House of Commons Hansard #22 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was water.
Opposition Motion—Prime Minister's Official ApologyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook Nova Scotia
Liberal
Darrell Samson LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Madam Speaker, I would like to begin my speech by thanking the member for Beloeil—Chambly for his motion. This is certainly an important motion, and it is my pleasure to say a few words about it.
I would like to start off with a little bit of my own story. I am the only Acadian Liberal MP from Nova Scotia. I want to emphasize the “Liberal” part because over on the Conservative side, Mr. d'Entremont—
Opposition Motion—Prime Minister's Official ApologyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
Let me remind the member that he must refer to his colleague not by name but by riding.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence may continue his speech.
Opposition Motion—Prime Minister's Official ApologyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I must point out that I was only 11 years old when this crisis took place, so I was pretty young. It was a very difficult time for Quebeckers, for Canadians, and for me and my family. We would talk about it, and it was really hard to see the army patrolling the streets of one of the country's provinces.
I want to remind everyone that I am Acadian with ancestors in Quebec. I want to emphasize that because I often say that a third of Quebeckers are of Acadian origin. We must not forget that, and if we look around the House, my colleagues will recognize that.
Getting back to my family, a monument was erected in 1967 in the city of Lévis, across from Quebec City, to the Samson family, my ancestors, to mark Canada's 100th anniversary. Anyone can go and see it if they do not believe me. The monument is located at the corner of Saint-Louis and Belleville streets in Lévis. I have been to see it many times, as have many of my friends from Quebec City. One could easily imagine that the Samsons must have made quite a contribution for such a monument to be erected.
Like many of my colleagues, I studied the Front de libération du Québec, or FLQ, in my history classes. It was a very difficult time. Many will recall that between 200 and 900 bombs were planted between 1963 and 1970, during the seven-year crisis. Today we are talking about the events of October 1970, but those seven years of crisis were really difficult and troubling, with many injuries and murders.
However, I believe that it is essential that we now focus on the facts. According to the information we had at the time, which I will rely on in my speech, there was indeed a crisis, and the Province of Quebec declared a state of emergency. Quebec police made it clear that they needed help, and the chief of the Montreal police even wrote to the mayor, Jean Drapeau, saying:
An extremely dangerous subversive movement has progressively developed in Quebec in recent years with the objective of overthrowing the legitimate state by means of sedition and eventually armed insurrection.
It could not be any clearer. There was a crisis, there was an emergency, and Quebec was in dire need of the federal government's help.
Now I want to draw your attention to a second letter, this one sent by Mayor Drapeau and the Premier of Quebec, Mr. Bourassa, in which we find the words “apprehended insurrection”. These words appear clearly in the letter, which asked the federal government to intervene.
Why did they request federal intervention? It was because the province of Quebec was in crisis. The health and safety of Quebeckers were at stake, and the people needed help from the federal government. Naturally, the federal government came to their rescue.
Cabinet invoked the War Measures Act during the night of October 15, 1970, following a request, as I said, from the Province of Quebec, the Premier of Quebec and the mayor of Montreal, Mr. Drapeau.
It is also important to point out the actions of the police and the army, which no one has spoken about today. The police and army provided by the federal government reported to Quebec's justice minister. We provided the tools available in our arsenal to support a province that made a request during a key crisis. They were responsible for what happened on the ground, not the federal government.
Opposition Motion—Prime Minister's Official ApologyBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
Order. I would like to inform the hon. member that he will have three more minutes after Statements by Members and Oral Questions.
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise in this chamber again and talk about housing and cities. This week, our government took the historic step in choosing to work with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and directly fund cities as we work together to end homelessness in Canada.
Our government knows that not everyone can safely practise social distancing because of shelter conditions or overcrowded homes. We know that when people who are already struggling with illnesses are left to sleep rough or pitch a tent in a park, this precarious situation turns deadly very quickly during COVID-19. This is why $1 billion is there to help cities directly, to fund non-profits and indigenous housing providers in rural, urban and northern communities immediately and help them acquire new housing. This funding, combined with close to $500 million in Reaching Home funds this year for front-line homeless services, is so critical right now.
I talked to someone living in a tent encampment in my riding who told me that homelessness is not like COVID. They do not need a treatment, they need the cure. This rapid housing initiative is a bold move to do just that. We need to end chronic homelessness now.
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
Madam Speaker, psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that affects an estimate 1% to 3% of people in Canada. Psoriasis causes skin cells to grow and shed 10 times faster than normal, resulting in flaking, redness, pain, itching and bleeding. People living with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing other diseases, including arthritis and depression. Psoriasis has no cure, but it is treatable. Treatment decisions are often difficult because of the long road to stability with this unpredictable disease. Access to effective care is critical to supporting psoriasis patients.
