Debates of April 9th, 2019

Combatting Climate Change

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the fight against climate change is the challenge of the century.

When we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, we will have to remember that, in spite of the speeches, Canada is on the wrong side of history. Ten years ago, it promised to the G20 that it would gradually phase out its fossil fuel subsidies. Not only has Ottawa failed to even begin this process, but, since 2015, it has committed an additional $19 billion to the oil industry. In fact, Canada is having a negative impact on the rest of the world. The Global Footprint Network estimates that every year humanity exceeds the earth's capacity to absorb pollution and begins living on credit on August 1. If everyone's statistics matched Canada's, overshoot day would arrive as early as March and we would spend three quarters of the year mortgaging the future.

One thing is clear to Quebec: Canada is a petro-state and and an adversary in the fight against climate change.

Richmond Firefighters

[Joe Peschisolido, Liberal, Steveston—Richmond East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, let me give a big shout out to Cory Parker and Jim Dickson, who are both in Ottawa for the International Association of Fire Fighters Annual Legislative Conference.

Cory serves as president of the Richmond Firefighters Association and Jim as its union treasurer. Both are passionate advocates for their fellow firefighters in Richmond and right across Canada. I know I will likely see them flipping pancakes or burgers in support for the many local organizations in Richmond.

It is truly my privilege to stand in this House to recognize and thank Cory Parker, Jim Dickson and all first responders for their commitment and service and for all they do in keeping Canadians safe.

Cancer Care in Saskatchewan

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Mr. Speaker, on average, there are 15 new cancer cases diagnosed every day in Saskatchewan. For 85 years, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency has provided leading-edge cancer treatment, prevention and education programs, along with world-class research, for the people of Saskatchewan.

However, in January, a new era of support for cancer care was ushered in with the launch of the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan. The foundation is the fundraising partner of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. Every dollar raised by the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan will stay in the province of Saskatchewan, supporting cancer patients for treatment and care.

I want to wish the board of directors and the staff of the new foundation the very best as they begin their work of raising money to support cancer care in my province of Saskatchewan.

Sudbury Lady Wolves Hockey Team

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud father and former coach to congratulate the Sudbury Lady Wolves Midget AA hockey team for winning the gold medal at the Ontario provincial championships this past weekend. The Lady Wolves finished the tournament with a perfect 6-0 record, besting the Stoney Creek Sabres in the finals.

However, the Lady Wolves had already punched their ticket to participate at the national championships as the hosts of the Esso Cup. From April 21 to 27, the Sudbury Lady Wolves will be hosting the Stoney Creek Sabres, the St. Albert Slash of the Pacific Region, the Saskatoon Stars of the West Region and the Halifax Fire of the Atlantic Region.

The team that will represent Quebec at the Esso Cup will be revealed this weekend.

I thank the coaching staff for a great season and the girls for making us so proud.

Go, Wolves, go.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Battle of Vimy Ridge remains a defining moment in Canadian history, a battle whose outcome helped shape the identity of our nation.

ln 1917, more than 15,000 Canadians stormed Vimy Ridge in defence of peace and freedom. Working together for the first time, the four Canadian divisions demonstrated incredible discipline and bravery. They accomplished what no other allied force had yet been able to do, but they did so at great cost.

Today, as we recognize the 102nd anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, we remember the nearly 3,600 Canadians killed and the more than 7,000 wounded in the name of freedom. We also reflect on the work the Canadian Armed Forces continues to do to bring stability and peace across the world. The service and sacrifice of military personnel and their loved ones at home is recognized, respected, and admired, and it will never be forgotten.

Lest we forget.

City of Calgary

[Kent Hehr, Liberal, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons I decided to run in 2015 was that I felt the Conservatives had taken Calgary's vote for granted. I thought this was wrong. I thought it was about time that Calgary, Canada's fourth-largest city, received the decent funding it deserved.

In half the time, our federal Liberal government has brought nearly twice as much federal infrastructure funding compared with the previous Conservative government. Yes, in almost four years, we have nearly doubled the amount that the Conservatives invested in Calgary's infrastructure over their entire 10-year mandate.

This means federal support for things like the LRT green line, the Glamorgan affordable housing project, the National Music Centre, the Marda Loop cSPACE, flood mitigation and more. These investments directly impact Calgarians and help us continue to build a better city.

Firearms

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are continuing their campaign against rural Canadians and responsible firearms owners with their backdoor gun registry, Bill C-71.

They are targeting Canadians who have passed background checks, taken training courses, paid fees and followed the rules. However, the Liberals have failed to address gun violence in cities and the scourge of guns being smuggled into Canada. Yesterday we learned the Liberals are taking steps to introduce a handgun ban in Canada. Make no mistake, this bill is just the first step and a re-elected Liberal government would expand its gun ban.

