Debates of Sept. 28th, 2023

Opposition Motion—Carbon Tax

[An hon. member]

Oh, oh!

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Madam Speaker, we have evolved for the last several hundred years with the advancements of technology. I really appreciate that insight, but could they provide a bit more specifically with respect to how they are going to do it?

I find it very interesting that Conservatives have done this for the 11th time. The member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie earlier said that this was the fifth time this year. It is also the 11th time since this Parliament resumed two years ago after the election that Conservatives have brought in this motion.

I am glad to hear that the Leader of the Opposition allows them to speak to this topic. We certainly know that he restricts their opportunities to speak on other issues, such as that take-note debate we had last week on the possibility that India was involved in murdering a Canadian citizen. We had a take-note debate on that, and not a single Conservative member asked a question. The House leader for the Conservatives spoke for five minutes, and then they vacated the debate from that point forward. They were not allowed to speak on it. They were hushed on it.

It also happened a couple days later when an email was sent out by the Leader of the Opposition's office instructing Conservatives not to comment on the protests that were going on outside with respect to the issue of LGBTQ rights. We saw Conservatives once again being silenced by their leader. They did not say a single word. There was nothing on Facebook or on Twitter. As a matter of fact there is one member I feel really sorry for. I will not name her. She actually did tweet something, and I thought it was great that she was showing support for the LGBTQ community, only to remove it later on. I think it is extremely unfortunate that the leadership, the member for Carleton, told her she had to take it down, and then she obviously did that.

It is really interesting that we are here today speaking about something the Conservatives have brought up 11 times, and meanwhile the Leader of the Opposition silences them with regard to other very important issues.

However, what makes this even more interesting, confusing and perplexing, is the fact that Conservatives have a history of running on pricing pollution. I asked the member for Carleton why he, led by Erin O'Toole in the last election, did not say anything during the election about why he was against pricing pollution when Erin O'Toole, the man with a plan, had it in his platform. The member for Carleton said that we can go back to 2007 and see he has been against it. Why did he not say anything about it during an election, when it actually meant something?

[An hon. member]

We did.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Madam Speaker, he says “we did”. They are heckling me, saying they did, but the public never heard about it. I guess the member made a phone call or sent an email that only Conservatives got to see. They should stand for their principles. If they were really against it back then, they would have stood up back then during the election and actually said they were against pricing pollution, but they did not. They bought into Erin O'Toole's plan. They ran on Erin O'Toole's plan, and now they are in this place and they have brought forward 11 motions, one after another, against that plan.

However, Erin O'Toole was not the only one. Stephen Harper also did it, so some of those Conservatives have run under multiple leaders looking to price pollution, yet here they are, once again, with no shame at all saying they did this twice under Stephen Harper and Erin O'Toole, but now are suddenly against it.

How can people actually believe what Conservatives tell them?

I want to read something. This comes out of the B.C. legislature. I found it this morning. I found it very interesting. I will read a quote:

In 2008, our government made the decision to implement a tax on carbon. It was designed to help British Columbia reduce greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time be fair to hard-working families. To do that, by law, we made it—the carbon tax—revenue-neutral. What does it mean to have a revenue-neutral carbon tax? It means that every dollar collected from B.C. carbon tax is given back to taxpayers in the form of tax credits or tax cuts.

I know that the member for Vancouver-Kensington made a comment about it and tried to blame it on the federal government, as far as revenue neutrality. Well, the fact of the matter is that we have the option of how we wanted to bring this about, as far as a carbon tax. Our policy—it’s law—is to put it back into the pockets of taxpayers. We don’t see it as a slush fund, which it appears that the NDP sees it as. Since 2008, the carbon tax has raised almost $8.5 billion and returned more than $10.6 billion in tax reductions for businesses, individuals and families.

The quote goes on. The member, in the B.C. legislature, goes to say:

Our carbon tax appears to be working. Independent studies have found that between 2008 and 2012, fuel use in B.C. dropped by 16 percent per capita. In 2015, a review of seven independent studies suggested that B.C.’s carbon tax has reduced emissions in the province by up to 15 percent. All of this has been accomplished without taking a dime off B.C. taxpayers.

Do we know who said that in the B.C. legislature, back on February 27, 2017? The now-Conservative member for Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, who sits in this House, the same member who got up earlier in this debate and tried to chastise this government for bringing in a price on pollution.

