CGFCC visits Ottawa Parliament Hill

On June 8, 2018, Member of Parliament Bob Saroya cordially invited the Canada Gansu Federation of Chamber of Commerce (CGFCC) to Ottawa, the capital of Canada, and led the members of the Chamber of Commerce to visit the Parliament Building, have lunch and have a cordial exchange.

Fourth from right: Senator Victor Oh, fifth from right: MP Bob Saroya, sixth from right: President Zhaoan Sui, first from left: Ms. Brooklyn, third from left: Ms. Qiongying Song, fourth from left: Ms. Xiaoning Wang, fifth from left: Mr. Yucheng Zhu, first from right: Ms. Xiaochun Guo, second from right: Ms. Yan Qu, third from right: Mr. Jie Hu

At 11 am on June 7, 2018, members of the CGFCC departed from Toronto and arrived in Ottawa at about 4 pm. Check into the Marriott Hotel, a three-minute walk from Parliament Hill. Dinner is still early. It is said that Ottawa's red wine is unique, and someone suggested to visit the nearby Costco.

The capital, Ottawa, belongs to Ontario, separated from Quebec by a river. The evening is just right. The nearest Costco is just across the beautiful St. Lawrence River, just a few minutes’ drive away. Quebec is a French-speaking region. Right after getting off from the car gave us a feel of French Canadians.

Hull, Gatineau & Ottawa; June 7,2018

In this Costco, which belonged to the province of Quebec, when you open books, there are two languages, English and French, and most of them are in French. The books in the Toronto Bookstore in Ontario are mostly in English only. Later, a friend told me that in Canada, the official languages of the federal government require English and French to be spoken, while the provincial government of Quebec and the local people only communicate in French, and many people do not speak English. In Ontario, the official provincial language is only English, and most ordinary people do not speak French. The same country, different provinces, and different languages have their historical origins and are very interesting.

Hull, Gatineau & Ottawa; June 7,2018

Hull, Gatineau & Ottawa; June 7,2018

Toronto is almost a five-hour drive from Ottawa. Members of the Chamber of Commerce came to Ottawa, the capital, to visit Parliament Hill, overlooking the St. Lawrence River, and to watch tulips in spring. It is very convenient. This time the meaning is different. Shawn Wang, assistant to Member of Parliament Bob Saroya, accompanied us throughout the process, explaining along the way, helping members of the Chamber of Commerce to have a deeper understanding of the Canadian government composition and operating mechanism.

Parliament Hill is located in the center of Ottawa and is the main office area of the Canadian Federal Government. The parliament buildings are located in the middle of Parliament Hill, and it forms a distinctive complex with the Peace Tower and the Bell Tower. The East Building and West Building on the side are eye-catching with pointed copper roofs.

The morning of June 8th was sunny. MP Bob Saroya happily took a photo with members of the Chamber of Commerce before participating in the Congressional debate.

Chamber of Commerce members enter Parliament Hill, June 7, 2018

MP Bob Saroya and Chamber of Commerce members, second from left: Shawn Wang

At 10 o'clock in the morning, members of the Chamber of Commerce went through a security check and walked into the Parliament building, accompanied by Bob Saroya's assistants Shawn and Brooklyn. Everyone is no stranger to the parliament buildings and has visited here many times. The work of Canadian federal government departments is concentrated in the Parliament Building.

In Canada, the work of all levels of government from the federal, provincial, and municipal levels is transparent. The process of proposing, debating, and determining every government policy is also open. Every visitor to Ottawa can go to Parliament to hear politics. Sometimes there are unexpected surprises. I remember once when I visited the Houses of Parliament, I ran into the British Prime Minister Blair. He looked refreshed, not taller than expected.

Every ordinary resident of Canada can go to the provincial and city councils to listen to politics. New immigrants to Canada have been led by teachers from LINC or ESL more than once to visit the provincial and city councils to learn about the different functions and procedures of Canadian governments at all levels.

Brooklyn led us into the federal government staff office. Bob Saroya enthusiastically introduced members of the Chamber of Commerce to his friends in Congress. Members of Congress Ziad Aboultaif and Shannon Stubbs were humble and friendly, communicating with them frankly and taking pictures together.

Fourth from left: MP Ziad Aboultaif, Fifth from left: MP Bob Saroya, Fourth from right: MP Shannon Stubbs

After that, we entered the Senate Chamber, where members of Senate were having heated debates on several important proposals. We attended quietly. When I saw the speeches of several Members, they were very excited, their words were sonorous and full of emotion.

