Rachel Blaney

[Search and Rescue, May 10th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is closing the Comox marine communications and traffic services centre today. This was a bad plan when the Conservatives hatched it, and after hearing damning evidence during the fisheries committee study, the minister should have seen reason and cancelled the closure.

Comox is central to B.C.'s emergency response planning. The government said it would make decisions based on evidence. Therefore, why is the minister ignoring evidence and putting lives and the B.C. coast at risk?

[Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1, May 9th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government campaigned on a promise to help the middle class, and now speaks about helping the group that is hoping to be part of the middle class.

In my riding of North Island—Powell River, there are a lot of challenges in this new economy, which is without as much resource development as we have seen historically. Everyone agrees that the Liberals' so-called middle-class tax cut will benefit people earning more than $200,000 a year the most. There are six out of ten Canadians who will get nothing from this plan.

Bill C-15 will not offer anything to help those who need it the most, like the people in my riding who are working hard every day.

Can the member explain how the Liberals can defend these policies?

[Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1, May 6th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I know when I was walking among many communities in my riding and knocking on doors, one of the things that my constituents spoke to me about again and again was their serious concerns about omnibus bills filled with lots of information that was not adequately debated in the House of Commons.

We now have another one. It is 179 pages long, contains 30 separate statutes, refers to nine different ministries, impacts several others, and contains Bill C-12, which is already on the Order Paper before the House of Commons.

The people in my riding are concerned. How would you respond to them?

[Petitions, May 6th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to table a petition to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. This petition amassed 1,310 signatures and calls upon the minister to stop the closure of the Comox Coast Guard. I have spoken at length in the House of Commons on this issue and I will continue to reiterate my full support for the Comox MCTS and the service it provides to our coastal communities.

I want to underline the work of Sara Kalis Gilbert, from Chilliwack, a daughter of a Coast Guard captain. She started a petition on change.org. As of today, it has garnered over 16,000 supporters. I encourage people to sign and share it.

We have the public's support behind us. Would the minister do the right thing?

[Search and Rescue, May 6th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the government will shut down the Comox marine communications and traffic services centre on May 10. However, the fisheries committee heard alarming testimony demonstrating real concerns for safety, and the B.C. Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness seems to agree. She wrote to the fisheries minister sharing her concerns on closing the Comox centre, because it is critical to B.C. emergency preparedness plans.

Will the minister listen to his B.C. colleague, to witness testimony, and to concerned parliamentarians and keep the Comox centre open?

[Transportation of Propane, May 6th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we are at the beginning of the tourist season, but not all are rejoicing. Many members of North Island—Powell River depend on propane, which is critical for the marinas, lodges, guides, and many residents. Transport Canada has decided to suspend the delivery of propane by barge to communities off the northern part of my riding. The government does not seem to understand the realities of rural coastal communities.

Most of these locations are accessible only by boat and float plane. Many have no roads at all, and the local topography simply does not allow for refuelling to be conducted by truck. Propane is the lifeline for remote communities in my riding. It is their power supply and, in many cases, their means to making a living.

This move is effectively cutting off electricity to communities and businesses in the region. I wish to express my constituents' need for a fair and expedient resolution to this matter.

[Build Together, May 4th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting women who represented the B.C. building trades. They spoke to me of a program called “Build Together”, a national program that promotes, supports, and mentors women in construction trades.

Women represent 4% of the workforce in these industries. It is very clear that both the industry and the women see this as an opportunity. “Build Together” is focused on growing that percentage. These women expose other women to the trades as a career choice. Knowing that support beyond recruitment is key, women who are thriving in the industry mentor women who are new.

It is true, with only 4% women, there are many challenges and education for everyone.

I want to thank these women for taking on this challenge. I admire their work and dedication to building a Canada that of which we can all be proud.

[Criminal Code, May 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question.

Palliative care is so important. We do have an aging population, and as people get to that part of their life, they want to know the services are there for them. I represent a vast riding with many rural communities. We face many challenges in helping people stay in their communities for a period of time as they age.

Having a Canadian strategy that really engages the provinces and territories to work collaboratively to meet the needs of constituents across this country is imperative. We have already had a vote on a motion that the member for Timmins—James Bay presented and that was nearly unanimous.

In this House, we know palliative care is important. I hope we continue our work to make sure that service is delivered.

[Criminal Code, May 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, it is very important that all voices be heard strongly in this process.

For me in the work that I am doing, speaking with my riding has been very powerful. People are concerned. People are very supportive. Some people are very unsupportive of this process.

It is important that the government continue to do its work, to make sure that the voices are heard, so that the voices of the ridings across this country are heard.

[Criminal Code, May 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I hope that the committee will continue the work when the bill gets there.

One of my frustrations is that many of the thoughtful recommendations that were brought forth by the last committee were not put into this bill.

I would like to see a review of the wonderful recommendations that were already made, and to make sure that we do not repeat the work that was already done.