Debates of June 18th, 2021

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, we heard the hon. member reference the atrocities committed across these lands under the guise of residential schools and we know [Technical difficulty—Editor] from future generations from their lands. Near me, at Six Nations territory, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy council has called for a moratorium on all developments on disputed territories, and yet the government refuses to come back to the negotiating table with the hereditary chiefs.

When will the hon. member and his government finally get back to the table with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy council and honour the request for a moratorium on development?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Speaker, I want to note that the one thing I did not mention is that Bill C-15 passed through the Senate this week, which is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It has clearly outlined many of the issues that my friend opposite talked about. The declaration offers us guidance regarding how we engage on a nation-to-nation basis with indigenous people. I know that, with respect to his particular concern, we will continue to work with all of the parties to come to a solution on the dispute that he referenced.

[Adam Vaughan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families]

Madam Speaker, I also heard the good words from our colleague from Alberta in response to a change of position regarding Motion No. 103. The very aggressive and quite frankly dangerous words that were shared around the time of that debate put a number of members of this Parliament in a very precarious place in their private life.

Right now I represent the oldest Chinatown in Toronto. The member represents some of the newer communities of the Chinese Canadian settlement, but the language around China has taken on a very similar tone to the language around Muslims in this Parliament. I know from talking to community leaders and individuals in my riding that anti-Asian hate crime is rising as China is singled out for a whole series of challenges. I wonder if my colleague could talk about the impact some of that rhetoric around China is having on Chinese Canadians in our communities.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Speaker, when we were developing the anti-racism strategy in 2019, we realized that racism has a different impact on different communities, and anti-Asian racism is one that has historically, whether through the head tax or other forms of indentured labour to bring people of Chinese origin into Canada to work, had a disparate impact on the Asian community. I know language is important and as we continuously and rightfully criticize China on a number of issues, we have to differentiate between the state and the people. I think that is sometimes lost here and I hope members will be much more careful with the language that is used.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Madam Speaker, when it comes to Bill C-30, there are a lot of measures in it for Canadians that have to be passed in order to get us through the rest of this pandemic. I wonder if the parliamentary secretary can give his feedback on how important he thinks it is, now more than ever, to make sure this bill passes as quickly as possible.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Speaker, I think there is an urgency here, especially with respect to the supports to individuals and small businesses. I know many of the small businesses in my community are struggling. Although we are on the cusp of opening up in phases, they are really behind with respect to rent and other financial needs, so we really need to get this budget implementation act through in the next couple of days for this to have a meaningful impact on Canadians.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, I wonder if my colleague could provide his thoughts on the importance of passing this legislation and other progressive pieces of legislation over the next few days and how Canadians would benefit from such.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Speaker, this is important legislation, as is Bill C-12, Bill C-10 and Bill C-6. They contain important value-based measures for Canadians that we need to pass before we rise for the summer.

COVID-19 Vaccines

[Marwan Tabbara, Liberal, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Madam Speaker, Canadians are now world leaders in the share of people who have had at least one dose of vaccine. With our steady supply, high vaccination rates and a shift to second doses, Canada is on its way to being one of the most vaccinated nations in the world. Congratulations to everyone who has worked on this world-leading procurement and logistical project.

However, the fight against COVID is still not over and my riding of Kitchener South—Hespeler in Waterloo Region is currently the region with the highest number of new cases daily in Ontario. Over 80% of the new cases and hospitalizations are from 30% of the adult population who remain unvaccinated. Sadly, we are facing the prospect of being left behind in reopening plans. I want to remind my constituents and all Canadians of the importance of getting vaccinated as soon as possible. It is the fastest path back to normal.

Human Rights

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Madam Speaker, Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem is the third-holiest site in Islam. My wife and I visited Al-Aqsa Mosque when we travelled to Palestine and the images of violence we saw there during the holy month of Ramadan were upsetting; it resulted in conflict and loss of life, including children.

The Human Rights Watch report reflects the life conditions of Palestinians under occupation, of which we all are well aware.

It is not enough for Canada just to state it is concerned about settlements, demolitions and evictions, including in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan. I request our government to distinguish between the occupied and the occupier and to take concrete, visible and decisive action toward finding a peaceful two-state solution.