These are his words. I am not making it up. I am literally reading from the record of the B.C. legislature on February 27, 2017.

How can that member actually come into this House and speak to this issue against it as if he has any authority on it, given the comments that he made just a few years ago on this exact same issue?

All I am doing here is underscoring the hypocrisy that we see time after time after time. I should really say that 11 times because they have brought in a similar motion 11 times.

They ran on it. They did not ever challenge their leaders on it. They spoke about it in other legislatures as if it was the be-all and end-all to fixing the problem that we have with climate change. Now, suddenly, they come in here and act as though a carbon tax, a price on pollution, is absolutely ludicrous, that it will never work.

Explain to me how this is not one of the ultimate forms of hypocrisy. It is literally oozing down the steps on that side of the aisle. I cannot understand how they would ever put themselves in a position to demonstrate such incredible hypocrisy.

All we get from Conservatives, as I indicated earlier, is finally the recognition that climate change is real. Whether humans have created it, well, they have not gone that far. I am sure they are still debating that internally, but, at least now, the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent mentioned, moments ago, that climate change is real. I think I have heard a couple others say it from time to time. At least, we are hearing that now.

All they offer is to say that they will fix this with technology. That is their solution. They will fix this with technology and that is it, a hard stop there.

We can talk about what more we can do. I agreed with the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands earlier, when she was speaking about this issue, when she said that the carbon tax is only one thing. Of course, it is only one thing, putting a price on pollution. We need to do more.

I think, as I indicated earlier, that another great system that we need to implement is cap and trade. We need to bring in cap and trade and put on strong emissions caps in the oil and gas sector specifically.

A lot of people do not understand that, rightfully so, because it is not as simple to explain as an actual price on pollution, but the cap-and-trade model allows the government to set an overall cap on the GHG emissions for sectors covered over a given period. This cap is gradually and progressively reduced over time, encouraging the emission reductions. At the end of a three-year period, for example, emitters must obtain an emissions allowance for each tonne of GHGs they release into the atmosphere and surrender those to the government. They must surrender enough allowances to cover their emissions or penalties will apply.

The whole idea here is nothing new, as this idea was conceived and brought into North America back in around 2005, 2006, and that was with the western initiative. This was a number of states. This was Quebec, which still, to its benefit, and rightfully so, is in the western alliance, and Ontario, at the time, although Doug Ford has backed out. This was a plan that basically put a cap on the amount of emissions and if one needed to exceed that, one would have to sell off one's emissions.

Flemingdon Park Ministry

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Madam Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of Flemingdon Park Ministry, a local charity in my beautiful riding of Don Valley East.

The ministry has been helping residents in Don Valley East for over 40 years and has worked tirelessly to create a sense of belonging and support within our community. Its work is a testament to the power of community and the spirit of giving. One of the major accomplishments of Flemingdon Park Ministry is The Common Table, an urban farm that aims to help eliminate food insecurity by giving people space to grow their own fresh food.

As we enter the season of giving and goodwill, I want to thank Flemingdon Park Ministry for its service to community and its dedication to fighting food insecurity. I thank all the volunteers who have continued to work hard to provide services, foster connection and nurture hope for all people in Don Valley East.

The Economy

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Madam Speaker, as we approach Thanksgiving, I am mindful of what and whom I am thankful for, such as my wife Amanda and our children Luke, Ama, Michaela, James and Nathan, and such as my friends who are joining me on the Hill today, Matt Grills and Kyle MacDonald.

As Canadians gather to give thanks for the blessings in their lives, it is important that we not lose sight of our neighbours who have had hard times forced upon them. With the NDP-Liberal government, it has gotten to the point where seven million Canadians are not sure how they are going to be able to feed themselves. That is the result of taxing the farmer who grows the food, taxing the trucker who moves the food and taxing the Canadian who buys the food.

Canadians are resilient, but they are losing hope. That is why a Conservative government would restore hope with the common sense of the common people. We would axe the carbon tax and allow Canadians to bring home powerful paycheques. The great Canadian comeback is coming. Let us bring it home.

Ernie Lustig

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise in the House today to share the tragic passing of a great supporter of the Liberal Party and a truly great Canadian, Ernie Lustig. Ernie had been the riding president of Humber River—Black Creek since 1999. His contribution to the community and to my family and I was much appreciated. He was a passionate man committed to his family and his country.

