Parliamentary Speeches
61 speeches by Kristina Tesser Derksen — Page 2 of 2
Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I know the member mentioned mandatory minimums. This has been brought up several times this morning. I am sure the member is aware that the Supreme Court struck down several cases based on mandatory minimums and their unconstitutionality. Our new bail and sentencing reform legislation would allow courts to use discretion in individual cases to ensure that criminals are properly puni…
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Mr. Speaker, the chief government whip mentioned the opposition's habit of revising history a little bit. We are given revisionist histories and things taken out of context. It contributes to misinformation and disinformation among the public. Could my colleague please comment on the damage that does to political discourse?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I noted some interesting comments the member made about the government wanting to send Canadians back to the Stone Age and frolic in fields. I am sure the member has heard about our government's revolutionary nation-building projects, which will bring billions of capital and build up innovative industries. How does the member resolve his outlandish comments with our innovative nation-…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, it is a beautiful time of year in southern Ontario, and many communities are celebrating the season with fall fairs and harvest celebrations. This past weekend, I joined my community in Milton East—Halton Hills South at two such events. In Milton, I attended the 170th anniversary of the Milton Fall Fair, which has been a staple of the community since 1853. It continues to be organized…
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday we honoured Armenia Independence Day. Today, I stand before the House representing the good people of Milton East—Halton Hills South to recall a pivotal moment in Canadian history: the arrival of the so-named Georgetown boys to my riding in the 1920s. They were a group of over 100 orphaned Armenian children rescued from the Armenian genocide and brought to Cedarvale Farm in …
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Mr. Speaker, I do want to offer my condolences on the loss of the member's community member. We are all with him. Like many people in this House, I have a legal background. I know that when we encounter contractual disputes there is a clear legal process for parties who violate contracts, for parties who are bad-faith actors in contracts and even for parties who commit fraud. Would my colleague li…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, it is interesting. The more we speak to our colleagues, the more we find that we have similar histories and stories to share. The contribution of immigrants to this country cannot be underestimated or minimized. Canada, in many ways, is a country of immigrants. In speaking to folks at the doors, sharing these stories and finding other affinities and similarities in our histories, it…
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Madam Speaker, it is a question that I had posed to me many times during the recount from folks of all political alignments. I have full faith in the work of Elections Canada. There were elections workers who started very early in the morning and were counting very late at night. Ultimately, it is a human process with many checks and balances. I acknowledge that there were concerns with particular…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I sat as a municipal councillor, and this was a source of great discussion around the council table. Incidentally, I was on a plane this morning with someone from the development community, and we had a discussion about development charges. It is going to be an ongoing conversation of great importance between federal, provincial and municipal partners. It is also important to keep a…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I congratulate you and all of my colleagues in this House. I also want to thank the clerks, pages, interpreters and security who keep things running so smoothly here. If the House will indulge me, I will take the opportunity to recognize some very important people without whom I would not be here. First, of course, there are the wonderful people of Milton East—Halton Hills South, wh…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I share the story of the grade 4 and grade 5 classes at Glen Williams Public School in Georgetown, Ontario, and that of their dedicated teachers and parents, who are visiting Ottawa today. These teachers asked their students to craft a letter sharing their vision for the future of Canada. The final product was so inspirational that it garnered national attention and a visit from…
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