House of Commons Hansard #20 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was wet'suwet'en.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I remind members that statements by members are personal statements that are meant be heard by everyone, but this is very difficult with all of the noise in the chamber.
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks I have noticed, as the shadow minister for families, children and social development, that several ministers have dropped in to Alberta to make announcements about affordable housing for the province; 200 units here; 96 units there.
However, Albertans won't be fooled. They know that it is the Liberal government killing the economy with its anti-pipeline legislation, delaying of the Trans Mountain pipeline, wavering on the approval of Teck Frontier and now not upholding the rule of law with the Coastal GasLink pipeline project.
Alberta lost 19,000 jobs in January, and the number of Albertans who have foreclosed on their own homes continues to rise.
The Liberal government needs to realize that its province-destroying policies, based on anti-energy ideology, is making life increasingly unaffordable for Albertans, while at the same time killing their opportunity for livelihood. Adding more affordable housing units is not going to fix the real problem and it is time the Liberals admitted this.
Jennifer O'Connell Liberal Pickering—Uxbridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend three incredible members of my community, who, at the ages of eight, three and four, inspired our community to come together and provide relief aid for the Australian wildfires.
When Meila, Paisley and Maverick learned about the devastating wildfires at school, they wanted to help the animals in any way that they could. After discussing ideas with their parents, they decided to lead a bottle drive across Uxbridge and donate the funds to WIRES, the largest wildlife rescue organization in Australia. Three drop-off locations were set up across town and thousands of bottles were collected.
This fundraiser ended up inspiring further initiatives in town, including the owners of our local IDA Pharmacy, Hank and Vidhi. deciding to donate 50% of all profits on January 12.
After a few weeks of hard work, Meila, Paisley and Maverick raised $3,400 Australian dollars, proving that no matter what age, people can make meaningful changes here at home and around the world.
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about the blockades that have done so much damage to our economy, but there is one thing that seems to be consistently overlooked.
We have not heard the Prime Minister acknowledge, even once, that this project has support from the Wet'suwet'en elected council, the majority of their hereditary chiefs and that there are 20 signed benefits agreements with nations along the route. Many of them are already working on the pipeline and these blockades are affecting their local, as well as the national, economy.
For years we have all listened to first nations leaders talking about the chronically high unemployment rates, addictions and suicides. Now these northern nations have taken control of their own destiny, but the project is still stalled.
The Liberals should consider supporting their efforts to change that and support the national economy.
Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, there is a Liberal leadership crisis enveloping our nation. Protests are happening across Canada with the goal to shut Canada down.
Our world-class energy industry is being shut down because of the Prime Minister's interventions and refusal to look at the national interest. Rural crime is at unprecedented levels and has destroyed the quality of life in rural Alberta. The Liberals are criminalizing law-abiding firearms owners, while ignoring the real criminals. The middle class, something they cannot even define, are hurting while we see record numbers of insolvencies. The federal fiscal outlook is a mess. Canada has taken a diminished role on the world stage. Agriculture is hurting from increased taxes and inability to access markets. The Liberal attempts at indigenous reconciliation are shown to be a failure. The Prime Minister's environmental plan punishes Canadians while not actually helping the planet.
Those are just a few examples. Last Saturday's National Post headline was “Leaderless”. Canada needs better.
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Mr. Speaker, last spring, half a million people protested in the streets of Montreal. It was the biggest protest in our history. These people were calling for real action to address the climate crisis. They know that it is urgent that we slash our carbon footprint to prevent an environmental disaster. When the house is ablaze, you have to stop putting wood on the fire.
The Liberals are breaking their promises and have fallen prey to the oil lobby. The Liberals promised to eliminate subsidies to oil companies. Today, a study released by Équiterre—which must be familiar to the Minister of Canadian Heritage—reveals that oil subsidies are still there and were even increased last year. The Liberals are exacerbating the problem. It is time to stop giving gifts to oil companies. It is time to pull the plug on the wasteful spending on Trans Mountain. It is time to reject the LNG and Teck's Frontier projects, which cause pollution. It is the eleventh hour. We should be panicking. We must take action for future generations.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, I rise today with a message from Marjorie Villefranche, the executive director of Maison d'Haïti:
We, the women of African descent, want to be heard because we believe that racism and discrimination should no longer exist in 2020.
