SoVote

Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)

Feb/8/22 4:12:59 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, the situation before us really highlights big corporations' ability over time to get special treatment and, in this instance, a tax exemption. The NDP absolutely agrees with the motion and we think this should be addressed forthwith. The other question it raises is the issue of tax fairness. Many corporations today have special treatment from the government and can exercise a variety of loopholes to avoid paying their fair share. The NDP has been calling for changes to close these loopholes for a very long time. Does the member agree that this needs to be done? Should the Liberal government close all the loopholes for big corporations stashing their dollars offshore and other loopholes that are available to them so that they are made to pay their fair share?

131 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 26 - Feb/8/22

Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)

Feb/8/22 5:09:49 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, the heart of the issue is, of course, around tax fairness. We are seeing a situation dated long ago with a big corporation, CP Rail, able to get a tax exemption. As it stands today, big corporations are able to get all kinds of loopholes and preferential tax treatment from the government. It is time, I believe, and the NDP strongly believes, that we close all these tax loopholes, and big corporations should no longer be able to get away with not paying their fair share of taxes. Would the member agree that we need to close all the tax loopholes for big corporations, including the loopholes in which they can stash their money in offshore accounts?

119 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 26 - Feb/8/22

Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)

Feb/8/22 7:44:37 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I want to say a big thanks to the member for Courtenay—Alberni for bringing his private member's bill forward. Vancouver East has been trying to raise this issue for many years now. In fact, I still recall the late Bud Osborn, who spearheaded the harm reduction approach and called for decriminalization decades ago. VANDU in my riding has been very active on this issue and has been continuing in pursuit of it, and Moms Stop the Harm has been very active in highlighting this issue, but yet, so many years later, the government continues to refuse to take action. Why does the Liberal government refuse to acknowledge the lives that have been lost as a result of the opioid crisis, refuse to declare a national health emergency and refuse to grant the City of Vancouver the exemption that it is seeking? Why does it not bring forward a bill that will save lives?

158 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 26 - Feb/8/22

Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)

Feb/8/22 9:07:54 p.m.
Watch

Madam Chair, I know that whenever we raise the issue of needing to advance decriminalization and safe supply people say there is no silver bullet. Nobody ever said that this would be a silver bullet. We need a whole host of tools, but first and foremost I have to say this. Dead people do not detox. We need to keep them alive. We need to save lives, and maybe there will be a process for them that one day they can embark on that would take them on a different path. Will the Conservatives support the private member's bill that my colleague, the member for Courtenay—Alberni, has tabled to decriminalize so that we can start saving lives?

120 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 26 - Feb/8/22

Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)

Feb/8/22 9:39:18 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Chair, I thank the member for the trip down memory lane with respect to the Harper administration and its approach to addressing the drug addiction issue. It failed and the Supreme Court struck it down. However, now we are here in 2022, and it is within the Liberal government's authority to move forward and not adopt the approach the Conservatives took. The government can do so by supporting the member for Courtenay—Alberni's private member's bill to decriminalize to save lives. Will the member support the private member's bill and decriminalize so that we can really move forward to save lives? He mentioned he wants to do something for his constituents. He can by voting for that bill.

124 words

All Topics