Ruby Sahota

[Diversity and Inclusion, June 15th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, across the country Canadians have been coming together to grieve our past and present actions of discrimination and racism in this country, whether it is the long history of abuse toward our indigenous peoples as we unearth the tragic killings and disappearances of our innocent children at the hands of our institutions, or the recent rise of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism and xenophobia. I vow to do everything in my power to fight against hate in all its forms.

Last night I attended a vigil in Brampton commemorating the tragedy in London, where a family of four was killed solely because they were Muslim. Islamophobia has no place in Canada. Every Canadian, regardless of race and creed, deserves to live in peace and security, and my heart goes out to the victims, their loved ones and the entire Muslim community.

As we build back better, all of us must step up to make our communities safer and more inclusive.

[Committees of the House, June 11th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House.

If this House gives its consent, I move that the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be concurred in.

[Committees of the House, June 11th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

The committee advises that, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business met on Monday, May 31, 2021, to consider orders for the second reading of private members' public bills originating in the Senate and the items added to the order of precedence. The subcommittee recommended that the items listed herein, which it has determined should not be designated non-votable, be considered by the House.

[Ethiopia, May 31st, 2021]

Madam Speaker, the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation within the Tigray region of Ethiopia has been heartbreaking for Canadians across the country to witness. As the number of refugees fleeing the region grows and the violence toward innocent people continues, I want to reiterate Canada's call for immediate de-escalation and for a peaceful resolution between both parties.

The human rights violations taking place, particularly against women and girls, are beyond horrific. The protection of civilians must be upheld in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. In doing our part, I want to commend the Minister of International Development on providing $3 million in aid to help those affected by the conflict in Tigray and those who have fled to Sudan seeking safety. This funding will respond to urgent needs, including emergency health care, shelter, non-food items, water, sanitation and protection.

Our government will always speak out against human rights abuses, no matter where they occur, and reiterate our commitment to peaceful resolution.

[Women Entrepreneurship, May 12th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to wish every mother across Canada a happy belated Mother’s Day. We know women, specifically caregivers and mothers, have been hard hit by this pandemic. We must make sure that Canada’s economic recovery pulls women up.

Canada’s competitive edge depends on women being able to participate fully and equally in the economy. That is why budget 2021 prioritizes investing an additional $146 million to expand the women entrepreneurship strategy, a commitment to strengthen gender and racial diversity in corporate governance. It also prioritizes announcing a historic investment in child care. Our plan will reduce the cost of child care to $10 a day by 2026, providing every child the best start in life, and every parent an opportunity to excel in the workforce and realize their full potential.

I know investments like these will make a real and lasting difference in the lives of women in Brampton North.

[Committees of the House, May 3rd, 2021]

Madam Speaker, the member mentioned infrastructure, slush funds and money that he thinks is not being well spent. This morning there was an announcement in my city of Brampton for electric buses. We are finally getting electric buses out on the road starting tomorrow.

Just a couple of weeks before that, we had an infrastructure announcement for a third bus facility in my neighbouring riding, the largest of its kind in that riding. This is really going to help set Brampton up to be a great city. To me, it is a requirement. We have a growing immigrant population and a lot of people really need good, clean and safe transportation to get to work. These investments can be life-changing.

What part of the budget would he like to see cut for Canadians?

[Committees of the House, May 3rd, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I quite enjoyed the member's speech and I want to compliment him on his delivery. It was quite passionate.

I want to know if he has looked further into the impacts of child care. I have been reading about this. When we look at the Quebec model, not only did it grow the economy, but it also took the female workforce employment rate from being one of the lowest across Canada to becoming one of the highest across Canada. When we compare Ontario and Quebec now, Quebec stands at 81% female workforce participation and Ontario only stands at 75%.

I definitely think that many improvements were made when Quebec moved to this model. I want an opinion from the member as to what he thinks about that and what he thinks about the wasting of skills and intellect that we are currently seeing across the country by not providing women and families with the support they need with their children.

[Health, April 28th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, many of my Brampton North constituents are concerned about the third wave of the pandemic. Across Ontario, hospitals are filling up, new cases continue to exceed 3,000 per day, and additional help is needed. I know that this federal government has often said that what is needed is a team Canada approach to addressing this pandemic.

Could the Prime Minister please tell the House what actions the Government of Canada has recently taken to provide support to the people of Ontario during this pandemic?

[Committees of the House, April 19th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

[Committees of the House, April 19th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 15th report later this day.