We want to develop a just and egalitarian society that excludes no one.
A society that reflects our non-racist, non-sexist and non-violent values.
We want to be heard because the colour of our skin should no longer determine our future, let alone that of our children.
We do not want more empty promises, but courageous action that holds the promise of justice and redress.
We want to be recognized as people who have fully contributed to the development of our society and to its human, political, economic, cultural and artistic development.
We, the women of African descent, want to celebrate with our fellow citizens our indomitable will to live with dignity.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, today we honour the lives and memories of the Heavenly Hundred.
For three months, thousands of Ukrainians occupied Kyiv's Independence Square and peacefully protested the corrupt regime of President Viktor Yanukovych.
I stood on the Maidan in Ukraine six years ago among the ash and bloodstains left from the brutal crackdown on these innocent Euromaidan protestors. Their bravery and sacrifice as they stood up against Yanukovych's thugs deserve our highest praise.
Ukraine and their friends around the world now carry forward the legacy of the Heavenly Hundred and all those who took part in the Revolution of Dignity as the battle for democracy and the territorial integrity of Ukraine continues even today.
Canada's Conservatives will always support the people of Ukraine in their pursuit of freedom, democracy and human rights.
[Member spoke in Ukrainian]
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
Mr. Speaker, like our government, the people of Sherbrooke care about environmentally responsible economic development. That is why we worked with Economic Development Canada to help a business in my riding, Motrec International.
Motrec International is an innovative and rapidly growing company that manufactures all-steel electric industrial vehicles. My regards to Motrec's CEO, Blair McIntosh, and the company's employees, including Mario and Sylvain, whom I had a chance to chat with during my recent visit to the factory.
By choosing to invest in our SMEs, in green, innovative businesses, we have helped create over one million jobs since 2015.
I am proud to be part of a government that is working for regions like Sherbrooke and providing our communities with the financial tools they need to move forward.
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, one of the many ways we can tell that the Prime Minister does not know what he is doing is when his message changes every single day. First, the Prime Minister elevated the protesters, talking about how they were defending their communities in the cold. Then he tried to make a link between radical anti-energy activists and reconciliation. Then he said that the protests were illegal, but it was not up to him to enforce the rule of law.
I have a simple question. Can the Prime Minister tell us on what day these illegal blockades will come down?
Bill Blair LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, our government knows that the current situation is having a very significant impact on Canadian jobs, the economy and the well-being of all Canadians, and we feel the urgency of that impact. At the same time, reconciliation remains a crucial priority for our government and for all Canadians.
We have been working tirelessly to resolve the circumstances that have led to these blockades. Today, we are aware of and encouraged by positive developments and we will continue the hard work of solving the situation as peaceably as possible.
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, these anti-free market, anti-energy activists have nothing to do with reconciliation, and it is completely unjust for up to 1,500 people to have to go without a paycheque because some people are breaking the law.
Helen Michelle of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation said, “A lot of the protestors are not even Wet'suwet'en people. Our people said go ahead” to Coastal GasLink.
Once again, can the Prime Minister tell this House on what day these illegal blockades will come down?
Bill Blair LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share what I believe to be a very positive development in this dispute. The B.C. RCMP has advised that it has made a decision to deploy its officers based on its assessment of the conditions that exist in the Wet'suwet'en territory. The B.C. RCMP has made this operational decision and we trust the RCMP's ability to assess the situation and to keep the public safe.
We believe that the time has come for the barricades to come down and we are working toward addressing the circumstances that gave rise to it and to resolving those as peaceably as possible.
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is once again offering concessions to those who have more resolve than he does. Now the RCMP has been ordered to leave Wet'suwet'en territory, there are major questions about whether this project will actually go ahead.
