Debates of March 29th, 2018

Retirement Congratulations

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the last day in the remarkable public service career of Yaprak Baltacioglu. Since joining the public service almost 30 years ago, her smarts, her drive, and her style of service leadership have led her to hold senior positions across government, including deputy secretary to cabinet at the Privy Council, deputy minister of agriculture, deputy minister of Transport, deputy minister of Infrastructure, and since 2012, secretary of the Treasury Board.

Under her watch, the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada was named one of Canada's top 100 employers.

In addition to leading departments and advising ministers and prime ministers, Yaprak also trained a new generation of women leaders in the public service, empowering women to take their rightful place in the upper ranks of government. In fact, 70% of the Treasury Board's top executives are women.

Please join me in giving our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Yaprak on her retirement. We thank her on behalf of all Canadians.

Stan Block

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Stan Block, who passed away from the midst of the Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel congregation and community on February 27, 2018, at the youthful age of 65. Stan will be greatly missed by Lori, his wife of 43 years, his children, grandchildren, mother, siblings, friends, and fellow congregation members.

Stan dedicated his life to serving God, which included 17 years as an associate pastor at Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel. Those of us who knew Stan, loved him for the positive, encouraging, and faithful servant he was. He leaves a legacy of running “with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”.

My sincerest condolences go out to the family, especially his wife, Lori, to his friends, and to his fellow congregation members. Stan leaves a legacy of service to Christ that long will fuel the passion of those Stan brought to Him.

Winnipeg Jets

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Mr. Speaker,

In mid-April, Winnipeggers will don everything and anything white,
A white-out is coming, and the Bell MTS Place will be a sight.

After a long snowy winter that wasn't so warm,
My hometown is bracing for another big storm.

“We are coming for Stanley” is our new chant of choice,
for Wheeler, Laine, Hellebuyck, Scheifele, too many to voice.

For Perreault and his team, we’ll chant and we’ll cheer,
They’ll lead us to victory, year after year.

Over the past couple of weeks, our city has tasted much victory,
Our curling Team Jones and our Bisons women's hockey,
You see, Mr. Speaker, Winnipeg is aglow,
as we rise together, and say, “Go Jets go.”

Daffodil Month

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this April is Daffodil Month, and once again, Canadians across the country will be donating their time and money to the Canadian Cancer Society.

No family is untouched by this disease. Two in five Canadians receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, yet thanks to improved treatments, the survival rate has now reached 60%. This is in no small part thanks to the research and support provided by daffodil sales, yet the fight against this disease goes on, and too many Canadians lose loved ones to cancer every year.

Through the generosity of Canadians and the hard work of the Canadian Cancer Society, we know that we will make great progress in the future. On behalf of the New Democratic Party of Canada, I wholeheartedly encourage all members of this House and Canadians everywhere to show their support this April by wearing a daffodil and giving all they can in the fight against cancer.

Easter

[Filomena Tassi, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, millions of Canadians and well over a billion people around the world will gather together with family and friends to celebrate Easter. For Christians, Easter is one of the holiest seasons, when we celebrate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a season when we focus on the joy that can often come after struggle and sorrow.

I would like to point out to this House His Holiness's remarks in his Palm Sunday sermon, in which he encouraged youth to continue to advocate for justice.

I urge our young people to not be afraid to advocate for justice.

I would like to wish a happy Easter to my colleagues and constituents who celebrate Holy Week.

Let us take time, as we gather with loved ones, and be inspired by the beautiful Easter message of hope and renewal.

Happy Easter to one and all.

Buona Pasqua.

Holy Week

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this is Holy Week, when Christians observe Passover, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday to remember the crucifixion and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is because of His loving sacrifice for each of us we have forgiveness and hope.

This week we also gather with family and friends. Diane and I will be spending Easter in Ottawa with our son Jon, our wonderful daughter-in-law Jen, and our grandchildren Carrington and Richie. They are visiting from Kentucky.

