House of Commons Hansard #264 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was peoples.

Topics

2 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

We will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Edmonton Centre.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—MatapédiaStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Rémi Massé Liberal Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC

Mr. Speaker, the people of my riding, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, are enjoying yet another exceptional winter. We have had 250 centimetres of snow since the start of the season.

There is nowhere in this country quite like my riding, with its abundant natural beauty, marine vistas, and mountainous landscapes. Locals know how to enjoy it to the fullest and help countless tourists do likewise.

All across my riding, hundreds of volunteers spend time organizing events, festivals, and carnivals that showcase everything there is to love about our winters. Hundreds of people work hard every day to make amazing ski areas, outdoor centres, and snowmobile trails available to everyone. This winter, young and old alike have been going the extra snowy mile to make all kinds of exciting activities and events happen.

I would like to thank all the organizers and volunteers involved in every one of those activities. Their dedication is outstanding.

Web GiantsStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Bloc

Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC

Mr. Speaker, today is Valentine's Day, and love is all around, including in the House of Commons.

Can we not see Cupid flitting around and shooting arrows left and right? How else can we explain the love the government is showing for Web giants? They do not pay taxes here on their advertising revenue, and they are making record profits by cannibalizing our media content. However, they are the ones getting the lion's share of federal ad spending.

Even the IMF is at a loss to explain why we are missing out on $700 million in taxes from the Facebooks and Googles of the world.

The government must put an end to this dangerous relationship with Web giants. It must force these multinational corporations to declare their ad revenue in Canada, like all Quebec companies are required to do. It must reconsider its attitude towards our media outlets, which produce high-quality original content and have the decency to pay taxes in Canada.

Canada Summer Jobs ProgramStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Alice Wong Conservative Richmond Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, here in Ottawa we are in the deep throes of winter, but in my beautiful riding of Richmond Centre spring is just around the corner. Soon the blooming crocuses of spring in Richmond will give way to the sunshine of summer, but not all is “sunny ways”.

The Canada summer jobs program plays a crucial role in handing valuable workplace experience to the youth of Canada and has been used by some agencies combatting social isolation among seniors. However, many agencies involved in this important work cannot and will not sign on to the Liberals' values test.

I, as well as the numerous constituents of Richmond Centre who have petitioned me, urge the government to remove its shameful attestation and return some of the brightness into the lives of our most valuable resources, the elderly and the young.

Mining IndustryStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

Mr. Speaker, nine years ago this month, I introduced a bill on corporate accountability, Bill C-300. It proposed the withdrawal of consular and financial support from Canadian mining companies found to have breached international human rights or environmental standards. Companies told us that this would be the end of western civilization as we knew it. Hell hath no fury like a mining company cut off from its money and support.

Needless to say, Bill C-300 nearly died several times as it made its way from the House to committee and back again. However, die it ultimately did by six votes. However, it had an afterlife and lived on in the imagination of civil society, the international press, and hundreds of thousands of Canadians. At one point, 450,000 petitions were presented to the former prime minister, and ignored.

January 17 was resurrection day for Bill C-300, with the announcement of the creation of the Canadian ombudsperson for responsible enterprise.

I would like to thank the Prime Minister, the previous and current ministers of international trade, and the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who kept the dream of Bill C-300 alive.

PensionsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Scott Duvall NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON

Mr. Speaker, nine years after Nortel failed, leaving its pensioners in the lurch, Sears Canada did the same, terminating 15,000 employees, denying severance or termination pay, and cutting off benefits. At the same time, Sears executives were given over $6 million in bonuses.

Last month, the Prime Minister said that displaced Sears employees could fall back on El and CPP. Sadly, he does not understand that in Canada, the scales are weighted in favour of large corporations and the richest in society. Hard-working Canadians play by a different set of rules or are told to wait at the end of the line.

