Yasmin Ratansi

[Carbon Pricing, April 8th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about our government's climate action plan.

Canada, as scientists have told us, is warming at twice the rate of the global average. It is important that governments take bold steps. Our government has shown leadership by making polluters pay, while providing a climate action incentive to Canadians. This, according to the former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the right thing to do.

Ironically, while the Conservatives cry that the price on pollution will create havoc, it was Stephen Harper who, in 2008, proposed a carbon tax of $65 per tonne. Ours is only $20 a tonne. Talk about hypocrisy.

Eleven years ago, British Columbia introduced its carbon price and now it has outpaced the rest of Canada in reducing emissions and increasing its economic growth. This is proof that a price on carbon works.

[Shootings in New Zealand, April 4th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly condemn the horrific slaughter of 50 Muslim men, women and children in Christchurch, New Zealand. This act of terrorism perpetrated by hate and ignorance tried to divide communities, but it has had the opposite effect. It brought diverse faith groups together in solidarity around the world.

As the chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I recently led a delegation on a bilateral visit to New Zealand. I convey my deepest condolences to the victims' families and to the people of New Zealand for this heinous attack.

I will end with a quote from Maya Angelou's poem Still I Rise:

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

[Interim Estimates, March 21st, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, since you insist, I will withdraw the word “pathetic”.

[Interim Estimates, March 21st, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, during the proceedings taking place, it was the fifth time the member for Carleton had gotten up to bring the same motion, and I yelled out “pathetic”. The reason I yelled out “pathetic” was that people are tweeting to us asking why we are not getting the budget done. There is so much to be done with the budget. Actually, I did not even yell out “pathetic”. I was talking, and the words reached his ears.

[Interim Estimates, March 21st, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, it is my turn to speak.

[Interim Estimates, March 21st, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify.

[Interim Estimates, March 21st, 2019]

Madam Speaker, I was referring to the member for Carleton.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, March 20th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, four reports of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The first concerns the bilateral visit to Pakistan, held in Islamabad, Pakistan, from March 30 to April 7, 2018.

The second concerns the bilateral visit to South Africa and Kenya, held in Capetown, South Africa, and Nairobi, Kenya, from August 31 to September 8, 2018.

The third concerns the 2018 Westminster Seminar on Effective Parliaments, held in London, United Kingdom, from November 26 to 30, 2018.

The fourth concerns the Expert Committee Meeting on Status, held in London, United Kingdom, from June 8 to 11, 2018.

[Health, February 22nd, 2019]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight and congratulate an exceptional organization in my riding, Conavi Medical. Conavi is the developer and manufacturer of leading-edge medical technologies used for minimally invasive cardiac procedures.

I was happy to announce funding of $3.9 million, on behalf of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, for Conavi. This investment will allow the company to expand its existing facilities by 8,000 square feet, create 60 new high-skilled full-time jobs and provide an expansion of opportunities here and abroad.

With our government's support, Conavi is improving health outcomes for patients worldwide and is continuing Canada's strong record of health innovation. I am proud of our government's investment in my riding and wish Conavi continued success both here and abroad.

[Petitions, February 20th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the pleasure of presenting two petitions.

The first is calling on the Government of Canada to provide sustainable funding for grassroots organizations through predictable funding, and to increase the international assistance from 0.26% to 0.7%.

The second petition is on the root cause of forced migration. The petitioners request the government support grassroots organizations working for peace, democracy and human rights, and invest more in diplomatic and peaceful solutions to armed conflicts.