House of Commons Hansard #4 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was riding.

Topics

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:40 p.m.

NDP

Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague on her excellent speech. I was very impressed.

She is obviously very familiar with the housing situation in her riding, which she mentioned. The Liberals talk about co-op housing, but we never hear the term “social housing”. However, the end of the agreements does not just affect co-op housing. Other types of non-profit housing are affected as well.

My colleague told us how many of her constituents are on a wait list, and about $2 billion per year would be allocated to renewing agreements that amount to $1.7 billion alone. That does not leave much for building other social housing.

I would like to hear the member's thoughts on that.

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:40 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, we need a full continuum of housing options. There is no question that co-op housing is an important component, and there needs to be support there, but building social housing is equally important. In British Columbia more than 10,000 people are on the wait list. People have given up and do not put their names on the wait list anymore.

We need a national affordable housing program. That program was cancelled in 1993 by the former Liberal government. Hopefully with this new sunny way with the new Liberal government, there will be a national affordable housing program again and we will see affordable housing being built with subsidies to support everybody in our communities across the country.

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:40 p.m.

NDP

Georgina Jolibois NDP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to thank the voters of Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River who have placed their trust in me to represent them in this Parliament. I thank them very much, for my volunteers and the support I have received in my riding.

I am standing here today as a Dene woman from a small village in the northern part of Saskatchewan called La Loche. From my front door, I can see the rich boreal forest and can hear the children playing by Lac La Loche where generations of children have played and mothers have washed their families' clothes from time immemorial.

In my mind, I can travel along Highway 155 south to where it meets the Churchill River at Île-à-la-Crosse. From there the river travels north to the tiny hamlet of Patuanak, east through the boreal forest to Pinehouse Lake, then on to Stanley Mission, where the river seems of two minds: continue east to Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay, or cut out north to Wollaston Lake where the currents curve back to the west, to Lake Athabasca and then into Alberta to join the mighty Mackenzie River.

Even as I say the names of these places, I cannot help but feel a little homesick, because it is a place of a beauty beyond parallel for me.

The proper appreciation of that environment means protecting against its destruction and recognizing the traditional owners of that land. This is done by recognizing the treaties and inherent rights of the Métis to maintain their traditional way of life, which is intrinsically tied to this geography, and for these people to be included not as an afterthought or as courtesy, but as equals. They must be consulted about any use or occupation of this traditional land.

This past summer, we lived through a devastating fire season. The elders say that we will have another one again soon.

The immediacy of climate change is all too real for people who live in this part of the boreal forest, who see the summer storms coming over from the west, bringing only lightening strikes that ignite fires, instead of replenishing the lakes and rivers.

For us in the north, climate change is all too real, and it is apparent we must take real action. How often, though, do we reflect on northern Saskatchewan with much different thoughts in our minds than its natural beauty? We hear that the north, as we call it back home, has the highest incidence of violent crime and interpersonal violence, highest rates of suicide, highest rates of alcohol consumption and abuse, highest rates of mental illness. However, sometimes we are also the lowest: lowest rates of educational achievement, lowest rates of employment, lowest average incomes.

My first thought is to stand here and ask for help. That is what a leader would do, and I have been asked to do that from time to time. However, that implies that we are helpless, and we are not.

Our communities and population want recognition of these problems and want understanding. We want it understood that, when we speak of interpersonal violence, we are not talking just about an act a person perpetrated against another person. We need to talk about the whole context of that act.

When we talk about an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, we are not asking for an incident report or even a string of incident reports that only itemize criminal facts. That would have no purpose.

Even the phrase “an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women” acknowledges that this violence is neither normal nor acceptable. Clearly, we would not have an inquiry into something that is normal or acceptable.

Perhaps the biggest danger we face as a community is to say that it is just a normal thing that happens in these places.

It is the entrenchment of complacency when communities themselves think that this violence is normal, that it is acceptable, and that it is the northern way. How can healing take place when we are conditioned to accept that this level of violence is normal?

