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President Barbara opened with O Canada, toast to King/Country, toast to RI, Trudy led 4 Way Test

Mark introduced Karen Vecchio MP (see About - Karen Vecchio MP).

Bill Thanked Karen for sharing with us today, see pic below compliments of Trudy:

Karen started by saying that she would like to take our 4 Way test flag and place it near the speaker's chair in the House of Parliament.

The following are some issues Karen is concerned about:

economy, financial security, inflation
War in the Ukraine
drug addiction and the war against drugs
mental health
what's best for the family, we all share the same family issues (she is willing to share her own family issues so is not afraid to confront such issues), why do middle class families need the food bank, family Doctors in short supply, fair support
The cost of housing has gone up 180 percent in five years, homelessness
Prevalence of suicides, now nearly as many young women as young men
Shortage of over the counter medication such as children's tylenol
Women feel unsafe at home and men don't report abuse cases when they are involved
Abuse in sports involving hockey Canada and gymnastics organizations
Veterans have been offered MAID
Human trafficking
Hospice Elgin

Positive comments from Karen:

Canada has the largest proportion of Ukrainian expatriates of any country in the world.
At the first meeting that she met with other members of the conservative party, Pierre P asked what would you like to do to help the country?
The police and CMHC are cooperating with homeless initiatives and drug overuse and homelessness.
The government is focused on keeping frontline workers in place in this war.
Beside Grace Cafe is a "The Annex" a storefront offering counseling for drug abuse and poverty issues. It was initiated by the people who started Teen Challenge.
Karen wants to promote the conservative values of responsible spending.
Our local drug store Yurek pharmacy is compounding medication and that may help to make scarce medications more available
During the pandemic, homeless people were turned away from shelters but the system went into overdrive and these homeless people were provided shelter in motels.
Karen reported that a woman named Trisha whom she knew was sold for trafficking as a youngster, but is now on the support side on the streets of Vancouver.
We all should have eyes for what is going wrong in the world.

Q&A

Malcolm: Is Karen involved with Hospice Elgin? Yesterday Karen spoke with doctor Jones of Elgin Hospice.

Stew: What is being done to empower the Middle Class and disadvantaged? She recognizes that the opportunity exists to empower through programs and training. People are living with a sense of entitlement. Some programs are broken because the offerings do not meet basic needs.

Mark: Can Karen help him put a perspective on drug overdosing? The supply has erratic dosages so buyers get more than they bargained for and overdose. Vancouver is offering a safer supply, but that does not offer a way out of drug abuse (sorry Mark, not a pretty answer).

Mark: He recently developed more Conservative thinking, Karen offered reasons that is good. She was in Ottawa for the time of the “Convoy”; she was scared to walk to Parliament. She believes that her political party values teamwork and thinking correctly.

Barbara: Please don’t defund CBC

Cindy: Would like Karen to speak to Leader of the Opposition Pierre about her Leadership Training skills.

See pic of Maggie Horn and Karen engaging in friendly international relations.

Announcements:

Barbara called a board meeting for 30Jan23 7PM by Zoom.

Next week speaker is: Sunshine Foundation Canada - Brianne Oswald. We will draw the winning ticket for the Briar playoff ticket draw next week. BRING YOUR TICKET STUBS AND PROCEEDS.

Malcolm also spoke about the upcoming meeting regarding Hawk Cliff on the week of Earth Day. We should go there to see the new viewing platform.

From RI: Association (rotary.org)

From Rotary Club St Mary’s: