Rachel Blaney

[Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, May 16th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP agrees to apply the vote and will be voting in favour.

[Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, May 16th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP agrees to apply, and NDP members will be voting in favour.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, May 15th, 2023]

With regard to Veterans Affairs Canada health care service providers that were available prior to the start of the outsourced contract with Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services, broken down by province or territory: (a) what is the total number of health care service providers available to veterans who are not enrolled in the rehabilitation program that offer services in (i) English only, (ii) French only, (iii) both official languages, (iv) Indigenous languages; and (b) what is the total number of health care service providers available to veterans who are enrolled in the rehabilitation program that offer services in (i) English only, (ii) French only, (iii) both official languages, (iv) Indigenous languages?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, May 15th, 2023]

With regard to the Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD) set to come into effect on July 1, 2023, broken down by Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) base: (a) what is the projected number of CAF service members or veterans expected to qualify for the CFHD who were previously eligible for the current Post Living Differential (PLD) allowance; (b) of the projections in (a), how many service members or veterans will see a reduction in their housing allowance by (i) the full amount, (ii) more than 75 percent, (iii) more than 50 percent; (c) what is the projected number of CAF service members or veterans expected to qualify under the new differential who were not previously eligible under the current PLD; and (d) what is the projected number of CAF service members or veterans not expected to qualify under the new differential who were also not previously eligible under the current PLD?

[Veterans Affairs, May 15th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, women veterans feel invisible. The Liberal government does not hear their experiences, stories or pain. Virtually no research is being funded about military women's health issues, including mental health. While New Democrats welcome the recently announced mood and anxiety treatment guidelines, the unique challenges of female veterans must be considered.

Will the minister commit, today, to including women veterans in creating these guidelines so that women who bravely served our country could finally be seen?

[Veterans Affairs, May 12th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the poppy helps us commemorate the sacrifice and bravery of the women and men who served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Canadians are proud to wear their poppy in remembrance, but not Conservative premier, Danielle Smith. She is picking a fight with veterans to try to score political points for herself. It is shameful.

Will the minister stand up for veterans and condemn the remarks of Danielle Smith?

[Opioids, May 12th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, hearing a parent say, “Once they are dead, there is no helping them” is terrible. Across Canada, so many people have lost their loved ones to the toxic drug crisis. In the past six years, nearly 25,000 Canadians have died of apparent overdoses. Moms Stop the Harm is fighting back, in the name of the precious children they have lost, using all that pain to take action for every opportunity to save a life.

A recent report by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction found that fewer than one in four people with problematic substance use accessed services. Many constituents have talked to me about safe consumption, knowing that safe supply is there to address what is killing their loved ones, the toxic drug supply. This is not a treatment for addiction; it is an intervention to keep people alive.

There is nothing I would not do to keep someone alive long enough to consider treatment. To save lives, we must stop the stigma.

[Business of Supply, May 11th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, in my long years of working with the newcomer population, one of the hardest parts was receiving numerous calls where Canadians were often confused and blamed immigrants for taking up too many resources.

I am just wondering if the member could talk about how important it is that we do not create that dialogue and that we, in fact, do all that we can to bring people together to build that sense of community.

[Business of Supply, May 11th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I used to work in a non-profit organization that served newcomers to Canada. In that role, and in this role, one of the saddest yet most meaningful work I have done is to help members of the LGBT community leave their country of origin, where they are unsafe or their lives are at risk, and bring them home to Canada where they can be safe and experience all the freedoms they deserve.

I wonder what the member's thoughts are on ensuring that those targeted communities are safer and how we as a country can welcome and fast-track them to our country so they can be safe.

[Business of Supply, May 11th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, many people may not know this, but prior to doing this job, I spent over eight years working with newcomers to Canada in the region I represent. I remember being very overwhelmed by their generosity, kindness and gratitude, and what it meant to be Canadian. I went to a lot of citizenship ceremonies, and I have to say that those were some of the most amazing parts of my life. They also really made me appreciate in a new way how important it is to be a Canadian.

I am sad that we are having this discussion today. I think immigration brings a richness and a profound deepness to our communities. I do not believe we have to lose our identities while we welcome other identities. They create a much more diverse and dynamic community. I am wondering if the minister could talk about why it is important to bring more French-speaking immigrants to Canada and how that would add to the beauty of our country.