Conservative Ontario Senator Salma Ataullahjan was elected president of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) by her peers at the IPU’s annual general meeting. Members of Parliament and senators of all political stripes came out to support her for this important position. The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the oldest multilateral organization of parliaments, consisting … Read more
Conservative Ontario Senator Salma Ataullahjan visited Malala Yousafzai at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where the 15-year-old is receiving treatment after being attacked by the Taliban in early October. A human rights activist and proponent of women’s rights, Ataullahjan hails from the same province as Malala in northern Pakistan, and is herself a member of the … Read more
Conservative Ontario Senator Don Meredith issued a statement in celebration of National Child Day. Meredith said as the government commemorates Canada’s adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, this occasion reminds both adults and children of the basic rights that are due to every child born into this world. Call … Read more
Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber (Edmonton–St. Albert, Alta) tabled Bill C-461, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (disclosure of information). The proposed legislation will amend the Access to Information Act (ATIA) to remove a deficiency allowing the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to deny access requests that affected its “journalistic, creative or … Read more
Conservative MP Joy Smith (Kildonan-St. Paul, Man.) attended Not For Sale’s 2012 Global Forum in Silicon Valley, California, aimed at discussing new strategies to fight Human Trafficking. Smith shared the podium with some of the leading abolitionists from around the world. The audience heard from speakers, including the Duchess of York and David Batstone, president … Read more
Conservative Ontario Senator Don Meredith was awarded the Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award at the 2012 Planet Africa Awards. Organized by the Planet Africa Group, these awards are designed to recognize deserving individuals that make a profound difference in society and in the lives of people of African heritage. Meredith said was very humbled and inspired … Read more
Conservative MP Patrick Brown (Barrie, Ont.) and chair of the All-Party Juvenile Diabetes Caucus on Parliament Hill is running in the ING New York City Marathon to create awareness for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and raise vital funds that will help the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation support world class T1D research. More information is available online. … Read more
Conservative MP Ted Opitz (Etobicoke Centre, Ont.) issued a statement following a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the election results in Etobicoke Centre, Ont. Opitz thanked the court for a carefully reasoned decision, which confirmed a fair election took place, the result was clear, and was then confirmed on a recount. The result … Read more
Conservative Senator Don Meredith issued a statement on the passing of Lincoln Alexander. Meredith said that, as someone who has been personally impacted by his life, he's saddened to learn of the death of Lincoln Alexander. Meredith added that, as the first African Canadian to serve as a lieutenant governor and member of Parliament, Alexander … Read more
Conservative Ontario Senator Salma Ataullahjan issued a statement regarding the attack of 14-year-old girl in Pakistan. Ataullahjan said she was saddened and shocked to hear of the cruel and violent attack on Malala Yousafzai. As a Pashtun, Ataullahjan added that this attack was personally felt, as she understands firsthand the challenges [Yousafzai] is facing as … Read more
