Leah Gazan

Public health care is precious, we must defend it

Our public health-care system is facing a serious threat. A threat posed by provincial governments pushing for-profit care as a solution to the problems facing the system, and by a threat posed by a federal government that is failing to put a stop to this privatization.

Fighting for what our community needs

With the arrival of fall, I’m reflecting on what a busy and productive summer it’s been here in Winnipeg Centre. I spent much of this summer in conversation with constituents, meeting with community-based organizations, and attending events. I want to thank everyone who came to one of our barbecues, volunteered their time, or visited our office. It has been wonderful to spend time together, discuss the incredible work being done in our communities, and collectively imagine an economic and socially just future. This community is truly a special place.

Time for real action to address cost of living

The last few months have been a difficult time for families and individuals in our community, as inflation continues to make the cost of almost everything more expensive. On July 20, inflation rose to 8.1 per cent, a 39-year high.

Standing up for our democracy

It has been a difficult time for our country and our community. February has been a month defined by an illegal occupation that, until recently, brought our nation’s capital to its knees and temporarily shut down several international border crossings on which millions of jobs depend. Smaller occupations, including in Winnipeg Centre, have subjected residents to days of harassment and sonic torture.

Over the last few weeks, I have been working to ensure that your voices are heard loud and clear in parliament and that downtown Winnipeg residents are supported.

In parliament, during a debate regarding the federal government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act, I spoke about the threats facing our democracy. I’m concerned by the spread of misinformation, the threats to journalists, the large amount of anonymous, foreign funding that helped sustain the illegal occupation and the roles of former police and intelligence officials who involved in organizing it. I’m deeply concerned by the racist and xenophobic rhetoric espoused by self-proclaimed “leaders” of the convoy, including Pat King, who said that “the Anglo-Saxon race” has “the strongest bloodlines.”

I noted that the NDP’s support for this emergency legislation is not a blank cheque, and we are ready to withdraw our support at any time if there is any overreach or indication that these measures are no longer required.

Advocating for a better world for all

The House of Commons has resumed sitting in Ottawa and I am ready to continue advocating for Winnipeg Centre.

In addition to being the NDP critic for children, families, and social development, I am now the NDP critic for women and gender equality, as well as the deputy critic for housing. I am committed to pushing for the creation of systems that advance rights and ensure that all individuals in our community have what they need to thrive and not just survive.

This includes many children in Winnipeg Centre who are forced to live in poverty as a result of inadequate political will to ensure their human rights are upheld.

In honour of the National Day of the Child, which was Nov. 20, I wish to highlight the ongoing struggles that many children face in our community and throughout Canada.

Liberals must support low-income seniors

First of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Winnipeg Centre for allowing me to continue serving as your member of Parliament. I am inspired everyday by the pride we have for our community, and it is an honour to be your representative in Ottawa. Our team will continue to serve our riding with care, love, and solidarity while we fight for human rights for all.

Throughout the pandemic, our Winnipeg Centre office has helped individuals, community organizations, and small businesses access various federal emergency supports that have been available. While many programs have been limited and flawed, members of our community have relied on these supports over the last year and a half.

Despite the fact that we are in a fourth wave of COVID-19, the Liberal government has chosen not to extend several pandemic supports, including the Canada Recovery Benefit, which places many residents in our community at risk of becoming unhoused and food insecure.

This is unfortunate. The success of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit has demonstrated that we have the resources to lift individuals out of poverty and ensure that no one is left behind. What we need, however, is the political will to ensure this happens. This is why I introduced Motion 46, which called on the government to replace the CERB with a permanent guaranteed livable basic income.

Liberals must support low-income seniors

First of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Winnipeg Centre for allowing me to continue serving as your member of Parliament. I am inspired everyday by the pride we have for our community, and it is an honour to be your representative in Ottawa. Our team will continue to serve our riding with care, love, and solidarity while we fight for human rights for all.

Throughout the pandemic, our Winnipeg Centre office has helped individuals, community organizations, and small businesses access various federal emergency supports that have been available. While many programs have been limited and flawed, members of our community have relied on these supports over the last year and a half.

Despite the fact that we are in a fourth wave of COVID-19, the Liberal government has chosen not to extend several pandemic supports, including the Canada Recovery Benefit, which places many residents in our community at risk of becoming unhoused and food insecure.

This is unfortunate. The success of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit has demonstrated that we have the resources to lift individuals out of poverty and ensure that no one is left behind. What we need, however, is the political will to ensure this happens. This is why I introduced Motion 46, which called on the government to replace the CERB with a permanent guaranteed livable basic income.

