article IV. The staff of the IMF were here to survey the economic landscape and look forward to Canada's future economic development.

Could the Minister of Finance please share his thoughts on the IMF consultations with the House?

[Mental Health Week, May 3rd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to #GetLoud during Mental Health Week in support of mental health and well-being for all Canadians.

Mental health is often considered secondary to physical health. This is wrong. Mental health is essential to our overall health.

Our government has stated the importance of access to mental health care. As a high school chaplain, I have witnessed how people's lives were devastated when mental health services were inadequate. As well, the need for mental health supports is acute among our seniors and indigenous peoples.

Caring for mental health contributes to strong communities. Hamilton's CHML radio has inspired dozens of organizations to shine the light on mental health by lighting up their workplaces in green this week. I applaud the ongoing and often heroic efforts of all mental health advocates in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.

I urge my colleagues from all parties to work together to provide access to the mental health resources and supports required for all Canadians to reach their full potential.

[Criminal Code, May 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, I believe that the conscience rights of physicians and practitioners will be protected, and that is based on the assurances we have been given by both the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health.

The other issue I would like to raise with respect to that is that I am cautious of introducing into legislation any restrictions or precedence with respect to conscience rights, because I think that would set a very dangerous precedent.

[Criminal Code, May 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as I made clear in my speech, I think that this bill does go far enough with respect to the Carter v. Canada decision.

I expressed concern with respect to one area, which is minors and psychiatric care, and I am glad to see that the legislation does not include minors and psychiatric disorders. This stems from my work with youth.

I have worked with youth over the past 20 years, and I have seen them struggle through very difficult times. I have been with them in their darkest days. I have taken those same youth to the Dominican Republic on mission trips, and I have seen how the experience of working with the poor has turned their lives around.

My focus would be on ensuring that youth receive the support they want and that those who are at the end of their life, through palliative care, also receive the support they need and deserve.