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Today in the House of Commons I told Justin Trudeau to get back to work, call U.S. President Joe Biden and demand he reverse his decision that shut down the vital Keystone XL pipeline.

Tell Trudeau to fight back on Keystone XL decision! Sign this petition

Help me pressure the PM to demand Biden revist his Keystone XL decision. 
If enough people raise their voices we can make a difference. 

No Pfizer vaccines to be delivered to Canada this week

Under Justin Trudeau’s leadership, Canada has shamefully fallen behind scores of other countries in providing COVID-19 vaccines.

It has now been reported that Canada — unlike other countries — isn’t going to receive any Pfizer vaccines till next month.

Because of the failure of this Liberal government, clinics across the country have had to cancel appointments, leaving frontline workers and at-risk Canadians unprotected.

Trudeau should be demanding more vaccines from the pharmaceutical giants that have generously provided better supplies to other nations.

Trudeau failed to vet his “excellent” choice for Governor General

By JOHN IVISON
National Post

“When allegations about a toxic work environment at Rideau Hall began to surface, Justin Trudeau dismissed the idea of replacing the “excellent” Julie Payette as Governor General.

The country doesn’t want a constitutional crisis to add to the existing health crisis, he said in September.

Now, not only does he have both, he has a unity crisis too.  

At the end of a miserable work week, Trudeau had to call the Queen to confess that he had botched the appointment of Her Majesty’s representative.

Meanwhile, he was dealing with a COVID vaccine supply problem and brewing regional unrest, as premiers across the country expressed their discontent at Ottawa’s handling of the Keystone XL pipeline issue.

When Trudeau faced reporters on Friday, he attempted to contort his face into a smile, as he was badgered about Payette’s exit, but his eyes betrayed a secret desire to whip his tormentors with wire and then stew them in brine.”

Read the full article by John Ivison, National Post at the link below.

In the news

• Canada should retaliate against Biden’s wrong-headed decision to cancel Keystone. Here’s how. Link
• Canada’s vaccine delays to dominate agenda as Parliament set to resume Monday. Link
• Liberals bury Canada’s energy superpower hopes. Link
• Edmonton city councillor Mike Nickel running for mayor in 2021 election. Link
• Taxpayers shouldn’t be paying Payette’s expenses forever. Link
• Alberta premier slams Biden for nixing Keystone XL pipeline. Link
• Indigenous leaders ‘devastated’ by Biden’s predicted scrapping of KXL pipeline. Link
• Were I an Albertan today, I’d be asking: What’s the point? Link
• No apology from Trudeau over Payette appointment following ‘scathing’ report, resignation. Link
• Farmers concerned over rail demand following Keystone XL cancellation. Link
• With Keystone XL back on the shelf, oilpatch pressure mounts on Trudeau and Trans Mountain. Link
• Garneau won’t rule out invoking Emergencies Act to limit pandemic travel. Link
• California Democrat floats $23 minimum wage. Link
• Trudeau’s failure means no Pfizer doses next week for Canada. Link
• Regina weighs ban of fossil fuel sponsorships, drawing ire of Sask. premier. Link
• Not Black enough, historic Black church told in being denied federal funding. Link
• Quebec premier floats idea of making travellers quarantine in hotels, at their own expense. Link

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks if they were a fan of Rebel Media stories and videos.

Overall 82% of those who responded were fans.  

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

Latest news on COVID-19 

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Public Health or the Public Health Agency of Canada. 

Alberta Public Health 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:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

By DAVE NAYLOR
Western Standard

“US President-elect Joe Biden is set to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline expansion project on the first day he enters the Oval Office, says a report.

Biden was vice-president and stood by President Barack Obama on November 6, 2015, in the Oval Office when he cancelled Keystone. President Donald Trump overturned that decision and granted a permit.

It will be a huge blow to Alberta, which has invested heavily in the pipeline.

Alberta has already invested more than $1.5 billion with operator TC Energy. Another $6 billion in loan guarantees has also been made available to the company.

CBC News on Sunday reported a briefing note from the Biden transition team was widely circulated over the weekend after being shared by the incoming president’s team with U.S. stakeholders.”

Read the full article by Dave Naylor, Western Standard at the link below.

Statement from Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole on Keystone XL

January 17, 2021

Ottawa, ON — The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, today released the following statement addressing reports that President-elect Joe Biden will cancel the Keystone XL pipeline extension:

“If true, this move will devastate thousands of Canadian families who have already been badly hurt by the economic crisis. We need a recovery for all Canadians, in every part of Canada, in every sector – including energy. Keystone XL is a project of national significance that supports countless workers on both sides of the border.

“At a time when both countries need to focus on job creation, and strengthened bilateral relations, I call on the Prime Minister to immediately reach out to the incoming U.S. administration to stop this from happening and stand up for working Canadians across Canada. I also call upon the incoming U.S. administration to meet with our Prime Minister and affected workers prior to making this decision.”

