Category: General
Parliament’s ethics commissioner has launched an investigation into Justin Trudeau giving $912 million of taxpayers’ money to distribute to a charity to which he’s personally connected.
The WE Charity, was sole sourced the contract that would give $5,000 for volunteer work done by students over the summer.
Trudeau justified it as saying “only the WE organization had the capacity” to deliver the program.
However, that claim has been rejected by experts.
Those experts have noted that there are many different organizations that would’ve been better placed to manage the program.
Yet, despite better options available, Trudeau chose to grant nearly a billion dollars of public money to his friends to distribute.
That’s nepotism at its worst. But it’s something we’ve come to expect from Trudeau.
This isn’t the first time Trudeau has run afoul of ethics laws either.
He’s already been found guilty twice. Now he’s going for the hat-trick.
His first offence was for his vacation at the private island of a registered lobbyist.
The second time was for his unlawful pressuring of the then-Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to interfere in a criminal trial in the SNC-Lavalin affair.
After our Conservative Official Opposition raised the alarm, WE Charity pulled out of the program. But Canadians deserve answers as to why they were granted it in the first place.
Has your flight been canceled due to COVID-19? Here’s some helpful advice
Grounded by COVID-19, many of the world’s airlines have begun to resemble dubious strangers hanging around school playgrounds with offers of confectionery. “Look what I have here,” they say. “Change your dates or cancel your flight altogether. It’s free! Come and see.”
Sitting squeezed into a metal tube for hours, breathing the same air as a crowd of strangers has probably never seemed less appealing, so the chance to delay or cancel a flight without penalty may be an unexpected blessing.
If the airline cancels the flight, a complete refund may be your legal right, but accept their offer and cancel yourself and the resulting terms and conditions – the requirement to rebook only on exactly the same route and within a limited time, for instance – may leave a bitter aftertaste.
“The best advice in this situation is not to cancel until the airline cancels,” says Dr Gábor Lukács, president of Canadian non-profit organisation Air Passenger Rights.
(Read the full column by Peter Neville-Hadley here)
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.
You said it
I love to hear feedback from constituents and others who offer it via emails, letters and social media.
Here are a couple of recent comments:
“Thanks so much for the Canada Day video. And for the other videos as well. The one about Ezio the policeman was well done and much appreciated, as are our men and women in the Police Service. Canada absolutely could NOT do without them!! The alternative is frightening when we see what is happening in the States. Anyway, Happy Canada Day to you and your family!” — Bob K.
“Happy Canada Day to you all. Hope you enjoy your day and stay safe. Also I’m sure you’ll agree with me that we really do live in the best country on the planet.” — Tom D.
“The Chretien Liberals had Adscam hidden away from the public eye. The Trudeau Liberals are flaunting their corruption right under our noses.” — Toni S.
“So the federal public service sits on their hands while Justin Trudeau gives control of 900 million dollars of Canadian Taxpayer funds to friends and financial supporters that will siphon money back to the Trudeau Foundation!!!” — Brett N.
In the news
- Vandals deface Victoria man’s Canada Day flag display. Link
- Murphy: From whee to woe: Why did Trudeau ever think WE deal would fly? Link
- Furey: How sad that even our flag now comes with a disclaimer. Link
- Supreme Court dismisses appeal of Trans Mountain pipeline approval. Link
- Goldstein: WE Charity scrutiny trips up Trudeau. Link
- Ethics watchdog investigating Trudeau over choice of WE Charity to run $900M student grant program. Link
- What does the Paris Agreement mean for energy affordability? Link
- Did a Chinese Hack Kill Canada’s Greatest Tech Company? Link
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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
We can’t have big Canada Day parties this year, but we’re so fortunate to live in the best country in the world. Enjoy this video produced by Edmonton Griesbach constituency office intern Josh Hui.
https://www.facebook.com/KerryDiotteEdmontonGriesbach/videos/2726706184239301/
As a newspaper columnist at the Edmonton Sun for many years, one of my favourite fun things to do was to create an annual Canada Day quiz for readers.
