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.
This spring hasn't brought us the warm weather we look forward to, but it did give me a chance to spend some time in the riding. On April 6, I spent some time with high school students at the Nisichawayasihk Neyo Ohtinwak Collegiate in Nelson House. We discussed the role of the Member of Parliament and how the different levels of government affect their lives and their futures. On April 14, I travelled to Brochet and met with Mayor Lawrence Merasty and councillors. We took this chance to discuss issues that are affecting the people of that community. Over the Easter weekend, I participated in opening ceremonies of the Munn Cup. As always, I want to recognize the organizers, players, and players' families for their hard work and dedication in making this annual hockey tournament a success. During the weekend of April 23 to 25, I was in Vancouver for the Steelworkers National Conference to make a presentation on the Westray Bill and the need for ongoing health and safety legislation. Family members and colleagues of the workers killed in the Westray Mine disaster were also in attendance. On April 28, I travelled to Sherridon to meet with Mayor Nick Benyk and councillor Eric Erickson. I also visited the Cold Lake School and spoke with students and staff. I stopped in at the beautiful Bakers Narrows Lodge to meet with a constituent and discuss several issues of importance to Northern Manitoba. Later that evening I was in Flin Flon to attend the Day of Mourning service hosted by the USWA Local 7106. Despite the colder than normal spring evening, there was a tremendous turnout. Representatives of the many unions in the area, the City of Flin Flon, and the RCMP laid wreaths in memory of workers killed or injured on the job. Though I chose to attend the ceremony held in the riding, it is heartening that these ceremonies are now being held throughout the country and the world. The Day of Mourning raises the issue of job safety and asks that we all take time to pause and reflect on those workers lost over the past year. This year marked the 20th anniversary since the CLC Executive Council declared an annual day of remembrance for workers killed or injured on the job. Later, in 1991, former NDP Churchill MP Rod Murphy brought forth a Private Member's Bill that named April 28 'Canada's National Day of Remembrance'. We must continue to work for the rights of Canadian workers to have safe workplaces. In 2003 there were 953 work related deaths in Canada. April has been another busy month in Ottawa. Since the House of Commons has come back into session I have continued to question the government on many issues important to Canadians, such as ensuring public health care in Canada, and restoring adequate funding to passenger rail service. I have continued to press in the House of Commons for a guarantee by the Liberal government that they will not use taxpayers' dollars to fund for-profit health care services. Unfortunately, the answers I have received have all fallen short of any concrete commitment. It was also in April that my duties in Ottawa expanded to include the important task of Health Critic. Since taking on this new role, I have been working within the Health Committee to ensure that our health care system remains public and true to the values that Canadians have said over and over are so important to them. I met with the Minister of Health, Pierre Pettigrew, during one committee meeting and argued strongly for the protection of not-for-profit health care delivery. Along with my new duties as Health Critic, I have continued to sit on the Transportation Committee, which has recently been looking into possible changes to the number of flight attendants on airplanes in Canada. I have been working hard with the committee to ensure that Canadian passengers will not be adversely affected by these proposed changes, both in the level of service on airplanes, and in regards to security issues. As always, please don't hesitate to contact any of the offices with questions or comments regarding federal government matters. Thompson 204-677-1333 or toll-free 1-888-260-2231. The Pas 627-1440, Sagkeeng 367-6150.
