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August 10, 2020 | No Comments

Critics say we must learn lessons from socialism and communism

Amid a global pandemic, governments worldwide are supporting their populations by handing out unprecedented amounts of money. Some observers say it’s an indication we need even more government in our lives from now on. We explored that concept by interviewing several people in Edmonton for their input. Here’s our video produced by Edmonton Griesbach riding constituency office intern Josh Hui.

The City of Edmonton is offering mask exemption cards

If you have a medical condition or are otherwise exempt from the new municipal bylaw requiring masks in public places you can acquire a mask exemption card. 

 

 

 

Parents have options for their kids return to school 

By DAVID STAPLES
Edmonton Journal 

Some teachers are fearful about Alberta’s return to school in September during the coronavirus pandemic. Some parents are fearful for their kids.

May I propose a plan to deal with this: How about having teachers and kids who are wary of returning to school opt out of that plan, then have those same teachers teach those same kids online?

Would that make sense?

Thankfully, it seems that it does.

Indeed, it’s such an obvious and elegant solution that school boards across the province are embracing it, including the Edmonton Public Schools, which is responsible for 107,000 of the 750,000 students returning to school.

The school year will be broken up into four quarters. Students will be given the option in each quarter of in-class or online schooling.

“What we decided in preparing our plan is that providing some measure of choice to parents would greatly ease some of the anxiety they may have around returning to school,” says Edmonton Public Schools superintendent Darrel Robertson.

(Read the full column by David Staples, Edmonton Journal here)

Last week’s straw poll results 

Last week I asked folks their views on cancel culture. 

Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey.

Here’s the breakdown of what you had to say. 

Have your say on Huawei 

Do you think the government should ban Communist China-based Huawei from our 5G network? 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 Authority of Canada

Alberta Public Health can also be reached by phone at 811.

 

 

 

Benefits for Canadians

There are programs available to help you and your family. 

 

 

 

In the news

  • Canada ‘profoundly concerned’ over Chinese death sentence for citizen in drug case. Link
  • Trudeau government paying $84M to firm employing husband of the PM’s chief of staff to manage rent assistance aid program. Link
  • Common sense says Trudeau was in a conflict of interest. Link
  • Time for Liberal government to give up ‘fiction’ that China is our friend, ex-diplomat warns MPs. Link
  • Justin Trudeau must ban Huawei from building Canada’s 5G network, argues Maclean’s columnist. Link
  • Members of Vegas Golden Knights arrange pizza delivery for homeless Edmontonians just outside NHL bubble. Link 

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:
[email protected]

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

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

Filed under: General

August 10, 2020 | No Comments

Have your say on Huawei

Filed under: General

August 7, 2020 | No Comments

Critics say we must learn lessons from socialism and communism

Capitalism vs Socialism in Canada

Amid a global pandemic, governments worldwide are supporting their populations by handing out unprecedented amounts of money. Some observers say it’s an indication we need even more government in our lives from now on. We explored that concept by interviewing several people in Edmonton for their input. Here’s our video produced by Edmonton Griesbach riding constituency office intern Josh Hui.

Posted by Kerry Diotte on Friday, August 7, 2020

Amid a global pandemic,  governments worldwide are supporting their populations by handing out unprecedented amounts of money. Some observers say it’s an indication we need even more government in our lives from now on. We explored that concept by interviewing several people in Edmonton for their input. Here’s our video produced by Edmonton Griesbach riding constituency office intern Josh Hui.

Filed under: General

August 4, 2020 | No Comments

I was happy to hand out water to people in the inner city

With temperatures in Edmonton hitting 30C+ constituency office intern Josh Hui and I decided to hand out bottled water to folks in the inner city, many of whom are living on the streets.

Face masks are now mandatory in all indoor public spaces in Edmonton 

Edmonton City Council has mandated the use of face masks in all indoor public spaces.

I’m of the view this is a call that should have been left to the province’s top health official, Dr. Deena Hinshaw. 