I decided to revisit that idea.
I hunted around the internet and came up with some cool trivia questions to help celebrate Canada Day and our Canadian nation — the greatest country in the world.
Dive in and see how well you score.
– KERRY DIOTTE
1) In what Canadian province is the town of Witless Bay?
a) New Brunswick b) Newfoundland and Labrador c) Quebec.
2) What football team has won the most Grey Cups?
a) Edmonton Eskimos b) Winnipeg Blue Bombers c) Toronto Argonauts.
3) Explorer Samuel de Champlain landed in 1604 at a location that’s now home to what city?
a) Saint John, New Brunswick b) Quebec City, Quebec c) Winnipeg, Manitoba.
4) What Canadian band had a hit single covering The Rolling Stones’ tune Under My Thumb?
a) Trooper b) Loverboy c) Streetheart.
5) The name “Canada” is said to have come from the Huron-Iroquois word, kanata.What does it mean?
a) river country b) village or settlements c) cold place.
6) How many points are on a maple leaf?
a) 11 b) 7 c) 5.
7) How long is Canada’s border with the United States of America?
a) 5,761 kms b) 8,891 kms c) 3,562 kms.
8) According to digitalmusicnews.com<http://digitalmusicnews.com> what Canadian artist’s album had worldwide sales that outsold Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, The Bee Gees’ Saturday Night Fever and the The Beatles’ album Abbey Road?
a) Reckless, Bryan Adams b) Come On Over, Shania Twain c) American Woman, The Guess Who.
9) Of these three things, what was NOT a Canadian invention?
a) baby pablum b) IMAX movie system c) the Zamboni.
10) What celebrated Second World War Canadian soldier is reputed to have single-handedly liberated an entire town from the Nazis?
a) David Currie b) Tommy Prince c) Leo Major.
11) How many Oscar awards were won by the movie Titanic, that was directed by Kapuskasing, Ont.-born James Cameron?
a) 4 b) 11 c) 8.
12) Why is Alberta’s James Gladstone famous?
a) Won three Stanley Cups coaching Toronto Maple Leafs b) Shot down 15 enemy aircraft in World War One c) Became first Indigenous Canadian senator when nominated by Conservative PM John Diefenbaker.
Check your answers here:
What I love about Canada
When I think about what makes Canada great, I think about my late friend Paul Lefaivre.
I met Paul when I was writing a story on the 50th anniversary of D-Day.
Paul was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy.
On June 6, 1944 he went ashore on the beaches of Normandy aboard a landing craft.
He told me his story of that fateful day that included seeing an incredible array of marine vessels and planes and experiencing the acrid smell of gunpowder.
When I asked him why he signed up for combat service he said “it was just the thing to do. Your buddies were going and you didn’t want to be left out.”
Like hundreds of thousands of other Canadians, when the world needed them, they were there.
Their everyday courage is one of the many reasons that make Canada great.
Paul passed away in 2018 at the age of 94. I’ll always remember him as a rock–solid guy and Canadian hero.
Why you love Canada
“One winter morning as I was walking away from my son’s elementary school, I could hear someone running their tires, stuck in the snow. There was a cute little sport car, just digging deeper. I wasn’t the only one looking. I asked if she wanted me to push and she said yes. All it took was one person to put their hands on the car and there were half a dozen people there to help push. A guy offered to drive it out of the rut she had made and there you go, problem solved. She drove away, we smiled at each other and carried on. No names, just helping out.” — Marie F.
“Canadians do things because they know they are the right thing to do. Canada has a troubled past and a troubled present. We still have a long way to go to ensure everyone has equal access to the rights and freedoms promised in our Canadian Charter. However, I also know that many Canadians are working every day towards this goal. That they won’t give up until all people are safe and free. And for that, I am proud.” — Angela H.
“I love Canada because here you are free to live, think and do what you want.” — Alex C.
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.
