Debates of Feb. 3rd, 2020

Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act

[Paul Manly, Green, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Speaker, I was given 10 minutes to speak.

I definitely think that those areas are important, crucial areas. I have four first nations in my riding, and having an indigenous lens on trade and investment is very important. Having a gender lens on trade and investment is very important as well. It was not neglect but a lack of time to cover all of the issues that I would like to speak about.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise and speak about the Canada-United States-Mexico agreement.

After a long and gruelling process, it is great that we have arrived where we are. Parliamentarians now have the chance to review this new agreement and ensure that free trade with our continental partners continues to benefit all Canadians.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs rely on this international trade, and the North American Free Trade Agreement has been a critically important component of that trade. In fact, one in five Canadians who have jobs in Canada have them as a result of this agreement.

However, there is merit in occasionally updating agreements like NAFTA. There are always going to be things changing, new developments that require reviewing and adjusting existing agreements, but with respect to this latest renegotiation, it seems that the Prime Minister was just a little too eager to open things up when he stated that he was more than happy to renegotiate NAFTA with incoming president Donald Trump.

It was something of a shock when the Prime Minister voluntarily submitted Canada to this renegotiation when it was widely known that the U.S. was primarily concerned with the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. Canada was suddenly drawn into what would become a long and tumultuous couple of years of negotiating. Thankfully, we seem to have arrived near the end of this stage.

I know that those on the negotiating team put in extensive hours, and for that I want to thank our officials and bureaucrats for the efforts they have contributed. I realize that they are handcuffed and restricted from using the tools and environment in which they are working. However, I am confident that they worked tirelessly and that they did their best to make as good a deal for Canada as they could.

Frustratingly, along the way there were some serious missteps that made this process even more difficult. For example, let us take the time that the Prime Minister went to New York City, President Trump's hometown, to deliver a commencement speech at a university. Naturally, he took some time for a photo op, which was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine during this visit. I do not ever expect to be on the cover of Rolling Stone, but I am sure that is quite an accomplishment. To further exacerbate the situation, the article in Rolling Stone magazine portrayed the Prime Minister as an opponent of the president, making the whole trip seem like it was nothing more than an opportunity to poke the President of the United States in the eye. Why would the Prime Minister risk insulting the president right in the middle of tough negotiations with his country when Canadian jobs were on the line?

I have had the opportunity to negotiate many deals in business over the years. I have learned over the years that the best way to make a good deal is to make a connection with the person we are dealing with, develop a relationship of mutual trust and respect and not to try to provoke and intimidate the person and think that we will end up walking away with a fair and equitable deal.

Understandably, the missteps and challenges of this renegotiation have left the agreement with certain shortfalls. I am talking about the Liberals' sellout of our supply management farmers and aluminum producers. Then there were the missed opportunities, such as failing to address the softwood lumber dispute, failing to respond to the buy America clause and failing to move to update the list of professionals eligible for temporary business entry to reflect the 21st century economy, just to name a few examples.

When President Trump signed the agreement at the White House last week, he called the CUSMA the “largest, fairest, most balanced and modern trade agreement ever achieved.” In Canada, the Liberals have not used that same terminology, and I do not think that they appear nearly as confident that we got an agreement that is as fair, balanced and modern as they would have liked. I think that this recognition shows in the way they comment on this particular agreement.

Despite these realities, with Canada's economy slowing and vulnerable, a lack of access to U.S. markets would further weaken business investments and exports. Free trade with our southern neighbour represents opportunities for all Canadians, and we need to embrace those opportunities even as we work to resolve the problems the Liberals have created with this agreement.

Here on this side of the House, the Conservative Party is proud to be the party of trade. It was of course a Conservative government that developed the first free trade agreement with the United States in the first place, generating increased economic activity and jobs for the last few decades.

The United States is our largest trading partner, with roughly $2 billion in bilateral trade per day crossing our international borders. This represents 75% of all Canadian exports. In fact, since the time NAFTA was introduced, more than five million jobs have been created. The total trilateral trade, when we include Mexico, has increased fourfold, to $1.2 trillion annually. Therefore, the Conservatives recognize there is a lot of potential for continued growth, continued investment and continued prosperity with a strong agreement in place.

