Report From Parliament Hill:
Fighting for a better Canada
Eric Melillo - MP, Kenora Riding
I’m often inspired by the strength and resilience of my constituents.
Samantha and Doug Atchison’s daughter Jo-Hannah was born completely blind and has been learning throughout her life how to manage the challenges that presents.
Since meeting the Atchisons in Kenora last year, I’ve been working with them to develop policies that will help visually impaired Canadians live independently and participate fully in everyday life. One of the issues they raised with me was the fact that warning labels on hazardous products are not always accessible.
Many common household products are dangerous, and labelled accordingly. If you look in your cupboards or under your kitchen sink, you’ll likely find a number of everyday items marked as corrosive or poisonous. But if you can’t see those labels, it is very easy to mistake a hazardous item for something more innocuous. This is a safety risk and a barrier to independence.
That’s why I’m joining the Atchisons in advocating for the government to require braille or tactile symbols on consumer product warning labels. This is a common-sense solution that would make a big difference in the lives of the 1.5 million Canadians who are visually impaired.
We’ve created a parliamentary petition calling for this reform. I encourage everyone to take a moment and sign it here: ericmelillomp.ca/petition2.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Atchisons and other disability advocates to make Canada a more accessible place for everyone.
Congratulations Erin O’Toole!
Last week, the Conservative Party elected a new leader: the Honourable Erin O’Toole.
I endorsed Erin O’Toole during the leadership campaign because I know he has the skills and experience necessary to lead the Conservatives into the next election and to help our country navigate these troubled times.
A successful lawyer who has represented his riding of Durham in Parliament since 2012, Erin O’Toole has served his country both as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and as Minister of Veterans Affairs under Prime Minister Harper.
An Ontario MP with roots across the country, Erin O’Toole understands the issues facing every region of Canada. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to him extensively and I know he will be a voice for Northern Ontario.
I look forward to working with him as Leader of the Opposition, and to making him our next Prime Minister.
At your service:
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, or if you would like to arrange a meeting, please do not hesitate to call me at 807-468-2170 (Kenora) or 807-223-2182 (Dryden) or contact me by email at eric.melillo@parl.gc.ca.