Father's Day

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Madam Speaker, the family has always been regarded as the cornerstone of society. Ronald Regan stated, “Our families nurture, preserve, and pass on to each succeeding generation the values we share and cherish, values that are the foundation for our freedoms”.

The importance of the role of fatherhood should never be diminished. As we celebrate our fathers this Sunday, I want to pay tribute to the three generations of fathers in my family.

To my father Ernie, thank you for being my biggest fan and a tremendous source of guidance and encouragement.

To my father-in-law Henry, thank you for your wisdom and reason.

To Theo, Jeff, Michael and Nic, thank you for your courage and commitment to your families.

Finally, to Milton, thank you for being my rock, best friend and life partner; and for your dedication to our family.

To fathers across the country, your contributions are essential in ensuring that we continue to thrive as a society.

Happy Father's Day.

Montreal Canadiens

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Madam Speaker, one thing that unites Canadians from coast to coast is their love of hockey. It is June, the outdoor rinks in Vaudreuil—Soulanges have long disappeared, and the skates have been replaced by bathing suits.

None of that matters, though, because the NHL playoffs are under way. One Canadian team is still in contention to win the Stanley Cup, and we are all cheering them on.

The Montreal Canadiens, hockey's most storied franchise, are tied in the conference semifinals against the Vegas Golden Knights.

While those in Las Vegas may be going all in, in supporting their team, we know that in Vegas going all in can come with a price. What kind of price? Well, a big price. If they have not factored in that price, it may just be too much to handle. After every game, it feels more like 1993. The only thing left to do is bring that cup back to Montreal.

On behalf of all Canadians, go, Habs, go!

Seniors

[Scott Duvall, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Madam Speaker, “junior seniors” and “senior seniors” sounds absurd because it is absurd. That is what we will have in Canada if the Liberal government does not fix its budget, Bill C-30: a two-tier seniors system.

Many Canadians are outraged that seniors aged 65 to 74 have been left out of the plan for a long-overdue increase to old age security payments. Our government is hiding from them, saying it is living up to a campaign promise. Keeping a promise on bad policy does not make it good.

The minister says older seniors are “at greater risk of running out of their savings”. Also, government documentation refers to our large proportion of seniors aged 65 to 74 who still work. There it is: the government policies on the backs of seniors who feel they need to either work or use up their savings. By its design, it is a two-tier and unfair system.

The Liberals still have the power to fix this before we rise for the summer. I call on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Seniors to do what is right.

The Liberal Government

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Madam Speaker, my first term as a member of Parliament has been unusual, obviously on account of COVID. As far as I am concerned, since October 2019, I have been proud to represent the most beautiful city in the world, Sherbrooke. I am proud to be part of a government that has lifted over one million Canadians out of poverty, including nearly 400,000 children. I am proud of the $92 million that went out to over 20,000 Sherbrooke children during the first year of my term. I am proud of the $15.4 million given to 14,000 seniors in my riding as a one-time payment to help them during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud of programs like the RRRF, which supported our local businesses. We will take no lessons from the Conservatives, who, need I remind members, do not even recognize the existence of climate change.

The session will soon come to an end. I would like to wish all my colleagues a great summer.

Government Transparency

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Madam Speaker, Canadians can see right through the government's tired, old excuses. That is not the kind of transparency Canadians are owed.

The Prime Minister has become the boy who cried national security wolf once too often. Canadians remember how the government invoked the national security as an excuse not to come clean about a sole-sourced contract for parkas. These were not military parkas; they were parkas for refugees, and the government covered up the contract.

Lawful firearms owners have taken the government to court to challenge the scary looking gun bans. They have learned all government evidence to justify the gun grab has been deemed a national security secret.

Hotel quarantine costs, a national security secret; vaccine contracts, a national security secret; and the Prime Minister's sock budget, a national security secret. This is not how a democratic society is supposed to work.

It is time for the government to stop crying national security wolf any time it has embarrassing information it wants to hide.

