Karen Vecchio

[Questions on the Order Paper, April 19th, 2023]

With regard to the federal government’s funding of Gymnastics Canada being frozen in July 2022: (a) what was the original reason the government froze this funding; and (b) despite allegations of abuse and maltreatment within the sport still being unsettled, has this funding been reinstated and, if so, (i) on what date, (ii) for what reason?

[Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, April 19th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian families are struggling. Food bank usage is skyrocketing. People are cancelling their vacations because they just cannot afford them.

However, the Prime Minister just took a $160,000 trip to another friend's villa. This is just another example of the Prime Minister being out of touch with Canadians. This follows his trip to Tofino, where he went surfing on the first national truth and reconciliation day, and his trip when he spent $6,000 a night on a room in London, England, with a butler.

This is not the reality for any Canadian. Canadians deserve a break. People are tired. They are trying to pick up shifts at work to ensure they can put food on the table. The family budget cannot keep up with the cost of the government. I do not disagree with taking family trips, but we must not expect hard-working Canadians to pay for them, especially at a time like this. Enough is enough.

[Committees of the House, March 31st, 2023]

Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to present the sixth report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, entitled “A Step-by-Step Approach to Supporting the Mental Health of Young Women and Girls in Canada”.

This was one of the most difficult studies the committee has done in my years in the House of Commons. It was done with incredible collaboration from the staff, including Alexie, Dominique, Clare and our new clerk Danielle, the incredible staff of members of Parliament who worked on this and everybody in the room. However, most of all, it was the 11 members of Parliament who sat around the table to make sure that we were presenting a study that was good for women and girls. We worked to make sure the recommendations are things that should be listened to.

I thank my incredible colleagues for putting forward this unanimous report and putting the welfare of women and girls first.

[Points of Order, March 31st, 2023]

Madam Speaker, the member for Haldimand—Norfolk said it very well, and I do appreciate that. I just want to second what she said.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, March 20th, 2023]

With regard to personal protective equipment (PPE) purchased by the government since March 1, 2020, broken down by year: (a) what is the total value of PPE purchased by the government that was (i) sole-sourced, (ii) awarded through a competitive bidding process; and (b) what is the total value of PPE contracts that were made under a national security exemption?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, March 20th, 2023]

With regard to personal protective equipment masks purchased by the government: (a) how many masks were purchased each month since January 2021; (b) how much was spent each month on the masks in (a); and (c) what is the breakdown of (a) and (b) by type of mask (N95, disposable cloth, reusable, etc.) and by manufacturer?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, March 20th, 2023]

With regard to spending on stock photographs or images by the government since January 1, 2020, broken down by department, agency, Crown corporation, and other government entity: (a) what is the total amount spent; and (b) what are the details of each contract or expenditure, including (i) the vendor, (ii) the amount, (iii) the details and duration of contract, (iv) the date, (v) the number of photos or images purchased, (vi) where the photos or images were used (Internet, billboards, etc.), (vii) the description of the advertising campaign, (viii) the file number of the contract?

[Points of Order, March 8th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, my comment is going to be very simple. We have all fought hard to be here. Regardless of gender, we have all fought hard, or the majority of us have, I should say.

I am listening to this and it is very dishonouring. It goes both ways, and I would like to say that, on International Women's Day, let us be respectful to all.

[International Women's Day, March 8th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, today the world comes together in celebration of International Women's Day. On this day, we recognize the social, economic and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.

These past years have had a disproportionate impact on women, including an increase in domestic violence and sexual assaults, job insecurity, and challenges of work-life balance for mothers, daughters, sisters and caregivers.

We continue to voice our concerns for those women whose voices have been shut down, intimidated and silenced, vulnerable women and girls who have been sexually exploited and trafficked, and victims of abuse and crime. We fight for equality and freedom of speech for those protesting in Iran, and we stand in solidarity with the women in Afghanistan. We remind women and young girls today, and every day, that their dream is within reach and they are able to make a difference in the world.

I wish them a happy International Women's Day.

[Kenneth Monteith, February 16th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, if someone looks up the term “exemplary service” in Elgin County, they will find the name and face of Ken Monteith.

Ken lived nearly all of his life on the family farm in Middlemarch. He served as a councillor, deputy reeve, reeve, warden and member of Parliament for Elgin—Norfolk. He was the chairman of the Progressive Conservative Party's national agricultural caucus and sat on the agricultural standing committee on Parliament Hill.

Ken dedicated his life to his community. He was chairman of the board for the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, director of Ridgetown College, chair of the 1985 International Plowing Match and co-chair of the Elgin-St. Thomas United Way campaign. He was the recipient of the Queen's Medal, the Westag Alumnus of Honour Award and the Outstanding Service Award from the Ontario Agricultural College. He was also inducted into the Elgin County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2015.

Kenneth Ernest Monteith passed away on February 3. To his wife Luella and his children Ken, Paul and Janet and their families, from the people of Elgin—Middlesex—London, I say thanks for sharing Ken with all of us.