Green party proposes lowering voting age to 16

In a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Commons, former Green Party leader, MP Elizabeth May wants to change our federal voting system.

In her proposal the voting age would be lowered so 16-year-old minors can vote.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of this proposal. Keeping the voting age at 18 makes sense. At 18, you’re considered an adult and are responsible as such in a way 16 year olds aren’t. 

But that’s not just my opinion, in the fall I ran this question to constituents in my weekly survey. 

People overwhelmingly voted that they didn’t want to lower the voting age to 16. 

But let’s have another survey on that question to see if people have changed their minds. 

Have your say at the link below. I’ll publish the results in next week’s 
e-newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

Paper immigration files are being held up under the Liberals

By KERRY DIOTTE
Member of Parliament
Edmonton Griesbach

Since I was elected in 2015 our Edmonton constituency office has helped out scores of people who are eager to come to Canada to start a new life.

The vast majority of these folks have dutifully gone through proper channels filling out mounds of official paperwork needed for their immigration files.

But since COVID hit, those cases have stalled in a big way. Federal workers revealed to us that there was virtually no movement at all on cases involving “hard copy” or paper files as opposed to electronic applications.

Because of COVID, civil servants have largely been working at home and haven’t had access to paper records back at their offices, so little or no work was taking place on those files, we were told.

So, these applicants follow the rules, fill out the required paperwork to try to enter this country legally and – well, too bad, it sucks to be you.

I thought this was exceedingly unfair so I filed an official House of Commons Order Paper question asking a variety of things including how many applicants had their cases delayed simply as a result of the fact civil servants didn’t have access to their hard copy case files.

Among other details, I demanded to know how many people were impacted and how long files were being delayed.

The answers I got back via Marco Mendicino, the minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), were vague, incomplete and showed me there’s little or no plan to solve this very basic bureaucratic boondoggle…

 

 

 

 

Trudeau’s blaming of Mulroney on vaccine problems delusional, say experts

In the House of Commons I constantly hear Trudeau blame Stephen Harper for Liberal failings but he’s now reaching back decades to blame former PM Brian Mulroney. 

But as this report points out, blame for the trickle of vaccines to Canada rests squarely with this current incompetent Liberal government. It’s time for Trudeau to quit blaming others for his problems, man up to them and fix things. 

 

 

 

China sanctions Canadian MPs 

Communist China has announced sanctions on Canadians in response to our sanctioning of them for their horrific and genocidal treatment of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim people.

Included on the list of people being sanctioned is my friend and colleague Michael Chong, the Conservatives Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

Chong released the following statement on Twitter:  

“We’ve got a duty to call out China for its crackdown in #HongKong & its genocide of #Uyghurs. We who live freely in democracies under the rule of law must speak for the voiceless. If that means China sanctions me, I’ll wear it as a badge of honour.”

As Canadians we have a duty to stand up for human rights around the world.

 

Standing up for the human rights of the Falun Gong

 

I advocated for our industries to American Congressional representatives 

I was glad to be part of this discussion and lobbying of our U.S. Congress counterparts. I particularly pushed them on the Keystone XL Pipeline and on the planned shutdown of Enbridge Line 5 by Michigan’s Democrat governor.

 

 

 

 

There’s hope for live summer concerts

We might have a live summer concert or two in Edmonton if conditions are favourable.

Recently I had an excellent meeting with Trixstar president Mike Anderson regarding his company’s desire to hold small-scale concerts this summer at the former Northlands Park in my riding of Edmonton Griesbach.

Mike said he’s proposing them to be held while paying close attention to COVID health measure protocols.

I told him I’d be glad to endorse the idea by contacting Premier Jason Kenney.

Here’s the premier’s official response. Fingers crossed we will soon see a return of this type of live entertainment.

It was great to talk with folks of the National Council of Canadian Muslims

I had an informative meeting with representatives of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM). They met to advocate for the Canadian Muslim charitable sector, that includes humanitarian organizations, mosques, social service organizations and others. Kudos for the charitable work you do for all Canadians.

In the news

• Federal government spent nearly $11K on Bill Morneau’s failed bid for OECD job. Link
• Trudeau Liberals call Pierre Poilievre a ‘white supremacist’ for wearing a pro energy sweater. Link
• A devastating review of Canada’s COVID response. Link
• Documentary reveals the false hope of so-called ‘green tech.’ Link
• The new Inquisition must never win. Link
• Delays plague ‘inconsistent and incomplete’ $188B infrastructure program: auditor general. Link
• Michael Chong’s badge of honour. Link
• Tories demand Trudeau testify on WE Charity deal after Liberals reject hearing from PM staff. Link
• Liberals say they won’t call an election—but open campaign office. Link

You said it

• “There’s a lot of unanswered questions!” [regarding the WE Charity scandal] —  Hazel C. 
• “The investigation into the Liberal WE scandal is taking too long. Trudeau is afraid the investigation will reveal his corruption. No wonder he is putting in so many road blocks!” —  Mary P. 
• “The opposition must be more aggressive regarding no budgets, the committees controlled by the liberals who refuse to co-operate in hearings!” —  Denis L.

 

 

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks if they thought senior Liberal staffers should appear as witnesses in WE Charity review as we Conservatives are demanding.

A clear majority of folks wanted to see the staffers appear as witnesses. 

Unfortunately, the Liberals are committed to blocking their senior staff from testifying on the record. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

Latest news on COVID-19 

 

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Health Services or the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Alberta Health Services can also be reached by phone at 811. 

Benefits available for Canadians

There are programs available to help you and your family during this COVID pandemic. 

 

 

 

 

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I want to hear from you 

I’m always eager to hear from you. Do you have beefs? Bouquets? Suggestions?

Drop me a note to my e-mail address.

Please note our local Edmonton constituency office is currently still open to serve you but it’s by appointment only. We simply ask that you call ahead to book an appointment.

Call or e-mail us and we’ll be happy to serve you.

Thanks so much. Stay healthy!

E-mail:
[email protected]

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6