Debates of Oct. 5th, 2023

Thomas McBride

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I hope that hon. members will permit me to extend my sympathies for his loss.

The hon. member for Kitchener—Conestoga.

Maple Syrup Producers

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the maple syrup industry has deep roots in Kitchener—Conestoga. It is more than just a tradition; it is a symbol of our strong agricultural heritage. Maple syrup producers craft one of Canada's most iconic commodities. It is about not only the delicious sweetness that graces our pancakes and waffles but also protecting the environment and embracing sustainable practices.

I was reminded that maple syrup producers are stewards of the forests when I visited Snyder Heritage Farm in Breslau, a fifth-generation farm. I met with Kevin Snyder, president of the Waterloo-Wellington chapter of maple syrup producers. One thing we discussed was our government's announcement of the maple production improvement initiative. This program will support purchasing equipment that increases productivity and efficiency. It will provide funding to cover woodlot management activities, helping maple syrup producers, such as the Snyder family, strengthen their businesses and continue to sweeten our lives.

50th Anniversary of the 57th Sainte‑Julie Scout Group

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise in the House today to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the 57th Sainte‑Julie Scout Group, which was celebrated on September 9.

For half a century, the 57th group has been teaching young people in Sainte‑Julie the positive values of the movement, namely respect, trust, justice and achievement, but also practical knowledge that they can use for the rest of their lives. What about the lasting friendships that are developed there? Half a century in the history of a people who have been around for 400 years is simply remarkable and deserves to be properly celebrated.

I thank the visionaries that founded this group 50 years ago and all the facilitators who have come and gone throughout the years. Congratulations and long live the 57th Sainte‑Julie Scout Group.

Riding of Orléans

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and my constituents in Orléans, I would like to congratulate you on your election as Speaker of the House.

I would also like to thank the Société franco-ontarienne du patrimoine et de l'histoire d'Orléans for its leadership in organizing the third edition of the art and crafts market at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans. It was a wonderful opportunity to discover and appreciate new arts and crafts creations from the people of Orléans.

As part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I had the honour of attending the unveiling of the children's sacred forest at Beechwood Cemetery. The children's sacred forest and its commemorative stone will serve as a focal point for reconciliation and for the long journey that lies ahead in memory of the thousands of children who never made it home.

I would like to close by wishing my colleagues, all House of Commons staff and especially the people of Orléans a happy Thanksgiving.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, Nunavut residents cannot trust the Prime Minister on housing. At a campaign stop in Iqaluit in the last election he promised, “We're going to try and maximize what we can do in the next construction season.”

The sad reality is that housing projects last year were cancelled or delayed due to the rising costs from the Prime Minister's rising inflation and carbon taxes. All the bids came in well over budget, at around $1.1 million per unit. It is unbelievable.

The Nunavut minister said, “They were just all way too expensive. The housing corporation just doesn't have that type of money.”

In 2019, the Prime Minister said that he made housing a priority. In 2021, he reconfirmed that the federal government has a role to play in housing. However, after presiding over creating housing hell across Canada, with housing costs doubling under his watch, he stated, “I'll be blunt as well — housing isn't a primary federal responsibility.”

After eight years, northerners are learning the hard way that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost.

Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the unfortunate and deeply embarrassing events in this House a couple of weeks ago have provided us an important reminder of the need for Holocaust education.

For those of us from metro Vancouver, the work of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre in my riding of Vancouver Granville seeks to do exactly this. Through education and remembrance it engages students, educators and the broader public with respect to the history of the Holocaust, the Shoah, and its ongoing relevance.

As a teaching museum that stewards programs and collections initiated by Holocaust survivors, the VHEC honours and supports those who survived and remembers those who perished. Every year, the centre's Holocaust education programs reach British Columbia classrooms, teachers and more than 25,000 students. Its efforts will help build a world free of anti-Semitism, discrimination and genocide.

I encourage everyone to visit the centre as we each embark on our own journeys of remembrance and education.

Selwyn Romilly

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mourn the passing of the Honourable Selwyn Romilly. He was the first Black student to graduate law at UBC, the first Black provincial court judge and the first Black justice on the B.C Supreme Court.

Indeed, he had many firsts. Three years ago, at 81, he was the first Black retired justice to be handcuffed in public by the Vancouver Police who had mistaken him for a 40-year-old Black felon. True to form, Selwyn did not use that humiliation for bitter retaliation, but worked with police to change handcuffing procedures.

Justice Romilly was recognized by his peers as a wise and eminent jurist, and a trailblazer and advocate for civil rights and justice in his judgments. He was a role model to young Black lawyers. He was a Trini like me, a year ahead of me in high school. He was a friend, teacher and mentor to many.

We will miss him.

