Ruby Dhalla

[Automotive Industry, April 1st, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this is not a Seinfeld episode. This is a reality that Canadians are living day in and day out.

The auto sector is on life support and band-aid solutions will simply not work. The job losses across the country are increasing every day. To date, the government has done nothing to reach out to help those who are struggling.

Chrysler closed its third shift and my constituents in Brampton—Springdale lost their jobs in the thousands. Now thousands of others in my constituency are in limbo.

What will the government do to help?

[Automotive Industry, April 1st, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, “We must not miss an opportunity to lead, to confront a crisis that knows no borders”. Those are the words of President Obama.

The Americans have a government that is delivering for its people. Canadians are stuck with a government that has been absent, that has failed to provide leadership and take any action.

Will the Conservative government back the warranties for Canadians who own GM and Chrysler cars? The Americans got that assurance on Monday. When will the government step up to the plate and deliver the same for Canadians?

[Multiculturalism, March 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this is a shameful quote:

institutionalized multiculturalism as a taxpayer-funded program has run its course.

That is direct from the 2004 Conservative policy book.

This past weekend, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism stunned immigrant Canadians by stating:

We don't need the state to promote diversity.

It is clear that Conservative Reform roots are coming out and showing up once again. Why is the Conservative government abandoning multiculturalism and forcing Canadians to choose between diversity and integration?

[Status of Women, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as the country celebrates International Women's Day, the women of Canada do not have much to celebrate. This week when I spoke at the U.N. conference, women were asking why Canada had been silent on the issues that matter to women: equality, the court challenges program, child care and international aid. Even Canadian Grandmothers for Africa are here today demanding results.

Why have the Conservatives failed to show leadership and take action on the priorities that are important to the women of Canada?

[Automotive Industry, February 24th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the real question is: Where is the audit and why is there such secrecy?

Let us look at the Americans. They have President Obama who has brought together the best and the brightest minds to discuss an action plan for the U.S. auto sector. The Canadians are stuck with a Conservative government that operates in secrecy, in denial and falls asleep at the wheel while Canadians lose their jobs.

The U.S. struck a task force to develop solutions but our government adviser, Jim Arnett, resigned after less than three weeks.

When will the government provide the leadership, the action, the hope and a plan for those people who are losing their jobs?

[Automotive Industry, February 24th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are losing their jobs in the auto sector. They are struggling to make their mortgage payments, to put food on the table and to pay their bills. Auto workers, like Randy and Patricia in Brampton, are crying for help but they have received nothing from the Conservative government.

On December 22, the industry minister told Canadians that an audit of the auto sector would be conducted and completed in a few weeks. It is two months later, where is the audit, why is there such secrecy and why has there been no action? Why are the Conservatives asleep at the wheel while Canadians are losing their jobs?

[Employment Insurance, February 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, last week, in my riding of Brampton—Springdale, I visited the Chrysler action centre. I met Priscilla, a single mother, who is worried about how she will put food on the table. I met with Randy, a father, who is worried about next month's mortgage payment. Both have lost their jobs in the auto sector. They tried to apply for EI, but they could not get through. When someone does answer the phone, they have to wait weeks to even get their cheques.

When will the Conservatives show some compassion and start caring enough about the women, the men, the families, and the seniors who are so desperately struggling in our country?

[The Economy, February 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in this time of growing economic crisis, hundreds of families in my riding of Brampton—Springdale are losing their jobs, being laid off and let go.

Chrysler eliminated its third shift. The result: 1,100 people jobless. ABC Plastics closed its doors. The result: hundreds of workers unemployed.

Now Nortel claims bankruptcy and its workers are listed as unsecured creditors. The result: no pay for their work.

What steps will be taken to ensure that employees of bankrupt companies are protected as secured creditors and that they get paid for their hard work.

[Black History Month, February 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in recognition of the 13th anniversary of Black History Month. Let us take time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of African-Canadians and remember the journey of the past.

There was a time in the seventeenth century when a young African boy, Olivier Le Jeune, was brought over as a slave, a time in Canada when slavery existed, where there was white supremacy and black subordination.

We fast forward to today and the Black community in my own riding of Brampton comprises the third largest visible minority community. We have seen first-hand the Black community achieve great success with their faith, perseverance and determination.

As the world celebrates the first African-American president, we here in Canada also have our own success stories with our Governor General, the Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean; the first black member of Parliament, who became the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Lincoln Alexander; and trailblazers such as the former member of Parliament and minister, the Hon. Jean Augustine, who introduced the motion to recognize Black History Month.

We as a nation are enriched by the contributions of the Black community, their hard work and--

[The Budget, January 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I can definitely say that the issue of child care is one that I am very passionate about. I only have to take a look at many of the families in my riding. Many of the parents, some of whom are single mothers and single fathers, really struggle to find child care spaces.

It was unfortunate that one of the first initiatives of the Conservative government was to cut the early learning and child care agreements which would have actually created spaces and provided the opportunity for parents to ensure that their children received quality access that was affordable and that was universal in nature, and of extremely high quality in terms of its developmental approach for their children.

Investing in children is going to ensure the success of the future of our country. It is unfortunate that the Conservative government provided almost $100 a month which after taxes resulted in $60 a month. I do not know where in this country one can find child care for $2 a day.

I would hope that the Conservative government, moving forward in the coming months, would realize that investing in children, investing in early learning and child care would provide those families with hope, and would ensure the productivity and the success of our great country.