Jennifer O'Connell

[COVID-19 Vaccine, January 26th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity tonight to speak on this important matter. I am glad we are having this debate. It is incredibly important for Canadians to see parliamentarians discussing the health and safety and importance of the vaccines that are going to help us get through this pandemic.

There is no question that all Canadians and all members of the House want to see this health pandemic come to an end. There is no question that the economic recovery and rebuild is also going to be incredibly important, but until Canadians are healthy and safe, that needs to be Canada's number one priority. Obviously vaccines have been a critical part of this and I am really proud—

[Criminal Code, December 9th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I apologize to the minister, but it is very clear that members attending virtually are purposely opening their mikes to add comments, which is not allowed. The Speaker has ruled on that many times. The same member has done it throughout question period today, and I would ask you to speak to that member to ensure that there is decorum in the House and that we are all allowed to listen to the speeches that are happening.

[Holiday Season, December 8th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, let us face it: 2020 has been the worst, but after hearing yesterday's announcement about vaccines rolling out, we know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, though, Christmas and the holiday season are still going to be difficult and different.

For some they will be particularly difficult, so I am asking the residents of my great riding of Pickering—Uxbridge and Canadians across the country to think this holiday season about helping to support local businesses by shopping local. They should consider donating to local food banks or picking up a couple of extra toys and donating to local toy drives. Despite the difficulties this year, we can all, in the name of the holiday spirit, do our part to help make this year a little brighter for those who really need it.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays and good riddance to 2020.

[Business of Supply, December 7th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I am glad to have a chance to ask the hon. member a question.

He speaks about a paycheque economy and not a credit card economy. In a previous speech he talked about the war on work. I am really curious to see how the member opposite is going to contort himself and twist himself into knots when I ask a question about when he was a member of government.

His government had the lowest unemployment rates since the Great Depression and what did it have to show for it? It had $150 billion in debt. What did that government not have? A global pandemic that shut down economies everywhere.

What exactly does the member propose when the Conservatives added that much debt and had such a terrible unemployment record?

[Cam's Kids, December 2nd, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Gordon Hicks, a resident of Uxbridge, Ontario, who is being appointed as a member of the Order of Canada.

Gord and his family founded Cam's Kids, a foundation focused on ensuring that no child's mental health issues restrict their potential. The foundation is named after Gordon's son, Cameron, who struggled with anxiety and tragically passed away during his first year at the University of Ottawa.

What makes Gord so inspiring is his ability to translate the pain of losing his son into meaningful work to help prevent other families from suffering the same loss. When speaking to Gord, he explained that the pain of losing a loved one never fades, yet he and his family wanted to turn Cam's tragedy into helping other young people. They felt if they could help save even one person, then they would make a real difference in honour of Cam.

Cam's Kids has ambassadors in universities and colleges across the country, and has supported countless young people, which is a powerful legacy in Cam's honour. We thank Gord and the Hicks family for the betterment of our community and our country, and wish him congratulations.

[The Economy, November 30th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, during this pandemic, Canadians came together to get through the first wave of this unprecedented time. Our federal government was there for Canadians.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance please update the House on what we might expect later today in the fall economic statement and how our government will continue with our commitment to be there for Canadians throughout the second wave and as we recover.

[Long-Term Care, November 19th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, today on Parliament Hill the advocacy group “Canadians for long-term care standards” led an emotional memorial called “Broken Hearts, Empty Shoes”. They placed over 2,000 pairs of shoes in remembrance of those we had lost in long-term care homes this year and years past due to neglect. Many families in my community have been impacted.

Families like the Parkes family, who lost Paul Parkes when he sadly passed away at Orchard Villa last spring. Mr. Parkes' family could not be by his side in his final days and his family had to hear about the deplorable conditions he and other vulnerable seniors were left in. Mr. Parkes' daughter, Cathy, has been sharing his story like so many family members who have lost loved ones. They have been advocating for the necessity and urgency of establishing national standards in long-term care.

I am grateful to our Prime Minister for his leadership and commitment to establish national standards. We need to ensure that our most vulnerable seniors are cared for and these tragedies never happen again.

[Business of Supply, October 22nd, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I find the member's speech interesting, especially leaving on the point about the Premier of Ontario. In his leader's speech earlier, when answering a question to the member of the Bloc, he said that he, the leader of the official opposition, would not take an approach of “Ottawa knows best”. Yet, the Leader of the Opposition criticized Premier Ford's response to COVID.

I am curious, and I actually have two questions. Why is it that classic Conservatives say one thing in French to Quebec and something else to everyone else, and how does the member opposite feel that his leader does not want an “Ottawa knows best” approach, except to Premier Ford, who did not support his leadership while he praises Premier Kenney, who supported him? Why does the member from Ontario not have a problem with the Leader of the Opposition criticizing the very—

[Petitions, October 19th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of my constituents who are very concerned with Huawei telecommunications and the impacts if it were to be allowed approvals here in Canada. The petitioners worry about the relationship with our Five Eyes allies. They also worry about our autonomy and the Chinese government's having access or using Huawei technology for intelligence gathering. The petitioners feel that Canada needs to ban Huawei's equipment and make sure that it is prevented from building in 5G networks in Canada.

[Judges Act, October 8th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, if I understood the translation correctly, my colleague commented that as a man, he recognized that gender may be part of the problem and he hoped to be part of the solution. I hope I am quoting him correctly. As a woman listening to his speech, I very much appreciate it. Having this conversation on the issues around rape culture are very impactful and I appreciate him speaking on this.

I asked this earlier and I would ask the member for his comments. When less than 2% of sexual assault crimes result in a conviction, what message does that send to women, to victims in general and to perpetrators who get away without accountability?