Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

On October 7, 2010, Alice Wong made the following statement on Richmond-based athletes that are participating in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India:

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The following is a transcript:

Mrs. Alice Wong (Richmond, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, as we speak, the 19th Commonwealth Games are moving into day four in Delhi, India.

Already, Canadians have been winning medals in events. Among them, in the men’s team artistic gymnastics, Robert Watson and Jason Scott, both members of the Richmond Gymnastics Association, were part of a five member Canadian team that won the bronze medal. Congratulations to them. Richmond is proud of them.

Other athletes from Richmond include: athletics, Evan Dunfee; field hockey, Amanda Stone; gymnastics, Demetra Mantcheva; rugby sevens, Nathan Hirayama; table tennis, Andre Ho and Mo Zhang; and wrestling, Arjan Bhullar.

Richmond is supporting all of them and the whole national team. Go Canada go.

We are curious as to the opinion of the people in Richmond about potentially renaming YVR to Terry Fox Airport. If you live in Richmond and have an opinion on the matter, please send it to wonga7@parl.gc.ca along with your residential address.

On September 30, 2010, Alice Wong made a statement in the House of Commons regarding the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the People’s Republic of China.

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The following is a transcript:

Mrs. Alice Wong (Richmond, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, next month marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and the People’s Republic of China.

Our ties are strong in business and education and in cultural exchanges. Bilateral trade is a good example. Currently, China is our second largest source of imports and our third largest source of exports. Today over 1.3 million Canadian residents are of Chinese origin and form one of the largest groups within Canada’s multicultural mosaic. Chinese is now Canada’s third most spoken language after English and French.

Recently, the approved destination status for Canada marked another positive step in our relationship with China. It will strengthen our diplomatic and commercial ties and, more important, our people-to-people ties, resulting in a win-win situation.

Tomorrow will be the 61st national day of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of Richmond, happy birthday.

Due to multiple media requests to comment on Bill C-391, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of long-gun registry), MP Alice Wong is making the following statement:

“On September 22, the House of Commons voted 153-151 to accept a recommendation from the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to not proceed any further with Bill C-391 – a bill that would have repealed the Long Gun Registry. Along with 150 other members of parliament, I voted against this motion as I wanted to see Bill C-391 come back to the House of Commons for third reading.

There has been some misunderstanding, even among members of the media, that this bill would scrap the firearms registry in its entirety. This is not true, as it would only exempt non-restricted firearms such as hunting rifles from registration. Restricted firearms, such as handguns, would still require mandatory registration.

Although I personally received minimal correspondence from constituents either for or against Bill C-391, nevertheless I supported it since I still believe the Long Gun Registry is an onerous bureaucratic burden on those who use firearms for recreational purposes. It has come at great cost to the taxpayer and its effectiveness is highly questionable.

At the same time, it is important to emphasize that whether firearms of any type are registered or not, there are strict laws governing their usage in Canada. The Conservative government has been and remains focused on enacting tough laws for criminals, especially those that use guns to commit criminal acts.

As an example, in the last Parliament the government introduced the Tackling Violent Crime Act, which included minimum sentences for crimes involving firearms. In the last session, Parliament passed into law Bill C-14, which introduced three new offenses for reckless discharges of firearms. In addition, for this session the government has seven new bills to help catch criminals and keep them off our streets.

No matter what the status of the firearm registry is, we will be tough on criminals, whether they choose to commit their crimes with firearms or not.”

As autumn is nearly upon us, many Canadians will escape the cold weather by traveling to sunnier and warmer climates, including Mexico. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just issued the following warning to entering Mexico by land (attached below). Please note you can read the full travel report for Mexico at this link.

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Thinking of travelling overland to Mexico? Think again!

Please note that the Government of Canada has just issued an official warning against non-essential travel to the border areas between the United States and Mexico, due to continuing high levels of violence linked to drug trafficking.

Canadians should avoid crossing Mexico’s northern border by land, as shootouts, attacks, and roadblocks may occur at any time. Criminals especially target SUVs and full-size pickup trucks for theft and carjacking along highways of the states of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, and Sinaloa. Travellers are advised to reconsider their need to travel to these border states. They should do so only if it is absolutely necessary and after making appropriate arrangements to ensure their personal safety.

To help you prepare for a safe trip, be sure to consult the Travel Report for Mexico on the Consular Services website at www.travel.gc.ca, or call 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the United States) or 613-944-6788.

RICHMOND, British Columbia, September 16, 2010 – On behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), Alice Wong, Member of Parliament (Richmond), today confirmed the Government of Canada’s contribution to the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association in support of the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships, which run from September 17 to 26 in Richmond, British Columbia.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships, which will once again showcase our Richmond Olympic Oval,” said Ms. Wong. “By bringing together the world’s best players from 12 countries, this event will provide participants and spectators alike with an outstanding opportunity to enjoy the highest level of competition. If you have not seen this sport, you are missing some of the best athletes in the world.”

“Our Canadian athletes are so proud to be showcasing their sport on home soil. They play fast, aggressive, hard-hitting wheelchair rugby and want nothing more than to be wearing gold and singing O Canada at the closing ceremonies,” said Catherine Cadieux, Executive Director of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association.

