Blog

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.

The ministry response crowed that, despite the pandemic “all IRCC offices in Canada are open and operating at various capacities and nearly 80% of our in-Canada officers are working remotely.” I think the key words there are offices are “operating at various capacities.” What’s that mean? Is that 5% or 99%? Maybe they could narrow it down just a wee bit?

The department didn’t answer my main questions clearly at all but merely provided an unhelpful appendix containing a hodgepodge of statistics. None of those stats answered the primary questions asked of the ministry or Minister Mendicino.

One small detail, however, provided a smidgen of hope to those wanting to legally immigrate to our great country. “IRCC has contracted a third-party service provider to complete the scanning and digitization of certain Permanent Resident paper files … to increase the speed of processing …”

Wow, so even though the Immigration ministry had all their staff working at home or remotely, they STILL had to hire a contractor to try to solve the alleged problem in the first place?

To restate that problem: Immigration files submitted by “hard copy,” on paper, have not been fully accessible to staffers, so case files were not being adequality processed.

This, by the way, is not to say we don’t have capable federal civil servants. Our office deals with many who are dedicated and care deeply about helping Canadians.

What this does show is that the “system” and the way it functions is deeply flawed. Canadians who pay their taxes deserve much better.

So do the earnest people from all over the word who are dutifully following the rules to legally apply to come to Canada to build a better life.

I really feel sorry for folks from Ethiopia or Mexico or Lebanon or Ukraine or from the dozens of other countries who are stuck in this bureaucratic quagmire of inefficiency through no fault of their own.

Maybe next time one of these fine folks calls my office for the third time wondering how on earth it could take so long to bring their wife and family to Canada I should just transfer them to Immigration Minister Mendicino.

Let him explain how his Liberal government-led immigration system has failed them.

 

 

See Erin O’Toole’s full speech by clicking on the video above. 

Canada still way behind on vaccines

According to our world in data Canada currently stands at 51st (March 21) for vaccinating its people. We’re behind not just the United States and the United Kingdom but also Chile, Barbados, Hungary, Morocco, Turkey, Greece and 42 other countries/territories. 

Recent plans for the U.S. to send 1.5 million doses is a welcome relief. Hopefully, we can start to see real progress in vaccinating everyone who wants a vaccine.

Yet, as welcome as the new vaccines are, the fact remains we’re weeks if not months behind dozens of other countries. That unacceptable fact means, that under Justin Trudeau’s leadership, Canada’s going to have to have lockdowns longer and more Canadians are going to be at risk for longer. 

The two Michaels have been detained by China for more than two years

By TRISTIN HOPPER
National Post

“Both men are believed to be in cells with dimensions of roughly three-by-three metres, and they share their space with other prisoners, although the exact number is not known. There is no furniture and sleeping is done on a thin mattress that must be rolled up during the day. Each cell has rudimentary toilet facilities that are shared among cellmates with no privacy.

“He says that it really weighs on the soul when you can’t see more than 10 feet in any direction. He has not been able to see more than 10 feet in any direction. His life, as he calls it, is very monastic, very sparse,” Kovrig’s wife Vina Nadjibulla told CBC in June. Nadjibulla has heard Kovrig’s voice just once since his detention when he was allowed a 16-minute phone call in March, 2020 to speak to his ailing father. In that same June interview with CBC, Nadjibulla said her husband “talked about how we were doing and how much he loves us and misses us and that he’s OK and was very worried about his dad.”

(Read the full article by Tristin Hopper, National Post at the link below)

 

 

 

 

We’re sanctioning Chinese Officials over genocide of Uyghurs in Xinjiang

Following our Conservative motion (Feb.22) — to recognize that a genocide is currently being carried out by Communist China against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims — Canada is finally taking action against the horrific human rights abuses happening in Xinjiang. 

In the news

• Can Justin Trudeau ever say anything good about Canada? Link
• States sue Biden in bid to revive Keystone XL pipeline. Link
• ‘Very vague’ gun control bill threatens airsoft industry, says business owner. Link
• Canada hits Chinese officials with sanctions over ‘gross’ human rights violations in Xinjiang. Link
• More than the Second World War: Here’s the eyewatering debt Canada is racking up. Link
• Five key takeaways from the Kielburger brothers’ testimony. Link
• Conservatives say senior Liberal staffers should appear as witnesses in WE Charity review. Link

You said it

• “Trudeau has made many poor decisions for Canadians, including Bill C-7. I’m worried about our future.” —  Mary P. 
• “Absolutely no need to increase any highway speed limit to 120 in Alberta! Keep up the great work Kerry.” —  Bob M. 
• “Hard to see who is more devious and conniving; Trudeau or the Keilburgers!” —  Douglas B.

Have your say

Canadians still don’t have all the answers about the WE Scandal.

At every step of the way Liberals have obstructed the investigation.

They’ve prorogued Parliament, filibustered committees, they’ve even threated to call an election, all in an attempt to shutter the investigation.

Do you think senior Liberal staffers should appear as witnesses in WE Charity review as we Conservatives are demanding? 

Have you’re say in my unofficial poll.

 

 

 

 

 

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks if they would like to see speed limits raised on some Alberta highways to as high as 120 km/h.

People were clearly divided but the clear majority were in favour of increasing the speed limits. 

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. 

 

 

 

 

Share this valuable e-newsletter with a friend or post it on social media

You can share it here.

If you’re not subscribed to this regular e-newsletter, sign up below.

Members of Parliament get the most current, accurate and comprehensive updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Want regular highlights of these? Sign up for my e-newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up here.

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

Canadians still don’t have all the answers about the WE Scandal.

At every step of the way Liberals have obstructed the investigation.

They’ve prorogued Parliament, filibustered committees, they’ve even threated to call an election, all in an attempt to shutter the investigation.

We’d all like to tell Justin Trudeau a thing or two.

As Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach I’ve got a chance to do just that.

So, what do you think I should tell him?

I’ve got some helpful suggestions. 

Take my 30-second survey. Tell me the Top 3 things you want me to tell Trudeau.

 

 

 

A petition by Canadians against the Liberals’ gun laws sets a record

There IS a value to signing petitions. This shows you how out of touch Justin Trudeau and his Liberals are with average Canadians and law-abiding firearms owners. 

More than 230,000 people signed this petition! Kudos to every one of you for speaking up by signing it. Kudos to independent media outlet True North for doing a story on this. You don’t see much coverage of this in the mainstream media.  

As a Conservative MP I will continue to fight for the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Liberals crackdown on them while not doing a thing to stop the real problem —  gun-smuggling and gangs. Please share this post:

 

 

 

I voted to increase Old Age Security benefits for our seniors

An opposition party motion in the House of Commons passed (183-147) on March 8 demanding the Liberal government, in the next budget, increase the Old Age Security benefit by $110 a month for those aged 65 and up.

Despite how the Liberals love to spend money I’m actually amazed how many of them voted AGAINST this motion to give a little more money to our seniors.

Just FYI, I voted for the motion as did my Conservative colleagues.

New online voting system for the House of Commons passes early test

Here’s what voting looks like in the Canadian Parliament these days with most MPs using a new voting app due to COVID rules around how many people can be in the House of Commons.

Obviously, we’d all rather be “live” in the House but the app has been doing its job.

 

 

We must oppose massacres and other grave human rights abuses in Ethiopia

Recently I presented a petition in the House of Commons about the humanitarian crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and the need for Canada to help spur some international action to stop it.

There are reports of war crimes happening in the region including a large-scale massacre.

Human rights organizations are gravely concerned.

We need to push for an immediate end to this horrific situation.

Beware of Tech Support Scams 

Edmonton Police Services are warning Edmontonians about a tech scam where scammers claim that your computer has a serious virus problem.

Please be on the lookout. 

 

 

 

In the news

• Accepting responsibility is not in Harjit Sajjan’s vocabulary. Link
• 73% of Canadian arts professors are leftists: new report. Link
• Alberta private member’s bill would increase some highway speed limits to 120 km/h. Link
• Liberal spending priorities focus on consuming today and shortchanging the future. Link
• ‘It was political’: China actively blocked development of CanSino vaccine, MPs learn. Link
• The Kielburgers have conditions for Parliament? Who the hell do they think they are? Link

You said it

• “Kindly tell Justin to stop meddling in the affairs of average Canadians. We want to be left alone. His job should be solely focused now on new jobs and sorting out the economy instead of hitting us with new taxes or taking away our property.” —  Cameron C. 
• “You need to help end the gun ban Trudeau is putting forth on legal gun owners. You should know since its pretty obvious banning guns will not stop CRIMINALS from getting them they don’t care about laws its very obvious. You need to stand up for Canada and stop letting China have their influence over us. You need to help put an end to this ridiculous cancel culture that is happening.” —  Corey S. 
• “I am a newcomer to Canada therefore I am not too familiar with most of the politics except that I think repeat crime offender needs to be punished more if they cannot be reformed.” —  Horace W.

Have your say

A provincial MLA is proposing raising the speed limit on highways here in Alberta. 

Would you like to see speed limits raised on some Alberta highways to as high as 120 km/h?

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

Share this valuable e-newsletter with a friend 

You can share it here.

If you’re not subscribed to this regular e-newsletter, sign up below.

Members of Parliament get the most current, accurate and comprehensive updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Want regular highlights of these? Sign up for my e-newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up here.

I want to hear from you 

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

Drop me a note at 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

As your Member of Parliament, I need and value your feedback. 

If you could tell Prime Minister Justin Trudeau something, what would it be?

Seriously.

Tell me what key issues are most important to you. Tell me your priorities so I can fight for them on your behalf in Ottawa.

