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Mr. George Chahal (Calgary Skyview, Lib.)

Dec/2/21 10:42:17 a.m.
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Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'll be sharing my time with the member for Winnipeg North. As I stand in the House of Commons as the newly elected member of Parliament for Calgary—Skyview—

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Context: House Hansard - 9 - Dec/2/21

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/2/21 10:43:59 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, as I stand in the House of Commons as the newly elected member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, I want to give my thanks, first, to all those in Calgary Skyview who voted in the 2021 federal election. Regardless of partisan differences, their participation in the democratic process matters deeply. I am honoured to have been elected to represent and serve every one of my them in the 44th Parliament of Canada. I will strive to be the kind of representative they deserve: hard-working, accountable and always available. I want to thank my wife Aman and my three daughters, Amita, Noor and Liv, for their incredible support through the election and in my transition from being a city councillor to a member of Parliament. They have stood by me, side by side, every step of the way and I am so grateful for their love and support. I also want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who believed in me and contributed their time and abilities to my campaign, helping us to one of the most decisive election results in the country. Finally, I want to thank the former member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, Jagdeep Sahota, for her service to the residents of Calgary Skyview. Throughout my time as a city councillor for Ward 5 and recently as a federal candidate, I often spoke about how governments can make life better for Calgarians. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Context: House Hansard - 9 - Dec/2/21

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/2/21 10:46:32 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we have seen some very challenging times in Alberta over the last number of years, and in my riding in particular. The economic downturn, a massive hailstorm in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic have had profound impacts on those who call Calgary's northeast home. No matter the challenge, we have come together time and time again to fight for what matters: safe neighbourhoods, healthy families, well-paying jobs and a bright future for our children. I am proud to be part of a government that has put forward bold solutions to the difficult problems facing our city while always focusing on a fair recovery for all. I especially want to acknowledge that the Province of Alberta has received the largest dollar amount in per-capita transfers from the federal government to assist us with pandemic relief and economic recovery. This federal government had our backs when we needed it most. More than ever, Canadians appreciate the value of a strong national government that shows leadership in the face of adversity. The riding I represent is one of the most ethnoculturally diverse in Canada, with people from all around the world who have come to Canada to build better lives for their families. Sadly, all levels of government have not always fulfilled all of their commitments to invest in new Canadians and to adequately respond to racism and discrimination. When I was elected city councillor, I committed to being a strong voice for my constituents by immediately addressing long-standing inequities. In my new role as a member of Parliament, I will continue to embrace my duty to carry on much of this work by investing in people and infrastructure. Our government must help transform Calgary's economy while supporting workers, always making sure that nobody is left behind. I am grateful that our government has committed to continuing its important work in combatting inequities, systemic racism and discrimination. Working Calgarians were instrumental in getting us through the pandemic. Calgary Skyview is home to thousands of essential workers: health care workers, public transit workers, truck drivers and taxi drivers, people working in grocery stores and food preparation, utility workers and tradespeople. These workers did not have the luxury of working from home and were directly exposed to the virus throughout the pandemic. It is easy to thank them, but we must do much more to show our gratitude. Leaders need to show leadership, and those of us with the privilege of sitting in the House need to work even harder, whether we are here in person or working in our constituencies. This federal government has walked the talk by providing key benefits to those who lost their jobs and by procuring vaccines for all Canadians. I have encouraged all Calgarians to get vaccinated and to follow public health guidelines. I will continue to advocate for public health as vaccines become available for our children. Working Calgarians, particularly visible minorities, were often criticized for the high infection rates, even when they were sacrificing their personal health by ensuring the safety of others, volunteering and sharing, and keeping the economy moving by ensuring the flow of goods. Today, upper northeast Calgary has one of the highest rates of vaccination in Canada, at 99.3%. All of those over the age of 12 have had at least one shot. It very likely has a higher percentage vaccinated than my colleagues in the Conservative caucus across the aisle. Ultimately, I know that my constituents will answer the bell when times get tough. As a government, we must remain by their side in support, and embrace their trust by working as hard as they do. The cost of living has become one of the most critical concerns facing Canadian families, and the situation is no different in Calgary Skyview. This government has done great work in tackling the affordability crisis. One example of this is the rapid housing initiative. In Calgary Skyview, across the street from the Akram Jomaa Islamic Centre, the rapid housing initiative is supporting a seniors housing facility with the conversion of a former hotel into a much-needed seniors facility. Local non-profits, such as the Dashmesh Culture Centre, have also shown tremendous leadership through collaboration with government to build the first women's transitional housing project in northeast Calgary. Projects like these save lives and give those in need a chance to get back on their feet and live safe and dignified lives. There is much more work to be done, and our government is ready to get to work on several meaningful initiatives, such as the multi-generational home renovation tax credit. This would impact thousands of families living in northeast Calgary by helping them add a second unit to their home. I recently had the privilege of joining the Prime Minister and the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development for an important announcement in Edmonton. Our federal government came to an agreement with the Province of Alberta on affordable child care, which follows through on our election commitment to make life better not only for families but for all Canadians. Thousands of working families in Calgary Skyview will benefit from our government's commitment to making life more affordable through $10-a-day child care. We cannot talk about how to build resilient and inclusive communities without talking about how we move around them. I have been a long-time advocate for robust and affordable public transit. People living in my riding are the highest users of public transit in Calgary, and this federal government has consistently supported increased investments and access. Whether it is the Blue Line or Green Line, we will stand and support public transit in Calgary—

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Context: House Hansard - 9 - Dec/2/21

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/2/21 10:56:08 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I worked very closely on many crime initiatives in Calgary as a city councillor, as a member of the police commission and as the chair of the public safety task force. I can tell the member that our government supported working collaboratively through the public safety task force to bring forward meaningful consultation and funding to support municipalities in crime prevention initiatives, including on guns and gangs. Our government has a commitment to making lives better and safer for all Canadians, unlike the Conservatives, who want to bring assault rifles back to the streets of Canada.

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Context: House Hansard - 9 - Dec/2/21

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/2/21 10:58:38 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am not sure if the first statement by the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean regarding support for factory workers was a question or comment. Our government supported workers throughout the pandemic, through the CERB and small business supports, to ensure all Canadians across Canada who could not work had those supports to safely stay home to protect themselves and their families. Regarding your question with respect to human rights, Canada has shown strong leadership internationally on many human rights initiatives. We look forward to doing more work on human rights across the globe.

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Context: House Hansard - 9 - Dec/2/21

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/2/21 11:00:15 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, all our municipalities across Canada are faced with health emergencies in their cities. In Calgary, for instance, we have had a tremendous number of challenges in our downtown core with many of our most vulnerable, especially during this pandemic. We have great local organizations such as the Bear Clan Patrol that have stepped up to support community members in need. I look forward to working across the aisle with all parties in a collaborative manner to ensure we bring innovative solutions forward.

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