Our deepest condolences go to his son Joel and daughter-in-law Fern; daughter Ellen and son-in-law Jerry; his grandchildren Lauren, David, Josh and Aubrey; and his two great-grandchildren Drew and Chloe. Ernie was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Sharon Lustig, our first lady, as we called her all the time.

Ernie Lustig will always be remembered as a smart, generous, dedicated man who was truly one of a kind, and it was an honour to have been his friend. May my friend rest in peace.

Château de Marie-Ève

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

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, the Château de Marie-Ève welcomed its first tenants in downtown Val-d'Or. The name pays tribute to Marie-Ève Charron, a well-known local homeless woman who was tragically murdered in 2016. The project, spearheaded by La Piaule, aims to put a roof over the heads of 41 people at risk of homelessness. Each new tenant shares their needs and an appeal is made to the public for donations.

I therefore encourage the public to donate tables, chairs, beds and appliances. The dramatic uptick in homelessness in our city is worrying. Every level of government is trying to find solutions, but as Stéphane Grenier, president of the La Piaule shelter, said, “No matter how much money we pour into homelessness, we'll keep going in circles if we don't have housing” to offer.

In closing, I would like to highlight the remarkable work of La Piaule and congratulate the whole team for this fine initiative.

Namur

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC]

Mr. Speaker, our town of Namur in the Outaouais region has a special link with the city of Namur in Belgium. Last August 26, I was delighted to attend a reception dinner organized by mayor Gilbert Dardel and the Papineau RCM team to honour our wonderful Belgian guests.

Last week, a delegation of 26 residents from the Papineau RCM, led by reeve Benoît Lauzon, was hosted by Maxime Prévot, mayor of Namur and a federal MP in Belgium. These inter-municipal exchanges, ongoing since 2015, are a symbol of the co-operation and camaraderie that Canada cultivates with countries around the world.

It was an honour to welcome our Belgian friends back to our magnificent region. We hope that their visit was as wonderful as the friendship between our two Namurs.

International Trade

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the job of the federal government is first and foremost to protect Canadian interests. Once again, farmers are paying the price for the Prime Minister's failures on the world stage.

The Liberals are trying to fast-track the United Kingdom's accession to the CPTPP, ignoring devastating trade discrepancies for our beef and pork producers. The numbers are staggering. Last year, the United Kingdom exported more than 4,000 tonnes of beef, worth $33 million, to Canada. By contrast, Canadian beef exports to the United Kingdom were zero. It is a similar trajectory for our pork producers. Whether it is beef and pork or peas and pulses, our producers are losing valuable market access because of the failures of the Prime Minister.

Conservatives believe in free and fair trade that benefits our allies and our producers. As Conservatives, we would succeed where the Liberals have failed. When it comes to trade negotiations, we would show strength. We would focus on economic opportunities and defend our producers and our world-class standards. Conservatives would restore Canada's reputation as a trusted and tried economic trading partner around the world. Conservatives would bring it home.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

[Jenica Atwin, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we commemorate the thousands of children who were stolen at the hands of residential institutions. It is a painful reminder of the horrors that occurred and of what was lost. It is also a day of cherishing what is being regained.

I recently had the privilege of visiting Kehkimin Wolastoqey language immersion school. Children attending this land-based and experiential learning centre are little busy bees. They are connecting to their culture, relearning their language and maintaining a healthy relationship with mother earth through nature. It is truly beautiful and heartwarming to witness. It is healing in action. Language is key to one's identity, and these children will grow up being loud and proud of every aspect of who they are, a feeling that their ancestors were violently robbed of.

I want to say a special shout-out to the founder and staff at Kehkimin, and I want to celebrate one of the children who recently received his traditional name, notably Benson, Wapsq (Polar Bear), the son of Rachel, who is one of my team members.

I also wish to tell my own two Wolastoqey boys that I am so grateful to be their mom and to witness them grow up. They are my motivation and the reason why I am here, to fight and create a better world for them.

[Member spoke in Wolastoqey]

[English]

John Marlatt

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in July, we lost one of the pillars of the Oakville community. John Marlatt, owner of the iconic Moonshine Cafe, passed away after a brief illness. John and his wife Jane opened the Moonshine Cafe 17 years ago and created a unique live music venue where artists were supported and the public was always entertained.

