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Since the COVID pandemic struck, one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s most-repeated mantra’s was “we’re all in this together.”

That infers everyone has to pitch in equally and make sacrifices.

But it appears some people have been more isolated from the hard-times inflicted by COVID than others.

The daily House of Commons Question Period is famous for the fact that government MPs almost never give a straight answer to a direct question. (Maybe that’s why it’s called Question Period, not Answer Period).

So one tool available is called an Order Paper Question, whereby any Member of Parliament can ask a pointed and tough question in writing to government departments and individuals and they’re mandated to respond.

I filed an Order Paper Question months ago to find out just how many federal civil servants have been at home and are being paid despite not actually doing any work.

The answer I received might shock you.

In the civil service they have a special type of leave called “other leave with pay” or 699 leave.

Looking at the numbers provided to my Order Paper Question reveals a whopping 38% or 111,577 employees were approved for so-called 699 leave since March.

That represents about 18.19 million hours of paid leave for federal government workers.

This all came at a time when hundreds of thousands of other Canadians lost their jobs entirely.

It also came amid reports that 200,000 Canadian businesses are at risk of permanent closure.

In Canada, we need good, hard-working civil servants and many of them are just that — because I know many of them.

But Canadians would be right to be upset that so many of those civil servants were getting full salaries while actually having no work to do at all.

Those same Canadians are also right to be cynical when they hear the prime minister say “we’re all in this together.” Obviously some Canadians have fared far better than others.

Here’s a Toronto Sun article based on these work statistics I demanded and received through my Order Paper Question:

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-tens-of-thousands-of-federal-workers-on-paid-leave-at-home-over-covid-while-private-sector-workers-lose-jobs

What do you think of this situation? As usual, your comments are always welcome.

E-mail: kerry.diotte@parl.gc.ca

Today’s NDP is not your father’s NDP

 

Alberta government announces new COVID-19 rules

 

 

 

Apply for the new and improved Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy 

We Conservatives have worked on improving Canada’s new rent relief program. To find out more or see if you’re eligible click the link below. 

 

 

 

I had a great talk with members of the Edmonton Friends of Hong Kong group

Glad to have a Zoom meeting with this group fighting against the Communist crackdown against democracy in Hong Kong. (Many in this group don’t want to be photographed for fear of repercussions being carried out against them from the Communist regime).

Trudeau misinforms about misinformation

By: LORRIE GOLDSTEIN
Toronto Sun

Proving yet again that what goes around comes around, the Trudeau Liberals, having accused the Conservatives all last week of spreading fake news about COVID-19, finished off the week on Friday by spreading fake news about the Conservatives and COVID-19.

That occurred when the Prime Minister’s Office issued a release just after 4:30 pm.

It said in a just-completed phone call with Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had “raised concerns around COVID-19 misinformation being promoted by Conservative Members of Parliament, given Conservative MPs recently downplayed the deaths of Canadians in Alberta due to COVID-19 and compared COVID-19 to the flu.”

The problem was the phone call wasn’t scheduled until 45 minutes later at 5:15 pm.

(You can read the full column by Lorrie Goldstein, Toronto Sun at the link below.)

 

 

 

Last week’s straw poll results 

Last week I asked folks if they supported Trudeau’s ‘reset’ plan.

People overwhelmingly said they didn’t support Trudeau’s plan to “reset” the economy. 

I hear you. We’re in the middle of a crisis. This isn’t the time for “reimagining” the economy and toy with our future. We need the government to focus on prioritizing Canadians lives and livelihoods not creating even more uncertainty. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part. 

 

Have your say

Do you support defunding the police here in Edmonton? 

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. 

 

 

 

In the news

• City of Edmonton considers eliminating spay and neuter programs to dismay of local rescues. Link
• The NDP MP who’s smitten with dictatorships. Link
• Trudeau’s blaming Harper on vaccines — but it goes back to Chretien. Link
• Freeland’s budget: There isn’t one. Link
• Patty Hajdu thinks my COVID writing is ‘fake and dangerous.’ Link
• A pathetic display by an anti-Jordan Peterson woke mob. Link
• Bank of Canada gets in on the Great Reset. Link
• Government refuses to reveal how many WE documents were withheld from MPs. Link
• Out of touch mainstream media has lost the trust of Canadians. Link
• Another business gets shut down in the name of social justice. Link
• Documents offer new details on flyers, cost to quarantine, and exemptions granted. 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:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

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

I filed on Order Paper Question months ago to find out just how many federal civil servants have been at home and being paid despite not actually having any work to do.

Here is the response I’ve received. You can find the information of the 699 use here. 

 

 

Mr. Speaker, this summer I was honoured to meet a fascinating person in Edmonton with an amazing story.

