Statements In The Senate
Statement on the Victims of Tragedy in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan
Honourable senators, this morning, thousands gathered in Toronto to bury Constable Andrew Hong, gunned down because he wore a uniform. The horror in Portapique in Nova Scotia — senseless, brutal murders and testimony that catalogues police inaction, confusion and perhaps even deliberate denial of the events that unfolded. Earlier this month, the horrific events in my…
Read MoreTribute to her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Honourable senators, as the former Governor General said yesterday, the Queen — amongst many attributes — was always intentional. I love that description. She did indeed always act with purpose, and was seen but seldom heard — in the sense that she was never heard pontificating in public. But behind the scenes she led and guided presidents and…
Read MoreThird Report of Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee Adopted
Honourable senators, as per rule 12-23(4), I wish to provide brief remarks on the Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee’s report on Bill S-6, An Act respecting regulatory modernization. Three changes were made to the bill. First, the committee voted against Part 6, which proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Act. The government requested, and the Standing…
Read MoreSpeech on Medical Assistance in Dying (June 7, 2022)
Honourable senators, I have some brief remarks on Bill S-248, the Senate public bill that I tabled last Thursday. The bill amends sections of the Criminal Code relating to medical assistance in dying to allow individuals diagnosed with an incurable illness, disorder or disability to make an advance request for medical assistance in dying. This bill…
Read MoreSpeech on Online Streaming Bill
Honourable senators, I, too, would like to join this discussion on the motion to force a pre-study on Bill C-11 — a highly contentious government bill, but not urgent in nature. So let’s cut to the chase. This pre-study motion intends to ensure the passage of bills that have not been subjected to proper scrutiny or study…
Read MoreSpeech on Canada’s Infrastructure (November 25, 2021)
Honourable senators, this week we have witnessed the deadly impact of severe weather on both coasts of our country, with the loss of human and animal life, the loss of homes and businesses and the loss of incomes and futures. Weather is the Canadian reality — winter whiteouts, ice storms, forest fires and even atmospheric rivers…
Read MoreSpeech on C-10
June 28th 2021 Colleagues, it’s truly unbelievable that we are actually “debating” the need to protect free speech in Canada. What was supposed to be an update of the Broadcasting act and new rules for big tech has become something else entirely. As the minister himself said…if you think bill 10 is controversial, wait until…
Read MoreQuestion of Privilege
16 June 2020 Honourable senators, I rise on a question of privilege because my rights and the rights of all honourable senators to fully participate in debate and proceedings are currently being breached according to rule 13-1. The Senate has convened only four times since the middle of March to approve legislation and we are here again…
Read MoreStatement on Economic Policy
11 March 2020 Honourable senators, across Saskatchewan and Alberta, we are living through an economic and social crisis. Companies in the natural resource sector, which provide real jobs for families, and are often leaders in innovation and research, are now running up unsustainable debt, have lost investors, have left the country, or are simply closing…
Read MoreStatement on Freedom of Expression
25 February 2020 Honourable senators, as someone who spent many years of her life in the world of journalism, I care deeply about freedom of speech in our public discourse; and although the news cycle has moved on, the matter remains simply too important to let it pass unnoted. Last week, the Prime Minister convened…
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