House of Commons Hansard #318 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was summer.

Topics

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

We will now have the singing of O Canada, led by the hon. member for Portage—Lisgar.

[Members sang the national anthem]

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

Order. I may have another chance later, but before we begin, as we are coming to the end today, I want to thank all our wonderful pages, the procedural staff, the camera operators, the television director, the interpreters, the guards, the cleaners, the people who move furniture around, the finance staff, the information technology staff, human resources, and all the folks who provide services to members of Parliament, committees, and the House of Commons.

2:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

I know that many members will be doing a lot of driving this summer and travelling around. I ask members to remember to be safe, to stay safe, to rest if they need to, and to be careful on the roads, because we have to be concerned about that at this time of year especially.

I hope members have a safe and healthy summer.

Quebec's National HolidayStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Québec debout

Rhéal Fortin Québec debout Rivière-du-Nord, QC

Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers are no strangers to tense political debate, but we are lovers, not fighters. We debate because we each have our own vision of how Quebec should be, and we all feel our own way is the best.

We debate because we are inspired by our constituents, by people who are proud of who they are and what they do, proud of their families, and proud of the place they call home. They are creative people. They write songs, build airplanes, and jazz up shepherd's pie. They stand by each other. They built themselves a society that gives anyone who wants to work hard a chance. When they decide to do something, they give it their all, knowing that they have just one life to live. That is what we will be celebrating this weekend.

I hope everyone will have a chance to celebrate with good people, I hope the weather will co-operate, and I hope everyone has a great time. Happy national holiday to all Quebeckers.

Farmers' Market in La PrairieStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jean-Claude Poissant Liberal La Prairie, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Marché des jardiniers in La Prairie is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The minister and I will be heading there next Monday to mark the occasion.

Three Montérégie farmers, Paul Boudrias, Honoré Daigneault, and Moïse Riendeau, led the initiative to create the market in 1968, supported by the Société de l'agriculture de La Prairie. Three generations of vegetable producers have followed, which shows the market's popularity. There are 96 stalls accommodating about 30 merchants.

The Marché des jardiniers is a very special place in my community. It is where customers can meet their farmers, where they can see for themselves the quality, freshness, and variety of products on offer, while speaking directly with the people who work so tirelessly to produce them.

To highlight the importance of those relationships, I wish to salute all producers and the Quebec Produce Growers Association. These are the people who feed our families, and they are the driving force behind our vibrant local agricultural sector.

Retirement CongratulationsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend Ed Anderson, who recently retired as the mayor of Boissevain-Morton.

First elected to the town council in 1980, Ed then served as mayor from 1994. Altogether, that is 38 years of continuous public service. During his tenure, the community built a new water plant, a new fire hall, a new library, a new theatre, a new recycling building, and much more. When the community was in need, Ed rolled up his sleeves and attracted a physician and two new veterinarians to town. With Ed at the helm, Boissevain is now known for its beauty, winning multiple Communities in Bloom awards, including at the international level.

I want to thank Ed for his incredible commitment to the people of Boissevain. The town is certainly better off than it was 38 years ago, and that is a tribute to his leadership. I wish him all the best in his retirement and want to thank his wife Lynn and daughters Erin and Darcy for lending their father during his time of public service.

Canada Summer JobsStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Ken McDonald Liberal Avalon, NL

Mr. Speaker, as the school year winds down, kids across the country are gearing up for their jam-packed summer vacations. Students from kindergarten to post-secondary have big plans for the summer, and for many older students in my riding, those plans include their summer jobs.

Thanks to the Canada summer jobs program, 526 students from across Avalon will have meaningful and exciting work this summer. This totals over $1.2 million in investments in the youth of my riding, who will work as camp counsellors and soccer coaches and at festivals and seasonal shops, where they will all learn, grow, and have fun. This is an important investment, and I am proud of our government's commitment to keep investing in our youth.

On that note, I would like to wish all students and teachers in Avalon a safe and happy summer holiday. I ask everyone to be extra cautious as they drive around at this time of year and to have an eye out for kids as they are busy playing and enjoying their time off.

Happy summer vacation to one and all.

Indigenous Peoples DayStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Georgina Jolibois NDP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK

Mr. Speaker, every year on June 21, first nations, Métis, and Inuit people gather in their communities to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Over the course of this weekend, there will be concerts and dances, traditional pow wows, parades, community meals, and the sharing of stories.

Many cultural exchanges take place on Indigenous Peoples Day, and today I want to give special recognition to all the elders, community organizers, and indigenous women across Canada who make these celebrations special. Without the work of volunteers like them, June 21 would not be what it is today. I wish everyone in Canada could see their efforts.

I invite everyone from across Canada to contact their local first nation, Métis, or Inuit communities to see what events they are hosting this year. I invite everyone to experience our unique cultures, to share photos, to learn our shared history, to maybe learn a phrase or two in the local language, and to celebrate everything there is about indigenous people in Canada. Happy Indigenous Peoples Day.

Justice Robyn DiamondStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Terry Duguid Liberal Winnipeg South, MB

Mr. Speaker, May 29 marked the passing of the Honourable Madam Justice Robyn Diamond, whose work in family law has changed the lives of children and families in Manitoba, Canada, and around the world.

Justice Diamond was the first female legal manager of the crown counsel's family law unit in Manitoba. In September 1989, she was appointed a judge on the Court of Queen's Bench. She represented Canada in the International Hague Network of Judges and attended the fourth, fifth, and sixth special commissions in The Hague.

The longest-serving federally appointed female judge in Manitoba, and one of the 10 longest-sitting female judges in Canada, Justice Diamond's passion for the legal rights and protection of children will be greatly missed by her colleagues and by members of the Canadian and international judiciary.

Our thoughts are with her sons, Richard and Michael, and husband, Harvey, as they celebrate her life of dedication to family, friends, and the community.

Member for Lambton—Kent—MiddlesexStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Bev Shipley Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Mr. Speaker, as we are wrapping up this legislative session before we head back to our ridings, I am reminded of the time, the commitment, and the responsibility we carry with this job. For 12 and a half years, I have had the privilege of serving my constituents in Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, and I am not done yet. We all know that this job requires the support of our families, our significant others, and our spouses. For me, my biggest supporter is my wife, Barb. Sometimes I need that person in front of me to slow me down, and sometimes at the end of the day, I need that little bit of wind at my back.

No, it it not her birthday, and it is not our anniversary. It is simply that I want to say to her, “Thank you, and you're the best.”

Public SafetyStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC

Mr. Speaker, recently Surrey has witnessed several shootings. I am terribly saddened by the gang and gun violence and the tragic loss of life. Surrey is in crisis, and the residents are concerned for our community. That is why I am requesting that the Minister of Public Safety, and/or his parliamentary secretary, come to Surrey and meet with stakeholders and also discuss the allocation of $326 million for our gangs and gun violence strategy. Surrey requires the funding immediately. We must come together for constructive dialogue and bring forward concrete solutions to help save the lives of our youth. Enough is enough.

Ramadan RangersStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, over the past three years, the Ramadan Rangers, from my riding, have been raising money and collecting donations of food and toys for local organizations in the spirit of Ramadan.

The Ramadan Rangers started with seven kids who wanted to support their community during Ramadan. In their first year, the Rangers collected food for local food banks. Last year they collected toys, which went to children's hospitals. This year the Rangers have grown to over 100 children, who have been working tirelessly to raise money for three women's shelters. Last week they announced that they had raised $27,000 in support of Halton Women's Place, Sakeenah Homes, and Nisa Homes. All three organizations provide services for women and children experiencing violence and are dedicated to ending violence against women.

I am extremely proud of the Ramadan Rangers, who embody the giving spirit of Ramadan and of Oakville North—Burlington.

Tribute to Member of the ClergyStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise and pay tribute to my dear friend Father Stefano Penna. Father Penna is returning to the diocese of Saskatoon after many years serving the good people of Edmonton at Neuman College, the Annunciation Catholic Church in my riding, and many other organizations. He has a heart the size of the Prairies and continues to give to anyone in need.