-30-

‘Ramp up’ of vaccine delivery in Canada not expected until April, Fortin says

BY MIA RABSON
The Canadian Press

“Canada should start getting two million doses of COVID-19 vaccines delivered weekly in April, meaning the “ramp up” phase of Canada’s vaccine rollout is still more than two months away.

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the vice-president of logistics for the Public Health Agency of Canada, says the specific delivery schedules for vaccines from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are now available until the end of February.”

Read the full article by Mia Rabson, the Canadian Press at the link below.

Small outdoor gatherings, haircuts and tattoos are now approved in Alberta

New rules have been announced loosening COVID-19 restrictions here in Alberta.

As of Jan. 18, 2021 outdoor gatherings are allowed up to 10 people as long as everyone is wearing masks and keeping at least two metres apart.

Personal and wellness services will also be allowed to be open by appointment only. This includes services like barbershops, salons and tattoo shops.  

Indoor gatherings are still not allowed.

I discussed the troubling Communist crackdown on freedom in Hong Kong

The Canada-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship group had an enlightening conversation with Lord Christopher Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong who oversaw the final years of the British administration there. 

In the news

• ‘Just not right’: 100-year-old soldier memorial vandalized four times since Remembrance Day. Link
• Don’t even try to pretend there’s such a thing as free speech anymore. Link
• Biden’s planned Keystone XL cancellation welcomed by NDP, Green leaders. Link
• Trudeau government promises to censor “offensive” social media content in 2021. Link
• Matthew McConaughey talks cancel culture with Jordan Peterson: People deserve a second chance. Link
• Husband, children of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou granted permission to travel to Canada.Link
• The winners of the Maclean’s Parliamentarians of the Year Awards. Link
• Trudeau told Liberals’ national board of directors ‘it looks like’ a spring election. Link 
• Liberal minister’s reelection received donations from Clinton donors. Link
• Government won’t say if bureaucrats who misused government credit cards were fired. Link

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks their thoughts on the recent lockout in the province of Quebec that commands people to stay indoors between 
8 p.m. and 5 a.m. or face police arrests and fines.

People were divided on the topic, but 56% of responses said they didn’t agree with the curfew.  

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

Have your say

Are you a fan of Rebel Media stories and videos?

Have your say in my new unofficial poll. I’ll publish the results in next week’s e-newsletter. 

Latest news on COVID-19 

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Public Health or the Public Health Agency of Canada. 

Alberta Public Health 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:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

As your Member of Parliament, I can help you resolve issues with federal government departments, programs and services, including federal COVID-19 programs.

My office can help constituents of Edmonton Griesbach having concerns with Immigration Canada, the Canadian Revenue Agency, Employment Insurance, Veteran Affairs Canada or other departments.

You can reach me by e-mail at: kerry.diotte@parl.gc.ca or by phone at: (780) 495-3261.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are no in-person meetings. 

I heard the concerns of our community newspapers

I attended an informative meeting with my Conservative MP colleagues and representatives of community newspapers. The industry is seeking solutions to being imperilled by the fact Google and Facebook help themselves to using newspapers’ editorial content. Publishers would like legislation in Canada similar to Australia whereby Big Tech must pay royalties for the content.

Trudeau’s preparing for an election 

Let’s remember Flight PS752 victims

By: BREANNA KARSTENS-SMITH
Global News

“They were students. Professors. A physician. A soccer player. Newlyweds and sisters.

When Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 was shot down by the Iranian military over Iran on January 8, 2020, it killed 176 passengers and crew.

Among them was a number of Canadians and Edmontonians.  One year after this Canadian tragedy, the deaths of these 13 people are still felt deeply, their lives cut short, their promise of a brighter future extinguished.”

Read the full article by Breanna Karstens-Smith, Global News at the link below.

In the news

• Canada’s labour market takes bigger hit than expected, shedding almost 63,000 jobs amid lockdowns. Link
• No, Canadians probably wouldn’t give up their vaccines for Olympic athletes. Link
• One year later, Edmonton’s Iranian community continues to mourn downing of flight PS752. Link
• A wealth tax would pay for three days of Ottawa’s spending. Link
• How the toppling of the Macdonald statue in Montreal brought the two solitudes together. Link
• Trudeau sticking to his guns: IBM awarded contract to design gun grab buyback program. Link
• Benefits of Trudeau’s carbon tax challenged in new report. Link
• Danielle Smith announces departure from Corus radio. Link

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks if they thought team Canada was going to win the World Juniors for the 19th time. 

The majority of respondents predicted team Canada was going to take home the gold.

Despite an impressive tournament — where they won their previous five games — team Canada lost in the finals to the Americans and took home silver. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

Have your say

Do you agree with the recent lockout in the province of Quebec meant to battle the pandemic that commands people to stay indoors between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. or face police arrests and fines?

Have your say in my new unofficial poll. I’ll publish the results in next week’s e-newsletter. 

Latest news on COVID-19 

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Public Health or the Public Health Agency of Canada. 

Alberta Public Health 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:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6