House of Commons Hansard #3 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was columbia.

Topics

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation.

Kanata North Technology ParkStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jenna Sudds Liberal Kanata—Carleton, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to have the opportunity today to celebrate the growth and contributions of the many businesses in my riding, particularly of the Kanata North technology park, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Kanata North technology park is home to over 540 companies and contributes over $13 billion to Canada's GDP annually. The innovation, technology and hardware from these companies have been the backbone of our country's telecommunication systems.

Two weeks ago, the Kanata North Business Association opened its doors to a new community space called Hub350. With incredible partners such as Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, as well as those in industry, such as Telus, BlackBerry QNX and Wesley Clover, the future is bright.

I want to thank the Kanata North Business Association for its leadership, its commitment to bringing industry and academia together, and for launching Hub350 and the 5G innovation zone.

44th ParliamentStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Aitchison Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in this place and thank my neighbours in Parry Sound—Muskoka for once again trusting me to be their voice in this chamber.

Earlier this month, I was pleased to attend the Friends of the Muskoka Watershed's ash drive in Bracebridge. Created by Dr. Norman Yan, the Muskoka ash project seeks to fight the problem of ecological osteoporosis of the trees in Muskoka using ash recovered from residential wood stoves. This ash is then used to replenish calcium levels in the soil and water.

This is but one example of everyday Canadians of all partisan stripes coming together to tackle a problem. As we begin this 44th Parliament, I call on all my colleagues on all sides of the House to use this same approach.

Canadians are tired of the partisanship and the gridlock. They are tired of the bickering back and forth, and they are tired of the rhetoric. Each of us was sent to the House to solve the problems Canadians are facing. I challenge each of us to reach across the aisle, find common ground, and take up the people's work of ensuring that Canada's best days always lie ahead.

Manmeet Singh Bhullar FoundationStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Maninder Sidhu Liberal Brampton East, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate a great man, the honourable Manmeet Singh Bhullar. His life was taken too soon in 2015 after stopping on the highway to help a motorist.

Mr. Bhullar was committed to helping those most in need, not only here in Canada, but also around the world. Through his efforts and a collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Manmeet Singh Bhullar Foundation, a great number of Afghanistan Sikh and Hindu minorities are now here in Canada and thriving. Children are in school, and families are working and giving back to our communities. Most importantly, because of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, they are able to freely practice their religion. They are living the Canadian dream. His legacy will live on as his work continues through the foundation in partnership with the Government of Canada.

Meeta, as many of us called him, inspired so many of us in this chamber. His passion, drive and energy were contagious, and he touched many lives while he was with us.

I thank my friend for inspiring us. He will be forever missed.

Nathalie LacroixStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Salaberry—Suroît, QC

Mr. Speaker, when I say that I am proud to be the member for Salaberry—Suroît, it is because I have every reason to be.

I have the honour of meeting exceptional people, including the most recent winner of the Coup de coeur des Agricultrices du Québec award. Pioneering, determined and innovative: that is how best to describe Nathalie Lacroix, co-owner of Petits Fruits St‑Louis in Saint‑Louis‑de‑Gonzague.

Ms. Lacroix began producing a still little-known fruit, the organic haskap berry, in 2011. Today, thousands of fans are flocking to the Lacroix‑Léger's farm to pick the berries directly in the field or buy all sorts of the family's delicious creations.

Ms. Lacroix is a truly admirable woman who knows how to share her talents and passions with her family and community.

Dear Nathalie, you are a smart woman with a huge heart. You are a worthy representative of Quebec's women farmers. I will see you soon at the store, my friend. I still have Christmas gifts to buy.

Citizens of BourassaStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC

Mr. Speaker, as this 44th Parliament gets under way, I want to sincerely thank the people in the riding of Bourassa who placed their trust in me by electing me for the fourth consecutive time.

What a privilege it is. I am so proud to represent them.

I would like to take a moment to thank my staff for the quality of the services they provide. I also want to thank my family for their unwavering support, as well as the many volunteers who contributed to my campaigns.

