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Language Requirements: English, other languages considered an asset

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Essential Qualifications
• 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
• Basic skills with computers, photography and video

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 skills.   

Interested candidates may apply before June 4, 2019 by sending their resume and creative work sample to Sally Harris at Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca 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.***

May 18, 2019

Ottawa, ON – Kerry Diotte, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach, released the following statement regarding the 75th anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean Tatars:

“Seventy-five years ago today, the Crimean Tatar families lived through the most horrific chapter in their nation’s history. Over 200,000 innocent Crimean Tatar men, women and children were forcibly deported from their ancestral homes in Crimea to Central Asia and Siberia. Joseph Stalin was the architect, and the secret police (NKVD) was the executor, of this horrific act of genocide, which deprived the Crimean Tatars of their homeland for decades.

“For weeks the Crimean Tatars were locked in cattle cars on their way to their place of exile. Thousands perished during the trip due to severe malnutrition, disease and lack of medical assistance. But this was not enough for Stalin. His brutal Soviet regime banned survivors from speaking their language, practicing their religion and passing their culture to their children. Despite all the atrocities committed against them, the Crimean Tatars persevered in exile and managed to return to Crimea, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“Today once again, the Crimean Tatars face grave challenges. The Putin regime’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 again presents a real threat to the survival of the Crimean Tatars and others on the peninsula. People are denied their human rights and are targeted for their culture, religion and language by the local illegal authorities.

“Canada’s Conservatives have always supported the Crimean Tatar people, as part of our principled support of Ukraine. In 2016, I was proud to introduce Bill C-306, which would have once and for all officially recognized the Crimean Tatar deportation as genocide. Sadly, this Liberal government opposed recognizing the facts of this brutal chapter of history and overwhelmingly voted against the bill.

“We will always stand united with Crimean Tatars against Russia’s persecution and illegal occupation. We will never forget the victims of the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars, and will work to ensure proper recognition of this inhumane atrocity.”

–30–

Glad to stand with our Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer and my MP colleagues and Parliament Hill interns from Ukraine to celebrate Vyshyvanka Day. #vyshyvanka #ukraine

OTTAWA, ON – Kerry Diotte, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach, issued the following statement on the Liberals’ decision to undermine establishing a Memorial Day for the Crimean Tatars:

“In 2016, Conservatives proposed Bill C-306 to establish a Crimean Tatar Deportation (“Sürgünlik”) Memorial Day to recognize the 200,000 Crimean Tatars deported by the Soviet Union in 1944 as genocide.

“While this legislation gained widespread support, the Liberals used their majority to defeat this bill at second reading in the House of Commons. With the introduction of a non-binding motion with similar content in an election year, the Liberals are once again putting their partisan interests ahead of what’s best for Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars. 

“The vast majority of Liberal MPs denied Crimean Tatars from memorializing a significant time in their history. Canadians will not forget the Liberals’ shameful voting record when they had the opportunity to do the right thing.

“By defeating Bill C-306, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals once again confirm that they are more interested in appeasing Vladimir Putin than standing up for Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, and those oppressed by Putin’s regime.

“Canada’s Conservatives will continue to stand with Ukrainians, Crimeans, and all those fighting to uphold freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”

-30-

On May 8, 1945 the War in Europe ended. 
After twelve long bleak years – six of which at war – the tyranny of Nazi Germany came to an end. 
Yet, that victory over tyranny came at a steep price, 42,042 Canadians paid the ultimate sacrifice for that victory in Europe and later in the Pacific. 
Seventy-four years later the sacrifice of those everyday heroes hasn’t been forgotten, nor should it ever be. Lest we forget. #lestweforget#VictoryinEurope

The office of Kerry Diotte, Member of Parliament (MP) 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:

• Assisting residents of the riding of Edmonton Griesbach to get help from federal government departments
• Liaising with community leaders and organizers
• Seeking out key events and activities for the MP to attend in the community
• Organizing the member’s local schedule
• Occasional weekend and evening events with the MP

Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree or diploma in a relevant field or equivalent work experience
• Strong interpersonal communication skills including professionalism on the phone
• Excellent writing, organizational and time management skills
• Works well as part of a team in a professional setting
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook

Assets:

• Previous political work experience
• Proficiency in a language other than English
• Social media abilities
• Basic skills with smartphone photography and video

Interested candidates should send their cover letter, resume and writing samples to the attention of Sally Harris at: kerry.diotte@parl.gc.ca

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

April 30, 2019

NEWS RELEASE

Newspaper apologizes to Edmonton Griesbach Conservative MP

A libel lawsuit brought against the University of Alberta student publication The Gateway by Edmonton Griesbach Member of Parliament Kerry Diotte has been settled.

The settlement came after the newspaper agreed to publish a full retraction and apology for publishing two articles that referred to Diotte as “a racist.”

“I’m glad that my lawyer and theirs could come to a mutually agreeable solution without a protracted court fight,” said Diotte, a former journalist and an ex-national director of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

“I’m a strong believer in free speech but it’s important to remember there are legal lines that can’t be crossed,” he said.

“Those legal lines against libel apply whether you’re a mainstream journalist, a blogger or a commentator on Twitter.”

The Member of Parliament, elected in 2015, says he now considers the issue resolved and does not intend to make further public comments on it.

Below is the text of The Gateway’s full retraction and apology:

Apology and retraction to Kerry Diotte, Member of Parliament

On November 3, 2018 and November 5, 2018, the University of Alberta Gateway newspaper published articles online about Edmonton-Griesbach Member of Parliament Kerry Diotte that described him as “a racist.”

That characterization of Mr. Diotte is false, damaging to his reputation, and caused Mr. Diotte and his family unwarranted embarrassment.

The Gateway sincerely and wholeheartedly apologizes to Mr. Diotte for this wrongful characterization and retracts the offending articles.

https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2019/04/apology-and-retraction-to-kerry-diotte-member-of-parliament/