Like all Canadians, I want the best deal for our families, the best deal for our workers and the best deal for our businesses. Having a free trade agreement in place is important, but it has to do right by Canadians. After the Liberal mismanagement, the reality is that the CUSMA will cost taxpayer money. We need to now ensure that the sectors and industries in areas of our economy and businesses that have been left behind by this agreement have a soft landing.

Allow me for a moment to speak about supply management, for example, for dairy, chicken, eggs, egg products, turkey and broiler hatching eggs.

My riding in Manitoba is home to the largest concentration of supply management farmers in the province. It goes without saying that these folks really are not just farmers. They are pillars in southeast Manitoba communities. They are heavily involved in communities. They are employers. They are what make my constituency of Provencher the most generous constituency in all of Canada when we look at Statistics Canada's numbers for charitable donations, second only to Abbotsford. We are very proud.

Part of the success of being noted as a very charitable riding comes from the fact that our supply management sector contributes heavily to that. However, these folks, unfortunately, have been left behind by the Liberal government. The Liberals agreed to open up 3.6% of the Canadian market to increase dairy imports in this new agreement. That is more than what was even agreed to under the TPP.

When it comes to supply management, we need to remember that under the TPP, the United States was part of that access into our markets. Instead of backing that out when the Americans withdrew from the TPP agreement and we eventually signed the CPTPP, we left that market access in for Asian countries. Now, in addition to that, the Americans have tacked on additional 3.6% market access, really taking that market away from our Canadian producers. I am sure our supply management folks do not view this as a new and improved NAFTA agreement.

Under the CUSMA, Canada will adopt tariff rate quotas providing U.S. dairy farmers with access to Canada's dairy market. That includes milk, concentrated milk and milk powders, cream and cream powder, buttermilk and even ice cream. The CUSMA also dictates specific thresholds for Canadian milk protein concentrates, skim milk and infant formula. When export thresholds for these are exceeded, Canada will be obligated to add duties to the exports that are in excess, making them even more expensive.

Our dairy farmers have anticipated annual losses of $190 million, an additional $50 million on export caps. On top of that, our dairy processors have estimated that their losses will be $300 million to $350 million annually. That is significant and is a lot of money that needs to be made up.

Our chicken farmers are going to experience challenges as well. Under the new agreement, Canada will allow 47,000 metric tons of chicken to enter the country duty-free from the United States. That begins in the very first year, once the deal has been ratified, and will increase to almost 63,000 metric tons annually of chicken coming in from the United States.

The Conservatives are, nonetheless, a party of free trade and we need to find a path forward. A majority of major industry associations want the House to ratify the deal. No one was really looking for these changes, but we are faced with them regardless. I am certainly very clear-eyed looking at the contents of a new CUSMA, but the importance of free trade to so many industries and so many jobs in the country means we simply cannot walk away.

The Conservatives will be there to hold the Liberals accountable and ensure that those negatively impacted by this agreement will have the tools they need to succeed in the aftermath.

[Adam Vaughan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families]

Madam Speaker, I listened with interest to my colleague talk about his concerns with the Prime Minister after the President of the United States clearly said that renegotiating NAFTA was his number one priority and that he was going to do it, come hell or high water.

The Prime Minister said that he was willing to negotiate and to meet with the President on those terms. Was there a way the Conservatives could have avoided President Trump renegotiating? There seemed to be a suggestion in the hon. member's presentation that the Liberal government should have refused to talk to President Trump, should have refused to renegotiate and should have refused to meet the President on his terms. Quite clearly this was the President's number one priority heading into office. Now it appears to be the number one claim the President makes to his legacy.

How were the Conservatives going to avoid dealing with President Trump if he insisted on ripping up the old agreement?

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Madam Speaker, I was at home in my riding this past weekend. My grandson told me he had been invited to the principal's office. When I asked him why, he said that one of his friends was getting beat up, so he decided to help him out. The principal promptly advised him that unless things were really lopsided and his friend was in severe danger, that maybe next time he should just leave him alone.

When President Trump was elected, he made it very clear that he was unhappy with Mexico's position in the existing NAFTA agreement. Many lucrative manufacturing jobs and businesses were migrating south into Mexico, where there were poorer working conditions, the worker was not looked after and wages were low. This put it at competitiveness advantage to the United States. That was his primary target in wanting to renegotiate the NAFTA agreement.