Take this quick two-minutes survey at the link below.

Hearing from you is vital so I can focus on issues that truly matter for our community. 

Thanks for taking the time to do this. 

Send your friends the link to do the survey too! 

 

 

 

 

The Liberals will fight hard for Line 5. Where was their fight for Keystone?  

The headline of a recent Canadian Press column paraphrases Liberal Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan and reads “Line 5 ‘very different’ from Keystone XL and Canada will fight hard for it.”

Now it’s great to hear that the Liberal government is finally willing to defend a major energy project. The Line 5 pipeline is important and we should fight for it.  

It’s the main oil supply for Ontario and Quebec and moving oil via a pipeline is the safest and most economical way to do it. 

Yet, where was this determination when the American’s axed Keystone XL? 

When that important project was cancelled all the federal government did was say they were ‘disappointed.’ Beyond that there was nothing but crickets.

We now know that it wasn’t that the Liberal government can’t fight hard, they deliberately choose not to — to the detriment of Canadians across the country but especially here in the West.

Minister O’Regan has one thing right though. Line 5 is very different than Keystone XL. That difference is how he and the Liberal government is treating them. 

Expect to see this very valuable tax guide for you in your mailbox

If you live in my federal riding of Edmonton Griesbach look for this tax guide arriving in your mailbox. It contains a lot of tips to save you money this tax season.

 

Let’s celebrate strong women

Let’s all celebrate the achievements of women and girls all around the world.

We’re all sad to hear of the death of Walter Gretzky. I wanted to share this great Malcom Mayes cartoon from The Edmonton Journal.

Edmonton child predator released back in our community for the third time

By LISA MACGREGOR
Global News

“Michael Cooper, MP for St. Albert-Edmonton, thinks we need to look at ways to strengthen criminal laws and mandatory jail time to keep repeat offenders like Larsen in prison.

“It keeps happening because, unfortunately, our laws are not keeping dangerous criminals behind bars — that’s really the bottom line. It is a revolving door,” Cooper said.

“Unless you’re designated a dangerous offender or subject to a long-term supervision order, the fact is far too many individuals who are dangerous are let out onto the street.”

Cooper said being designated a dangerous offender has a high threshold.

“Fewer than 1,000 offenders have been designated as a dangerous offender since 1978, even though 90 per cent of dangerous offenders are sex offenders. Right now, it is a Criminal Code offence if you, for example, breach a term of bail but it is not a Criminal Code offence if you breach a term of your parole. That needs to change.” Cooper said.

“I am hearing a lot of frustration from the public who see this as a revolving door, and rightfully so. Any offender who targets a child is a threat to all children in our community, and it speaks to the need to strengthen our criminal justice system to hold these types of offenders accountable.”

(Read the whole article by Lisa MacGregor, Global News at the link below)

 

 

 

I’m working to support human rights for all people around the world 

I was pleased to meet with members of the Oromo community from Edmonton and across Canada to discuss their ongoing concerns with the treatment of the Oromo in Ethiopia.

Small-scale concerts at Northlands are a possibility this summer 

I had an excellent discussion with Trixstar president Mike Anderson regarding his company’s desire to hold small-scale concerts this summer at the former Northlands Park while paying close attention to COVID health measure protocols.

In the news

• • • MPs unanimously vote to issue summons for Craig and Marc Kielburger to testify at ethics committee. Link
    • Erin O’Toole: Canada needs to deepen ties with the world’s largest democracy, India. Link
    • Sajjan knew about Vance allegations since 2018: former military ombudsman. Link
    • Is the Trudeau Government “the worst Canadian government ever?” Link
    • Canada is not a racist country, nor are its institutions. Link
    • Trudeau’s carbon taxes — big costs and broken promises. Link
    • Feds spent quarter-billion dollars on ventilators that didn’t work. Link
    • Why are the Liberals standing up for Line 5 but not Keystone XL? Link
    • New definition of hate to be included in Liberal bill that might also revive contentious hate speech law. Link
    • The cult of the woke and its illiberal dogma. Link

 

You said it

• “I feel that Trudeau will not want a spring election because he has an excellent chance of losing. Canadians are aware of the scandals that he caused, and the poor decisions he made for Canada.” —  Mary P.
• “Hosting an election during this pandemic is not a healthy exercise. Anyone who pushes for this result will be penalized at the voting station.” —  Don G.
• “Time to overhaul the laws for violent crimes.” —  Dan B.

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks if they thought the Liberals were going to call a spring election. 

People were divided on the issue but a slim majority said yes. 

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. 

 

 

 

 

Share this valuable e-newsletter with a friend 

You can share it here.

If you’re not subscribed to this regular e-newsletter, sign up below.

Members of Parliament get the most current, accurate and comprehensive updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Want regular highlights of these? Sign up for my e-newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up here.

I want to hear from you 

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

Drop me a note at 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

Let’s all celebrate the achievements of women and girls all around the world.