This World Psoriasis Day, I would like to recognize the work of groups like the Canadian Psoriasis Network and Unmasking Psoriasis in Saskatchewan for providing critical information and support to people affected by psoriasis.
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are rightfully proud of our tremendously rich diversity. For far too long, however, our extraordinary diversity has not always been reflected in our corporate boardrooms and senior management positions. Our institutions and leaders should not only serve as microcosms of society, but also as inspiration to the next generation of incredible Canadians who deserve to see themselves reflected in positions of leadership.
Representation matters and that is why I am devoting my statement to welcoming the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry's clarion call to Canadian businesses of all sizes to commit to the 50 - 30 challenge by striving to achieve 50% gender parity and 30% representation of under-represented groups, including racialized persons, those who identify as LGBTQ2S+, people living with disabilities, and first nations, Inuit and Métis people. We can unleash the full potential of diversity and the promise of inclusion for all Canadians.
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Speaker, I want to let the victims of the October crisis tell their stories.
People were arrested. Gilles Paquin said that they arrived at his home between 4:30 and 5 in the morning and two men with rifles were kicking in the door. Mr. Paquin was imprisoned for seven days without being allowed to shower.
Louis Hains was arrested by the police. He says that the police arrested the whole group. Nicolas was 16, Pascal was 19 and he was 20. He is pretty sure that he remained in prison for a week. However, he says that when you are in a place where the lights are on all the time, you cannot keep track of whether it is day, evening or night, the day before yesterday or tomorrow.
Gaëtan Dostie was woken up with a machine gun, kept under watch and had a machine gun pointed at him for four or five hours. It was frightening, he says.
There are 494 other Quebeckers with similar stories. The federal government owes them an apology.
Yasmin Ratansi Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about the forgotten people of Yemen. The continuing war in Yemen is deemed by the United Nations as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Much of the country's infrastructure has been destroyed. There are 20 million Yemeni who face food insecurity and 10 million are suffering from famine. The suffering of the Yemeni does not make front-page news, but the images of the women, emaciated children and families are a reality. We should also be concerned about the human rights violations.
Canada, as a middle power country, can facilitate the peace effort and should engage neighbouring Saudi Arabia to ensure that the peace talks respect international laws and convention. For peace to be sustainable, it is important that the Yemeni women are actively engaged, because they bear the brunt of conflict.
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canada's beleaguered oil and gas industry has suffered for five years at the hands of the government. From east coast refineries to west coast access to oil drilling in the territories, the government's disregard for the industry from coast to coast to coast is astounding.
As Canada's territories work tirelessly to recover from the economic effects of this pandemic, vital oil drilling projects have been noticeably absent from Calgary. What is worse is the disregard for dialogue, as the government did not even consult with its territorial counterparts before it banned offshore drilling in the Arctic.
I have seen first-hand in my riding of Calgary Centre how the government's policy misdirection has cost my constituents jobs. Canadians workers in the oil and gas sector are rewarded for their dedication to excellence with cancelled projects and open disdain for their valuable work.
I wonder when the government will start listening to territorial and provincial leaders and stop punishing Canadian workers and their families based on unsubstantiated policies.
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. Speaker, I celebrate Mr. George King and wish him a very happy 100th birthday.
George was born in Scotland, served in the Second World War and chose to make Canada his home. He is a very proud Canadian Scot and family man. Here in Canada, George served on boards and as director of the Canadian Real Estate Association, because it is community that matters most to George.
Just two years after arriving in Canada, he co-founded Rexdale Presbyterian Church, a touchstone in our community. Two decades later, he co-founded the Rexdale Presbyterian Senior Citizens Corporation, which today is home to 200 seniors. George is a man of strong faith, deep conviction and tremendous wit.
I hope to see George for Robbie Burns day, share a poem and song, and reminisce about the Highlands. However, for now, I thank him for his service to Canada and wish him a happy birthday.
Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON
Mr. Speaker, I recently met with Will Petschenig, a local hockey champion who formerly played professionally for the Oshawa Generals and is now coaching kids locally.
Will suffered the loss of his father Dan in 2013 and like so many who have lost a parent, Will's grieving did not stop and did not get resolved immediately. In fact, one in 14 children in Canada will experience the death of a loved one by the age of 18.
Knowing this, Will has created a program called “A Heart Like Mine”, helping kids who have lost a parent. In honour of his father, this young man has converted his grief into passion and taken initiative to ensure others in our community have the support they need.