An inquiry amounts to recognition that this is not a problem for any one community, nor is it a problem that can be resolved in isolation at the community level. What is required is for all groups, including indigenous groups, governments, our justice systems, and our police, to work together to help our communities heal and to give them space to heal. By “space”, I do mean physical space in some cases.

In northern Saskatchewan, we only have one women's shelter for 40,000 people. That is one structure for all of northern Saskatchewan where women and children can go to escape violence.

While climate change and the inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women are issues that touch me and the communities I represent, the people in my riding have many other concerns.

Ours is one of the most diverse ridings in the country. Our large boreal forests and lakes are bordered to the south by rich agricultural farmland. North and south, there are only a few cities. Mostly, our riding are a collection of villages and small towns. Many of these are thriving, but some are struggling. The boom and bust cycle means that economic hard times are never far away from resource-dependent communities. The challenge for parliamentarians is how we can help create economic opportunities to ensure the equality of opportunity to break the cycle of welfare dependency. That is the key to getting people out of stressful situations, and to help children grow to be strong, resilient, and proud.

It is a question that I ask myself now, and because I am standing here, I am asking that question of the government.

Clearly, education is one of the keys. For first nations and for everyone, equality of opportunity means, above all, equal access to educational resources. It means funding schools on reserves as well as the schools in the villages or towns down the road are funded. We know that the government has committed itself to that end. If it is able to deliver, I will gladly commend it for that. However, I will remind the government that, while commitments are good, action is better: more of the first, and even more of the second.

I told my constituents while I was campaigning that I would fight for equal access to child care spaces. My constituency has one of the highest natural population growth rates in the country. It also has very high dependency rates. That is a lot of kids to look after. What good are employment opportunities for young mothers if there is no one to help take care of the children or if child care is simply out of reach?

In addition to that, I want to flag the deplorable state of housing in rural and remote communities, particularly on first nations. It is among the many challenges that stand in the way of breaking the silence that has led to many negative outcomes in northern communities right across Canada.

In closing, I want to remind the Liberals that they were elected on a call for change, and they cannot take their time if they expect to maintain the good will of Canadian voters. The history of their party is filled with uneven results and long timelines that saw election promises repeated from one Parliament to the next. Theirs is the party that imposed the 2% funding cap and wrote the white paper, which were the causes of many problems. They are now in a position to right some historical wrongs.

New Democrats are committed to many of these goals, and we are here to roll up our sleeves and make sure this Parliament works. The government has signalled its intent to work with us on the important issues and challenges that Canada faces. I am certain that, if that actually happens, the real winners will be the Canadian public.

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:50 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments that the member made. One of the things about a throne speech is that it gives the government the opportunity to set the stage. In our case, it is a very important stage.

A very important aspect of that stage is supporting Canada's middle class. That would be done, whether through the Canada child benefit program, which would lift tens of thousands of children out of poverty, or a tax cut to the middle class.

Is there something that the member would like to say about the importance of Canada's middle class? We believe that a healthy middle class means a healthy economy. Would she not agree with the Prime Minister that if we want to build a strong economy we have to give a special focus to Canada's middle class?

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Georgina Jolibois NDP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK

Mr. Speaker, the median income in Canada is $31,000. It is not clear to me, and I will ask the Liberal government to describe what it means by low-income families and medium-income families in Canada. Where I come from, that is exactly what the constituents want to know.

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:50 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her speech and congratulate her on her election.

She spoke about her rural community and the infrastructure needs there. I am also concerned about rural communities and the need for infrastructure. In the throne speech, I heard about a lot of money going to urban centres, but in rural areas within my riding and across Canada, we do not have high speed Internet. This is a huge barrier for people trying to create businesses or receive education in rural areas.

I am hoping that when the government is talking about all of its infrastructure spending, it does not forget the rural communities and the needs that the member and I have spoken of.

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:55 p.m.

NDP

Georgina Jolibois NDP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her comment. I appreciate the opportunity to express my thoughts here.

I agree with the member about the rural communities in my constituency. It is not only my rural communities, but all constituencies that have issues around the Internet and broadband coming to northern Saskatchewan. The previous government promised to do exactly that, but it has not occurred yet. Therefore, I would like to know if the Liberal government will be doing that across Canada.

