House of Commons Hansard #117 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was content.

Topics

National Indigenous History MonthStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes

The hon. member for Edmonton Manning.

Edmonton Manning ConstituentStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Ziad Aboultaif Conservative Edmonton Manning, AB

Madam Speaker, I stand today to highlight a constituent and friend I have known for over 15 years who has served in the Canadian Army.

Major Alexander Tsang has served our country for 28 years and has deployed across the globe representing Canada. He served in Bosnia and Sudan to help peacekeeping efforts. He continued working with the UN to track down war criminals. This guy is nothing short of courageous.

After his time at the UN, he committed to help our veterans and increase awareness for our soldiers. I have had the honour of working with him on Edmonton Salutes to help recognize our troops.

Unfortunately, Alexander is in a battle of his own against cancer. I wanted to take this opportunity to wish this extraordinary Canadian the best treatment against this horrible disease. Alexander has this, and he has my support.

Get well soon, my friend.

Ontario's FrancophonieStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON

Madam Speaker, June 24 is Saint‑Jean Baptiste Day. It is an important day for francophones and francophiles to celebrate their culture, language and traditions. This day is also an opportunity to commemorate the sacrifices our parents and grandparents made to defend our language.

This month, Collège Boréal will also celebrate its 25th anniversary. For 25 years, Collège Boréal has consistently provided a high-quality education and served as a leader at the local and international levels. Collège Boréal has built strong ties with the industry and provides its students with a learning environment designed to help them succeed.

I thank all who contribute to a vibrant francophone community in the Nickel Belt and greater Sudbury area.

I also want to wish the Montreal Canadiens good luck on the road to their 25th Stanley Cup.

The EconomyStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Dean Allison Conservative Niagara West, ON

Mr. Speaker, the government's philosophy on growing the economy and creating jobs is doing everything possible to get in the way. What is more is that the Prime Minister will add more national debt than all the previous prime ministers combined. All that money spent under his watch and still Canada has consistently had one of the highest unemployment rates in the G7. The unemployment rate climbed to 8.2%, losing 68,000 jobs last month.

Small businesses are struggling, falling through the cracks, and a staggering amount will never reopen. Sean, a small business owner in my riding of Niagara West, in business for the last 30 years, had to take on over $160,000 in debt just to stay afloat. That was after he spent all his life's savings.

The travel and tourism industries have been destroyed.

It is time for the Prime Minister and his party to own up to their failures and change course. Our small businesses and our economy are done waiting.

Bill C-10Statements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

Mr. Speaker, the priority for Conservatives is getting Canada’s economy reopened and back on track. The Liberal government’s priority is ramming through Bill C-10, its Internet censorship bill.

I have heard from constituents across my riding who want to see this bill scrapped. New Brunswickers in Liberal-held ridings are frustrated by their MPs' failure to commit to opposing this bill, a bill that fundamentally would alter how the Internet would operate in Canada. Canadians are even more bewildered by how the government is so focused on Bill C-10 rather than pressing issues that impact their health and the economy.

I will not support Bill C-10, a bill that puts freedom of expression in peril. The government should listen to Canadians who are telling it to abandon this poorly thought-out bill that is focused on political power rather than protecting the freedom of speech that Canadians so rightly enjoy.

Government PoliciesStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB

Mr. Speaker, this past week, Canada's Prime Minister had quite the performance at the G7. He claimed that Canada was a champion on human rights, a benevolent provider of COVID-19 vaccines. and made commitments on infrastructure and the climate emergency. The world ought to know that the reality here at home is very different.

On human rights, the Prime Minister has failed to recognize genocide against indigenous peoples. He has failed to take decisive action to support first nations in searching the grounds of the schools imposed on them so they can bring their children home.

On vaccines, our vaccine rollout has been deeply flawed, putting us well behind other major countries. In addition, we have not championed the IP waiver needed for the world stage.

On infrastructure, in my region dozens of communities have no road access, suffer in overcrowded housing and need health facilities.

On the climate emergency, the government has been part of the problem, not the solution.

Increasingly Canadians see the Prime Minister and the government for what they are: nice words, no action. First nations deserve better. Canadians deserve better.

Gill TinklerStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to Gill Tinkler, a prominent figure in the Upper Laurentians region, in my riding of Laurentides—Labelle. Mr. Tinkler is a legendary, world-renowned canoe racing champion whose life story was recently chronicled in a biography.

Now 91, this man is a true marvel, having achieved so much over the course of his life, both on the water and in the forest, and he has always sought to promote physical activity and help others learn to love the outdoors. One of his most notable achievements was when he paddled across Canada for the 1967 centennial. This trip took him 104 days, during which he travelled 5,283 kilometres, along the same lakes and rivers paddled by the first explorers.

