House of Commons Hansard #359 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was jurors.

Topics

Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2Government Orders

1:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is a real honour to able to represent my beautiful community of Langley—Aldergrove and share with the House a perspective of what I am hearing from the community on the growing debt that we are hearing about from the government.

The government is defending the fact that the debt is growing and growing. The last Liberal speaker highlighted that the B.C. carbon tax is going to be providing hope for the next generation. However, this is not what I am hearing from British Columbia residents. The question has come out about the $35 a tonne, and what percentage it is. I was asked by a constituent if I realized what we were paying in the form of a tax. Is it 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%? What is the percentage that we are paying on the energy, on the carbon, on the natural gas in British Columbia? Most Canadians, in fact, everyone I have asked after meeting with that constituent said that they had no idea.

Therefore, we asked Canadians to check on their bills. In British Columbia, natural gas is provided by FortisBC, which has it listed on the bottom of the bill. I would ask anybody in the House, or any Canadian watching, what they think the government is endorsing as its model, its plan, for taxation on carbon. We are told that it is $35 a tonne. Last year, it was $30 a tonne, but $35 this year, and every year it goes up another $5 a tonne. What does that mean in a tax? People do not understand, and we do not know. I did not know. However, when we checked the bill, it is 112%. Last year, at $30 a tonne, it was $72%. Can members think of this in any other country in the world?

The Liberal government is bragging saying that it is providing great leadership, and the great leadership is being provided by a 72% tax on carbon last year. This is what the Liberals are saying is going to provide hope to the next generation. This year, on April 1, the carbon tax on energy, on natural gas, in British Columbia is 112%. On April 1, just a few months from now, it will go up to $40 a tonne. It will be over 155% that the government will be charging on energy. That is what $40 a tonne means to British Columbians, and that is what the government is saying is the hope for the next generation. It will be putting debt upon debt with a growing interest rate and uncertainty in the economy. That is not hope.

However, this is what the government does. It says one thing and does something else. The Liberals promise one thing and do something else. When we actually dig down, open the curtains and look at the Wizard of Oz who is pulling the rods, this is what we get with the government. It says one thing and does another, and it is hurting Canadians. It is hurting this generation. It is hurting the economy. It is hurting confidence in the economy. We are seeing this now come out.

The Liberals have been in government for three years, and in three years they have broken promises and made a growing mess. I am hearing from the young, middle-aged and middle-income. I am hearing from a full spectrum of the economy, from my constituents and even the youth who are getting fed up with the government. They do not trust the government. There is an uncertainty with the government. Canadians are getting more and more desperate and looking for a change in government, because the pathway that we are on is not sustainable.

Before I was elected federally, I was a bureaucrat for a few years. Before that, I was an entrepreneur, a business person. Therefore, I know what it means to take a risk. I was a business person for 25 years, and it is hard to make a buck. People who work hard and take a risk and hire people are needed. They are the economic engine of this country. That is what the government has said and the Liberals know that to be true.

We need to create an environment in this country where people are willing to invest and take that risk, where there is a possibility of a profit, where they do not have a government calling them tax cheats and where Canadians are willing to be fair and pay their fair share of tax.

I have just shared with my colleagues the shocking news of what the Liberal carbon tax actually equates to in the form of tax, that being 112% tax on energy. I encourage people watching to go and check their bills. People do not realize that natural gas right now is not that expensive. It is a very clean energy source. However, who in the world, in good conscience, could charge Canadians 112% tax? That is what the Liberals are saying is leadership, world leadership. It amounts to tax, tax, tax.

I have been in this House since 2004. What a great honour to be here. In those years, I have heard over and over again that the Liberals love taxes. They will say whatever Canadians want them to say to get elected. However, it is a great honour to be here, to represent our communities. Everyone of us, I am sure, realizes that great honour but we have a responsibility along with that honour, to represent well and make sure that we make this country better, stronger, with a better future for this generation and generations to come.

Not keeping our promises and putting growing debt on this country is not leaving the country in better shape than when we came. It has been three years of a four-year term of this Parliament. This Parliament began in 2015 and will end in 2019. Less than a year from now, Canadians will be going to the polls to vote.

