What transpired at that committee was disheartening and outrageous.

Conservative MPs decided to obstruct the committee from conducting its job. They denied witnesses who were there at committee from sharing their experience or professional opinion. Instead, they hogged the microphone and spoke meaninglessly until the clock ran out. For two hours. Witnesses who travelled to Ottawa to inform Canadians and Parliamentarians were shut out completely. Bob Dechert, a Conservative MP who was at the meeting admitted that their deliberate plan was to exclude Canadians from speaking before the committee. Mr. Dechert explains the logic (if you want to call it logic) behind why he didn’t want to give Canadians the opportunity to speak: “They want to have the media attention to talk about how they were handled by the police…” Aaron Wherry, a MacLean’s magazine political reporter mocks Mr. Dechert here and his shocking explanation.

In response to that outrageous statement, I wrote a letter to the local paper, the Mississauga News which got published today. Here it is:

“Dear Editor:

(Mississauga-Erindale) MP Bob Dechert has demonstrated unimaginable arrogance by bragging about his role in denying Canadians the opportunity to speak in front of a parliamentary committee.

Mr. Dechert and his Conservative colleagues blocked credible voices such as the Canadian Civil Liberties Association from speaking in the House of Commons. Why?

According to Mr. Dechert, “They want to have the media attention to talk about how they were handled by the police.” I guess he believes he is the only one entitled to “media attention.”

I’ve heard of such restrictions in countries that are not known for their democratic values, but to see it happen in Canada is truly sad.

Arrogance and disregard of public interest will be the downfall of the Conservatives in the next election. Until then, we need to let them know that such behaviour is unacceptable.”

MISSISSAUGA – Omar Alghabra and Liberal Party Finance Critic John McCallum stood up for the middle class and decried the Conservative Party’s wasteful spending Thursday at a Mississauga-Erindale town hall meeting.

“Here in Mississauga, we’ve seen unemployment above the national average – more than 9.5 per cent at the end of last year,” said Alghabra. “In addition to high unemployment, the average Canadian family now owes almost $1.50 for every single dollar of disposable income. This is unacceptable, yet the Conservative Party continues to make life harder for the middle class.”

McCallum visited Mississauga specifically to speak at the event and answer questions from approximately one hundred attendees.

He expressed opposition to the Harper government’s unprecedented levels of annual deficits accompanied by corporate tax cuts that will add another $6 billion dollars to the deficit. By 2015, the Harper government is adding more than $150 billion to the national debt.

“We are at a crossroads,” said McCallum. “The Conservatives want more corporate taxes and a fend-for-yourself Canada, and we want to support people to relieve the anxiety of middle-class Canadians.”
McCallum said the Liberal Party of Canada wants to freeze corporate taxes and direct the savings to supports for the struggling middle-class.

He also reiterated Michael Ignatieff’s commitment to post-secondary education. “If you get the grades, you get to go.”

Investing in post-secondary education will help to produce a more innovative and skilled workforce, and improving financial support for families and the elderly will allow the middle-class to retire their debt sooner.
McCallum also used the event to express his support for Alghabra’s candidacy in the next election. “Omar is badly missed in Ottawa, and we need him back.”

Most of the time was spent exchanging ideas with the audience. Questions covered a wide range of items, including G20 summit security costs, bank reforms and the next election platform.

For more information on Mississauga-Erindale Liberal candidate Omar Alghabra, or to learn of future events, visit www.omaralghabra.ca.

This is a time to put aside partisanship and come together as one community that aspires to live in safety. In that spirit, I sent a letter to Bob Dechert expressing my relief that he, his staff or others in the building were not seriously hurt in the fire. I also offered my solidarity in the desire to finding the culprit and bringing him to justice.

We maybe political adversaries but in difficult times, we need to set an example as Canadians and Mississaugans that we stand together in the face of criminal and reckless behaviour.

Michael Ignatieff is touring the country visiting different campuses, soliciting input and engagement from citizens. He will be visiting Mississauga this Wednesday where students and community members will get the opportunity to share their frustrations and aspirations.

These type of discussions with Canadians are very valuable. They are helpful for Canadians who may feel disconnected from the political process. They give an opportunity to familiarize Canadians with a human dimension that at times appears absent when talking about politics or politicians. Equally important, such forums will connect politicians to what everyday Canadians outside the political sphere care about.

Some argue that citizen participation in town-hall meetings like these will have very little effect on politicians and political decisions. They try to tap into the cynicism that exist in each of us by telling us that we can’t make a difference and that politicians don’t care.