Originally called “murderball” by its Canadian inventors, wheelchair rugby has evolved into one of the most exhilarating Paralympic sports.

The Government of Canada believes that participation in sport is part of a healthy lifestyle and contributes to a healthy society. Hosting international sport events gives Canada the opportunity to showcase our country to athletes and spectators from all over the world.

The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. A contribution of $250,000 was provided to the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program.

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For more information (media only), please contact:

Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
vanessa.schneider@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

By providing funding to non-profit organizations, the New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors can benefit from, and contribute to, the quality of life in their communities, through active living and participation in social activities.

The program funds projects that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their communities – from enabling seniors to share their knowledge, wisdom and experiences with others, to improving facilities for seniors’ programs and activities, to raising awareness of elder abuse.

There are three kinds of funding: Community Participation and Leadership, Capital Assistance, and Elder Abuse Awareness.

For Capital Assistance Funding, grants of up to $25,000 are available for upgrading community facilities and equipment related to existing programs and activities for seniors. Deadline: October 8, 2010.

Please visit Capital Assistance Funding for further details on how to file for a grant.

August 27, 2010
STATEMENT OF CONDOLENCES

RICHMOND – Alice Wong, MP for Richmond has the following statement, concerning the deaths of Canadians Ken, Jessie and Doris Leung, and the injuries of Jason Leung and Mrs. Amy Ng [Leung] in Manila, Philippines:

“I would like to express my condolences to the Leung family and all the victims on this very tragic incident. I have contacted the Canadian embassy at Manila and the Canadian Consulate in Hong Kong, and can confirm that they have offered assistance to the family. I have also offered to make a personal visit to the surviving members of the family, but the family has requested privacy. Also due to privacy concerns, no further details can be released.

On behalf of Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney, I have signed the book of condolences.

I implore the Philippine government to be vigilant and extensive in its investigation on this tragic matter, and implement the changes that will enhance the protection of foreigners, including Canadians, in their country.

It is my sincerest wish that the wounded and surviving members of the Leung family have a speedy physical recovery, but it is unfortunate that the emotional wounds from this tragic incident will remain with them for their lives.”

Attached to the release are two pictures: One of MP Wong signing the book of condolences, and one with the message she wrote in the book, which states:

“On behalf of the Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism, we would like to send our deepest condolences to all the families and individuals who were in the terrible tragedy in Manila. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you especially those who lost their loved ones. [We wish] a rapid recovery to those who were wounded. Canadians are all with you at this difficult time.”

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This is a follow-up to the April 2009 announcement concerning the federal government’s contribution to a new interchange at Highway 91 and Nelson Road in Richmond. The contract has been awarded, and the work is required to be completed before March 31, 2011 to qualify for federal funds.

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August 25, 2010
Farmers Will Benefit From New Interchange

RICHMOND – A new Highway 91 interchange will move trucks off Westminster Highway and provide direct access to the Fraser Port industrial area, easing traffic for farmers and moving goods to their destinations quicker.

“As Richmond grows, it’s essential we keep up with infrastructure and economic demands,” says Richmond East MLA Linda Reid. “Providing direct access from Highway 91 to the Fraser Port industrial area for truck traffic and easing congestion on Westminster Highway means goods get where they need to go and commuters spend more time at home than on the road.”

“The Economic Action Plan continues to work for Richmond,” says Richmond MP Alice Wong. “With the Nelson Road Interchange, we will be able to transport goods to and from the Fraser Port more efficiently. This is another incremental step in improving our road network for both commuters and truckers.”

The project involves the construction of a partial interchange connecting Highway 91 eastbound to Nelson Road southbound, and Nelson Road northbound to Highway 91 westbound. The new interchange will provide an alternate route for traffic using Westminster Highway from Richmond, Highway 99 and Knight Street to the Fraser Port industrial area.

Work is scheduled to begin in early September, with completion set for March 31, 2011, and will involve fast lane closures during construction. All lane closures during construction will happen at night to lessen the impact to the traveling public. Surrey’s Westpro Infrastructure Ltd. won the contract with a $7,932,728 bid.

Funding for this project is cost-shared between the federal and provincial governments, Port Metro Vancouver and the City of Richmond.

The federal contribution comes from the $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Since March 2009, almost 400 projects have received a total federal investment of more than $490 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across British Columbia.

Since October 2008, more than $5.3 billion in infrastructure projects have been announced throughout B.C., which are estimated to create more than 34,000 jobs over the life of the projects.

Our office received a copy of an invitation for a town hall meeting by a future candidate in the next general election. In light of the fact that the media was also sent copies of this invitation, the letter is attached here.

Our response, given last Monday, is the following:

Dear Mr. Peschisolido,

Thank you for the invitation to your town hall meeting. However, I do not feel that this is the proper forum to discuss this issue and so will politely decline your invitation.

Having said that, I certainly respect the fact that you are a constituent of Richmond, so if you would like to book a private meeting with me at my office I am more than happy to accommodate you. Please feel free to contact my staff and we can schedule a meeting at a mutually convenient date and time.

Sincerely,

Alice Wong, MP (Richmond)