Debates of Dec. 6th, 2021

Violence Against Women

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte, 14 young women with bright futures, had their lives taken from them just because they were women. Thirty-two years ago, they were shot and killed by a man who hated women, particularly those who could hold their own.

That was 32 years ago, but have we made any real progress as a society? It is hard to tell. This year, there have already been 18 femicides in Quebec alone. Eighteen women died at the hands of their violent partners. We need to do more. We need to continue to focus on education, putting resources on the ground and limiting access to guns in our communities. We owe it to our sisters, our friends, our daughters and those 14 young women who left us far too soon 32 years ago.

François Hébert

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on December 4, Quebec lost one of its literary giants. François Hébert co-founded the publishing house Les Herbes rouges in 1968. When we think about Quebec literature and poetry, we cannot help but think about the almost mythical Hébert brothers: Marcel, who died in 2007, and François.

With François' death, we have suddenly lost over half a century of literary memory. He gave up his role as CEO in the spring but continued to work as an editor until this past Saturday, just as he wanted to.

Les Herbes rouges started out as a literary magazine before becoming a publishing house with 600 titles. It promotes avant-garde literature and serves as a forum for discussion and renewal, where anything is possible. Les Herbes rouges is one big family.

François, my editor, boss, mentor and friend, I thank you on behalf of the Bloc Québécois. I love you.

Violence Against Women

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on this day 32 years ago, 14 women were murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal. The lives of 14 bright, young women were senselessly cut short. These women were explicitly targeted because of their sex. They were murdered for no reason other than the fact that they were women.

The blatant sexism that motivated the attack continues to haunt Canadians and the women who still face unacceptable high volumes of violence. Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Canadians must unite against sexism, remember the victims of the dark day in 1989 and resolve to do better.

We need to work together to create a Canada that is free from violence against women. We owe it to the victims and it is time we make it a reality.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this year, like every year, I will be at this afternoon's vigil, surrounded by my grieving community.

Thirty-two years ago to the day, 14 female students at Montreal's École Polytechnique lost their lives. I want to pay tribute to those 14 brilliant young women whose whole lives lay ahead of them and to the survivors, such as Nathalie Provost, who was shot that evening and who works with PolyRemembers to advocate for better gun control here in Canada.

On this very solemn day, I commit, in this House of Commons, to the survivors of Polytechnique, to the families of Meriem and Thomas, and all those who have been impacted by gun violence to continue to fight for stronger gun control measures. Whether it is a mandatory buyback for assault weapons or a national ban on handguns, the mandate my community sent me to Ottawa with will guide my every step.

On December 6, 1989, 14 exceptional young women were brutally gunned down. May we never forget.

[The Speaker, Anthony Rota]

Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand that there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence.

I invite the members to rise and observe one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tragedy that occurred 32 years ago at Montreal's École Polytechnique.

[A moment of silence observed]

Gender-Based Violence

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the number of women who are victims of violence simply because they are women should be decreasing, but the evidence shows that it is just going up. Since the beginning of the pandemic, incidents of domestic violence have drastically increased. Many women have been victims of violence and abuse. Many have suffered at the hands of intimate partners. Violence against women, in all of its forms, tears families apart and the impact goes beyond the victims to hurt children and our society.

Today, as we mark the 32nd anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre, one of the most horrific examples of gender-based violence, can the Deputy Prime Minister please update the House on what the government is doing to combat violence against women?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the deputy leader of the Conservative Party for that very important question, and while we disagree about many things in the House I hope that on this very sombre anniversary we can all agree that violence against women is simply unacceptable.

Today, it is very important that we remember the 14 young women from Montreal's École Polytechnique who were killed just because they were women.

Our budget made unprecedented investments in fighting violence against women.

We have just had a moment of silence in the House, but I wonder if people would think it appropriate, and if you, Mr. Speaker, would think it appropriate, for all the women MPs to rise for one moment now to remember them.

[A moment of silence observed]

The Economy

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for that answer.

Inflation is out of control and, with Christmas just around the corner, Canadians are really feeling it. All it seems the members of the Liberal government can do is throw up their hands and say, “There is nothing that we can do.”

I want to remind the Minister of Finance that the government does have a say in setting the inflation-control target. Will the Liberals do the bare minimum to address inflation and stick to the 2% target of the Bank of Canada? If they will not do that, why not?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the renewal of the mandate of the Bank of Canada, which happens every five years, is indeed a serious and important moment for our economy. The Bank of Canada has undertaken an extensive process to consider this decision, and there have been very good discussions between the government and the bank. We look forward to announcing our agreement with the bank on the mandate in due course.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, we hope “due course” is soon, as even the Governor of the Bank of Canada said Canadians can be confident we can control inflation. It seems it is only the finance minister who either does not understand that part of her job or does not care. There are things the government can do to get inflation under control.

We have been asking this question for a week now, and we are going to keep asking it: What is the government going to do to stop out-of-control prices that are affecting Canadians right across the country?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, our government has every confidence in the Bank of Canada and we respect its independence. We also happen to know, on this side of the House, the difference between fiscal and monetary policy. We would never cast aspersions on the Bank of Canada such as those we have heard from the Conservatives, who have described it, for example, as an ATM.

