Report From Parliament Hill

Eric Melillo, MP, Kenora Riding

Dear Constituents,

I enjoyed spending time visiting with students at Ignace Public School and Dryden High School to talk about my role as a Member of Parliament and the importance of the democratic process. I also toured the Resolute sawmill in Ignace. Later in the week I met with local organizations to discuss community safety concerns. Across Northwestern Ontario I have been hearing the same message – people are worried about their safety in their own community.
We have seen assaults, slashed tires, vehicle break-ins and needles being found around our communities, all happening with greater frequency. Conservatives support policies that get people struggling with addictions into recovery instead of spending a night in a cell, only to be released and continue that cycle over and over again. There must be greater federal support for detox and addictions treatment programs in Northwestern Ontario to get those struggling off the streets. There also must be greater consequences for the drug dealers preying on the vulnerable and for repeat violent offenders.
If the Liberals won’t get it done, Canada’s Conservatives will.

Standing up against Bill C-21
After the Liberals and NDP passed a motion to limit debate on amendments to their firearm prohibition bill C-21, they rushed it through parliament without proper scrutiny and without proper consultation. I gave a speech on the bill to share concerns I have been hearing from residents. 
Instead of going after the illegal guns used by criminals and street gangs or ending their catch-and-release bail system, Justin Trudeau is focused on taking hunting rifles and shotguns from hunters, sport shooters, and Indigenous peoples. No one believes this will reduce violent crime across Canada. Since 2015, the year the Liberals formed government, violent crime increased by 32%, and gang-related murders have doubled. In the meantime, they have repealed mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes and made it easier to get bail.
I was proud to stand with my Conservative colleagues and vote against this bill. Conservatives will keep fighting for common sense solutions to keep Canadians safe without targeting law-abiding firearms owners.

Working for You 
If you’re planning to be in Ottawa and are interested in attending Question Period or taking a tour of Parliament, please let me know and my office can help reserve Question Period and tour tickets. 
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please call me at 807-223-2182 (Dryden) or 807-468-2170 (Kenora) or email me at [email protected].

Sincerely,
Eric Melillo
Member of Parliament
Kenora Riding