Debates of June 8th, 2018

Nova Scotia Writer

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Lesley Choyce on 40 years of publishing in Nova Scotia. He immigrated from the United States in 1978 and founded the Pottersfield Press publishing company. It is very impressive that he has published 60 first-time authors, most of whom wrote about various communities in Nova Scotia, including African Canadians.

He has shared his wealth of knowledge in many universities where he taught. Currently, he is a part-time teacher at Dalhousie University.

I recommend that members of the House read his award-winning book The Republic of Nothing.

I congratulate him for the work he has done and also the authors who promote Nova Scotia literature.

Quebec Disabled Persons Week

[Brigitte Sansoucy, NDP, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the House today on behalf of my colleague from Drummond to mark Quebec's Disabled Persons Week, which takes place from June 1 to 7. This is the 22nd edition of Disabled Persons Week in Quebec, and this year's theme is “building a more inclusive society together”.

In honour of this occasion, I would like to congratulate the organizations in the Greater Drummond area that play an essential role in the lives of people with disabilities. They are the Association des personnes handicapées de Drummond, led by its director, Daniel Mailhot, and its president, Brigitte Baril; the Association des parents d'enfants handicapés de Drummond and its team, which is made up of Danny Lauzière, Karine Fournier, and Nathalie Laroche; the Association des personnes proches aidantes Drummond and its coordinator, Emmanuelle Blanchard; and the Centre Normand-Léveillé and its executive director, Jocelyne Bérubé, and its founding director and president, Martin Lupien.

Thank you to all of these organizations in the Greater Drummond area that help people with disabilities fully participate in our society.

Pride Month

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Central Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, Happy Pride to Central Nova.

I rise to declare myself an ally, and to extend support and kindness to the entire Pride community. The rainbow will be easy to spot around my riding this month. In particular, I want to congratulate the town of Westville on its first-ever flag-raising ceremony.

I sometimes hear people asking members of the LGBTQ2 community why they keep marching when they already have the right to marry. They keep marching because only with our government's new bill, Bill C16, have identity and gender expression been recognized as grounds of discrimination. They keep marching because, not too long ago, an attack in an Orlando nightclub claimed the lives of 49 people because of whom they loved.

This June, let us take time to celebrate everything the LGBTQ2 community has contributed to our country. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that we are not done yet. We have a very long way to go. Therefore, let us continue to work along with every Canadian to ensure that no matter whom people love, they are treated as equals.

Happy Pride Month.

Veterans Affairs

[David Yurdiga, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in Fort McMurray, we erected a monument to the 162 Canadians who died serving their country among the 40,000 other Canadians who served in the Afghan conflict from 2001 to 2014.

Early in the morning on Monday, June 4, that monument was desecrated by vandals.

These noble men and women sacrificed their lives in the cause of bringing peace and freedom to the people of Afghanistan. In this country, we build memorials and monuments to recognize the service and sacrifices made by great Canadians in the service of this great country. This cowardly act has no place in our society. The men and women of our armed forces deserve to be treated with loyalty, respect, and dignity.

World Oceans Day

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

Mr. Speaker, today is World Oceans Day. Our $1.5-billion oceans protection plan prioritizes safer, healthier oceans. I would like to commend the Pender Harbour Advisory Council, the District of Sechelt, and the Bowen Island Municipality for their hard work in identifying and removing abandoned vessels. The harbours are being cleaned up.

With regard to fisheries, at the Pacific Science Enterprise Centre, over 20 scientists from the Vancouver Aquarium have moved in to share the fisheries lab in West Vancouver.

Next year, the West Vancouver school district will graduate its first cohort whose students will have learned side by side with federal scientists all year long. Ocean Ambassadors, representing hundreds of young people, is designing programs together with fisheries.

Internationally renowned artist Douglas Coupland assembled his latest public exhibit, “Vortex”, drawing attention to the horror of ocean plastics, on the grounds of the fisheries lab in West Vancouver.

Our government is 100% behind science research and community engagement on the big challenges that face the world's oceans. This is how we honour World Oceans Day.

Tri-Congregational Churches

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

Mr. Speaker, there are three churches in my riding that have been serving people for almost 50 years under one roof. In 1970, all three churches were holding separate services in portables, so they pooled their resources and built Tri-Congregational Churches on Finch Avenue.

Last Saturday, I attended the Tri-Church community fair and open house. I was amazed at how the members of these churches played together in harmony.

I commend the spirit of co-operation of the four church reverends: Philip Der, Victor Li, Robert Reid, and Wes Chang.

At a time when so many of our institutions are breaking apart, it is heartwarming to see a community growing together.

Ontario Provincial Election

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, welcome to Ford nation. Ontario, ours to recover.

First, I am pleased to congratulate my provincial counterpart in Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, John Yakabuski, for the overwhelming vote of confidence he received from the smart voters in Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke.

Next, I am pleased to thank the voters who saw through the lies, innuendo, and dirty campaign tactics of a corrupt party with corrupt policies that have bankrupted Ontario.

