Irene Mathyssen

[Interparliamentary Delegations, February 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the reports of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union respecting its participation at the Steering Committee of the Twelve Plus Group, held in Brussels, Belgium, on September 21, 2015; and the 133rd IPU Assembly and related meetings, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 17 to 21, 2015.

[Petitions, February 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, my second petition is from a number of Londoners. It comes because of a terrible tragedy in London, Ontario, some time ago. Petitioners want to draw the attention of the House to the fact that for many new Canadians, for people seeking to immigrate to Canada, there are delays, and it is very difficult. It puts stress on the family. Therefore, they call on the government to ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is properly staffed in order to make decisions quickly and fairly, and that all officials consider the factors regarding an individual's application for status, including humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

[Petitions, February 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions. The first is from a number of Canadians who recognize the fact that the work done by the Native Women's Association of Canada, as part of the sisters in spirit campaign, identified 520 missing and murdered aboriginal women. Some cases went back as far as 1970.

This research has compelled Canadians to understand and petition the House of Commons to make efforts to end violence against aboriginal women by ensuring that NWAC receives sufficient funding to continue the important work of protecting women through sisters in spirit initiatives.

[Manufacturing Industry, February 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, the Prime Minister told Londoners to give up on manufacturing. It seems he has learned very little since.

Neil had a good job and a pension, before his plant closed. However, as he nears 65, he has no savings and he is worried he will lose his home. He is not alone. Millions of Canadians do not have enough to retire in dignity.

While the Liberals are rushing to give billions in tax cuts to the wealthy, why are they delaying help for workers like Neil who need it the most?

[Manufacturing Industry, February 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, Neil from London asked the Prime Minister what he planned to do to bring back good jobs to our city. Like far too many, Neil lost his manufacturing job when the plant closed. It was a serious and important question.

People are looking for help, but the Prime Minister had nothing but empty platitudes and no real plan to revive manufacturing jobs. That is simply not good enough. What will the government do to rebuild manufacturing jobs and help people like Neil?

[Canada–United Kingdom Interparliamentary Association, January 28th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada–United Kingdom Interparliamentary Association respecting its participation in the bilateral visit to London, England as well as to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom from January 17 to 24, 2015.

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, January 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the hon. member that the funds, the money that is given to government in taxes, are intended for national programs, not politicians. One of our most precious national programs is health care.

With that in mind, today we have the pleasure of hosting representatives of the Canadian Health Coalition, and they have with some asks for the new government.

First, they would like to see a new 10-year agreement between federal government and provinces in regard to stable funding for health care. They would also like to ensure we have a national drug policy strategy, a national strategy for the care of seniors, and a 25% contribution from the federal government for health care.

Would my colleague support those asks?

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, January 25th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I did take note of the fact that my colleague mentioned on numerous occasions that he was a member of the previous Liberal government, and then he spoke about the need to support our first nation communities. I would like to ask a question based on the fact that it was that previous Liberal government that imposed a debilitating 2% cap on first nations spending, and of course, it was followed by further cuts by the government that has now been replaced.

My concern is that we have seen promises in regard to an immediate inquiry into the cases of missing and murdered indigenous women, a promise of funding for education in first nation communities, and equitable funding for child and family services. I need absolute reassurance from the member that these promises and commitments are going to be fulfilled. I base that concern on the experiences of the past.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, January 25th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to have a positive relationship in terms of moving ahead on an important agenda. I note that, in the last election, the Liberals promised to negotiate a new health accord with provinces and territories, which is very important. Tomorrow, the Canadian Health Coalition will be on the Hill and its members will be very interested in what my colleagues in the House have to say.

I want to remind folks that in the next 20 years, there will be 10 million seniors in Canada, and they have to be accommodated. Their health needs have to be met.

Will the government move ahead in terms of providing home care, in-hospital care, long-term care facilities, and palliative care, and will it take care of those 250,000 seniors now living in poverty by moving forward with its promise to boost the guaranteed income supplement?

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, January 25th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, while we are talking about seniors, let us also talk about folks with mobility issues. There has been no sign from the Liberal government that it will restore home mail delivery, and that is a profound concern to us on this side. I wonder if the member believes that it should be restored to what it was before the post office began to tinker.