Presentation of the Final Report on MMIWG
Elizabeth May and I attended the presentation of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We were grateful to attend the ceremony and hear the substantial recommendations of the commissioners. We will continue to hold the government accountable to these recommendations, and bring forward what we’ve learned to our constituencies.
Blue Dot MP Pledge for Environmental Rights
In 2015, I asked Nanaimo City Council to join the Blue Dot movement. An initiative of the Suzuki Foundation, the Blue Dot movement is about working to enshrine the right to live in a healthy environment as a human right. This week, I had the opportunity to meet with members of the Blue Dot community in Ottawa, and I signed the Blue Dot MP Pledge for Environmental Rights.
Petitions
I had the opportunity to present two petitions in the House of Commons. The first one calls upon the HOC to adopt a national poverty elimination strategy, and the second is from youth calling for more to be done to avert disastrous climate change.
Pharmacare Program
I questioned the government on what they are prepared to do to establish a universal pharmacare program, and how they plan to stop the excessive profiteering of big pharma.
Changes to the immigration act in Omnibus Budget Bill
I am disappointed that we are unable to debate amendments to the immigration act, which in my opinion do not belong in an omnibus budget bill. These changes to the immigration act violate the agreements that Canada has for international refugees.
Future of Health Research in Canada - The Student Perspective
I attended a lunch session of the Parliamentary Health Research caucus on the Future of Health Research in Canada - The Student Perspective. The speaker was Taylor Morriseau, a member of the Peguis First Nation and a PhD student who is studying how a genetic variant in Anishininiiwuk (Oji-Cree) youth influences Type 2 Diabetes onset, and how traditional diets may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
Housing Crisis
In the House of Commons I outlined the impact of the housing crisis on Nanaimo-Ladysmith. Too many vulnerable people are struggling to access housing, and so many of our local issues are linked to this crisis. I asked what the government can do right now to help the people of our community.
HEAL
I met with members of HEAL, Organizations for Health Action, a coalition of 40 organizations committed to working together to improve health care in Canada. Their priorities leading up to the October election are health care for seniors, and a national mental health strategy.
Meeting with Municipal Council Members
On Thursday, Elizabeth May and I met with councillors from our respective constituencies – Councillors Ned Taylor and Zac de Vries from Saanich, and Councillor Ben Geselbracht from Nanaimo. The meeting was constructive, and provided an excellent opportunity for local government leaders to discuss their communities’ needs to their federal counterparts.
Criminal Records for Simple Cannabis Possession
Bill C-93, is an act to provide no-cost, expedited record suspensions for simple possession of cannabis. I support the bill, although I would like to see it amended to include expungement. Too many people in this country have criminal records based on simple possession of cannabis. Expungement is the best solution, and it's critical that the record removal process be low or no cost.
Thank you to the voters of Nanaimo-Ladysmith
It's an honour to be here in this place, and I pledge to work hard and do my best to represent my constituents.
Curbing Emissions of the Oil and Gas Industry
In Question Period I asked the following question, based on analysis done by Barry Saxifrage and published in the National Observer:
"The provinces and territories that represent 85% of the Canadian population have reduced their greenhouse gases by 15% since 2005, almost enough to meet the 2020 targets that Canada agreed to in Copenhagen. "
But we will not meet that target because two provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, have increased emissions by the same amount and now account for 50% of Canada’s emissions.
"What is the government prepared to do to curb the emissions of Canada’s oil and gas industry so we can meet our international obligations?"
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