Under the direction of Gerald Butts and the rest of the Toronto Liberal refugees, who fled a sinking ship to sit at the left hand of the Prime Minister, Ottawa is headed down the same terrible path of huge deficits, bad policies, and uncontrolled cronyism. It is going to take years to heal the deep wounds in Ontario.

To premier-designate Doug Ford and all of the Conservative team, I extend my sincere congratulations. The campaign to save the rest of Canada from a similar fate begins today.

Pride Month

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Mr. Speaker, June is Pride Month across Canada. We are celebrating hope, change, and the recognition that as Canadians, we should all be proud of who we are. However, Pride Month is not just a time of celebration. It is also a time to remember that the fight against homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia is not over. It is a time to reflect that, by passing laws to protect trans and gender-diverse people from discrimination, by apologizing to federal employees and Canadian Armed Forces members who were persecuted due to their sexual orientation, including my friend Martine Roy, who was unfairly dismissed from the armed forces, and by financially supporting the Rainbow Refugee Society to protect LGBTQ2 refugees, we are continuing to defend LGBTQ2 rights in Canada and abroad. In closing, I want to remind my colleagues of all parties that local pride activities will be going on all summer. I hope to see many of you in my riding for Montreal's great pride parade on August 19.

The Big Give

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an Ottawa initiative called the Big Give, which was launched in 2009 by Kathy Blakely. Organized by churches, it is basically a garage sale where all items are free.

On Saturday, June 2, 130 churches Canada-wide participated in this great initiative. In my riding, Nepean, 10 churches from Barrhaven to Bells Corners offered everything from furniture and clothes to toys, appliances, barbeques, car washes, and bouncy castles, all free.

I thank the organizers and volunteers of this year's Big Give at Bibleway Ministries, Cedarview Alliance Church, Emmanuel Alliance Church, Good Shepherd Barrhaven, Living Waters Christian Assembly, Longfields Community Church, Metropolitan Bible Church, the Ottawa Church of the Pentecost, Sequoia Community Church, and Woodvale Pentecostal Church.

It was a wonderful day, when everyone in the community came together to help one another.

Thyroid Awareness Month

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Mr. Speaker, June is Thyroid Awareness Month in Canada. Roughly four in 10 Canadians will have thyroid disease during their lifetime, but of those, only 50% will be diagnosed. Some will be hyperthyroid, overactive; some will be hypothyroid, underactive; and some will contract thyroid cancer, often known as "the good cancer" because of its high cure rate. All are treatable.

However, if left untreated, thyroid diseases like Graves's disease can have serious long-term health effects, including severe vision impairment and joint problems. As someone who has Graves's disease, I wish that I had been aware of the early warning signs and had been diagnosed and treated much sooner than I was.

Thyroid disease knows no age, so I encourage all Canadians to visit thyroid.ca to learn about the early warning signs and symptoms of thyroid disease, and see a doctor immediately for a diagnosis if they have any doubts.

Ontario Provincial Election

[Andrew Leslie, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last night, the people of Ontario made a choice for change.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and the premier designate, Mr. Ford, on their election.

I rise today in the House, as well, to thank all the candidates, of every party, who had the courage and conviction to put their names forward on the ballot, and the volunteers who took time out of their busy lives to knock on doors, make calls, and get engaged in the political process. This was truly a Canadian election. I thank their families, friends, and communities for being involved in our democracy as well.

I also want to thank the outgoing premier and MPPs for their years of tireless, dedicated service to the people of Ontario.

World Oceans Day

[Murray Rankin, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today is World Oceans Day. Oceans regulate our climate, produce half the oxygen we breathe, fuel the water cycle, and provide nourishment for nearly three billion people, and yet our oceans are increasingly under threat from rising temperatures, acidification, and pollution.

In this regard, I am very proud of two institutions at the University of Victoria that are making a real difference. Ocean Networks Canada monitors all three of Canada's oceans and provides vital data for scientific research, and the Environmental Law Centre at the University of Victoria has recently made superb recommendations on how to tackle plastics in our oceans.

My community of Victoria is surrounded by oceans on three sides. It is deeply concerned about the risk of a devastating bitumen spill that might result from Kinder Morgan's pipeline and tanker project, which the Liberals just purchased with our tax dollars.

Canada's coastline is the longest in the world. Today especially, on World Oceans Day, let us commit to protecting it and Canada's oceans.

Carbon Pricing

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with blue skies over Ontario and Premier Ford's commitment to get rid of the carbon tax, in addition to the other provinces that oppose this tax, in addition to the fact there is no carbon tax on our U.S. competition, the Prime Minister had better take all of this as a big wake-up call. Polls show that seven out of 10 Canadians think the carbon tax is just a government money grab, which it is, but even B.C., which has had a carbon tax for years, has not seen a real reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The environment minister cannot say how much benefit her carbon tax will bring or tell Canadians how much the carbon tax is going to cost the average Canadian household, this from a government that promised openness and transparency. Well, last night Canadians spoke out in Ontario against a carbon tax, and when Jason Kenney becomes the premier of Alberta, it will mean that just a third of the country will be living in a jurisdiction with a punishing carbon tax.

