✔︎ C-375 (Pre-sentence Report)

Bill

C-375: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (presentence report).

Third reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

I voted in favour of Bill C-375 because it will help ensure that judges have all the relevant mental health information when exercising their discretion at the sentencing stage.

Result

Passed.

✔︎ C-76 (Accessible Voting)

Bill

C-76: An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and other Acts and to make certain consequential amendments.

Third reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

This bill is in the best interest of all Canadians by making voting more accessible. 

Result

Passed.

✔︎ M-155 (Private Members' Business - Filipino Heritage Month)

Motion

M-155: Private Members' Business - Filipino Heritage Month.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

I voted in favour of M-155 because Support for the motion would be consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which officially recognized multiculturalism as ‘‘a Canadian value’’, and with the Canadian Multiculturalism Act which is built on a policy of multiculturalism designed to preserve and
enhance the multicultural heritage of Canadians.

Result

Passed.

✔︎ M-161 (Private Members' Business - Instruction to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security - Record Suspension Program)

Motion

M-161: Private Members' Business - Instruction to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (Record Suspension Program).

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

I voted in favour of M-161 because this committee study will complement the consultations the Government has already undertaken to support the rehabilitation and safe reintegration of offenders.

Result

Passed.

✘ M-166 (Postal Banking System)

Motion

"That a special committee of the House be appointed with the purpose of conducting hearings and proposing a plan for a postal banking system administered under the Canada Post Corporation; that this Committee consist of ten members of which six shall be from the government party, three from the Official Opposition, and one from the New Democratic Party, provided that the Chair is from the government party; that in addition to the Chair, there be one Vice-Chair from each of the recognized opposition parties; that the Committee have all the powers of a standing committee as provided in the Standing Orders; that the members to serve on the said Committee be appointed by the Whip of each party by depositing with the Clerk of the House a list of his or her party’s members of the Committee no later than a week after the adoption of the said motion; that the quorum of the Committee be as provided for in Standing Order 118, provided that at least one member of each recognized party be present; that membership substitutions be permitted from time to time, if required, in the manner provided for in Standing Order 114(2); and that the Committee report to the House no later than 12 months after the adoption of this motion."

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

I voted against M-166 because our government has spent a considerable amount of time studying this issue and have responded by setting out a new vision for Canada Post. 

Result

Defeated.

✘ S-245 (Trans Mountain Pipeline)

Bill

S-245: An Act to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada.

Second reading.

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

I voted against Bill S-245 because the bill is an incorrect use of the constitutional declaratory power. By seeking to rely on this power to declare federal jurisdiction over a project that is already federal, the Bill is arguably unconstitutional. 

Result

Defeated.

✔︎ C-281 (National Local Food Day)

Bill

C-281: An Act to establish a National Local Food Day.

Second reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

I voted in favour of Bill C-281 because the day would be an opportunity to recognize the contribution of agriculture and food to local economies, the connections between consumers and producers of food, and the capacity of local food systems to offer distinctive food choices to consumers.

Result

Passed.

✔︎ C-79 (Trans Pacific Partnership)

Bill

C-79: An Act to implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership between Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Third reading.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

C-79 makes all legislative changes required to ratify CPTPP. The CPTPP will benefit a wide range of sectors and industries across Canada, from beef and barley to forestry products and seafood. From making our machinery, equipment and business services more competitive, to protecting and preserving our unique culture, we are improving market access for Canadian business and have secured a better deal for Canadians.

Result

Passed.

Debate (M-192 Episodic Disabilities)

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by saying that our government takes very seriously the challenges faced by people with episodic disabilities.

Episodic disability is a health condition that we all know about but that is difficult to measure and manage because of its unpredictable manifestations. It is for this reason that we take into account the needs of people with episodic disabilities in the development of our legislative programs and policies.

Episodic disability is characterized by moments of well-being and periods of illness or disability. These periods can vary in duration, predictability and severity. It is because of their condition that people with episodic disabilities may have to take time off work and thus use income replacement programs.