The quality of people's lives has improved significantly since 2015, but much remains to be done. We must work together to continue to combat insecurity, create more affordable housing, support seniors and, most importantly, build a sports facility.

People of Bourassa, rest assured that I will always be at your side, à vos côtés, a su lado, al vostro fianco, ana maatcom, avèwmapmaché.

The Conservative Party of CanadaStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Dean Allison Conservative Niagara West, ON

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank the constituents of Niagara West for putting their trust in me for the seventh consecutive time. I am proud and honoured to be their voice in this chamber once again. I am humbled that I received more votes in this election than in the last one. I thank Niagara West for their support.

As we all know, this election was extremely divisive. This was only so because of the Prime Minister, who is leading a corrupt and secretive government. Canadians should be concerned that the Prime Minister would try and divide us by pitting one group of Canadians against another. That is no way to lead this country.

The Prime Minister is also failing Canadians on the economy. Just look at the skyrocketing inflation and the cost-of-living crisis we are in, with higher prices for groceries, gas and other essentials such as home heating.

My constituents are worried; Canadians are worried. Thankfully, they can count on a strong, united Conservative official opposition to fight for the best interests of all Canadians, and we intend to do exactly that.

Homes UnlimitedStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in the House for the first time to talk about an issue that is personal to me.

My family and I arrived in Canada as refugees with nothing but the clothes on our backs.

The first years of my life in Canada, I lived in social housing. Considering the rate of homelessness across the country, I know that we were lucky. Accessible and affordable housing is not a privilege. It should be a universal right.

Every single person in London and across Canada deserves a place to call home. That is why I want to highlight Homes Unlimited, an organization that has been working tirelessly since 1972 to help fill the housing gap for Londoners with affordable housing solutions. The Tecumseh Place development is part of Homes Unlimited and has worked to provide affordable housing for the families of London West.

I also want to highlight the need for housing across the country and thank our government for making this issue a priority in its mandate. I hope that across the aisle we can agree to make this a non-partisan and important issue we can champion in our time here.

OrléansStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON

Mr. Speaker, Orleans is full of outstanding residents. Two of Orléans' residents received 2021 Order of Ottawa awards last Thursday, November 18.

Congratulations to Michael Allen, the president and CEO of United Way East Ontario, and Ian Faris, the senior vice-president of chamber network relations and advocacy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for this well-deserved recognition.

Last week I also had the privilege of attending the 2021 Soirée Saphir gala in Toronto, organized by the Foundation franco-ontarienne. Women from across Ontario were recognized for their leadership and dedication.

I congratulate all the finalists and winners, with a special shout out to Jocelyne Legault, who won the “Entrepreneure” award for her work as executive director of Les Sittelles gymnastics club in Orleans. Congratulations.

I would like to give my thanks to the Orléans community for re-electing me and allowing me to be in this 44th Parliament.

Economic RecoveryStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you on your re-election.

As this is my first opportunity to rise in the 44th Parliament, I want to thank the people of the Kenora riding for once again placing their trust in me to serve in this chamber. It is an honour to be in this position, and I am thankful to everyone who helped our team make it possible.

During the last campaign, I heard from countless individuals who were hoping for a robust economic recovery that includes the north. To make that happen, small businesses must be given the opportunity to thrive. Serious labour shortages must be addressed, and the government must present a real plan to deal with the current housing crisis. Canada's recovery must include all sectors and all regions.

It is my renewed pledge that I will work to ensure that the Kenora riding and all of northern Ontario is well positioned to drive the economic recovery forward.

The HolodomorStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the famine genocide in Ukraine known as the Holodomor, when Joseph Stalin closed Ukraine's borders and confiscated all food to destroy a Ukrainian population opposed to his rule. Nineteen people per minute, 1,200 per hour and 28,000 per day were dying of famine at the height of the Holodomor. The world was silent. Millions died as a result.

