House of Commons Hansard #8 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.

Topics

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I understand the hon. member for Fort McMurray—Cold Lake will now lead us in the singing of the national anthem.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Riding of Vaughan—WoodbridgeStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the fine people of Vaughan—Woodbridge.

For six years, I have served the dynamic residents of Vaughan—Woodbridge. They are an inspiration for the work I do here in the House. Their perseverance and commitment to growing our community is what powers this diverse, forward-looking and vibrant community. I witnessed these qualities first-hand in my volunteers, who were more than a team as we became a family. I am grateful to every single one of them.

They all worked very hard to get me re-elected to represent them in Ottawa, because they know that now is the time to build a healthier, more inclusive and fairer Canada, in which everyone has a chance to achieve their full potential.

It is a privilege to be their strong local voice.

I am proud to represent the riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge.

We are a community that faces all challenges head-on, and we are ready to do our part in building a stronger, healthier and more prosperous Canada.

Ridge Meadows RCMP DetachmentStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC

Mr. Speaker, for decades Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge residents have been well served by the Ridge Meadows RCMP. The men and women of this detachment have always worked very hard to serve and protect our communities, often through challenging times. Right now, along with other first responders and emergency service providers, they have been heavily engaged with the major flooding hammering British Columbia.

Our communities are rapidly growing, and with that growth, has come new needs for policing. Last week, I was honoured to join RCMP officials, the Katzie first nation, mayors Dingwall and Morden, and councillors in the announcement of a new RCMP detachment in Pitt Meadows. It will more than double the number of on-duty officers and create positions to improve safety and community outreach.

I send congratulations to all those who have made this project happen and many thanks to the Ridge Meadows RCMP for its outstanding service.

Community ServiceStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Randeep Sarai Liberal Surrey Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, Canadians living in coastal regions from east to west have been hit hard by extreme weather in the last few days, from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, all the way to British Columbia. My send my sincere condolences to everyone from coast to coast who have been impacted by the flooding, who have had damage to homes, farms, livestock, business and infrastructure, and who have had to leave their homes.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank just a few of the many local organizations in Surrey that leapt into action as water levels rose in British Columbia last week: the Akal Sewa Foundation, Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen, the Guru Nanak Food Bank, the Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, Khalsa Aid, Maskeen Farms and the members of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

I thank everyone who stepped up to support their neighbours in need, and I am thinking of all those who are hoping to get back to their homes and communities.

Longueuil Help Centre for Victims of Sexual AssaultStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Denis Trudel Bloc Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC

Mr. Speaker, today I want to highlight two organizations that are doing incredible work: the Comité d’actions féministes de l’agglomération in Longueuil and La Traversée.

The two organizations have joined forces to create the very first help centre for victims of sexual assault, or CALACS, in Longueuil. These centres take a feminist approach to providing direct help and support to victims of sexual and domestic violence and their loved ones. Their work includes prevention, awareness, training, activism and rights advocacy.

Before the pandemic, 493 complaints were reported in Longueuil. It was unfathomable that the fifth-largest city in Quebec did not have a CALACS, given that incidents of sexual and domestic violence have been on the rise for almost two years. I am very proud of the women's groups in Longueuil that have joined forces, and I am particularly proud of the project leader, Sylvie Langlais, and commend her on her work.

This CALACS was created by and for women. It will serve women and girls aged 14 and up in Longueuil and the surrounding areas. On behalf of all women who are victims of sexual and domestic violence, I commend this effort and thank those involved.

Towards a Green and Prosperous PontiacStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC

Mr. Speaker, last week, I was pleased to launch the initiative for a green and prosperous Pontiac. This is an integrated action plan to address climate change in our communities.

To fight climate change we must act locally. As MPs, we can mobilize our communities and support them in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This is why I take this time to thank the 18 mayors of the MRC of Pontiac and Warden Jane Toller for adopting a resolution last Wednesday to support this initiative.

