In the Chamber - Page 20 of 22

Speech: Motion to Authorize Committee to Hear Witnesses in Regard to Events Surrounding Prime Minister’s Trip to India

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada March 28, 2018 Air India, India, Indo-Canadians

On March 27 2018, Senator Ratna Omidvar rose in the Senate Chamber to speak to Motion 309, Motion to Authorize Committee to Hear Witnesses in Regard to Events Surrounding Prime Minister's Trip to India. Read more here.

Speech: Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act – Senator Tony Dean

Tony Dean Senate of Canada March 23, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis

Honourable colleagues, Canadians expect us to do this work, and we have a responsibility to make these expectations. Canadians expect us to confront the issues associated with cannabis, not to sweep them back under the rug for another 20 years, senators, or to pretend that prohibition is working.

Speech: Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act – Senator Françoise Mégie

Marie-Françoise Mégie Senate of Canada March 23, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis

"Honourable senators, legalization may be inevitable, but not at any price. Let’s take advantage of this momentum to engage in deep and meaningful discussions in the various senate committees."

Speech: Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada March 20, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis, prohibition, racism

"Honourable senators, I support this bill in principle. I support it because the current approach is not working. Many lives have been destroyed by prohibition that has permeated this issue for close to 100 years. It is time for a new approach."

Question to Minister Brison: What’s next for name-blind recruitment in the public service?

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada March 20, 2018 Diversity, name-based discrimination, Name-Blind Recruitment, Question Period

"Minister, your office has acknowledged these issues. I am wondering what your next step will be. Will more work be done on this issue? The pilot project, I would submit, was not adequate."

Speech: Amendments to Bill C-25, An Act to Amend the Canada Business Corporations Act and Other Acts

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada February 8, 2018 Bill C-25, Chamber Speeches, corporate governance, Diversity, employment equity

As I have said repeatedly, I think of Bill C-25 as a soft tap on the shoulder. This amendment that Senator Massicotte has proposed is a nudge in the right direction. It’s an intentional nudge, so that we can get beyond aspiration — and I commend the aspiration and the intention in this bill — and take it to concrete action.

Question to Minister Chagger: How is this government supporting newcomer entrepreneurs?

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 7, 2017 entrepreneurship, immigration, Minister Bardish Chagger, Question Period

In November 28, 2017 Senator Ratna Omidvar asked the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, about the state of newcomer entrepreneurship in Canada. The question was inspired by Ryerson University's Diversity Institute's latest report, which concluded that immigrant entrepreneurs are not starting off on the same footing as other entrepreneurs in Canada.

Question to Minister Duclos: What can Canadians expect from a national social finance strategy?

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 5, 2017 charities, Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Question Period, Social Finance, social innovation

On December 5, 2017 Senator Ratna Omidvar rose in the Senate Chamber to ask the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, about the development of Canada's social finance strategy. This strategy was named as a key priority in the Minister's mandate letter.

Speech: S-219 – Non-Nuclear Sanctions Against Iran

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada November 30, 2017 Bill S-219, Chamber Speeches, Iran

"We have a lever. That lever is persuasion, advocacy and engagement, loudly when we need to, softly and with diplomacy when called upon, because diplomacy and engagement go hand in hand. Engagement leads to conversation, even when you disagree. Engagement may lead to university or cultural exchanges, which are often a soft entry using soft power as a tool for change."

Senators’ Statements: Immigrant Employment Councils – Mentorship as Key to Social Cohesion

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada November 30, 2017 immigration, mentorship, Statements

On November 30th, Senator Omidvar welcomed Margaret Eaton of the Toronto Immigrant Employment Council and Jennifer Hollis of Immploy to the Senate. Her statement celebrates Canada's immigrant employment councils. Through employment mentorship programs, thousands of newcomers to this country have been able to find champions of their skills and success, both on and off the job.