House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • Her favourite word was employees.

Last in Parliament September 2017, as Liberal MP for Bonavista—Burin—Trinity (Newfoundland & Labrador)

Won her last election, in 2015, with 82% of the vote.

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Statements in the House

Questions on the Order Paper June 17th, 2010

With respect to the new Veterans Charter and the tax-free, lump-sum Disability Award and Death Benefit for fiscal years 2005-2006 to 2008-2009: (a) how many Disability Award or Death Benefit files have been forwarded to the Deputy Minister or Minister of Veterans Affairs' because of problems associated with the lump-sum payment; (b) how many recipients of the lump-sum Disability Award or the Death Benefit filed a complaint with the department about the lump-sum payment; (c) after receiving a lump-sum payment, how many recipients or their dependants have requested additional funds; and (d) has Veterans Affairs Canada reviewed or evaluated the lump-sum Disability Award and Death Benefit programs and, if so, what findings or conclusions have been made?

Questions on the Order Paper June 17th, 2010

With respect to the New Veterans Charter, does Veterans Affairs Canada experience a cost-savings associated with the granting of the lump-sum Disability Award and Death Benefit, as compared to other longer-term assistance measures such as, but not limited to, the disability pension and health care benefits?

G8 and G20 Summits June 15th, 2010

Mr. Speaker, the President of the Treasury Board is so lost for ideas on how to cut the Conservative deficit that he is holding a contest. Here is a free tip for him: he should drain the lake. That will save him $2 million alone.

The Minister of Natural Resources says that spending $1 billion to build a 50 year reactor for isotopes for cancer patients is “irresponsible”. What does he call over $1 billion blown for absolutely nothing at the fake lake summit?

As spoken

G8 and G20 Summits June 15th, 2010

Mr. Speaker, we all are hearing from our constituents how angry they are that the government has allowed the summit costs to balloon to over $1 billion. They know this all goes back to the costly political decision to have two summit sites.

The government now plans to hold a meeting of 18 world leaders in Muskoka when it claimed it was impossible to host 20 leaders without spending half a billion dollars more for a separate site in Toronto.

How does the government justify this outrageous mismanagement to Canadians?

As spoken

Multiple Sclerosis June 14th, 2010

Mr. Chair, yes, I am aware, and that is a serious issue for, particularly, MS patients. It is important that they have this opportunity. However, when they are left to the, I guess, whims of whatever happens in a particular study and then they are unable to access a particular treatment because of another side effect, then that is a serious issue. I do agree with her. We need to do everything we can to ensure MS patients can assess the treatment they so desperately need.

As spoken

Multiple Sclerosis June 14th, 2010

Mr. Chair, I watched that charade over there and listened to the comments that came from the member who is a part of a government. The government should take some leadership. It recognizes there is an issue here, but is not prepared to act on it. This is not about what provinces and territories are doing. This is about leadership and the recognition that we need to do everything we can to help our MS patients access treatment and do so while there is ongoing research.

Let the Minister of Health convene a meeting of all her provincial and territorial ministers and then we will find out what the provinces are doing. However, let us have some leadership from the federal government on this issue so our MS patients can lead a quality of life that we take for granted in our country.

As spoken

Multiple Sclerosis June 14th, 2010

Mr. Chair, again, here is an example of a colleague, the member of the government, who is abdicating its responsibility. It is about leadership. If there are issues within the provinces, then let us get the Minister of Health to bring together her provincial and territorial counterparts and let us deal with it, rather than the government saying that the provinces are not dealing with it so therefore it is not its responsibility. Let us convene a meeting of all ministers of health and let us put an end to this issue.

As spoken

Multiple Sclerosis June 14th, 2010

Mr. Chair, it is imperative that both treatment and research coexist. It is really important.

I do not have the medical expertise as some others who have been speaking during the debate tonight, but I do know that Canada is recognized the world over for its publicly funded medical system. We must protect accessibility and universality.

Let us stop discriminating against MS patients. Let us not leave MS patients like Perry and Randy to struggle alone. The government must bring in a national approach to fighting and curing multiple sclerosis.

As spoken

Multiple Sclerosis June 14th, 2010

Absolutely not, Madam Chair. It is important that MS patients have access to the treatment which has proven to be effective. I know from speaking with MS patients who have been reading on the Internet, have been watching what has been happening, listening and following this issue on television, that they want and expect to have the same right to health care so that they can have a quality of life that most of us take for granted.

As spoken

Multiple Sclerosis June 14th, 2010

Madam Chair, the issue is not whether I agree or disagree with my colleague from eastern Canada. I listen to MS patients who are contacting me and telling me that they want access to this treatment. They know the research needs to go on, but they also think they should have access to the treatment that has proven to be effective.

As spoken