Jessica Fancy
South Shore—St. Margarets, Nova Scotia · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, in South Shore—St. Margarets, every summer we see young people across our communities stepping into jobs, gaining confidence, experiences and new skills and contributing to the local businesses and organizations that make our region so vibrant.”
“Mr. Speaker, mining is already one of Canada's largest economic drivers, contributing billions of dollars to the Canadian economy annually, but the sector is experiencing a labour shortage right now, needing 250,000 new hires over the next 10 years.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Bill C‑20 , the Build Canada Homes act. I do so as the proud member of Parliament for South Shore—St. Margarets. Any day we get to rise on behalf of our constituents is always a great day. I want to talk today about our housing crisis and how it is not just theoretical.”
“Our colleagues have just talked about the lack of support for the forestry sector. I have met with multiple different lumber mills in my riding and some of our prefab manufacturers on how they are working specifically within our supply chain locally to get these homes built. It means good jobs that support families in our region.”
“Rural communities are often overlooked in national housing strategies, but we know that they are essential to Canada's economy, culture and identity. From forestry, to fisheries, to tourism, to small business, rural regions like ours are vital. However, without housing how do we sustain that vitality?”
“Margarets does not look the same as in many other areas, in urban centres. (1700) This is why Build Canada Homes uses both a place-based and an income-based definition of affordability, ensuring that housing reflects the realities of local incomes.”
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“We have shared the realities faced by our constituents, staffing shortages in hospitals and long-term care homes, the challenges facing farmers and processors, and the need for small towns to grow and renew these populations. More importantly, not only has the minister listened, but she has taken those insights very seriously. Programs designed to support regional immigration reflect, in many ways, that ongoing dialogue. They recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach sometimes does not work in a country as vast and diverse as Canada. (2250) Instead, we need flexible, community-driven models that empower local leaders to help shape immigration pathways that align with specific needs. The success of rural immigration programs also depends on this continued partnership: municipal governments, chambers of commerce, etc.”
“The minister has made a real effort to listen to members from all sides of the House. She shows a willingness to engage, to hear diverse perspectives, as we have heard tonight, and to collaborate on solutions when others try to weaponize immigration in our country, solutions that are essential when it comes to building immigration programs that are truly meeting the needs of Canadians. In my role as vice-chair of our national rural caucus, I have had the opportunity to see this first-hand. The minister has taken the time to attend our meetings and to hear directly from other members of Parliament who represent rural and remote communities throughout the country.”
“They enrol their children in local schools, support small businesses and strengthen the social fabric that keeps our communities vital. However, we know that attracting newcomers to rural Canada is only one part of that equation. Retention is equally important. That is why our regional levels plan, developed in close collaboration with municipalities, provinces, employers and community organizations, plays a key role. These plans must address housing availability, access services, language training, employment opportunities for spouses and pathways to permanent residency. When we get these elements right, newcomers who come here not only stay in our rural areas but thrive and put down roots. I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the minister's hard work in this area.”
“Margarets in Nova Scotia, the neighbour riding to the minister's, we have seen first-hand the positive impact that newcomers have in our communities. New Canadians are helping businesses grow. They are supporting local industry, volunteering in our communities, enrolling in our schools and bringing new energy and ideas to rural Nova Scotia. That is why targeted immigration pathways, like our minister has mentioned tonight, especially for rural and remote regions, are so important. They are not simply about filling jobs, though that is critical. They are also about building complete, thriving communities. When newcomers arrive in rural areas, they contribute as entrepreneurs, health care providers, skilled tradespeople and our neighbours.”
“Back to rural and remote communities, they are the backbone of a lot of key sectors, like agriculture, natural resources, health care, tourism and small businesses, yet many of these communities are facing serious demographic challenges. Declining populations, aging workforces and persistent labour shortages are placing real pressure on local economies and essential services. Without thoughtful action, these pressures risk undermining not only community vitality but economic growth and national cohesion. Rural immigration is not simply about population growth. It is about community survival, in some cases. It is about economic sustainability, and it is about ensuring that families can continue to build their futures in every region of this country from coast to coast to coast. In my own region of South Shore—St.”