I am very much looking forward to working with all our other provincial and regional leaders, as well as with organizations such as the Conseil régional de l'environnement et du développement durable de l'Outaouais, or CREDDO. I would also like to thank the organization's executive director, Benoit Delage, for his support.

Government PoliciesStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB

Mr. Speaker, China, by far and away, is the largest emitter of GHGs and has made no hard commitment to reduce them over the next decade. One would think that this would be of concern to the Prime Minister, yet when he jet-set off to the farcical COP26, the Prime Minister, instead, launched his latest attack on Canadian energy, committing to a hard emissions cap.

With Canada contributing a mere 1.5% of global GHGs compared to China's 27%, this will have virtually zero impact in reducing global GHGs, but it will kill good-paying Canadian jobs while increasing the cost of energy for everyday Canadians. It is attacking clean Canadian energy while giving the world's largest emitter a free pass. There is one word to describe this policy: insane.

EgmontStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE

Mr. Speaker, a few of the qualities that form the backbone of my community of Egmont are a sense of quiet competence, determination, hard work and deep respect for community. Those qualities have sustained Egmont over many years and have also built a deep sense that hard work will help to overcome any challenges.

Some years ago, when I served in the Government of P.E.I., the federal government of the day closed the air base in Summerside. In response, the entire province banded together and, led by the hard work of Summerside, developed real solutions that eventually turned into a thriving aerospace sector.

In many ways, Egmont responded in the same way to COVID, with a belief that everyone was part of the solution. As a result, we have had an extremely successful fight against the virus.

Now we face a new challenge in the form of a potato fungus that is hurting our potato farmers. Egmont is responding with solidarity and determination. Like the challenges of the past, we will emerge in a better position to sell our first-rate products to a world that values the products we grow.

Gender-Based ViolenceStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, gun control is a woman's issue. During the 16 days of activism to end violence against women, we must recognize that access to firearms by an intimate partner increases the likelihood of femicide by 500%.

Darian Hailey Henderson-Bellman, a young woman from Halton region, was shot and killed in an act of gender-based violence. Alison Irons' daughter Lindsay Wilson was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, who used his firearms licence to purchase the weapon he used to kill Lindsay. On December 6, we will remember the women who were shot at Polytechnique simply because they were women.

All of these young women would have changed their communities and our country for the better, but their lives and the lives of so many others were cut short by violent men and violent weapons. Let us remember them and commit to taking action on gun control in a world without gender-based violence.

Rhodes ScholarStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Clifford Small Conservative Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL

Mr. Speaker, each year 11 Canadian students are selected to join a class of Rhodes Scholars to study at Oxford University in London, England. Only two are chosen from Atlantic Canada.

Established in 1903, the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest graduate scholarship in the world and is considered the most prestigious. Its intention is to promote unity and to instil a sense of civic-minded leadership and moral fortitude in future leaders.

This year, Jane Hutchings from the great province of Newfoundland and Labrador is the recipient of this distinguished honour. Jane is a graduate of Queen's University with a B.Com., as well as a graduate diploma in accounting from the Smith School of Business.

Through a partnership with Mitacs and the community revitalization research program at the Smith School of Business, Ms. Hutchings researched community involvement and cultural custodianship on Fogo Island.

Please join me in congratulating Jane Hutchings on her tremendous accomplishment.

World AIDS DayStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS

Mr. Speaker, December 1 has been World AIDS Day since 1988.

It is an opportunity for people around the world to join forces against HIV-AIDS, to demonstrate support for people living with HIV and to remember those who died.

I would like to thank the researchers and doctors for the medical advances that revolutionized HIV prevention and treatment.

I would also like to invite all members of the House and all Canadians to join me in thanking the people in our community who work to prevent AIDS, put an end to stigma and all forms of discrimination, and help people get the care, treatment and support they need.

