House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2021, with 50% of the vote.
Housing November 22nd, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I am thankful that the hon. member raised affordable housing for young people. So many young people are taking advantage of the first home savings account. Just the other day, I was talking to a young woman in my riding. She and her partner have saved, doing so with tax-free savings, and just moved into their first home. There is an uptick on this. More and more young people are able to do this, and it is changing a lot of lives.
Diversity and Inclusion September 20th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I give a special thanks to the member across for his work, his advocacy and his lived experience.
Absolutely we stand with trans and queer youth. As I reflect on what has happened outside these walls today and the marches that we see, I remind everybody that as a parent I understand the need for parents to be at the centre of their kids' lives. However, I also very much understand the need to centre trans and queer kids and make sure they are heard and make sure they have safe spaces.
To those kids, we are with them and we hear them. I have spoken to them across—
Questions on the Order Paper September 18th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, negotiations are under way with the provinces and territories, including Saskatchewan, to establish bilateral funding agreements to support the implementation of the national action plan to end gender-based violence. A bilateral funding agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan concerning the national action plan to end gender-based violence has not been signed at this time.
On February 28, 2023, I announced that a bilateral agreement had been established with the Government of Saskatchewan in the amount of $1,000,000 to support crisis hotlines across Saskatchewan. Supporting crisis hotlines is an important initiative that is part of the ongoing efforts by the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan to address gender-based violence in the province. This funding is helping crisis hotlines offer more robust services, resources and support to serve the urgent needs of all survivors of gender-based violence and their families, no matter where they live in Saskatchewan.
Questions on the Order Paper September 18th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, the menstrual equity fund, MEF, is a pilot project intended to provide menstrual products to those most in need by addressing barriers related to affordability and stigma that some Canadians face when accessing menstrual products. Through extensive consultation in 2022-23 with grassroots organizations, and bilateral and group discussions with the indigenous women’s circle, not-for profit organizations, the private sector and provinces and territories, the Department for Women and Gender Equality, WAGE, discovered the complexity of the menstrual equity landscape across Canada. The pilot project is a first step to address challenges many menstruators face as they go about their daily lives. The pilot project will serve as a precursor in laying groundwork for future national solutions to menstrual equity in Canada, using key research results and data as made available through the first menstrual equity fund.
With regard to part (a), none of the funding for the national pilot for a menstrual equity fund committed in budget 2022 has been spent to date. The Department for Women and Gender Equality dedicated time in the 2022-23 fiscal year to undertake research, engagement and analysis to inform the design of the pilot, which centres on selecting one national not-for-profit organization to distribute menstrual products to grassroots organizations in select yet-to-be determined pilot sites, and to partner with several grassroots organizations already advancing menstrual equity to scale up their education and awareness activities. A targeted call for proposals was launched on May 29, and will close on June 23, to solicit applications from national organizations. Funding will only be allocated to the successful national organization once the final agreement is in place.
With regard to part (b), through the MEF pilot project, WAGE will test a pan-Canadian approach to menstrual product distribution and increase education and awareness on menstruation. One national organization will be selected to implement the pilot across Canada, in diverse geographical contexts with high concentrations of low-income populations disproportionately impacted by period poverty, including high-density urban areas; rural, northern and remote locations; and indigenous and two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex plus, 2SLGBTQI+, communities. While it is expected that the pilot will have locations in most of the provinces and territories, the estimated breakdown of spending by province and territories will not be known until the agreement with the selected national organization is finalized.
With regard to part (c), no funds have been spent to date.
With regard to part (d), the funding has not yet been allocated.
Diversity and Inclusion June 19th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, we are celebrating pride in the midst of rising anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate. I am so proud our government banned the dangerous practice of so-called conversion therapy. Survivors I speak to tell me this law saves lives. There is a lot more to do, but we are on the right track.
While Conservatives try to take us backward by promoting this dangerous practice, we will always stand on the side of the queer community.
Diversity and Inclusion June 8th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for joining us this morning to raise the pride flag. I say thanks so much to all who came. Pride season is a time of both celebration and reflection. We see the rising anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate, and it is causing real fear. That is why we responded with $1.5 million for security supports to Fierté Canada Pride, for safer pride festivals right across this country.
To queer Canadians, we say this: We see them, we hear them and we stand with them. I wish them a happy pride.
Employment June 5th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, youth come first and foremost in this country, and we have a suite of programs under the youth employment skills strategy, including Canada summer jobs program. We have gone back to prepandemic levels because employment for youth has gone down some 20%. There are several programs within this suite, and I would be pleased to chat with the member more about them.
Women and Gender Equality May 9th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, access to abortion is simply health care. That is why, today, $4.2 million went to Action Canada and UBC to increase access to abortion.
Women's rights are being attacked everywhere, even in this country. An attack on women's rights is an attack on human rights. We will always unequivocally defend a woman's dignity and right to choose her own future.
Women and Gender Equality April 27th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, this government has always been there for women and will continue to be there for women.
When the pandemic struck, we saw what was happening. We knew that grassroots organizations had to keep their doors open. We responded with $300 million in emergency funding. That work continues with the action plan to end gender-based violence, with half a billion dollars on the table. I am negotiating with provinces and territories right now to get this done.
We have been there for women. We will always be there for women.
Youth April 25th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her advocacy.
Now that the hiring season for Canada summer jobs is under way, young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 right across the country can log on to the job banks website to find quality work experiences for this summer. As part of the youth employment and skills strategy, CSJ has helped so many young people facing systemic barriers to employment for years, because a level playing field is a key to success for everyone.