“Mr. Chair, I think it is very condescending when someone asks a question and then turns their back and walks away before hearing the answer. I will be splitting my time this evening with the hon. member for Winnipeg North . As I rise tonight to speak to the Minister of Immigration about an issue that is vital to what we feel is the long-term strength, resilience and sustainability of our country, I would like to talk about the importance of rural and regional immigration. Before I do, I want to share a quick side story about my mother, who immigrated to Canada when she was 10 years old. At the ripe age of 64, last year, she got her citizenship, and I was actually the first person she ever voted for as an immigrant here in Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, wildfires do not wait for us to be ready. I am reminded of the wildfires in my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets. The government recognizes the need to work together as a nation to be prepared so that we can protect all Canadians. That is why the government has committed $316 million through budget 2025 to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre to lease firefighting aircraft to establish a surge capacity. Can the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience update the House on how we are better preparing for the upcoming wildfire season?”
“Mr. Speaker, in my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets, small craft harbours are the lifeblood of our community. These harbours drive our economy and are embedded in our culture. The fisheries from the wharves have feed-the-world levels of infrastructure. Can the Minister of Fisheries tell us in the House how, in our spring economic statement, we are building Canada strong?”
“Mr. Speaker, as one of the members on the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and also as a former educator before coming into this wonderful chamber, I can attest to the importance of reports such as this one that we undertook. It is unfortunate, though, that the reasoning for concurrence in the report is that, basically, the Conservatives did not get the information they wanted. That is why we are here today. I received employment through the federal student work experience program as a student. I can testify that some of these government programs really benefit kids, especially little rural kids like me. Could the hon. member also talk about some of these wonderful youth employment strategy options that we have—”
“Mr. Speaker, on March 8, we marked International Women's Day, a time to celebrate the achievements of women and to recommit ourselves to building a country where every woman and girl can safely reach their full potential. Gender-based violence continues to affect far too many women across Canada. In my own province of Nova Scotia and in communities across my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets, intimate partner violence remains far too prevalent. That is why our government has launched Canada's first-ever national action plan to end gender-based violence, committing over $500 million to prevention, education and supports for survivors. In its first year alone, 730,000 people across Canada received support through programs funded under this plan.”
“Mr. Speaker, in South Shore—St. Margarets, Hawboldt Industries is one of the companies in my riding that is proving that advanced manufacturing for defence is not just an urban story, but is very much a rural one. Rural communities have the talent and the capacity to help Canada meet its defence needs. Can the Secretary of State for Defence Procurement explain how the new defence industrial strategy will expand opportunities for rural manufacturers such as Hawboldt and create good-paying jobs for all Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, I am rising today to present a petition on behalf not only of my constituents but of all Canadians Petitioners call upon the government to protect Canadian media from undue foreign interference and influence, by initiating a formal review of foreign media ownership, introducing stricter rules to prevent foreign entities from holding and controlling interests in Canadian media, and requiring public reporting disclosure for foreign ownership stakeholders in the Canadian media. The petition has garnered over 17,000 signatures in a short period of time. I would also like to thank Guard the Leaf for its diligence regarding this petition.”
“Mr. Speaker, advancing gender equality is key to building a strong and prosperous Canada where everyone can succeed. While the Conservatives minimize coercive control as normal family behaviour and debate 2SLGBTQI+ rights at their conventions, the government is making sure that organizations across the country have the support they need. Can the Minister of Health share how we are empowering and strengthening national women's organizations across Canada?”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche for being a rural advocate for a lot of the people here in the country. I would also like to talk today about the $20 million to the local food infrastructure fund. I wonder if my colleague could speak to that a bit more and how it aims to deliver more nutritious food to families, not only in his riding and my riding but in all of Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is always a joy to rise on behalf of my constituents in South Shore—St. Margarets. I am very excited today to ask my fellow colleague from Nova Scotia some questions regarding agriculture. Since becoming a new member in the spring, I have talked to a lot of agricultural stakeholders in my riding. They were asking for a lot of things, which I feel budget 2025 would deliver. Budget 2025 would invest in domestic food processing and supply chain resilience. Could the member tell us a bit about how strengthening the Canadian capacity to reduce exposure to global disruptions helps stabilize food prices overall?”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on behalf of my constituents of South Shore—St. Margarets, more narrowly the municipality of Barrington, and for the visitors and businesses of the municipality. Petitioners are calling on the government to take immediate action to improve cellular service in their community, citing that the government needs to work closely with telecommunications providers to expand coverage in underserved areas.”