Will continues to use his profile as a professional hockey player to help build a children's grief centre in the Durham region, which will serve over 3,000 children in need. The facility will offer children a place to share experiences and heal.
I invite everyone in the Durham region to support his efforts. I hope the hon. members in the House will join me in recognizing Will's dedication and leadership in the pursuit of his dream of helping grieving families in the Durham region. I am sure Will's father would be proud.
Ron Liepert Conservative Calgary Signal Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, there were two major announcements this past week regarding our energy sector.
The first was the merger between Cenovus and Husky, which, unfortunately, is going to result in some more job losses in my home city of Calgary. However, the announcement that received less attention was Suncor's repatriation of 700 jobs from Mississauga and Oakville to Calgary.
This should be a wake-up call for the Liberal members across the way who represent those ridings. These jobs are leaving Toronto and coming to Calgary, but it proves how the energy sector has had a stronger impact on the entire Canadian economy than the government will give it credit for.
Government policies around the green agenda, banning plastics, are not only a direct attack on western Canada, but also on jobs across the country. It is time for Liberal MPs to stand up to their leader and say no to his desire to phase out the oil sands and ruin the economy of western Canada.
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, on October 16, I had the honour of joining my provincial counterpart Stephen Blais for a tour of the very impressive Orléans Health Hub, where construction is moving quickly. I thank the team at Monfort Hospital, Bernard Leduc, Mélanie Potvin and Carl Nappert, as well as Andrew and Zyad from EllisDon for having us.
The Orléans Health Hub is a unique and innovative project that will provide integrated health care services to our community. The hub's fundraising campaign is well underway. I want to thank Yves Tremblay and his spouse, Sylvie Villeneuve, who recently made a historic $1 million donation to the Montfort Hospital Foundation. I will say it again: They donated $1 million to the Monfort Hospital Foundation.
On behalf of the community of Orléans and Ottawa, I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their generous donation and their commitment to the project.
Dane Lloyd Conservative Sturgeon River—Parkland, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation operates Jessie's House, a home for those fleeing domestic violence in my constituency.
Jessie's House opened this past May, after years of fundraising, and it could not have come at a more needed time. With the pandemic raging, domestic violence has increased, making spaces like Jessie's House crucial for survival. Unfortunately, due to economic conditions, charitable support has decreased dramatically.
Provincial government support and some federal support has been forthcoming, but it needs to access the wage subsidy to cover part of its estimated $60,000 monthly payroll. Jessie's House was denied the wage subsidy because it had not been open long enough. This is absurd. We need shelters like these now more than ever. They are only running at half capacity and are turning away those fleeing domestic violence for lack of support.
It is time for the government to immediately revisit the wage subsidy legislation to ensure that crucial shelters and other desperately needed services get the financial support they deserve.
David Sweet Conservative Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON
Mr. Speaker, our nation and our hometown of Hamilton lost a statesman, an icon this week with the passing of Senator David Braley.
The successful entrepreneur from humble beginnings to kind-hearted philanthropist with an avid passion for sports and arts, David Braley was the first Hamiltonian to serve in the Canadian Senate. He was an extraordinarily selfless person.
When the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were on the verge of bankruptcy in 1989, David Braley stepped in to save the team. The senator also chaired the committee that brought the extremely successful World Cycling Championship to Hamilton, was a director of the successful 2015 Pan American Games bid, and has donated millions to amateur sport.
Never missing a single opportunity to help his fellow Hamiltonians, he has led fundraising campaigns and donated millions to the Royal Botanical Gardens, local hospitals, art galleries and other educational institutions, including his alma mater McMaster University, where an athletic centre, a health sciences centre and a centre for antibiotic discovery all bear his name.
When asked why the senator was so generous, he responded, “I'm making sure Hamilton has the best. I think Hamilton is a very special place.” David Braley was one of the most truly honourable people I have had the privilege to know. David, my friend, is and will be sorely missed by all.
Scott Duvall NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, for over 20 years, St. Thomas More high school has conducted a Halloween 4 Hunger campaign in support the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre in my riding of Hamilton Mountain. Instead of trick-or-treating, students could collect non-perishable food donations for the food bank run by Neighbour to Neighbour.
Sadly, due to COVID-19 restrictions and out of concern for the health and safety of their students, the event has to be cancelled. Forty-two per cent of our current households using the food bank are new to the centre, putting added pressure on the food bank as we head into the holiday season.
Undeterred, the high school is reaching out to the community, asking for financial support for Neighbour to Neighbour. I recognize it has been a difficult time due to the pandemic, but I ask those who can to help the Neighbour to Neighbour food bank by making a financial contribution this year. Details are available on the Neighbour to Neighbour website.
