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Deputy whip of the New Democratic Party

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
Context: House Hansard - 283 - Feb/15/24
Ms. Laurel Collins (Victoria, NDP)
  • Feb/15/24 12:22:15 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his advocacy on this issue. I have heard from constituents who have given up hope, who are struggling with the housing crisis and the high cost of living and feel like that they have been legislated into poverty. They are worried about the expansion of MAID and what that means for them and the people they love who are in the same situation. I am wondering if the member can talk about the responsibility of successive Liberal and Conservative governments in putting people in this dire situation.
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Context: House Hansard - 151 - Feb/1/23
Ms. Laurel Collins (Victoria, NDP)
  • Feb/1/23 4:51:35 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-22 
Madam Speaker, I had a meeting with two of my constituents from Victoria. They are seniors with disabilities, and they came with two big questions when they heard about the disability benefit. One of them has already been asked: Why are they being left out? They are living below the poverty line. Even with the supports offered in old age, they are struggling to make ends meet, and they wanted to know why they were left out of this bill. How would the member respond to these two seniors with disabilities? They also brought up the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the importance not only of having income supports but also really creating a barrier-free Canada. Does the government have plans to put into law some of the incredible provisions in that convention?
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Context: House Hansard - 111 - Oct/17/22
Ms. Laurel Collins (Victoria, NDP)
  • Oct/17/22 5:32:09 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-22 
Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Over a million Canadians right now are living in poverty. Having a disability benefit is so critically important, but the government has failed people with disabilities again and again. It is now asking people with disabilities to wait three years. It has presented a bill that does not actually tell us how much people will get or who will be included. Can the member speak to how vital it is that people with disabilities know how much they will be receiving, who is going to be receiving this benefit and when this benefit will come?
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Context: House Hansard - 31 - Feb/15/22
Ms. Laurel Collins (Victoria, NDP)
  • Feb/15/22 11:52:45 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-12 
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for her speech. The member spoke powerfully about the profound injustice that low-income seniors face. It made me think about some of the incredible organizations in our region. She may be familiar with some of them, including Senior Entitlement Service, Silver Threads service for seniors and James Bay New Horizons. I sat down with the James Bay community project in January; it is supporting seniors who are facing immense challenges with isolation and food insecurity. Staff there spoke about how these challenges are increasing and the inequality is increasing. These organizations are doing such powerful, incredible work and are working tirelessly to support seniors. Our government could be tackling this and taking the burden off volunteers and service providers. Scarcity, inequality and poverty are all policy choices. They are not elements of the human condition. Can the member speak more about how pharmacare and a guaranteed livable income would ensure seniors and all community members could live in dignity?
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Context: House Hansard - 31 - Feb/15/22
Ms. Laurel Collins
  • Feb/15/22 6:26:13 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-12 
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for his interest in a guaranteed basic livable income. It is heartening to hear that he is interested in exploring this idea. I believe that we need to consolidate and create efficiencies, absolutely. The Parliamentary Budget Officer showed that would be the case, if we were to put forward some kind of guaranteed livable income. There are efficiencies to be found. More than that, we need to increase the income of people living below the poverty line. People are struggling. People in my community are struggling to access food and medication. It is beyond time that we provide the support necessary for people to live in dignity. I encourage the member to move beyond wanting to explore the idea. Whether it is universal dental care or universal basic income, the government speaks about wanting to explore or talk about this. Let us get it done.
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