Canada was not on the radar initially. It was Mexico that was particularly troublesome to President Trump. When the Prime Minister heard the interaction between President Trump and the President of Mexico, he said that he was very happy to renegotiate. It should have never happened.

[Michel Boudrias, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Madam Speaker, it was really interesting to listen to my colleague's speech.

The Conservative Party is talking about concerns over threats to Canadian sovereignty from U.S. protectionism, which make the negotiations that much more complex and difficult. Common concerns are being voiced from east to west regarding supply management and aluminum. However, both main parties say they are going to ratify this agreement.

The Bloc Québécois has proposed constructive solutions for solving these problems, which, as I noticed while listening to my colleague's speech, are having economically disastrous consequences that are trickling down to his own riding.

Over the past few years, in deal after deal, Quebec's interests have been used as a bargaining chip, and Quebec is suffering setbacks. Do members know that, day by day, every setback brings Quebeckers closer to the realization that the only valid solution is to take their decisions into their own hands, by which I mean become sovereign so they can negotiate for themselves, freely and without obstruction?

Ultimately, our colleagues will need to realize that their refusal to act only bolsters our case for sovereignty. I thank them for that.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Madam Speaker, if the member had listened very carefully to my speech, he would have recognized that our position is in response to looking at the whole picture, to looking at all of Canada.

If we look at the different industry associations and farm associations that have petitioned us, they have asked us to sign the agreement, not because it a a great agreement or as good as what they had, but because they need the agreement signed.

I clearly stated during my speech that our bilateral trade between Canada and the United is over $2 billion daily. That is significant. We cannot just say that we are not going to sign the agreement, jeopardizing billions and billions of dollars of international trade. That would do us, and Quebec and its business people and their agricultural sector, incredible harm. This would be a foolish position to take.

We have to look at the whole picture. Yes. it is not as good an agreement as what we had but we need this agreement. We can live with it, and if we know the certainty of the agreement, our industries and our farmers can adapt.

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Madam Speaker, since this is the first time I have spoken in this Parliament, I want take this opportunity to thank the residents and families of Mississauga-East—Cooksville. I thank them for their support, their trust, their belief in a better tomorrow and for electing me for a second term. I would be remiss if I did not thank my greatest supporters, my wife Christina and my twin boys, Sebastien and Alexander.

When I get the opportunity to visit schools, I meet many children, such as the young girl who loves science and wants to be our next scientist to discover the cure for cancer or the little boy who loves to plant things in the yard and will be our next farmer who will grow the safe and healthy food we eat. They are why we do this work, for them.

We do this work for the seniors who have toiled and worked so hard to build our country. We want to support them with a life of dignity and respect. We do this work for some of our newest Canadians, so they have the opportunity to contribute fully and fulfill their Canadian dreams.

I am not alone with these desires. I have heard them from all members of Parliament from all sides of the House.

An intersection in my riding of Mississauga-East—Cooksville, at Hurontario and Dundas, is called the four corners. At any time of day, people from the four corners of the world will be at that intersection. They have come to Canada to share and contribute to our goals and values, those of peace, democracy, freedom, fairness of the rule of law, safety, security, opportunity, teamwork, friendship and trust, all the things we value as Canadians. It is the same values that brought all of us to Canada, and our forefathers.

I will take everybody back to the U.S. election debates of 2016, when the threat of ripping up NAFTA came to light. That existential threat soon became real. Our country was seized with this new reality and we rose to the challenge. We became a unified force, team Canada. The Canadian people, the industry and labour sectors, all levels of government, indigenous people and all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, manufacturing and environment, worked together to protect and enhance this agreement.

Canadians believed in the plan. Canadians believed in the process. Canadians ultimately believed in the goal. The goal was to have a win-win-win agreement. Canadians believed that was possible, and we made it possible.

I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister for their work in bringing all members of the House together, across the aisle and on this side. We understood how big and important this was.

I appreciate the opportunity I had to be on the international trade committee, to criss-cross the country and listen to Canadians and stakeholders. We received 47,000 submissions on the new NAFTA to ensure that this agreement was good for Canada and Canadians and that we could all prosper through free and fair trade.

