Debates of Feb. 14th, 2017

Nancy Diamond

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, every city has citizens who are so dedicated to their community that their very name becomes synonymous with that community. In Oshawa, Nancy Diamond was one of those people.

If members were ever at an event in Oshawa, chances are, Nancy was there. With her signature smile and quick wit, she was always there to see our city and its residents succeed. The loss of Nancy at City Hall will be felt throughout our community

Nancy did it all, as a wife, as an active parent at her daughter's school, and as a supportive grandparent of two grandsons.

First elected to council in 1988, Nancy dedicated the next three decades of her life to the betterment of Oshawa. Working as a councillor, mayor, and community volunteer, Nancy was always looking for ways to make Oshawa a better place. She will be fondly remembered as one of the most compassionate, dedicated, and inclusive leaders in Oshawa's history. Her efforts to bring a university to Oshawa helped propel our city forward.

On behalf of everyone in Oshawa, I extend my heartfelt condolences. Our entire community joins together in mourning the loss of Nancy.

Parliamentary Reform

[Pam Goldsmith-Jones, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, our government is no longer pursuing electoral reform. Across the country, there was truly no consensus.

However, in West Vancouver--Sunshine Coast--Sea to Sky Country, people really are interested in new ways of voting, and it is borne out of a belief that MPs can and should represent minority views and new ideas with good manners, proper discourse, less partisanship, and greater co-operation.

As we face the daunting challenges of climate change, an aging population, unprecedented forced migration, rising economic protectionism, and truth and reconciliation, our processes should help us work together better. We should help one another work together better.

I rise today out of respect and gratitude to Bet Cecil, and many more like her, who dedicate themselves to helping all members of Parliament work in this way, with accommodation, mutual respect, and engagement.

Women Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, in Canada, women represent 48% of the workforce and more than half of university graduates. However, they remain under-represented in certain areas of the workforce, including on corporate boards and in senior management positions.

Ensuring equal opportunities for women in the workforce is a priority for both Canada and the United States. That is why in the first meeting between our Prime Minister and the President of the United States, I was pleased to hear about the launch of the United States Canada Council for the Advancement of Women Business Leaders-Female Entrepreneurs. Through this initiative, I expect greater growth of women-owned enterprises, further contributions to our overall economic growth and competitiveness, and the enhanced integration of our economies.

Our government is also working to increase women's participation on corporate boards and to build the first federal women's entrepreneurship strategy to remove barriers to women's participation in the business community from coast to coast to coast.

Jesuit Mill

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 25th anniversary of the interpretation centre at the Moulin des jésuites.

The Moulin des jésuites de Charlesbourg has always been at the very heart of the lives of the people of Charlesbourg. The mill was built by the Jesuits in 1742 and remained operational until 1940. It was one of the last water mills in Quebec. The site remains active today and is home to the Trait-Carré interpretation centre, which welcomes tourists and school groups from Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta.

At this site, visitors can experience many aspects of our history. Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of the interpretation centre.

I want to commend the work of the staff and volunteers who help this Quebec institution continue to flourish and progress. They are the heart and soul of the mill. I also want to thank Joanne Timmons for her contribution, for she has been at the helm during the 25 years of operation of the Moulin des jésuites interpretation centre. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for her dedication. Happy 25th anniversary.

Family Reunification

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to welcome the entire Brimo family, who will finally be reunited this Thursday, in Toronto, after being separated for a year.

The Brimos are a Yazidi Kurdish family from a village called Afrin, which is north of Aleppo, in Syria. They were forced to flee in 2013 after Daesh obliterated their home and their way of life.

It was in their darkest hour that the Brimos found out that they had been accepted as refugees here in Canada, that is, all except for one of their five daughters, Zeinab, who was left stranded back in Syria.

After much hard work and coordination with the Minister of Immigration, I am happy to report that Zeinab will be arriving in Canada this week and will be reunited with her family once more.

I am very proud of the generosity of the people of Eglinton—Lawrence and especially the people from St. Clement's Church. We all share the responsibility of helping people who have been displaced and persecuted, and who need protection the most.

Welcome home to the Brimos.

Black History Month

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment today to acknowledge Black History Month and honour the many accomplishments and contributions of black Canadian men and women who have helped make Canada the multicultural, generous, and prosperous country that we are living in today.

For four centuries, Canada's black communities have been an integral part of the human fabric that we all share.

