Protection of Public Participation Act | Unpublished
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Yasir Naqvi
Ottawa, Ontario
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Yasir Naqvi is running for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party in 2023.  A first generation Canadian, Yasir’s family arrived in Canada in 1988 after the Pakistani government imprisoned his father for leading a pro-democracy march. With an upbringing deeply rooted in the values of democracy, social justice and compassion, Yasir feels it is important to be involved in the community and give back. Yasir’s passion to serve his community resulted in being elected MPP in October 2007 and re-elected in 2011 and 2014. In 2013 he was appointed Minister of Labour where he raised the minimum wage, brought forward new protections for vulnerable workers and improved workplace safety measures. In 2014 he was appointed Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and Government House Leader. As the MPP of a diverse, urban riding, Yasir has been a tireless advocate for public services and sustainable community growth. Working closely with the community, Yasir helped secure funding to build the Hintonburg Hub, an integrated health and social service centre in our community. He also worked to secure funding for the Innovation Centre at Bayview Yards, a new Broadview Public School and an expanded Carleton University library. Yasir is recognized by his peers as a strong community leader and involved resident of Ottawa Centre. He has sat on the Board of Directors of the Centretown Community Health Centre for four years and he has been the Co-Chair of the Capital Food Bank Blitz since 2005. Yasir is the proud father of Rafi Naqvi and husband to Christine McMillan.

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Protection of Public Participation Act

December 7, 2014

I am pleased to inform you that our government is taking steps to protect the freedom of people who speak out on matters of public interest.
 
The Protection of Public Participation Act, re-introduced Dec. 1st, would enshrine the ability to freely participate in public discussion about matters of public interest, without fear of retribution, that is fundamental to a fair and democratic society.
 
In our community, I have heard about the need to preserve and protect public participation for many years and committed to bringing this issue forward, leading to the introduction of my Private Member’s Bill, the Protection of Public Participation Act, in October 2012. I am very pleased that our government adopted my bill in 2013 and re-introduced it this week.
 
If passed, it would allow courts to quickly identify and deal with strategic lawsuits and would also prevent the unwarranted silencing of critics, citizens and community groups advocating on matters of public interest.
 
Additionally, it would minimize the time and resources wasted by plaintiffs, defendants and the courts on meritless claims aimed to keep them quiet or deter others from speaking out.
 
It is imperative that we protect dialogue and debate, while also protecting individuals and citizen groups who are targeted by frivolous lawsuits simply for standing up for something important to their community.
 
For a prosperous community, it is important that we strike the necessary balance between protecting public debate and allowing legitimate claims to proceed in a timely manner.
 
I look forward to continuing to work with you on this important issue. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
 
Sincerely,
 
Yasir
Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre 

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