House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2015, with 38% of the vote.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation October 24th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, in response to the confusing and frightening events we have experienced, Canadian news coverage is being praised around the world, including the great work of the CBC. However, CBC employees were told this week about 400 more lost jobs. This brings the total number of job cuts at CBC and Radio-Canada to 1,057.
Will the government now agree to reinvest in CBC and Radio-Canada so they can continue doing the vital work of informing the people of our country?
London InterCommunity Health Centre October 24th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, on November 6, London InterCommunity Health Centre is celebrating its 25th anniversary. This community health centre, in London, Ontario, provides inclusive and equitable health care and social services to a number of people who face barriers to care.
The health centre focuses on immigrants, people living in poverty, people with complex mental health issues, seniors, and youth. All of these members of our community can too often experience a very difficult time finding the health care that they need.
I want to take this opportunity to show my support for the good work that the London InterCommunity Health Centre does for some of the most vulnerable people in the city of London. We thank the dedicated staff of health professionals and the volunteers who give selflessly of their time for this work.
Please join with me and the citizens of London in this celebration of 25 successful years of caring for our community and helping people to break the barriers to that care.
Canada Post October 23rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the decision to eliminate home delivery will make Canada the only country in the G7 without door-to-door mail service, and it will make things especially hard for people of limited mobility.
To make matters worse, Canada Post has cancelled a contract with a Canadian company and chosen to buy the new super mailboxes from the United States.
Could the minister explain why Canadian companies were not even involved or invited to bid on this contract?
Petitions October 21st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from Londoners of both the Christian and Muslim communities who are profoundly upset about what has happened to their families and friends in Iraq as a result of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and its attacks on communities.
The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to highlight the plight of Iraqi Christians and use all diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to assist them in their plight. They also ask the government to assist other like-minded governments and organizations that are engaged in the effort to stop the suffering of Iraqi Christians, and work with all governments and organizations currently engaged in humanitarian and diplomatic assistance.
Petitions October 21st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions. The first is in regard to a tragedy that happened in London, Ontario, almost a year ago. It involved a family that felt there was no recourse but to end their lives.
The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to reverse the cuts to public service jobs that created a workload that made it impossible for those at citizenship and immigration to help this family.
They want the Government of Canada to ensure that the Department of Citizenship and Immigration is properly staffed and resourced to reach decisions on applications in a fair and timely manner, and that immigration officers consider all factors regarding an application, including humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
Canada Post October 20th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are telling us that they want to keep this service, but the Conservatives are not listening. Door-to-door mail delivery service will end today for tens of thousands right across Canada. These cuts will unfairly impact the most vulnerable Canadians, including seniors and persons living with disabilities. People are indeed angry.
Why has the minister refused to tell Canada Post to go back to the drawing board and maintain door-to-door delivery for millions of households?
Rouge National Urban Park Act October 8th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her remarks. I have to say that they fit in quite significantly and appropriately with some work that I have been doing regarding the urban forest.
As members will know, my leader was an environment minister who worked with great integrity in order to protect the Mont-Orford provincial park. He has encouraged me with my urban forest program because, first of all, I come from the Forest City, and second, the urban forest is an incredibly important asset, as will be the proposed asset that we are hearing of in terms of the Rouge Valley trees, which protect the environment, create a canopy, cool us down, prevent flooding, provide storm protection and have great health benefits.
My question is in regard to the concerns around the 600-metre wooded corridor. In light of the importance of an urban forest, could my colleague please comment on the significance and importance of that corridor?
Petitions October 8th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from a number of citizens of London, Ontario.
They begin their petition by reminding us that Canada has long been known as a peacekeeping nation and that we take pride in the neutral stance that we have taken during international conflicts. However, the petitioners are concerned that the current government is increasingly favouring the Israeli side of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. They believe that this attitude poses a threat to our country's credibility in the international arena and affects how Canadians are perceived globally. They are concerned about this stance jeopardizing the safety, security, and well-being of Canadian families travelling abroad or residing in these areas of conflict.
The petitioners ask all parliamentarians to voice concern about this one-sided approach that the current government has taken.
Citizenship and Immigration October 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from Londoners, both Christian and Muslim, asking that the Government of Canada take action in a very positive way, and that the action take the form of humanitarian aid to governments and organizations that are determined to assist in stopping the current killing of Iraqi Christians in Iraq and Syria.
The petitioners are clear that they want diplomatic and humanitarian help from Canada for these desperate people.
Petitions October 3rd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is in regard to the civilian casualties in Gaza.
The petitioners respectfully support the call by the UN human rights commission for an independent, international commission of inquiry to investigate the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories, and whether it has been conducted in accordance with international law, including the Geneva conventions.
Palestinians are still recovering from the carnage of 2008 and 2012, and ask all MPs to speak up about this issue.