In the Chamber - Page 21 of 22

Speech: S-239 – An Act to Amend the Canada Elections Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada November 2, 2017 Bill S-239, Chamber Speeches, charities, Democracy, digital governance, Elections, Senator Frum, social media

The big picture tells us that foreign influence is more pervasive than any money attached to third parties. It tells us that we must strike a balance between allowing participation in a digital and global age while protecting Canada’s democracy. This is indeed the brave new world that we must learn to navigate, negotiate and regulate.

Speech: C-25 – An Act to Amend the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Cooperatives Act, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and the Competition Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada October 25, 2017 Bill C-25, Chamber Speeches, corporate governance, Diversity, employment equity

I believe that setting and changing regulations happen in a vacuum, with very little oversight from Parliament. Once we approve legislation and it is given Royal Assent, it leaves our influence. It is open to change, reinterpretation, redefinition, as the government of the day likes.

Question: Regulations Governing Charitable Organizations

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada October 18, 2017 Canada Revenue Agency, charities, public policy advocacy, Question Period

A minister’s advisory panel tabled a report earlier this year in which they recommended that the government should proceed as soon as possible to modernize the rules governing the charitable sector through the development of a new legislative framework. We have heard nothing since then. Can you shed some light on what the government is thinking and planning to do?

Speech: Motion to Urge the Government to Call Upon the Government of Myanmar to End Violence and Gross Violations of Human Rights Against Rohingya Muslims

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada October 5, 2017 Bangladesh, Chamber Speeches, Myanmar, refugees, Rohingya, Salma Ataullahjan, United Nations

The conflict between Rohingya Muslims and the Rakhine Buddhists is incredibly intricate. Their history spans centuries, not decades or years. Within these intricacies, it is easy for disagreements to form as to where peace, stability, justice and coexistence may lie.

Senators’ Statements: Stephen Huddart

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada September 28, 2017 Social Finance, Statements, Stephen Huddart

I think we all agree and realize that the complexity of problems facing Canadians is only growing. We also know that it is impossible to meet all the needs of all Canadians through government grants and funds. Creating a new marketplace of social finance, where proven ideas meet money, seems to me to be a truly big idea and worthy of our attention.

Question: What is the Government’s Plan to Fill Vacancies on the Immigration and Refugee Board?

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada September 19, 2017 immigration, Immigrations and Refugee Board, Question Period

I think you will agree with me that it is essential for us to retain public confidence in the governance systems that we have set up, and it is in all our interests to make decisions on claims in a way that is both fast and fair. But when I look at what’s happening at the IRB, an institution you know well, there are 34,000 cases already in the backlog. In addition, there are 40 vacancies in the Immigration Appeal Division and Refugee Appeal Division.

Speech: Bolstering our understanding of Canada’s charities and non-profits in the Senate

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 21, 2017 Chamber Speeches, charities, Senator Terry Mercer

"These topics are near and dear to me. As a new immigrant to Canada — and I possibly am not alone when I say this — this was the one sector that did not look at me in the face and say, "Where is your Canadian work experience?" I have a real fondness and empathy for the sector because on principle it is associated with looking at people other than what is on the paper before them."

Question: Bill C-6 – An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (Revocation of Citizenship)

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 20, 2017 Bill C-6, Citizenship, immigration, Question Period

"Law is one thing; implementation is another. I understand that the coming into force of the McCoy due process amendment will not take place until early 2018. In the meantime, can you guarantee that the government will not initiate any new revocation proceedings under the current, fundamentally flawed model?"

Senators’ Statements: World Refugee Day

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 20, 2017 refugees, Statements, World Refugee Day, WUSC

“Even as I grieve for the millions of displaced people in the world, I want to take a moment to share some optimism with you from the work of WUSC.”

Senators’ Statements: Michael Adams, C.M.

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada May 11, 2017 Michael Adams, Order of Canada, Statements

Michael is the founder of the Environics Group of research and communications consulting companies, and more recently he founded the Environics Institute, which is a not-for-profit institute that asks the tough questions that need to be asked and answered.