Debates of May 31st, 2019

Award for Teaching Excellence

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to congratulate my constituent, Ms. Louise Leclair-Bélanger, on having achieved Canada's highest honour for teachers and early childhood educators, the Prime Minister's award for teaching excellence.

Ms. Leclair-Bélanger excels in the art of customizing her teaching for each student by mobilizing the options offered by new technologies and using her talent to recognize her students' strengths and weaknesses.

There is no greater investment a society can make than in learning. Every day, teachers nurture a culture of curiosity in Canada, empowering our youth to shape our future. Our government is proud to celebrate Canada's outstanding educators, who are inspiring Canadian children to reach their fullest potential and to succeed in the jobs of today and tomorrow. I congratulate Louise.

Chicoutimi—Le Fjord

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, major economic projects are under way in our wonderful region.

In that regard, I would like to once again remind the House that my riding produces the greenest aluminum in the world. We are able to do that because we are a proud, innovative and welcoming people.

It is a process. If we did not have Alcan in the beginning and Rio Tinto now, there would be no certified sustainable aluminum today. The use of Elysis' technology will eliminate greenhouse gases from the aluminum production process. Without Alcan, that technology would not exist.

Blackrock Metals will soon begin work in its processing plant. Arianne Phosphate Inc. received the necessary authorizations and has succeeded in securing funding. Énergie Saguenay is currently examining the impact of a liquid natural gas plant in Saguenay.

All of these projects have begun a process to provide the planet with resources it needs and will continue to need in the coming decades. These projects will be powered by hydro electricity. As a result of these projects, our region is already in a good position to provide other resources that are the greenest in the world.

I am convinced that, at the end of this process, we will develop other technology like Elysis'.

Thirtieth Anniversary of Kitigan Zibi Traditional Powwow

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow at noon, the Kitigan Zibi community near Maniwaki will launch its annual powwow to the sound of beating drums.

The 30th annual Kitigan Zibi Traditional Pow Wow brings to Algonquin territory a time for celebration, reunion, healing and spiritual growth. It is where one will truly hear and see all the different types of dancing, singing and languages that make up first nation communities across Turtle Island.

I attend the Pow Wow every year with my family so that I can meet up with friends and absorb more teachings about the Algonquin traditions. This year is going to be particularly special, since we have achieved a nationally significant milestone for reconciliation between Canada and Kitigan Zibi. We signed an historic memorandum of understanding on reconciliation, which includes a global settlement offer with over $116 million in compensation. With this deal, the Algonquin of Kitigan Zibi can invest to protect their endangered language and create new businesses and jobs that help develop our regional economy.

Improving this relationship between our government and the Algonquin of Kitigan Zibi is a top priority for me as an MP, and I love doing my work at the Pow Wow.

Canada Revenue Agency

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the years come and go, but we continue to see a lack of action on the part of the government.

Yesterday, we learned that the Canada Revenue Agency once again signed a secret agreement with wealthy Canadians to avoid prosecution for tax evasion. Once again, the rich get away with a slap on the wrist and a warning not to do it again.

Yet, three years ago, the Minister of National Revenue told us to our faces that there was no amnesty, that there had never been an amnesty, that the agency would never offer an amnesty. In the KPMG affair, she publicly stated, “The agency will definitely exhaust all judicial avenues.”

She also stated that KPMG's clients could face criminal charges and that there would be no amnesty agreement.

Today, the minister is once again putting her incompetence on full display by casting blame on everyone but herself. Today, she is saying that she will look into the matter to resolve the problem. That is ridiculous. The minister has had four years to fix our two-tiered tax system, but her record is clear: no convictions, no arrests, no money recovered in cases of tax evasion abroad.

The minister just lost the little credibility she had. She only has herself to blame for all of this.

Government Programs

[Ramesh Sangha, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to share our government's great achievements. The poverty reduction strategy has lifted more than 800,000 Canadians out of poverty. This is attributed to our government's Canada child benefit, the guaranteed income supplement and the tax cuts for the middle class and SMEs.

My constituents of Brampton Centre are more than happy with these policies. Over 12,000 children and their families in my riding are being assisted by the Canada child benefit. However, we are not done. We have put a price on pollution, and that provides revenue, which leaves more money in the pockets of Canadians.