The Prime Minister has already told these radical anti-energy protesters that he will not do anything to enforce the law. Those people are breaking the law and trying to hold up this important project.
Will he at least give a 100% guarantee that Coastal GasLink will be built, yes or no?
Bill Blair LiberalMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, I need to correct something the member opposite said.
The Supreme Court has said police independence underpins the rule of law and in these circumstances no direction was given to the RCMP. The decisions made by the RCMP were based on its professional experience, the law and its assessment of the situation on the ground. The RCMP has made important decisions to try to resolve this peacefully. The RCMP has our trust and confidence and we will continue to work hard to resolve this appropriately.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I want to remind hon. members that people want to hear what is asked and answered. Shouting while both are going on really does not help the matter. I want to remind everyone in case they have forgotten what the rules of House are.
The hon. member for Richmond—Arthabaska.
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, this is the 15th day of the blockade. As we enter the third week, our Prime Minister is still not showing any leadership and has not come up with a plan.
François Legault and several other premiers have asked the Liberal Prime Minister for a deadline to end the impasse.
Does anyone in the government have the leadership sense to understand the urgent need for action? Can the Prime Minister show just a little leadership and give us a plan with a deadline?
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, we understand the situation very well. We are working very closely with all the provinces because this is a challenge that the provincial and federal governments must tackle together. That is why the Prime Minister will be speaking with Premier Legault and his other provincial counterparts this afternoon.
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, while this Prime Minister and his ministers are taking pictures, legs crossed, to post on Twitter, we have just learned that 5,300 employees in Ontario and Quebec are about to be laid off by Resolute Forest Products. This is in addition to the 1,500 layoffs at VIA Rail and CN, as well as many others across Canada in all our regions. We have 4,500 cars stuck on the rails, which represents $425 million worth of goods a day.
When will this Prime Minister stop ignoring all these alarm bells, show a modicum of leadership, and table a plan with a deadline?
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure my colleague and all Canadians that we are well aware of the economic impact of the protests taking place right now, and we are focused on resolving them as quickly as possible.
We know that there is a shortage of certain products. We are aware that there have been layoffs. We want to end this as quickly as possible by opening a dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to this problem. That is what we are doing.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, we seem to be mired in confusion, because this government does not know the difference between patience and inaction. Yesterday, we learned that the Wet'suwet'en did not want to talk to the Prime Minister. For two days, the Prime Minister did not want to talk to the premiers. Just before question period, we found out that he is going to talk to them after question period but will not report back to Parliament until next Tuesday at the earliest.
Can we at least get some information about what the Prime Minister will be committing to this afternoon?
Marc Miller LiberalMinister of Indigenous Services
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for his question.
As everyone knows, the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs are now en route to Tyendinaga to pursue a peaceful resolution, which is the solution we are all seeking. That dialogue needs to happen as soon as possible. That is what we are doing.
The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and I are prepared to engage in that dialogue now so we can achieve a peaceful resolution.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, the only thing that has been done so far was done by the RCMP. According to the government, the RCMP is an independent organization. To date, the government has not done anything.
Will the Prime Minister take advantage of the fact that there are Wet'suwet'en representatives in eastern Canada to meet with them? This would be an opportunity to do so. Have there been any clear proposals? Did he propose to suspend the work on the pipeline? Have there been any clear proposals beyond the empty rhetoric we keep hearing?
Marc Miller LiberalMinister of Indigenous Services
Mr. Speaker, I think I speak for everyone when I say that we all feel encouraged by the new development with the RCMP in British Columbia, which offered the hereditary chiefs an opportunity to sit down and work on a long-term plan that could involve a reduced presence in their territory, obviously.
As everyone knows, we are prepared to engage in a respectful dialogue, but we have a very clear plan to defuse the situation, which we are not going to disclose to the public for now, of course. We are again asking Canadians to be a little bit patient. I am confident that this will all get sorted out.