Liberals failed to close borders early
On the day Australia closed its borders to China, Canada had four confirmed COVID-19 cases, all linked to travel from China. At the time, the Trudeau government was still committed to the idea that travel bans don’t work and even suggested that those proposing them might be racist.
The U.S. had declared a public health emergency the day before, and the New England Journal of Medicine had published a report saying that COVID-19 could be spread by asymptomatic carriers. Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Canada saw no need to declare an emergency and that Health Canada had seen no evidence of asymptomatic spread.
“We’re comfortable that we’re completely up to date in terms of our approach and what the science says. There is a very low risk to Canadians,” Hajdu said on Jan. 31. “We’ve been following closely the recommendations of the World Health Organization.”
On February 3, the U.S. followed Australia’s lead and froze travel with China. Asked in the Commons why Canada was not doing the same, Hajdu denounced “the spread of misinformation and fear across Canadian society” and called on the opposition to “not sensationalize the risk to Canadians.”
Wesley Wark is one of Canada’s leading experts on intelligence. He said Hajdu’s low-risk assessment would dominate government thinking for at least another four weeks, as documented by the daily situational reports produced by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
“(The reports) said throughout that the risk posed by COVID-19 to Canada and Canada’s interests was low,” Wark said.
“That is, in my view, an astonishing failure of judgment, and it means as far as I’m concerned that a radical rethink has to take place in how we do global health surveillance.
(Read the full column by Evan Dyer, CBC here)
You said it
I love to hear feedback from constituents and others who offer it via emails, letters and social media.
Here are a couple of recent comments:
“Yes. Our thank you to all the members of the police force in protecting our community. God bless them and their families.” — Mary F.
“Trudeau. The most corrupt prime minister ever in Canada. Always favouritism for his favs. Sickening.” — Christine P.
“According to our socalled PM we have nothing to be proud of…god knows our federal gov’t leaves a lot to be desired!!!” — Brett N.
“Thank you for your comments on policing. We need our police services so very much. We also need to figure out what more we can do to help people achieve their goals. To some that is a house, to others best schools for their children but I think respect.might top the list. Name calling seems to be a sport. We have gone far, I think, on procedural changes but we are not procedures, we are humans and somehow ‘human’ must be put back into the equation.” — Maureen M.
In the news
- Murphy: These are strange and disturbing times. Link
- Canada loses AAA rating, Fitch downgrades amid virus costs. Link
- Exclusive: Senior Liberal staffer calls for the RCMP to be abolished. Link
- Gerald Butts tweets US map that labels states “white Congo” and “rape central.” Link
- Trudeau pledges $300 million to fight COVID-19 abroad. Link
- Ottawa outsources student-grant program to a Toronto charity that works with Justin Trudeau’s wife. Link
- Building names under review at UWindsor. Link
- Canada’s lost months: When COVID-19′s first wave hit, governments and health officials were scattered and slow to act. Link
Share this valuable e-newsletter with a friend
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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
1) In what Canadian province is the town of Witless Bay?
b) Newfoundland and Labrador.
2) What football team has won the most Grey Cups?
c) Toronto Argonauts.
3) Explorer Samuel de Champlain landed in 1604 at a location that’s now home to what city?
a) Saint John, New Brunswick.
4) What Canadian band had a hit single covering The Rolling Stones’ tune Under My Thumb?
c) Streetheart.
5) The name “Canada” is said to have come from the Huron-Iroquois word, kanata.What does it mean?
b) village or settlements.
6) How many points are on a maple leaf?
a) 11.
7) How long is Canada’s border with the United States of America?
b) 8,891 kms.
8) According to digitalmusicnews.com<http://digitalmusicnews.com> what Canadian artist’s album had worldwide sales that outsold Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, The Bee Gees’ Saturday Night Fever and the The Beatles’ album Abbey Road?
b) Come On Over, Shania Twain.
9) Of these three things, what was NOT a Canadian invention?
c) the Zamboni.
10) What celebrated Second World War Canadian soldier is reputed to have single-handedly liberated an entire town from the Nazis?
c) Leo Major.