Exemptions to this bylaw include:

  • Children under 2
  • Those who are unable to place, use, or remove a face covering without assistance
  • Those with mental or physical concerns or limitations, or any other protected ground under the
    Alberta Human Rights Act, that prevent them from wearing a face covering
  • Eating or drinking while seated in designated spaces or as part of a religious or spiritual ceremony
  • Engaging in water activities or physical exercise
  • Providing assistance or care to someone with a disability who would be hindered if the caregiver is
    wearing a face covering
  • Engaging in services that require removal of the face covering (e.g., having a passport photo taken
    or dental work, or personal care services involving the face)

 

 

 

 

Something’s wrong with the Liberals’ sweetheart WE Charity deal  

Nearly every day more damning information comes out about the deal that would’ve handed hundreds of millions of dollars to a Liberal friendly organization.

On Thursday, the prime minister testified to the finance committee but as usual, didn’t actually answer any questions. 

He couldn’t even answer how much his family has been paid by WE Charity, although he was asked that question directly several times. 

Instead of taking responsibility for his conflict of interest, he’s throwing civil servants under the bus.    

Yet, the timeline in this case paints a very clear picture of corruption at the highest levels of government.

The Canada Student Service Grant was announced on April 22. 

However, a member of the Prime Minister’s Office spoke with WE about their proposal on May 5, the same day that WE was allowed to start charging expenses for administering the program. 

Yet, cabinet didn’t approve the proposal until May 22 — two and a half weeks later!

So why was WE so sure that they were going to be approved?

To answer that, you only need to look at the cozy relationship between Justin Trudeau, Bill Morneau, the Liberal Party and WE.

Trudeau should have recused himself

By LORNE GUNTER
Sun Media

Here’s the line from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Thursday testimony before the House of Commons finance committee that best sums up what is wrong in the WE Charity scandal.

Trudeau claimed he only learned about the federal civil service’s recommendation to hand the WE Charity control of a huge student volunteer grant program a few hours before a cabinet meeting in early May.

He resisted, he said. Instructed the civil service to look things over a second time. Check that all the i’s had been dotted and the t’s crossed before they brought such a lucrative proposal back to cabinet two weeks later.

“I actually slowed it down,” Trudeau claimed of the WE proposal, “and pushed back on it to make sure everything was done exactly right because I knew questions would be asked about the links to my family.”

And there’s the important phrase. Not I “slowed it down” or I “pushed back,” but rather “I knew questions would be asked about the links to my family.”

(Read the full column by Lorne Gunter, Edmonton Sun here)

Last week’s straw poll results 

Last week I asked folks views on the new name of the Edmonton Football Team. 

It was a close race but in the end, Esks or Eskies was people’s top pick. 

Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey.

Here’s the breakdown of what you had to say. 

Have your say on cancel culture

Do you think cancel culture has gone too far? 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 Authority of Canada

Alberta Public Health can also be reached by phone at 811.

 

 

 

Benefits for Canadians

There are programs available to help you and your family. 

Remember: The way the government set up CERB you need to reapply every four weeks. 

 

 

 

In the news

  • Edmonton city council passes bylaw to mandate masks in all indoor public spaces. Link
  • Goldstein: China has unjustly jailed Canada’s two Michaels for 600 days. Link
  • Don Martin: In a strange twist, Trudeau ignores his own red flags on the WE scandal. Link
  • WE Charity spent more than $600,000 on U.S. political consultants, IRS filings show. Link
  • Trudeau throws public service under the bus. Link
  • WE employees say they were told to attend 2018 holiday party in Bill Morneau’s riding. Link
  • Use of special paid leave by public servants ‘likely underreported’, says PBO. Link

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:
[email protected]

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

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

Filed under: General

August 4, 2020 | No Comments

Have your say on cancel culture

Filed under: General

July 29, 2020 | No Comments

I was happy to hand out water to people in the inner city

Street Water

With temperatures in Edmonton hitting 30C+ constituency office intern Josh Hui and I decided to hand out bottled water to folks in the inner city, many of whom are living on the streets.

Posted by Kerry Diotte on Tuesday, July 28, 2020

With temperatures in Edmonton hitting 30C+ constituency office intern Josh Hui and I decided to hand out bottled water to folks in the inner city, many of whom are living on the streets.

Filed under: General

July 28, 2020 | No Comments

Today is world hepatitis day

By raising awareness of hepatitis we can help identify the millions of people around the world who are undiagnosed.
We still have a lot of work to do to accomplish this goal.
But today we’re a step closer to achieving it.

