House of Commons Hansard #138 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was communities.

Topics

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation

[Members sang the national anthem]

Gender-Based ViolenceStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON

Mr. Speaker, more than one in three women experiences gender-based violence during their lifetime. As a father blessed with three beautiful daughters, this is a terrifying statistic and a reality that is not acceptable. No one should face violence because of who they are.

Today marks the fifth day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign, which began on November 25. Violence against women and girls remains the most prevalent human rights violation in the world. This is not a challenge we can overcome in 16 days.

We have proof that violence against women and girls is preventable. The single biggest action we can take is to support a strong and autonomous women's movement, here in Canada and abroad. It is up to all of us to be better and to do better.

I call on all members of the House and everyone living in Canada to step up and take action to end violence against women and girls.

VeteransStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Erin O'Toole Conservative Durham, ON

Mr. Speaker, I thank parliamentarians on all sides of the House for joining the celebration of service, where we welcomed veterans to Parliament Hill to thank them for their service and help them in their transition.

We were joined by the True Patriot Love Foundation and the Treble Victor Group, which help veterans find jobs in the private sector. Veterans brings skills, experience and loyalty to a job, and I would like to thank and congratulate Babcock Canada and Commissionaires for their innovative commitment to hiring veterans.

We also presented the Tracey J. Hubley Memorial Award for veteran purpose, which honours the late Tracey Hubley, who was a former Hill staffer. She was the president of Summa Strategies and was a great supporter of military families and veterans.

The award was given to Team Rubicon Canada, which just helped with disaster response after hurricane Fiona. Hundreds of veterans have worked on over 100 disaster response missions, and have shown that they can find purpose and continue to build this country.

I give a big “Bravo Zulu” to all of those groups.

Municipal ElectionsStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to the newly elected mayors, Matthew Shoemaker of Sault Ste. Marie and Enzo Palumbo of Prince Township, along with all of the council members on their recent successful municipal election.

I also congratulate all the school board trustees who represent the four school boards in our area. I thank all who placed their names on the ballot. As a former two-term school board trustee and a four-term city councillor, I know how important municipal politics is to Canada.

I met with Mayor Shoemaker and Mayor Palumbo in the riding, and we have agreed to work together to serve the constituents whom we mutually represent. I have met with council members and will continue to meet with them throughout January.

I give a big shout-out to Mayor Christian Provenzano, Mayor Ken Lamming and previous councillors and trustees for all of their contributions to our beautiful communities. They certainly have left their mark. I am looking forward to the new mayor and council leaving their mark as well.

International Day for the Abolition of SlaveryStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC

Mr. Speaker, December 2 is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. It is a grim reminder that, even now, in 2022, this problem still exists. Slavery has not been relegated to the history books; it remains a chilling reality to this day.

According to the International Labour Organization, over 40 million people around the world are currently victims of forced labour. I deplore the fact that, all over the world, modern slavery affects women in particular. They are subjected to terrible practices, such as debt bondage, forced marriage and human trafficking.

Together with my fellow members of the All Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, I encourage everyone here to work across party lines to eradicate new forms of slavery, such as sexual exploitation, child labour and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

Together, let us take action against this scourge.

100th Anniversary of Easter SealsStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Mr. Speaker, Easter Seals Ontario was established 100 years ago in my hometown of Windsor thanks to the vision of Rotary clubs, including our own Rotary Club of Windsor (1918).

Easter Seals has grown into a national organization that supports countless children with disabilities through programs, camps and funding for mobility equipment. More importantly, Easter Seals has been a steadfast champion for building a Canada that is more inclusive and barrier free. This November, Easter Seals celebrated its centennial by hosting events, including Windsor-Essex's 40th Annual Easter Seals Telethon, which raised an incredible $235,000.

This Saturday will mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Join me in celebrating 100 years of Easter Seals Ontario and celebrating the remarkable volunteers back home and across the nation who are building a more inclusive and better Canada.

Jewish RefugeesStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB

Mr. Speaker, today is Jewish refugee day. On this day, we commemorate the nearly one million Jewish refugees who were forcibly displaced from Arab countries and Iran between the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

For centuries, large Jewish communities lived in the Middle East, Iran and north Africa in relative peace with their neighbours. However, everything changed in the years leading up to and following the rebirth of the state of Israel in 1948. Suddenly, Jews were subjected to systemic anti-Semitism and evicted from their homes. They were subjected to arbitrary arrest, torture and murder.

This year, B'nai Brith, which is Canada's oldest Jewish advocacy organization, will again commemorate these refugees and will raise awareness of this great injustice by hosting a virtual event tonight. I urge MPs from all parties to join this event. It can be accessed on the website.

