House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2025, with 50% of the vote.
Health March 9th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, ensuring our hospitals are well equipped in the case of a COVID-19 pandemic is a Canadian issue. We know that almost all confirmed cases have been from those entering Canada from high-risk areas, yet the government continues to claim that the problem is not at our borders.
Is the minister prepared to enforce the Quarantine Act and issue measures such as mandatory quarantine for those entering from high-risk areas?
Health March 9th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, hospitals across the country have been warning the government that there is a shortage of masks, protective equipment and beds.
However, according to the minister's health officials, the health system is well prepared to deal with the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Canada. Now, finally, six weeks after the first confirmed case and now just after the first death in British Columbia, the Prime Minister has asked provinces for their state of readiness.
Why is the minister saying the government is well prepared, when she is only asking provinces for their state of readiness today?
Health February 27th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the health minister is telling Canadians to prepare for a possible pandemic by stockpiling food and medication. While no one is trying to raise panic, sudden statements about needing to stockpile food and medicine are raising concerns across the country. Canadians are now wondering if they should be scared to fly, go to work or go to school.
How likely is Canada to face a pandemic at this time? Is the risk still low, or should we be stocking our shelves with supplies?
Health February 25th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, with at least 33 countries reporting cases, 11 cases confirmed in Canada and over 80,000 global cases, we are now being told to prepare for a possible COVID-19 pandemic.
Other countries stopped flights in and out of China; Canada did not. Other countries immediately introduced strict screening measures; Canada did not. We are now being told the window of opportunity for containment for stopping the global spread of this virus is closing.
Can the health minister confirm that she is satisfied with the actions taken to date?
Canada Labour Code February 25th, 2020
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-220, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (compassionate care leave).
Mr. Speaker, almost seven years ago to the day I stood in the Alberta legislature to begin a journey to change compassionate care leave in this country. This legislation successfully passed, allowing thousands of Alberta caregivers to take time off work to care for their gravely ill loved ones.
Today, I am rising in this chamber to introduce my bill, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code (compassionate care leave). This legislation, if passed, would allow caregivers using the compassionate care leave program to take additional time off work following the death of their loved one. Currently, this leave ends immediately following a loved one's death, not leaving enough time for the caregiver to make the practical necessities like funeral arrangements and estate planning and to have the time to grieve. My bill would extend compassionate care leave so that caregivers can take up to three extra weeks off work following their loved one's death.
This is job-protected leave, so caregivers would not have to worry about losing their employment during this time.
Caregiving is exhausting work. I hope members on all sides of the House will see the need for this amendment to the Canada Labour Code and support the continued progress of compassionate care leave in our country.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Health February 4th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, first the minister says “it will be” cleaned and then she says she “hopes it will be” cleaned. Where is the plane?
Yesterday the health committee learned that the government had not located the plane carrying the first confirmed coronavirus case. There is no knowledge of whether passengers immediately reboarded the plane or whether proper sanitation processes took place. Locating this plane is crucial.
Is there any chance that others travelling on this plane could have caught the virus and gone undetected?
Cancer February 4th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, half of Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Today is World Cancer Day, a reminder as why we need to continue working toward a world where no Canadian fears cancer.
As a nation, we have made significant strides in cancer research, early detection and treatment. We have more people surviving cancer than ever before. The five-year survival for cancer has increased to 63%. However, a person's experience with cancer does not end just because the treatment is over.
The Canadian Cancer Society provides the largest cancer support system in the country and funds groundbreaking research so we can reduce the number of Canadians diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer touches all Canadians, whether personally or through family and friends. Today helps us remember why we need to keep working together to end cancer.
Health February 3rd, 2020
Madam Speaker, it took the Liberals until this past Saturday to include more than three airports as part of this travel advisory: airports in Calgary and Edmonton, and Billy Bishop airport. Why did it take so long for them to include those airports?
More specifically, when can we expect the plane to land in China?
Health February 3rd, 2020
Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise tonight.
We had yet another confirmed case of the coronavirus over the weekend. This brings the total in Canada to four confirmed cases. While the overall risk to Canadians remains low, we are still depending on the government to assure Canadians that the spread is properly contained.
We received an informative update from the government this morning about its plan to evacuate Canadians from Hubei province in China. However, some details are still unclear, including how many Canadians will be evacuated and whether permanent residents travelling without children will be allowed to return to Canada.
The details from the government have been slow to come and have even cast doubts on the government's planning. A representative from the government appeared on CTV's Power Play on Thursday. When asked what Canadians could expect from the government given the news that the World Health Organization had to declare a global health emergency, she responded, “They don't know yet. We're working on it.”
Canadians are looking to the government for answers. While we appreciate the updates from government officials, there are still many questions. Last week we reconvened the health committee early to get answers directly from the appropriate officials. We will continue meetings this week as we continue to seek answers on this virus.
At home, many Canadians are wondering how to protect themselves and others. My constituency office has received many calls from people wondering what they should be doing to ensure they do not become sick with the coronavirus. What is the plan, knowing that more cases are likely to be confirmed, and how can Canadians be assured that the spread is being properly contained? This is in large part what they are asking.
We just found out today at a health committee meeting earlier this evening that the government still does not even know where the plane from the first case is. This is concerning not only to me but to the many Canadians wondering how the government is handling the situation, who it is talking to and what the plan is going forward. It took about three weeks to get the quarantine plan from the government.
Could the member on the other side please assure Canadians what the plan is?
Health February 3rd, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the World Health Organization has called the coronavirus a global health emergency. Other countries are taking proactive measures by declaring a public health emergency. Other countries are cancelling all flights into and out of China. The United States said it is implementing these measures to increase its ability to detect and contain the coronavirus.
Why has Canada not done the same?