The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Most people will have heard that the area around The Pas has been preparing for a possible flood. With the Saskatchewan River expected to crest sometime around July 3 or 5, people in the RM of Kelsey and the Opaskwayak Cree Nation have been sandbagging and building dikes. I know that people have been helping their neighbours and the employees from the RM and OCN have been working hard to protect homes in the area. As I thank all who have been helping out, I'd like to recognize the grade 8 students from local schools for helping out; you are truly learning about community by lending a hand. Speaking of The Pas, the sky above The Pas' airport was the place to have your eyes trained on June 25. Canada's Snow Birds awed the crowds at the Air Show hosted by The Rotary Club of The Pas. Hats off to the Rotary Club for bringing another exciting event to the area! In addition to the main attraction, the show included helicopter rides, the Snow Birds' flight simulator, and a water bomber and Medi-Van plane on display. I was able to attend the graduation at Wanipigow School, which is attended by students from Hollow Water First Nation and Seymourville. The communities are very much a part of the celebration and presented handmade quilts to each of the graduates. I also was back in the riding for the first graduation of students from the University College of the North and the School of Social Work graduation. Nickel Days weekend in Thompson had a great turnout at the parade, midway, and other events. For the third year in a row, Lorne Thevenot won the King Miner contest. All the contestants are to be congratulated for a great show of skill and stamina. On June 5, I was pleased to join the Flin Flon, Denare Beach, and Creighton communities for Bakers Narrows Days. This event announces the start of summer for the North. This time of the year, we are encouraged to celebrate Canada. Starting on June 21, with National Aboriginal Day and culminating on July 1, with Canada Day, we celebrate the diversity that is Canada. I hope you have enjoyed the Canada Day festivities and that you will be taking part in the many other local summer festivals in your community. Community volunteers have worked hard to host these events, the best way you can thank them is by taking part and enjoying the fruits of their efforts! In Ottawa: The month of June was a busy one in Ottawa, and the constant threat of a possible snap vote on the budget (which is a confidence vote, meaning that if the government lost we would be in another election) kept me in our capital during the week for most of the month. So, being in Ottawa for much of the month, I kept myself busy speaking in the House of Commons on a variety of topics including both budget bills, C-43 and C-48. I was very pleased and excited when we managed, on the 23rd of June, to pass C-48. the NDP budget, which provides increased funding for housing, education, and municipalities among others, while maintaining a balanced federal budget. I also took the opportunity to introduce a Private Members Motion (M-263), which calls on the government to amend the Divorce Act, and other acts, in order to modernize the family justice system in Canada to improve the manner in which decisions are made about the parenting of children whose parents divorce. Hopefully, should this motion come up for a vote, it will further pressure the government to look into how parents share the responsibility of rearing their children after a divorce, and ensure fair treatment for both the mother and father in these situations. On another note, I had the opportunity this month to rise in the House and make a statement regarding Raven Thundersky being named one of Time Magazine Canada's people of the year. The honour was bestowed upon her for her tireless fight, over the past ten years, to alert Canadians to the dangerous asbestos hidden in Zonolite insulation. This news was followed by a personal tragedy when Raven lost her sister to illness caused by asbestos. Raven grew up on the Poplar River First Nation Reserve and her whole family was exposed to asbestos in their home. My Constituency Assistant in the Sagkeeng office is currently on maternity leave, so that office is temporarily closed. Congratulations, Lindy, on the birth of baby Quinton! As usual, during the summer, my offices may be closed temporarily for constituency travel and staff vacations, please leave a message when you call and someone will return your call as soon as possible. Thompson 204-677-1333, The Pas 204-627-1449, or toll free 1-888-260-2231.