Father Penna is one of those lifelong learners, with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His alma mater includes the University of Saskatchewan, the Toronto School of Theology, Rome's Gregorian University, and a school you might have heard of, Yale University. However, despite all his schooling, he has never learned how to deliver a homily in a timely fashion.

I would need the whole day to note all that Father Penna has done in serving his community and his faith. However, seeing as I have only a minute, I will thank Father Penna for his friendship, his guidance, his wisdom, and all that he has done in serving his community. Saskatoon is blessed to have him back, and Edmonton is blessed for having had him.

Child PovertyStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, all children are precious. It is very important that we give them not only a healthy and safe environment to grow up in, but also the tools to help them be successful in our society. Over the years, Cape Breton has seen challenging economic times, which has created one of the highest child poverty rates in the country.

With the various programs and investments by our government, we are turning the Cape Breton economy around. With the Canada child benefit, payments in my riding alone average $720 per family each month. This is helping 12,000 children. What I am hearing from parents at home is that this money not only helps with necessities, but it also helps to put kids in after-school activities such as soccer, hockey, and dance.

Our government has additionally invested $35 million in early learning and child care in our province over the next three years. Are we there yet? No. That is why I am looking forward to our government's poverty reduction strategy, which will be released in the upcoming weeks. I commend all who had input into this strategy, and I hope all members will support it when it comes before the House.

Teaching ExcellenceStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Alaina Lockhart Liberal Fundy Royal, NB

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary educator from my riding, Fundy Royal. Mr. Benjamin Kelly, of Caledonia Regional High School in Hillsborough, received the 2018 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM. Mr. Kelly is an inspirational teacher who understands that our lives as Canadians are becoming more digital every single day, and that it is essential for future generations to take advantage of the unparalleled global opportunities provided by STEM education.

Mr. Kelly's students sail the seven Cs in class, with hands-on learning about collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, character, citizenship, and computational thinking. The work of Mr. Kelly and so many other amazing educators in schools throughout Fundy Royal, and indeed across Canada, is bringing our government's investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to life and preparing our youth for the economic opportunities of tomorrow.

Human RightsStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Ziad Aboultaif Conservative Edmonton Manning, AB

Mr. Speaker, recently some of my Conservative colleagues and I met with a group of young Yazidis who were previously in captivity, enslaved by Daesh. These young people proceeded to tell us stories that were truly the things of nightmares. Loved ones being killed before their eyes, children being sexually assaulted, and torture are only a few of the many horrors they have lived through.

While many people seem to believe that the war against Daesh has been won, thousands of Yazidis and other religious and ethnic minorities are still enslaved by this death cult, and even more have been displaced. I ask the government, and all Canadians, not to forget the Yazidis who are still in captivity and all those who are still being persecuted and terrorized by Daesh.

Canada must continue to prioritize Yazidi refugees and work to improve the UNHCR selection process to ensure that internally displaced people like the Yazidis qualify for resettlement, so that these families can be reunited.

World Refugee DayStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, on this World Refugee Day, I rise to commemorate the strength, courage, and perseverance of the 22.5 million refugees presently around the world. Our world has become an unwelcome place for refugees. As people flee to safety, to borders or to shores, they are routinely barred from entry. Refugee families and children are split up and incarcerated. Women and children face sexual and gender-based violence at alarming rates. LGBTQ2 refugees face increased persecution. Refugees live in deplorable conditions, with limited food, medicine, and water. Being a refugee is not a crime, and being born a refugee should not be a life sentence.

Canadians are proud to have welcomed generation after generation of refugees. However, we cannot ignore our failures, such as the Komagata Maru and MS St. Louis incidents. We need to learn from the past and make sure we offer a safe, welcoming environment to all those who reach our borders seeking protection.