Bob KilgerStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Eric Duncan Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON

Mr. Speaker, our community is mourning with yesterday's news of the passing of former Liberal member of Parliament and mayor Bob Kilger.

A pillar of the local sports team, including time as head coach of the Cornwall Royals, Bob also spent time as an NHL referee. He served for 16 years as a member of Parliament in our community and later two terms as mayor of the City of Cornwall.

People do not win six elections, or serve as chief government whip, or deputy speaker of the House or as a mayor without having solid leadership skills like Bob had. Always a good ambassador for our region, Bob was known for his style of bringing people together. I always appreciated his good nature and positive resolve when we both served as mayors in our region.

Bob made a positive contribution over nearly 30 years in public life. We thank him for his contributions and offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife Courtney and his family as we remember an effective community leader and member of the House.

Kildonan—St. PaulStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB

Mr. Speaker, this holiday season, I am grateful beyond words to all those who have supported my journey in public service. I want to thank my family for its steadfast support and encouragement, and thank my incredible team and staff that worked tirelessly on my re-election campaign. All members in the House know it takes a team to get us here. I am so grateful for the incredible people on my team.

I want to thank the constituents of Kildonan—St. Paul for once again entrusting me with the great responsibility and honour of representing them in Parliament. In this Parliament, I will be working hard to heal divisions and bring Canadians together: for affordability for seniors and families; for public safety; and for a thriving economy, with jobs and opportunity for every Canadian in every region of this country.

I wish my constituents and every member in the House togetherness and love this holiday season.

Happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas and good health, joy and prosperity in the new year.

COVID-19 Pandemic MeasuresStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Lisa Marie Barron NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC

Mr. Speaker, with new variants of COVID-19 being detected in Canada, Canadians understand that we are not out of the woods yet. While everyone has been touched by the pandemic, those living with low incomes have often been the first to lose their jobs.

We have seen women and gender-diverse individuals take on the majority of caregiving and household responsibilities. Women-led businesses are still being hit hard. Rates of domestic violence have risen during the pandemic and little supports have followed. In response, front-line organizations in my riding of Nanaimo—Ladysmith have led the way in supporting women and gender-diverse individuals during these difficult times.

As we continue to live with the pandemic, we must ensure that the necessary supports the government provides will lift up all women and diverse gendered individuals so no one is left behind.

Marie-Claire BlaisStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Caroline Desbiens Bloc Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened today to acknowledge the passing of Marie‑Claire Blais, a formidable writer, a pioneer and a great Quebecker.

With her stellar pen, Ms. Blais devoted her entire life to crafting one of the most outstanding pieces of Quebec literature. She was only 20 years old when La belle bête was published in 1959. It was an astonishing literary debut that set her apart from her contemporaries and led U.S. critic Edmund Wilson to say that she was quite possibly a genius.

In her nearly 60-year writing career, Une saison dans la vie d’Emmanuel stands out as a masterpiece. This work earned her the prestigious Prix Medicis in 1966, one of about 40 honours that would mark her career, along with the Ordre national du Québec.

Marie‑Claire Blais passed away yesterday at the age of 82.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to her loved ones and commend her for the invaluable legacy she has left for Quebec culture.

The EconomyStatements By Members

December 1st, 2021 / 2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON

Mr. Speaker, this morning, I asked on my Facebook who had started or finished their Christmas shopping. My inbox quickly filled with heartbreaking messages from my constituents who had no money to buy food or pay rent, never mind Christmas presents.

Our economic crisis is a mental health crisis. How can we help people if they cannot afford groceries? How can we help people if they cannot afford a house or rent? How can we help people if they are so stressed about paying bills that they cannot sleep at night?

The average Canadian carries a debt of over $70,000. What a burden to carry. What a burden to leave to our children. The cost of everything is going up. Wages are stagnant and the Prime Minister just shrugs his shoulders.

The biggest crisis we are facing is the cost of living. The Conservatives will not just accept it as just inflation. We will fight for Canadians.

