Speeches and Statements

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Questions but no answers from the government on Energy East

by Senator Betty Unger

Today I asked the Leader of the Government in the Senate two specific questions about the cancellation of the Energy East project, on behalf of Albertans and all Canadians. Unfortunately, I received no real answers.  Hon. Betty Unger: My question for the Leader of the Government in the Senate also concerns today’s cancellation of the […]

Senator Unger’s Statement on the Edmonton Terrorist Attack

by Senator Betty Unger

Honourable colleagues, it was shocking and heart-wrenching to hear about the terrorist attack that took place in Edmonton on Saturday night. Around 8:15 pm, fans were at Commonwealth Stadium cheering on our Edmonton Eskimos when a man driving a car crashed through traffic barricades, deliberately striking Police Constable Mike Chernyk than smashing into his police […]

Making the lives of others richer through volunteering

by Senator Betty Unger

Senator Unger’s Statement on the Annual Grande Prairie “Leaders of Tomorrow” and Volunteer Appreciation luncheon Fellow Senators, before returning to Ottawa earlier this month, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Annual “Leaders of Tomorrow” and Volunteer Appreciation luncheon in Grande Prairie located in the mighty Peace River District of Alberta. Organized by the Grande […]

Vegreville Immigration Case Processing Centre

by Senator Betty Unger

Vegreville Case Processing Centre Hon. Betty Unger: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Harder, when Prime Minister Trudeau visited Edmonton on May 20, he was met by a group of protesters concerned about the closures of the Vegreville immigration centre. Vegreville is a culturally diverse and vibrant community. The most […]

Senator Unger congratulates the Edmonton Oilers on making the playoffs

by Senator Betty Unger

Edmonton Oilers Congratulations on Making the Stanley Cup Playoffs April 12, 2017 Hon. Betty E. Unger:  Honourable senators, on March 28 this year, at approximately 8:38 p.m. Rogers Place in Edmonton was rocked by a roar as the sold-out crowd of 18,347 wildly cheering Edmonton Oilers fans celebrated a long-awaited victory. After 10 disappointing seasons, the Oilers […]

Statement: Federal government decisions are hurting Alberta

by Senator Betty Unger

Honourable Colleagues, My home province of Alberta was the economic engine of Canada for decades, but now is in a severe recession. Through our petroleum industry, Alberta provided good paying jobs for hard working people across the country – which included many fine workers from Atlantic Canada. But all of this changed with the downturn […]

Concerns over transgender rights must be addressed and corrected

by Senator Betty Unger

SUMMARY: The ongoing debate about gender identity rights has given voice to numerous concerns and anxieties. While no one wants to deny legitimate human rights to trans persons, there are very real questions about the implications of separating sex from gender and enshrining this in law. The two primary concerns center around safety and privacy in […]

Bill C-14: I cannot support this legislation

by Senator Betty Unger

Honourable Senators, I stand here today as but one voice in this Chamber. My voice is not as loud or as strong as others in this House. Yet behind me stand many, by the thousands, who wish their voices could be heard. I am honoured to be speaking on their behalf. And today, I hope […]

Speech: Amending the Role of Nurse Practitioners

by Senator Betty Unger

Honourable senators, I rise today to move an amendment to Bill C 14 regarding the role of nurse practitioners. Doctors and nurses have worked in a collaborative relationship for generations, but by virtue of their advanced education, doctors have been in charge. My amendment is straightforward; it seeks to affirm the continuation of this symbiotic […]

Speech: Palliative Care – Bill C-14

by Senator Betty Unger

Hon. Betty Unger: Honourable senators, I would like to speak in support of Senator Eaton’s amendment. When I was appointed to the Senate, I hoped that I might make a difference in some way — perhaps Senate reform, which Albertans have wanted for decades. I never, however, imagined this nightmarish scenario. I am dismayed that Parliament’s […]

Speech on Bill C-14: Medical Assistance in Dying

by Senator Betty Unger

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to a bill which I never anticipated would be presented to this chamber. Bill C 14 facing us now is deceptively called medical assistance in dying, yet it has nothing to do with medical assistance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Medical assistance is what palliative care […]

Statement on Forest Fire in Fort McMurray

by Senator Betty Unger

Senator’s Statement on the Forest Fire in Fort McMurray May 4, 2016 Over the past 24 hours, we have all been gripped by the news coming out of Fort McMurray, in northern Alberta. The entire city of  80,000 people has been evacuated in the face of fire raging through a tinder dry forest. It’s the […]

Statement on National Hospice Palliative Care Week

by Senator Betty Unger

Senator’s Statement in the Senate on National Hospice Palliative Care Week May 3, 2016 “Studies and reports are good. Debates and discussions are valuable. But what Canada needs today is not another government committee on palliative care, but a government committed to palliative care.” – Senator Betty Unger Honourable senators, this week is National Hospice Palliative […]

C-608 – An Act respecting a National Day of the Midwife

by Senator Betty Unger

National Day of the Midwife Mr. Speaker and Honourable Colleagues, today I rise to speak about the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants and children: a topic of great importance to the Government of Canada. As you know, the primary responsibility for the administration and delivery of health care services rest with each province […]

Tribute to the Honourable Noël Kinsella

by Senator Betty Unger

Honourable Senators, I rise today to pay tribute to our former Speaker of the Senate and our former colleague: the Honourable Noël Kinsella. I would like to focus on one topic – about which he had spoken several times and into which he had obviously put a great deal of thought – that being Senate […]

C-266 – An Act to Establish Pope John Paul II Day

by Senator Betty Unger

Pope John Paul II belonged to the whole world, but in a special way, he also belonged to Canadians. He came, not only as the Pope and Head of State for the Vatican, but also as a pastor, brother and humble man. Only 3 years after surviving a near fatal assassination attempt on his life […]

Senate Statement on Poland

by Senator Betty Unger

Today I rise in solidarity with Polish people everywhere, celebrating on June 4, 2014 the 25th anniversary, of the beginning of the end, of communism in Poland. In 1989, the Solidarity movement led by charismatic leader Lech Walesa and aided by four other key figures who were the spiritual and intellectual forces, won the first […]

Commemoration of the Persons Case

by Senator Betty Unger

Honourable Senators, I recently had the pleasure of attending the 2013 Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. This award pays tribute to a group of women from my home province of Alberta, who brought about the Persons Case, known collectively, as the Famous Five. These women truly exhibited the spirit for which […]