Conservative Party of Canada

[Corey Tochor, Conservative, Saskatoon—University, SK]

Mr. Speaker, everything feels broken in Canada. The costly coalition of the NDP-Liberals has shattered the Canadian dream. Unaffordable, unsafe, divided: everything feels broken after eight long years because, increasingly, everything is broken.

We can put the pieces back together. Imagine a government that lives within its means, leaves more money in one's pockets, lets one get ahead, protects our streets and unites people. It can happen and it will happen. This Prime Minister is not worth the cost, but soon enough he will be replaced. Common-sense Conservatives will fix what he has broken in the Canada that we and know and love.

One's home, my home, our home: let us bring it home.

Canadian Beer Day

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the fifth annual Canadian Beer Day. This year's theme was “Passion and Pride: The People Behind Canadian Beer”. It celebrates those who brew our beloved beer, sell it, deliver it, serve it or simply enjoy it.

Canadian brewers play a pivotal role in all of our communities across the country, employing 21,000 Canadians directly and supporting 149,000 hard-working families. Canadians are rightly proud of our brewing heritage and continue to choose locally brewed beer on 88% of all consumption occasions, among the highest domestic content of any Canadian agri-food sector.

From the smaller craft brewers to the largest beer makers, behind every pint of Canadian beer we savour there is a story of perseverance, creativity and the pursuit of excellence. May we continue to celebrate everyone involved in our beloved beer all year round. Cheers to Canadian brewers.

Sláinte.

Carbon Tax

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, Canadians continue to feel the impact of the NDP-Liberal government's inflationary taxes on heat, gas and groceries. A resident from my community recently shared his home gas bill. The carbon tax was higher than the cost of gas.

Minimum carbon tax amounts are set by the federal government and it has now imposed two carbon taxes. The Liberals have not hit one single climate target with their tax plan.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer says that this tax will shrink the economy and that carbon tax 2 will cost the average household an extra $573 per year without any rebates, with families in some provinces having to pay at least $1,100. Combined, carbon taxes 1 and 2 will cost families up to $4,000 each year.

Most seniors, young adults and families simply cannot afford this. This is on top of inflationary food costs and mortgage interest costs.

The Prime Minister is just not worth the cost.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while the leader of the Bloc Québécois is off gallivanting abroad, there is work to do here in Canada.

After eight years under this Liberal government, Canadians, including Quebeckers, are suffering. Since I am from Quebec, I try to defend the interests of Quebeckers every day. I find it alarming that the number of people going to food banks is rising and that people in Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier cannot afford to buy as many groceries. When Quebeckers are getting poorer, it is important to intervene. When Ottawa is taking more money out of Quebeckers' pockets, I call that a tax. The second carbon tax applies in Quebec.

Who voted in favour of that legislation on June 5? The Bloc Québécois. What is worse, yesterday, members of the Bloc had the opportunity to fix their mistake, but they did not. It is costly to vote for the Bloc Québécois. It will be drastically more expensive to vote for this separatist party.

The only party that is here to defend Quebec's interests is the Conservative Party of Canada.

Firefighters

[Ali Ehsassi, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, allow me first to offer my most heartfelt congratulations on your election as Chair.

I rise today because last week a fire broke out at a house under construction in my riding of Willowdale. While working to suppress the blaze, one of our courageous firefighters was injured. Fortunately, the firefighter was quickly rushed to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and, I am told, is in a good and stable condition.

The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the grave risks that our firefighters and, indeed, all first responders face in their daily lives. This summer, every Canadian marvelled at the sheer heroism of our firefighters, as they fought back forest fires across our beautiful country, fires that broke records, both in number and in intensity.

I speak on behalf of all residents of Willowdale when I express our sincere gratitude to our injured firefighter and to all first responders.

Food Security in Schools

[Sylvie Bérubé, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during the last election campaign, the Liberals promised to establish a national school nutritious meal program. They promised $1 billion in funding over five years for a school food program throughout Canada, which is the only G7 country that does not already have one. Since then, we have heard nothing.

Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to rise, making this measure even more urgent. I have personally written to the Minister of Finance to remind her of this promise on behalf of all the organizations that are now compelled to demand it. Organizations such as the Breakfast Club are no longer able to manage the task of ensuring food security for our children in schools.

We know that direct services to citizens are one of the federal government's weaknesses, but this money was promised. It is time to transfer that money to Quebec and the provinces so that programs can get under way. Our children have been waiting more than two years for their lunch.

World Teachers' Day

[Bonita Zarrillo, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today is World Teachers' Day. Teachers are at the front lines of creating safe and inclusive spaces for kids. Today I am sending a shout-out to all of the amazing teachers and educators in Coquitlam School District No. 43, who do just that and make a real difference in students' lives.