Retirement Congratulations

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Madam Speaker, today, I rise in the House of Commons to recognize the remarkable leadership of Theresa Marentette, the CEO of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

Over the last 15 months of the pandemic, Theresa worked with courage and composure alongside Dr. Wajid Ahmed to steer our community through the greatest public health crisis in our history. We faced outbreaks in long-term care homes and among migrant farm workers, but we came through it thanks to Theresa and Dr. Ahmed. Today, Windsor-Essex is the gold standard for the vaccine rollout, with 75% of residents vaccinated and almost 30% with two doses.

Theresa is retiring at the end of this month after over 30 years at the health unit, which she joined as a public health nurse in 1989. Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said it best, “It has been my privilege to work with Theresa Marentette. Her passion for public health and the community she serves is apparent everyday in her tireless journey to keep us all healthy and safe.”

On behalf of all residents of Windsor—Tecumseh, it has been our privilege, and we thank Theresa from the bottom of our hearts.

Labour Rights Activist

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

Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise virtually today to recognize a tireless labour rights activist, who I have known for quite some time, by the name of the Marino Toppan.

Marino is the creator behind the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial project established in 2016. This memorial, one of the biggest of its kind in Canada, commemorates nearly 2,000 Italian workers who lost their lives on the job over a century ago. I know the Italian community truly appreciates this important recognition.

Marino is also a published author. His book, entitled Land of Triumph and Tragedy: Voices of the Italian Fallen Workers is a book I always notice on the shelf my office.

From all Italian Canadians across our country, myself, and my husband Sam, I would like to thank Marino for all he is done to bring closure to the families of the Italian workers.

Grazie mille.

COVID-19 Pandemic

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Madam Speaker, today, I do not wish to give a political speech. Today I wish to give a speech of hope. As Desmond Tutu once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

For over the last year, people have lost their small businesses, loved ones, mental health, physical health, their homes and even, in some cases, their own lives. For some of us, all hope seems to be lost. It seems that darkness has consumed our nation, but it is hope that will continue to keep us going.

Just recently in my province of Alberta, many restaurants reopened for dine-in and many other restrictions were lifted. Hope is on the horizon. Businesses are reopening, jobs are coming, and I ask the Canadian people to get up and continue the fight against the pandemic and help rebuild our economy and glorious country.

Louis-Hébert Constituency Team

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Madam Speaker, as the summer approaches after a tougher-than-usual year, I want to pay tribute to my constituency team in Louis‑Hébert. I have the best team in the country, if I do say so my self.

Filip Novakovic, a Bosnian refugee, dearly loves both his country of origin and his adopted country. He is a humanist both in his ideals and his everyday actions. Everyone in the riding loves him because he is always ready to help. Thank you, Filip.

Marie-Claude Gagnon, our office manager and its heart and soul, always welcomes constituents and organizations with sunshine in her voice, a compassionate outlook and a healthy dose of the typical Beauce pragmatism we all need. Thank you, Marie-Claude.

My constituency assistant Gabriel Bergevin-Estable has done more than anyone would ever have thought possible from a modest MP's office. That is what happens when extraordinary intelligence meets gumption. Thank you, Gabriel.

Claudine Boucher also pushes the limits with just as much heart and soul. She has a fierce sense of justice. She is a mother of five bright, lively children, with one more on the way, and she is studying for her master's degree. She even managed to get blocked on Twitter by the leader of the Bloc Québécois, like thousands of other Quebeckers, I am told. It is an achievement that we are all rather proud of around the office.

It is an honour to work alongside them for the people of Louis‑Hébert. I thank them and wish them a restful summer, because they have earned it.

Government Policies

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Madam Speaker, there is an ancient writing that says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The Liberal government clearly has a lack of vision for Canada.

On this side of the House, we see beyond our perils and speak to our potential. On this side of the House, we know the importance of our farmers and harvesters who supply our food and literally keep our land. On this side of the House, we recognize how vital our energy sector is. On this side of the House, we value our workers, entrepreneurs, transporters and builders, knowing they will be the key to our comeback. On this side of the House, we recognize the importance of our seniors, veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have both built and defended this great country. On this side of the House, we will offer Canadians a clear vision, so that when we get to that side of the House, Canadians will have a government that recognizes their potential and a government that will secure their future. On this side of the House, we believe in Canada and the story we have to tell: Our best chapters are yet ahead.

May God continue to keep our land glorious and free.

