Tagged with: Conservatives


May 3, 2017 | No Comments

Did you know that Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world?

May is multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness month.

MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system.

This week, I was honoured to be the Conservative champion for the MS Society.

And today my colleagues and I wore carnations to show solidarity with the entire MS community.

Visit the MS Society’s website to learn more about MS and the important work they do to help all those who #LiveWithMS. https://mssociety.ca

Filed under: General

April 25, 2017 | No Comments

Did you know it’s National Volunteer Week?

I’m so grateful to the many volunteers who’ve helped me on my federal and municipal campaigns. And to the dedicated volunteers who continue to help ensure that I stay connected with residents of Edmonton Griesbach.

Having the opportunity to attend a lot of local community events, I also know Edmonton Griesbach is enriched by the tremendous contributions of community-minded volunteers.

This National Volunteer Week, I’d like to thank all those whose hard work makes our community a great place to live, work and play! Happy National Volunteer Week!

Filed under: General

April 13, 2017 | No Comments

Do you want an exciting summer job? An opportunity to exercise your creative muscles?

Position Title: Creative summer intern
Language Requirements: English, other languages considered an asset
Effective Date: June 5, 2017-September 2, 2017
Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Essential Qualifications
• Good skills at photography and videography
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, outgoing personality
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends to attend events with the Member of Parliament
• Effective interpersonal skills, good judgment, discretion, initiative, professionalism and team spirit

General Responsibility
The office of Kerry Diotte, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach, is looking for a summer intern to help develop and carry out creative projects and to also assist in the day-to-day tasks of a political office.  This paid internship is a unique opportunity to learn about politics and develop your creative skills.   

Interested candidates may apply before May 26, 2017 by sending their resume and creative work sample to Sally Harris at [email protected]. Creative work could include writing samples, photos or videos etc.

Please feel free to forward this opportunity to interested individuals.

All applications will be held in confidence and only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.

 

Filed under: General

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

Filed under: General

March 8, 2017 | No Comments

Today is International Women’s Day

It’s an opportunity to celebrate the countless contributions of women in our lives, our communities, our country and beyond.

Filed under: General

February 27, 2017 | No Comments

Conservatives release ‘made-in-Alberta’ solutions to tackle the jobs crisis

My Conservative colleagues and I have met with thousands of everyday Albertans to discuss the jobs crisis in the province.

We’ve heard your stories of how this crisis has impacted you. And, we’ve heard your ideas on how the federal government can help get Albertan back to work.

Today, our Alberta Conservative caucus released the Alberta Jobs Taskforce report that includes practical solutions to help create jobs and grow the economy in Alberta.

Read the full report here.




 

Filed under: General

February 27, 2017 | No Comments

Highly organized professional needed for Edmonton constituency office

THIS JOB COMPETITION IS CLOSED.

The office of Kerry Diotte, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach, is seeking a candidate to fill the full-time position of Constituent Assistant in Edmonton.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who takes initiative and possesses strong interpersonal skills. The candidate must possess sound judgement and absolute discretion.

Position Description:

Qualifications and Experience:

Assets:

Interested candidates should send their cover letter, resume and writing samples to the attention of Sally Harris at: [email protected]

**We thank all for applying, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. **

 

Filed under: General

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

Filed under: General

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

Filed under: General

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.

Filed under: General