“2 Construction Battalion monument in Shelburne, commemorating Canada's first and only all-Black military battalion. Black history is Canadian history. This month is a time to learn, reflect and share.”
“Mr. Speaker, as we observe Black History Month, I rise today to recognize the enduring contributions, resiliency and legacy of Black communities in Nova Scotia and across Canada. In South Shore—St. Margarets, we are home to a significant chapter in Black Canadian history. The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown preserves the stories of the Black Loyalists, men, women and children who sought freedom, built communities and helped shape this country despite immense injustice. Once the largest free Black settlement in British North America, Birchtown remains a powerful symbol of perseverance and hope. I want to recognize the staff, volunteers and descendants who ensure that these stories are never forgotten. Last fall, I was also honoured to attend the unveiling of the No.”
“Mr. Speaker, as a former educator from Nova Scotia, one of the provinces that was a very early adopter of the national food program, we were feeding kids every day. I wonder if the minister could talk about that program. Also, as a rural advocate from Nova Scotia, I would ask how we are going to strengthen our supply chains as a boost and a bridge within this new programming.”
“Mr. Speaker, when I was back home in my riding, I had many conversations with people in my community about how important the school food program was to families in my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets. Can the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature please update the House on how the government will deliver real, near-term relief for Canadians facing a higher cost of living?”
“It would expand access to testimonial aids, clarify victims' rights in order to protect impact statements at sentencing and parole, and improve information sharing under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. These changes respond directly to what victims have been telling us on all sides of this chamber: The justice system can be retraumatizing, confusing and isolating. Organizations in my riding like Thriving Twogether, a grassroots non-profit working in southwestern Nova Scotia, see this every day. Thriving Twogether supports individuals and families affected by gender-based violence, addiction and human trafficking, recognizing—”
“These measures reflect how predators groom, manipulate and exploit children today, often across multiple platforms and jurisdictions. The bill would restore mandatory minimum penalties for child sexual offences while adding a safety-valve clause to ensure constitutional fairness. This would respond to years of legal uncertainty that weakens deterrence and accountability for the most serious crimes committed against children. The third pillar of Bill C-16 focuses on strengthening victims' rights. The bill would enhance the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights by affirming that victims be treated with respect, courtesy, compassion and fairness. “Fairness” is a key word. The bill would provide victims with information proactively, without requiring them to navigate complex systems or make formal requests.”
“It would expand the offence of non-consensual distribution of intimate images to include AI-generated sexual deepfakes, recognizing how technology is being weaponized against young people, especially young girls. It would criminalize threats to distribute sexual abuse material. It would directly address sextortion, which is one of the fastest-growing forms of online exploitation of children. Bill C-16 would also expand child-luring and sextortion offences. It would create a new offence for recruiting a person under 18 into criminal activity. This is something I have seen hands-on, with boots on the ground, during my time as a principal. The bill seeks to strengthen mandatory reporting and data-driven preservation obligations for online service providers.”
“It would modernize the offence of criminal harassment. It would remove the requirement that a victim must prove they subjectively fear for their safety, and replace it with a reasonable personal standard. This change matters. It matters deeply for victims who are stalked, monitored or intimidated, and for those whose fears have been minimized or questioned in the past. (1355) In terms of my being an educator of youth, under the second pillar, Bill C-16 would strengthen protections for children and youth, particularly in an increasingly digital world. As a former educator, I want to speak clearly about this. In classrooms, we see the consequences of online exploitation every day: anxiety, shame, isolation and fear. The bill would update the Criminal Code to address harms that barely existed when many of our laws were written.”
“This trauma-informed, feminist and intersectional approach reminds us that prevention requires structural change, not just punishment after harm has occurred. Bill C-16 reflects the same understanding by recognizing patterns of control and exploitation as violence in their own right. I am also proud to have served on the board of directors of the Second Story Women's Centre in my riding, which supports women, girls and gender-diverse people across the south shore. The Second Story Women's Centre provides counselling, advocacy, safety and support within its community. I have seen first-hand how many survivors endure years of coercive control, which has never quite fit legal definitions before. Bill C-16 would help close that gap by aligning the Criminal Code with the realities that survivors and frontline workers have always understood.”
