MP Gary Anandasangaree
Creating better opportunities for our children
We’ve made it to March, which means that spring, March Break and the CCRA’s 70th Anniversary Dinner and Dance celebration are just around the corner!
Black History Month
On Saturday, February 23, my team and I hosted our 4th Annual Black History Month Celebration. This year’s celebration, “Black Youth: Boundless. Rooted. Proud.” focused on the important role Black youth play in the development of our community and country, as well as the numerous barriers Black youth continue to encounter as a result of anti-black racism and discrimination.
In addition to terrific speeches from Roselyne Zamor, Special Assistant in the Office of the Prime Minister and Randell Adjei, Founder of RISE Edutainment, we were delighted to have Sir Oliver Mowat C.I. student, Xamida Hudson-De Carvalho act as our Master of Ceremonies. I would like to thank all the members of the Centennial community who joined us in celebration of Black History Month.
Job Growth and Innovation
Our government is constantly working to position Canada as an innovation leader on the world stage. By giving Canadians the tools to turn ideas into solutions, science into technologies, and start-up companies into global successes, our plan to propel Canada to the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery is working!
Through investments in programs like the Strategic Innovation Fund, our government is attracting and supporting increased investment in Canada’s most dynamic and innovative sectors. These investments have helped Canadian researchers pave the way in fields such as regenerative medicine and artificial intelligence.
Since elected in 2015, our government has helped create more than 800,000 new jobs across the country. By creating an environment that is conducive to new and sustainable jobs, our government is creating better opportunities for our children, grandchildren and future generations.
Bill C-91: An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages
In 2015, our government committed to implementing all 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Calls to action 13, 14 and 15 require the entrenchment of legislation and a framework that will ensure the protection, preservation and revitalization of indigenous languages.
We cannot change the past. However, we can and must change the course of the future. Our Prime Minister affirmed that Canada would move forward on a relationship that is nation to nation, Inuit to Crown and government to government, all based on the recognition of the rights framework. Bill C-91, An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages, does this, and as we mark the United Nations Year of Indigenous Languages, we bring Bill C-91 forward to change the trajectory of indigenous languages once and for all.
As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, I was proud to rise in the House of Commons and reiterate our government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term protection, preservation and revitalization of these languages.
I encourage you to contact my office at 416-283-1414 or Gary.Anand@parl.gc.ca. We are always eager to hear your ideas, assist you with federal services, answer your questions and notify you about our upcoming events in the community.
ASK YOUR MP
In February, CCRA News asked readers to submit questions for our MP to answer. Here is the first question with an answer from Gary Anandasangaree.
QUESTION: Why is the Canadian government taking such undemocratic positions on these two serious issues: the arrest and intended extradition of Huawei’s CFO over that company’s alleged business activities, which skirt economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States, and its blanket support of U.S. efforts to undermine a democratically elected government in Venezuela?
ANSWER: Canada and the United States have one of the closest bilateral relationships in the world. Our countries benefit from one another as a result of cooperative agreements in areas such as trade, defence and foreign policy. Both countries share a staunch commitment to upholding the principles of international law and protecting the values of a liberal democracy.
As such, Canada recognizes that we have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law, respect the right to due process, ensure the apolitical nature of our judicial system, and live up to our international agreements. The Extradition Treaty and subsequent extradition process of Huawei’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou, is a criminal justice process. As a result of our agreement with the U.S., Canada has a responsibility to follow the Extradition Treaty and not pass political judgments that may infringe on the sanctity of our criminal justice system. Honouring our international treaty obligations is fundamental if we are to ensure the integrity of our international commitments.
As for the humanitarian and economic crisis in Venezuela, Canada affirms that as members of the international community, the people of Venezuela are entitled to live in a free and democratic state. The ongoing, mass exodus of Venezuelans as a result of political persecution, food insecurity and a lack of basic social needs demonstrates a failure on the part of Nicolás Maduro and his party to fulfill their responsibility to uphold the international rights of the people of Venezuela.
Canada, along with members of the international community, remains steadfast in denouncing Maduro and recognizing Juan Guaidó, President of the National Assembly, as the interim president. Canada continues working to support the people of Venezuela through humanitarian assistance programs as the people attempt to bring back democracy, eliminate corruption and restore Venezuela to a country that equally upholds the rights of all of its citizens.