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I presented petitions signed by constituents rightly concerned with the Liberals new firearms regulations and their carbon tax.

COVID-19 has caused thousands of deaths in Canada.

It’s an enormous national tragedy.

Have you lost a relative or a loved one to this terrible disease?

Would you be willing to share your experience with me about having lost someone to COVID?

This is not for publication but it’s a way to share what your friend or loved one went through when COVID struck them.

Please email me at kerry.diotte@parl.gc.ca or call my office to set up a convenient time for you to talk to me at (780) 495-3261.

If you have lost a loved one to COVID you have my deepest sympathies.

We need to get Canada working again

On Feb. 22 I had the chance to give a speech in the virtual House of Commons where I called out the Justin Trudeau Liberal government on their poor record on standing up for our energy industry and for their failure to get enough vaccines purchased and delivered to Canadians. 

Madam Speaker, from coast to coast to coast Canadians are struggling. They are struggling both with a pandemic that has cost far too many people their lives and with an economy in deep trouble. These two crises have hit working Canadians very hard. Lives and livelihoods have been lost. Despite this all, Canadians are persevering, as we know they can. Through adversity, they are getting the job done. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Liberal government.

(See my full speech at the link below)

Communist China is committing genocide

Erin O’Toole MP
Leader of the Canada’s Conservatives 

“Around the world, we have solemnly uttered the phrase ‘never again,’ but it falls flat without action.
 
Never again demands action before more atrocities are committed. We cannot say never again and turn a blind eye to government coordinated rape, torture, indoctrination, and forced sterilization.
 
We cannot remain silent. Silence only helps those who commit crimes against humanity, never the victims.
 
Today, Canada’s Conservatives are calling on the Parliament of Canada to recognize that genocide is currently being carried out by the People’s Republic of China against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims.
 
We are calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to officially adopt this position. We are calling for an end to silence.
 
Canada may be a small country in terms of population, but we are a towering giant when it comes to our commitment to human rights. And right now, over a million people half a world away need us to use that voice.”

(The Conservative Opposition Day motion can be found at the link below.)

I voted in favour of this motion on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.

Many seniors struggle with loneliness. The pandemic has only made it worse

By PIA ARANETA
Global News

“Maria Sardelis moved into a retirement home in Ottawa last October to take care of her 98-year-old mother.

Her mother was diagnosed with COVID-19 and for two weeks, Sardelis would take her blood pressure, feed her and give her medication left by the door. 

With Sardelis taking on the role of a nurse, other residents and staff were less likely to get infected, she says.

“What would happen if I wasn’t (there)? What’s happening to all those other people that don’t have someone?” she says. 

Seniors were lonely long before the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say, but isolation and ageism may have exacerbated the problem. 

The pandemic now means seniors can’t connect with friends or family members, whether that be seniors in independent living situations or in care facilities.”

(Read the full article by Pia Araneta, Global News at the link below.)

There is help here in our community. The Seniors’ Centre Without Walls is a great resource where people can call and interact with others from the comfort of their own home. You can contact them by phone at (780) 395-2626. Please share this resource with anyone who might need it.

The Liberals new gun rules make no sense

By SHANNON STUBBS MP and RICHARD MARTEL MP
Conservative Members of Parliament

“It is disappointing that during a pandemic, Justin Trudeau is focused on his own re-election and advancing the Liberals’ ideological agenda instead of helping Canadians get vaccines. 

Just recently, the Liberals voted against and defeated Bill C-238, a Conservative bill that would have imposed tougher sentences for criminals smuggling or who are found in possession of illegal firearms. The Trudeau Liberals’ decision to vote against this bill shows they are not serious about stopping dangerous criminals from getting their hands on illegal guns.

The reality is, the vast majority of gun crimes are committed with illegally obtained firearms. Taking firearms away from law-abiding citizens does nothing to stop dangerous criminals and gangs who obtain their guns illegally.

Instead of targeting law-abiding Canadians and firearm retailers, the government should be investing in police anti-gang and gun units and the CBSA to provide law enforcement with the resources they need to stop illegal smuggling operations and get dangerous criminals and gangs off the streets.

