Yvonne Jones

[Breast Cancer, October 29th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and each year, 28,000 Canadians are diagnosed with breast cancer and thousands more live with its lasting impact. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women. As a two-time survivor of breast cancer, first diagnosed at age 42, I know first-hand about the importance of early detection. That is why I have long advocated for reducing the screening age from 50 to 40 in Canada so that women do not have to wait for mammography testing but rather have a choice.

I encourage all provinces to follow the lead of the United States, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Yukon, which have already reduced mammography screening to age 40. The Liberals agree and so does the Canadian Cancer Society that we need new national benchmarks to ensure that women across the country have access to early screening and detection.

I am proof that early detection saves lives, so I encourage all women to get their mammogram. It could make all the difference in their lives as well.

[Extraordinary Labradorian, October 24th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an extraordinary Labradorian, William Larkham Jr., for his incredible achievement on season 11 of the reality show Alone, aired on the History channel.

William hails from the tiny outport community of William's Harbour. His determination, resilience and unmatched survival skills were on full display as he spent 84 gruelling days north of the Arctic Circle near Inuvik in the Northwest Territories enduring the harsh environment of the Arctic on the series Alone. He was one of 10 contestants and was the last one standing. His triumph earned him the grand prize of $500,000 U.S., and was a testament to his strength, knowledge of the land and spirit of survival.

William's journey not only brought Labradorians to the edge of their seats, but showcased the deep connection he has with the land and water, and the remarkable skills passed down through generations of culture in the region.

I congratulate William and ask all Labradorians and all parliamentarians to join me in offering him our very best wishes.

[Ovarian Cancer, October 11th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, September marked Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and each year over 3,000 women in Canada are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Whereas the five-year survival rate for breast cancer in Canada is now up to 88%, ovarian cancer is still as low as 44%.

Belles with Balls NL and Ovarian Cancer Canada held the first Lady Ball in Newfoundland and Labrador, engaging survivors and thrivers and many female role models from across our province to support ovarian cancer research and awareness. Raising over $100,000, the event was coordinated by the incredible co-chairs Bonnie Morgan and Alana Walsh-Giovannini. I want to thank all of the generous sponsors and attendees who came out and made it an exciting evening.

Together, we are making a real difference in the fight against ovarian cancer, turning hope into action for a brighter future for all women and their families.

[Offshore Renewable Energy Sector, October 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, when I sat in the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature with former premier Danny Williams, he had to go to Ottawa to fight day in and day out against the Conservative Harper government as it tried to rip up the Atlantic accord, a historic agreement that has delivered jobs and prosperity in the province for generations.

Over the last year in the House of Commons, I have had to fight day in and day out with my Liberal colleagues against the Conservatives again, who tried to rip up the Atlantic accord and kill Bill C-49. For the last year, the Conservatives have stood against the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and the people of Nova Scotia, while we fought for them so we could deliver on the promise of the Atlantic accord and the enormous economic opportunities of Bill C-49.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have led the offshore oil sector. We will lead the offshore green energy sector, and we will do it without the support of the Conservative Party.

[Housing, June 14th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the significant investments Liberals are making in housing across Canada, particularly in northern regions like Labrador. Recently, I announced over $10 million for 33 new homes in the community of Sheshatshiu. I continue to work with its chief and band council to address its ever-pressing housing needs.

Over the last decade, we have invested more than $100 million in housing in the Nunatsiavut region in the northern part of my ride, resulting in new homes, including triplexes, in communities like Nain and Hopedale for those people who were housing-insecure.

We have also added 20 new units for women fleeing violence and for low-income families in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. In Labrador West, we have upgraded more than 20 new units under Newfoundland and Labrador housing, and constructed additional units.

While the Conservatives slashed housing budgets and did not respond to the needs of families, and continue to vote down the Liberals' investments, we continue to work hard—

[Unknown Newfoundland Soldier, June 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honour the return of the unknown Newfoundland soldier, who bravely fought in the First World War from 1914 to 1918. This hero is finally home and will be laid to rest on July 1 at the base of the National War Memorial in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

This is a solemn occasion for all of us, as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and as Canadians, to come together to pay tribute to the sacrifice and to remember the courage of all who served. During a recent trip to France, it was an honour to stand where they once stood, to read their stories and to pray at their graves, many with markers known only to God. We remember Labrador's son John Shiwak, who fought there in 1915, and many others from our great province who fought with bravery and valour.

The repatriation is a testament to the struggle and sacrifice endured by these brave individuals and to the significant role that Newfoundland played in the Great War. I want to recognize the veterans and advocates who made it possible, including Berkley Lawrence, Frank Sullivan, Gerald Budden and all others for their dedicated work.

The unknown soldier is home in Newfoundland, representing all of those from our province who fought in the Great War. We will remember them. We will honour them.

[Northern Economy, May 28th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the northern economy is growing and diversifying. Through programs like the economic development corporations, CanNor and ACOA, investing in the north is helping businesses build on the strengths of northern people and their communities.

Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners are key drivers in the northern economy, and over half of CanNor's project funding goes to indigenous-led projects across the territories. For example, in Labrador and Nunatsiavut, we have invested over $3 million to support Inuit-led conservation and climate adaptation projects. This funding is empowering Inuit to research and to observe changes to the land, water and sea ice, as well as to create opportunities for youth in their homeland.

Those of us who live in rural communities in northern Canada know how important these programs are. Unlike the Conservatives who vote against these initiatives and programs, we continue to fund and support people—

[National Seal Products Day, May 27th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite all my colleague to join me and others tomorrow as we celebrate National Seal Products Day, which is normally on May 16.

Inuit and coastal communities across Nunavut, Atlantic Canada and Quebec have relied on seal and seal products for subsistence and survival for millennia, and we continue to use seal for food, clothing and historical ceremony. Seal Day is about recognizing and honouring historical, cultural, social and economic contributions that seal represent for our communities and our people. It is a day when we can recognize and counter narratives about the seal that seek to delegitimize and have devastating impacts on indigenous and coastal communities.

I support the industry, and it is a strong industry that has sustained people for many generations. We must continue to work together to ensure the economic viability of seal for all Canadians.

[Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, May 27th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I want to express my support for Bill C-49 and say what a rousing speech my colleague just gave in the House of Commons. Bill C-49 is allowing Atlantic Canadians in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador to kick-start a new economy and to lead a new initiative that will bring jobs and wealth to our provinces.

Why are the Conservatives so dead set against Atlantic Canada leading the way in this new technology and this new energy sector?

[Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, May 9th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the minister for the tremendous contribution that he makes to so many programs and services in the country.

I represent a very large rural indigenous riding in this country, a riding that is very much connected to the land and to the ocean, and we depend upon the natural environment for food. However, climate change is impacting the culture of the people I represent and impacting food security, which is why we know that, without an environmental plan, we do not have a plan for the economy, we do not have a plan for workers and we do not have a plan for the future of Canada.

I would ask the minister how this bill would help fight climate change and what it would mean to rural Canadians who, right now, do not have the option to switch to clean energy like many other Canadians can across Canada.