December 2009 Parliamentary Report
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
In my last Parliamentary Report I told you about my work on the Justice and Human Rights Committee. Today, I will tell you something about my work on the Environment Committee. In addition to a review of the Species at Risk Act and the Oil Sands and Canada's Water Resources this Committee has been studying Bill C-311. This Bill would impose unrealistic emission reduction targets without proposing a single measure to actually achieve them. The Government's targets are balanced and achievable.
Our government is committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 2006 levels by 2020 and 60-70% by 2050. To achieve this we will continue to take steps to develop domestic measures that accurately reflect our country's diversity. We are also working hard with the United States to harmonize our climate change policies.
LOOKING FORWARD
On November 21, I had great fun participating in the Christmas parade. Seeing all those happy little faces, anxiously awaiting Santa Claus' arrival reminded me that not every child will have a Merry Christmas. I would like to encourage everyone who can, to make a donation to the food bank or the Salvation Army or any of the many organizations that seek to make it a merrier Christmas for everyone.
This year, over the holiday season, we will have an added celebration. The Olympic Torch will be coming to town on the heels of St. Nick. On December 27th there will be a welcome celebration at City Hall and on the 28th there will be an Aboriginal sunrise ceremony to send it on to its next destination. This torch relay is history making. It will be the longest domestic relay in Olympic history, carried by 12,000 torchbearers through more than 1,000 communities from coast to coast to coast. I hope you will come out and embrace the Olympic Spirit.
MULTICULTURALISM IN KITCHENER
Over the past 13 months as your Member of Parliament I have attended over 130 community events. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of Canadian Muslims in the lead-up to November 28, the Islamic celebration Eid-al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice. This feast commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son as a sign his faith and obedience to God. It again reminded me that if we all looked for what we have in common rather than our differences we would have a much more peaceful world. It never fails to strike me that Canadians, no matter the ethnic background, want the same things - a safe, secure environment to live, work and grow.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
At this time of year, the anniversary of the l`École Politechnique tragedy, our thoughts also turn to all the tragedies that have been visited upon women. We renew our commitment to stamp out violence against women and promote dignity and respect.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2010.