Our climate is in crisis – it’s time to act

On Thurs., July 29, climate justice organizers and community members gathered outside our constituency office at 892 Sargent Ave. to demand action on the climate emergency.

The rally was held as part of 350.org’s national day of action calling on Members of Parliament to act boldly in the fight against the climate crisis.

Using the hashtag #CanadaOnFire, event organizers are sending a clear message that the increase in wildfires is a direct result of the climate emergency, something that has been clearly supported by science.

It is for this reason that, at this critical juncture, I was proud to sign their Canada on Fire pledge, committing to act with the urgency that is required to mitigate the climate crisis.

Indigenous rights recognized by Parliament

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 13, 2007, to enshrine the rights that “constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world.”

The declaration was the result of over two decades of negotiations between Indigenous peoples, civil society groups, and nation-states consisting of a preamble and 46 articles that define the inherent minimum human rights of Indigenous peoples, as there was a recognition that the rights of Indigenous peoples were violated throughout the world.

The articles within the declaration affirm the social, cultural, political, economic, environmental and spiritual rights of Indigenous peoples. This includes the right to self-determination — the right to free, prior and informed consent over matters impacting Indigenous rights including the development of natural resources on Indigenous territories.

After many years of advocacy by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, including so many in our community of Winnipeg Centre, on June 21, Bill C-15, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, received Royal Assent, after passing both chambers of Canada’s House of Parliament.

Indigenous rights recognized by Parliament

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 13, 2007, to enshrine the rights that “constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world.”

The Declaration was the result of over two decades of negotiations between Indigenous peoples, civil society groups, and nation states consisting of a preamble and 46 articles that define the inherent minimum human rights of Indigenous peoples, as there was a recognition that the rights of Indigenous peoples were violated throughout the world.

The articles within the Declaration affirm the social, cultural, political, economic, environmental and spiritual rights of Indigenous peoples. This includes the right to self-determination, the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) over matters impacting Indigenous rights including the development of natural resources on Indigenous territories.

After many years of advocacy by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, including so many in our community of Winnipeg Centre, on Monday, June 21st, Bill C-15, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, received Royal Assent, after passing both chambers of Canada’s Houses of Parliament.

It’s past time to act on Calls to Action

Last week, I spoke at an emergency debate about the discovery of the bodies of 215 children at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, one of the largest schools in the IRS system.

I criticized the Liberal government’s abysmal record on reconciliation and the fact that it has been six years since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report, and, according to the Yellowhead Institute, only eight of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action have been completed.

The sad truth is that the tragic discovery at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc was a reminder of the many children who lost their lives as a result of genocide in the IRS system. Many of these children were placed in unmarked graves, never to return home, leaving families wondering where their loved ones were.

In fact, according to former Sen. Murray Sinclair, the former chair of the TRC, the number of children still to be found could be as high as 25,000 as a result of genocidal actions noted in the TRC’s final report.

It’s past time to act upon Calls to Action

Last week, I spoke at an emergency debate about the discovery of the bodies of 215 children at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, one of the largest schools in the IRS system.

I criticised the Liberal government’s abysmal record on reconciliation and the fact that it has been six years since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report, and, according to the Yellowhead Institute, only eight of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action have been completed.

The sad truth is that the tragic discovery at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc was a reminder of the many children who lost their lives as a result of genocide in the IRS system. Many of these children were placed in unmarked graves, never to return home, leaving families wondering where their loved ones were.

In fact, according to former Sen. Murray Sinclair, the former chair of the TRC, the number of children still to be found could be as high as 25,000 as a result of genocidal actions noted in the TRC’s final report.

Moving to establish basic income for all

On April 28, I brought forward a unanimous consent motion in the House of Commons for the establishment of a guaranteed livable basic income (GLBI), also known as Motion-46.

A GLBI would provide a regular and unconditional livable income to those who need it, as an effort to ensure the dignity and human rights of all people living in Canada. Unfortunately, the Liberals said no to my motion.

Regardless, the movement built by thousands across the country in support of Motion-46 has truly changed the conversation around basic income.

Since launching Motion-46 in August 2020, we gathered over 40,000 signatures from folks around the country, including thousands of people here in Winnipeg Centre.

Poverty and income inequality must be addressed

On March 31, I had the opportunity to speak with Winnipeg Centre residents during a telephone town hall event. After a difficult year, I was so excited to gather, over the phone, with hundreds of individuals across our riding.

We began the event with a discussion about poverty and income inequality in our community, specifically my private member’s motion, M-46, for a guaranteed livable basic income. M-46 calls for a guaranteed income program that would ensure a basic income for all residents of Canada in addition to current and future investments in our social safety net.