Conservatives have, and will always, support common-sense firearms policies that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals.

We are calling on the Trudeau Liberals to ensure that Canada’s firearms legislation is based on evidence, not on ideology, and respects the rights of Canadians.”

In the news

• Why Canada is falling behind in Covid vaccinations. Link
• In vow to protect campus free speech, Quebec premier joins ‘war on woke’. Link
• Liberal MP says it is “hard to have faith” in government’s COVID-19 response. Link
• Chris Selley: When it comes to China and ‘genocide,’ Trudeau is a panda in the headlights. Link
• Canada’s Covid Vaccine Failure. Link
• Edmonton Chinatown business owners ask city for extra security. Link
• #BoycottZuckerberg: Aussies delete accounts en masse after Facebook blocks news feed. Link
• As Texas winter storm shows, hurling public money at renewable energy is pure folly. Link
• Public health officials unable to provide data to justify quarantine facilities. Link
• Federal Workers paid $819 million to stay home during the pandmic under ‘699’ clause. Link
• Liberals introduce new bill to relax penalties for drug offences. Link
• Trudeau’s ‘wilful blindness’ to the evils of Chinese communism. Link
• Gun owners facing legal complaints can have firearms seized without warrant under new Liberal law. Link
• Bill Gates: Rich nations should shift entirely to synthetic beef. Link
• Business Council calls for national push to vaccinate and test Canadians for COVID-19. Link 

You said it

• “I would like you Kerry Diotte to put pressure on Justin Trudeau to get that critical Keystone XL pipeline built to the United States. —  Tim O.
• “Are we getting buy oil/gas from “dirty” and/or human rights violating countries at the expense of Canadians? —  Joan K.
• “Singing the national anthem is a wonderful tradition and should continue.” —  Mary P.

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks if they agreed with some voices that called for cancelling singing the national anthem prior to sporting events.

The vast majority voted to continue proudly singing O Canada.

As your Member of Parliament, I’ll always vote to protect important traditions like singing the national anthem. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

Have your say

There have been many credible reports that have shown evidence that the People’s Republic of China is committing genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims. In light of this evidence do you believe Canada should advocate moving the 2022 Olympics out of China?     

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

On Feb. 22 I had the chance to give a speech in the virtual House of Commons where I called out the Justin Trudeau Liberal government on their poor record on standing up for our energy industry and for their failure to get enough vaccines purchased and delivered to Canadians. 

Madam Speaker, from coast to coast to coast Canadians are struggling. They are struggling both with a pandemic that has cost far too many people their lives and with an economy in deep trouble. These two crises have hit working Canadians very hard. Lives and livelihoods have been lost. Despite this all, Canadians are persevering, as we know they can. Through adversity, they are getting the job done. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Liberal government.

The most important role the feds have is to procure vaccines and, sadly, they are failing. Canada is falling behind scores of countries in getting COVID-19 vaccines. We are standing north of 50. There are probably 50 countries ahead of us for vaccine procurement and its use. Israel has vaccinated about 80% of its population and the United Kingdom more than 25%. The United States has vaccinated more than 17%. In fact, I saw a statistic the other day that said there were more people vaccinated in the United States in just one day than there has been in Canada, period. Canada is looking at a vaccination rate of about 3.60%, according to Bloomberg News. We are behind Greece, Chile, Morocco, Portugal, the Maldives, Serbia and many other countries.

For everyday Canadians, failure to procure vaccines will mean Canadians will continue to be at risk and be under lockdown and the lockdown will take place for a longer time. These lockdowns have real-world consequences. I recently called a friend at a seniors facility near Toronto. He is forbidden from leaving his room. He told me it feels like he is in a jail cell.

Obviously, without enough people vaccinated, we will also be late to reopen our economy. While scores of other countries will reopen, we will still be locked down, with our businesses shuttered, and that is a true tragedy. This failure will have a significant impact on jobs and Canadian businesses. It certainly already has.