This is why I have introduced Bill C-384, which offers a simple proposal for ending pension theft. My bill includes amendments to Canada's inadequate bankruptcy laws to ensure that workers' pensions, along with any severance packages, will be paid out ahead of wealthy creditors, banks, and parent companies whenever a company files for bankruptcy protection. These changes would have a profound effect on the lives of many workers and pensioners.

We can and must do more. We have offered the government a solution, and now it is time for it to act.

Black History MonthStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour Black History Month and recognize the legacy of black Canadians, past and present.

Today, I want to share the story of Fred Christie, a diehard Montreal Canadiens fan of African-American origin who worked hard to be able to buy season tickets in the 1930s. Like many people, Christie was a fan of Maurice “Rocket” Richard and went to the tavern in the Montreal Forum to cheer on his team.

Unfortunately, in 1936, he was a victim of discrimination when the tavern refused to serve him because of the colour of his skin. The police would not help him. He ended up suing the tavern, but sadly the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the tavern's right to refuse him service based on private law.

I know many in the black community who have suffered similar tragic stories.

This Black History Month let us reflect on our collective history and recognize not only the suffering the black community has endured, but also its massive contribution to Canadian society.

Red Deer RoyalsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Red Deer Royals marching show band has entertained people all over the world and across our country. Its members are fantastic ambassadors for our nation, and have been a source of immense pride in central Alberta for nearly 50 years.

Just recently, the Red Deer Royals received a gold medal at the 2017 World Music Contest at Kerkrade, Netherlands. For the first time in its history, the Royals have built themselves a permanent home for rehearsals and training. The organization has done yeoman's work to raise the money for this space, and now looks for respect from the federal government.

The Red Deer Royals had previously applied for Canada150 funding, but were turned down. It has looked for other programs to apply through, but there are none.

I have in my possession more than 1,000 letters, written by members of the Red Deer Royals, alumni, families, and supporters from all over central Alberta, requesting the Prime Minister's support to help fund this project. As the current government has no qualms with deficits, is spending billions outside Canada's borders, and pays millions for a temporary ice rink, it seems only fitting that it would support the long-term legacy and ambassadorship of the Red Deer Royals.

As I give these letters to the Prime Minister I hope their request receives every consideration.

Brossard's 60th AnniversaryStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise in the House today to mark an important anniversary in the history of my riding, the 60th anniversary of Brossard.

Despite its young age, Brossard has emerged as a first-class city, one of the most open and welcoming in Quebec. Our proximity to downtown Montreal, our contribution to the region’s economic development, and especially our vibrant and diverse social and community life make it a great place to live.

In fact, the city of Brossard was the first officially multicultural city in the province, as it boasts over 60 cultural communities, all living in harmony and in mutual respect. Brossard, and more generally the constituency I am so lucky to represent, is a true symbol of our Prime Minister's unambiguous belief that diversity is our strength.

Once again, I would like to wish the City of Brossard and all residents a very happy birthday.

Black History MonthStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Black History Month. In my riding of Mississauga—Streetsville, we truly have representation of Canadian values, in that we are rich in diversity and cultural variety.

To mark the significance of Black History Month, I had the pleasure of attending an event, hosted by the United Way Peel Region. The primary focus of the event was mental health awareness in the black community.

I would like to pay special recognition to the Black Community Advisory Council of the United Way Peel Region and its leadership for the exemplary work they show in our community, and the understanding and compassion they promote.

Lunar New YearStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Bob Saroya Conservative Markham—Unionville, ON

Da ja hao.

Mr. Speaker, this week nearly two million Canadians will be celebrating the lunar new year, and thousands of Markham residents will be joining in this festival. In my riding, this day is very special. That is why I have spent some time over the last few weeks putting together red pockets to share with my constituents. This is a time when families get together, decorate, and enjoy a meal.

Please allow me to take this opportunity to wish all the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Canadians a happy new year.

Markham residents will be welcoming the year of the dog. I am looking forward to getting back to Markham today to take part in the celebration.

Xin nian kuai le.

