Debates of Oct. 6th, 2022

Pense Memorial Rink

[Fraser Tolmie, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the local rink is the heart of every Canadian community. It is where our kids learn to skate or curl, learn important skills and life lessons such as teamwork and sportsmanship. Perhaps most importantly, they create lifelong friendships and cherished memories.

After a fire burned down the rink in Pense 30 years ago, people rallied and built its replacement in just 15 months. Recently, the arena needed upgrades. People may remember that Pense was up for the Kraft Hockeyville contest. They did not win, but that did not stop them. This small town was able to raise more than $500,000. This past weekend, I was honoured to attend the grand reopening.

This is exactly the kind of story that makes me proud to represent Pense and other communities across rural Saskatchewan.

Gender-Based Violence

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this morning we learned that the leader of the official opposition and the Conservative Party have been using tags to promote, connect with and target incel, right-wing, anti-women, violent rhetoric for their own personal and political gain. These incels promote the murder of single women and men who date them. They want to decriminalize marital rape. They have very real-life consequences, including followers like the Toronto van attacker.

Nobody believes the Leader of the Opposition did not know. This has been going on for more than four and a half years. Will the leader of the official opposition and the women in his caucus stand up against this hate, apologize and denounce it? Who in this House is going to stand with us and—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Sherbrooke.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week is Mental Illness Awareness Week.

The last two years have been hard on Canadians, exacerbating existing health inequalities and gaps both in Sherbrooke and across the country.

However, the pandemic has also facilitated open, authentic conversations about mental health and substance abuse. It is incumbent upon all of us to keep those conversations going and to make sure that everyone who struggles with mental illness gets the support they need.

More and more, across Canada, the concept of mental health is being integrated into our institutions. That is certainly true at the University of Sherbrooke. I want to take this opportunity to salute Professor Guillaume Rousseau and his students, who have come to see us in Ottawa today.

In the past few years, the University of Sherbrooke has launched many initiatives to support students and now offers a wide range of services, thanks in part to the RBC centre for university expertise in mental health.

Together, let us continue to break taboos and increase our knowledge of mental health issues.

Woodbridge Fall Fair

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in 1847, the first running of the Woodbridge Fair was organized by John Gamble, the first mayor of Vaughan township and a parliamentary spokesperson for Ontario farmers, millers and merchants who believed that the agricultural sector and its workers were at the heart of a community’s success. True to these values, for 175 years the fair has been a place to come together and celebrate the joy of autumn, community agriculture and our local history.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Woodbridge Agricultural Society’s volunteers, this year’s fair promises to be the most entertaining one yet. Through you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Woodbridge fall fair and everyone celebrating this community mainstay on its 175th anniversary. This Thanksgiving weekend, they should come and visit the fair with us. I will be there, and I look forward to seeing many of the residents of the city of Vaughan and beyond.

Vaccine Mandates

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the last two years have been difficult for Canadians. This is especially true for Canadians who made a personal medical decision that the Prime Minister disapproved of. Because they disagreed with him on this issue, he called them extremists, racists and misogynists. He also questioned whether they should be tolerated. If people did not agree with the Prime Minister on their personal health choices, he said they held “unacceptable views”. That is why he supported the firing of these folks. At the same time, he took away their employment insurance benefits. Then he banned them from travelling on planes and trains. This happened here in Canada.

If that was not enough, he introduced a discriminatory border surveillance scheme that ended up being a logistical nightmare. This was the ArriveCAN app, the app that also ended up destroying many businesses in the travel and tourism industry, including in my region of Niagara.

I believe the Prime Minister’s comments and actions will echo in history and will be judged very poorly by future generations. He should be held accountable for those actions.

Through you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to the Prime Minister that enough is enough and he should let folks live their lives.

World Spine Day

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of World Spine Day, which is taking place this year on October 16.

The purpose of World Spine Day is to raise awareness around back health and spinal disorders. Musculoskeletal conditions like low back pain are a leading cause of disability, impacting 11 million Canadians each year. These conditions are more prevalent than cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s combined. One in eight Canadians suffer from chronic low back pain, and it is responsible for almost one-third of lost time at work. This is an important issue that impacts the health and economic well-being of our communities, large and small.

This year's theme is “Every Spine Counts”, which emphasizes the diversity of the underserved communities impacted and the need for improving access to regulated essential spinal health services, like chiropractors.

Today and on World Spine Day, I call on all members to recognize the importance of spinal disorders and spinal health in our communities.

National Catholic Health Care Week

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Edmonton Mill Woods, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark National Catholic Health Care Week and celebrate the impact of Catholic health care in our communities. This year's theme, “Building Bridges”, underlines the importance of creating connections, addressing gaps and working together to improve the health and well-being of all Canadians.