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

Mr. Speaker, since 2015, the government has been borrowing money and spending it recklessly, telling us repeatedly that nothing can be done about the inflation problem. In reality, because of Liberal mismanagement, we are stuck with skyrocketing gas, food and housing prices. The cost of living is now a concern for the vast majority of Quebeckers and Canadians, but not for our Prime Minister.

When will he present a real plan to tackle inflation, which is hitting all Canadian families so hard?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we understand quite well that affordability is an important issue for Canadian families. We also understand, as does Stephen Poloz, the former governor of the Bank of Canada appointed by Stephen Harper, that inflation is a global phenomenon. Here are some numbers to back that up: In October, the inflation rate was 4.7% in Canada and 6.2% in the U.S. Germany, in turn, just announced a 6% inflation rate.

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

Mr. Speaker, here is the reality, based on the numbers. In Quebec alone, the inflation rate is 5.1%. Prices have skyrocketed. Gas prices have gone up 35% and housing prices have increased by 20%.

According to the latest calculations, Canadian families will have to spend an additional $695 on groceries next year, in 2022. As the holiday season approaches, requests for food bank assistance are exploding.

I repeat my question to the Prime Minister. When will he introduce a real plan, with concrete measures, to tackle the rising cost of living that is affecting families, seniors and especially those less fortunate?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives continue with their irresponsible fearmongering and attempts to talk down the Canadian economy, Canadians are smart and know the facts.

Our GDP grew 5.4% in the third quarter, exceeding market expectations and the performance of the U.S., Japan, the U.K. and Australia. In addition, Canada has now recovered 106% of the jobs lost during the COVID-19 recession.

Gender-Based Violence

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 32 years ago today, Quebec bore witness to a femicide that left 14 students dead at Polytechnique.

Against the background of the 18 femicides this year and the wave of shootings that have shaken Montreal, the lack of progress on gun control since this massacre took place is even more glaring.

One Polytechnique survivor, Nathalie Provost, said, “It is a disaster. We are less protected in 2021 than in 1989.”

When will the government finally assume its responsibilities on gun control?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the question and her words on the anniversary of the Polytechnique tragedy.

Our government has taken meaningful action on gun violence. At the same time, we recognize that we have to do more and look for tangible solutions. We have to collaborate with the Government of Quebec and every member of the House to ensure that everyone can be safe in their community.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to the coordinator at PolyRemembers, “There is a weakening of gun control while we are witnessing an increase in femicides and several shootings.”

Thirty-two years later, we are regressing instead of progressing. It is so discouraging. That is what the Polytechnique survivors are telling us today. We owe a debt to those women.

What strong action will the Deputy Prime Minister take today to give the victims a reason to believe the federal government will do something?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is right, and that is why we will continue to work with the victims' families and the Government of Quebec.

Last week, I held two virtual meetings with the leaders of PolyRemembers, as well as my Quebec counterpart, in order to improve our collaborative efforts and find tangible solutions to tackle this problem.

We will continue to work in close collaboration with everyone.

Health

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, opioids are wreaking havoc in Quebec and everywhere. There has been an overdose crisis for years. Hundreds of people have died as a result of substance abuse.

According to just about everyone who has studied this issue, including police forces, public health agencies and the World Health Organization, the solution is simple: We must decriminalize the simple possession of drugs. The people affected do not need to go to jail; they need help.

Several major cities, including Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, are calling for the federal government to act. What are the Liberals waiting for? When will they get serious about addressing the overdose crisis?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I am obviously very pleased and grateful to be able to answer this question.

Since we have spoken about this several times, my colleague knows very well how invested we are in taking action on several fronts, including harm reduction and the safe supply of medications and drugs. We naturally want to work with the community so that services are available for those who need them most.

My colleague, the first ever Minister of Mental Health and Addictions in Canada, is actively working with stakeholders across the country. She will be pleased to provide further details soon.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported an 88% increase in opioid-related deaths last year. The Prime Minister has repeatedly said we need to listen to public health officials to get through the pandemic. However, when it comes to the overdose crisis, he is ignoring those same health officials who are clearly saying that decriminalizing personal possession of illicit drugs and providing a safe supply are essential first steps in ending stigma and saving lives.

The stigma starts with the Prime Minister. It has been six years, and over 20,000 people have died from a poisoned drug supply. When will he finally take action?

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes that substance use is a health issue. We are looking at ways to divert people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system and toward supportive and trusted relationships. We will carefully review any request to decriminalize the personal possession of drugs on a case-by-case basis, as well as new ways to address the toxic drug supply. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to end this national public health crisis.

Housing

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

Mr. Speaker, do you know how many buildings the federal government owns? It owns 37,246. Do you know how much land the federal government owns? It owns almost 41 million hectares. Conservatives had a plan in the last election to tie infrastructure dollars to housing prices. The Liberals' plan creates more housing inflation.

Can the minister tell us how a 20% rise in housing prices is actually helping Canadians?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. With respect to the hon. member's question, I would point out that is precisely why our government brought in the national housing strategy, which has seen more than $72 billion planned to help ensure Canadians get the housing they need. Since 2015, in just the past six years, our government supported the creation of nearly 100,000 new units and has repaired over 300,000 more across all housing programs, representing $27.4 billion.

There is no shortage of investments we have made to make sure Canadians have places they can afford and that are safe to call home.