Making every vote count
When I was knocking on doors leading up to the 2019 and 2021 elections, I heard from too many people who said they either don’t bother voting, or who feel their vote won’t make a difference. Sadly, it’s easy to understand why so many feel like this. The way Canada’s current electoral system works, most […]
Protecting housing as a human right
May 2023 Housing affordability continues to be a top priority for people in our community. It’s unsurprising, given that house prices have gone up 275% while wages have only increased 42% since 2005. It’s also part of what has led to the number of people living unsheltered in our community to triple since 2018. This is a crisis, […]
Wealth inequality more obvious than ever
As the cost-of-living soars, many in our community are feeling the pinch. I will continue advocating for those most significantly impacted, from people with disabilities to those facing rising rents. This includes my push to strengthen the Canada Disability Benefit which just passed third reading and is moving on to the Senate. I’ve also shared […]
Motion 71: One solution to the housing crisis
We are in a housing crisis, and it has and will continue to define our community over the coming years. From young people unsure if they’ll be able to live in our community when they move out of their parents’ homes, to seniors renting on fixed incomes, to healthcare workers who tell me they can’t […]
COP27: A deeply flawed process, but it’s all we’ve got
When I first began following the annual, international UN climate talks in 2007, I was powerless to influence their outcome. So, I started a not for profit in our community and set out to reduce our climate impact locally. Fifteen years later and now as the Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, I just returned […]
Treating the drug poisoning crisis like a public health issue, not a criminal one
Before I was elected, I volunteered with an incredible organization in our community, Sanguen Outreach, stuffing harm reduction kits that their staff would distribute from their mobile response van. Too many of our neighbours are dying at the hands of poisoned drugs in our community. Last year alone, 99 loved ones were lost – more […]
Does it do more harm than good? Why I voted in support of C-5 and against C-11
I don’t expect any legislation I vote on in Ottawa will be perfect, or will fully address our community’s interests. But when I vote on any legislation, one of the key questions I ask myself is: does this bill do more harm than good? Recently, Members of Parliament voted on Bill C-5, which would repeal […]
Cross party push for Canada Disability Benefit
Over 70 MPs from across party lines have signed a letter in support of fast-tracking a new Canada Disability Benefit. You can view the letter below or download it. The federal government promised to introduce the benefit in 2020, with the potential to lift 1.5 million Canadians out of poverty. They repeated this commitment in […]
Funding oil and gas while Canadians are getting gouged at the pumps
Right across our community, I’ve heard it loud and clear. From every neighbour, every age group: we know this is our last chance to follow the science on the climate crisis. And we expect all levels of government to step up. This past month there were several key climate announcements in Ottawa. A word of […]
Voting on the Emergencies Act
Last week the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act, giving broader powers to governments, police, and financial institutions to end the blockades and protests of the “Freedom Convoy”. Members of Parliament have been debating whether the act is necessary in the lead up to a vote today. If passed, the emergency measures will remain in […]