I would like to recognize and thank the students of St. Thomas More for their past and continued efforts to help Neighbour to Neighbour and the residents of Hamilton Mountain.
I would also like to add that it is my daughter's birthday. I wish Megan a happy birthday. She is my youngest daughter at 29 years of age.
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is not the Bloc Québécois that is calling for a formal apology for the war measures, it is the victims of wrongful arrest, detention without charge and intimidation, whose words I will share today.
It is people like Serge Mongeau, who said, and I quote, “The worst part was the uncertainty. What was going happen to us? Did my wife know? What if I had disappeared and no one knew where I was? What lay ahead for us? How long would we be there for?” In Mr. Mongeau's case, it was eight days.
It is people like Jocelyne Robert, who was seven months pregnant at the time. She said, “To calm me down, he takes a sheet of paper from his briefcase. ...he shows me that my name is on it. He says that it is a list...of people who really should not be allowed to escape. They might even shoot at you. ...I hear women who have been here for three days, a week, 10 days. That makes me imagine that...I am going to give birth in prison”.
Four hundred and ninety-five other Quebeckers have similar stories to tell. The federal government owes them an apology.
Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to pay tribute to a lion and a legend. The Right Hon. Don Mazankowski served Canadians with dignity and integrity for two decades as the MP for Vegreville. As deputy prime minister he was called the “minister of everything”, and apparently the prime minister's instruction to everyone else was to “run it by Maz”. He said he was inspired by Diefenbaker's visit to Vegreville and his message that the west must play a meaningful role in national business.
Maz was a powerful voice for Alberta, for the west and for our role in Confederation. He never forgot where he came from while he was in Ottawa. A staunch advocate for his riding, where he is much loved, he was said to have no enemies after over 20 years in politics, which really is a remarkable feat on its own. I cannot say the same for me after only five.
After a political life, Maz kept giving in other ways to countless charities and causes. Selflessly, he even declined a seat in the Senate. A former MLA in Lakeland said, “Maz did politics the right way, tenacious but gracious, argumentative but not mean-spirited, hard-nosed but soft-hearted.”
I thank Lorraine, Roger, Sheryi Ray, Morgan, Mackenzie and all the Mazankowski family for sharing him with Canada. We are all better for it.
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House on the anniversary of the 97th Republic Day of Turkey.
On October 29, 1923, Turkey was formally declared a republic. It was also the day the Republic of Turkey elected its first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Twenty-one years later, Canada and Turkey established diplomatic relations and now, in 2020, the Canadian Turkish community has grown to over 65,000 citizens.
Canadians of Turkish origin are a vibrant community, whose language, culture and traditions have enriched the social fabric of Canadian society. Organizations, such as the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, among others, work hard to put on important events for the community, including International Children's Day. I want to acknowledge and thank them for their tremendous contributions to Canada. Canada is stronger because of our diversity, and the Turkish community has made us a stronger and better country.
I conclude by wishing a happy Republic Day to all those celebrating in Canada and abroad.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand that there is consent to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of yesterday's attack in Nice, France. I invite hon. members to rise.
[A moment of silence observed]
Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister contradicted his own government on the shut down of the pandemic warning system. In an interview last week, the health minister admitted the pandemic warning system had been shut down and the decision was being examined. Yesterday, the Prime Minister suggested his government made no change to the system. Both of these things cannot be true.
Why is the government spreading misinformation about its shutting down of Canada's pandemic early warning system?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, let me be really clear about one thing. Canada, today, is facing a grave second wave of the coronavirus. Now is the time for all of us to come together and fight this second wave, which is ravaging Europe and our neighbour to the south.
Now is the time for us to focus on what we can do going forward to save Canadian lives and to preserve the Canadian economy. There will be a time for post-mortems, but while the plane is flying, one does not try to change the engine.
Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, if one made some errors while the plane was taking off, one should learn about them before the plane has to land.
There has been another disagreement about the shutting down of the pandemic warning system. In the same interview, the health minister said the review into closing the system had not started yet. Yesterday, the Prime Minister said the review was complete.
Will the Deputy Prime Minister let the House know? Is it over? Has it not started yet? Who will they appoint to review the decision to shut down Canada's pandemic warning system?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, as I said, what I am focused on, what the government is focused on and what I believe all members of the House need to be focused on today is the crisis before us. We need to work together to fight the second wave, which is here right now.
I do agree with the member opposite that there are lessons we can all learn from this global pandemic. For me, one of those lessons is that, as a country going forward, we need to invest more in our public health systems. We need to invest more to be sure that when the next pandemic comes, Canada is even more prepared. I know that all members of the House will support us in doing so.