Tagged with: Parliament


March 28, 2017 | No Comments

Update on motion M-103

Canadians value the rights and freedoms guaranteed to them in our free and democratic society – rights like freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

Our country’s continued strength and stability is dependent on our shared commitment to safeguard these rights.

On March 23, 2017, the House of Commons voted on M-103, a controversial private member’s motion introduced by Iqra Khalid, Liberal Member of Parliament for Mississauga – Erin Mills.

This motion passed.

I voted against M-103, you can see the recorded vote here.

I came to this decision after careful examination of the text of the motion and after considering the concerns raised by the vast majority of my constituents who reached out to me on the topic.

I had supported an earlier Conservative motion that was more inclusive. It condemned racism and discrimination towards Muslims and all religious groups. It’s curious that the Liberals played politics by not supporting that earlier motion.

The Liberal motion M-103 reads:

That, in the opinion of the House, the government should: (a) recognize the need to quell the increasing public climate of hate and fear; (b) condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination and take note of House of Commons’ petition e-411 and the issues raised by it; and (c) request that the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage undertake a study on how the government could (i) develop a whole-of-government approach to reducing or eliminating systemic racism and religious discrimination including Islamophobia, in Canada, while ensuring a community-centered focus with a holistic response through evidence-based policy-making, (ii) collect data to contextualize hate crime reports and to conduct needs assessments for impacted communities, and that the Committee should present its findings and recommendations to the House no later than 240 calendar days from the adoption of this motion, provided that in its report, the Committee should make recommendations that the government may use to better reflect the enshrined rights and freedoms in the Constitution Acts, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

This motion singles out Islam without reaffirming religious freedom for all faith groups.

It also focuses on a controversial term – Islamophobia – without defining it.

This raises a genuine concern that this motion could be a first step towards restricting legitimate freedom of speech and shut down reasonable debate rather than encourage it.

I strongly condemn all forms of systemic racism, religious intolerance, and discrimination against any religious community.

Unfortunately, any attempts to amend the wording of this motion were rejected.

That’s why David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills – Grasslands, introduced a similar motion on our Conservative Opposition day, which I supported and the Liberals rejected.

That motion reads:

That the House: (a) recognize that Canadian society is not immune to the climate of hate and fear exemplified by the recent and senseless violent acts at a Quebec City mosque; (b) condemn all forms of systemic racism, religious intolerance, and discrimination of Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, and other religious communities; and (c) instruct the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to undertake a study on how the government could (i) develop a whole-of-government approach to reducing or eliminating all types of discrimination in Canada, while ensuring a community-centered focus with a holistic response through evidence-based policy-making, (ii) collect data to contextualize hate crime reports and to conduct needs assessments for impacted communities; and that the Committee report its findings and recommendations to the House no later than 240 calendar days from the adoption of this motion, provided that in its report, the Committee should make recommendations that the government may use to better reflect the enshrined rights and freedoms in the Constitution Acts, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

It’s unfortunate that despite the support of all other parties, the Liberals voted against this motion and defeated it.

Every Canadian has the right to religious freedom – to be able practice their faith without fear of intimidation, coercion or violence.

Freedom of expression – so long as it isn’t violent or threatening – is also a sacred right.

As the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach, I’m committed to protecting these rights.  

It’s my sincere hope that any dialogue and studies in response to M-103 will be inclusive and protect all the rights that we value as Canadians.

© Library of Parliament

© Library of Parliament

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March 22, 2017 | No Comments

The new Liberal budget is out and it’s going to cost you

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March 21, 2017 | No Comments

Ukraine is in need of support from Canada

In the face of ongoing Russian military aggression, Liberals have announced minimal measures to help Ukraine. While the extension of Operation UNIFIER is positive, it is the bare minimum. 

As a friend and an ally, Canada has a moral duty to stand with Ukraine. Here’s my speech from the debate on the extension of Operation UNIFIER.

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February 25, 2017 | No Comments

Calling all young writers!

What does Parliament mean to you?

The Speakers of the House of Commons and the Senate have launched a speech writing competition in honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Find full details here: https://www.facebook.com/PARLyouth/app/941345315938094/

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February 23, 2017 | No Comments

Passing Wynn’s law should be a no-brainer

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak in the House during the debate on Wynn’s law.

This legislation will require that prosecutors disclose a bail applicant’s criminal history at a bail hearing.

By closing this loophole in the Criminal Code, this legislation could save lives and increase public safety.

But the Liberals have vowed to vote against this common-sense piece of legislation.

Sign this petition today to tell the Liberal government to support Wynn’s law: https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-712

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February 17, 2017 | No Comments

Sign this e-petition today urging the Liberals to pass Wynn’s Law

Constable David Wynn was murdered by a career criminal out on bail, whose criminal history wasn’t disclosed at the bail hearing.

Currently, Canada’s Criminal Code doesn’t require the disclosure of a bail applicant’s criminal history.

Wynn’s law would close this loophole.

I’ve already received feedback from hundreds of you that think Wynn’s law is common-sense legislation.

Shamefully, the Liberal government has vowed to defeat this legislation.

If you want to see Wynn’s law passed, send the Liberals a message and sign this e-petition today: https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-712

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February 9, 2017 | No Comments

Why hasn’t the construction started?

Edmonton’s Liberal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi talks a good game but he’s failing to deliver the goods on his promised projects.

Only one of 127 infrastructure projects announced by the Liberals has started construction.

Nothing has started in Edmonton.

In the House of Commons, I demanded to know why. Sohi evaded the question.

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January 19, 2017 | No Comments

Apply today for the Canada Summer Jobs program

Don’t forget the extended deadline for the Canada Summer Jobs program is February 3, 2017.

This initiative supports local employers, while also providing valuable work experience for students across Canada.

Visit here for more information.

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December 14, 2016 | No Comments

My Christmas statement in the House of Commons

This Christmas season my thoughts are with my constituents of Edmonton Griesbach and all Albertans that have been negatively impacted by the growing jobs crisis.

I’ll continue to urge the Liberal government to deliver real solutions to help get Albertans back to work.

 

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December 8, 2016 | No Comments

Continuing the debate on my private member’s bill, Bill C-306 at Second Reading

I had the pleasure of continuing the debate on my private member’s bill, Bill C-306 at Second Reading.

The history of 1944 is clear. Josef Stalin signed an order that sent the Crimean Tatars into exile in Central Asia. The Soviet Union tore innocent people from their homes, packed them into cattle cars, and sent them to perish. They were erased from history, denied their language, culture and faith. These events constitute genocide.

After officially declaring the deportations of 1944 a genocide, Ukraine has issued a call to rest of the world to respond.

As close friend, Canada needs to respond to that call. I urge all Members of Parliament to support Bill c-306.

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