Our plan is working. Since 2015, Canadians have added over a million jobs to our national economy, and unemployment is at a 40-year historic low. These are results all Canadians should be proud of.

York—Simcoe

[Scot Davidson, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong resident, I can say with confidence that York—Simcoe is the place to be this summer. The fun kicks off this weekend, June 1 to 3, with Mount Albert Sports Day, with attractions for everyone to enjoy. On June 21, the Chippewas of Georgina Island will be putting on a parade and fireworks display over beautiful Lake Simcoe, the jewel of our community, for National Indigenous Peoples Day. On July 1, I will be putting on my first Canada Day pancake breakfast as MP for York—Simcoe. All residents are invited to come out and enjoy free pancakes, bacon and more as we celebrate 152 years of our great country together.

Thousands will come out from August 8 to 11 for the 164th Sutton Fair & Horse Show, which will offer rides, demolition derbies, tractor pulls and more. From August 16 to 17, Canada's greatest carrot festival will take place in Bradford, in celebration of the hard work of our farmers in the Holland Marsh.

With so much to do, I encourage all Canadians to make their way to York—Simcoe this summer.

Aphasia

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, what follows is the opening to a typical aphasia program: checking in. This morning I am at a 10, because I get to recognize my new friends, Mary, Ben, Ron, Tanya, Mavis, Wes, Ted and Anna, in this House.

Today is Friday, May 31, 2019. This week's theme is Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia is a language disorder that affects the ability to communicate. It is most often caused by strokes that occur in areas of the brain that control speech and language. Aphasia does not affect intelligence. Stroke survivors remain mentally alert, even though their speech may be jumbled, fragmented or hard to understand. Fewer than 5% of Canadians know about aphasia and the challenges that those living with aphasia face.

On Saturday, June 22, Halton-Peel Community Aphasia Programs will be hosting its third annual aphasia walk at E.C. Drury School in Milton at 10 a.m.

Words that my friends with aphasia use to describe themselves: vivacious, organized, helpful, punctual, happy, loving and Canadian.

William Assad

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on April 1, surrounded by his family, William Assad passed away peacefully at the grand age of 91.

Service was bred deep in William's bones. Although a student at Bishop's University, he left his studies to return home to Buckingham to help with the family business when his father was sick. Once his father recovered, he decided to open his own business, at 21 years of age, and eventually became the owner of The West Québec Post, the English-language newspaper in my riding. The West Québec Post covers the Outaouais and is a staple of my community.

William was known for his prodigious work ethic, his abiding interest in politics, a deep love for his community and his zest for life. His death leaves a huge hole in my community, and he is thoroughly missed.

Rest in peace, William.

Carbon Pricing

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister pretends that he has a plan for climate change, but we know that his carbon tax will not lower emissions. It is just another cash grab to fund his reckless spending. No matter how often or how loudly the Liberals repeat it, the Prime Minister is not fooling Canadians. The carbon tax will not allow Canada to meet its emissions reduction targets under the Paris accord. His own government's figures have confirmed it.

The Prime Minister has given large industrial polluters a special deal that will exempt them from his tax, while making Canadian families and small businesses pay more to drive to work, heat their homes and put food on the table.

This spring, Conservatives will present Canadians with a real environmental plan that will lower global emissions without making Canadians pay more. We know that he has a tax plan, but where is the Prime Minister's environmental climate plan?

Italian Fallen Workers

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow will mark the beginning of Italian Heritage Month in Canada, and I am honoured to pay tribute to the thousands of Italian fallen workers on whose backs this country was built.

Last week, two community leaders in my riding, Marino Toppan and Paola Breda, presented Land of Triumph and Tragedy: Voices of the Italian Fallen Workers. This book catalogues the challenging history of the thousands of Italian fallen workers who gave their lives building this country, a story immortalized on the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial, which resides in the gardens of Villa Colombo in my riding. On each column, the names of each fallen worker are etched. It is a source of great pride.

I encourage members to read this book to learn more about the Italian fallen workers and to understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by these individuals.

I am a proud member of the Italian Canadian community. My grandparents came here to build a better life for my parents, me, my daughters, and hopefully, one day theirs. Their hard work, their dedication and sacrifice, like every other immigrant family's, is a source of great pride. It paved the path for the more than one and a half million Italian Canadians who live in this country.

[Member spoke in Italian]

The Solidarity Blitz in Gatineau

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow and Sunday, June 1 and 2, Gatineau will be holding The Solidarity Blitz.

Gatineau has been hit hard by the spring floods, and we thank the volunteers who built dikes, provided transportation, and prepared and delivered meals.

Our neighbours need us once again. This is a call-out to the people of Gatineau and the national capital region. Visit www.gatineau.ca to sign up to participate in The Solidarity Blitz tomorrow and Sunday.

The Environment

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister claims to have a plan for climate change, but his plan is just a tax in disguise and his government's own numbers prove it.

Environment and Climate Change Canada admits that the carbon tax will have no discernible impact on achieving the Paris targets without increasing it six- to 15-fold, which the Liberals refuse to admit.

We know that the Liberals' plan is not about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is about increasing Canadians' tax burden. The biggest polluters will pay only 8% of the bill, thanks to the exemptions being given by their Liberal friends, while families and SMEs will have to foot the other 92% of the bill.

The middle and working classes will have to pay more to go to work, heat their home, and put food on the table.

However, there is an alternative. Over the coming weeks, the Conservatives will present a real plan for the environment that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on our planet without making Canadians pay more.

We know that the Prime Minister has a plan for taxes and not for the environment.

Young Entrepreneur

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to speak about an incredibly inspiring person from my riding.

Ryan Benoit is a young entrepreneur from Sudbury who has lived with cerebral palsy his entire life. Because of his condition, he was unable to participate in sports growing up, but this never curbed his passion for athletics.

While a student at Laurentian University studying sports administration, he created his own clothing brand, The Positive Inception, where he was able to combine his love of sports and fashion. Through this line of apparel, Ryan aims to send a message of positivity to everyone from all walks of life. He hopes to inspire people to reach for their dreams, no matter how big or out of reach they may seem. He said, “The world is infinite, and anyone can do anything they put their mind to. Life is full of endless opportunities”.

Recently, Ryan won the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.

Ryan's determination to change things and his message of possibility and inclusion are what make him and his story so inspiring not just for Sudbury, but for all of Canada.

Thank you, Ryan.

Otterburn Park and Richelieu

[Matthew Dubé, NDP, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, two municipalities in my riding are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. The Town of Otterburn Park is celebrating its 50th and the City of Richelieu its 150th.

Let me begin with a few words about Richelieu, a municipality on the banks of the Richelieu River. The present-day city is an amalgamation of Richelieu and the municipality of Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours. I would like to congratulate the mayor, Jacques Ladouceur, the parish president, Clément de Laat, and the festival patrons, actor-composers Viviane Audet and Robin-Joël Cool.

Otterburn Park celebrated its 150th birthday in 2005, but this year is the 50th anniversary of the town's becoming an independent entity. I would like to congratulate the mayor, Denis Parent, on the town's fresh new image in honour of this anniversary and on all the planned festivities.

I am proud to highlight these important anniversaries and to have participated. Sadly, I missed a golden opportunity at the Richelieu celebration to hear Mayor Ladouceur himself sing before a full house.

Congratulations to all, enjoy the festivities, and long live both municipalities.

The Environment

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has no plan for climate change. This very government's figures have confirmed that it will not be meeting its Paris accord targets. That is because it does not have a climate change plan; it has a tax plan, and Canadians know it.

While large industrial polluters have received a special deal, families and small businesses are paying more. At a time when most Canadians are within $200 of not being able to pay their bills at the end of the month, the Prime Minister is hiking the cost of living. Canadians are paying more to put gas in their tanks to drive to work. They are paying more to heat their homes. They are paying more to put food on the table.

I am excited, because this spring Canadians will be presented with a real plan that will lower global emissions. Conservatives have a plan, a real plan. The Liberals have totally failed on this plan.