Let us all remember the stories of Jewish refugees from Arab lands and Iran, and continue to fight against anti-Semitism, injustice and racism in all of its forms.

Hindu Heritage MonthStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of 830,000 Hindu Canadians, I would like to thank all members of the House for unanimously supporting my motion to proclaim November as Hindu Heritage Month.

Hindu Canadians have come to Canada from all countries in South Asia, several countries in Africa and the Caribbean, and many other places. We are bonded by our faith and heritage.

To mark this historic beginning and a new era for Hindu Canadians, I raised a flag with the Hindu sacred symbol, Om, on Parliament Hill.

Hindu Canadians are the most peaceful, educated and successful group in Canada.

I also thank all of those who recognize the contributions of the Hindu heritage to mankind and the contributions that Hindu Canadians have made and continue to make to the socio-economic development and cultural heritage of Canada.

NATO Parliamentary AssemblyStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON

Mr. Speaker, there are times when nations need to join together for the purposes of collective security, to defend our democracy and the international rule of law, as well as to ensure peace and stability in the world. Last week, NATO parliamentarians did just that with delegations from all 30 NATO countries meeting in Madrid for the 68th annual NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Over a five-day period we debated, deliberated and voted unanimously on six resolutions that covered the top security and defence issues facing Euro-Atlantic countries today. These included cybersecurity, climate change, the economic consequences of Russia's war on Ukraine and the next steps for NATO's deterrence and defence.

All NATO parliamentarians were united and resolute in standing with Ukraine. It was clearly stated that the Russian state, under the current regime, is a terrorist one, and there is a need to continue to support Ukraine in every way possible. We also affirmed our need to keep building up defences and resiliency in each of our own countries.

Russian aggression will not go unpunished. We will move forward together, united in our goal for peace and security in the world.

Oil and Gas IndustryStatements by Members

November 30th, 2022 / 2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB

Mr. Speaker, cold kills not often by direct exposure but quietly. People who are stuck in cold homes are more likely to die from high blood pressure and cardiac events resulting from their body's struggle to maintain circulation.

Reports say that 150,000 people will likely die from the cold in Europe this winter due to soaring energy costs amid Putin's murderous war on Ukraine. While Germany restarts its coal-powered plants, the Liberal government continues to block LNG projects and pipelines that could supply the world with affordable cleaner energy.

Thousands of Canadians also cannot afford to heat their homes due to inflation, taxes and supply constraints. It is time for the government to cut the carbon tax and get out of the way so that Canada can supply the world with affordable energy. Its failure to do so will likely cause some vulnerable people to lose their lives this winter.

Outaouais Participation at COP15Statements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC

Mr. Speaker, last week the entire Outaouais region was preparing for the United Nations COP15, to be held soon in Montreal.

As part of our For a Green and Prosperous Outaouais initiative, which I launched a year ago with my partners at the Conseil régional de l'environnement et du développement durable de l'Outaouais, or CREDDO, we brought together more than 70 biodiversity experts and elected officials from the region, including our indigenous communities on the Kitigan Zibi reserve, to bring our voice, the voice of the Outaouais, to COP15 in Montreal.

I would like to thank everyone who made this event a great success. It is with communities as committed as the Outaouais that we will achieve our global targets for protecting nature and biodiversity.

Winston ChurchillStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB

Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate the birthdate of a great leader, Winston Churchill.

Remembered for his leadership and heroism during the Second World War, he had boldness and determination quite unlike any other, which consistently shone through over his six decades in public service to his country.

In 1929, after his ninth re-election as a parliamentarian, the British Bulldog, as he was known, visited my province of Alberta as part of a North American tour. Revelling in the beauty of these great plains to the mountains, he said:

I’ve heard so much about this wonderful province of Alberta that I don’t want to miss anything.

Today Alberta honours the late, great prime minister. In the spring of next year, his statue is to be unveiled in downtown Calgary. Remembering Churchill’s legacy, in his own words:

All the greatest things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honour; duty; mercy; hope.

Winston ChurchillStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I just want to remind hon. members that S.O. 31s are going on. When you are talking to each other, please try to whisper. If you are talking in a loud voice, then it gets in the way of the person getting their message across. I just want to remind the hon. members to get very close to each other and whisper, and then go back to their seats, if they have something important to say to each other.

The hon. member for Lévis—Lotbinière.

Rural CommunitiesStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC

Mr. Speaker, rural communities have been hit hard by the Liberals' inflationary policies. Everything costs more, much more.

With the triple carbon tax that is rapidly increasing because of the Liberals' incompetence, the cost of transportation in these communities has cut into family budgets and hurt small main street businesses in Canada's rural communities.