Being left behind is the last thing that struggling Canadians need and workers are in a very dark place. It is especially true in my home province of Alberta. In addition to facing the pandemic and its economic consequences, Albertans are facing a federal government hostile to its number one industry, an industry that creates thousands of good-paying jobs right across Canada. That is what I think a lot of Canadians really should realize: The oil and gas industry is not all about Alberta; it is about all of Canada. It is a vital industry to Canada.

During the 2009 global recession, it was the energy industry that helped Canada weather the storm. Because of the energy industry, Canada had the strongest economy in the G7 through that global recession, but the Liberal government has squandered that national asset. Through the government and hostile legislation, it has attacked the golden goose that laid the golden egg. Take, for example, the Liberal government’s recent lacklustre response to the Americans scrapping the Keystone XL pipeline.

Back in June 2018, the United States, under former president Donald Trump, placed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Canada quickly responded with measures of its own. Canada took action to protect its vital economic interest. It did that despite that, at the time, we knew that it was a campaign promise by then President Trump. Back then, the foreign affairs minister at the time said, “the United States has taken the absurd decision to harm its own people at a time when its economy is suffering”. That was a reasonable approach and we need that same reasonable approach with Keystone XL for Canada’s largest export industry.

In 2019, our energy exports were valued at more than $134 billion. Let that sink in for a bit. Think what that money could buy. Think how much worse we will be when we do not have that money. Instead, Canada’s current foreign minister said that we should understand and respect the decision on Keystone XL. The Prime Minister only said he was disappointed. That is not the type of response they gave when manufacturers were under threat from tariffs during NAFTA renegotiations. Why is the energy industry treated differently?

During the NAFTA renegotiations, we took a team Canada approach in defence of Canada’s vital national interests. Canadian government officials and politicians, including myself, went to Washington and lobbied key American stakeholders. We talked to Democrats, Republicans and everyone we could talk to, yet today when another vital industry is under threat, all we hear are crickets from the Liberal government. We have actually heard more from American politicians and union officials in support of Keystone XL than from our own government.

 On January 21, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said:

The teamsters strongly oppose yesterday’s decision and we would urge the administration to reconsider it. This executive order doesn’t just affect us teamsters, it hurts our Canadian brothers and sisters as well who work on this project. It will reduce good-paying union jobs, allow workers to provide a middle-class standard of living for their families. America needs access to various forms of energy. It can see its economy running in the years ahead and keep it running. This decision will hurt that effort.

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called out the Biden administration cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline saying:

“The Biden administration is already killing jobs in Arkansas in the middle of a pandemic to appease far left environmental groups. This isn’t what America needs right now.”

This is a vital Canadian interest. Where is Canada’s response? This lack of leadership has real world impact. Recently, the Calgary Herald ran a story about Muhammad Ali who has the same name as a famous boxer. Muhammad is a proud Calgarian, as he should be. Calgary is a fantastic city. It is the second biggest city in Alberta, second best actually. He is currently finishing his business degree at the University of Calgary where he is majoring in supply management. Muhammad hoped once he graduated he would be able to find a career in the energy industry in Alberta, but now he is forced to leave the province for the U.S.A. He said, “I would have really loved to have stayed in Alberta, especially Calgary, it’s a really great place to live and I was looking forward to maybe working in the energy industry here. Unfortunately, those hopes have been dashed.”

As Muhammad put it, there just seems to be so much more opportunity for him in the U.S. Now Muhammad is just one of many young western Canadians who are finding their career prospects leading them south of the border. Despite having the one of the largest oil deposits in the world, the neglect and outright hostility the Liberal government has shown to our energy industry, it has seen its investment and jobs go elsewhere. At a time when it is essential to begin the process to rebuild our economy, seeing stories like Muhammad’s is really, really disappointing. I wish him all the best. He seems like a talented and hard-working young man and I am sure he is going to be a real asset wherever he goes.

However, the fact that he must leave, despite wanting to stay, is a huge loss to our communities. Last year we have seen the largest deficit in Canadian history of $331 billion. We are going to need the skills and hard work of people like Muhammad here in Canada to help us pay off the enormous debt the Liberals have racked up. That is why we need the federal government to end its hostility to the energy industry, Canada’s golden goose. Stop exporting good Canadians jobs and facilitate the export of Canadian energy. We need to get Canada working.