I sincerely congratulate Mr. Tinkler, whose involvement with various organizations over the years has significantly helped build tourism in the region.

RCMP Constable Shelby PattonStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I pay tribute to RCMP Constable Shelby Patton. Originally from Yorkton, Constable Patton was stationed at the detachment in Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Early Saturday morning in Wolseley, he stopped a stolen truck. Tragically, the criminals driving the truck ran over Constable Patton and ended his life, ripping apart a family and devastating a community.

This young man, a 26-year-old hero who was killed in the prime of his life, was a husband, a brother and a son. Shelby Patton, like the thousands of police officers across the country, literally put his life on the line to protect us. He went to work every day knowing the risks and was willing to make the greatest sacrifice to keep us safe. When we call 911, we often take it for granted that a police officer will come and help. Without people like Shelby Patton, who have the bravery and dedication to their communities, there would not be anyone on the other end of the phone.

I ask all of my colleagues in this House to join me in sending our deepest condolences to the Patton family, to his fellow officers in his detachment and to the communities of Indian Head and Wolseley, Saskatchewan.

National Indigenous Peoples DayStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. In 1996, the Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, proclaimed June 21 as National Aboriginal Day. In 2017, the current Prime Minister announced the day would be renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day. The government's official website states, “It's an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the cultural richness and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.”

Why June 21? For centuries, many of our first inhabitants would celebrate the arrival of the warm weather and the pleasures of the summer solstice. The summer solstice is the day of the year with the longest light. It is a day with spiritual significance for many people, and it is a good time to celebrate indigenous peoples and culture. I will personally also be reflecting on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action, the number 215 and that all children matter.

We all have a role to play.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Mr. Speaker, what a weekend our Prime Minister had in the U.K. hobnobbing with the rich and famous. He seemed to have forgotten his mask a few times, and he will not have to quarantine like everyone else when he gets home, because, after all, there is one set of rules for the Prime Minister and another set of rules for everyone else. While he was enjoying his wine and cheese, back here in Canada our economy is shedding jobs, supply chains are crumbling and housing prices are skyrocketing.

Instead of trying to impress his celebrity friends, why is the Prime Minister not focused on getting Canadians back to work?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

University—Rosedale Ontario

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives really care about the Canadian economy, if they really care about Canadian workers and if they really care about Canadian businesses, let me suggest one simple and very practical thing they can do, and that is to support Bill C-30, the budget implementation bill. This essential legislation extends the wage subsidy, rent support and the CRB. We need it to finish the fight against COVID and to punch our way out of the COVID recession. The Conservatives need to support it.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is so embroiled in scandal that there is no doubt he is not thinking about the economic storm that is brewing. He has been too busy rewarding his friends at the WE foundation, appointing Liberal donors as judges—

The EconomyOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I am going to interrupt. I believe we have a point of order.

The hon. member for Manicouagan.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the interpretation, the volume is the same for both the English and the French, so I am having a lot of trouble hearing either one.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

Is everyone experiencing that problem or just those who are attending virtually?

I am being told it is a technical problem. Can it be fixed?

Can you hear me well? Are we still having a problem?

Can you hear me well in French?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC

Mr. Speaker, the volume of the French interpretation is lower.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

Can those who are listening in French hear me?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Diane Lebouthillier Liberal Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, I can hear you very well. There is no problem with the interpretation.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I think we have resolved our problem.

The hon. deputy leader of the opposition. I will let you take it from the top.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the Prime Minister is so embroiled in scandal, there is no doubt that he is not thinking about the economic storm that is brewing here. He has been very busy rewarding his friends at the WE foundation, appointing Liberal donors as judges and covering up sexual misconduct in the military. Now, he has no time left to deal with issues like people losing their jobs and businesses shutting down—

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

A hon. member

Start again.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

We will get to this question sooner or later, I am sure. We will have to interrupt the hon. member.

I thank the member for Manicouagan for raising the problem.

The hon. member for Manicouagan.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is exactly the same, and I am not the only one having this problem. People have written to me to tell me that they cannot hear anything and that the volume is set at the same level in both languages.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I thank the hon. member for Manicouagan.

I will give the technical team a few minutes to resolve the problem.

I am going to conduct a very unscientific test. Can everyone who is out there listening in French hear me in French at different levels?

Apparently not. I think there is still a problem.

Are those listening to the English interpretation having problems?

It is English to French that is the issue. We will see what our technical folks can do about this.

Can you hear me properly in French?

The francophones seem to be hearing me properly, but there is still a problem. Most people are hearing me properly.

Would someone please find out if it is a problem with the member for Manicouagan's computer?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC

Mr. Speaker, I will wait for a call from the technical team.