Senate Business

Bill 21: What Will the Government do to Protect the Rights of Minorities? Will the Use of the “Notwithstanding” Clause be Challenged?

Senator Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 17, 2021 discrimination, immigration, Quebec, religion

Senator Omidvar asked Senator Gold what the government will do to protect the rights of minorities no matter where they live.

Open Letter on Quebec’s Bill 21

Senators Ataullahjan, Jaffer, Marwah, Omidvar, Ravalia, Simons, Wetston and Yussuff Senate of Canada December 16, 2021 discrimination, immigration, Quebec, religion

Senators Ataullahjan, Jaffer, Marwah, Omidvar, Ravalia, Simons, Wetston and Yussuff stand in solidarity with those experiencing discrimination due to Bill 21 in Quebec.

Bill S-216: Senator Mercer and Senator Martin Express Support for the Effective and Accountable Charities Act

Senator Mercer and Senator Martin Senate of Canada December 10, 2021 charities, Direction and Control, Effective Accountable Charities Act Chamber, NonProfits

Senator Mercer and Senator Martin spoke in support of the Effective and Accountable Charities Act. Bill S-216 subsequently passed in the Senate.

Bill S-211: Can Measures be Taken to Support Child Labourers so That They Don’t End Up in Poverty?

Senator Omidvar and Senator Miville-Dechêne Senate of Canada December 10, 2021 labour, poverty

Senator Omidvar asked Senator Miville-Dechêne about Bill S-211, the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act.

Recognizing the Strong Women Who Have Led Barbados in a Peaceful Transition to a Republic

Senator Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 10, 2021 Statements

Senator Omidvar made a statement to recognize the roles Prime Minister Mia Mottley and President Sandra Mason played in leading Barbados through the transition to a republic.

When Will the Next Flight of Afghan Refugees Arrive? Will the Government Lift the Private Sponsorship Cap?

Senator Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 9, 2021 AfghanRefugees, PrivateSponsorship, refugees

Senator Omidvar asked Senator Gold about the next flight of of Afghan refugees and if the private sponsorship cap will be lifted.

Speech on Bill S-217: The Frozen Assets Repurposing Act

Senator Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 8, 2021 corruption, frozen assets, frozen assets bill, refugees, World Refugee Council

Senator Omidvar describes how her bill would repurpose the frozen assets of those who've committed grave human rights abuses to help their victims.

Speech on Bill S-216: The Effective and Accountable Charities Act

Senator Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 2, 2021 charities, Effective Accountable Charities Act Chamber, Effective Accountable Charities Act News, systemic discrimination

Senator Omidvar describes how her bill amends the language in the Income Tax Act to enable charities to establish equal partnerships with non-charities.

When Will the Government Grant Citizenship to Raif Badawi? Why Are Families Waiting Years to Get a Response to their Citizenship Applications?

Senator Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 2, 2021 Citizenship, immigrants, immigration

Senator Omidvar asked Senator Gold about citizenship application backlogs and when Raif Badawi will be granted citizenship.

Recognizing the Heroic Efforts of Canadians to Bring their Former Afghan Colleagues to Safety

Senator Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada December 2, 2021 AfghanRefugees, immigration, refugees

Senator Omidvar made a statement to recognize the many Canadians, particularly former members of the Armed Forces, who are helping bring their former Afghan colleagues to safety.