Things are definitely looking up for Canadians and for businesses.

G7 Summit

[David Lametti, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to rise in the House today to mark the beginning of the G7 summit.

As a Quebecker, I am very proud that our beautiful province, and the magnificent Charlevoix region in particular, is able to welcome world leaders for this historic event.

We know how pleased Charlevoix residents are to show the entire world the beauty of their region, which is a great source of pride for them and the entire country.

Just recently, our Prime Minister visited La Malbaie, where he had a positive meeting with local communities and local leaders to discuss this exciting opportunity. On behalf of our government and all Canadians, I would like to sincerely thank all of the people of Charlevoix for their warm welcome and hospitality.

Thank you and happy G7 summit.

Carbon Pricing

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today we have the prospect and the future of a government in Ontario that is for the people. The people have voted for lower taxes. The people have voted for balanced budgets. The people have voted to open Ontario for business and the people have voted against the Prime Minister's carbon tax.

Will the Prime Minister accept the verdict of the people and cancel his carbon tax plan to raise the price of everything?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to start by congratulating all of those who put their names forward as candidates in the election that occurred last night.

The impact of climate change does not stop with a change in government, and Canadians expect us to take serious action to address climate change and to grow our economy. That is why we are accelerating the phase-out of coal, making historic investments in cleaner infrastructure, and putting in place a price on carbon pollution to grow the economy in cleaner ways. The science is clear that climate change is real, and we will continue to deliver on what Canadians and Ontarians expect.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Kathleen Wynne was the Prime Minister's Liberal soulmate. They agreed on absolutely everything. They both raised taxes. They both ran massive deficits. They both wrap our entrepreneurs in red tape, and they both dance to Gerald Butts' tune. The agenda of high taxes and big government, of carbon taxes on working people, has been rejected by Ontarians.

Will the Prime Minister take that message?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, our government was elected on a platform of investing in Canadians to grow our economy and to work to protect the environment. Our plan is working.

We have successfully developed the pan-Canadian framework on clean growth and climate change, a historic agreement to address climate change with the provinces and territories. Since we formed government, the Canadian economy has created over 60% more full-time jobs than the Harper Conservatives did over the same time period. Last month, Canada saw its strongest wage growth, year over year, since 2009.

Our government will continue to invest in Canadians as we continue to grow the middle class and support those working hard to join it.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we asked about the Liberal plan to raise the price of gas by at least 11 cents a litre. They said, “That's okay. Kathleen Wynne agrees with us”. We said the carbon tax would raise the cost of home heating for the average family. They said, “That's okay. Kathleen Wynne is onside with our plan”. When we said that the carbon tax would make groceries more expensive for the average Canadian family, they said, “But we've got Kathleen Wynne in our corner”.

Now, Kathleen Wynne has been rejected by the people of Ontario, who have delivered a verdict for the people. Will the government take that message?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that climate change is real and they expect us to take strong action. That is exactly what we are doing. We have taken action. We are accelerating the phase-out of traditional coal power. We are making historic investments in clean infrastructure like public transit, and we are putting in place a price on carbon pollution to grow the economy in cleaner ways. I certainly wish for the sake of our children and grandchildren that the Conservatives were not making climate change a partisan argument.

We will continue to take practical cost-effective measures to tackle climate change and grow a clean growth economy, because that is what Canadians expect, and that is what our children expect.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Kathleen Wynne, a buddy of the current Prime Minister of Canada, was right. The Liberal Party lost yesterday.

Yesterday, Ontarians clearly said that they wanted a Progressive Conservative government that would abolish the Liberal carbon tax that the current government wants to impose.

Does the government still plan on imposing the Liberal carbon tax against the wishes of the people?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, a new government does not mean we will stop feeling the impact of climate change. Canadians expect us to combat climate change, and we are taking serious action to improve our economy. That is why we are accelerating the phase-out of coal, investing in green infrastructure, and putting a price on pollution as an environmentally sound way to grow our economy. The science is clear: climate change is real.

We will continue to do what Canadians and Ontarians expect of us.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want the government to take note: greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 2.2% in Canada without the Liberal carbon tax. Yesterday, the people of Ontario sent a very clear message: they want nothing to do with this tax.

If the Liberal government is prepared to move forward and disregard the will of the people, would it at least have the decency to tell Canadians the truth? How much is the Liberal carbon tax going to cost Canadian families?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, our government was elected on a platform that included investing in Canadians to grow our economy and protect our environment. Our plan is working. Since we took office, the Canadian economy has created more than 60% more full-time jobs than the Harper Conservatives in the same timeframe. Last month, Canada recorded its largest year-over-year salary increase since 2009. Our government will continue to invest in Canadians in order to grow the middle class—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Hochelaga.