11) How many Oscar awards were won by the movie Titanic, that was directed by Kapuskasing, Ont.-born James Cameron?
b) 11.
12) Why is Alberta’s James Gladstone famous?
c) Became first Indigenous Canadian senator when nominated by Conservative PM John Diefenbaker.
My Conservative MP friend Michael Cooper and I were honoured to attend a moving ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the tragic death in the line of duty of Edmonton Police Service Const. Ezio Faraone. Ezio was just 33 years old when he was killed June 25,1990 responding to an armed robbery. Both of the men involved in his murder were sent to prison. The touching ceremony put on by the Edmonton Police Association at a civic park named for the constable, was well-attended. I remember the day very well because I was working as a journalist at the Edmonton Sun covering the horrific event. RIP Ezio and thanks to all the good men and women who serve and protect us.
https://www.facebook.com/KerryDiotteEdmontonGriesbach/videos/266422294447176/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBTCzyZg0PCUK-kg9tZzUI-OmwHAbTo8W-q0ZdNZNDCHMPee_O-g8JZoiPn5HZ3Hwpx_KiFYV1nv4KL5G4gpbE5HV89aWI8MYgyoRarfH1SW2SswCp7fRiEYLPp6Ie3GvaiunftoaqZRSSqPYZFAXrPCLnFofhAUC43crQE-Wm-dfHbR0tv9xbwzHcj_-QecyDWzduPJhaD1s6djt3na3uU_z4Bk_K3O_6_CNhHNCaziokY5GgDN_jiGfz2K0vpIbdzZIBV_mCjXR5EkfBhqNEIgZ4BsxEsK_waLu80tLdMpYOgkvYfV753_fOBu5O3g_qsZOOOC8yFYu4TK2wwoSE22emPnzWliUhztA&__tn__=-R
I’ve joined other Parliamentarians in supporting the Baha’i religious minority who’ve are being relentlessly persecuted in Iran.
No one should be persecuted due to their faith or conscience.
Read our open letter here:
https://www.hilltimes.com/2020/06/24/mps-senators-call-for-an-end-to-persecution-of-bahais-in-iran/253752?fbclid=IwAR3grLv1z0fK6U2WVaodUeNJNkHt5WTBbDf2QtLwra6ViEA_QHafyXMb6vQ
The COVID pandemic has been a challenge for everyone.
But it has been especially trying for senior citizens who are more vulnerable to becoming deathly ill from the disease.
So it’s good to know there’s an organization in Edmonton that’s tailored to helping seniors who need it the most during these pandemic times.
Drive Happiness supports seniors in our riding of Edmonton Griesbach as well as throughout the city.
Our office summer intern Josh Hui and I spent some time to get to know the good work done by the organization.
Here’s our report:
What do you love about Canada?
With Canada Day around the corner I want to know what you love about Canada? What’s the most Canadian thing you do? And what’s your best story about when you were proudest to be Canadian?
Whether it’s a time you were travelling and someone helped you out because you’re Canadian or the time you welcomed your new neighbours into the community with a couple of double doubles from Timmies or maybe you love Canada for our freedom, I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Please send your feedback to [email protected] I’ll share several of your responses in next weeks e-newsletter.
Conservative Opposition stood up to Trudeau for Canadians
Our strengthened Conservative Opposition has been holding the Trudeau government to account and delivering results for all Canadians.
Support for small businesses available
The city of Edmonton is offering COVID-19 support to eligible small businesses with grants of up to $5,000.
The next application intake opens on Monday, June 29 at 9 a.m.
Cooler heads must prevail on policing issues
On Monday (June 15) I spoke at the Edmonton city council public hearing on policing. I argued that no changes — especially budget cuts — should be contemplated in these highly charged emotional times.
See below for the video and text of my presentation:
A horrifying event took place on May 25. That was the day that Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin arrested 46-year-old African-American George Floyd. A video surfaced that showed the officer kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck for almost NINE minutes.