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:55 p.m.

NDP

Erin Weir NDP Regina—Lewvan, SK

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my hon. colleague, the member for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, for her excellent speech.

Members across the way were asking about the importance of the middle-class tax cut. I would ask my colleague to clarify how many residents of her riding would benefit from a tax cut on incomes over $45,000 a year and whether there might be a way to reconfigure that to actually provide some assistance to her constituents.

Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech From The Throne

1:55 p.m.

NDP

Georgina Jolibois NDP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK

Mr. Speaker, it is very important that we sort through these descriptions of middle-class and low-income families across Canada, as it seems to change. I have not received a clear answer to that question. Certainly, I would look at about 40,000 northerners who fit in this category.

Honoré-MercierStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am moved and proud to rise today in the House. I want to start by thanking the people of Honoré-Mercier for their trust and their support. I am truly sincere when I tell them that I will do everything in my power to live up to this trust.

I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, on your election as Speaker of the House.

We concluded the last election campaign, the longest in modern history, with a clear Liberal victory and with a mandate that was just as clear: to do things differently; to build a new relationship with Canadians, based on dialogue, openness, and respect; to create a more prosperous middle class and a more equitable society; and to make Canada greener and more open to the world.

I challenge all members of the House to help us fulfill this mandate together.

Kitchener—ConestogaStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today for the first time in Canada's 42nd Parliament, having been re-elected for my fourth term to serve the best riding in Canada.

I first want to humbly thank the people of Kitchener, Wellesley, Woolwich, and Wilmot for trusting me to represent them once again the House. I look forward to meeting constituents in Kitchener, New Hamburg, St. Clements, St. Jacobs, Elmira, and many more of the great communities of Kitchener—Conestoga. I want to ensure constituents that I will be working hard for them every day, and for the next four years I look forward to serving in every way that I can.

Of course, I would not be here today without the support and prayers of a huge team. I thank Rob, Linda, Stephanie, Mark, Darryl, Michael, and dozens of other volunteers who worked long hours day after day, for weeks, to ensure my election victory.

Special thanks to my wife Darlene for her constant love, support and encouragement, and to our three children, Gavin, Benj, and Arja, and their spouses and our nine grandchildren, who make what I do here in the House so very worthwhile.

Châteauguay—LacolleStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the people of Châteauguay—Lacolle for doing me this honour. I want the House to know that I will work very hard to be worthy of their faith in me.

My riding is between the St. Lawrence and the American border. Part rural and part urban, it is blessed with rich land in Les Jardins-de-Napierville. The people there are creative, they have a fascinating history, and their economic sights are set on the world.

My riding is well known as the largest vegetable producer in Quebec and as a model of environmental protection thanks to the Île Saint-Bernard wildlife refuge.

However, there is some confusion about the name Châteauguay–Lacolle. Lacolle is actually in the neighbouring riding. Rest assured that I am consulting with my fellow citizens as to a name that better represents our community, and I will be proposing a new name in due course to this House.

Leviathan IIStatements By Members

2 p.m.

NDP

Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC

Mr. Speaker, as this is my first opportunity to rise in the House, I want to thank the people of Courtenay—Alberni for putting their faith and trust in me by electing me as their member of Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate you on your election as Speaker.

On October 25, the Leviathan II sank off my home community of Tofino, and six lives were lost. Fishermen from the Ahousaht First Nation were the first to arrive on the scene and began pulling survivors from frigid waters. They were joined by marine tour operators, first responders, members of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, and local Tofino residents. People's homes were open to strangers, and temporary beds were set up for the injured. In the village of Ahousaht, a community where unemployment is as high as 70%, people pulled out five and ten dollar bills to buy gas for boats so the search for survivors could continue.

Today I ask all members in the House to join me to pay tribute and respect to the families of those lost at sea, the survivors, rescuers, and all of those whose courage and compassion embodies the very best of Vancouver Island.

In the Nuu-chah-nulth language, I say klecko klecko, thank you to our local heroes.

NepeanStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank all 34,000 citizens of Nepean for electing me to represent them in this august House. I pledge to work hard for the benefit of people from all backgrounds and viewpoints.

For the economic development of Nepean and Ottawa and to create quality jobs, there is a need to work in collaboration with all three levels of government. I have had several formal and informal talks with Mayor Jim Watson, and five City of Ottawa councillors: Jan Harder, Michael Qaqish, Keith Egli, Scott Moffatt, and Rick Chiarelli. I have also had several meetings with the provincial member of Parliament, Lisa MacLeod.

In my drive to bring respect back to public service and to understand how best we can work together, I have had meetings with Debi Daviau, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, and Larry Rousseau, regional executive vice president of the National Capital Region, Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Manmeet Singh BhullarStatements By Members

December 8th, 2015 / 2 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Mr. Speaker, our Alberta Conservative family has lost a giant. Manmeet Singh Bhullar was a big man with a big heart.

In what turned out to be one of the last causes he ever took on, Manmeet championed the cause of Afghanistan's increasingly desperate religious minorities. At one time, Afghanistan had around 200,000 Sikhs and Hindus. Today, they number less than 10,000. Security concerns have even prevented some Sikh children from attending school.

The Canadian government can help Afghanistan's religious minorities by creating a special program under section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This has been done in the past, and communities in Canada are ready to step up if the government takes the necessary steps.

To honour Manmeet, but also because it is the right thing to do, I call on the government to take the necessary steps to help persecuted religious minorities living in Afghanistan.

Canadian Coast GuardStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, three years ago, the previous Conservative government shut down the Kitsilano Coast Guard base, despite pleas from MPs, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Vancouver police and fire departments. Conservatives were warned that lives and the environment would be put at risk, so there was no surprise at the huge delay in identifying and cleaning up the 2014 bunker fuel spill and the expanded time for rescue craft to arrive from Sea Island.

Our Liberal government made a commitment during the election to reopen Kitsilano Coast Guard base and the marine communications on B.C.'s coast. I was pleased to see that commitment in the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard's mandate letter from the Prime Minister. The voices of the people of Vancouver were heard.

I had presented thousands of petitions in the House and held rallies to get the previous government to reverse its decision, to no avail. I look forward to being there when our new Liberal government reopens the Kitsilano Coast Guard base in the near future.

Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of CommerceStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

Mr. Speaker, as this is the first time on my feet in the chamber in this session, allow me to express my appreciation to the good people of Charlottetown, the birthplace of Confederation, in Canada's smallest and nicest province, for having re-elected me to represent them in Parliament. I am proudly honoured to have re-earned their support.

Today I rise to recognize one such constituent, Kathy Hambly, the executive director of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce. Kathy joined the chamber as a member in 1978, was on the board, served as its president in 2002, and began her career as executive director in 2005. In that role, she has transformed the organization, introducing initiatives such as Island Advance, PEI Connectors, Biz2Biz Expo, and the annual excellence awards.

As a crowning achievement to her legacy of excellence, she was honoured by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada as executive director of the year—

Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of CommerceStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

The hon. member for Foothills.

EmploymentStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the constituents of Foothills for re-electing me once again to be their representative in the House of Commons. It is an honour to have earned their confidence, and I will do my utmost each and every day to maintain that trust.

The people of southern Alberta are committed to our families and our communities. They have a profound love of the land and an inspiring work ethic. However, the families, small businesses, and communities in my riding depend on the resource sector—oil and gas, mining, forestry, agriculture—which is one of the reasons I was extremely disappointed to see that these industries were absent from the Speech from the Throne.

The oil and gas sector has been Canada's economic engine for decades, and agriculture has been part of our heritage for generations. These industries create jobs and prosperity in rural communities throughout the foothills area of Alberta, and Canada. I want this to be crystal clear. Unlike the new government, I know my colleagues and I in the opposition will stand up for the resource industry; we will stand up for all Canadians, and we will stand up for Canada's economy.

Veterans AffairsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON

Mr. Speaker, 100 years ago today, Punch magazine ran what is now the most recognized war poem in history. In Flanders Fields was inspired when a young Canadian artillery officer was killed by an exploding artillery shell. That officer served alongside a Canadian doctor named John McCrae.