My grandmother Olena was a survivor of the Holodomor. She once told me that she hoped that the victims of the Holodomor would be not only remembered but also honoured. For her, honouring them meant not just remembering them or commemorating them, but making sure that crimes like this never happen again.

I hope that this week we all take the time to not only remember and commemorate the victims, but also renew our and redouble our efforts to ensure that crimes like this, which are happening even today, stop and never happen again. Let us do as my grandmother would have asked to do if she were here today. Let us remember, commemorate and honour the victims.

Flooding in British ColumbiaStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to thank so many members of this place and their constituents who have reached out and passed on support to the good people of Princeton and Merritt, along with the many small indigenous communities in the Similkameen and Nicola valleys, who have been devastated by flooding. While there has been some positive news that some residents can return home, the reality is that many challenges remain.

It is one thing for people to clean up their homes and remove destroyed belongings, but those belongings pile up on streets and need to be removed. Sewer systems are not working; there is no water, and in many places there is no gas or electricity and thus no heat. Each night the temperature drops further below zero, and it does not move much above zero in the day. All of these residents are in a race against time now, to rebuild their lives as much as possible before the true freeze of winter sets in.

I would like to ask all members of this House to continue to think and advocate for the people of Merritt, Princeton and those other small communities that need every bit of support and every bit of encouragement we can muster right now and in the future.

Flooding in British ColumbiaStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC

Mr. Speaker, on June 29 my riding suffered one of the worst disasters in recent memory: Lytton burned to the ground. Now floods and mudslides have destroyed critical infrastructure and private property in every corner of my riding in the last few weeks. My constituents in Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon are hurting. B.C. is hurting. We are resilient and we will get through this, but we need help.

The government speaks a lot about addressing climate change. Here is the opportunity to back those words with action, through resilient infrastructure and climate change adaptation and mitigation for the 21st century. I call on the government to work with partners to rebuild Lytton, to fund critical infrastructure and to empower first nations to have more control over disaster management, because the current way of doing things is failing.

We have much to do, and I am squarely focused on getting the resources British Columbia needs to build back.

Women and Gender EqualityStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the good people of Port Moody—Coquitlam for electing me as one of the 103 women in this House.

This pandemic has been hard on women, and the increased burden of unpaid work has caused too many to leave the workforce to take on child care and home schooling. Their careers have been set back as they stepped forward for their families, and the women working the front lines of the care economy, many of whom are racialized and new immigrants, have faced long hours and increased incidents of abuse. They have been hailed as heroes but paid inadequate wages.

That is wrong. Their work is invaluable. This devaluation exists because of broader systems of oppression. As we recover from this pandemic, we must take the opportunity to remove barriers for women and diverse genders and finally achieve gender equality.

Oriflammes projectStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Oriflammes project, an initiative started a few years ago by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 79 in Richelieu, Quebec.

Every year during the Remembrance Day period, banners bearing images of the region's veterans adorn the main streets of Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu. They remind us of the service of our local military personnel, whose biographies are posted on the city's website

I mention this because, among other reasons, Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu was the first city in Quebec to undertake an initiative like this. Other municipalities have since followed suit, and we hope that the project will be emulated in even more cities.

It is said that all military personnel pay for their service with their lives. While some do all at once, others spread payment out over their lifetime. Initiatives like the Oriflammes project are one way to say a most deserved thank you to them.

Flooding in British ColumbiaStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC

Mr. Speaker, this past week Canadians watched in horror as disaster struck British Columbia. Torrential rains unleashed a flood that washed out highways, bridges, and water and sewer systems. Thousands of homes and businesses have been submerged. Farm animals have drowned or been euthanized.

The scene in Abbotsford is one of unimaginable destruction. Countless families have been displaced. Dikes have been breached, pump stations overwhelmed and untold property lost as the carnage swept across our city.

However, I am grateful to live in Abbotsford. In the middle of all this chaos, my community stepped up when it counted. Our mayor, volunteers, first responders, armed forces and so many others tirelessly worked to get people to safety and protect the public against harm.

The damage will take years to assess and is in the billions of dollars, but we will overcome this monumental challenge and rebuild an even more resilient community.