Port Moody—Coquitlam has benefited from teachers like Megan Leslie, who empowered her students to advocate for equity in our community. Under her care and leadership, the students of Dr. Charles Best high school have achieved free menstrual products in city facilities, the raising of the pride flag at city hall and an impactful annual red dress awareness day that has meant so much.

To all teachers and educators, I thank them. I see them and I see the amazing work they do. They deserve to be celebrated today and every day.

Taxation

[Ryan Williams, Conservative, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about shrinkage.

This Thanksgiving, prices up 30%. Let us talk about corn, turkey, gravy, stuffing and all of the fixings Canadians have. Under the Liberal-NDP government, we are also seeing decreases in products. We are seeing all of these items decreased. We are seeing less corn, less turkey and less chicken, even though we are paying more.

Not only do we have shrinkage, the government is starting to apply more hidden taxes at the grocery store. HST and GST are being added to everyday items and often hidden at the bottom of the grocery receipt. I encourage Canadians listening at home to pull their grocery receipts out this Thanksgiving and look at the hidden GST and HST taxes on the bottom. Groceries are supposed to be tax-free, but this Thanksgiving we are seeing turkey, corn, potatoes and other foods being taxed.

This Thanksgiving, Canadians are paying more and paying a hidden tax on shrinking grocery items. The Prime Minister and the NPD-Liberal government are simply not worth the cost.

Truth and Reconciliation

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, just last week, we learned of 15 potential gravesites at the Choutla Residential School grounds in Carcross, Yukon, echoing the stories and whispers of children who never came home.

Last Friday, I attended a potlatch to honour Kaska missing and murdered women. The people of Liard First Nation and Watson Lake gathered in a ceremony that included an achingly beautiful fashion show of young women in red dresses, evoking the unspeakable loss of women and girls, daughters, aunties and moms to many of the people gathered.

Saturday, I walked in Whitehorse with survivors and families and those who simply came to commemorate the lost children and lasting trauma that residential schools have left.

I am proud to be part of a government that has put reconciliation into action, including the creation of this national day of remembrance and reflection. Reconciliation is a long road marked by mileposts, where we can, over time, witness the healing of generations. In this time of truth and reconciliation, let us continue to commit to the work that indeed every child matters.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Colleagues, before we proceed, being the new Speaker, I sometimes do not know where everybody sits in the House. For Statements by Members, I would like to remind all members to please be in their seat to make their declaration.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, he is not worth the cost.

For example, after a big photo op a month ago, he promised he would bring down the cost of Thanksgiving dinner, but today we see nothing but another photo op. Canadians cannot eat photos. They need turkey or other food to eat. Costs have risen by nearly 70% since his government took office.

Will he be able to reverse these increases in the next four days before Thanksgiving?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question.

Canadians know not to take advice from the Leader of the Opposition when it comes to the economy. The last time he advised Canadians, he told them to buy cryptocurrency. Now he is suggesting that Canadians buy $120 turkeys. I have news for him. I found a Butterball turkey for $30, and I think I can deliver it to his official residence.

If the Conservatives want to do something for Canadians, they should vote in favour of Bill C-56 to help Canadians now and bring down prices in Canada.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, clearly, the minister is the turkey here.

I check the flyers. In the last year of Conservative government, a turkey cost $1.49 a pound. Now it is $2.49 a pound. That is a 67% increase. After eight years under this Prime Minister, his carbon taxes are driving up costs for the farmers who produce food and for the truck drivers who transport it. Everyone who buys food ends up paying more.

Will the Prime Minister bring down these exorbitant costs before Thanksgiving, yes or no?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Before I let the minister answer, I would like to remind all members that, in order to maintain order in the House, it is important not to compare a member to something.

The hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, thank you for your intervention. I would also like to congratulate you on your new role. This was my first opportunity to say so.

This is not a joke. I hope that the Canadians watching today, and there are many, see that this is not a joke. What we have presented is a five-point plan. First, we have asked the big grocery chains in the country to work together to help Canadians. Second, we created an office specifically to help Canadians on issues of skimpflation, also known as shrinkflation. These are issues that affect Canadians every Thursday.

The third thing we told people is that the grocery code of conduct needs to be signed. The fourth thing is that we are going to gather more data from people to better negotiate between the small and large manufacturers. Fifth, we are going to advance—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, the Prime Minister is not worth the cost of food. For example, the price of a turkey is up at Loblaws by 67% after eight years of the Prime Minister's carbon taxes. All the Liberals have offered since they promised to bring prices down by Thanksgiving is a code of conduct, an office and a photo op. We cannot eat any of those three things. They will not be on the Thanksgiving dinner table.

What will the Liberals do in the next four days to reverse the 67% increase in the cost of a turkey at Loblaws, just like they promised they would?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from this Conservative. The last time the Conservative leader advised Canadians, it was about buying crypto. Now he is suggesting to Canadians to buy a turkey at $120. I found a Butterball for him for $30 and—