As the brigade doctor, John was asked to conduct the burial service, and following that service, McCrae began drafting his now famous poem. A hundred years have passed, and while much has been done to commemorate those lost to war, those who have returned from battle also need our help. From PTSD to resettlement issues, to physical injuries and skills development, it is time to honour the dead by truly caring for those who are living.

Let us never forget to stand with those who stood with us, today and every day.

Louis RielStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB

Mr. Speaker, on November 16 of this year, at his gravesite in the Saint Boniface Cathedral, the Manitoba Metis Federation, Union nationale métisse and I paid our respects on the 130th Anniversary of the execution of the Father of Manitoba and leader of the Métis nation, Louis Riel.

The Father of Manitoba, Riel stood out for his passion, his respect for difference, his acute sense of social justice, and his unwavering defence of Métis and francophone rights.

Riel understood the importance of consulting all interested parties, Métis and non-Métis, when negotiating Manitoba's entering Confederation. It was his ability to build consensus that resonates with us still today.

As a proud Métis, I am inspired by this great Canadian hero, this man of vision and consensus-building. Riel's legacy is still felt today in Manitoba and across the country.

FinanceStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this first opportunity to congratulate all my colleagues on their election and to thank the people of Mégantic—L'Érable for the trust they have put in me. I rise today for them. I know they have concerns.

They are concerned that the government is unable to explain who will pay for all the spending announced during the election campaign and in the Speech from the Throne and repeated yesterday by the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister, not to mention how.

The tax cuts will cost an extra $1.2 billion. Yesterday, Canadian families learned that they will lose half their sheltered savings room in TFSAs. As we say back home, the Liberals have bitten off more than they can chew.

For the sake of our future generations, I hope the government will find its calculator again and put our country back on track to balanced budgets as soon as possible.

University of British ColumbiaStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Joyce Murray Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC

Mr. Speaker, I thank the citizens of Vancouver of Quadra for re-electing me as their member of Parliament.

On September 30, 100 years ago, the University of British Columbia opened its doors and welcomed its very first class of 379 students. From that rather modest beginning, UBC has grown to host 60,000 students on 2 campuses with alumni living in more than 120 countries. A global centre for research on teaching, UBC consistently ranks among the 40 best universities in the world, driving positive change throughout Canada and worldwide.

British Columbians are rightly proud of UBC's deep commitment to sustainability. In fact, its strategic plan commits all aspects of the university to be a living laboratory, exploring and exemplifying social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Please join me in congratulating UBC for a century of learning, research and community engagement excellence.

Jimmy Allen “Ollie” ChickiteStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC

Mr. Speaker, as this is the first time that I rise in the House, I would like to thank the people of North Island—Powell River for sending me here. It is a great honour.

Sadly, on November 24, one of our communities lost an elder. Jimmy Allen Chickite, fondly known as Ollie, was a man of the ocean. From 1972 to 1986, a photo of his seiner with him on it was on it was on the back of the Canadian five dollar bill.

When I last spoke with Ollie, he shared with me his concern about the potential closure of the Comox Coast Guard. With his years on the water, he knew how important the Coast Guard was for the safety of people, the environment and the many isolated communities in my riding. He asked me to remind the government that B.C. needed the Coast Guard to be healthy and strong.

In remembrance of a great man, I am proud to be the voice of my riding and for Ollie. My thoughts are with his family and community during these hard days.

Indigenous AffairsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC

Mr. Speaker, there is not one member in the House who is not horrified by the national tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada.

As a British Columbian, the stories of CJ Fowler, the Highway of Tears, and the horrors of the Pickton farm have struck close to home.

In the past, we thought it was important to allocate resources and move forward with action on services and programs that have proven to be effective. The current government's pledge to have a national inquiry to hear directly from the families affected in their ongoing search for answers reflects the call from many across the country.

We offer our support to this initiative and for the government to fulfill its promise to these families. My sincere hope is that the national inquiry will bring the answers, closure and peace that these families so desperately need.