Jon is a brilliant professor and doctor of microbiology at the University of Louisville. Jen is a director at Louisville's largest long-term and palliative care facility for seniors. Carrington likes to play the ukulele and wants to be the president of United States. Richie is very smart, collects eggs from the chickens on their farm, and is actually a superhero. I know they will enjoy their visit in Canada's Parliament.

This is a very special weekend, and our family wishes everyone a very wonderful Easter.

Fight Against Cancer

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth)]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, with my family by my side, I celebrated six years in remission. Every year, I celebrate by volunteering with some amazing organizations in Vaudreuil-Soulanges that work hard every day to help people battling cancer, and this year was no exception.

This year, I proudly took part in the “Great Spin” with my friend and neighbour Mei-Lin Yee, who invited her “Sisters Reloaded” and other members of our community to raise much-needed awareness and funds at Physical Park.

On April 28, I will be joining the Hudson Fire Department, the Canadian Cancer Society, and organizer Ali Nadeau for Hudson's 5th annual “Shave 2 Save”, helping to shave heads, raise awareness, and fundraise.

In June, I will take part in the 15th edition of the Relay for Life at the Pincourt Olympic Park. This year, I am honoured to serve alongside 14 outstanding ambassadors led by our captain, Pincourt mayor Yvan Cardinal. I encourage all members of our community to support these initiatives and seize every opportunity to take action in the fight against cancer.

Lord Reading Law Society

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Lord Reading Law Society on its 70th anniversary.

Lord Reading, which was created in 1948, was founded with the mandate of lobbying for fair representation of Jewish attorneys within the Quebec Bar and on the bench following decades of discrimination. As discrimination against Jewish attorneys was gradually eradicated, Lord Reading turned its attention to fighting for the rights of all minorities, including Quebec's English-speaking attorneys and judges.

I would ask all my colleagues to help me honour this terrific organization. Its president David Ettedgui, vice-president Inna Nekhim, as well as past president Larry Markowitz join us on the Hill today. Let us wish them continued success in their efforts to promote the equality and rights of all within the legal community and Quebec society at large.

I will take this opportunity to wish all my colleagues a very happy Passover.

Law Enforcement Officers

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Mr. Speaker, most of us go to work in the morning expecting to come home again. This is not a luxury that our nation's front-line law enforcement officers enjoy. Their jobs are unpredictable and so are the consequences of their work.

Every day they go to work hoping they will come home after their shift. Every day they put their lives on the line. Every day we borrow these courageous individuals from their families. Their families live in a constant state of trepidation, until they hear the reassuring sound of the front door opening.

This week, Constable Jordan Forget, a five-year member of the Calgary Police Service, was shot twice in the line of duty. While his injuries are serious, he is stable and expected to recover from his wounds, and thank God for that.

On behalf of all Calgarians, we want to thank Jordan and his fellow officers for their service. We wish Jordan a speedy and full recovery and look forward to having him back on duty again.

Animal Welfare

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

Mr. Speaker, some of my Liberal colleagues and I are passionate about animal welfare. During our awareness sessions, we have discussed the transportation of animals to slaughter and the sometimes atrocious conditions in which they are transported.

However, we were heartened to learn that it is possible to do much better.

Last fall we met with Luckhart Transport, a family-owned company from Ontario. It has voluntarily upgraded its trailers to ensure the humane transportation of livestock. Six years ago, Angie Luckhart and her family decided to change their business model to ensure the humane handling of animals. This meant that Luckhart had to be innovative in retrofitting existing trailers with better designs to include onboard water, ventilation systems, and ramps that would be easier to climb, all for the benefit of animals, as well as keeping up with how other countries were handling livestock.

Luckhart is an exemplary Canadian company that has embraced what technology has to offer to better the transportation of livestock.

I congratulate Angie and her entire team.

White Helmets

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I watched footage of a small boy, covered in dust, face streaked with blood, eyes baring hopelessness, being pulled out of rubble and into an ambulance. The brave people who saved this boy's life, along with tens of thousands like him, wore white helmets, and belonged to the Syrian civil defence. It is a team of 3,700 civilian volunteers who devote their lives to helping vulnerable Syrians in conflict areas. Since 2013, 243 white helmets have lost their lives.