Hunters and sport shooters in my riding have long been at the forefront of conservation and are the greatest stewards of the bounty we receive from the land. They have been villainized as backwards and dangerous from day one by the Liberal government. This backdoor gun registry would increase the cost of doing business for small retailers, punish law-abiding Canadians and do nothing to address gun violence.

Conservatives will scrap Bill C-71 and stand up for firearm owners.

Human Rights

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, Siyabulela Mandela, great-grandson of the late Nelson Mandela, made his first stop on his cultural inclusion in political affairs tour to Fundy Royal's Town of Hampton.

This could not have been more fitting as it is the birthplace of John Peters Humphrey, who devoted his life to the advancement of human rights and, in fact, helped draft the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

While we were gathered at Credo, a monument to honour John Peters Humphrey, he shared these words of inspiration: “Human nature is to disagree. Our collective responsibility, regardless of race, creed, or nationality is to find common ground to build on the foundations laid by historical figures such as John Peters Humphrey and Nelson Mandela to build a more peaceful world.”

I thank Mr. Mandela for reminding us that the most ordinary among us can indeed achieve extraordinary outcomes for humankind. His visit and his message will be long remembered by the people of Hampton.

Parliamentary Basketball Tournament

[Matt DeCourcey, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, each year, Christie Lake Kids enriches the lives of hundreds of vulnerable children and youth. This safe, inclusive space gives kids the opportunity to make art, play music and enjoy time together at a beautiful summer camp.

Sunday, at the eighth annual Parliamentary Basketball Tournament, teams of MPs, staff and media came together to raise money for Christie Lake Kids. The consolation game went down to the wire, with our NDP colleagues eking out a gritty one-point victory over the Press Gallery Pundits, yet we have not read any stories about it.

Down 13-0 to our Conservative opponents, only four minutes into the final, my friend, the member for Central Nova, and I subbed ourselves off the floor, spurring a Liberal charge that resulted in a thrilling back-and-forth final. The result was a two-point victory for the Liberal team, Hoops and Hard Work.

We are proud to have reclaimed the trophy, but what all parliamentarians can celebrate together is that our collective efforts helped raise $25,000 for Christie Lake Kids to help transform lives.

Taxation

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this is a letter from Maureen of Abbotsford.

She writes, “My husband Darren works very long hours in sales to support our family. Last week when he received his pay cheque, he was absolutely shocked at the amount that was taken off.... Frankly, we both feel taxed to death.

“As the years have gone by, raising our family has been a struggle.... Both Darren and I have worked two jobs to support our family.... We have both worked long hours just to get by.

“Once our children became adults, we thought money wouldn't be so tight, but it still is because we pay more taxes than ever before. Neither of us have work pensions, and finding extra money each month to put away is becoming extremely difficult with the cost of living so high.

“Between income tax, carbon tax, gas taxes, property tax, GST, PST and all the other taxes we pay, I'm writing this letter to say 'Enough Taxes'.

“Sincerely, Maureen.”

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Brampton North.

Vaisakhi

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on April 14, Sikhs from across the world will celebrate Vaisakhi, the most momentous holiday in the Sikh faith.

Vaisakhi commemorates the birth of the Khalsa Panth, the launch of a religious community that many in this chamber and across this country are proud to be a part of.

Sikh philosophy and teachings stress the importance of noble deeds, selfless giving and sacrifice. We are taught to treat everyone as equals, regardless of gender, race or faith, and to stand up for those values whenever they are challenged.

I am so thankful to live in a country that recognizes its diversity and that can appreciate that Sikh values can in fact be Canadian values too. A country wherein members of Parliament can share celebrations of Vaisakhi through our annual Vaisakhi on the Hill Akhand Paath.

Diversity is our country's strength, and I look forward to continuing the essential work to move that reality forward.

Jaime Adao Jr.

[Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Liberal, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take few moments to recognize the life of Jaime Adao Jr.

Jaime was a 17-year old. The people who loved him most nicknamed him “Jimboy”. He was soft spoken, shy, loving, courteous and dutiful. He was the pride of his mother Mel and his father Jim Sr. He was set to graduate from Tec-Voc High School in Winnipeg Centre. He dreamed of going to Red River College to become an executive chef. His family ran a Filipino bakery, which eventually it was planned he would one day run himself.

On Sunday evening on March 3, Jaime was killed during a home invasion by someone high on meth. He died defending his grandmother. He was at home studying for school exams.

Over the past month, thousands of community members have come together to remember a life that touched so many and to demand an end to the violence reaching across Canada. This is a call to action for a safer society. We need more addiction treatment and greater security. The memory of “Jimboy” deserves no less.

Canola

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, everyone in this room knows that Canadian farmers produce the highest quality canola in the world. It is one of the most important crops of the western Canadian economy and that is why it was so shocking when we learned that China, to whom we export 40% of our canola, has blocked shipments.

What is even more shocking though is the Liberal government's reaction to this crisis. The Liberals continue to block our attempts to get answers for Canadians on this very important issue.

