Debates of Jan. 27th, 2021

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent

[Members sang the national anthem]

Human Rights

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against hate in all its forms.

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is a stark reminder of the atrocities that can occur when we do not speak up against hate.

On January 6, we watched as Capitol Hill in Washington was stormed by a mob of insurrectionists, white supremacists and hate groups, cheered on by leaders who spread misinformation and promoted vigilantism.

In Nanaimo—Ladysmith, racism raised its ugly head on social media and in the community when there was a COVID outbreak in the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Ignorance about the effects of colonization on indigenous health outcomes was on full display. Chief Wyse rightly said that the burden of addressing racism needed to come off of the shoulders of indigenous people. Indeed, it needs to come off the shoulders of all who are affected by racism and bigotry.

Together, we have a responsibility to combat hate in all its forms.

Virtual Town Halls

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in Kitchener—Conestoga, we continue working hard to make sure we safely stay connected.

In 2020, we learned that virtual events help keep constituents up to date on important issues and allowed their voices to be heard.

I am proud to say that we are coming up on our 25th virtual town hall featuring local leaders discussing important community issues. Guests have included mayors, elected officials, community service groups, economic development representatives, environmentalist groups, diversity and inclusivity advocates, veterans, guests from various economic sectors and even at the end of the year a town hall that featured some holiday music.

The success of these virtual town halls is due to the contributions of everyone who shares his or her ideas in these engaging discussions. I feel grateful and inspired to be part of these important conversations, and I appreciate everyone's involvement in these meaningful dialogues.

I would like to invite all of Kitchener—Conestoga to view our past town halls online and encourage them to participate at our next one.

Essential Guest Workers

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the first of over 14,000 essential guest workers are beginning to arrive in the Windsor-Essex region for this year's agricultural season.

Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald has called me and both the federal and provincial levels of the governments to be accountable for these workers. Together with Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos and Warden Gary McNamara, they continue to press for more effective oversight of guest workers within their communities. Good for them. They are deserving of better answers than those to date.

Together with my colleagues from Essex, Windsor—Tecumseh and Windsor West, we are working across party lines and jurisdictions to develop the answers the municipalities and local communities need. We look forward to working with industry to address these challenges for our more sustainable regional economy and quality of life for all, including our essential guest workers.

We thank Mayor MacDonald for her leadership.

Stuart Thiesson

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Speaker, with great respect, I recognize Mr. Stuart Thiesson of Saskatoon, who passed away this month.

Stuart worked in the farm movement for 41 years with the Saskatchewan Farmers Union and later the National Farmers Union. He was the wordsmith behind so much of the what the NFU stood for, holding the pen that drafted hundreds of presentations to provincial and federal governments. Stuart was gifted in turning ideas into words and turning those words into calls for action.

A founding member of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame, he served on the Labour Relations Board, Statistics Canada Advisory Committee and was a founding director of the Saskatoon Community Clinic, where he fought for accessible health care for all.

As well, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan and inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame. Stuart loved to play the musical keyboards and host friends and family at his cabin on Emma Lake.

Stuart is truly one of Canada's best.

Alzheimer's Disease

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every year in January the Alzheimer Society organizes an Alzheimer's awareness month.

In order to shine the light on neurocognitive disorders and the impact they have on people, let us listen to the voice of the people with the disease and their families, as well as caregivers and health care professionals, particularly during this pandemic when they are more isolated than ever. Let us consider the example of Lyne, a human resources professional who was not prepared to become a caregiver when her husband Yves was diagnosed at the young age of 63.

Life does not stop because of Alzheimer's. The maintenance of social connections and stimulating daily activities is vital in helping people retain their place in the community. Awareness is the first step in combatting judgment and discrimination, strengthening human rights, effecting policy change and doing anything else that might help people with neurocognitive disorders.

We have a duty to remember all victims and their families so that they are not forgotten.

Online School

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, during this lockdown, many parents are experiencing a new reality with online school.

I would like to thank all the teachers in Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, who are doing amazing work online with our kids. Across the country, teachers are using their imagination and creativity to motivate kids during online school. One teacher in particular, Danika Bélisle, who teaches grades seven and eight at École secondaire catholique Embrun, is doing a really fantastic job. Every day, Ms. Bélisle shows up in a costume or a disguise to boost student morale during these trying times.

Our young people are our future. They are going through tough times too. Every day, from coast to coast to coast, their determined teachers are right there with them, and they make a big difference in our kids' lives. Three cheers for teachers!

Small Business

[Terry Dowdall, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, operating a small business is difficult in good times; operating one during COVID is a struggle, and for those who opened a new business in 2020, it has been a nightmare.

The Canada emergency business account is supposed to help small businesses, but new ones are being turned away instead.

My constituent, Laura-Lee Gamby, signed her lease in February 2020 but did not open until August. She is not eligible for CEBA. Michelle Joyce and Kevin Thompson did not get a CRA number for their restaurant before March 31; they cannot get help. Chris Brakel opened his gym right before this pandemic hit, and he has been denied assistance. Dr. Charlton, a long-time chiropractor, just updated her CRA number in March because she no longer has staff. Now she cannot get help because hers is considered a new business. I could go on.