That did not only happen here. We went to the United States, through our committee and ministers' offices. Many members here had the opportunity to speak to senators and representatives, We were able to share with our friends, the Americans, how important this agreement was, not only to us but to the U.S. and Mexico, to create this trading block that has brought so much prosperity to all of us.

I want to thank Steve Verheul and the amazing negotiators we have in Canada, who were at the table and did not give an inch when it came to our values. They understood that we were open to change, to making things better and to modernizing this agreement, which is what we did. We did it through the voices of the House, through stakeholders, through much consultation and through listening to people.

That is the difference with this agreement, which has put Canada in an enviable place, being the only G7 country to have agreements with the Pacific Rim, Europe and North America. This agreement covers 1.5 billion people. In this economic region, we are talking about $23 trillion, with $2 billion going between the United States and Canada every single day.

This agreement touches everyone in a good way. It is a progressive agreement that takes into account indigenous peoples, our cultural sector, the environment and our labour sector, many things that others never thought could be touched. However, we took a progressive approach to this agreement. Through that plan, that process and the belief that this was the right way to do things, we were able to achieve this good agreement for all Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

That is why I am so proud of the work all of us have done. I say that to both sides of the aisles, because the input that came from the opposition, and many of those who were skeptical, was important. It helped shape the agreement to what it is today, and much of that input was brought into the agreement.

In my riding of Mississauga-East—Cooksville, having met with stakeholders, small businesses and some bigger enterprises, I have heard positive reactions regarding supply chains and the many workers they employ. People are saying that we got it done.

It was difficult. At many times, we did not know if this agreement would happen, but we have reached an agreement. We are at a stage right now where we must all come together again in this Parliament. We come together because it is an opportunity for us to debate the agreement and talk about the many wins and benefits that will come to Canadians in all different sectors, but also an opportunity to think about and discuss the fact that we have a very good agreement for Canadians.

I have heard some of the debates, as well as some of the questions that have been asked and answered by members. I always look at the glass as being half full. I have heard about things that we could do in the future that may be better, and I agree: We can always do better. Better is always possible. We know that. The opportunity to debate and hear from members about how we can make things better in the future is terrific.

At this time, we also need to come together and understand that there has been a significant amount of listening, working and toiling by all of us. We have to get this agreement past the finish line for the prosperity of all Canadians and businesses, so that we can bring them the stability they have been looking for, for a very long time. This modernized agreement is good for Canadians. It is going to provide the predictability and stability that businesses and workers need.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Madam Speaker, it is always good to stand in the House and stand up for my riding of Cariboo—Prince George. However, it will not surprise my hon. colleague across the way that I am going to stand up for all the forestry workers and the hard-working forestry families from the province of British Columbia. Over 140,000 jobs, either directly or indirectly, are tied to forestry, and 140 communities are forestry-dependent.

In the last year, we have lost 10,000 jobs, yet there was not one mention of forestry in the Speech from the Throne, and forestry could not have been thrown in or a new softwood lumber agreement could not have been thrown into the CUSMA. My simple question is why.

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Madam Speaker, I feel for those forestry workers, for their families. They have been unjustly and unfairly hurt by what is happening with this dispute when it comes to softwood lumber. It has gone before the courts many a time, five times, and Canada has won every single time.

[An hon. member]

Seven times.

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

I hear, “seven times”, Madam Speaker.

We will win again. We are with our forestry workers, and we will support them through this.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

There will be three minutes and 35 seconds for questions and comments on the member's speech after question period.

Ruth Brewer

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the life of Ruth Brewer of Cavendish, who passed away peacefully in December at age 96.

Ruth's love for and dedication to her community was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. For many years, Ruth was a councillor at Cavendish Resort Municipality, and was a driving force in the growth and success of one of P.E.I.'s most famous destinations.

Well known for her work with children, she was a specialist in early childhood education, particularly with preschool children and those with special needs.

Ruth was a trailblazer and champion for nurse practitioners and rural health clinics in P.E.I., and was responsible for the establishment of the North Rustico Clinic. Ruth lived in the North Rustico lighthouse in the 1960s and 1970s, where she researched and wrote a book on the history of the harbour.

We salute Ruth. Her community and indeed all of Canada are a better place thanks to her life's work. May she rest in peace.

