Happy Lunar New Year!
To all those celebrating today, I wish you and your family health, happiness and prosperity.
Happy New Year!
Tagged with: Community
Watch this poignant video on the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars
This heartrending video on the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars was created by survivors and their descendants in Ukraine.
Today in the House of Commons, my Private Member’s Bill, C-306, the Crimean Tatar Deportation (“Sürgünlik”) Memorial Day Act will be debated. Visit here to see the full text of my bill.
Canada’s formal recognition of this genocidal act will bring Canadians, Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars closer together, and in this spirit I am hoping to have the support of all Members of Parliament.
Nov. 26, 2016 is Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day
On this solemn occasion, we remember all the victims of the Holodomor and stand with Ukrainian-Canadians and Ukrainians worldwide to share in your grief and hope.
Vichnaya Pamyat
More support for Bill C-306
I’m pleased to receive the support of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress for my Bill, C-306.
Ten good reasons a carbon tax won’t work
By KERRY DIOTTE
We’ve heard a lot about carbon taxes lately.
In Ottawa, the Liberal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have enthusiastically touted imposing a carbon tax nationwide as a way to actually create scores of new jobs (believe it or not).
In reality, a carbon tax will cripple our economy and lead to job losses.
My Conservative colleagues and I are fighting tooth and nail to stop this ill-conceived tax grab.
Here are my Top 10 good reasons Canada’s federal government shouldn’t impose a carbon tax.
- Day-to-day costs will increase for Canadians, adding up to more than $2,500 annually for the average family.
- It will be especially painful for people in northern communities who already pay dearly for home heating, vehicle fuel and groceries including milk.
- A carbon tax tilts the economic playing field in favour of our competitors that don’t pay carbon taxes.
- Canada is already in an economic downturn and this will cause a further weakening of our economy when we can least afford it.
- Liberals say it’ll create jobs. Yeah right. Maybe for tax collectors and solar panel salespeople but not for other sectors.
- Canadians weren’t crying out for a carbon tax. In oil and gas producing provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, the majority of people are opposed to a carbon tax.
- The tax will have a negligible effect on reducing greenhouse gases on the planet.
- While Canadian prosperity would suffer under a tax on carbon, countries like China would see an economic boom spurred by continued construction of greenhouse gas producing coal-fired power plants.
- Canada produces just .001 of greenhouse gases. Even if we were to meet our carbon reduction targets as hoped by 2030, all of our efforts and sacrifices would be nullified if the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters continue to increase their emissions.
- Taxing Canadians won’t reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are efficient solutions to battling climate change including investing in carbon capture and storage projects, offering Canadians incentives to reduce their carbon footprint and encouraging industries to come up with cleaner technologies.
What are your thoughts on this issue? I want to hear them. E-mail [email protected].
Honoured to receive support for Bill C-306
In the short time since I introduced Bill C-306, I’m honoured to have received messages of support from Canadian groups, Tatar leaders and individuals from across the country and abroad.
Here’s a copy of the support letters that I have received from:
- Rustem Irsay – President of the Canadian Association of Crimean Tatars;
- Orest Steciw – National President of the League of Ukrainian Canadians;
- Mustafa Jemilev – Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for the Affairs of Crimean Tatars;
- and Refat Chubarov – People’s Deputy of Ukraine Chair of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People.
Visit here to read the full text of Bill C-306: http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&DocId=8446568
Lest we forget.
Thank you to all of Canada’s men and women in uniform – past and present – for your tremendous service to Canada.
Your invitation to participate in local Remembrance Day ceremonies
This week is Veterans week.
It’s an opportunity to pause and remember the men and women who have served Canada with great distinction.
Their willingness to defend freedom, democracy and the rule of law is the reason that we as Canadians continue to live in peace and security.
This Remembrance Day, I hope you will join me in honouring and remembering the bravery and sacrifice of Canada’s Veterans.
Here’s a list of just some of the local ceremonies happening on Remembrance Day:
Beverly Memorial Cenotaph
Service starts at Maranatha Church at 9:30 a.m., followed by a parade to the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph. The ceremony at the Cenotaph begins at 11 a.m.
Calder Cenotaph
Service starts at the Northwest Seniors Centre at 10 a.m., followed by a parade to the Calder Cenotaph. The ceremony at the Cenotaph begins at 10:50 a.m.
Patricia Park in Griesbach
Service starts at 10:45 a.m. at Patricia Park in Griesbach. The ceremony is hosted by Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
ANAVETS Sir Winston Churchill Unit Three
Parade starts at the top of the Shaw Center (on Jasper Ave.) and will march to the Cenotaph on the West Side of the Shaw Center. The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome and Veterans are invited to join the march.