“It would provide that murders committed in the context of coercive control, sexual violence, human trafficking or hate are femicides committed against a woman and would be treated as first-degree murders, even where traditional planning and deliberation are difficult to prove. This reflects the lived reality of many intimate partner homicides that are not spontaneous acts but rather the end point of long, documented patterns of abuse. This bill would further require courts to consider life imprisonment for manslaughter committed in those same circumstances. These reforms closely align with the work being done on the ground by organizations like the Be the Peace Institute in Nova Scotia. Be the Peace focuses on root causes of gender-based violence, unequal power, rigid gender norms and systems that fail to centre survivors.”
“Under its first pillar, the bill takes decisive action that would prevent violence before it becomes lethal. For the first time in Canadian law, it would create a new offence for a pattern of coercive and controlling conduct toward an intimate partner. Survivors have told us repeatedly that abuse is rarely about one single incident. It is about isolation, intimidation, surveillance, financial control and psychological manipulation. These patterns strip away safety and autonomy long before physical violence appears. By naming coercive control as a criminal offence, Bill C-16 would give law enforcement and the courts a tool to intervene earlier, when lives can still be saved. This bill also recognizes the severity of violence driven by control and fear.”
“Bill C-16 does this through its four pillars: tackling gender-based violence and intimate partner violence; protecting children from predators; strengthening victims' rights; and addressing court delays. That work is urgently needed in Nova Scotia. Our province has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the country. Intimate partner violence, criminal harassment and coercive control are persistent realities, particularly in the rural and coastal communities I help represent. In recognition of this, Nova Scotia became the first province in Canada to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. That declaration reflected what survivors, advocates and frontline workers already knew. This violence is systemic, patterned and too often predictable. Bill C-16 meets that reality head-on.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in complete support of Bill C-16 , the protecting victims act, and to speak about why this legislation matters so much. It is profoundly important to people in Nova Scotia and in my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets. I am also going to speak today as a former educator and high school principal. Everyone in this chamber can imagine some of the things I have seen in my riding in regard to children. This bill represents one of the most significant updates to Canada's criminal justice system in generations. It is broad in scope, but its purpose is clear: to respond to modern forms of violence and exploitation, to intervene earlier, to protect victims and survivors, and to ensure our justice system works faster and more fairly.”
“So as we look to the new year, with hope in every heart, may peace and joy find you all wherever you may start. South Shore—St. Margarets, my gratitude rings clear. Happy holidays to everyone. A bright, resilient year.”
“Mr. Speaker, As the season slowly gentles on South Shore—St. Margarets land, there is a warmth across our villages that only we understand. From Lunenburg's bright storefronts to Cape Sable Island's cold sprays, our communities shine brighter than the shortest of winter days. The lobster boats are twinkling as they head out on the dawn, and the families gently gather as the holiday lights come on. In Liverpool, Tantallon and Bridgewater, and the coves that line our shores, kindness moves from door to door and lifts our spirits evermore. This time of year reminds us of the ties that truly bind, the neighbours who step up for us, the generous hearts we find. From volunteers to small businesses, from first responders to friends, the magic of our riding is the way that never ends.”
“We can ensure that, when a young person reaches out for help or when a court directs them to help, that help is truly there. That is the responsibility we hold. It is the work that is ahead of us, and it is what young people in Canada deserve. I support the work of my colleague.”
“As someone who spent time with both educators and families, someone whose community includes youth who are struggling right now, and someone who has walked alongside parents who carry the fear of losing their child every day, I want this to be unequivocal: Young people deserve every possible chance to heal, recover and rebuild their lives. Our role, for every one of us in this chamber, is to make sure that the systems surrounding them actually make that possible. This is what my colleague is trying to do with his bill. If this bill helps bring us closer to a more compassionate, responsible and supportive youth justice system, then we owe it to our young people across the country to work together and to get this right. We cannot change the past that brought so many youth into this justice system, but we can change what happens next.”
“(1125) As this bill continues through the legislative process, I believe our work should focus on ensuring that youth have timely access to services and the laws that direct them toward it, that judges retain the ability to tailor conditions to the needs of each individual youth, that treatment is part of a holistic rehabilitative program rather than a stand-alone obligation, and that, most importantly, aftercare, such as community programs and family supports, is recognized as an essential component of recovery, not just optional ones. Treatment is not a single event. Treatment is a pathway. For too many young people, that pathway is broken long before they step into a courtroom. I saw it many times in my classroom or in the offices when I was an administrator.”