The President of the Treasury Board and I were very lucky to get to know him over the years. I have many fond memories of fun nights at the Moonshine. John hosted a music night before the 2010 municipal election, where candidates like myself were invited to sing with Phil Cain on stage.

There was a celebration of John's life on Monday in Oakville. He had a heart of gold will be missed by all, but none more than Jane and his family. I have no doubt that John is playing his guitar and singing his songs up in heaven.

The Economy

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, millions of Canadian seniors are struggling to afford food, rent and basic necessities. Over one-third do not have sufficient income to meet their needs, and we know that 1.5 million Canadians are going to food banks each month. After eight years of the Liberal government's reckless spending, resulting in record-high inflation and rising interest rates, many Canadians are falling further and further behind.

However, my community is taking action. Good Neighbours Active Living Centre in Winnipeg opened the supports to seniors food pantry for seniors struggling with food insecurity. Neighbour helping neighbour is what Canada is all about, and I know that this program will make a positive difference in the lives of many, many seniors

Fighting inflation and lowering the cost of living is the Conservative Party's number one priority. We would return to balanced budgets and stop throwing fuel on the inflationary fire. The golden years of Canada's seniors should be filled with dignity and financial security, not food banks. Conservatives would make that happen.

Contraception

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Tuesday was World Contraception Day. As access to sexual and reproductive services comes under attack globally, more voices are calling for the right to universal free contraception. My province of B.C. set an example this April by implementing the policy. It is time for all of Canada to follow suit.

Preventing an unwanted pregnancy is vital to reproductive health and gender equality. It empowers individuals, especially women. Universal free contraception ensures that cost is not a barrier to low-income Canadians, especially adolescents. It reduces unintended pregnancies and promotes responsible family planning.

I urge all parliamentarians to support universal free contraception, make contraception a fundamental right and not a privilege, and ensure a healthier, more equitable future for all Canadians.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, I was honoured to attend the Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival. Congratulations go to Mr. Vander Wyk on being crowned this year's Corn King.

As many farmers shared, the NDP-Liberal government is attacking one of the primary tools to produce quality food in Canada: fertilizer. The NDP-Liberal government recently outlined an unscientific plan to drastically fertilizer usage by 2030. Canadian farmers already outperform the entire world on sustainability. In fact, they are up to 70% more efficient in fertilizer use. Rather than praising Canadian farmers as the global standard, the government is insulting producers and the pocketbooks of every Canadian through higher costs at the grocery store. Food prices have already increased more than 10% over last year.

All farmers across Canada should know that a future Conservative government would stop the attack on fertilizer so they can continue to grow quality, sustainable and local homegrown food.

Carbon Tax

[Richard Lehoux, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, families in my riding and across Canada are struggling to make ends meet. The cost of living has increased dramatically over the last eight years because of the government's mismanagement and punitive carbon tax.

Conservatives care about the environment. There are many ways to fight climate change without resorting to a carbon tax that increases the price of everything. Our farms, processing plants and shipping companies have to take on this extra cost, which is then passed on to consumers.

Liberal and Bloc Québécois members want to radically increase the tax. Our common sense Conservative approach is to completely axe the carbon tax to give a break to families and farmers and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using science. With legislation like Bill C-234 and today's opposition motion, Conservatives will continue to defend the interests of Canadian farmers and families.

Let us come together and axe the carbon tax so that Canadians can buy food, have a home and bring home a bigger paycheque.

Battery Industry

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is a big day. This morning, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced the largest private investment in Quebec. The Swedish company Northvolt has chosen Quebec to build its new plant for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries. This project will create thousands of manufacturing jobs and once again reinforce the enviable position of Canada, and especially Quebec, in the battery industry.

According to our energetic Department of Innovation, the auto industry's shift to electric vehicles is the opportunity of a generation. This shift also confirms that the industry is responding to our government's call to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Sherbrooke is taking its place in the battery sector and in the electrification of transportation. Calogy Solutions, Professor Claverie and his solid-state battery, and the Société de transport de Sherbrooke and its electric buses support this new, growing industry.

Climate Change

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the planet is literally burning. We saw it this summer in Quebec, in British Columbia, and pretty much all around the world.

In this country, the oil and gas sector is responsible for 30% of all our carbon emissions, which are increasing every year. That is why we absolutely must have a strict cap on greenhouse gas emissions for this sector.