Nav Bhatia Superfan FoundationStatements By Members

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, Nav Bhatia is best known as the official Raptors superfan. He has not missed a single home game since the inception of the team in 1995.

With his endearing love of the sport, Nav created the Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation, with a goal to unite people of all ages and backgrounds through basketball.

He introduced so many racialized children and youth in the GTA to the Raptors. In 2019, Canada's team became NBA champions and fulfilled one of Nav's dreams of winning the ultimate prize in basketball. Nav uses his influence as a superfan to combat racism, to bridge our differences and to promote our diversity. Nav often says, “Canada is heaven on earth. Everything I have is because of this beautiful country.”

Nav Bhatia is a proud Sikh, successful entrepreneur, an infectious Raptors fan and a great Canadian role model. Nav's remarkable story will be showcased on CBC this Friday.

Please join me in welcoming Nav Bhatia today.

HousingOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, Canada is in a real housing crisis. Only New Zealand has worse housing inflation than Canada. Homes are not getting built, which is making inflation worse, and the Liberal government's out-of-control spending is also making inflation worse. The median price for a house in the city of Toronto went up 33% last year alone.

If billions in Liberal spending has been making housing more expensive, how is billions more going to make it cheaper?

HousingOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, as outlined in the Speech from the Throne, housing is a major priority for this government, and we will deliver on it with programs like the housing accelerator fund, which will help municipalities build more and better, faster.

Whether it is building more units per year or increasing affordable housing, we will work with partners to get real results for Canadian families. We will also help families buy their first home sooner with a more flexible first-time home buyer incentive, a new rent-to-own program and by reducing the costs for closing for first-time buyers.

HousingOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister says that it is a “priority for this government”, but Canada has the largest housing bubble in the world.

Canada's inflationary crisis is only getting worse under the government. Just today RE/MAX has stated that housing prices are going to rise another 10% in 2022, and the reason, according to it, is “the ongoing housing supply shortage.” Therefore, now we have an inflationary crisis and a housing supply shortage.

Why does the Prime Minister not have a plan to get houses built?

HousingOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservative Party of Canada when it comes to investing in housing. For 10 years. under Stephen Harper. the Conservatives did nothing on housing, which is why we stepped up in 2017 with a national housing strategy, and are stepping up now with four billion dollars for municipalities to invest and to accelerate the construction of new housing supply, which contrasts with the Conservatives' approach, which was to give massive tax breaks to wealthy landlords to help them sell their buildings. That would not have helped housing costs in Canada.

We are acting and we are delivering.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister likes to go back in time to a Conservative government, back when there was a balanced budget and low taxes, and when Canadians were not falling behind in their monthly payments. There is no debate when Canadians are going to the gas pump; fuel prices are setting records.

The Prime Minister and the finance minister complain about the global supply chain shortage. Want to know the best example of a smooth supply chain? Pipelines. If we could actually get pipelines built in the country, we could get gas prices down.

When will the Prime Minister stop the attacks on our energy sector?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, unlike the Conservatives, we understand that the best way to build a strong economy and a stronger future, including not just good jobs but good careers for Canadians, is to invest in fighting climate change at the same time as we invest in growing the economy.

We have invested to support Alberta workers, we have invested to support getting our oil to new markets. but we have also stepped up in the fight against climate change, because that is what Canadians expect.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Durham Ontario

Conservative

Erin O'Toole ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are feeling the effects of inflation. Even though some products are made here in Canada, the cost of groceries, gas, housing, chicken and beef continue to rise. Increased spending means fewer opportunities for families and seniors.

When will the Prime Minister realize that monetary policy matters?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this pandemic, we promised Canadians that we would have their backs, and that is exactly what we have done. Although the Conservatives wanted us to invest less in families, workers, businesses and students, we have been there for them and will continue to be. The best way to create a strong economy for everyone is to end this pandemic, and that means everyone getting vaccinated.