Leo Korownyk told me about what it was like to live through the Holodomor.

That was the forced starvation of millions of people in Ukraine in the 1930s.

Joseph Stalin was the communist leader responsible for it.

Even though crops in Ukraine were plentiful, people starved to death.

This is the time of year we commemorate that horrible famine.

I want to thank Leo for telling me his first-person story.

And I’m glad to spread the word about this atrocity. 

We must continue to guard against hard-core socialism and communism.

It was communism that enslaved Ukraine and caused the genocide.

Let’s remember the words of Winston Churchill. He said: those who fail to learn from history — are doomed to repeat it.

What does National Child Day mean to you? 

Glad to support National Child Day and the good work done by Kid’s Kottage in my riding of Edmonton Griesbach.

You can mail Christmas greetings to Canadian Forces members

The men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces are always serving our country.

Because they do, many of them don’t have the luxury of going home for the holidays. 

I bet you it would mean a great deal to them to receive Christmas greetings from any Canadian.  

You can mail members of the Canadian Armed Forces serving around the world at this address:  

Any Canadian Armed Forces Member 
PO Box 5004 Stn Forces
Belleville, ON K8N 5W6

Last week’s straw poll results 

Last week I asked folks what they thought about a Liberal appointed Senator’s proposal for lowering the voting age to 16.

There was a huge turnout. People overwhelmingly said they didn’t want to lower the voting age. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part. 

Have your say

Justin Trudeau has said he wants to ‘reset’ the national economy.

Do you support Trudeau’s ‘reset’ plan?

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. 

 

 

 

In the news

• Trudeau’s ‘reset’ aims to revisit the failed policies of yesteryear. Link
• It’s time for a better COVID strategy. Link
• CBC journalist falsely attacks Pierre Poilievre’s wife Anaida over nepotism in dodgy smear. Link
• Trudeau has eyes set on a great reset for Canada. Link
• Mom wakes from coronavirus coma to learn she gave birth to twins. Link 
• Defunding’ police only makes communities less safe. Link
• Edmonton girl’s drawing featured in new J.K. Rowling book. 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:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

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

It’s good news that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the desecration of a memorial to Edmonton Police Service Const. Ezio Faraone.

Ezio was just 33 years old when he was killed on June 25, 1990 when responding to an armed robbery.

I remember the day very well because I was working as a journalist at the Edmonton Sun covering this horrific event.

Our whole city came together to mourn Ezio. 

Ezio was a hero who lost his life serving and protecting our community.

That someone would deface his memorial is shocking and sickening.

The suspect, a 26-year-old man, has been charged with mischief and has 22 outstanding warrants for similar offences, police say. Police made the arrest after a man was nabbed for allegedly stealing from a liquor store. 

 

Blast from the past from Jagmeet

Hey, remember when?

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is propping up Justin Trudeau and his Liberals by supporting the current minority government.

This is a reminder why the vast majority of Canadians would never want to see Jagmeet and his NDP elected to govern this country.

This is the tweet he put out praising the brutal dictator of Cuba after Fidel Castro died on Nov. 25, 2016:

 

 

 

Senator wants 16 year olds to vote

Saskatoon / 650 CKOM
CKOM News

A senator says she’s pushing to lower Canada’s voting age to 16, and she’s working on a bill that would do just that.

Manitoba Senator Marilou McPhedren says the move to drop the voting age would get young people engaged in politics, improve voter turnout, and strengthen Canada’s democracy. Currently, Canadians cannot vote federally until after they turn 18.

(Read the full article by CKOM News at the link below)

 

 

 

 

Last week’s straw poll results 

Last week I asked folks if they will proudly wear a poppy on Remembrance Day. 

There was a big turnout and everyone unanimously said they would proudly wear a poppy. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

 

Have your say

Do you think the voting age should be lowered to 16?

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. 

 

 

 

In the news

• Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine is 94.5% effective, company says. Link
• Three pools, two arenas on the chopping block as City of Edmonton recommends 2021 tax freeze. Link
• Kenney on right track with focused protection, not lockdowns. Link
• Nenshi should go while Farkas calls out the mayor. Link
• Freedom of expression a founding principle of Canada. Link
• Guilbeault put 21,000 km on government vehicle despite opposition to cars. Link
• Environmental protesters interrupt British Remembrance Day ceremony. Link
• Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers resign en masse. Link
• High-risk ISIS terrorist granted parole leave to visit ski resort with girlfriend. Link
• Erin O’Toole: full-time PC Leader, part-time runner. Link
• ‘Political vetting’ of appointments threatens public faith in judiciary, says bar association. 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:
Kerry.Diotte@parl.gc.ca

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

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