The Liberals promised it in 2021, but we are still waiting. We are resolutely waiting for these regulations. The time for half measures is over. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change cannot present a plan riddled with loopholes, exemptions or delays. New Democrats will not accept a weak, loose system with financial compensation for companies and no coercive measures. Playtime is over. A strict emissions cap is essential if we are to meet our targets.

We urge the minister to take action. The NDP will make sure our children are protected.

Joyce Echaquan

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, three years ago today, Quebec witnessed the death of Joyce Echaquan, a 37-year-old Atikamekw woman—a wife, a mother of seven, beloved, irreplaceable.

The shocking circumstances of her death brought to light the racism she experienced in hospital, which led to devastating consequences. The resulting shockwave raised awareness about the urgent need to combat this racism by establishing cultural safety measures for indigenous peoples within the institutions that must serve them. It is a matter of principle. In fact, it is called “Joyce's principle”, in her memory.

We still have a lot of work to do to ensure that our laws, policies and practices all live up to this principle, but we now have a name in mind to remind us of this duty: Justice for Joyce.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would like to express our solidarity to her husband, Carol Dubé, her seven children and the entire Manawan community as they gather to honour Joyce Echaquan's memory this evening.

Housing

[Dan Muys, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the NDP-Liberal government, rent is out of control. Today, a one-bedroom apartment is pushing $2,000 a month. When the Conservative leader was the housing minister in the previous Conservative government, a one-bedroom apartment went for around $900 a month.

After eight years of those Liberals, Canadians are now paying out-of-control prices in rents. In Toronto, a single room in a shared apartment is going for $1,300. In Vancouver, a single room in a shared apartment is going for nearly $1,800.

International students are living in homeless shelters and under bridges, with one Toronto shelter saying one-third of its residents are students. Refugees are sleeping in the streets. Tent cities are spanning the country. In fact, prisoners in Vancouver have asked for increased sentences to avoid Vancouver’s housing hell.

The Prime Minister is not worth the cost. He has added more to the national debt than all previous prime ministers combined, driving up inflation, forcing up rates and mortgages, which, in turn, drives up rent.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

[Yvonne Jones, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day of reflection and remembrance is an opportunity to walk together with indigenous peoples toward healing and reconciliation in Canada.

We must begin by acknowledging the painful history that has brought us to where we are today.

For centuries, indigenous peoples endured colonization, the residential school system, and the loss of their land, language and culture. It is a history we must continue to confront head on, unlike the combative and aggressive words used by the leader of the Conservatives, when he said, “Canada's aboriginals need to learn the value of hard work more than they need compensation for the abuse suffered in residential schools.” Those are the cold, harsh views that have set back progress of indigenous peoples for generations.

We must never forget the atrocities of residential schools and their generational trauma that still linger in this country. Let us stand united in our commitment to truth, to reconciliation and to a better Canada for all people.

Foreign Affairs

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the whole world sees the Prime Minister as a clown. Whether or not we hold the Liberal former speaker of the House responsible for recognizing a Nazi in Parliament, the reality is that for five days, the Prime Minister went into hiding and avoided his responsibility to defend and repair Canada's reputation.

The Prime Minister is seen as a clown on the world stage, but whether we blame him or the Liberal Speaker for recognizing a Nazi on the floor of the House of Commons, we all agree that it took him five days, while he hid under a rock and let our reputation be torn to tatters.

Why was Prime Minister more concerned about protecting his personal reputation than defending the nation?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, every member of Parliament recognized that it was the Speaker's responsibility. That is why he was called upon to resign, and that is why he did resign.

Carbon Pricing

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, for five days the Prime Minister was in hiding, and he is hiding from answering my questions today about the people who are starving.

Seven million Canadians are not eating enough because of the price of food, and 1.5 million are going to food banks. Food banks across the country have lineups that go around the street, never seen before.

The middle-class hungry is the new phenomenon the Prime Minister has brought us after eight years in power. His solution is a radical quadrupling of the carbon tax to 61¢ a litre on the farmers and truckers who bring us our food.

Will he finally adopt the Conservative common sense plan to axe the tax to bring home affordable food?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to put the question to the opposition as to whether those members will actually support Bill C-56, which is before the House.

Instead of voting against every measure that goes to support Canadians, whether it is senior citizens, workers or small businesses, the Conservatives have a choice. We urge them to vote in favour of Bill C-56.