In the Chamber - Page 19 of 22

SPEECH: Minister Hussen’s Commitment to Address Unintended Consequences of Bill C-45 for Immigrants

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 19, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis, Chamber Speeches, immigrants, legalization

"We argued in committee and in the chamber, I believe, that it was not simply unfair but also against the principle of the bill, which is decriminalization. Instead, as a knock-on effect, there is an over-the-top impact on just one class of residents, and that is permanent residents, while others follow a different path to rehabilitation."

Senators’ Statements: Remembering Air India Flight 182

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 19, 2018 Air India, Indo-Canadians, Statements

"Honourable senators, there are moments that define our history. This is one of them. We must never forget this incident, the lives lost, the victims and their families. After all these years, lives have been eventually remade, however tenuously, but the loss has not been forgotten."

Senator Frances Lankin Celebrates Ratna Omidvar’s Honourary Degree from Ryerson University

Senator Francis Lankin Senate of Canada June 14, 2018 Ryerson University, Senator Francis Lankin, Statements

"The other thing that is exceptional about Senator Ratna Omidvar, who received her Honorary Doctor of Laws this week — this is her second one — is the impact she has had on our collective lives in Canada. She came here as an immigrant and has been a leader in community organizations at the grassroots level. Peoples’ lives are touched through her settlement work and advocacy around migration and immigration issues."

Debate Highlights: Amending the Impaired Driving Act to Address Unintended Consequences for Permanent Residents

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 14, 2018 Bill C-46, Chamber Speeches, impaired driving, permanent residents, refugees

"Honourable senators, the amendment that Senator Jaffer has proposed is a very sensible one. It will not reduce the penalties for anyone who is charged with DUI. It will not provide special consideration or exemption of any kind for anyone who drives under the influence. It will, however, remove the severe, harsh, unintended impact on just one class of residents."

SPEECH: Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act at Third Reading

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 8, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis, Chamber Speeches, legalization

"Once legalized cannabis is the norm, you will go into a store or online and purchase a product. If it is labelled, you know what you are getting. You know its potency levels. There may be warnings on it, et cetera. You can be guaranteed that it will not be laced with a harmful substance."

A Thank You to Canada’s Private Sponsors of Refugees

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada May 24, 2018

On May 25, 2018 Senator Ratna Omidvar rose in the Senate Chamber to celebrate the contribution Canada's private sponsors of refugees have made to this country. Members of Team Everest, a successful private sponsorship group from Toronto, were welcomed to the Senate to mark the occasion.

SPEECH: Modernizing Question Period in the Senate

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 25, 2018 Question Period, Senate Modernization

"As the Senate's small screen debut comes closer, it is our responsibility, I feel, to determine how our chamber proceedings ought to be presented to the public. Not only are we looking to change the channel on how the Senate is perceived, we’re also looking to turn up the volume on this institution’s best features."

Senators’ Responses to the Attack in Toronto

Various Senators Senate of Canada April 25, 2018 Statements, Toronto

On April 24, 2018 a number of Senators rose in the Chamber to respond to the tragic events that took place the day before in Toronto. The city and indeed our entire country mourns the loss of family members and friends. Our hope is that these words will offer comfort and solidarity for those in need of support.

Senators’ Statements: Donna Dasko and Valerie March

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 19, 2018 Donna Dasko, immigration, Statements, Valerie March

In 1984, while I was still relatively new to Canada and trying to find my way as a volunteer, two women that are here today, Dr. Donna Dasko and Valerie March overlooked the fact that I had no Canadian work experience and no familiar credentials. They saw something else than the places on my resumé, the strangeness of my name and they took a risk on me and offered a job. This was my first job in the charities world and it opened many other doors and windows that I believe ultimately led me to the Senate.

Question To Minister Qualtrough: What is Public Services doing to promote community benefits?

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 17, 2018 Bill C-344, procurement, Public Services

In April 2018, Senator Omidvar asked the Minister of Public Services and Procurement about Bill C-344 and the potential for inserting community benefits principles into her job description. Read more here.