Today is world hepatitis day

Today is world hepatitis day. By raising awareness of hepatitis we can help identify the millions of people around the world who are undiagnosed. We still have a lot of work to do to accomplish this goal. But today we're a step closer to achieving it.

Posted by Kerry Diotte on Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Filed under: General

July 27, 2020 | No Comments

Honouring Korean War veterans

Today marks the 67 anniversary of the armistice that ended open military conflict in Korea.
More than 26,000 Canadians served in Korea, 516 of whom lost their lives.
We must never forget their sacrifices and their legacy of a free, democratic and prosperous South Korea.
Lest we forget.

 
 
 
 
 
Filed under: General

July 27, 2020 | No Comments

Bill Morneau needs to resign

The WE scandal continues to lay bare the failures of the Liberal government. 

Every day more information comes out showing just how shady the decision to award nearly a billion dollars of your money to a Liberal friendly organization truly was.  

We now know, that not only did the prime minister not recuse himself despite close personal ties — including hundreds of thousand dollars of payouts to close family members — the minister of finance also had conflicts that he failed to disclose. 

Bill Morneau’s daughter works for the charity and he somehow “forgot” to repay $41,000 for a luxurious WE trip. How someone forgets about $41,000 I don’t know. 

Trust me. Every Member of Parliament of every political stripe knows that taking this exotic, all-expenses paid $41,000 trip is a breach of ethics rules.

Yet, Morneau took the trip and only repaid the $41,000 on the day he was set to testify about it. 

To add insult to injury he also took part in the decision to hand WE a nearly billion-dollar contract in clear violation of the conflict of interest law. 

However you look at this, Morneau is either corrupt or incompetent — perhaps both. Either way he needs to resign!

The Oromo community peacefully protests

Glad to attend and give a speech to a peaceful rally at the Alberta Legislature attended by hundreds of people with the Oromo Community —  many of whom live in my riding of Edmonton Griesbach.

The Liberals fail to answer questions

The Liberals continue to dodge key questions from the Official Opposition and others.

In this official request for information, I asked them how many civil servants have been working on the COVID-19 response, how many have been working from home and how many have been laid off or put on leave.

Yet, in typical Liberal fashion, they fail to respond to any of these key questions. It’s a slap in the face to taxpayers and all Canadians.

Last week’s straw poll results 

Last week I asked folks views on whether it was wrong for Prime Minister Trudeau and his Liberal government to hire the WE Charity organization to distribute nearly one billion dollars of taxpayers’ money given that Trudeau and his family have close personal and/or financial ties to the charity?

Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey.

Here’s what you had to say. 

Have your say on the Edmonton Football Team’s new name

The management of the Edmonton Football Team has decided to change the team’s name.

Have your say on the new name in my unofficial straw poll. I’ll publish results of the informal poll in my e-newsletter and forward them to the team.

Latest news on COVID-19 

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

Alberta Public Health can also be reached by phone at 811.

 

 

 

Benefits for Canadians

There are programs available to help you and your family. 

Remember: The way the government set up CERB you need to reapply every four weeks. 

 

 

 

In the news

  • Editorial: Trudeau believes he’s special. Link
  • John Ivison: As the WE scandal rises, Bill Morneau can feel himself sinking. Link
  • Kathryn Marshall: The governor general should step down so the Queen doesn’t have to fire her. Link
  • Rex Murphy: Canada’s two most powerful men, blinded by their entitlement. Link
  • Why I’m leaving the National Post. Link
  • Morneau’s ME to WE trip of a lifetime to cost him big time. Link
  • Conservatives call for a 2nd Morneau ethics probe as they demand his resignation. Link

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:
[email protected]

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

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

Filed under: General

July 24, 2020 | No Comments

Speaking at the Oromo community protest

Oromo Community Peaceful Protest

Glad to attend and give a speech to a peaceful rally at the Alberta Legislature attended by hundreds of people with the Oromo Community – many of whom live in my riding of Edmonton Griesbach.

Posted by Kerry Diotte on Friday, July 24, 2020

Glad to attend and give a speech to a peaceful rally at the Alberta Legislature attended by hundreds of people with the Oromo Community – many of whom live in my riding of Edmonton Griesbach.

Filed under: General