Canadian Walk for Veterans

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Madam Speaker, I rise to speak for the first time in the 43rd Parliament as the member for the wonderful riding of South Surrey—White Rock. I thank my husband Brent, my four children, so many amazing volunteers and of course the citizens of my riding who have placed their trust in me to represent them here in Ottawa.

Ours is a vibrant coastal community in southwest B.C., home to the Semiahmoo First Nation. It is also home to the Equitas Society, which supports injured Canadian soldiers suffering lifelong disabilities, who are seeking equity and fairness from the Canadian government and a path back to civilian life after service.

The society sponsors the Canadian Walk for Veterans, to be held nationwide this year on September 26, to engage, inspire and thank our veteran community. I will be joining in and urge all Canadians to also register and show their gratitude.

World Interfaith Harmony Week

[Yasmin Ratansi, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Madam Speaker, the first week of February, designated by the UN General Assembly as World Interfaith Harmony Week, WIHW, is celebrating its 10th year. The City of Toronto has proclaimed the week of Feb 1 to 7 as WIHW week. The theme for 2020 is harmony in diversity. This is a very appropriate topic in today's world where, through misunderstanding, there is anger and hatred against the other.

I would like to thank the chair of the Toronto WIHW, John Voorpostel, for his leadership in gathering people of all faiths through dialogue, music, culture and art to show the world that peace and harmony can exist irrespective of faith, culture or creed.

I was fortunate to attend St. Philip's Lutheran Church this Sunday and present a certificate to Mr. Chander Khanna for his contribution to interfaith dialogue.

I say salaam and peace to all.

Black History Month

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Madam Speaker, we are celebrating Black History Month, as we do every February. Throughout the month, we will be making statements in the House to recognize influential members of Quebec's black community.

The theme is “Here and now”. With those words, we hope to bring to light the concerns of our fellow citizens who are black, because black lives matter here, too.

We want to take a stand for fair and equitable treatment in every segment of our society, and we are calling for better representation of the black community in the media and in politics.

As the Bloc Québécois spokesperson on communal harmony, I would like to begin this month by paying special tribute to my colleagues from the black community. They are role models for black youth, and we need more of them among us in order to have better representation in this democratic institution.

Port of Montreal

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on January 6, I had the honour of attending a ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Transport at which a gold-headed cane was presented to Captain Qin Xiao Fei, master of the Exeborg, the first ocean-going vessel to reach the Port of Montreal without a stopover in 2020.

The Port of Montreal is Canada's second-largest port and a major economic driver for my riding, the city of Montreal, the province of Quebec and the rest of Canada. That is why our government has invested in several projects to improve its productivity. For the first time in its history, the Port of Montreal passed the milestone of 40 million tonnes of cargo handled.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the president and CEO of the Port of Montreal, Sylvie Vachon, along with her team and pilots from the Corporation of Mid St. Lawrence Pilots, for their hard work.

Charitable Giving

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are generous people. Recently, for the 16th year in a row, Abbotsford—Mission was named the most charitable region of Canada. The average annual donation to charity in my community was an astonishing $840 per person. Abbotsford is home to numerous charities and faith communities, including the Cyrus Centre, LIFE Recovery, Food for the Hungry and MCC, all of which support the poorest and most vulnerable among us.

Recently an Abbotsford man took generosity to a whole new level by offering to give the gift of life. Local hotdog vendor, Andrew “Skully” White, heard that one of his customers was very sick and desperately needed a new kidney. Skully bravely stepped forward and is in the process of donating one of his own kidneys to save his customer's life.

I thank all Canadians who sacrificially give of themselves and their resources to make our world a better place.

International Development

[Marwan Tabbara, Liberal, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 30th anniversary of International Development Week, under the theme “Go for the Goals”, referring to the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

I recently visited a Canadian-funded project in Tanzania with Results Canada, where I saw aid investments improve children's health and well-being. Thanks to the investments made by the Government of Canada through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, one municipality in in Dar es Salaam was able to immunize 91% of children with life-saving vaccines against devastating diseases like polio. Canada has been a leader in polio eradication through its support of the global polio eradication initiative, and we have never been closer to finishing the job. Projects focusing on strengthening the health and well-being of countries like Tanzania through routine immunizations, adequate water and sanitation, and proper nutrition are essential.