The rules preventing new businesses from getting help need to change. The government needs to fix CEBA and help our new entrepreneurs, now.

Community Service

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while the COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous hardship in our communities, it has also presented an opportunity for our Canadian spirit of kindness and generosity to shine through. In my wonderful riding of Humber River—Black Creek, Dennis Keshinro is one of those wonderful individuals.

Dennis and his great team of volunteers have been heroes in our community, delivering bundles of food and personal protective equipment to over 500 residents, and organizing fundraisers for those in our community worst affected by this pandemic. His contribution and his wife and family's dedication to Humber River—Black Creek are a reminder to us all that even in dark times we can all strive to do better and exemplify what it means to be Canadians. I thank Dennis.

Bon Soo Winter Carnival

[Terry Sheehan, Liberal, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in past years, I have risen in the House and invited all members of Parliament to join me in Sault Ste. Marie for Bon Soo, our annual winter celebration.

This year, however, the 58th Bon Soo Winter Carnival will be transformed from a predominantly outdoor event to an online virtual event. Make no mistake about it: Bon Soo is on. This year, with a click of the keyboard, everyone can join us for one of Canada's best winter carnivals. This year, we will not be gathering to watch fireworks or shooting down the ice bum slides or braving a polar-bear dip, but the spirit of Bon Soo is as strong as ever with online contests, games and more scheduled for February 5 to 15.

Reinventing a winter carnival has been a challenge for our awesome organizers and volunteers, but I am proud to see the essence of Bon Soo, the celebration of winter and northern Ontario, continues to thrive even in the middle of a pandemic. Happy Bon Soo, everybody.

The Chief William Saulis

[Chris d'Entremont, Conservative, West Nova, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I find myself once again talking about a tragedy in West Nova and commemorating lives lost.

On December 15, the Chief William Saulis, a scallop dragger out of Yarmouth, sank in the Bay of Fundy. Lost were captain Charles Roberts, and fishermen Michael Drake, Daniel Forbes, Geno Francis and Leonard Gabriel. There is always danger of losing lives at sea. Sadly, these six hard-working men lost their lives providing for their families.

While the RCMP and Coast Guard have found the sunken vessel in 60 metres of water, only one body has been returned for burial.

Less than a month later, on January 10, search and rescue was called to the small community of Morris Island, where Kenneth Surette and his wife Noreen disappeared while visiting their camp on a neighbouring island. Searchers found Noreen's body, but it took fishers a few days to find Kenneth's.

We need to thank the Canadian Forces search and rescue, ground search and rescue teams; Coast Guard; RCMP and the hundreds of volunteers who supported the efforts and the families during this difficult time.

We need to remain Nova Scotia strong. May they all rest in peace.

Maureen Ambersley and Arlene Reid

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, throughout the pandemic our front-line health care workers have been taking care of our seniors, supporting patients and being there for our loved ones when we cannot. Today, I want to commemorate two health care workers from Peel region who lost their lives saving the lives of others.

Maureen Ambersley was a registered practical nurse working in the Extendicare Mississauga long-term care home for more than 13 years. She lived in Brampton and was an excellent nurse and a caring mother and grandmother.

Arlene Reid worked as a personal support worker for the Victorian Order of Nurses in Peel region. Arlene is survived by her five children and three grandsons and was described as having a vibrant smile that lit up every room.

While Arlene and Maureen lost their lives in the pursuit of caring for those who needed it most, their passing is a tragedy that should remind everyone about the toll this pandemic is taking on our health care workers across this country.

We will never forget their service.

Airline Industry

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, for months we have been begging the government to step forward to help the aviation sector. We have pushed to exhaustion the ideas of rapid testing, pilot projects and a well-thought-out plan, but it is evident that the effects of the government's inaction go well beyond this sector, as we see the chaos and fear surrounding us today. The implementation of further travel requirements, with more on the way, is further proof of the government's incompetence. We pushed rapid testing and testing on arrival; the Liberals have not listened.

Canadians did what they always do. They were patient, trusting the government when it said that a supply of vaccines was on the way, hoping this was a sign of a return to normal and a full restoration of the economy and life in Canada. Once again, the government has failed.

In September, when I first spoke about this, it was about the airline sector, but inaction and incompetence of the government has moved far beyond this. The current government managed to fail on it all: rapid testing, testing on arrival and now is failing terribly on vaccines to the detriment of not just one sector, but all Canadians.

COVID-19 Vaccines

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we all remember the Prime Minister's grandstanding last December when the first vaccines arrived in Canada. He tried to give Canadians the impression that it was the beginning of a massive nationwide vaccination effort against COVID-19.

What do we know now? It was all for show. Not surprisingly, once again, our Prime Minister is all talk and no action. The reality today is that the vaccine supply has come to a complete halt. No more vaccines are coming into Canada. The provinces have confirmed that they are waiting anxiously for this Liberal government to push ahead with the vaccine rollout.