World Milk Day

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, farmers from across the country and around the world will celebrate World Milk Day.

In Quebec, more than 5,000 farms with an average of 70 cows produce over three billion litres of milk a year. Our dairy farmers ensure that our regions and rural communities remain strong and practise sound land management.

As a former dairy farmer, I know the pride and passion our producers feel for their farms, the products they provide to Canadians and the supply management system, which ensures prosperity.

We are the party that implemented supply management. We are the party that will continue to defend and protect it so that Canadians can enjoy milk that was produced here in Canada. Unlike the Conservatives, we are 100% united when it comes to defending supply management. I encourage all Canadians to raise a glass of milk to our dairy producers and their outstanding work.

News Media Industry

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Hope, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a healthy democracy relies on an independent press, free from political interference. That independence is now in jeopardy, thanks to this government's half-billion-dollar media bailout. The Canadian Association of Journalists has expressed concerns with the process that would muzzle members of the advisory panel, keep Canadians in the dark about who gets rejected for funding and allow the minister the power to overrule the panel anyway.

When will the Liberals realize how much damage they are doing to the trust and independence of our free press by trying to stack the deck in their own favour?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism]

Mr. Speaker, once again the Conservatives are playing a dangerous game. They are attacking the media. They are attacking the independence of journalists. I have been very clear since day one that everything will be transparent.

Instead of attacking professional journalists, the Conservatives should be there to support them, because they are part of our democracy. They are a pillar of our democracy. That is why the program is in place, to respect the independence and freedom of the press.

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Hope, BC]

Mr. Speaker, respected Globe and Mail columnist John Ibbitson said today that not only is the $600-million subsidy a bad idea, but that “Unifor shouldn't be [on the panel] representing journalists while also campaigning against a political party.” He went on to say that the “government bailout undermines confidence in the impartiality of journalists. Unifor's attacks on Conservatives do the same.”

When will the Liberals finally realize the damage they are doing to the media by keeping Unifor on this panel, and just kick it off the panel?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the Conservatives, we do not want only CEOs around the table. We need the workers and the journalists. We want francophones, anglophones and members from the ethnic media. We want everybody to be represented, because this is something extremely important. In the last year, thousands of jobs have been lost. Many, many dailies have closed their doors.

We have to act, and we acted in a way that respects the independence and freedom of the press. The Conservatives should stop attacking the press. They should stop attacking our journalists and saying that they are fossils.

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Hope, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Unifor boss Jerry Dias said this week, “Am I coming out against [the Conservatives]? You're damn right I am.” When asked if he was going to tone down his anti-Conservative campaign, now that his union is on the government's independent media panel, he said, “I'm probably going to make it worse. [The Leader of the Opposition] is really irritating me the last few days.”

Unifor has declared war on Conservatives and has become friends with benefits for the Liberals. Why do the Liberals not do the right thing and kick it off this panel?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives want to decide who should be on the panel. They decided that the workers should not be there and that the journalists should not be represented. The Leader of the Opposition, this week, went as far as to say that he is going to tell CBC how to cover a story; he is going to tell CBC how to write a story, which questions to ask and whose questions should not be asked.

We are against that. Why? We respect the independence and freedom of the press, and the Conservatives should do the same.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we all have a duty to protect our democracy.

Canadians can still count on an independent media in the country they call home. With all the upheaval in digital media and the non-disclosure agreements that have traditional media stakeholders concerned, how will the Liberal government protect the integrity of the upcoming election?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism]

Mr. Speaker, we will do so by ensuring that we have a strong and independent free press. That is exactly how we are going to do it. That is exactly what the Conservatives do not want. We want a strong press that asks tough questions. Sometimes, we may not feel like answering all of those questions, but we do it because that is our duty. Similarly, it is the duty of journalists to ask those tough questions. The Conservatives basically want to do away with all that.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we thought we had seen it all with this Liberal government, but using taxpayers' money yet again, this time to stack the deck in its favour in the upcoming election, is totally unacceptable.

With just a couple months left before the election, Canadians are concerned to see that the Liberals are trying to control how subsidies are granted to our traditional media. Should they be concerned about how fair, clear, impartial and equitable the electoral process will be?