Canadians are realizing what promises were made by the government, such as having a balanced budget. There was going to be a temporary phase with a maximum $10 billion spent that one year. Within three years, it would be balanced. Why did the Liberals make that promise? Canadians realized that it is not sustainable to continue to go into deficit budgets. A business cannot operate like that. If a business year after year after year had deficit spending, was spending more money than what was coming in, the business would go bankrupt. We see that. It is a proven fact. Again, a family cannot spend more than what is brought in.

It is the same thing in our country. The government knows that and that is why, leading up to the 2015 election, the Liberals promised that they would balance the budget. Have they kept that promise? No, they have not. Have they promised to be a world leader in putting a price on pollution? They have said they are going to do that. They put a price on pollution of 112%. Next year it will be going up to 155%. I cannot imagine any country in the world that would brag to say it is providing world leadership while we have the highest rate of taxation on any country on this earth on energy, 112%, and next year going up to 155%.

That is not what the government promised. The government promised change, but not this kind of change. We will be approaching, in less than a year now, an election where Canadians are going to be faced with a decision. The expression says, “Fool me once, shame on you.” Canadians are not going to say, “Fool me twice, shame on me.”

I have listened to the youth. I have a youth advisory board I listen to. They are not happy with the government. They are not happy with what the government has done to their future in saying no to pipelines, to the point where we are not getting world prices for our natural resources. That is their future being squandered. It is our youths' future that is being squandered by the government borrowing against them. They did not give their credit card to the government, but the government has taken their credit card and is mounting debt on their credit card. They are fed up.

Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2Government Orders

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Celina Caesar-Chavannes Liberal Whitby, ON

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague spoke about leaving the country in better shape than it was when we came to government.

I would remind him that ours is one of the fastest-growing economies in the G7. We have put policies in place to ensure that we are lifting 650,000 people out of poverty, 300,000 of whom are children. Next year, a family of four will receive $2,000 more in its pocket than it is currently receiving. There have been 500,000 new jobs created by Canadian small and medium-sized businesses. In Bill C-86, we have introduced a social finance fund to help charitable organizations. We have introduced a poverty reduction strategy.

What would the member say to his constituents who are benefiting from the policies we have put in place?

Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2Government Orders

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

Mr. Speaker, I trust the member balances her budget every month. She is asking this House what Canadians say regarding spending more money than they are taking in.

Let us say a company is spending money, increasing the wages of its employees at the employees' cost, and saying, “Yes, I'm paying you more, but you are actually paying for all that extra pay and all that extra economic activity. It makes us look good as a company.” Is that sustainable? The answer is no. It can only go on for so long.

Where does the money come from? It comes from Canadians. There is only one taxpayer. The government needs to realize that. The taxpayer is getting fed up. It needs to stop.

Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2Government Orders

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

The hon. member will have three minutes and 15 seconds remaining in questions and comments following the hon. member's speech when the House resumes after question period.

Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Bloc

Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

Mr. Speaker, Canada is jeopardizing the lives of all of the Haitians it is sending back to Haiti in the coming days, weeks and months. It is as simple as that.

The country is essentially embroiled in a civil war and the federal government refuses to commit to not deporting anyone to Haiti until the situation is resolved. It must institute a moratorium. It needs to show some humanity and some compassion. It needs to be responsible.

I am urging the Minister of Public Safety and his colleague, the Minister of Immigration, not to play around with the lives of Haitians. Those who are here are in need of refuge. Haiti is not safe. We should not wait for someone who was deported to end up a victim of the ongoing violence in that country. We must not wait until it is too late.

Dorset Park Community HubStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Dorset Park Community Hub provides outstanding services to Scarborough. Founded by the Agincourt Community Services Association in 2011 to serve one of Toronto's priority neighbourhoods, the hub is a shared community space offering valuable programs and services.

It is the largest food bank in Scarborough. It has given out more than 100,000 baskets already this year, going into the busy Christmas season. It provides services for newcomers, such as settlement counselling, workshops on housing and employment, and help learning English. It also runs programs to support seniors and youth, as well as programs just for women, which are greatly appreciated by the community.

I have attended many events there, but I will always remember the Christmas party in 2016, when many Syrian families experienced their first Canadian Christmas. I would like to thank executive director Lee Soda for her outstanding leadership, and all the staff and volunteers for their service to Scarborough.

Avalon Retirement LodgeStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Avalon Retirement Lodge in Orangeville on its 35th anniversary of serving our community. Both my parents are graduates of Avalon, so this wonderful facility has a special place in my heart.

Established in 1983, Avalon has become a vibrant and vital part of the community, serving seniors in a family-oriented, warm and inviting atmosphere. Its commitment to the care and comfort of its residents is well known in the community, and its reputation is top-notch.

Avalon Retirement Lodge and Avalon Care Centre have a combined staff of 212 and are located in the beautiful town of Orangeville. Residents have the opportunity to partake in a variety of interactive events and experiences, develop friendships, take advantage of in-home services and connect with the wider local community.

It is my pleasure to congratulate Avalon staff on 35 years of service to Orangeville and district, and to wish them many more.

Mathieu OstiguyStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC

Mr. Speaker, in the riding of Shefford, we have passionate young athletes who put a lot of effort into taking their performance to the next level.

That is certainly true of Mathieu Ostiguy from Saint-Angèle-de-Monnoir. Mathieu started participating in figure skating competitions at an early age. His focus and hard work have set him on a rewarding path.

Mathieu Ostiguy and his partner Chloe Choinard, from Ontario, were recently crowned junior pairs champions at the Quebec division figure skating championship held in Gatineau. That performance qualified them for the upcoming Skate Canada Challenge in Edmonton. We wish them the best of luck.

We are very proud to have such a talented skater in our riding. Thank you, Mathieu, for putting our region on the map with your spectacular performances.

Heritage BuildingStatements By Members

2 p.m.

NDP

Matthew Dubé NDP Beloeil—Chambly, QC

Mr. Speaker, I was and still am deeply disappointed and saddened by the demolition of Maison Boileau in Chambly. This is a reminder that elected officials at all levels of government still have a lot of work to do to prevent this type of situation from happening ever again. Cost and sustainability are challenges we must contend with.

Built in 1820 by René Boileau, member of Parliament and patriot, this house represented another reminder of our rich local history in Quebec.

One thing is certain: the reaction in Quebec is reassuring. People know that we need to demand more and better when it comes to protecting our built heritage.

I am committed to working with my counterparts at the National Assembly and with all elected officials to live up to our collective responsibility and duty to preserve our memory. I invite my colleagues to do the same.

Je me souviens.

Violence Against WomenStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Eva Nassif Liberal Vimy, QC

Mr. Speaker, once again this year, from November 25 to December 10, there will be 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. It is an opportunity for each one of us to reaffirm our commitment to preventing and eliminating the violence experienced by almost half of all young women and girls across the country.

These 16 days are vital because we highlight the work that has already been done to tackle gender-based violence and also reiterate the importance of our actions in this struggle.

I know that my actions count, and I am committed to helping, listening, believing, condemning, stepping in and taking action. I undertake to be present. I invite all my colleagues to do the same not just for these 16 days, but for the entire year.

Together, we can make a difference.

Fort McMurray Housing RebuildStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

David Yurdiga Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB

Mr. Speaker, during the 2016 fires in Fort McMurray, over 80,000 people were forced to evacuate. Sadly, thousands lost their homes.

I regret to report that many of these people are still without their homes. Many homeowners have been scammed by home builders who have taken deposits, never to be seen again. Members of the Hillview community are particularly struggling, with condo fees having escalated from $300 to over $800 per month, in addition to special assessments that have added over $50,000 per unit. The condos are still under construction.

These families pay for their home mortgages and temporary housing, and these are all unforeseen costs. Some have lost their homes, and many are at risk of losing their homes. Many have received assistance, but many, through no fault of their own, have not. These families simply fell through the cracks in the system.

I request that the government investigate this travesty and work with the Red Cross to ensure that everyone who needs assistance gets assistance.

Sports-Related ConcussionsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Doug Eyolfson Liberal Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB

Mr. Speaker, last week, we held our first formal meeting of the Subcommittee on Sports-Related Concussions in Canada, where the legendary Ken Dryden, winner of six Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and goaltender for Team Canada in the 1972 summit series, appeared before the committee to share his insights on this important issue impacting far too many Canadians.

With a majority of child and youth visits to the emergency room being sports-related injuries and a majority of those being concussions, and knowing the serious long-term impact that can result from these injuries, the Standing Committee on Health created this all-party subcommittee to have conversations with Canadians on further actions the government can take to address this important issue.

I look forward to working with my colleagues and providing recommendations to the government that will help keep children and youth in sport safe.

Regional Archaeology MuseumStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jean-Claude Poissant Liberal La Prairie, QC

Mr. Speaker, I was extremely proud to attend last Friday's opening of the new season of the Musée d'archéologie de Roussillon, which is located in my riding of La Prairie. I was even more proud to attend as the museum is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

The Musée d'archéologie de Roussillon opened on September 10, 2013, and is much more than just a place to conserve and showcase our heritage. It is first and foremost a place for research and education.

The museum's collection has more than 200,000 artifacts, with many of national interest. It is an incredible treasure that is the envy of several museums not just in Quebec, but across Canada.

To mark this important anniversary, the museum will be free for the entire month of December. I invite all my colleagues to visit the Musée d'archéologie de Roussillon and to discover the richness of Canada's heritage. They will not want to miss it.

Fraud Against SeniorsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Alice Wong Conservative Richmond Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, because they are especially vulnerable, Canadian seniors are being targeted for scams and fraud more than ever.

We have all heard of the Canada Revenue Agency fraud threatening arrest over the phone, or immigration scams that threaten deportation, especially in my riding of Richmond Centre, where it is delivered in a non-official language. We also have financial scams, where seniors are being asked to sign away their pensions and life insurance benefits to people who are not working in the best interests of the senior.

Motion No. 203 regarding fraud against seniors will have the government recognize that it can do more to tackle fraud against seniors. I look forward to all-party support on this very important motion.

Boys and Girls ClubStatements By Members

November 27th, 2018 / 2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Mr. Speaker, as the largest provider of out-of-school programs in Canada, the Boys and Girls Club plays an integral role in our communities. In my riding of Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, I know first-hand how families and youth benefit from the incredible programming the Boys and Girls Club provides. Its programs are comprehensive, integrative and include physical activity, homework and academic support, healthy eating, arts and culture, civic engagement, leadership, and the list goes on.

Its clubs are primarily located in low-income areas, where it uses its program funding to meet the needs of children, youth and families, while delivering programs that challenge, support and inspire vulnerable children to succeed.

I encourage my colleagues to support the efforts of the Boys and Girls Club and to commend it for its hard work in helping young Canadians be productive and successful members of our communities.

La FrancophonieStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, Franco-Ontarians and other francophones from across Canada will not be discouraged by the cuts announced by the Ontario government. Despite these cuts, francophones in Ontario and across the country will not be afraid to defend their rights in court if they have to. In order to do that, they can make use of the court challenges program, which our government restored.

Francophones will continue to be proud to speak French and to defend their language. They will keep doing whatever it takes to help French flourish across the country and around the world. The fact that we speak French enhances the prestige of our Canadian identity. Mr. Ford sought to sow division. Instead, he brought together francophones from across Canada. We stand in solidarity—

La FrancophonieStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

The hon. member for Durham.

Sea King HelicopterStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Erin O'Toole Conservative Durham, ON

Mr. Speaker, this week marks a milestone in Canadian military aviation history, the final flight of the Sea King helicopter. After 55 years of operational flight, the Sea King is the longest-serving aircraft in Royal Canadian Air Force history. That is a testament to our maintenance crew, our air crew, and our Royal Canadian Navy partners.

We have been innovators. We were the first navy in the world to land a large helicopter on a small naval ship using the beartrap landing system. That has let us sail in all three of our oceans and around the world for Canada. With its 465,000 hours in operational flight, it is as if we have had a Sea King flying 24-7 for 53 years straight.

Today I want to thank the military families in the Sea King community: 406 Squadron, 443 Squadron on the west coast, and my squadron, 423 Squadron.

We used to say that we were flying yesterday's aircraft tomorrow. Tomorrow is Saturday, the final flight of the Sea King. We salute the Sea King community.

Order of Military Merit RecipientStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to recognize Major Trevor Jain, a doctor from Charlottetown. Major Jain is one of five members of the Canadian army recently awarded the officer level of the Order of Military Merit, the second-highest honour awarded by our Governor General to recognize outstanding military service.

A surgeon with the Armed Forces, Major Jain serves in the 36th Brigade of the army reserves for Prince Edward Island, and was nominated by his fellow soldiers. His most recent deployment was to Iraq, where he served as a trauma team leader.

When he is not serving his country as a reservist, Dr. Jain is an emergency physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, the program director of the bachelor of science in paramedicine program at the University of Prince Edward Island, and the medical director of the paramedicine program at Holland College.

I ask the House to join me in congratulating Major Trevor Jain for his recent award, and to thank him for his dedicated service to our country.

Climate ChangeStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Salaberry—Suroît, QC

Mr. Speaker, the fight against climate change is everyone's responsibility. Every country has to pitch in. According to the IPCC, we have less than 12 years to change course. Every sector of the economy needs to reduce its emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C. To do that, we need to drastically change our consumption practices, our habits and our transportation.

That is why I will be holding a town hall on Sunday, December 2, at Raphaël-Barrette hall in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Our guest speakers will include Patrick Bonin from Greenpeace, Julia Posca from IRIS, and Lorraine Simard from Vaudreuil-Soulanges's Comité 21. Excerpts from the documentary Tomorrow will also be shown. While political leaders are gathering at COP24 in Poland, the people of Salaberry—Suroît will have an opportunity to talk about citizen initiatives urging government action, such as the Pact for the Transition and ENvironnement JEUnesse's class action suit, and to discuss the need for clear public policies at the federal level. Everyone in the world understands that we need to start looking at solutions.

I hope to see many people on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.

Manufacturing IndustryStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, manufacturing industries, and auto manufacturing in particular, are economic pillars of our economy in Perth—Wellington and across Ontario. Our community is home to many manufacturing jobs and thousands of people who are employed in the parts-manufacturing field. Our communities rely on these jobs. That makes yesterday's news out of Oshawa all the more concerning. The abrupt announcement that General Motors would cease operations at its Oshawa plant affects not just the people in Oshawa and Durham, but the people of Ontario and Canada. The ripple effect across the entire supply chain is already being felt.

We must ensure that we have the economic conditions in place to enhance competitiveness and encourage investment. In my riding, I hear from employers at small and medium-sized businesses who are feeling the impacts of not only the steel and aluminum tariffs but the retaliatory tariffs as well, the effects of which are making it harder and harder for our businesses to compete.

Last week's Liberal economic update failed to address the brutal economic realities of these tariffs. Now is the time for the Liberals to act. Ontario workers deserve nothing less.

Site UnseenStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Speaker, today is the national launch of Site Unseen, an art installation from British Columbia directed by West Vancouver Secondary School teacher Jackie Wong, and Hartley Bay School principal Cam Hill.

With the guidance of artist Cori Creed and students from the Gitga’at Nation and West Vancouver, coastal communities in northern and southern British Columbia embarked on a journey of revelation to build personal and community awareness of their diverse culture through art, stories and life. Having shown Site Unseen at the West Vancouver Art Museum and Harmony Arts Festival and the Museum of Northern British Columbia in Prince Rupert, the students and Site Unseen are now in Ottawa.

I thank Olivia, Hailey, Brianne and Mackenzie from Hartley Bay, and Steve, Carmen and Megan from West Vancouver, and their fellow students for courageously walking in each other's footsteps toward truth and reconciliation.

Automotive IndustryOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Regina—Qu'Appelle Saskatchewan

Conservative

Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the opportunity to meet with workers at the GM plant in Oshawa who will soon be out of a job. I heard firsthand the anxiety and the fear that the families are now going through because of yesterday's announcements.

Now we can all agree that government support should be there for workers in times like these. However, the government's ability to provide that support is severely hampered because it is already running massive deficits.

Can the minister confirm if any of the support programs being contemplated for GM workers were factored into the fall economic statement, or can we expect the deficit to be even higher?

Automotive IndustryOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Mississauga—Malton Ontario

Liberal

Navdeep Bains LiberalMinister of Innovation

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that it was devastating news for Oshawa. This is a very difficult time for the workers and their families.

That is why we, as a government, have been very clear. We will stand there with the auto workers. We will stand and support the automotive sector. We will never give up on our workers, because we believe in the work they do. They provide a high-quality service when it comes to the automotive sector. We have also been very clear about our support when it comes to the automotive sector, with the additional support through the strategic innovation fund in the fall economic statement.

Automotive IndustryOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Regina—Qu'Appelle Saskatchewan

Conservative

Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to protecting the jobs of workers, one thing the government could do is to pull back on its plan for the carbon tax.

We know that the carbon tax will make it harder to create and protect jobs in Canada, because the government has admitted that. It has admitted that the carbon tax will threaten jobs, so much so that it has granted a huge exemption to large industrial emitters.

Can the minister confirm whether or not that same exemption will now be granted to the auto sector to protect those Canadian jobs?