The truth couldn’t be more different. Yes, there are politicians who may not care or who are motivated by self-interest, but ultimately Canadian citizens are the employer of all politicians. Whether they like it or not, politicians have to be sensitive to Canadians needs and concerns. The ones who are at odds with those needs are counting on traditional apathy towards politics that would let them get away with their unaccountable actions.

Genuine political leaders are the ones who are putting themselves on the line in open and uncensored forums, combating apathy and encouraging Canadians to claim their rightful place in the political process.

Democracy is messy and is a system where different ideas compete. Change doesn’t come easy, but if we abandon fulfilling our role, change will never come. We need leaders who encourage Canadians to participate, not ones who say Canadians don’t care.

Part of Michael Ignatieff listening tour, is the launch of a new website that asks Canadians to submit their ideas for the future of Canada. http://your2017.ca  is an opportunity for every Canadian to offer their input. I hope many Canadians will take few minutes to participate in this exercise and offer their valuable ideas.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to the session with Mr. Ignatieff at UTM on Wednesday. Hope to see you all there.

The city of Mississauga is going through a promising transformation. I expect the city centre to look drastically different in the next few years and I like the direction its taking. The city is transforming from a suburb into a major city with its own unique character.

Last year’s “Our Future Mississauga” initiative has produced so many innovative ideas. Watching some of those plans being implemented in the coming years will be very exciting.

The students are hoping to raise $10,000 to support lifesaving research at the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health.

On Friday, I attended a gala dinner the students organized to raise funds for their project. There were more than 100 people in attendance made up of students, parents, teachers and friends. They had a speaker who grew up in Africa and had to endure malaria when she was younger. Her story was an eye-opener.

The sense of accomplishment and enthusiasm at the dinner was contagious and inspiring. Those students are clear examples of everyday Canadian heroes who work tirelessly to help others not expecting anything in return but a sense of satisfaction. They didn’t have worry about malaria and its patients, yet they did. We are fortunate here Canada where malaria is non-existent. But their sense of responsibility towards other human beings motivated them to do something about it. The funds they will raise will save lives.

Such initiatives fill me with pride and is a reminder to all of us that we can make a huge difference in the world if we set our mind to it.

Congratulations to the students who chose to make a difference. If you want to support those amazing students in their effort, you can donate here.

Many of us have been regularly encouraging our youth to take personal interest in policies that govern our country. Justin Trudeau was in Mississauga on Monday calling on the youth to claim their rightful place in defining Canada’s priorities. Stunts like this one damages any enthusiasm our youth may feel towards taking ownership of our current affairs.

Not only are we borrowing these huge financial deficits from our youth, but we are also borrowing our planet and its resources from them. We need to take their concerns very seriously and treat them with the respect they deserve.

To the students at Woodlands and all youth: Don’t let others discourage you from pursuing your priorities. Many will bet that you will lose interest if they ignore you, but I know you will disappoint them. You have the strength and ability to make a difference by pushing for what you believe in.

The gun registry has been a flashpoint in rural Canada where many own rifles and shotguns for hunting and other purposes. In the early 90s after the Montréal massacre at l`École Polytechnique, that killed 14 women using a long gun on Dec. 6, 1989, there was a recognition that gun control would be one essential tool in tracking guns. The Liberal government at the time passed a law that would require all guns to be registered by owners when purchased. The purpose of this registry is not to treat lawful gun owners as criminals, just like car owners are not assumed to be criminals when asked to register their cars. It is about traceability and responsibility.

Like anytime new methods are introduced, there is some resistance and skepticism. That skepticism was exploited from day one by some the Reform/Conservatives who kept encouraging Canadians to reject the requirement to register their weapons.

By constantly amplifying that skepticism and repeating that citizens are being treated like criminals if they are asked to register their weapons, we failed to have an honest discussion about the value of registering one’s guns.

Every Canadian is required to register their car. They are expected to acquire a fishing or hunting license. They must register their pet. Why are the Conservative perpetuating the idea that registering one’s rifle is invasive?

What’s next? If registering a shotgun is too much, then would requiring gun owners to obtain a license to operate a weapon is too much?

As a society, we believe in gun control. Maintaining a traceable registry of weapons is in a way parallel to maintaining a registry of our vehicles. The registry would actually protect gun owners and society.

Just because the initial set-up costs went out of control, it doesn’t mean the system is not functioning properly now. Eliminating the long gun registry will have negligible cost savings but will deprive law enforcement agencies access to knowing where the weapons are.