World Refugee DayStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, today is World Refugee Day. Globally, conflict, persecution, and disaster have forced over 65 million people to flee their homes in search of safety. Over 22 million are recognized as refugees. Half of them are children. Wealthy nations are increasingly turning a blind eye to this humanitarian crisis and are closing the doors to refugees. The U.S. has forcibly torn migrant children away from their parents.

Canada has long been a defender of human rights and a champion for the most vulnerable, but how far we have fallen from the pedestal, from action taken because of Allan Kurdi to the inaction in the face of the 2,000 frightened migrant children locked up in baby jails.

On World Refugee Day, l thank all the aid workers, and I call on all parliamentarians to use their voices to defend the voiceless, and to use their power to aid the powerless.

Calgary StampedeStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB

Mr Speaker, I rise today to shamelessly promote my hometown and one of the greatest annual traditions in the country, the Calgary Stampede. Having joined with the Calgary Exhibition in 1912, the Stampede has weathered recessions, world wars, floods, and even a relocation to New York.

However, thanks to the vision of Guy Weadick, it now attracts over one million visitors a year. Showcasing the best of our province, our western culture, and our strength as a community, the Stampede is just simply 10 days of gosh darn fun.

Whether one wants to ride the midway, watch the rodeo, take in a grandstand show, or attend one of the amazing concerts, I invite everyone on both sides of the House to come to Calgary for the Stampede. Yahoo.

Cannabis ActStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Bill Blair Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the passing of Bill C-45 in the Senate and to recognize the substantial work undertaken by all parliamentarians. I sincerely thank senior officials and our incredible support staff who have contributed to legislation that will legalize and strictly regulate the production, distribution, and consumption of cannabis in Canada. The evidence that nearly a century of prohibition has failed us is overwhelming, and it has compelled us to do a better job of protecting our kids and keeping our communities safe.

I want to acknowledge the excellent work of our task force and the thousands of Canadians who have contributed to the national discussion on this important issue. We are indebted to our provincial and territorial counterparts, indigenous leaders, and municipalities for their hard work and partnership. We will continue to work with all levels of government, indigenous communities, and law enforcement to transition to a responsible legal framework that works for all Canadians.

As the process of implementation unfolds, I would remind everyone that until the current criminal prohibition is repealed and replaced, the law remains in effect and should be obeyed.

EthicsOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Regina—Qu'Appelle Saskatchewan

Conservative

Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, today is a terrific day for the voters of Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. Our new colleague, Richard Martel, is arriving on the Hill today.

Unfortunately for Richard, more details emerged today about the Prime Minister's trip to India. This was a trip that sparked a diplomatic crisis after a terrorist got on the guest list. On top of that, the Prime Minister's negotiating skills led to a deal where India gets an investment of $750 million and Canada gets a measly $250 million.

We now know that this trip cost at least $1.5 million. Why was this?

EthicsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to congratulate Richard Martel on his win in Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. I want to thank all the candidates and especially all the voters who participated in the electoral process. It is enormously important for people to get involved, and we are very proud of this.

Since today is our last day, I also want to take this opportunity to thank the House of Commons pages who served us so well this year.

I want to thank all the pages who have been here working hard for us. I thank them for everything they have done throughout this year. I thank all the staffers for seeing us through to the summer.

EthicsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Regina—Qu'Appelle Saskatchewan

Conservative

Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is incapable of managing taxpayers' money responsibly. More than $8 million on a temporary skating rink, $215,000 for an illegal vacation on a private island, at least $1.5 million for a disastrous trip to India, and tens of thousands of dollars on non-essential items to renovate the Prime Minister's cottage in Harrington Lake.

Why does the Prime Minister keep spending so recklessly and sending the bill to the next generation?

EthicsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we promised Canadians that we would invest in the middle class and those working hard to join it.

That is exactly what we have done with historic investments in infrastructure and with the Canada child benefit, which is helping nine out of 10 families and will lift 300,000 children out of poverty. We lowered taxes for the middle class and increased them for the well-off. Not only are we investing for the benefit of Canadians, but we also secured the strongest growth in the G7 last year. We are creating the growth that Canadians need.