As we know, Mr. Floyd died. Officer Chauvin and three others involved in the arrest and death were fired. All of them now are facing charges. Any sane person who watched the video was horrified and disgusted by it, including I’m sure, every police officer in our city.
As we know, Mr. Floyd’s death sparked protests in 75 U.S. cities and around the world — including here. Sadly it also sparked civil unrest, riots, looting and the deaths of innocent people. Police officers in the United States were among the victims and that too is horrific.
Let me state the obvious. But it needs to be stated. Not one member of the Edmonton Police Service was involved in the senseless death of Mr. Floyd. I’m absolutely sure that, not one EPS officer, is anything but disgusted by it.
Yet that terrible event has stoked an unspeakable anger toward law enforcement in the United States, here and around the world. It’s taken over the headlines amid the most serious worldwide health pandemic in 100 years.
There are cries to defund the police. Dismantle the police. Scores of police officers who had nothing to do with the death of Mr. Floyd have been attacked and assaulted amid a mob mentality. Right-minded people find that despicable. I certainly do.
In the midst of this world-wide anger city council has called this public hearing to take a hard look at policing here in Edmonton. There’s a suggestion to give the police $16.3 million less in 2021 than previously approved. There’s also a suggestion THAT money should be allotted to social programs.
I’m a former city councillor and member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach. I’ve got a keen interest in this subject. My riding is one of the poorest in Alberta if not THE poorest according to household incomes. I represent many impoverished and marginalized communities.
Like every city councillor here today, I want the very best for my constituents including the best policing and best social services. And we’re lucky in my riding to have both. We’ve got beat cops who genuinely care about their communities and about building relationships.
We’ve got scores of not-for-profits either located right in our riding or providing amazing service to people in it.
There’s REACH Edmonton, ASSIST Community Services, Catholic Social Services, Homeward Trust, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, CASA Foundation…There are lots more. But I’ll run out my time naming them all.
The bottom line is my constituents are fortunate to have great service from both the EPS and the many social agencies. I also know the EPS often works in tandem with many of those agencies.
I believe one of the main duties of a politician is to listen to the people they represent. I make a point to do that by sending out regular surveys to each and every home in my riding. As well I reach out regularly on social media.
The policing issue has been a hot topic. But I’ll say that 75% of people I’ve heard from online, on the phone or via e-mail are opposed to any cuts to the police budget. In fact many people I’ve heard from want increases in the police budget and more police officers in their communities.
I’d be willing to bet many city councillors might have the same experience if you disregard the complaint letters that are form letters as part of an orchestrated campaign.
These are highly emotionally charged times. People are rightfully angry over the horrible death of Mr. Floyd. Many people are angry at all police and people in authority. So I believe this is not the time to be embarking on drastic changes to the way we do policing in the city of Edmonton.
It’s almost 30 years now to the day that an EPS officer was shot and killed when he responded to a bank robbery just north of the city’s downtown. I remember it well because I covered it as a journalist. His name was Ezio Faraone. He was just 33 years old when he was killed June 25,1990. Both of the men involved in his murder were sent to prison. Today there’s a park named for Ezio and a statue in his memory.
Imagine if HIS murder had happened just a few weeks ago. Would we be having a discussion about cutting police budgets? I think not. And nor would it be the appropriate time to be discussing the matter.
I’d suggest it’s only appropriate, we all take a deep breath.
Let’s first get over the anger we feel about Mr. Floyd’s death.
Let’s talk about this very serious issue of policing when everyone has had time to heal over that death.
We need to pause. We owe that the our citizens — and we owe that to our police officers.
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.
You said it
I love to hear feedback from constituents and others who offer it via emails, letters and social media.
Here are a couple of recent comments:
“I watched your presentation to Edmonton city council regarding policing, and I appreciated your call for a breather, to gain a measure of emotional equilibrium and objectivity, in response to the recent horrific event in the U.S. No doubt, there will be changes over the coming season, but the need to act with prudence will always be there, as there are so many counter-balancing priorities and rights to be considered.” — Ray B.
