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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

CATHY McLEOD - Canadians deserve better from their government, be it on health planning, spending or ethics


Opposition Day motions to keep government accountable

Canadians have a right to know what their Federal Government is doing, including its pandemic preparedness and response.

It is with this purpose the Conservative Party introduced an Opposition Day motion last Thursday asking the Standing Committee on Health to study:

  • rapid and at-home testing approvals and procurement processes to reduce waiting lines, 
  • vaccine development and protocols for its distribution, 
  • a review of federal public health guidelines and data being used to inform government decisions, 
  • a review of long-term care facility COVID-19 protocols under federal jurisdiction, 
  • the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Canada and a review of our emergency PPE stockpile from 2015 to today, and 
  • the impact of this government’s use of WHO advice to delay closing borders and delay recommending mask wear.

While the Liberals opposed this motion on Monday, the Conservatives, NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Greens all voted in favour, so the committee will be struck in days. It is a victory for accountability and transparency!

The Conservatives introduced another Opposition Day motion last week that would have seen a special committee set up to review questionable spending practices by the Liberal government, including those related to the WE Charity scandal.

The opposition parties had intended on supporting the motion, but when the Prime Minister decided to make the matter a confidence vote, the Greens and NDP voted with the Liberals, to keep the government from falling.

The creation of a special committee is not a matter of confidence, and the PM using it as an excuse to call an election in the middle of the second wave would have put the health and safety of people at risk.

Canadians deserve better from their government, be it on health planning, spending or ethics.
 

Grow, eat and learn

Several schools in our riding were among 86 nationally that took part in the Farm to School Canada Digs In! initiative. These included Norkam Senior Secondary, Brocklehurst Middle School, AE Perry Elementary, 108 Mile Elementary, and Horsefly Elementary Junior Secondary.

And 34 more got Farm to School Canada Grants in 2020 including Skeetchestn Community School and Sk’elep School of Excellence.

Schools received funds of up to $10,000 to deliver farm-to-school salad bar programs with Canada Digs In! It encourages growing, cooking and eating healthy food.

CLICK HERE to read more:

 

Disability top-up starting this week

My offices received many calls from people wondering when they would receive the $600 disability top-up that was announced in June.

Payments will start Oct. 30, dependent on when a person with a disability was deemed eligible.

Information on eligibility criteria are outlined here:

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