May God bless Abbotsford and may God bless Canada.

Newfoundlanders Missing at SeaStatements by Members

2:25 p.m.

Liberal

Ken McDonald Liberal Avalon, NL

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to speak to members of this House about two young men missing at sea off the coast of Newfoundland. Adolfo, better known as Tommy Ferreira, and Michael Gill left Lawrence Harbour to hunt turr on Saturday, November 13, and sadly, despite the best efforts of rescue crews, have not yet returned home.

To the members of the Canadian Coast Guard, the RCMP, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, boat owners and fish harvesters who have and continue to aid in the search for these two men, we say “thank you” for doing what most of us can only imagine as being a heart-wrenching job.

It is incumbent on us as a government to ensure that those who go to sea are safe and will return home to their families each night. We must continue to change our rules and policies to ensure the safety of every person out on our waters.

To the families and friends of these two young boys, I want to extend thoughts and prayers from the constituents in Avalon and indeed from all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

May God be with them.

Disaster AssistanceOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, it is nice to see you in the chair and it is great to see MPs in their seats.

For more than a week, Canadians have been watching devastating images out of British Columbia as floods ravage Abbotsford, Hope and dozens of other communities. I want to recognize that the minister has been in regular contact with the federal government's response to these tragic floods.

Could the Prime Minister please update this House on the latest federal government efforts to deal with this disaster?

Disaster AssistanceOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for bringing this up. I know that he and I, all members of this House and all Canadians stand with British Columbians during this extraordinarily difficult time. We are, as he said, in close contact with provincial authorities to make sure we are prepared for any further aid required.

Federal resources have been on the ground since the very beginning, and we now have up to 500 CAF members on the ground, sand-bagging, rescuing livestock and providing food and support to remote communities.

We will continue to be there to support people in B.C. as we get through this and as we rebuild. It is what Canadians do: We stick up for each other, we are there for each other and we will continue.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Prime Minister and keep on the theme of standing up for people in British Columbia. The Coastal GasLink project has agreements with 20 indigenous communities in B.C. True reconciliation demands a plan for economic reconciliation, so that the next generation of indigenous children inherit opportunity and not trauma. This week, we have seen dog-whistle invitations to blow up projects like Coastal GasLink.

Why are Canadians waiting on the Prime Minister to release a real plan for economic reconciliation?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, from 2015 onwards we have been serious about the work of reconciliation, which absolutely does include economic reconciliation in leadership and in partnership with indigenous peoples. Whether it is on developing natural resources, ensuring parity and investments in schools or ending long-term boil water advisories, we will continue to move forward in a way that is led by and guided by the partnerships with indigenous peoples across this country.

Of course, Canadians need to work together to achieve this goal, and any remarks that advocate for or serve to instigate violence are unproductive and potentially dangerous.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, Canadian inflation is at a 20-year high and 60% of Canadian parents are worried about putting food on the table. Monthly grocery bills have already gone up hundreds of dollars. The Speech from the Throne mentioned inflation once. It was mentioned just once.

Is the Prime Minister having trouble understanding the concerns of Canadian families, or does he just not care?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, inflation is a challenge that countries around the world are facing right now because of disrupted supply chains and because of the recovery of our economies after COVID, but we are extremely concerned about the rising costs of living brought to people by inflation.

The member opposite talked about families. That is exactly why we are moving forward with $10-a-day child care right across the country. Indeed, even in places like Alberta, they are moving forward on that and have shown that they will cut child care costs for families in half as of January 1. That is real help that the Conservatives here in this House have stood against.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

Before I go to the Leader of the Opposition, I am sure everybody wants to hear the responses to the questions. I just want to point that out and make sure that everybody stays quiet and listens.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, inflation in Canada is higher than ever, and 60% of Canadian families are worried about not being able to put food on the table. Grocery bills have already gone up hundreds of dollars, yet the throne speech mentioned inflation once—just once. Is the Prime Minister aware that there is an inflation crisis in Canada?