“I would strongly lobby for bodycam’s on all officers – this would reduce false complaints and hold our EPS members accountable. How can this be achieved?” — Jim K.
“Trudeau doesn’t want to go back to work. He doesn’t want to face scrutiny, criticisms and questions he never answers. Trudeau only wants adoring, obedient minions. Trudeau is the most unqualified person to hold public office, ever.” — Andrew G.
“Thank you Mr. Diotte. I am watching the hearing live as I type these words. I agree with you. I would like to ADD that there were so many biased and questionable statements made by speakers who request the defunding/dismantling of EPS, that were not challenged by the councilors.I have e-mailed and messaged through Facebook some of the councilors who propose the cuts, asking them to provide details and clarifications on where the requests to defund the police are coming from, to be more specific, are the requests coming from Edmontonians or are they coming from international organizers of the recent protests in Edmonton. I still have not received any feedback.” — Aleksandar S.
“Totally amazing. Each of us Canadians sits down at a comfy table, with a nice meal. Hot coffee. Not so for Michael Spavor and Michael Kovig in a dirty rotten Chinese Prison. No more made in China products for me. But then – this is the nature of Communist China – no rhyme or reason. Spavor and Kovig have not had access to a lawyer or even a visit by their family. Its not allowed. What a tarnished system over there!!!! And Liberals over here continue to pander to these thugs. Such awful nonesense. Our love and prayers for these two Canadians and their families. Now tell me – what are the Conservatives in our country saying or doing about this – after all – whats next – life in a filthy prison or execution?” — John K.
In the news
- The UN Security Council rout: Canada’s (at the) back!Link
- PM Trudeau ‘very disappointed’ over China charging two Canadians. Link
- Federal aid for oil sector still in development, three months later. Link
- Ivison: Conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis has found her voice. Link
- English media outlets avoid asking Trudeau about UN Security Council disaster. Link
- Iranian officials ‘looted’ cellphones, rings, passports of plane crash victims, Canadian relatives say. Link
- Canada’s international corruption rank suffered due to SNC-Lavalin scandal. 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
Our strengthened Conservative Opposition has been holding the Trudeau government to account and delivering results for all Canadians. Together, Conservatives:
- Created the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations.
- Stood in solidarity with elected band councils and the Wet’suwet’en and held Justin Trudeau to account for his weak leadership on the illegal rail blockades.
- Ensured that the Auditor General will review the Liberals’ failed infrastructure program.
- Ensured that all of the Liberals’ COVID-19 pandemic spending will be audited, so Canadians know how their tax dollars were spent.
- Stopped Justin Trudeau’s massive power grab at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Called for the mandatory quarantine of all travellers and stronger border measures.
- Proposed constructive solutions to fix the Liberals’ COVID-19 aid programs, like increasing the CEWS from 10% to 75%, making the CERB more flexible so no one is penalized for going back to work, and making it easier to access the CEBA.
- Advocated for small businesses and workers, including proposing giving small businesses back the GST they remitted in the last year.
- Secured more COVID-19 support for seniors, students and expectant mothers.
- Demanded the Liberals support farmers, fish and seafood harvesters, and Canada’s oil and gas sector.
- Supported Taiwanese participation in the WHO.
- Successfully delayed the PMPRB regulations and launched consultations to ensure the Liberal government is actively listening to Canadians and putting patients first.
- Called for an economic update and for the funding the Auditor General’s Office needs so provide oversight of the government’s unprecedented spending.
- Stood up for democracy after Trudeau shamefully shut down Parliament and demanded its full return – the only party to do so.
The COVID pandemic has been a challenge for everyone.
But it has been especially trying for senior citizens who are more vulnerable to becoming deathly ill from the disease.
So it’s good to know there’s an organization in Edmonton that’s tailored to helping seniors who need it the most during these pandemic times.
Drive Happiness supports seniors in our riding of Edmonton Griesbach as well as throughout the city.
Our office summer intern Josh Hui and I spent some time to get to know the good work done by the organization.