In Canada, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party are the two main parties. The Conservative Party advocates a free market for small governments, and the Liberal Party firmly believes in macro-control by large governments.

The debate at this time mainly revolved around three topics. Members of Parliament are free to express different views and state their reasons.

One is the carbon tax issue. The Liberal Party believes that a carbon tax can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate companies to invest in clean energy. The Conservative Party does not advocate levying more carbon taxes on the people. It believes that tax increases will only increase the burden on the people and cannot restrict the consumption of fossil energy. Ford, the newly elected Premier of Ontario, firmly stated that even in court with the federal government, he must boycott the carbon tax. The Federal Conservatives are all excited by this victory.

The second is the legalization of marijuana. MP Saroya and Senator Oh are working hard in Commons and Senate to oppose the legalization of marijuana bill.

The third is the Trans Mountain pipeline problem. Because of this project, Alberta and B.C. became enemies and even fought a trade war. From when you didn’t buy my wine and I didn’t buy your beef, to Alberta restricting the supply of oil to British Columbia, causing the price of British Columbia’s oil to break new highs.

The Trudeau government spent $4.5 billion to buy out all permits and priority rights for the Tubing Project facility from Edmonton to Vancouver. A spokesperson for the Conservative Party believes that taxpayers should not pay for this, and that market matters should be left to the market. (We did not finish listening)

All bills, the Commons and the Senate, have passed the constitutional means and proceeded peacefully step by step in accordance with legal procedures.

After visiting the Capitol, we arrived at the NEW ZEALAND ROOM buffet restaurant specially arranged by Bob for our Chamber of Commerce. The food is fresh and healthy, and they are common ingredients found everywhere in Canada. Almost all the members of parliament attending the meeting ate in a large restaurant. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed.

Senator Mr. Oh and MP Mr. Saroya had a cordial exchange with members of the Chamber of Commerce in the NEW ZEALAND ROOM

After lunch, Mr. Saroya continued to participate in congressional debates. Senator Mr. Oh led us into the Senate. The Senate is closed to ordinary tourists. Only the senator can invite friends to visit.

Mr. Oh introduced to us the different seating arrangements for members of the ruling and opposition parties in the Senate. Tell us which is the chairperson's seat and which is the queen's seat. He also introduced us to the content and history of the oil paintings on the walls of the Senate. Inadvertently, little girl Alysa sat in the chairperson's seat, very happy.

5-year-old Alysa sitting in the chair of the Senate, June 8, 2018

Members of the Chamber of Commerce also become senators once! June 8, 2018

Senator Oh invited us to sit down in his office in the Senate and communicate easily. Everyone talked about the historical exchanges between Canada and China. From 1878 Chinese laborers came to Canada to build the Pacific Railway, China and Canada established diplomatic relations on October 13, 1970, to the active participation of new immigrants from the mainland in recent years... Senator Oh affirmed that generations of Chinese immigrants have been Canadian Contributions made, introduced and analyzed the immigration policies of Canadian governments in different periods.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce listened carefully and discussed the economic and trade exchanges between China and Canada with Senator Oh. President Zhaoan Sui expressed that the Chamber of Commerce as a non-governmental organization hopes to make its own efforts for mutual visits, commercial trade, and cultural exchanges between governments at all levels of the two countries.

I was deeply moved to see the standing posture of Senator Oh and every member of the Chamber of Commerce. In a high position, he is also an elder, but he chose to stand beside every junior, warm and upright. Yes, at this moment, I see the mind and power behind humility!

President Zhaoan Sui and Senator Oh took a group photo in their office, June 8, 2018

Chamber of Commerce members listen carefully in the office of Senator Oh, June 8, 2018

After the visit, set foot on the way home. Everyone felt that the harvest was full, and it was a worthwhile trip. Immigrants came to a new country, got to know her closely, integrated into her, and loved her.

The first generation of immigrants had a deep affection for their hometown of China, as well as a desire for a new and beautiful home. I hope that through unremitting struggle, more Chinese-Canadians will come to Capitol Hill, make their voices heard, and contribute extraordinary wisdom. A little girl in the picture, one day in the Senator’s office, draws a peaceful and beautiful picture.

5-year-old Alysa, draws in the office of Senator Oh, June 8.2018

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