“It is an opportunity to talk about strengthening access, strengthening coordination and ensuring that youth who come into contact with the justice system do so in a way that leads to stability and not toward deeper harm. It is also important that we maintain flexibility, so that every young person's unique needs can be met. Some will require addiction treatment. Others will need trauma-informed therapies, mental health supports or longer-term residential care. Many will need wraparound programs that continue, like family counselling, cultural supports or aftercare that extends beyond the courtroom. We cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to youth, something I have said for years. Their lives, their experiences and their healing journeys are way too diverse.”
“We know that the Youth Criminal Justice Act already contains pathways for treatment, whether through diversion, integrated case planning, probation conditions or delayed sentencing when appropriate, but the reality in too many parts of this country is that the services themselves are not always there when they are needed. A law can direct a young person to treatment, a judge can recommend it, a family can beg for it, but if the treatment does not exist or the wait-lists are months long or transportation is impossible or aftercare is inconsistent, then we are setting young people up for failure, those who need help the most. For me, this bill is an opportunity.”
“One mother told me that loving a child with addiction feels like breathing with only half a lung. Another said every day is a mix of hope and fear, hope that their child will finally get the help needed and fear that the window for help might close. Those stories guide me as I reflect on my colleague's bill, Bill C-231 , and the important issue it raises about treatment and rehabilitation for young people involved in the youth justice system. The heart of this bill seeks a deeply human question: How do we make sure that young people struggling with addiction get the right supports at the right time? That is the question I believe this House must focus on.”
“It reshapes homes, disrupts education and pushes parents into impossible positions where they must become caregivers, counsellors, caseworkers and crisis response teams all at once. Those experiences stay with us. They shape how we see policy and remind us that behind every bill, every motion and every debate in this chamber, there is a young person who simply wants a chance to be well. In my constituency work in South Shore—St. Margarets, that truth comes up again and again. I have sat with families that are exhausted from navigating fragmented systems. I have spoken with youth whose involvement in the justice system began only after their addiction had gone untreated, sometimes for years. I have heard from parents who are on wait-lists for services that should never have to be wait-listed at all.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by acknowledging my colleague, the member for Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière , for his courage in bringing forward Bill C-231 , the friends of David act. His openness in sharing his family's tragic experience reminds us that every policy discussion in this House must remain centred on real people, real families and, unfortunately, sometimes real loss. I extend my heartfelt condolences to him and his loved ones. Before entering public life, I spent many years working as an educator and administrator. In that role, I saw children and young people carry in their backpacks burdens that are far heavier than any child should ever have to carry. Addiction, especially in youth, is not an individual struggle. It becomes a family struggle.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an exceptional young athlete from Hubbards, 13-year-old Asher Davis. Asher has been selected to represent Canada at the inaugural Panamerican Optimist Championship in Buenos Aires next month. Out of 15 youth across the country, he is the only sailor chosen from Atlantic Canada, which is an incredible achievement and a proud moment for our community. A proud member of the Hubbards Sailing Club, he has been training tirelessly to meet this moment. His family and neighbours have rallied with him, showing once again how our communities lift up their young people and help them reach big opportunities and experiences. I ask all members to join in congratulating Asher today and wishing him the very best next month as he represents team Canada and the South Shore on the world stage.”
“Mr. Speaker, I commend the work that is being done within the ministry in regard to the school food program. As many members know in this House, I was an educator for almost two decades and an administrator who helped with that program in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia was actually one of the first proponents that signed on to this national program, and it has since been an exemplar for the program. I know, from being an administrator, when I was signing off on it, sometimes we think that it is just one meal a day. We can flip that and say it is one healthy meal a day. I know, and my colleagues who are educators all across the country will know, just how important it is for kids, cognitively, when they have their bellies full. How does the secretary of state feel about having this program that is not a one-off announcement?”
“I urge all members to support this initiative and to move it forward without delay. It is symbolic but symbols matter. Recognition changes culture; we spark conversations among families, workplaces and communities. This medal will not solve all organ shortages on its own, but it will help build that culture of support. Let us honour those remarkable Canadians who give the greatest gift that one human can give to another, the gift of life.”