Here’s our report:
On Monday (June 15) I spoke at the Edmonton city council public hearing on policing. I argued that no changes – especially budget cuts – should be contemplated in these highly charged emotional times. Here’s the text of my presentation:
A horrifying event took place on May 25. That was the day that Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin arrested 46-year-old African-American George Floyd. A video surfaced that showed the officer kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck for almost NINE minutes.
As we know, Mr. Floyd died. Officer Chauvin and three others involved in the arrest and death were fired. All of them now are facing charges. Any sane person who watched the video was horrified and disgusted by it, including I’m sure, every police officer in our city.
As we know, Mr. Floyd’s death sparked protests in 75 U.S. cities and around the world — including here. Sadly it also sparked civil unrest, riots, looting and the deaths of innocent people. Police officers in the United States were among the victims and that too is horrific.
Let me state the obvious. But it needs to be stated. Not one member of the Edmonton Police Service was involved in the senseless death of Mr. Floyd. I’m absolutely sure that, not one EPS officer, is anything but disgusted by it.
Yet that terrible event has stoked an unspeakable anger toward law enforcement in the United States, here and around the world. It’s taken over the headlines amid the most serious worldwide health pandemic in 100 years.
There are cries to defund the police. Dismantle the police. Scores of police officers who had nothing to do with the death of Mr. Floyd have been attacked and assaulted amid a mob mentality. Right-minded people find that despicable. I certainly do.
In the midst of this world-wide anger city council has called this public hearing to take a hard look at policing here in Edmonton. There’s a suggestion to give the police $16.3 million less in 2021 than previously approved. There’s also a suggestion THAT money should be allotted to social programs.
I’m a former city councillor and member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach. I’ve got a keen interest in this subject. My riding is one of the poorest in Alberta if not THE poorest according to household incomes. I represent many impoverished and marginalized communities.
Like every city councillor here today, I want the very best for my constituents including the best policing and best social services. And we’re lucky in my riding to have both. We’ve got beat cops who genuinely care about their communities and about building relationships.
We’ve got scores of not-for-profits either located right in our riding or providing amazing service to people in it.
There’s REACH Edmonton, ASSIST Community Services, Catholic Social Services, Homeward Trust, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, CASA Foundation…There are lots more. But I’ll run out my time naming them all.
The bottom line is my constituents are fortunate to have great service from both the EPS and the many social agencies. I also know the EPS often works in tandem with many of those agencies.
I believe one of the main duties of a politician is to listen to the people they represent. I make a point to do that by sending out regular surveys to each and every home in my riding. As well I reach out regularly on social media.
The policing issue has been a hot topic. But I’ll say that 75% of people I’ve heard from online, on the phone or via e-mail are opposed to any cuts to the police budget. In fact many people I’ve heard from want increases in the police budget and more police officers in their communities.
I’d be willing to bet many city councillors might have the same experience if you disregard the complaint letters that are form letters as part of an orchestrated campaign.
These are highly emotionally charged times. People are rightfully angry over the horrible death of Mr. Floyd. Many people are angry at all police and people in authority. So I believe this is not the time to be embarking on drastic changes to the way we do policing in the city of Edmonton.
It’s almost 30 years now to the day that an EPS officer was shot and killed when he responded to a bank robbery just north of the city’s downtown. I remember it well because I covered it as a journalist. His name was Ezio Faraone. He was just 33 years old when he was killed June 25,1990. Both of the men involved in his murder were sent to prison. Today there’s a park named for Ezio and a statue in his memory.
Imagine if HIS murder had happened just a few weeks ago. Would we be having a discussion about cutting police budgets? I think not. And nor would it be the appropriate time to be discussing the matter.
I’d suggest it’s only appropriate, we all take a deep breath.
Let’s first get over the anger we feel about Mr. Floyd’s death.
Let’s talk about this very serious issue of policing when everyone has had time to heal over that death.
We need to pause. We owe that the our citizens — and we owe that to our police officers.