In my riding of Edmonton Mill Woods, the Grey Nuns Community Hospital provides a full range of health care services. In 1988, during the transfer of acute services, staff walked from the Edmonton General to the Grey Nuns, carrying a torch as a symbol of continuing the sisters' legacy of compassionate care at the new facility. The sisters were instrumental in establishing palliative care services, mental health programs, and care for pregnant mothers and babies. In fact, my daughter was born at the Grey Nuns.

During this week, the Covenant family will share many stories that show their impact and mission in action. I hope we can all find opportunities to build bridges, create connections and improve the well-being of all those around us.

Hockey Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, we are in a crisis that we must address. For the past several months, I have had the opportunity to sit on the heritage committee, where we are focusing on Hockey Canada and the rape that occurred following its gala dinner in 2018.

However, this has opened up a whole new can of worms. In the coming weeks, Rick Westhead, the reporter who brought us the story on Hockey Canada, will be releasing his documentary, in which viewers will hear from former gymnasts who have come forward and shared their stories of inappropriate touching and sexual abuse. Over 400 gymnasts have now come forward, asking for an independent investigation. We are hearing from high-performance gymnasts, boxers and rowers, who are all sharing their stories.

The common denominator here is that these are our kids; these athletes are our children. Someone said to me, “Hockey Canada is too big. We have no power against them.” I disagree. No one is too big when it comes to the safety and well-being of our children. There needs to be an investigation, and the government needs to take action on behalf of the many young athletes who have been wrongfully violated.

Women and Gender Equality

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this morning's news was sickening and shocking. The leader of the Conservative Party used tags associated with the incel movement, which promotes disgusting and degrading conspiracy theories about women. It is unbefitting a leader who aspires to the highest office in the land.

After four years, this cannot be called a mistake, but a deliberate strategy. He needs to apologize, because these groups have a real impact on the real lives of women in this country.

Not only does he need to publicly apologize, but the women in his party also need to stand up and condemn what he did, because women's rights do not recognize political boundaries.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a month dedicated to honouring those facing breast cancer and those who have lost their lives. We also pay tribute to all health professionals and caregivers providing treatment and support.

One in eight Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. This year alone, 27,000 will learn they have breast cancer, and we will lose 5,500 people: mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, aunts, cousins, co-workers and friends.

Today we call on the federal government to commit to saving lives and reducing suffering related to this terrible disease. We should start by suspending the use of flawed breast-screening guidelines from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care and catch up to other countries who do better. It is time to appoint a credible panel of qualified specialists and informed patients to develop breast screening guidelines using current, accurate and relevant evidence. If we do, we can help put an end to avoidable deaths of Canadian women. It is time.

Gravité Média

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the opportunity to take part in Gravité Média's fifth anniversary celebration.

Five years ago, Julie Voyer and her business associates founded Gravité Média and acquired five weekly newspapers in the Montérégie region, including our riding's local paper, Le Reflet.

These weeklies are a source of invaluable information and a genuine forum for cities, businesses, organizations, elected officials and the public. In addition to securing the future of local media, Gravité Média has grown its marketing department, which has really made a name for itself in my part of the world over the past five years. Many organizations, businesses and cities have benefited from Gravité Média's considerable expertise.

I would like to applaud the Gravité Média team for their exceptional work. Not only are they dedicated professionals, but they are also involved in our local organizations and foundations.

I am grateful to Ms. Voyer and the Gravité Média crew for being such a valuable partner in our community.

Carbon Pricing

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the new Conservative leader will put the people first: their paycheques, their savings, their home and their country.

The carbon tax is an utter failure. Liberals say it will reduce emissions, but emissions have gone up under the government. B.C. has had a carbon tax for 14 years, and its emissions have only gone up. Quebec has had one for 12 years, and its emissions have gone up as well. The carbon tax only drives the cost of everything higher and is punishing Canadians who can least afford it.

The Liberals say people get more money back from the carbon tax, but the PBO has said this is false, and many Canadians lose money because of the carbon tax. However, the Liberal government is going to triple the carbon tax by April 2023.

It would seem the Prime Minister is experiencing the carbon tax differently from hard-working Canadians, but help is on the way. A Conservative government led by our new leader would scrap the carbon tax.

Achievements of Frederictonians

[Jenica Atwin, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, one of the many reasons Fredericton is such a vibrant community is the dynamism of the people: the leaders, the dreamers and the doers.

Today I am so proud to celebrate the achievements of a few of them whom I have the honour to represent here in this House. Keith Lyon, the recipient of the Champion of Mental Health Award for sharing his journey with schizophrenia and donating proceeds from his four children’s books to the psychiatric unit that helped him.

