SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Laurel Collins

  • Member of Parliament
  • Deputy whip of the New Democratic Party
  • NDP
  • Victoria
  • British Columbia
  • Voting Attendance: 61%
  • Expenses Last Quarter: $127,392.53

  • Government Page
  • Sep/29/23 11:15:55 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, this Saturday, September 30, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In my community, on the homelands of the Lekwungen people, the Songhees and Esquimalt nations, the second annual South Island Powwow will be taking place at Royal Athletic Park. The Songhees Nation is partnering with the City of Victoria to host this event to honour survivors and their families and to celebrate traditional indigenous culture through song and dance. First nations far and wide will be joining the Songhees Nation to celebrate in its time-honoured powwow. Last year’s powwow brought over 10,000 people to witness, participate and stand together on Orange Shirt Day. Eddy Charlie and Kristin Spray, the organizers of Victoria Orange Shirt Day, will be there. I want to thank Eddy for his tireless advocacy to make September 30 a national holiday. I will be at the South Island Powwow this weekend, but wherever people are, I hope they take the opportunity to remember the children who never came home, to recognize survivors and the intergenerational impacts of residential schools and to honour the strength of indigenous communities and the power of indigenous culture.
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  • Feb/16/22 2:17:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, every year on February 22, Girl Guides celebrate World Thinking Day. It is an opportunity to speak up on issues that affect girls and young women, commemorate the founding of Girl Guides and celebrate with the over 10 million members of the Guiding movement around the world. In my province of British Columbia, thousands of Girl Guides light up their communities year-round through leadership, community service and efforts to create a better, more equitable world. Thinking Day is usually marked with large gatherings, campfire singalongs, community events and special camps, but due to the ongoing pandemic, instead this year Girl Guides will celebrate the sisterhood of Guiding in a COVID-friendly way, through Guiding Lights across Canada. Outdoor landmarks, bridges, buildings and stadiums will be lighting up in Guiding blue in support of girl empowerment. In Victoria, one can admire the lights at City Hall, Government House, the Legislative Assembly and the Steamship Terminal. I invite all Guiding members this World Thinking Day to shine their Guiding lights.
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