I am pleased to report that even the Parliamentary Budget Officer, an independent and non-partisan officer of parliament, recently reported the benefits of implementing an income guarantee that could cut poverty rates in Canada in half. This is critically important for Manitoba, where we could potentially reduce poverty rates by up to 61.9 per cent. This would have a huge impact in Winnipeg Centre, the third-poorest riding in the country, and it is something that I am committed to continue advocating for.

We also discussed the inadequacies of our current health-care system, and the need to expand health-care coverage to include universal dental care, pharmacare, and mental health care. There are serious gaps in our current system, and it is time that we ensure that everyone living in Canada has access to the care they need.

Capitol attack a reminder to be vigilant

It was horrifying to watch events unfold in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, as tens of thousands of people stormed the Capitol building.

This was an attack on democracy, and a clear demonstration of power from a growing and global alt-right terrorist movement. This was not just a collection of individuals upset at the result of the American election. It was an organized attack by extremists, fascists, and white supremacists.

Unfortunately, this is not unique to the United States. We must be vigilant, speak out against all forms of hate, and act decisively to combat fascism, and racism in Canada. Just in the last year, we have seen how violently white supremacy operates in our systems, and is celebrated by some of my political colleagues. This is an immediate threat to our democracy and the safety of our country.

We are witnessing the dangers of extremism in real time and we should not underestimate this threat.

Capitol attack a reminder to be vigilant

It was horrifying to watch events unfold in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, as thousands of people stormed the Capitol building.

This was an attack on democracy, and a clear demonstration of power from a growing and global alt-right terrorist movement. This was not just a collection of individuals upset at the result of the American election. It was an organized attack by extremists, fascists, and white supremacists.

Unfortunately, this is not unique to the United States. We must be vigilant, speak out against all forms of hate, and act decisively to combat fascism and racism in Canada. Just in the last year, we have seen how violently white supremacy operates in our systems, and is celebrated by some of my political colleagues. This is an immediate threat to our democracy and the safety of our country.

We are witnessing the dangers of extremism in real time and we should not underestimate this threat. We must act with hope, joy, and peace to combat it. It is therefore critical that we address clear human rights violations, and continue fighting for dignity, justice, and security for all persons.

Work to right wrongs will never cease

For most individuals,  this time of year is filled with family and community gatherings.  Along with the many recognized religious and cultural holidays, it is also the darkest month of the year, and closeness with loved ones and friends can bring comfort and warmth.

This year, many of us are missing these moments of togetherness, which is why it is important that we work together to fight isolation and keep our networks of community care going safely, including better supporting members of the shelterless community.

That is why, on Dec. 9, I put forward a unanimous consent Motion calling on members of Parliament to vote in favour of the critical actions required to deal with the housing crisis that has worsened during the pandemic.

This included increasing support for individuals who are chronically unhoused and an Urban Indigenous Housing strategy led by Indigenous people. I am pleased to report that my motion passed with unanimous consent.

Work to right wrongs will never cease

For most individuals, this time of year is filled with family and community gatherings. Along with the many recognized religious and cultural holidays, it is also the darkest month of the year, and closeness with loved ones and friends can bring comfort and warmth.

This year, many of us are missing these moments of togetherness, which is why it is important that we work together to fight isolation and keep our networks of community care going safely, including better supporting members of the shelterless community.

That is why, on Dec. 9, I put forward a unanimous consent motion calling on members of Parliament to vote in favour of the critical actions required to deal with the housing crisis that has worsened during the pandemic.

This included increasing support for individuals who are chronically unhoused and an Urban Indigenous Housing strategy led by Indigenous people. I am pleased to report that my motion passed with unanimous consent.

Time for people over profit

The pandemic has been difficult for most of us. My neighbours are suffering every day, with many individuals and families in Winnipeg Centre facing increased food insecurity, housing and work unpredictability. The supports provided have been exclusionary and inadequate, while some have been left behind completely.

But for the wealthiest in Canada, COVID-19 has proven to be very profitable. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recently found that the 20 wealthiest people in the country amassed $37 billion in profits during the first six months of the pandemic. The Thomson and Weston families top that list.

Despite being one of the largest COVID-19 profiteers, Galen Weston, the chairman of Loblaws, recently ended the pay premium provided to front-line grocery store workers at the start of the pandemic. This is abhorrent, and yet another example of how we are not “all in this together” as the current government has claimed; corporations are profiting off this crisis, while many are forced deeper into poverty.  

We know that for many of our neighbours, following public health guidelines is impossible because they cannot access housing.