It is crystal clear that the issue is not about the quality of our canola. The real issue is the Prime Minister's weak leadership on the international stage.

The Prime Minister needs to start taking this issue seriously, rather than spending all of his time and attention on the SNC scandal and cover-up. The 43,000 canola producers deserve better than this.

Wilbert Keon

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I join so many Pontiac constituents and the entire country in mourning the loss of Canadian heart surgeon and former senator, Dr. Wilbert Keon.

ln 1935, Dr. Keon was born in the town of Sheenboro, and became the pride of the upper Pontiac long before he was awarded the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada, and well prior to his appointment to the Senate in 1990.

He founded the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and performed over 10,000 open heart operations, pioneering many new surgical techniques. In 1986, he became the first Canadian surgeon to implant an artificial heart in a human.

His legend only grew from there. As a senator, he helped to establish the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and worked to build Genome Canada. He also played a key role during the SARS epidemic.

Today we pay tribute to one of the greatest residents of the national capital region. Dr. Keon leaves behind Barbara, his wife of 60 years, and their three children.

As I express these condolences to family and friends, know that the riding of Pontiac is reflecting on a great leader who will always be known as a “good Pontiac lad”.

Pensions

[Scott Duvall, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian workers, retirees and seniors hoped their lives would improve with the election of a new government in 2015. Unfortunately, they have been let down.

While small changes to the GIS were helpful, changes to the CPP will cost workers a lot more and do not take full effect for another 40 years. It is not much help for those in need today.

Promises made to fix Canada's bankruptcy and insolvency laws to avoid another tragedy like Nortel or Sears have not been met. Instead we have an industry minister who likes to monitor the situation, a seniors minister who prefers endless consultation over meaningful action, and a Prime Minister who tells Sears workers facing loss of pensions, benefits and severance pay that they can rely on EI and CPP.

ln the coming months, many more promises will be made. Again, Canadians will be told that help is on the way. However, as seen in the recent budget, the government has mastered the art of making bold gestures without any concrete plans to back them up. Canadian workers, retirees and seniors need action to protect their pensions, not more empty promises. I hope Canadians—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Barrie—Innisfil.

The Environment

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

Mr. Speaker, nothing says working hard for the one per cent and those working hard to keep their 1% like giving $12 million to a company that earned $3.4 billion in profits in 2018.

Who can blame Loblaws? When Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne were handing out cash to corporations for their failed green energy policies, companies were happy to stand in line for taxpayer cash to pay for things that did not have to come out of their pockets but did come from the pockets of hard-working Ontarians.

The exact same failed McGuinty-Wynne playbook from the Liberals in Ontario that caused years of structural debt and deficits and an embarrassingly ineffective green energy plan is the exact same miserable playbook these Liberals and the Prime Minister are using.

Let this sink in: The Liberals gave Loblaws, a company with a market cap of $24 billion that earned a profit $3.4 billion in 2018, 12 million of our tax dollars to replace their fridges. We cannot make this stuff up.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

[Eva Nassif, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

Mr. Speaker, more than 100 years ago, on a ridge in France, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps, including the 4th Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment, which is in my riding of Vimy, combined forces for the first time in combat. These were extraordinary Canadians from across the country.

Today, as we gather to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, we remember the thousands of Canadians who gave their lives far from Canada's shores. We pay tribute to them on the anniversary of a defining battle that has forever marked our history.

As the member for the riding of Vimy, I encourage us today and every day to pay tribute to every Canadian who answered the call to serve and sacrifice at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Justice

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for two months, the Prime Minister has been avoiding accountability in his involvement in the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal, which has been engulfing his government now for months.

Now he has indicated that he wishes to sue the Leader of the Opposition for the criticisms that the leader made. Let us get the ball rolling. The reason being is, quite frankly, that these allegations can be tested in court, a place the Prime Minister cannot shut down.

Would the Prime Minister tell us when he will commence the action?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we put the Leader of the Opposition on notice because he was making false statements and misleading Canadians.

The opposition leader and his party have a history of making false and defamatory statements. In December, he had to retract defamatory online statements he made against the Minister of Innovation.

He has done this repeatedly and now pretends that it is somehow virtuous for him to mislead Canadians.

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a piece of paper too. It is misinformation the Prime Minister gave both during the last election and more recently. Let us start with balanced budgets, or maybe electoral reform or maybe the $10-billion deficit, all things that were promised to Canadians that did not come about.

Then we have the most recent crucial issues, for example, the Prime Minister indicating that the former attorney general never went to him about her concerns. We know that to be patently false.

Let us test this in court. When will the Prime Minister start this action?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time the Conservative leader and his party have misled Canadians with false and defamatory statements. As I have said, he has been forced to retract or cease making—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order, please. The hon. member for Carleton will come to order.

The right hon. Prime Minister has the floor.