“He said that he was indeed a living donor, that seven years ago he had donated a part of his liver to a family member. It is acts like that. This medal will not solve our entire transplant backlog, but it will do something profoundly important, as the teacher I worked with before did. It will honour heroism. It will validate sacrifice. It will encourage new conversations about living donation, conversations that will save lives. The bill has support across every party. Look at us here in the House today. Every region is represented through its sponsorship and every corner of the House is represented with the bill. That unity reflects something vital, that compassion is non-partisan, that gratitude is non-partisan and that saving lives is non-partisan. Today, I am proud to stand as an official seconder of Bill C-234 .”
“Margarets, I have heard the stories of parents hoping for more time with their children, of spouses supporting one another through illness and of neighbours rallying around families during moments of crisis. These stories remind me that public policy is never abstract. It lives in our communities, in our hospital rooms, around our kitchen tables and even in the classroom where I was a teacher before becoming a member of Parliament. I remember that, just last year, in my citizenship class, I gave a current event that was all about living organ donors. As we read it together as a class and discussed it, all of a sudden I recognized that, at the back of the room, my resource support teacher had put his hand up. I asked Mr. Thorpe if he had a question or comment.”
“We were the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a presumed consent model, which is automatic donor registration with the option for individuals to opt out. This bold and compassionate policy recognizes a simple truth that more donation means more lives saved. It reflects something deep within our province's character, a belief in community, responsibility and looking out for one another, which are all values of Canadians. While presumed consent addresses deceased donation, Bill C-234 complements that leadership by honouring those who choose living donation. Together, these efforts form a continuum of care, one that ensures more Canadians can access the transplants they need and that those who make donation possible will receive the recognition they deserve. (1820) In my own riding of South Shore—St.”
“It is non-monetary, non-partisan and deeply meaningful. It is a way for us to say that their courage matters, their sacrifice is seen and their gift changed a life. Canada recognizes bravery, compassion and service. This bill would simply extend that principle to those who embody all three. If adopted, Canada would become only the second country in the world to formally recognize living donors with a national honours system. That would send a positive, powerful signal, not only of gratitude but of leadership. It sparks conversation, shifts culture and encourages more Canadians to think seriously about organ donation. I am especially proud to rise here as a Nova Scotian from South Shore—St. Margarets because Nova Scotia has been a leader in this area.”
“They receive no compensation and often very little public recognition. As the sponsor of this bill has shared so powerfully, on December 8, 2003, he donated part of his liver to save the life of his son, Tyler. This extraordinary act reflects the very best of who we are as Canadians, a quiet, determined courage rooted in love and responsibility, but he is not alone. Hundreds of Canadians today are alive because someone stood up and said, “Yes, I will help.” This could be a parent, like my fellow colleague was, a sibling, a friend or even a stranger. One transplant recipient once said that a thank-you card is not enough, saying, “I wish we could do a proper job of recognizing them.” Bill C-234 answers that call. A living donor recognition medal would provide the first and only formal national honour for living organ donors.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in strong support of Bill C-234 , introduced by my colleague, the member for Edmonton Manning . This legislation would establish a living donor recognition medal, a meaningful and long-overdue way to honour Canadians who make one of the most selfless decisions a human can make, the decision to give life. Today, 4,044 Canadians are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Behind each number is a family waiting for the phone to ring, hoping for another chance and living in that difficult space between fear and possibility, yet the hopeful truth is that most of these Canadians could be saved by a living donor. Living donors take the real risk. They undergo major surgery, stepping forward out of generosity, compassion and courage.”
“Elaina Shay is an inspiring example of courage and compassion in our community. We are proud to recognize her bravery here today.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible bravery of a young constituent, Ms. Elaina Shay of Lunenburg County. On August 22, as hurricane Erin passed by Nova Scotia, Elaina and her mother were visiting Hirtle's Beach to watch the waves. What began as a calm afternoon quickly turned into sudden surges, which swept a woman off of her feet and pulled her into deep, powerful water. Without hesitation, Elaina leapt from her chair, ran into the waves and lifted the woman to her feet, guiding her safely back to shore against the force of the current. Thanks to her quick thinking, courage and selflessness, a life was saved that day. Elaina's mother, Jane Veinot-Taker, later reached out to our office to request a certificate of life-saving award in recognition of her daughter's heroic actions.”