Lunar New YearStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Deb Schulte Liberal King—Vaughan, ON

Mr. Speaker, February 16 marks the start of the lunar new year, and the month has been filled with lunar new year celebrations across Canada and in my riding. I have had the honour of being invited to the Tet Festival hosted by the Vietnamese Association and the lunar new year celebration at Vaughan City Hall, and I have several more wonderful lunar new year events to attend over the next few weeks.

I want to thank the Federation of Chinese Canadians, Dr. Ken Ng, the Vietnamese Association, and the Korean community for sharing their rich heritage and culture with Canadians and for helping to host a number of wonderful events.

On behalf of my colleagues in the House, we wish good fortune, good health, and a year of happiness to all those celebrating.

[Member spoke in Korean]

[Member spoke in Vietnamese]

[Member spoke in Chinese]

[English]

Happy new year.

Spring FestivalStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Geng Tan Liberal Don Valley North, ON

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Spring Festival, we come together to bridge our cultural differences and strengthen our multicultural society. Spring Festival is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage to the growth and prosperity of Canada. Thanks to this country's multiculturalism, new Canadians from all parts of the world enjoy harmony, cross-cultural understanding, and mutual respect.

I encourage all my colleagues to participate in tonight's Spring Festival reception, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building. It is a chance to see first-hand how Canada's commitment to diversity and multiculturalism is what makes this country so special.

Happy Spring Festival.

Olympic Winter GamesStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Mr. Speaker, the Olympic Winter Games are in full swing, and despite the cold, Canadians everywhere have Olympic fever.

Canadian athletes dedicate their lives to their sport and to be able to proudly carry the Olympic hopes of all Canadians into competition with them.

Chay Genoway, from Morden, in my riding of Portage—Lisgar, is one of those fiercely determined athletes who has never given up on his dream. Tomorrow morning he will take to the ice as the men's Olympic hockey team faces Switzerland. For Chay, hockey has not just been a game he plays but an absolute passion since he was only two years of age. Chay knew from a very young age that he wanted to spend his life playing the game he loves, and he has always been supported by his entire family, especially his brother Colby.

While this is Chay's first Olympic games, he is no stranger to representing Canada in big tournaments like the Spengler and Deutschland cups.

I wish Chay and the whole Canadian men's Olympic hockey team good luck as they kick off their quest for gold. We are all cheering for them. I know they will make us all immensely proud.

Heart and Stroke FoundationStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON

Mr. Speaker, to quote Emily Dickinson:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

We must all join the Heart and Stroke Foundation's pledge to save hearts from breaking and lives from being shattered due to heart-related illnesses. Nine in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Almost 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through a healthy diet and active living.

Today is the Heart and Stroke Foundation's heart day on the hill, and I wear my heart pin to promote healthy hearts. At a time when heart disease is on the rise in Canada, we must raise awareness for ourselves and future generations so we can live, love, and use our hearts to their full capacity.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and GirlsStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, 28 years ago, indigenous women in the Downtown Eastside marched for the first time to bring attention to the debilitating number of women and girls missing and murdered in their community. Twenty-eight years later, the RCMP indicates that there are 1,200 cases of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls across Canada. Many believe the numbers to be much higher. Communities across the country are still marching and still demanding action and accountability.

There is not one indigenous community in Canada that has not been touched by systemic racism and sexism that allows indigenous women and girls to be stolen from their loved ones and, I might add, indigenous men like Colten Boushie to be killed without repercussions.

My heart is with the families and allies who are marching, once again, for justice. We need to honour the memories of the women and girls by demanding concrete action and justice, not just today but every single day.

Senator Bert BrownStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Kevin Sorenson Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to the late former Senator Bert Brown. My thoughts and prayers are with his daughter, Angela. Bert died on February 3, just shy of his 80th birthday and three years after the passing of his beloved wife, Alice.

