Pam Damoff

[Transportation, October 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Oakville North—Burlington, I have long advocated for safe cycling as founder of Cycle Oakville and working with groups like the Burlington cycling advisory committee, Halton Regional Police Service, and Share the Road Cycling Coalition.

People are concerned about being able to ride safely. Over the years, sadly, we have lost members of our cycling community while they were riding their bikes.

Can the Minister of Transport tell us what he is doing to enhance bike safety?

[Violence Against Women, October 5th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the Moose Hide Campaign to Ottawa. Its members are holding their national gathering here to raise awareness about the role men can play in ending violence against indigenous women and children.

Our Standing Committee on the Status of Women is currently studying violence against young women and girls, and has heard how critical it is that we engage men and boys in our strategy to end gender-based violence.

In my riding of Oakville North—Burlington, SAVIS of Halton founded the Male Ally Network, or M.A.N. project, a network of men who are committed to ending violence against women and children. Owen Millar, a young hockey player from my riding, encouraged his team members to wear purple jerseys for a month to show their support for Halton Women's Place.

Along with groups like the Moose Hide Campaign, this is exactly the kind of leadership we need from men and boys.

[Public Safety, October 4th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, public safety officers put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities. They and their families deserve our support. That is why my colleagues and I on the public safety committee have been studying the issue of operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress in public safety officers and first responders, and tabled our report this morning. This issue was also an important part of our platform.

Can the Minister of Public Safety please tell us what the government is doing to support our public safety officers?

[Committees of the House, October 4th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to its study of operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder in public safety officers and first responders.

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

[Terry Fox, September 19th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, at 18 he was a student, at 19 he was a cancer patient, and at 21 he was a hero, Terry Fox.

After losing his leg to osteogenic sarcoma, he embarked on a cross-country marathon of hope to raise money for cancer research. When Terry's cancer returned, Canadians took over, and today the Terry Fox Run is the largest single-day cancer fundraiser in the world.

Before he died, Terry said, “Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue.” Yesterday Canadians and millions around the world participated in the 36th annual Terry Fox Run. As an organizer of Oakville's Terry Fox Run, I joined over 900 residents to honour Terry, who said, “Dreams are made possible if you try”.

Thanks to the Terry Fox Foundation, all MPs are Terry Foxers today with a pin to show our support for his legacy. Thanks to Terry for continuing to inspire us.

[Pride Month, June 17th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, it is Pride Month, and I am proud to represent a community that recently held a number of family-friendly events to celebrate. The week included a Trans Pride event held in my riding, which culminated with the youth organized Halton Pride picnic in Burlington.

Thanks to people like Beckham Ronaghan, youth coordinator for Positive Space Network, which organizes the annual event, along with its youth action committee members Sonali Patel, Taylor Carusi, MC Kowal, and my friend Tyler Wisner, this year's event again offered a safe place for Halton youth to celebrate who they are. Community groups set up displays and music filled the air as young and the young at heart joined in the celebration.

With young people like these inspiring not only their LGBTQ2 peers but the entire Halton community, I am hopeful they will help Oakville and Burlington continue to build a safe and inclusive community where love is stronger than hate.

[Petitions, June 10th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present this petition from Fair Vote Canada. The petition calls upon the House of Commons to immediately undertake public consultations across Canada to amend the Canada Elections Act to ensure that voters can cast an equal and effective ballot in order to be presented fairly in Parliament, regardless of political belief or place of residence. Almost 130 Canadians have lent their names to this petition.

As the special committee on electoral reform begins its inquiry to identify and conduct a study of viable alternative voting systems, I hope it keeps this petition in mind.

[National Health and Fitness Day, June 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, on June 4, Canadians will celebrate National Health and Fitness Day. Over 240 cities and towns across Canada will mark the day with local events to encourage Canadians to be active and use our trails, parks, and recreation facilities. It is important for all Canadians to understand and appreciate the benefits of physical activity to our health, economy, and environment.

People can join me at a number of events in my riding of Oakville North—Burlington on Saturday, including a trail bike ride from Berton Park in Burlington, and an outdoor yoga class that I am hosting at River Oaks Community Centre in Oakville.

A big shout-out to the Burlington Sport Alliance for their efforts, and kicking off the day at Nelson Park in Burlington.

I encourage everyone to get active on Saturday, and every day, and help make Canada the fittest nation on earth.

[Public Service Labour Relations Act, May 30th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the question, and he probably put as well as I could the importance of members of the RCMP being allowed to form a union. Certainly where I come from, the members of the Halton Regional Police Service have had an association for many years. It is important for members in the RCMP to be able to have those bargaining rights that they would be afforded within a union.

[Public Service Labour Relations Act, May 30th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, one of the things that has become very clear as we have talked about the RCMP is how unique it is.

We certainly heard that during our committee hearings, and there is not a one size fits all for the RCMP. It is a unique police service that serves a unique function across the country. I do not think we can treat every aspect of the RCMP in the same way that we treat the public service.

The members of the RCMP are deserving of this legislation. There is no doubt that they deserve to be able to form a union. We feel strongly that they should be subject to Bill C-7 and that this bill should pass quickly.