House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2021, with 26% of the vote.
The Budget April 26th, 2021
Madam Speaker, we have seen pandemic profiteers using government funding to pay executive bonuses and shareholder dividends. We have also seen additional wealth accumulation of the billionaire class during the pandemic, amounting to $87 billion. The Green Party believes that we need a wealth tax and stronger rules to ensure that people are not enriching themselves with COVID relief funding.
Would the hon. member agree with me?
Petitions April 26th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to table a petition signed by people concerned about public funding being spent on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion during the climate emergency. The cost of this pipeline is now estimated to hit $18 billion, and expert reports state this investment will not be recouped unless the government ignores its own climate targets and allows greenhouse gas emissions to continue to increase from the oil and gas sector. The petitioners are concerned about the risk of spills of diluted bitumen on the west coast as well as the violation of indigenous rights along the route and in the coastal communities that rely on the marine environment for their livelihood and cultural practices.
The petitioners call on the government to halt any support for the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Petitions April 23rd, 2021
Madam Speaker, the second petition highlights that proactive holistic health practices play an important role in building immune system strength and help to keep people healthy. The petitioners are concerned that there is not enough focus on proactive health and wellness care. The petitioners request that the Government of Canada increase the focus on education and empowering Canadians on holistic approaches to optimize and maintain their natural immunity and well-being. They call upon the government to include proactive health and wellness care practices in the Canada Health Act and enhance access to these services.
Petitions April 23rd, 2021
Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to present two petitions initiated and signed by constituents in Nanaimo—Ladysmith.
The first petition outlines a long series of human rights abuses sanctioned and perpetrated by officials of the Chinese Communist Party. The petitioners urge the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions against these perpetrators under the Magnitsky act, including freezing assets and barring entry into Canada.
The Budget April 22nd, 2021
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her tireless advocacy for seniors. I have been hearing from seniors in my riding who are upset that the OAS increase is for seniors over the age of 75. They think that the increase should begin at age 65. It is just a matter of fairness. Seniors are dealing with all kinds of issues related to the pandemic, and they need support.
My question for the hon. member is about care in seniors homes and the profit motive of some of the care homes. Does she agree that these homes should be not for profit, community run or co-operative style, rather than for-profit care homes?
The Budget April 22nd, 2021
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member mentioned biofuels in his speech. The B.C. government is looking at proposals to grind up whole trees and whole forests to create biofuel pellets for export. Is this what the government is referring to when it talks about biofuels in the budget.
The Budget April 22nd, 2021
Madam Speaker, we have had decades of trickle-down economics with tax cuts to the wealthiest and to corporations, and this has not worked. When we put stimulus money into the economy and provide for people to ensure they can make ends meet, that is trickle-up economics. That money is spent in our communities and helps our economy grow. It helps small businesses, it—
Petitions April 22nd, 2021
Mr. Speaker, happy Earth Day. It is a privilege to table e-petition 3184, which was initiated by constituents in Nanaimo—Ladysmith. The petitioners call upon the government to take urgent action, based on science and independent expertise, to make Bill C-12 a world-class climate law by adopting the following three amendments to the bill before it passes.
The first amendment is to set the first emission target for 2025, strengthen the roles of the advisory body and the environmental commissioner, and ban fossil fuel executives from the advisory panel.
The second amendment is that Bill C-12 should be aligned with Canada's commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, putting workers and communities first with no exceptions. It should set targets for sustainable job creation to ensure a just transition for all workers.
The third amendment is to create true legal accountability for the government by setting clear, unconditional obligations for the Minister of Environment to meet, not just plan to meet, actual targets.
Government Response to COVID-19 Pandemic April 21st, 2021
Madam Speaker, one of the things that both the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands and I discussed in our speeches, and the reason we asked for this debate, is that we are seeing other actions in other countries and other jurisdictions. I am wondering if the hon. member could outline what he sees as some of the key learning that we can take forward to make sure we are prepared the next time, because we have heard from scientists and epidemiologists that the crash in biodiversity on this planet is going to lead to more pandemics and more problems like this.
What planning and preparing are we going to have in place for next time?
Government Response to COVID-19 Pandemic April 21st, 2021
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his speech. As the member is from northern British Columbia, I would like to get his comments on keeping the camps open for workers who were travelling back and forth early in the pandemic and the spread that happened in the northern communities. Now I am hearing from teachers who are saying that these camp workers are vaccinated, but they are still waiting for their vaccines in areas where COVID is exploding.
I would like to hear the member's comments about the priorities of the provincial government in terms of vaccinating and in terms of the lockdowns.