The distinguished Albertan studied civil engineering at the University of Oklahoma, earned a pilot's licence after Vietnam veterans taught him how to fly, advised Alberta's premier on the Charlottetown Accord, and was a licensed realtor, former newspaper columnist, past director of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, and member of the board of my riding association.

In 2007, former prime minister Stephen Harper appointed Bert Brown to the Senate of Canada, three years after he took the most votes in Alberta's third senate election in 2004. Prior to his appointment, he spent 20 years fighting for an elected, equal, and effective Senate. Bert is best known, especially in my part of the country, for plowing the message “Triple-E Senate or else” into his neighbour's barley field.

Bert will be sadly missed.

Brain Cancer ResearchStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Neil Ellis Liberal Bay of Quinte, ON

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to applaud the courage and resilience of a remarkable family from the Bay of Quinte that has faced unimaginable loss not once, but twice. The Grouchy family lost their beloved daughter Holly in 2005, at age 11. The same aggressive brain tumour also claimed the life of their beautiful daughter Katie this past October, at age 20, yet they have remained tireless advocates for others affected by this devastating disease.

Throughout their journey, the Grouchy family has raised public awareness and much-needed funding for brain cancer research. Their story has inspired an outpouring of support, including generous donations to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research. Gord, I am sure my hon. colleagues know, also lost his battle to brain cancer last year.

I encourage my honourable colleagues, and all Canadians, to champion this cause so that the groundbreaking research needed to expand treatment options and improve outcomes can continue.

MarijuanaOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said, in legalizing marijuana, that he was doing it because he wanted to keep organized crime out of the market. We are learning today of significant investments being made in Quebec cannabis companies by offshore accounts that have anonymous members.

Can the Prime Minister give us assurances that these are not companies set up by organized crime?

MarijuanaOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, right now the sale of marijuana across this country puts billions of dollars in the pockets of organized crime. That is a failure of the current, actual system. We know that by legalizing and controlling the sale of marijuana, not only will we reduce the profits going to organized crime, street gangs, and gun runners but we will do a better job of protecting our kids and their communities with a legalized framework.

MarijuanaOral Questions

February 14th, 2018 / 2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Lisa Raitt Conservative Milton, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am trying to bring to the Prime Minister's attention an actual issue, and I do not need his talking points given back to me.

There is a company based in the Cayman Islands. It has secret investors. It has just invested $271 million in a Quebec cannabis company, and guess what. The founder of that company is the former chief financial officer of the Liberal Party of Canada. Canadians deserve to have the assurance that there is no organized crime element within these secret investors.

MarijuanaOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, one of the fundamental reasons for legalizing and controlling the sale of marijuana is to reduce the amount of profit going into the coffers of organized crime across the country. For 10 years, the Conservative government allowed to perpetuate a system of prohibition that actually created sources of funding for organized crime, street gangs, and gun runners to continue to expand their illicit activities. We are moving forward to limit the profits to organized crime through the legal framework for marijuana. That is what we are sticking with.

MarijuanaOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, despite all the warnings, the Prime Minister insists on legalizing marijuana by July 1, less than five months from now. The closer we get to the deadline, the more we understand why. Wherever there is money and tax havens, there are Liberal Party cronies ready to do anything to line their pockets.

Is this why the Prime Minister is being stubborn and interfering with the work of the senators in the Senate?

MarijuanaOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, it is very simple, the current system is failing. It fails to protect our children, it fails to protect our communities, and it fails to keep organized crime from making billions of dollars per year in profits from marijuana sales. That is why we are bringing forward a system that will control and regulate the sale and production of marijuana to better protect our kids, better protect our communities, and keep billions of dollars in profits out of the hands of organized crime.

MarijuanaOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Conservative

Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, here is the situation and here is why the Liberals want to push through the marijuana legislation. Anonymous investors from tax havens have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Canadian companies owned by Liberal cronies.

Can the Prime Minister assure Canadians that no one involved in organized crime and none of his Liberal friends are involved with these marijuana producers?