This year I encourage all members in the House to “Go for the Goals”.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has added another title to his already impressive resumé: Super Bowl champion. Last night the Kansas City Chiefs won the Vince Lombardi trophy for the first time in 50 years. Duvernay-Tardif became the first Quebecker in the NFL to play in the Super Bowl and the first to win. That is not all. Originally from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, this McGill med school graduate, who played for the Redmen football team, is also the first active doctor to play in and win the Super Bowl.

I speak on behalf of all members of the House, all Canadians, all Quebeckers and all McGill graduates when I say that we are so proud of Dr. Duvernay-Tardif. Congratulations to him and his family.

Adoption

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, children need love and stability to thrive and become productive citizens. Tens of thousands of Canadian children are currently living in foster care, and our foster agencies across the country are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of kids in care. Some 30,000 children are currently eligible for adoption and are desperately awaiting the love and stability of a forever family.

Sadly, for too many Canadian children this dream never becomes reality. Older children, those with disabilities and indigenous children are less likely to be adopted, many of them aging out of the system without ever realizing the dream, the love and the stability of a forever family.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of Canadian families who open their hearts and homes and share their love as foster and adoptive parents.

I would ask my colleagues of all parties to work together to raise awareness of this important issue, find real solutions and help Canadian kids find their forever homes.

John Forbes

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Sergeant John Forbes, a Second World War veteran who passed away last December.

John joined the army at age 16 and was sent to England in 1940. He landed in Normandy shortly after D-Day and was wounded by a landmine during the advance from Holland to Germany in 1945. Following five months in hospital, he was released and returned to civilian life.

John continued his service by becoming a reserve soldier and helping other veterans in need. He was a strong advocate in schools and the community, and at the age of 96, John was still helping others and promoting commemorations.

He has been recognized many times for his dedicated and long-term service, including with the French Legion of Honour. John will receive the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation posthumously.

Let us never forget that the freedom we are enjoying today in Canada is because of the sacrifice made by people like John Forbes.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the first Quebecker to ever be part of a team's starting lineup in the great church of football has now won Super Bowl LIV.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif accomplished something quite extraordinary. He is an inspiration to our young people. Thanks to his determination, perseverance, discipline and passion, he was able to win football's highest honour. It is important to promote and acknowledge Quebeckers. I invite the Prime Minister to remember the name of this Quebecker: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

My thoughts are with the parents of this athlete, who stood by him in all his years of training. Young girls and boys in Canada should look up to him and believe in their own potential to achieve their dreams.

In addition to being an exceptional athlete, this francophone, fully bilingual doctor is an excellent ambassador for Canadians on the world stage.

Congratulations, Laurent. You are a true champion.

Freedom of the Press

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government likes to pat itself on the back for openness and transparency, but when we look a bit closer at the man behind the curtain, we see clearly how Orwellian its plans are.

Rather than fixing the problems with the CRTC, in typical Liberal fashion the government is planning on piling more rules and taxes on the backs of the private sector, the creative industry as a whole and of course the taxpayer.

Then there is the issue of press freedom. Andrew Coyne says it best. If the government goes through with its plan, “there won't be a syllable that is breathed or printed...anywhere in this country that does not come under the commission's supervision.”

The heritage minister says media licensing will likely be proportionate, but as in the case of everything under the government, it will likely be a massive failure. I want to remind the Minister of Heritage that Big Brother is just a TV show and not a blueprint for the government.

Black History Month

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise on behalf of my caucus colleagues in the NDP in celebration of the black excellence and contribution to Canada of the African diaspora and her descendants.

To those who blazed the trails we followed, I would like to personally thank the likes of the Hon. Lincoln Alexander, the Hon. Jean Augustine, Howard McCurdy, Rosemary Brown and Celina Caesar-Chavannes.

Let it be recorded that Canadians of African descent are in fact all living histories, each an example of the resilience and perseverance of our ancestors, and the present-day embodiment of freedom seekers. Let the record also show our deepest gratitude to those from all backgrounds who continue the proud abolitionist history of Canada to end racism in all of its pernicious forms.

From The Skin We're In by Desmond Cole to Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard to Until We Are Free by Black Lives Matter Toronto, our history continues to be written. However, the question remains, is Canada ready for it to be read?