Under Justin Trudeau’s leadership Canada’s dropped to 40th in the world when it comes to getting vaccines for it’s people. 

That means only a tiny portion of our population has been vaccinated compared to other nations. 

Israel has vaccinated an incredible 76% of their population.

The United Kingdom has 25% vaccinated.

The United States has vaccinated more than 16% of their population.

Here in Canada, on the other hand, we’ve vaccinated a paltry 3.39% of our population, according to Bloomberg News.

We’re behind; Greece, Chile, Morocco, Portugal, the Maldives, Serbia and 33 other countries.

For everyday Canadians, failure to procure vaccines will mean Canadians will continue to be put at risk and lockdown restrictions will be in place for longer.

Wishing everyone a happy Lunar New Year for 2021 the Year of the Ox

Should the national anthem still be played before sporting events?

By COURTNEY THERIAULT AND KELSEY PATTERSON
City News

“National anthems have been part of the pre-game routine for decades, dating back to baseball games during the Civil War. Playing the anthem was often a support of the war effort.

But could the clock run out on this sports tradition?

It was reported that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wanted to scrap the anthem at his team’s home games. But that hit a sour note with the NBA, which overturned his decision. 

Fans calling into Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 sang the idea’s praises.” 

(Read the full article by Courtney Theriault and Kelsey Patterson at the link below) 

Magnitude of Trudeau’s incompetence now seen by all thanks to vaccine foibles

By WARREN KINSELLA
The Province

“During a global pandemic that has killed and sickened millions, one more task could’ve been added to the PMO job description: obtaining vaccines to save the lives of Canadians.

But that didn’t happen.

Why?

The magnitude of Justin Trudeau’s incompetence is now plainly seen by all. A Campaign Research poll released last week found that 52 per cent of Canadians blame Trudeau’s government for Canada’s appalling vaccine rollout. Only 15 per cent blamed the provinces.

Any politician who has knocked on doors during an election knows that voters aren’t very knowledgeable about the division of powers in the Constitution. They get confused by that stuff. But this year, they know who deserves to be indicted in the metastasizing vaccine scandal.”

(Read the full article by Warren Kinsella at the link below)

In the news

• YouTube deletes account of Canadian media outlet LifeSiteNews. Link
• Facebook to reduce political content on platform for Canadian users. Link
• Legislation to establish assault-style gun buyback program expected soon. Link
• Racialized adults on revised federal COVID-19 vaccination priority list. Link
• WHO hands China a pandemic win. Link
• U.S. states threaten lawsuits against Biden administration in long-shot bid to revive Keystone XL. Link 
• REVEALED: Trudeau government failed to secure pandemic supplies at beginning of crisis. Link
• UK High Commission indirectly funded David Suzuki Foundation in Canada last year. Link
• Canada is Uninhabitable Without Fossil Fuels. Link
• Trudeau government must embrace Taiwan in diplomacy and trade. Link
• Trudeau pushing Westerners toward independence. Link

You said it

• “Canada’s vaccine rollout is pathetic! We are in our late 70s and our aunt is 100 with no vaccine in sight! Well done, Trudeau!” —  James H.
• “Keep up the fight and spread the word that keystone cancellation was political, and nothing to do with climate change!” —  Jack M.
• “Those against pipelines should also stop driving their vehicles and taking cruises or flights. Perhaps also stop eating food that is grown by farmers who use tractors.” —  Victoria T. 

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks what they thought about the Liberals’ Bill C-6.Faith leaders and others have serious concerns as they feel it could interfere with religious freedoms.

I joined my Conservative colleagues in supporting amendments to the bill to protect religious and free expression rights while also prohibiting conversion therapy. Unfortunately, the Liberals and the NDP shot down those common sense proposals. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

Have your say

Some have argued in favour of cancelling singing O Canada prior to sporting events. Do you agree? Or should we still proudly play and sing O Canada before sporting events?  

