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OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister on clarification on various COVID-19 border measures

As you can see, this statement is considerably different from the information on the government's website and OIC. ​Needless to say, this has created much confusion in the public realm which in turn has created additional anxiety and frustration for people already in a stressful situation. Moreover, this has made it difficult for Members of Parliament and our offices to provide information and assistance to those in need. It is therefore vital that clear and accurate information is made available on this critical question as there are many people who are being impacted by this policy.
I can provide an example of a case in my riding. Currently in Vancouver East, a TFW who had been working full-time in Canada since 2018 had travelled out of the country for a short period of time and now finds she is unable to return to Canada due to the travel restriction. She has not been able to get information on what exceptions, if any, are made for temporary foreign workers seeking to return to Canada to resume their employment.  ​

OPEN LETTER to Federal, BC Health Minister and Vancouver DTES COVID-19 Task Force - Urgent COVID-19 response and resources needed for the DTES

The Downtown Eastside is home to some of the most vulnerable people in Canada, including people who are homeless, inadequately housed, struggling with mental health challenges and managing addictions. The living conditions of the population mean that many actions that could help prevent the spread of the virus, such as self-isolation and aggressive hygiene practices, are not available to the community members. As such, once the virus touches down on the community, we know that the effect will be severe and devasting. It is therefore absolutely vital that we take steps now to prevent an outbreak in the community as well as to be prepared for what is to come.

There are concerns raised about the lack of direction for keeping residents and staff safe in Single Occupancy Hotels (SROs) and other non-profit and affordable housing. Visitors are being let in and out, and many of the buildings are in poor condition, including having holes in walls and unsanitary shared bathrooms. As such, staff and outreach workers working in these places are “scared” and need a plan now about how they should be protecting themselves and clients from the virus. Resources for building maintenance and sanitization efforts are also desperately needed. Service agencies and shelters are also awaiting instructions on where to direct clients with flu- like symptoms who are seeking service.

OPEN LETTER to the Prime Minister on getting financial aid to Canadians as quickly as possible

The announcements made yesterday to bring in new programs for those who don’t qualify for EI benefits - the Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support benefit - are welcome news. I am sure that you, like me, have heard from many Canadians who do not have access to EI and are facing an uncertain future.
Similarly, steps to increase the GST Credit and the Canada Child Benefit, are also important measures to get necessary help to Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet.
I am alarmed at the news that many Canadians will not receive this additional help until April or May. For many Canadians, this will result in a lack of income for over a month.
Canadians cannot wait a moment longer for help.  This is why I am committing to you that New Democrats will provide the necessary votes to pass these measures in Parliament.

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister on accesibility of Business of Development Bank of Canada funding

This letter is regarding the accessibility of the recently announced Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) funding to support business owners who have currently closed their businesses due to the COVID- 19 virus, specifically those in the food and beverage sector. This is understandably an incredibly difficult time for many businesses, who are complying with government recommendations to close their doors to ensure that adequate social distancing is maintained to prevent further spread of this virus. This loss of business has created obvious financial and emotional stress for business owners and they are in desperate need of the Governments support.

Vulnerable Populations in the COVID-19 Response

On March 16, 2020, I raised concerns about COVID-19 Pandemic Measures for vulnerable populations in an open letter, jointly with Vancouver-Kingsway MP Don Davies, to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and all members of the Cabinet Committee on the federal response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19):

 

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister Covid-19 pandemic measures for migrant workers in Canada

There are currently two umbrella programs in which temporary labour migration streams are grouped under: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). Data provided from the IRCC, Temporary Residents, from 31 July 2019 show that in 2018 there was 84,116 permit holders in the TFW Program and 254,520 permit holders in the International Mobility Program. In total, that is over 338,600 people working under temporary work conditions as of 2018. That means over 338,600 people will disproportionately suffer if the government does not act now.
For weeks, New Democrats have been calling on the government to make sure no one falls through the cracks in this pressing time. As demonstrated, TFWs are a particularly vulnerable group during this time.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, has publicly stated the window to contain the spread of COVID-19 is closing rapidly. Therefore, we request that the Government takes urgent action to immediately implement increased access to Healthcare services, and appropriate EI benefits so that
TFWs will not disproportionately suffer, and that this is communicated effectively to these groups.

OPEN LETTER to the Deputy Prime Minister - COVID-19 Pandemic measures for vulnerable populations

We are hearing very urgent concerns from constituents about taking immediate action to protect vulnerable people in our communities. We are especially concerned, now that we have confirmed that community transmission is occurring, about those in East Vancouver who would fall into high-risk categories for serious impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in terms of health as well as in terms of the social indicators of health.

Front-line workers in health care, housing, outreach and harm reduction are sounding alarms because many of the public health advisements regarding “flattening the curve” of COVID-19 outbreaks, including social distancing, self-isolation, and aggressive hygiene practices are simply not available choices to the hundreds if not thousands of people in our constituencies who are homeless, who are staying in shelters, who are “couch-surfing”, and constituents who live in very inadequate housing. For these constituents, advice about social distancing and maintaining a distance of at least two meters from other people is simply impractical. Likewise, the advice to conduct frequent hand-washing with soap and warm water is not practical, especially if you are homeless and do not have predictable access to a washroom or clean running water.

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister on pandemic measures for vulnerable populations

We are hearing very urgent concerns from constituents about taking immediate action to protect vulnerable people in our communities. We are especially concerned, now that we have confirmed that community transmission is occurring, about those in East Vancouver who would fall into high-risk categories for serious impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in terms of health as well as in terms of the social indicators of health.
Front-line workers in health care, housing, outreach and harm reduction are sounding alarms because many of the public health advisements regarding “flattening the curve” of COVID-19 outbreaks, including social distancing, self-isolation, and aggressive hygiene practices are simply not available choices to the hundreds if not thousands of people in our constituencies who are homeless, who are staying in shelters, who are “couch-surfing”, and constituents who live in very inadequate housing. For these constituents, advice about social distancing and maintaining a distance of at least two meters from other people is simply impractical. Likewise, the advice to conduct frequent hand-washing with soap and warm water is not practical, especially if you are homeless and do not have predictable access to a washroom or clean running water.

IN THE NEWS: CBC - NDP MP immigration critic pushes back on new foreign worker regulations

Jenny Kwan, the NDP MP for Vancouver East and the critic for Multiculturalism, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship says, it's a good first step, but the changes don't go far enough to protect all migrant workers. She wants the government to provide migrant workers with open work permits and landed status when they come to Canada.

"If they're good enough to work here, aren't they good enough to stay?" asked Kwan.

Kwan says the new regulation doesn't help the 27 foreign workers she's currently trying to get open permits for.

2019 Budget Speech

Mr. Speaker, people in Vancouver East expect their government to make life affordable, sustainable and fair for all Canadians. They expect their government to be on their side.

    In Vancouver East, I have heard from my constituents time and time again that we need real measures to make life affordable for Canadians, that we need immediate and urgent action to protect our climate and environment.

    On behalf of the constituents of Vancouver East, I have been strongly advocating for measures such as affordable housing, public universal pharmacare, environmental protections, climate action and tax fairness. Instead, we now have a country faced with many crises.