Debates of Sept. 29th, 2023

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Madam Speaker, ranchers know that their herds are crucial to our grasslands, environment, food security and trade. Saskatchewan livestock producers also know that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. His inflationary policies and stifling carbon taxes are crippling our producers. They are stressed, and they need to keep their breeding herds alive. Winter is coming. Time is running out.

When will the NDP-Liberal government provide its share of AgriRecovery funding?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Madam Speaker, I agree with the member that Canadian farmers produce some of the highest-quality agriculture products around the world; that is one of the reasons that our government, alongside our provinces and territories, is investing $3.5 billion in the next five years into new sustainable Canadian agricultural partnerships. We have also invested nearly $2 billion in supply-managed farmers and processors, as well as half a billion dollars in environmental programs, such as the agricultural clean technology program and the agricultural climate solutions program.

I want to assure the member opposite, and all members of this House, that we will continue to do everything that is necessary to support the important work of our Canadian farmers.

Infrastructure

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Madam Speaker, for three years, the residents of Bobcaygeon have been waiting for repairs to the lock 32 swing bridge. The lack of action from Parks Canada has left the town angry and frustrated. Precious tourist dollars have left, along with several businesses that just cannot wait anymore. While the minister responsible is busy gifting millions to bolster infrastructure in Communist China, he ignores the pleas of rural Canadians.

If the minister is too busy supporting the Communist Party in Beijing, will he please hand this file over to someone who can do the job?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Madam Speaker, I would actually take issue with the fact that the member is accusing one of the most respected institutions in our country, Parks Canada, of not doing its job. It is one of the most liked and trusted institutions in Canada. I will work with the officials at Parks Canada to ensure that this issue is dealt with in the most rapid possible terms.

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Madam Speaker, I was actually saying the minister cannot do his job, because not only is one federal bridge out, but a second bridge is out in the village of Bolsover. It has been three years and counting with no bridge. There is actually a documented case where someone died of a heart attack; the family could see the ambulance on the other side of the road, but it could not get over. It has been three years with two bridges and two communities cut in half.

When will the minister do his job and get these bridges fixed?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Madam Speaker, as I said, I will be talking with Parks Canada officials to ensure these problems are solved as quickly as possible.

Indigenous Affairs

[Chad Collins, Liberal, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Madam Speaker, this weekend, Canadians in my riding of Hamilton East—Stoney Creek and across the country will honour the victims and survivors of the residential school system as we seek to address the harmful legacy of residential schools and reflect on our commitment to reconciliation.

For generations, indigenous peoples have kept their culture and language, showing great resilience in the face of discrimination and mistreatment by colonial systems. Canada has a responsibility to address the truth and support their healing.

In my community, people want to know how our government is working toward truth and reconciliation with indigenous peoples?

[Jenica Atwin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services]

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to see Canadians across the country finding their own special ways to commemorate this important day.

Let me be clear: As a government, we believe that truth and reconciliation need to be at the heart of absolutely everything that we do. We are committed to doing the work.

After Harper refused for years, we launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Today, more than 96% of first nations have access to clean drinking water, with a pathway for the remaining 4%. After decades of neglect, we have helped communities build, renovate and retrofit 31,000 homes and counting.

We will continue working with indigenous peoples to build a new relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership; that is “reconciliaction”.

Canadian Heritage

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Speaker, Canadians are putting their heart and soul into creating content for this entire country and the world to enjoy.

However, on TikTok, they are left out of the creator fund and cannot be paid for their work. It is unfair. TikTok compensates its creators in the United States and Europe, but Canadians are left behind. Why are the Liberals allowing this abuse? These content creators are workers. They deserve to be paid. The issue of workers' rights is my Roman Empire.

Will the Liberal government start working for young people and ensure Canadian content creators are compensated fairly?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Madam Speaker, our government is proud to support our creators all over the country. They are among the best in the world. They are sharing our Canadian stories, and it is really important that we keep on supporting them.

This is why we brought forward Bill C-11. Through this new bill, we are going to bring in new revenue so that we could better support our creators in Canada.

Indigenous Affairs

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, I want to raise the concern of the lawyers representing the Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation, just in time for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, that we are violating a sacred commitment made to that first nation. I say “we” because, thanks to the Liberals, we own the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Their lawyer has asked that at least before they start construction on October 2, the Canada Energy Regulator provide reasons, so the first nation could pursue its legal right to appeal.

Will the government ensure construction does not begin until reasons are provided?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Madam Speaker, I know this issue matters a great deal to our colleague.

I would point out, however, as the Minister of Finance said earlier this week, that it is an independent decision that was reached by an independent agency.

Decorum

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Madam Speaker, during Statements by Members, I did not properly observe the code of conduct in the House. Accordingly, I wish to offer my heartfelt and unreserved apologies to the hon. member for Hull—Aylmer, who made a very fine statement. Well done.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I appreciate the hon. member's apology. I know he was not the only one, but I appreciate his honesty.

On a point of order, the hon. member for Lakeland.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to address an exchange stemming from question period. I am a descendant of the Bear family from the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in Manitoba, so I raise this with grave concern and seriousness.

The Prime Minister's pick for the parliamentary secretary for crown-indigenous relations, who mischaracterized our leader earlier in question period and was focusing on words, actually said, “Why do I assume every skinny aboriginal girl is on crystal meth or pills? #toomuchaptn.”

I would beg all members of Parliament to treat these issues seriously, particularly those of deep concern to indigenous Canadians in every corner of their country, all of us who are descended from them and non-indigenous Canadians who are treaty partners. We should take these issues seriously, with the gravity they deserve, and stop name-calling, imputing motives and mischaracterizing words.

These topics deserve seriousness. That is why the Harper Conservative government apologized for the residential schools and launched—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I think we are getting more into points of debate. I do not have all of the context from the hon. member. She made a statement, and I did not hear that during question period or the specific language used, so I would tend to think that is more a point of debate.

I have another point of order, from the hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Madam Speaker, I would like to table documents with the comments the Leader of the Opposition made when he was a member of Parliament. He talked about his view. The actual words from the Leader of the Opposition were, “My view is that we need to engender the values”—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

On a point of order, the hon. member for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock.

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Madam Speaker, this is coming out of question period and the comments from the member for Sydney—Victoria. I would like unanimous consent to table this document reminding Canadians that during the first truth and reconciliation day, the Prime Minister was surfing in Tofino.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I am already getting some nays, but I will ask the question.

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I have a point of order from the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for your valiant efforts today in maintaining order through question period.

I would also like to thank the hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent for apologizing. He is a role model for us all.

I did hear something that can be taken up later, and I know that if I heard it clearly it may end up in Hansard. It was not something said by the hon. member for Lethbridge, but while she had the floor, a male voice was heard quite clearly saying the word “cowardly”. I think it may end up in Hansard, unless someone attends to it.