The gun registry was never promised to be the only method to fight gun crime. We still have to deal with smuggled weapons and illegal guns. But if this new law passes, access to shotguns or rifles will become easier. Rather than tightening controls, this proposed law will loosen it.

If the current process of registering guns is too complicated, we should find a way to simplify it, but no one should be made to believe that registering their weapon is equal to criminal treatment.

It is not too late. Canadians can speak up and tell their MPs that they support the idea of maintaining a gun registry.

In speaking with hundreds of students, he explained that politics desperately needs the ingenuity and ideas of Canadian youth to restore purpose and passion to our political system. Mr. Trudeau talked at length about the importance of politics in shaping our future and the future of our country and discouraged the students from letting cynicism deter them from getting involved. He acknowledged that superficial political games could turn people off, but if we really care about dealing with the issues that face our society, issues such as the economy, climate change, poverty, human rights, etc, the youth can and must play a pivotal role in exerting pressure and influencing policies.

Justin, delicately remained above heated partisan rhetoric, but he didn’t shy away from discussing the various competing ideologies among the different political parties. He also spoke passionately about the need for having a conversation with Canadians about a large encompassing vision for the role of government in shaping our society and helping our citizens.

Overall, Justin’s contributions today were inspirational to Mississauga youth. They had a unique opportunity to hear first hand from someone who believes strongly in Canada. Mr. Trudeau’s confidence and passion will hopefully invite many youth to claim their rightful place in defining our priorities and needs as a nation.

Frequently Asked Questions About H1N1

Are all cases of Influenza A H1N1 severe?

No.  Most vases of H1N1 are mild. 

What are the symptoms of H1N1?

H1N1 is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human season flu including:

Fever.

Fatigue.

Lack of appetite.

Coughing.

Sore throat. 

Some people with H1N1 have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.

How can I protect myself and my family?

Practice good hand hygiene at all times.

Cough into your sleeve, not your hands.

Disinfect all surfaces and shared utensils, particularly when a family member is unwell. 

Avoid public places if you feel unwell.

Get the H1N1 vaccine.

Where can I get the vaccine?

The Region of Peel has set up an early vaccination clinic for residents under 65 years of age with chronic medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease or those receiving treatment for cancer or other illnesses that might affect the immune system) The clinic is located at The International Centre at 6900 Airport Road, Hall #6

Can I get my vaccine at the hospital?

The emergency department does not do routine testing for H1N1.

The emergency department does not administer the vaccine.

Check the Region of Peel website for updates at http://www.peelregion.ca/

What should I do if I’m not feeling well?

Call your family doctor or Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000.

Is the hospital still open for visitors?

Yes.  However, if you are feeling at all unwell, please do not visit

How do I know if I should come to the Emergency?

There is an assessment tool at this website: Ontario.ca/flu»

Where are vaccination clinics located?

For up-to-date listing, visit Peel Public Health site»

Where can I go for more information?

We have implemented a public hotline at 905-813-3330 providing general information with referral to our hospital website

Also visit selected links to reliable health information sources such as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC):

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php

and Centre for Disease Control (CDC):

www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

There has been so much confusion and doubt about the seriousness of this flu that many Canadians are not sure what to believe. The federal government’s lack of strong leadership in publicizing this matter has created a vacuum. Combine that vacuum with Canadian’s hunger for information, the skeptics found a wanting audience.

I don’t usually take medical advice from chain emails with all due respect to their senders, just like I don’t take legal advice from my car mechanic. The medical community continues to warn us that the H1N1 flu is no ordinary flu.

Peel Region is starting vaccination clinics as of Wednesday October 28. You can find schedule, location and more information here

Update: Don’t be misled by swine flu skeptics

This is an interesting initiative that promotes what I consider to be the most valuable aspect of development that students gain during their education years: life skills.

Traditionally, students are evaluated based on their academic achievements during their school years, but the most valuable lessons students learn are not how well they can memorize a mathematical formula; they are discipline, critical thinking, team building and that hard work can lead to rewards.

Programs that nurture this softer side of education are crucial. Sometimes there is too much emphasis placed on how high grades are instead of how much have students learned.

Undoubtedly, when proposing such initiatives some questions will surface about the fairness of reducing this recognition to only one recipient even though there will be many students who will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills. This is a reasonable question, and the competition has to ensure that all participants and society as a whole are winners. I am sure that criteria for selecting the winner are transparent and fair.

Ultimately, this competition is no different than the world outside school walls where rewards are limited and competition is permanent.

Congratulations to Erindale school for trying something original. The most important take away from this initiative for students is that leadership at school or in the community will be worth more Mustangs in the future no matter what career they choose.