Graduating Class of 2021

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate the graduating class of 2021. These graduates have overcome tremendous adversity over this past difficult year, and it is my hope they will take the resilience they have built and use it to empower their dreams, aspire to new heights and achieve excellence in their future endeavours. We are so proud of them.

Now it is time to help us build a better world, and Canada needs them. We need their energy, their spirit and their optimism. There will be many more challenges ahead, but with them at the helm of the next generation, I know our future is in safe hands.

This is an exciting time in their lives. The possibilities are truly endless for them. They should take all the opportunities that come their way, keep an open mind, work very hard, and have some fun this summer, because they have certainly earned it.

If they can, they should reach out and volunteer in their community. We have many vulnerable neighbours who have had tough times this year and their smiling faces may be all they need to get through the day.

Government Programs

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Madam Speaker, Manitoba continues to be in a serious lockdown. Many businesses are not open to the public and, as a result, small business owners and employees in Elmwood—Transcona and across the province are struggling to earn income.

The Liberals are completely out of touch on this. How else could they plan to cut the Canada recovery benefit by 40% as early as July 18? Seniors across the country are outraged at the government's plan to exclude seniors aged 65 to 74 from a long-overdue increase in the old age supplement, but their protests are falling on deaf ears in the Liberal government. Meanwhile, large corporations, known to have abused the wage subsidy by paying executive bonuses and dividends, are getting off scot-free, even as the government nickel-and-dimes disabled Canadians and kids who graduated from foster care and applied for the CERB in good faith, albeit perhaps erroneously.

We know from the behaviour of provincial Conservatives that they are not here to help and they do not have answers to these problems. That is why I am proud to belong to an NDP caucus that is fighting for the interests of all the people who do not have corporate box office tickets, and we are going to keep up the fight.

Wanda Beaudoin

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart filled with love for her family and loved ones that I rise today to pay tribute to one of the greats of the north shore. Wanda Beaudoin died suddenly on June 13.

Wanda was the first woman to serve as mayor of the fabled Blanc‑Sablon. A coaster at heart and proud north shore denizen, she firmly believed that women's contribution to politics is both necessary and invaluable. She put her sharp mind and gut instinct to work for her constituents.

Less than a month ago, I was working with Wanda on a case riddled with injustice. It hit close to home for her, and she was completely outraged about it. However, her voice was so filled with determination that no one would ever have guessed she was living with cancer.

Wanda, you were a smart and caring woman, a woman in politics, a woman from the north, and by showing the House your strength and determination and your love for our lower north shore, I hope I have made it clear that the north shore will remember you always.

Farewell, Madam Mayor.

The Economy

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Madam Speaker, many Canadians are on bended knees under the weight of crushing debt and a new reality of inflation, the levels of which have not been felt for generations. The cost of everything has gone up, but it is those who can least afford it who are paying the price.

Increases in groceries, gas, carbon taxes, housing and rental costs are cascading across communities in Canada, including in my community of Barrie—Innisfil, and it is causing many sleepless nights. Senior Elizabeth recently wrote me, “We now have to pick our food purchases very carefully, even local produce has taken a large jump.” This should not be happening in Canada

We need a government that understands that it will be the power of Canadian businesses, the people they employ, the products they produce in every region, in every sector of the economy, so Canadian businesses can compete here at home and around the world, and bring back investor confidence.

There is only one party that will secure the future, that will unify Canada and bring back hope, opportunity and prosperity for all Canadians, and that is Canada’s Conservatives.

Class of 2021

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Speaker, for the 1,000 students graduating grade 12 in Winnipeg North this year, I would like extend my personal congratulations. The Class of 2021 has done it.

Whether it is of a virtual nature in their living rooms or in a ceremony of some sort, they should know that, without a doubt, the people who care about them are beaming with pride and are so proud of them.

For parents, guardians, family members, teachers and close friends of a grad, I offer my congratulations as they, too, have done their job of shaping a very special person.

Common quotes we would have heard at ceremonies to inspire might have been: “Be bold”, “Be courageous”, “Be your best”, “Follow your fear”, “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door”, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

I would like to conclude with one of my favourite quotes from no other than Dr. Seuss:

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting, So...get on your way!”

I congratulate all grads across Canada.