Natasha Dhayagude, founder of Chinova Bioworks, was named as a semi-finalist for the CANIE Entrepreneur of the Year Award for creating a natural alternative to artificial food preservatives.

Earlier this month, a four-person team representing the Fredericton Fire Department won the Canadian FireFit Championships. Running, climbing stairs, hoisting hoses and saving lives, the competition is done in full gear to simulate actual field conditions.

Candy Paul of the Under One Sky friendship centre won a Prime Minister’s award for excellence in early childhood education, and Angela D’Entremont and Shauna Kelly from Park Street elementary school each won an award for teaching excellence.

I invite everyone to join me in congratulating these Frederictonians on their achievements.

Taxation

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to wish the Prime Minister and his family a happy Thanksgiving. However, it will not be too happy for many families, because the cost of turkey is up 16%. The cost of other food items has gone up over 20%, so one-fifth of Canadians will have to cut back on what they put on the table this Thanksgiving weekend.

How much will the price of Thanksgiving dinner go up once the Prime Minister triples the carbon tax?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have all heard stories of Canadians who are struggling with the rising cost of living. That is why our government decided to do something about it. We are sending hundreds of dollars to families through the GST-HST rebate. We are also providing assistance to low-income renters and low-income families whose children need to see a dentist.

While the Conservative leader finally decided to support our measure to help families with the GST-HST rebate, he unfortunately does not support the measure to help people with dental care. When will he help Canadians with dental care?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, in English, I would also like to wish the Prime Minister and his family a happy Thanksgiving. However, it will not be too happy for a lot of people whose costs have gone out of control. In fact, the cost of turkey is up 16%, according to one food processor. The cost of other items are up over 20%, and one fifth of Canadians will have to reduce what they put on the plate this Thanksgiving weekend.

How much will the Prime Minister's tripling of the tax on our farmers, truckers and consumers increase the cost of Thanksgiving dinner for the future?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we know Canadians across the country are struggling with the global inflation crisis, and that is why we are moving forward with concrete measures to help out. After we proposed a GST rebate that would help significant numbers of families across the country, the Leader of the Opposition came out criticizing it, but then fortunately reversed himself, and is now supporting our GST credit.

Will he now support the low-income dental supports for families? Will he support the rental supports we are giving? Kids deserve to have happy smiles. Why will the Leader of the Opposition not help them with that?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, they will not be smiling if their parents cannot afford a bit of pumpkin pie for them at Thanksgiving dinner. Look at the cost increases that have happened: a 16% increase for the cost of turkey; a 22% increase for potatoes; bread is up 13%; butter, 13%; cranberries, 12%; bacon, 10%. That all adds up to an unaffordable Thanksgiving dinner, and the Prime Minister wants to make it worse still by tripling his tax on our farmers, our truckers and ultimately our consumers.

How much will that add to the cost of Thanksgiving?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, he wants to help Canadians, but he will not stand with low-income Canadians who want to give their kids better smiles.

However, there is another important issue that is on the minds of Canadians, particularly the minds of Canadian women, as we meet here. If it were not for Global News, we would not have learned that the Conservative leader has been purposefully using his videos to appeal to far-right misogynistic online movements. These are anti-women movements and they have had devastating real-life consequences.

I call on the Conservative leader to stand in the House, take responsibility and apologize.

Ethics

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I condemn this organization, and I corrected the problem as soon as it became known to me. I condemn all forms of misogyny, including when the Prime Minister fired the very first female indigenous Attorney General. I condemn when he mistreated minority young women in his own caucus who had to leave politics. I condemn him for when he dressed up in racist costumes so many times he forgot them all.

We condemn it always.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the choice made by the Conservative leader in reaching out to extremist online groups and pulling in anti-women, misogynistic groups for his own political gain is one for which he will have to answer. Women across the country want to know why he allowed this to happen and want to see him take responsibility for it.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I took responsibility and corrected it as soon as it became known to me, but the Prime Minister does not take responsibility for the extremism that he has funded. He funded a vicious anti-Semite to spread hatred online with taxpayers' dollars. He repeatedly, in fact so many times he cannot even keep track, dressed up in racist costumes, for which he has never come fully to account. He drove many women in his own caucus out of the party and out of Parliament altogether with his mistreatment of them. We condemn all of that behaviour.

We condemn misogyny always and everywhere, and we ask the Prime Minister to finally do the same.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have all seen the effective campaign that the Leader of the Opposition ran to become leader, using online videos, using ways of reaching out through social media. We all marvelled at his admiration of old wood. What we did not see was that every time he put out—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!