As recently as January 5, this Prime Minister had no problem criticizing the provinces because he thought vaccines were not getting into people's arms fast enough. Instead of being condescending and lecturing the provinces, why is he not showing leadership by ensuring an effective and continuous supply of vaccines to get Canadians back to work, get our economy moving and put an end to this pandemic once and for all?

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and with deep love, I honour my grandmother.

I adored my grandmother, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and a woman of courage who gave up my father into hiding during the war, which saved his life. It was a fortunate choice, a choice that graced me with having him as a father. He was the only surviving child on both sides of my paternal family after the war, with five survivors in total. As a mother, I cannot imagine having to make that choice, but she did in all of her courage, kindness, wisdom and strength.

To all individuals who lost loved ones during the war whom they may have known, to all those who feel a loss due to those relatives they were never blessed to know but whom they cherish in their blood memory, I extend my heart, strength and hope for a better, kinder, more gentle world for all today as we strive to ensure human rights and dignity for all.

I remember. We remember.

Regional Newspaper in the Mauricie

[Louise Charbonneau, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 1920, Joseph-Hermann Fortier founded the daily newspaper Le Nouvelliste in a modest space on Rue du Platon in the heart of downtown Trois-Rivières.

Over the many years and issues, several renowned columnists and journalists joined the team to cover and analyze current events in the Mauricie.

On October 30, 2020, Le Nouvelliste celebrated in a more subdued than festive manner its 100th anniversary, a centennial marked by rushed but necessary efforts to digitize the publication in the midst of a pandemic. Le Nouvelliste, which has changed hands several times, was able to adapt and evolve by adopting a co-operative model.

I want to acknowledge the invaluable media contribution of our daily newspaper and wish a happy anniversary to Le Nouvelliste.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today, let us remember the millions of lives lost, and may their memories be a blessing. Let us think of those who survived and the families whose lives were shattered forever. It is for those we lost, those who survived and their families that we must continue to do the work necessary and honour our commitment of “never again”.

Sadly, we see a continued rise in anti-Semitic attacks year over year. There is still much work to be done, but I am proud to be part of the multipartisan international task force on combatting online anti-Semitism with elected officials across the globe. As members of Parliament, it is our duty and responsibility to ensure that the hateful acts that led to the Holocaust never happen again.

Today, on behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, I pledge our unwavering commitment to “never again”.

Shelter for Homeless Youth

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we have all seen the devastating impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable in our society. The plight of the homeless has especially resonated with us, and the lack of resources for those without a fixed address has come to light. We have also witnessed the important work being done for the homeless by workers on the ground who are tireless, creative and compassionate.

Some young people are also homeless and there are very few resources to meet their needs. In Châteauguay, we rely on the dedicated team at L'Élan des jeunes, an organization that provides accommodation and services for homeless youth.

I am very pleased to say that with $423,000 in financial assistance from the rapid housing initiative, Élan des jeunes will be able to handle more requests.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for La Prairie on a point of order.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the whips and leaders agreed that male MPs participating virtually must wear a tie. You are aware of this and have also insisted on it.

I saw that the member for Sault Ste. Marie was wearing a red sweater, something that you would wear to a festival. We are not at a festival, we are in the House of Commons. I would like the Leader of the Government and his whip to be reminded of that.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I was just about to raise that point. I thank the hon. member for La Prairie.

I want to remind all members that no one is allowed to wear clothing with distinguishing marks. There is a fair amount of leeway here. In the past, there has been a lot of flexibility for members making statements under Standing Order 31. Normally, we can see the tie and a jacket is worn over the sweater. This case was a bit of a stretch.

I want to remind all members to be judicious and use some reason when making their S. O. 31s because we do not want any messages going out. Again, props evoke an emotion in members in the chamber and we want to keep everything as peaceful and civil as possible.

[Terry Sheehan, Liberal, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a point of clarification. I was wearing a tie under the sweater with a coat over it, as in the past. I think if you looked closely, you could see the top of it.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We will leave it at that. We will use this as a learning lesson so that members do not do it again in the future. Members should ensure their ties are showing when they have a jacket on and everything should be fine.

Health

[Erin O'Toole, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we now know the government's first vaccine deal with Chinese pharmaceutical giant CanSino fell apart almost immediately after the Prime Minister announced it. It only took a week for the Chinese state to stop the necessary material from being exported to Canada so research and production could happen. It was the only leading vaccine the Liberal government was pushing to be made in Canada.

Why did it take the government three months to admit the CanSino deal had fallen apart?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, from the very beginning, we knew that signing deals for vaccines with as many different companies as possible was going to be the best way of ensuring that Canadians made it through this pandemic. That is exactly what we did. We signed a record number of vaccine deals with potential vaccine makers, and that is why we now have more vaccine doses potentially per person than anyone else.

Yes, we cast the net very wide. Some of the deals did not work out, including with CanSino, but we secured doses, early doses, for Canadians through the deals we did agree to.