They are in Ottawa today so MPs can learn first-hand the brave work they do in Syria, and what our Liberal government support has meant for them on the ground. Support from our government has helped them increase women volunteers in their organization and provide more services for women and children, including access to first aid.

I ask my colleagues to join me in commending their bravery, their dedication, and their commitment to saving lives. They are the heroes of our time.

Peter Munk

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise in the House today to pay homage to a great Canadian, Peter Munk. Yesterday, we learned of his passing at the age of 90.

Peter Munk founded one of the world's largest gold producers, Barrick Gold Corporation, and Mr. Munk became the epitome of the Canadian dream. He was born in Budapest and escaped Hungary with his family in 1944, when the Nazis invaded. He arrived in Canada with only a suitcase and, among other things, sold Christmas trees to help support himself as a student.

One of his most famous quotes was, “You can create wealth. You are entitled to the joy of this creation. But ultimately society makes it possible, and this wealth should flow back to society.” He lived by that philosophy and donated over $300 million to worthy causes and institutions over his lifetime.

We extend our thoughts and prayers to his wife Melanie, their children, and grandchildren.

He set the “gold standard” for the rest of us and will be sorely missed.

World Autism Day

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

Mr. Speaker, on World Autism Day, I would like to pay tribute to the leadership of Wendy and Sergio Cocchia.

When seeking a diagnosis for their son over 20 years ago, Wendy and Sergio came to believe that every individual and family in B.C. affected by autism should have access to state-of-the-art resources for assessment, treatment, education, support, and research for full lifespan needs, from diagnosis to being a senior citizen. Now the Pacific Autism Family Network, and generous partners, have raised over $32 million.

Over 60 organizations bring essential resources together in one very special building, and through satellite locations across B.C. This year, an additional $11 million in budget 2018 added the Autism-Intellectual Disability National Resource and Exchange Network.

West Vancouverites, like Wendy and Sergio Cocchia, Jean and the late Michael Lewis, and many more, are tireless and give so much.

It is with gratitude that we celebrate all the families on World Autism Day.

Families of Members of Parliament

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Two months ago, a reporter from The Hill Times stopped me outside the House of Commons and asked a question. She said, “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are getting married. Do you have any advice for them?” I said,“Yes. Learn to cut each other some slack.” “Is that what you do for your wife”, she asked. I said, “No. Just the opposite. I would not be here if she didn't cut me an incredible amount of slack.”

Being in Ottawa six months of the year and away from home much of the time when we are in our ridings requires incredible sacrifices by our families. We miss special occasions, day-to-day household crises, conversations, and hugs, to name just a few. We do it because we all want a better Canada and we all want to serve our constituents well. However, it does come with a personal cost.

Therefore, I thank my family, Audrey, Shawn, Kellie, Adrian and Lalita, for its love and support. I would also like to thank the families of all members for cutting their favourite MPs a lot of slack and for sharing them with us, with their constituents, and with all of Canada. It is very much appreciated.

Canada Summer Jobs Program

[Alex Nuttall, Conservative, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for months now my colleagues and I have been speaking against the Liberal's values test on jobs for youth. I am happy to see that the minister intends on scrapping it. By getting rid of the attestation, the government has admitted it was wrong about this in the first place. However, so far, nothing has been done to fix the situation for this year.

I have met with hundreds of organizations since last December, and they are all saying the same thing. Thousands of underprivileged youth will not get to go to summer camps this year. Thousands of university students will be without summer jobs this year. Thousands of homeless people will not get the same shelter support this year. Thousands of impoverished seniors will not receive health care support this year.

The government needs to act now to ensure the youth this year have the same opportunities they have had each and every year before.

Governor General's Award

[Kate Young, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to take the time to congratulate Wyn Geleynse on being a recipient of the 2018 Governor General's Award in visual and media arts. These awards celebrate the remarkable careers of individuals in the Canadian visual and media arts community.

