My New Private Member's Bill: Expanding Bereavement Leave
Plus the discovery of the unmarked graves of 215 children from the Kamloops Residential School, the PMPRB accuses critical industry stakeholders of, “sucking Canada for decades” and more
My New Private Member’s Bill: Expanding Bereavement Leave
Yesterday, I sponsored Bill C-307 in the House of Commons that dramatically expands bereavement leave from 5 days to 8 weeks for parents who have experienced a stillbirth, the death of a child under the age of 18, or the death of a disabled in the parent’s care.
A stillbirth is defined consistent with the Vital Statistics Act of all 10 provinces and the bereavement benefit is applied to parents with disabled children based on the criteria of the caregiver tax credit.
The current bereavement system outlined in the Canada Labour Code only includes a generic three days of paid leave and two days of unpaid leave. This is unfair, unsympathetic, and unrealistic for parents to make arrangements and grieve following the death of a child.
Conservatives have been working on a compassionate expansion of bereavement leave for several years. In June 2018, Member of Parliament Blake Richards passed Motion M-110 in the House of Commons calling on the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) to undertake a study on the impacts of the loss of an infant child. This study showed a glaring failure of government programming to address the needs of parents who experience the loss of a child.
In November 2018, MP Kmiec and MP Richards put forward a motion at the Finance Committee that would have expanded bereavement leave in Budget 2018. Every single Liberal member of the Committee voted against it.
I know firsthand the need for an expanded bereavement leave. My daughter, Lucy-Rose passed away in August of 2018, after only living for 39 days. No parent expects or plans to need job-protected bereavement leave, but if they need it, the system should be simple, fair, and compassionate. The current system fails parents during the time when they need compassion the most. I know three days of paid and two days of unpaid bereavement leave is not enough time to grieve, make funeral arrangements or care for family members following the death of their child. This legislation is a first step in ensuring that parents have the support they need to grieve following the death of their child.
No grieving parent should have to deal with a cold, heartless bureaucracy. Bill C-307 is a compassionate bill that will support parents during unexpected times when they need help the most.
If you support this bill, add your name at the link below.
Unmarked Graves Found of 215 Children at Former Kamloops Residential School
I was horrified to learn of the discovery of an unmarked mass gravesite containing the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Residential School. This is a sober reminder of the troubling realities of residential schools that remain a stain on the honour of our country.
On Monday, Erin O’Toole sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau calling on the government to take immediate action in the wake of this discovery, specifically: developing a comprehensive plan to implement TRC Calls to Action 71 through 76 by July 1,
2021; funding the investigation at all former residential schools in Canada where unmarked graves may exist, including the site where 215 children have already been discovered; ensuring that proper resources are allocated for communities to reinter, commemorate, and honour any individuals discovered through the investigation, according to the wishes of their next of kin; and developing a detailed and thorough set of resources to educate Canadians of all ages on the tragic history of residential schools in Canada.
Canadians must work together to acknowledge this stain on our country’s honour and our history so that we may learn from it and continue on the path towards reconciliation. The life of every child is precious, and I mourn with the families who suffer at the anguish of their loss.
Government Regulator Accuses Industry of, “Sucking Canada for Decades.”
Emails I have obtained through an Access to Information request highlight just how deep the antipathy to the pharmaceutical industry is among senior PMPRB executives, who say, "industry has been sucking Canada for decades" and suggestions that "we abandon the idea that we deal with industry as a whole." Their expectations of years of litigation against their planned reforms means one thing: it is their way or the highway.
These documents demonstrate that the PMPRB is out of control. Government regulators are meant to operate from a fair, unbiased perspective and take the best interests of Canadians into account. How can a regulator work on behalf of Canadians when it labels patient groups as engaging in “disinformation” and describes those it regulates as “sucking Canada for decades”? While there are many who are not fond of the pharmaceutical industry, the fact is that the government of Canada did not develop the COVID-19 vaccines we are relying on for a return to normal. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and other members of the pharmaceutical industry produced them. An investigation into the PMPRB’s conduct towards patient groups and industry must occur is necessary and the July 1st reforms must be delayed to assure the public that decisions made by the organization are taken with the best interests of patients and other stakeholders in mind.
New Tech Company Headed to Calgary
Mphasis Ltd., a provider of IT outsourcing announced that it will be setting up its Canadian headquarters in Calgary and will bring 1000 jobs with it. These jobs will include a variety of skilled tech positions.
The tech industry in Calgary is finding footing and taking hold. In March, Infosys, a consulting and IT services firm announced that it would be setting up shop in Calgary and will create 500 jobs in the city.
This is another great investment for the city, and I expect more and more tech companies to set up in Calgary.