I would really like to thank and highlight the South Shore Black Community Association, which does outstanding work in Brossard—Saint-Lambert. It is an organization born of the need for an organized approach to address issues affecting the well-being of black residents on the south shore of Montreal.

Having worked with and for her community for the past three decades, Ketlyn Maitland-Blades, from Brossard, has rightly been recognized this month by her peers for her remarkable contributions. She is the December headliner in the calendar “Here to Stay, Here to Last”.

With much admiration and respect, I commend all black Canadians across the country.

Special Events

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I have two things to present.

This is Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day in Canada, and I would like to salute the wonderful volunteers and supporters of the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance.

Over 250,000 Canadians are born with congenital heart disease. Years ago, having CHD meant that children had a 20% chance of reaching adulthood. Today over 90% of CHD children live into adulthood due to advances in medical care.

I am proud to rise to highlight the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance, which supports all Canadians with CHD.

Drum roll, please. The second annual World Tubing Championships return to St. Thomas. Over 60 teams will be barrelling down a custom-built tubing hill. All the funds raised will support the purchase of a CT scanner for the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.

Music, entertainment, local foods and beverages, fireworks, and custom costumes make this event one of a kind. Come to St. Thomas February 18 and 19 and see the World Championships of Tubing.

Hazel McCallion Day

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending a special event for a special lady and a great friend. Today I rise to celebrate the 96th birthday of the city of Mississauga's longest-serving mayor, Hazel “Hurricane” McCallion. Through her energy and spirit, she helped transform Mississauga into the sixth largest city in Canada.

Today is special for another reason. On December 8, 2016, the Ontario Legislature gave unanimous consent in declaring February 14, now and forever, to be Hazel McCallion Day in the province of Ontario.

From the ticker tape to Twitter and YouTube sensation, a member of the Order of Canada, and a pioneer for women, she is a model of our resilient Canadian spirit.

Happy Birthday, Hazel. Enjoy this special day, and a happy Valentine's Day to all.

Have a Heart Day

[Romeo Saganash, NDP, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, children are not born prejudiced. Children are born with curiosity, excitement, energy, and possibility. They are born to excel and follow their dreams.

Today, February 14, is Have a Heart Day. I can find inspiration and an example to follow in the thousands of children around the country who have organized and prepared Have a Heart Day. It is a child and youth-led event that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure that indigenous kids have the services they need to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are. These children reject racism, inherent in Canadian society. They have the courage to do what is right and stand up for their beliefs. These children show tremendous love to other children, undeterred by difference and by distance.

Meegwetch awaashat.

Taxation

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, for months, the defence minister has known that a small group of Canadian soldiers in the fight against ISIS were having their danger pay taxed, while others on the same deployment were not. The Liberal solution was to tax them all. Now, more than 300 Canadian soldiers will be losing up to $9,000 for a six-month deployment because of the defence minister's inability to take action.

Let us not forget this is a battle against a genocidal death cult. The risk is real. The $1,800 per month the Liberals are ripping away from our troops and their families could have been used to pay for the extra costs of child care, snow removal, or yard maintenance.

When the Conservative defence minister faced the same problem in Afghanistan, they cut through the bureaucratic red tape to ensure our troops would not be shortchanged. Under the Liberals, our troops feel like they have been kicked in the stomach. Their families feel cheated.

I call on the Liberal government to finally do its job, reverse this abhorrent decision and support the brave men and women who stand on guard for all of us.

Peace By Chocolate

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Happy Valentine's Day. In the spirit of this celebration, I want to share the sweetest of love stories, that between the dedicated community members of Antigonish, Nova Scotia and Peace By Chocolate. It is a local business, run by some of the community's newest members, the Hadhad family.

Antigonish welcomed the Hadhads with open arms as part of the effort that has now seen 40,000 Syrian refugees come to our shores. The Hadhads operated a chocolate factory in Syria that was lost to the war. With the help of the community, they have reopened a small factory and have been giving back to the country that welcomed them by donating a month's worth of profits in the relief efforts in Fort McMurray after the wildfires, and have now hired Canadians to work in my community of Antigonish. This would not have been possible without the volunteers, and I know the Hadhads are truly grateful.

Most recently, Peace By Chocolate opened its online store. I have gone to peacebychocolate.ca to order mine, so Sarah, Molly, and I can add a little sweetness to our Valentine's Day. I suggest you do the same, Mr. Speaker, because “one peace won't hurt”.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Ah, to start on a sweet note is so nice.

Taxation

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, in last year's Liberal budget, Canadians were hit hard by new taxes on savings, payroll, and carbon. The self-employed were hit, and even children's arts and fitness classes. Canadians are sick and tired of feeling nickelled and dimed by the Prime Minister, and now we are hearing that he might even make it more expensive to go camping.

Having already raised taxes on Canadians, does the Prime Minister really think it is fair to do it all over again?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, in last year's budget, we introduced the Canada child benefit, which helps nine out of 10 Canadian families with a larger tax-free cheque every month that they can spend on things like groceries, school supplies, new clothes for their kids. These are the kinds of things that make a huge difference and we were able to do it because we ended the Conservative practice of sending child benefits to millionaire families and, instead, delivered them to the people who really need them.

In this year's budget, I thank the member opposite, we are going to be featuring the fact that going to visit our national parks anywhere across the country for Canada's 150th birthday will be absolutely free.

[An hon. member]

Nothing's free.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

No, nothing's free around here.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has betrayed the middle class. In his first year, he introduced new taxes on savings, payroll, carbon, the self-employed, children's arts and fitness classes, tuition, and textbooks. We can use simple arithmetic here. It is clear that the tax bill for the ordinary Joe has gone way up.

Why is the Prime Minister making the middle class pay for his reckless spending?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we were elected on a campaign commitment to help the middle class, to grow the middle class, and help those working hard to join it. The very first thing we did was lower taxes for the middle class and raise them on the wealthiest 1%.

The members opposite in the Conservative Party voted against that. They did not want to lower taxes on the middle class and they certainly did not want to raise them on the wealthiest 1%, but we knew that that was what we needed to do to show Canadians that we were focused on growing the economy, helping the middle class, and actually putting more money into the pockets of people who need it right across the country.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, what is happening here is the Prime Minister is trying to soak up every dime of extra tax money that he can find. Now he has dispatched his tax collectors halfway around the world to the front lines of the war against ISIS. He is taking away a tax break for our troops who are stationed in Kuwait, costing each of them up to $1,800 a month.

We know he plans to hike a whole range of taxes in the budget, but will he at least today commit to not taxing our troops?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, for almost 10 years, we in the House watched the previous government wrap itself in the flag while it nickelled and dimed veterans, completely botched the procurement processes, and did everything it could to talk a good game, but not deliver for the men and women of the Canadian Forces.

We are focused on delivering what is necessary in terms of equipment, in terms of support, and in terms of honour and value to the extraordinary men and women who serve this country on the front lines and everywhere around the world.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, there is no one in the House who does not support our brave men and women in uniform, but it was not this side of the House or the last government that said that it would tax our troops in Kuwait $1,800 a month.

I am asking the Prime Minister again to commit before the budget that he will not tax our troops in Kuwait.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we continue to stand with the men and women of the armed forces of Canada, who do an extraordinary job serving their country, some in very dangerous places, but all with a tremendous amount of commitment to their country and to the work they do. With what we are doing around veterans, what we are doing around procurement, and what we are doing around much-needed investments in the extraordinary men and women who serve this country, we will take no lessons from the members opposite.

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, on top of all of that, the Prime Minister's largest middle-class tax hike is being kept a secret. His government has a study in its possession showing that the carbon tax will hit middle- and low-income Canadians the hardest, but despite demands from the opposition, it has refused to release the numbers.

If the Prime Minister is so proud of this carbon tax, why does he not release the numbers? What happened to transparency?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, again, the members opposite are demonstrating that they do not understand that building a strong economy for the future means also protecting the environment. That is how we get good jobs. That is how we create opportunities in the future for young people and for future generations.

We have brought forward a carbon pricing framework that will be revenue neutral, which means in every single province in which it is collected, it will be returned to the people who need that support. That is what we have guaranteed, that we will not be doing anything but helping the middle class and supporting them with the kinds of jobs and economic growth that we need in the future.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister refused to denounce Trump's travel ban apparently because he was in Washington, yet no matter where he has been, the Prime Minister has actually never criticized Trump's racist immigration policies, even though they are having a direct impact on Canadians.

From Vietnam to Iraq, Canada has a proud history of standing up to the U.S. on issues of principle.

Now that he is back safe and sound on Canadian soil, will the Prime Minister summon the courage to denounce Trump's immigration policies?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, unlike some other people in this House, I always say the same thing, regardless of where I am. I will say the same thing in Ottawa as I say in Washington.