Wyn Geleynse is a London, Ontario artist whose work provokes, questions, and investigates the nature of our humanity. His work has been exhibited widely in Canada, the United States, and Europe, and will be on exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada beginning today. His is an incredible 40-year long career that deserves to be known and appreciated.

I applaud Wyn Geleynse for being one of the eight recipients this year receiving this prestigious award. I know his work will continue to engage and inspire audiences around the world.

Ethics

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

Mr. Speaker, after being elected in 2015, the Liberal MP for Brampton East entered into a business relationship with a local businessman, receiving pay from him. Even though there is a clear conflict of interest, the Brampton East member arranged to give his business partner privileged access to the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet while on the Prime Minister's disastrous trip to India.

Why did the Prime Minister's Office invite this individual on the trip to India when there is a such a clear conflict of interest?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear on the facts. The member has consulted the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner on this relationship, and will keep following its advice. As a common practice, the member invited a diverse group of more than 30 stakeholders to participate in events around the India trip. In this case, people who were interested in attending could fill out a form online through the Canada-India Business Council, which the individual in question also did.

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

Mr. Speaker, what is clear is that the Liberals always seem to want to benefit their friends who are helping them and giving them money. The MP for Brampton East arranged for the person who is paying him to get access to the Prime Minister in India. We have a Conflict of Interest Act to avoid this exact type of behaviour, but the Liberals seem to have no regard for the Conflict of Interest Act. They are under constant investigation for these breaches.

Again, who in the PMO authorized the attendance of this individual on the trip to India?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, we on this side have a lot of regard and respect for officers of Parliament, and that is why the member has consulted the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner on this relationship and will keep following its advice.

We were proud to be joined by hundreds of community leaders and members of the business community to strengthen our ties with India, but I remind the member that the individual in question also received an invitation to the Canada-India Business Council, which I think we can all agree is very important work.

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

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. It was the opposition that referred this to the conflict of interest office. It was not the Liberal member.

Yet again, we have another questionable person travelling with the Prime Minister on his disastrous trip to India and no one on the Liberal side who is willing to take responsibility. So much for transparency and accountability. All we get from the Liberals is denial and deflection.

What is next? Is the Prime Minister going to blame India for this new debacle?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism]

Mr. Speaker, I will continue to remind all Canadians that we are proud to be working to create more opportunities for the Canadian middle class and those working hard to join it.

The member has consulted the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner on this relationship and will keep following its advice. MPs and business organizations will often invite community and business leaders to join these business exchanges to increase Canada's standing in the global community, and we are going to continue doing just that.

Justice

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, three years ago, all MPs and all senators voted unanimously in favour of Bill C-452 to combat procuring and trafficking in persons. The only thing missing for this legislation to take effect is the Prime Minister's signature. Members heard correctly: the Prime Minister's signature is the only thing missing to give our justice and public safety systems the tools needed to protect our young girls who are trapped in the hell of prostitution and human trafficking.

My question is simple. When will the Prime Minister finally sign the legislation?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, and our government is working to combat it in many ways. We are committed to strengthening efforts to combat it and to better protect victims. Bill C-38 proposes to give law enforcement and prosecutors new tools to investigate and prosecute certain human trafficking offences that can be particularly difficult to prove. These are strengthening measures, which will help law enforcement.

Our government is committed to advancing this legislation and looks forward to receiving broad support from all parliamentarians on its passage into law.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, here are the facts: thousands of young girls across Canada, including about 2,000 in Quebec alone, are trapped in the clutches of pimps and street gangs.

Since 2013, MPs and senators have been doing their job and unanimously supported Bill C-452. This includes the Prime Minister, I might add, when he was in opposition.

When it comes to legalizing marijuana, the Prime Minister has no problem rushing it through, but when it comes to protecting our young girls who are trapped in the clutches of pimps, he seems to find it too difficult to sign the document.

What is he waiting for?