As MP for our region I have always made it my top priority to keep in touch.
One of the key things is to visit comunities on a regular basis. Over the last couple of weeks I have been in Thompson, Flin Flon, The Pas, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Sagkeeng and Peguis.
Each community has its own distinct concerns. But at the same time there are many common issues of concern.
One of the major issues facing these communities is that of unemployment and inequality. At a time when inequality is growing across Canada we continue to have communities with major unemployment. We are faced with significant job reductions in the resource sector. The port of Churchill is closed.
There is also a real sense that this didn’t just happen. That decades of policies have had a huge impact on our region. That our region has been ignored.
When Parliament resumed sitting I took that message to the federal government. I rose in the question period to call out the decades of policies that are failing our region. Privatization, job killing trade deals and foreign take overs. A tax system that is rigged against working people and killing jobs.
I believe there is a better way. In terms of the port of Churchill, I have called for it to be re-nationalized and developed in partnership with First Nations and northern communities. We can take action to protect and enhance resource based jobs, including promoting value added jobs.
We can make the tax system fairer and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share.
We can ensure that more of the wealth that is generated in our region benefits northern and Indigenous people and this starts with ensuring that they have a say over development in their communities.
Keeping in touch is important. So is speaking out. That is exactly what I am going to be doing as Parliament continues to sit.