In 2012, nearly 3.8 million Canadians aged 15 and over reported having a disability limiting their daily activities, including those with episodic disabilities. People with episodic disabilities often face more employment challenges than people without disabilities. In 2011, almost half, or 47%, of respondents with disabilities aged 15 to 64 reported having a job, but for non-disabled respondents, this proportion was 74%.

Many of us know someone who has an episodic disability, and many people have episodic disabilities as they get older.

Motion No. 192 proposes that the House of Commons request the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities to make “recommendations for legislative and policy changes necessary to ensure that the needs of persons with episodic disabilities caused, among other things, by multiple sclerosis, be adequately protected to ensure equity in government policy to support Canadians across all types of disability.”

Our government is well aware that people with disabilities face unique barriers that may limit their participation in our society and economy.

Our efforts to support and advance the integration of people with disabilities are not new. Since day one, we have been committed to this goal. In addition, we have improved and adjusted our programs accordingly. That is also why we have a minister dedicated to accessibility.

Our approach is based on collaboration and communication. That is how the government implements its commitment to people with episodic disabilities. We are committed to supporting people with episodic disabilities through many programs and benefits, such as the Canada pension plan disability program, the disability tax credit and the Canada health and social services disability benefits.

We have heard from people with episodic disabilities and the organizations that represent them that they are not always eligible for benefits of this nature because of the nature of their illness. For example, in June 2018, the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology presented concerns such as these in its report, “Breaking Down Barriers: A critical analysis of the Disability Tax Credit and Registered Disability Savings Plan.”

We are constantly evaluating the extent to which our programs meet the needs of people from diverse groups, including people with episodic disabilities. We also regularly ask for advice on how our programs and policies could be more inclusive and better help Canadians. We appreciate the work of the organizations involved in this regard.

We have already taken important steps to provide better support. For example, in budget 2018, our government announced that it would expand labour provisions for a period of El benefits, maternity and sickness benefits. The purpose of this measure is to provide claimants who have an illness or injury more flexibility to manage their return to work and retain a larger portion of their El benefits.

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention Bill C-81. On June 20, 2018, we tabled the accessible Canada act in Parliament. Under this new legislative proposal, our government would require organizations under federal jurisdiction to identify, eliminate and prevent barriers to accessibility, particularly in the area of employment. In addition, Bill C-81 would require consideration of the particular accessibility needs of people with a variety of disabilities, including those with episodic disabilities.

Before we introduced our bill, we talked to and listened to stakeholders. During the “accessible Canada” consultations, we heard from more than 6,000 Canadians and 90 organizations.

Our Government recognizes that it is important to ensure that people with episodic disabilities benefit from the proposed accessibility act in the same way as other people.

In response to stakeholder recommendations, Bill C-81 includes a broader definition of disability and specifically includes episodic disabilities. This addition is a clear sign to those with an episodic disability that our government is working to remove the barriers they face on a daily basis. Our government will continue to work with persons with disabilities, including those with an episodic disability. Our goal is to ensure these people are recognized and supported by our policies, programs and laws. Our commitment to inclusion and accessibility is unwavering.

I want to express my appreciation to our colleague for bringing this issue to the House. There is no reason why all Canadians cannot showcase all of their strengths and talents. People with disabilities share the same contributions to Canada's prosperity as the rest of Canadians. Canada is a country where everyone should be able to benefit from our collective prosperity. We will continue our work to shape an all-inclusive Canada.

✔︎ C-326 (Drinking Water Guidelines)

Bill

C-326: An Act to amend the Department of Health Act (drinking water guidelines).

Report.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

"I voted in favour of Bill C-326 because it aims to strengthen Canadian drinking-water quality over the long run, in a cost-effective manner, by requiring Health Canada to take account, in developing recommendations for maximum allowable limits for contaminants in drinking water, of standards implemented in other OECD countries. "

Result

Passed.