MaryAnn Mihychuk

[Kathleen Rice, October 17th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Women's History Month in recognition of Kathleen Rice, Canada's first female professional prospector.

Kate was born in 1882 to a wealthy industrial family in St. Marys, Ontario, attended the University of Toronto and graduated in mathematics and physics in 1906.

Kate recognized early on the injustice of her half-pay teaching salary and decided to join the Manitoba gold rush. To add to the insult, as a non-person, Kate's plan to homestead in The Pas meant she had to have her brother sign the papers.

A sharpshooter, survivor, brilliant prospector, and Cree linguist, Kate staked many claims in Manitoba on her significant mineral discoveries, and was a correspondent for The Globe and Mail. Kate loved the majestic beauty of Manitoba's north, and for 40 years lived in a modest log cabin near Rice Island in Manitoba.

This month, let us stake our claim and recognize Kate Rice as an extraordinary role model.

[Status of Women, October 2nd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, October is Women's History Month in Canada and during this month we recognize the monumental contributions of Canadian women and girls over the course of our country's history.

Could the Minister of Status of Women tell the House what our government is doing to recognize women's contributions to Canada's society?

[Committees of the House, June 19th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the unanimous ninth report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, entitled “Breaking Point: The Suicide Crisis in Indigenous Communities”.

The committee wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who bravely presented to our committee and shared their personal experiences, providing us with a deeper understanding of the crisis facing indigenous communities and Canada as a nation.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

[Anniversary of the Pemmican War, June 19th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, today, June 19, we mark the 201st anniversary of an event that took place in my riding of Kildonan—St. Paul, which shaped the future of Manitoba, Canada, and marked the birth of a new people.

After years of smouldering conflict, known as the Pemmican War, the victory at Frog Plain was a decisive conclusion for the indigenous people led by General Cuthbert Grant. At this battle, the Métis flag of infinity flew. Will Goodon of the Manitoba Métis Federation, says the battle started a “spark of consciousness” that marked the founding of the Métis nation.

In this 150th year of Confederation, we should remember that what we now call Canada has always been home to many peoples.

The birth of the Métis nation marked something new and unique on this continent: the beginning of a proud history that we continue to write, even today.

[Committees of the House, June 16th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs in relation to Bill S-3, an act to amend the Indian Act in relation to the elimination of sex-based inequities in registration.

The committee has studied the bill and decided to report the the bill back to the House, with amendments.

[Committees of the House, June 2nd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, entitled “Supplementary Estimates (A) 2017-18: Votes 1a, 10a and L20a under Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development”.

[Committees of the House, May 29th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, entitled “Default Prevention and Management 2017”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

[Crimean Tatars, May 18th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, today, May 18, we commemorate the 1944 forced deportation campaign conducted against Ukraine's indigenous Crimean Tatars under Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

There are still people alive today who remember the day when the entire population of Tatars was given 30 minutes' notice to leave. Most would never see their homes again. There were 240,000 who were deported, and nearly 100,000 of the exiled men, women, and children loaded onto cattle cars died en route or shortly after their arrival in the Urals, Siberia, and central Asia.

Ukraine's Crimean Tatars have been returning to their homeland over the decades. However, today we should recall this tragic history and think of them currently experiencing the heavy hand of Russian occupation, exile, and worse.

[Committees of the House, May 8th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs entitled “Main Estimates 2017-18: Vote 1 under Canadian High Arctic Research Station and Votes 1, 5, 10, L15 and L20 under Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development”.

[Infrastructure, May 2nd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, our government was elected on a platform to build sustainable communities from coast to coast to coast. Clean, safe drinking water is one of the most important ways that we can ensure our communities are thriving.

Will the minister tell the House how the government is supporting vital water infrastructure?