✔︎ Bill S-12 (SOIRA and publication bans)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill S-12, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
Bill S-12 amends the Criminal Code and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA) to enact reforms in three categories: 1) response to a Supreme Court decision regarding the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR), 2) strengthening of the NSOR, and 3) empowering victims of crime. S-12 was created after extensive consultation with victims and survivors of sexual assault, women’s groups, law enforcement agencies, and others. The Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime is extremely supportive of this Bill.
Passed.
Bill Status
Received Royal Assent
Question to Min. MacAulay on Farmers in Western Canada
Thank you to Minister MacAulay for answering my question in the House of Commons on the government’s recent announcement to support farmers in Western Canada.
✔︎ Bill C-280, Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-280, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (deemed trust – perishable fruits and vegetables)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
C-280 seeks to create a “deemed trust” that would enable fresh produce sellers to demand return of the full proceeds from the sale of their products ahead of the claims of all other creditors in the case of a BIA and restructurings under the CCAA. The government would look to introduce an amendment to limit the deemed trust to “growers” rather than “sellers” to target the deemed trust at farmers and greenhouse growers of fresh produce, and to exclude large Canadian and US agribusiness and wholesalers as they would be captured in the definition of “sellers”. “Growers” will distinguish the new deemed trust from the existing limited super-priority for Canadian farmers, fishers, and aquacultures. The definition of “farm” in the current BIA super-priority means “land in Canada”, while “grower” would include US farmers and may provide additional parity with PACA that could support efforts to restore preferential Canadian access in the US.
Passed.
Bill Status
At second reading in the Senate
✔︎ Bill C-252, Child Health Protection Act
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The Government supports sending Bill C-252 to Committee. The Bill is well-aligned with the Government’s commitment to promote healthy eating, and help prevent obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases.
Passed.
Bill Status
At second reading in the Senate
✘ Bill C-278, Prevention of Government-imposed Vaccination Mandates Act
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-278, An Act to prevent the imposition by the federal government of vaccination mandates for employment and travel
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
This Bill was introduced in the context of the measures adopted by the federal government to control the spread of COVID-19 including the application of the Quarantine Act to international travelers as well as vaccine mandates for the federal public sector and in the federally regulated transportation context. The proposed amendments would restrict the government’s ability to take necessary actions to protect public health and safety in response to the current pandemic, which continues to evolve, as well as future public health emergencies. These amendments are broad in their scope, without limits, which would lead to policy implications on all levels of government.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated
✔︎ Bill C-284, National Strategy for Eye Care Act
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-284, An Act to establish a national strategy for eye care
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
More than eight million Canadians have one of four common eye diseases and are at serious risk of losing their vision. A national strategy for eye care would lay out a common direction and shared leadership for governments and stakeholders to work together to address vision loss. It would establish a mechanism for efforts towards coordinated action on eye care to reduce duplication across jurisdictions and maximize the collective impact of efforts to prevent and manage eye diseases across the country. In addition, it could provide Indigenous peoples and organizations with an opportunity to engage in an FPT strategy, including consideration for a distinctions-based approach. The Government will also designate and promote February as “Age-Related Macular Degeneration Month”. Awareness about eye health and the risks of eye disease is a key tool we need to leverage to make sure Canadians have the information they need to preserve their vision for the long term. Supporting Bill C-284 demonstrates the Government’s commitment to reducing the significant burden of vision loss.
Passed.
Bill Status
At second reading in the Senate
Statement about World Polio Day
Thank you, Mr. Speaker,
Today I stand to recognize World Polio Day and the efforts of Rotary International. Over 700 Rotary clubs across Canada, including my club in Langley, carry the vision of a polio-free world and continue to work tirelessly toward this goal.
Since 2006, the federal government has contributed over 200 million dollars to support polio eradication efforts. Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused millions of children to miss their polio vaccinations, resulting in outbreaks threatening this tremendous progress. Sustained action is critical to protect global health. If we stop now, we risk the paralysis of 200,000 children a year worldwide.
Please join me today in marking World Polio Day by thanking all who contribute to eradicating polio in our local communities and internationally. Our work is not yet complete. We must remain steadfast in our support to end this terrible disease once and for all.
Question to PS Bittle on Canada’s National Parks
Thank you to PS Bittle for answering my question in the House of Commons on the government’s progress in protecting Canada’s National Parks.
✘ Bill C-325 (conditions of release and conditional sentences)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-325, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (conditions of release and conditional sentences)
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
This Bill is inconsistent with our Government’s reforms and values. It runs contrary to the spirit of Bill C-5 and the desired goal of reducing the overrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and marginalized communities in the criminal justice system. Specifically, the repeal of CSO restrictions in C-5 aimed to restore judicial discretion at sentencing, reduce the overreliance on incarceration, as appropriate, and encourage the diversion of less serious offending out of the criminal justice system. C-325 threatens these goals.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated
✘ Bill C-314 (medical assistance in dying)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-314, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
The Government acknowledges the complexity of the issue and surrounding concerns, but emphasize that it is confident that the healthcare system and practitioners will be ready to safely and consistently provide MAID where the sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness by March 17, 2024.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated