House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2021, with 42% of the vote.
National Defence December 7th, 2020
Madam Speaker, when I was at the Royal Military College, less than 10% of the students were women. We were not welcome, and we were given every incentive to drop out. Little has changed in the 30 years since. Women are still under-represented in the forces, and there is still discrimination.
When will this government take action to retain more women in the Canadian Forces?
Official Languages December 7th, 2020
Madam Speaker, the COVID Alert messages are being sent in English only, online meetings and presentations for public servants are being held in English only, and a $900-million contract was given to a company that is unable to provide services in French. There are many examples of this government's failure to protect the French language.
When will the minister introduce a bill to modernize the Official Languages Act?
Official Languages December 7th, 2020
Madam Speaker, Canada's rich history is celebrated in our culture and in our French and English languages, but minority communities are still having trouble getting services in the language of their choice.
This government promised to introduce a bill to modernize the Official Languages Act. The year 2020 is drawing to a close, and nothing has been done.
Will the minister commit to introducing a bill before Christmas?
Violence against Women December 3rd, 2020
Mr. Speaker, every year, as the holidays approach, we are reminded of a tragic incident.
On December 6, 1989, 14 young women were killed in cold blood for one single reason: because they were women. These 14 bright young women had their whole lives ahead of them, but instead they met a tragic end that day: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte.
We have a duty to remember their names, not only today but every day. Every time a hateful remark is made, every time a violent act is committed against a woman, we must remember them and condemn it, so that this kind of tragedy never happens again.
We all have a duty to do this.
Business of Supply December 3rd, 2020
Madam Speaker, a failure to plan is a plan to fail, and time is of the essence.
The minister has clearly stated that the logistics, distribution, storage and approval of this vaccine is highly complicated. The speed and effectiveness of Canada's plan will be measured in deaths prevented and livelihoods saved.
Will the minister share with all Canadians, as quickly as possible, by next week, the national COVID vaccine distribution plan?
Infrastructure December 2nd, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the Yonge subway extension is York Region's top priority, but the government refuses to invest. The Yonge line is at capacity, with 800,000 commuters a day and almost 100,000 of them passing through Finch. For jobs, economic recovery and growth, the GTA needs a union station of the north.
York Region has delivered everything the government has asked for. No more excuses, no more delays. Will the government just say yes and get the Yonge subway extension on track?
Infrastructure December 2nd, 2020
Mr. Speaker, public transit will be key to our economic recovery after COVID, but the government keeps saying no to York Region. The Yonge subway extension would create 60,000 jobs, reduce gridlock and deliver economic growth for the entire GTA. York Region has met all the federal government demands and the Ontario government has committed to invest.
What is the government waiting for? Why will it not just say yes to the Yonge subway extension?
COVID-19 Vaccine Plan December 2nd, 2020
Mr. Speaker, a failure to plan is a plan to fail, and Canada has no COVID-19 vaccine plan. The government has secured access to the vaccine. What it has not done is told us who, when, where, what or how Canadians will get it. Worse still, the Liberals are attempting to downplay the severity that Canada's lack of a plan implies.
As a former military logistician, I cannot overstate that the complexity of the prioritization, transportation and security of the vaccine distribution must not be underestimated. The vaccine may not be available yet, but the value of being ready when it is will be measured in deaths prevented and livelihoods saved.
The government has had months to prepare, but has failed to act. Canadians are waiting. Canadians need a national COVID-19 vaccine plan, now.
Business of Supply December 1st, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his speech.
Yes, fighting the pandemic is hard, and the provinces are doing great work. However, the federal government has not shared a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. That is problematic for the provinces because it means they cannot plan how they are going to fight the pandemic going forward.
Can my hon. colleague tell the House what she thinks of the federal government's missing COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan?
Health November 19th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Ontario health minister announced the number of vaccine doses Ontario would be receiving in early 2021. However, before the day was over, the parliamentary secretary to the federal minister of health went on CTV and said the numbers were wrong. The Liberal government refuses to table a plan for vaccine distribution, leaving Canadians with mixed messages and doubt.
Why does the government not have one clear plan for Canadians when it comes to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine?