Debates of Nov. 30th, 2018

National Unity

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the leaders who go down in history are the ones who unite Canadians on the important issues of our times in order to build a better Canada. Recognizing our first nations and the two founding nations, the French and the English, as the underpinnings of an open and welcoming society is essential.

Our country's future depends on national unity and on our ability to work with all the nations living together across Canada in the hopes of ensuring individual and collective prosperity. There is no point in working against one another and rekindling a sterile debate that is fraught with consequences.

Let us all be proud of what we can contribute to our country in a constructive manner for future generations.

Jewish Refugee Day

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

Mr. Speaker, today on Jewish Refugee Day, I wish to commemorate the nearly one million Jewish refugees who were forced to flee Iran and other Arab countries due to religious persecution. These Jewish families were devastated as they were forced into exile and forced to experience injustices, the most egregious human rights violations, systemic violence and even genocide. Fortunately, some were able to flee to Israel, Europe, South America, and even here in Canada where their vibrant communities today exemplify their strength and resilience.

While the community continues to thrive, we remember these refugees and their lived experiences, as many suffer similar injustices around the world today. On this day, let us reflect and recognize the persecution and the sacrifices of these Jewish refugees and what they had to endure. Let us also celebrate their accomplishments and resilience, all of which are a testament to the strength of this community.

HIV/AIDS

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, December 1 is World AIDS Day. It is a time to remember that too many lives have been affected by HIV and AIDS, to thank the people on the front lines who work with HIV-infected individuals, and to raise public awareness.

In 2016, more than 63,000 people were living with HIV across Canada, and we saw an 11% increase in the number of reported cases.

We are therefore very concerned about the fact that some community organizations may have to shut down because of a lack of funding. Many people are reporting a decline in services for individuals living with HIV and their families. If we want to end the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and prevent the virus from spreading, we must continue to invest in a variety of approaches.

If we truly want a future without HIV-AIDS, we all have to work together.

Two Community Organizations in Vaudreuil—Soulanges

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, I have the honour to rise in the House to acknowledge the exceptional work of two community organizations in Vaudreuil—Soulanges, the L’Actuel volunteer centre and the Circle of Friends in Saint-Lazare.

In addition to supporting local organizations, the L’Actuel volunteer centre provides direct support to people who are living alone, isolated, or losing their autonomy. The centre's incredibly dedicated volunteers help the most vulnerable members of our community enjoy the holiday season every year.

Created and led by Judy Nagy, the Circle of Friends started in the Saint-Lazare—Hudson area and now has over 700 members who cross our whole community. In times of crisis, they support our families by pooling their resources to provide needed meals, transportation, child care and pet care to families who are in crisis.

Thanks to the dedication of these volunteers, our community is stronger. I would like to give my warmest thanks to the women and men in our community who put the needs and well-being of others above their own every single day.

Willard Kinzie

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I stand in the House today to pay tribute to the late Willard Kinzie. Willard Kinzie was the first mayor of the city of Barrie following its incorporation in 1959. Residents of Barrie have an incredible waterfront today. It is because of Mayor Kinzie's vision, leadership and love of the city that generations of Barrie residents get to enjoy our waterfront along Kempenfelt Bay.

When I was first elected to council in 2006, like so many of my colleagues, I relied on Mayor Kinzie's wisdom and knowledge to serve my constituents. He taught me so much about our history and public service.

Mayor Kinzie was active in Barrie until his passing, always there to provide guidance and mentorship to city council. Mr Kinzie served as mayor from 1957 to 1961, but because of the rules of the day, he could only serve one term. One can only imagine what he could have done if given more than those four years. Fortunately, he continued to give decades of his life to the city and the people he loved. We will miss him dearly. We thank Mayor Kinzie for his bold vision and for not listening to the naysayers. We also thank his family for sharing Willard with us so that we could learn so much and be inspired by him.

May God bless Willard Kinzie and use him to create an even better heaven.

Holiday Train

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a very special event was held in my riding on November 25.

For the 20th year in a row, the CP Holiday Train rolled through the riding, making stops in Kahnawake, Saint-Constant, Deslon and Saint-Mathieu. At each stop, the crowds lining the track were treated to Christmas classics performed by Jojo Mason and Sam Roberts Band.

According to the organizations, more than 10,000 people came out to see the Holiday Train. That speaks volumes about the success of this event. The Holiday Train provides a special way to raise money for various local charities. This year alone, Canadian Pacific has donated over $20,000 to charity.

I invite the public to give generously to the various fundraisers being held in my riding this Sunday. Their donations will help many families receive Christmas baskets and enjoy the wonderful holiday season.

Toronto Foundation for Student Success

[Geng Tan, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when we improve the health and the well-being of our children, they do better in school. It is estimated that one in five Canadian children is at risk of starting school on an empty stomach. This is why school nutrition programs have become so popular.

Earlier this month, I joined the Toronto Foundation for Student Success as it teamed up with schools such as Muirhead Public School in my riding to prepare and deliver healthy breakfasts to students. I watched each student smile happily.

I commend the dedication of the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, participating schools, and the devoted parent volunteers who help prepare and serve these nutritious meals so that all students can start their day ready to learn.

Adoption Awareness Month

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

Mr. Speaker, today marks the end of Adoption Awareness Month. Throughout this month, we take special notice of adoptive families and community partners across Canada and celebrate the joys and challenges that exist for families formed by adoption.

For me, adoption is a topic that is close to home. My husband, Mike, was adopted at birth. Last week, I had an opportunity to meet with Adopt4Life—Ontario's Adoptive Parents Association, who were in Ottawa along with the Adoption Council of Canada, and faculty and students from the University of Western Ontario to raise awareness about how Canada can better support families formed by adoption and how adoption has changed over the years.

We spoke about the importance of attachment between children and their parents in families formed by adoption. Attachment is a crucial aspect of human development. This is often disrupted for kids in child welfare.

I encourage MPs to support policies that help adoptive parents to strengthen these bonds and enable their children to thrive.

Bike Across the Lac Saint-Jean

[Richard Hébert, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an organization in my riding that recently received a tremendous honour.

Once again, Bike Across the Lac Saint-Jean beat two other finalists from across the country to win the Pursuit Adventure/Outdoors Award at the 2018 Canadian Tourism Awards.

Bike Across the Lac Saint-Jean has not been around for long, but it has already made a name for itself in the sports world and in our region's tourism industry. This award reflects just how important this event is to the Lac-Saint-Jean region.

I want to offer my sincere congratulations to all those involved in this great race, especially David Lecointre and Michel de Champlain, the general director and the president of the organization. They are making our region proud.

The 2019 edition of the event will take place in my riding from February 14 to 16, from Roberval to Péribonka. Congratulations once again.

Best Buddies

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Best Buddies is an international program that has operated for over 50 years and now has 2,500 chapters worldwide. Today, I rise to speak about one of them. Niagara's chapter of the Best Buddies program partners with students at Brock University, and provides opportunities for members like Stephanie Smith to participate in monthly outings and activities, including trips to the local hockey arena to cheer on our lceDogs, trips to Heartland Forest to learn about our natural environment and even an annual trip to Toronto to attend a theatrical production.

Stephanie met with me earlier this year to highlight how much Best Buddies means to her, her friends and the many students at Brock University. The Brock chapter of Best Buddies was established in 2008. The program pairs adults who have intellectual disabilities with students at Brock University to help build friendships, expand networks and participate in monthly activities. In Niagara, the chapter of Best Buddies is coordinated by Community Living St. Catharines, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for helping to make this great program possible.

Jewish Refugee Day

[David Sweet, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this year has been a particularly difficult one for the global Jewish community. The attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh last month, as well as too many other anti-Semitic events even here in Canada, are a painful reminder that the fight against anti-Semitism endures.

Today, on Jewish Refugee Day, we commemorate the 850,000 Jews across the Middle East who were displaced from their homes in Arab countries and Iran as a result of racism and religious persecution during the 1940s to the 1970s.

As part of the annual commemoration, B'nai Brith is doing truly outstanding work in honouring and educating people on the horrors that Jewish families and individuals have faced, while also promoting awareness of many other great injustices.

On behalf of my parliamentary colleagues, I want to assure the Canadian Jewish community that we remember the Jewish refugees forced from their homes on this day of commemoration, and that we will always fight against anti-Semitism and racism in all of its forms, here at home and around the world.

La Francophonie

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, on Saturday, December 1, the Franco-Ontarian resistance movement will be holding rallies across Ontario to protest the cuts that Doug Ford's Conservatives made to services in French. These cuts represent an unacceptable infringement on the rights and services that the community has worked to secure. Once again, the Conservative government is clearly showing that it has no respect for the 600,000 Franco-Ontarians and the millions of francophone Canadians. As an Acadian from Nova Scotia and as chair of the official language caucus, I stand with Franco-Ontarians. The Ford government must reverse its decision to scrap the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and the project to build a French-language university in Ontario.

I want all Franco-Ontarians to know that Acadians are with them.

The Francophonie

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Franco-Ontarians wage a daily battle to protect their linguistic rights and keep the French language alive. The ideological decision made by Doug Ford's Ontario government to eliminate the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and the proposed French-language university threatens the vitality of the Franco-Ontarian community. The entire French minority in Canada is concerned about this unjustified decision. As history has shown, Franco-Ontarians are brave and never give up in the fight to maintain their rights.

Canadians across the country are mobilizing to defend the official languages. Now the Liberal government needs to prove that it cares about francophone communities by announcing that it will fund its fair share of Ontario's French-language university. I would also like to acknowledge the courage that MPP Amanda Simard has shown in her unwavering defence of the Francophonie.

This Saturday, I hope everyone will participate in the rallies in support of Franco-Ontarians.

Carbon Pricing

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Saskatchewan gained another ally in its court challenge against the Liberals' carbon tax when New Brunswick's Attorney General gave notice that that province will intervene on Saskatchewan's side. Canadians know that the Liberal carbon tax is nothing more than a cash grab designed to make up for their reckless spending.

We understand that this is a global issue, and that unless countries like China reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, global emissions will continue to increase. The Liberals' carbon tax gives exemptions to big businesses, while their anti-resource legislation hurts the middle class and cripples Canada's economy, all the while doing nothing for the environment. Their carbon tax is not an environmental plan, it is a revenue plan.

Residents of Saskatchewan welcome New Brunswick's support in our fight to make life more affordable for middle-class Canadians and those working hard to join it.

Invictus Games

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

Mr. Speaker, this year's Invictus Games were held from October 20 to 27 in Australia. The Invictus Games are the only international adaptive sporting event for active duty and veteran service members. They provide a unique opportunity to honour the men and women who have made incredible sacrifices for their country.

This year's Invictus Games have been filled with some incredible moments of strength, courage and compassion. I am very proud of our 39 athletes who competed this year against 17 countries around the world. These games show us the power of sport. These men and women found the motivation to move on and not to be defined by their injuries.

Our government knows how important it is to support veterans and their families. That is why we reopened Veterans Affairs offices. We believe that veterans' access to services is essential.

Member for Brampton East

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, there was a troubling media report last night claiming that the Liberal member for Brampton East and the Minister of Innovation were both given confidential information about a real estate transaction in Brampton. The report said that the results of the investigation into this deal have been referred to the RCMP.

My question is for the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Is this media report true? Did the minister receive confidential information about a real estate transaction in Brampton?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, any insinuation of wrongdoing by the Minister of Innovation is absolutely false and repeating outside the chamber will be met with a strong response from the minister's lawyer.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, there is still so much we do not know involving the saga around the Liberal member for Brampton East. What we do know about this saga is that it involves a police investigation touching on drugs, money laundering, international terrorism and a million dollar gambling debt. The Prime Minister and these Liberals need to come clean and tell us what else they are hiding about this growing scandal.

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as I have repeated several times, it was last week that the member informed us that he was addressing certain challenges and that he is receiving treatment from a health professional. We believe he is receiving the support he needs.

The member very well knows that when it comes to the RCMP, it works independently of government. That is the proper way for it to function. I hope she would agree.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the House leader needs to get her story straight, because up until now both the Prime Minister's Office, the House leader and the whip have been saying that they learned of these problems on November 22. However, we just learned that the Prime Minister's Office is now saying it was told about an RCMP investigation on November 17. Which is it?

The deception and cover-up just keep getting worse. Canadians deserve some honest and clear answers. Let us start with something very simple. On what date did the Prime Minister and his office become aware of this RCMP investigation?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the member should very well know, as all members should, that the RCMP works independently of the government. The government does not direct investigations. When it comes to the member in question, it was last week that he informed the office that he was undergoing certain challenges. We hope he receives the treatment and support he needs.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the RCMP's investigation into the member for Brampton East has put the Liberal government in hot water. The question is no longer whether or not he will resign, but why the Liberal Party has not shown him the door.

The question is simple. What is the truth behind this murky business, and why is the Prime Minister defending the member for Brampton East?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the member told us last week that he is addressing certain challenges and is receiving treatment from a health professional. We hope he receives the support he needs. The member knows very well that the RCMP operates independently of government.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, why is the Prime Minister defending the indefensible? We are talking about potential ties to organized crime. It is outrageous.

The Liberal government's integrity and reputation are at stake. Canadians are concerned and deserve answers.

Did the actions of the Liberal member for Brampton East jeopardize our national security?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the member should know that the RCMP operates independently of government. We respect that independence.