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

Edmonton’s been hit by a deep freeze with an extreme cold warning in effect. The weather forecast has this frigid weather lasting most of the week too.

Fortunately, as the mercury drops we have a readily available made-in-Canada solution.  

Here in Canada, we have our good, clean and ethical oil and gas industry so we can heat our homes when these bone-chilling temperatures take place.

The oil and gas industry not only heats our homes, it powers our country, provides thousands of well-paying jobs and contributes billions of dollars of revenue that helps pay for essential services.

It’s a win-win! 

So a big thanks to the men and women who are keeping us warm during this deep freeze. 

Federal NDP and Liberals voted to keep Alberta oil landlocked

Next time an Albertan says they’re considering voting for Jagmeet Singh and the federal NDP remind them that this party (that’s keeping the Liberal minority government in power) doesn’t support Alberta’s energy industry — an industry that’s keeping our homes toasty warm during this deep freeze.

Trudeau is failing to get vaccines

My letter to the editor in the Toronto Sun about the mounting failures on COVID-19 of Canada’s Liberal government. 

Pastor in our riding says Liberal bill is offside

By REV. RAY BAILLIE
Guest Opinion Column

Bill C-6 is concerning to many faith leaders and communities, due to its sweeping scope covering all sorts of private and personal, as well as public communications regarding matters of human sexuality.

Even a short conversation at Tim Hortons will tell you there are diverse opinions on these matters, yet politicians have as of late joined in a lemming-like march towards ‘groupthink,’ where one particular dogma is chosen and all dissenters, no matter how nuanced or thoughtful, are simply extinguished.

Most of the practices mentioned as conversion therapy in the past, have been extreme and abusive and have long been abandoned.  Coercive or involuntary efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity have no place in our communities.

Bill C-6 goes far beyond these straightforward directives.

(Read the full column by Rev. Ray Baillie at the link below.)

Ray Baillie is Pastor at New Destiny Church, located in Edmonton’s inner city, and currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer to the Edmonton Area Ministerial Association, a fellowship of area Evangelical Churches. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of MP Diotte.

Government action benefits from public accountability

Whether from the official opposition or an independent press, we need to hold the government accountable and push for the best solutions for our country.

Here’s a video of me questioning scholars on public accountability in a parliamentary committee. 

In the news

• Trudeau dismisses Canadians’ concerns over vaccines as “noise” and “anxiety.” Link
• Alberta takes aim at Trudeau’s botched vaccine plan. Link
• Trudeau turns to the equivalent of the vaccine food bank. Link
• Why did Trudeau trust China on vaccines? Link
• Premiers blast Trudeau on vaccines as PM calls for calm. Link
• Senior Liberal staffers discussed withholding details about COVID-19 response: Internal emails. Link
• This is the worst Canadian government ever. Can there be any question? Link
• Canada must retaliate over Biden’s ill-considered Keystone decision. Link
• Are you ready for the climate lockdowns? It’s only a matter of time. Link
• UBC professor doxes students for leaving her class and calls them ‘racist’. Link
• The Holier-Than-Thou Crusade in San Francisco. Link
• Don’t show a photo of David Suzuki: How WE Charity tried to keep its donors happy. Link
• Don’t negotiate with Iran — it tried to kill me in 2018. Link
• ‘Their goal is to destroy everyone’: Uighur camp detainees allege systematic rape. Link
• No Payette Payout. Link

You said it

• “Let’s hope CANADA remembers this at election time. The Trudeau government has been a dismal failure and it’s costing lives. CANADA deserves better than his continual denial and lies!” —  Al N.
• “We may have been better off when Stephen Harper was the prime minister and Canada was a respected country. Not so much since 2015.” — John K.

Last week’s straw poll results 

In my last e-newsletter, I asked folks what they thought of the Trudeau government’s vaccine procurement compared to the rest of the world.

A large majority of 93% said the Liberals’ weren’t delivering. 

A big thanks to everyone who took part.

Have your say

Faith leaders and others have serious concerns about the Liberals’ Bill C-6 that deals with conversion therapy. They feel it could interfere with religious freedoms. Do you support the bill or oppose it? 

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