House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was community.

Last in Parliament April 2025, as Green MP for Kitchener Centre (Ontario)

Lost his last election, in 2025, with 34% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Business of Supply March 3rd, 2022

Madam Speaker, I wonder if the member for Dufferin—Caledon is aware of what the Ukrainian delegate to the IPCC, Svitlana Krakovska, recently said. She said, “Human-induced climate change and the war against Ukraine have the same roots, fossil fuels, and our dependence on them. We will not surrender in Ukraine and we hope the world will not surrender in building a climate-resilient future”.

Do these words have any impact on the member's support for this motion?

The Environment March 3rd, 2022

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published its most recent report, described as an “atlas of human suffering and a damning indictment of failed climate leadership”. Yesterday, 126 environmental and citizens groups and academics called on the federal government to now reject Bay du Nord, a proposed massive new deepwater oil drilling project, owned by a foreign company, looking to extract up to a billion barrels of oil, equivalent to running 100 coal-fired power plants for a year. A response is due Sunday.

Will the minister commit to rejecting this climate disaster?

Health-based Approach to Substance Use Act March 2nd, 2022

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for Courtenay—Alberni for his leadership with this bill. I want him to know the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands and I will both be supporting this for the simple reason that this bill, if passed, would save lives.

In the Waterloo region alone, there were 155 preventable deaths last year. This bill follows the recommendations we already have from the expert task force on substance use. This bill follows through on the talk in this House recognizing that the poisoning crisis is not a criminal justice issue but one of public health.

I would like to ask him about the importance of low-barrier access to safe supply, which is part of the national strategy called for in this bill.

Russia's Attack on Ukraine February 28th, 2022

Mr. Chair, I thank the member for Mount Royal for his always unifying tone.

One thing we have heard tonight from a lot of parliamentarians is the call to waive visa requirements for those fleeing violence. I wonder if the member would mind sharing his personal views on the importance of doing so.

Emergencies Act February 21st, 2022

Madam Speaker, in the comments made by the member for Lethbridge, alongside others, I appreciated the call for unity, particularly in a discussion in this House that has been lacking that in recent days. What is important in that is also a shared understanding of facts and context.

I also note that in the member's comments there was no mention of the MOU to overthrow the government or the ties to white nationalism as part of the ideologies of the protesters who were in Ottawa. I wonder if the member would want to share more about the wider context of those who were in Ottawa over recent weeks.

Emergencies Act February 20th, 2022

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Moody—Coquitlam both for the tone and the substance of her advocacy in this place.

I am curious hear more from her with respect to the scope of the regulation. We have heard some members of the governing party share that it is meant to be a very targeted approach, but we also see in the regulations “critical infrastructure” being used quite broadly to include bus stations, ferry terminals and lighthouses, for example. I am curious to hear the member's perspective on ensuring that it is appropriate in scale and does not set a precedent for those that were mentioned previously, such as indigenous land defenders and climate activists, for example.

A Better Tent City February 17th, 2022

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to recognize A Better Tent City, an innovative and successful housing solution serving previously unsheltered neighbours of mine in the Waterloo region. Consisting of 42 insulated cabins and an indoor warming space, kitchen, showers and laundry, A Better Tent City is a safe and caring place born from the leadership of the late Ron Doyle, Jeff Willmer and Nadine Green, among others. Nadine, the site coordinator, whose compassion brings calm in times of crisis, feels particularly fitting to celebrate during Black History Month, as her leadership is one example of Black excellence in the Waterloo region.

A Better Tent City is supported by so many, including the volunteers, staff and board at St. Mary's Church and the Social Development Centre. In light of this incredible grassroots work, A Better Tent City recently received our community's highest honour, the Barnraiser award, for showing us what is possible when a group of people rally—

Emergencies Act February 17th, 2022

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the Minister of Emergency Preparedness sharing the care and caution with which this is being applied. The Prime Minister shared a more targeted approach, but I need to reconcile that with what I am reading in the regulations that we have been provided, which mention critical infrastructure quite broadly. I share the concerns of the member for Burnaby South, for example, with respect to how this could be applied in the future to indigenous land defenders and climate activists.

Could the minister clarify the difference between the more targeted approach we are hearing and the words we are seeing written here?

Petitions February 17th, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from folks in Kitchener Centre who agree with the member for Charlottetown and residents of his community. They are similarly calling for just transition legislation. They call on the government to ensure that the targets included align with climate science and doing our fair share, at least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030, and that we phase out fossil fuel subsidies and move that toward creating the good, green jobs of tomorrow, while protecting human rights and indigenous rights.

Health February 16th, 2022

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt the pandemic has had a devastating impact on our mental health, putting further strain on a system that already had long-standing gaps. In Waterloo-Wellington, 15 children and youth were waiting to be seen by child psychiatrists at CMHA before the pandemic. Now they have 190 on a waiting list. The fact is that mental health is health.

As called for by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health and others, will the Prime Minister prioritize funding and legislation to ensure that every Canadian has timely access to inclusive and accessible mental health?