The Prime Minister lives in an ivory tower and does not recognize the challenges faced by Canadians living in rural areas. It is high time that the Prime Minister travelled to the interior of our country to see the problems that all Canadians are experiencing. His obsession with increasing the carbon tax will have an impact on many Canadians' financial autonomy and leave them cold and hungry.

The Prime Minister has spent so much money since 2015, that he has to pick the pockets of Canadians to hand out some goodies during the holidays.

For the well-being of all Canadians, it is time for Canada to have a competent, proud and strong government, a Conservative government.

Health Care for Military WomenStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC

Mr. Speaker, it was just over 30 years ago that women were first allowed to participate in all military workplace settings, including combat by land, sea and air.

How these environments impact their fertility and pregnancy, and even the epigenetics of their offspring, remains largely medically unknown. Many military members delay their pregnancies to support their military careers, but then some find themselves with PTSD upon release and facing a lack of health care providers familiar with PTSD treatments and medications that are safe to continue when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Perinatal and mental health services for veterans and military women appears in three mandate letters for the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, but nothing is moving forward. I challenge those ministers to get to work on this important issue. Military and veteran women deserve to have equitable research and knowledge about the risks of the unique workplace exposures possible from the military.

Jewish RefugeesStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, in honour of Jewish refugee day, I would like to commemorate the nearly one million Jews who were forced into exile from Iran and other countries in the region beginning in 1948.

This forced migration was marked by a religious persecution and even genocide. Many individuals and families found safe harbour here in Canada. The communities that thrive today contribute so much to the diverse mosaic of the Canadian identity. Anti-Semitism and racism of all kinds remain a part of the lived experience for people in Canada and around the world.

One of our best defences against this can be found through education. B'nai Brith, Canada's oldest Jewish advocacy organization, will host a virtual commemoration of the story of Jews from Iran and Arab lands this evening. The event can be accessed through the B'nai Brith website. It is through education that we can build our defences against hatred in all of its forms.

Victor‑Lévy BeaulieuStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Mr. Speaker, today I want to acknowledge the works of Victor‑Lévy Beaulieu, a giant of Quebec literature and a proud resident of Trois‑Pistoles.

Last month, Mr. Beaulieu was selected to receive the Prix de la langue française, one of the highest honours awarded to a writer in the entire Francophonie. He is the first Quebecker in history to receive this honourable distinction.

A man of many talents, Mr. Beaulieu has written novels, literary essays, plays and screenplays. He was also a teacher, a columnist and an editor. In addition to producing a monumental collection of works over the span of five decades, he also engaged in politics; above all, he is a staunch defender of the Quebec nation and a proud sovereignist.

Unfortunately, the Académie française and Académie Goncourt did not allow Mr. Beaulieu to accept his award when his health prevented him from travelling. This regrettable choice only emphasizes the importance of celebrating the talent and contribution of Victor‑Lévy Beaulieu to Quebec culture and the Francophonie.

Government PrioritiesStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Mr. Speaker, back in August, the Prime Minister made a speech in which he talked about the complex challenges facing Canada. The Prime Minister was clear that strong institutions are among those things that guarantee our freedom.

Let us pause for a moment and reflect on the current state of our institutions. There is an immigration backlog of over a million people. Many Canadians still cannot obtain a passport in reasonable time. Canadians still pay the highest wireless bills in the world, yet we see the government desperately trying to regulate and censor online content despite the fact that many Canadians lack high-speed Internet services to access it. We have a government actively outlawing our grandfathers' hunting rifles while looking us in the eye and saying that it is not. Canadians are paying more and getting less.

It seems like everything is broken under the current Liberal government, but we can fix this. Canada needs an accountable and affordable Conservative government. Under the leadership of the member for Carleton, we will bring back hope, win the support of Canadians and clean up this Prime Minister's mess.

McGill Public Policy StudentsStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC

Mr. Speaker, progress depends on sound public policy. Public policy is both a science and an art. It relies on rigorous analysis and an acute sense of the possible.

Today, graduate students from McGill's Max Bell School of Public Policy are on Parliament Hill to build on their study and exploration of the issues facing our country. They are here to learn first-hand about government decision-making in a Westminster parliamentary system.

They are accompanied by the program's founding director, Professor Chris Ragan, one of Canada's top economists. Professor Ragan has succeeded in bringing together academics and practitioners in myriad subject areas to create one of the country's leading faculties dedicated to excellence in public administration.

I ask members of the House to join me in welcoming our Max Bell visiting students to the nation's capital today. We look forward to these bright young minds returning soon, to take up roles and responsibilities that will guide our ship of state into a promising future.

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, on November 7, Global News reported that the Prime Minister received briefings from CSIS saying that China had funnelled money to federal candidates. The Prime Minister says that he heard nothing about it and knew nothing about it, but since that news came out on November 7, has he asked CSIS whether there is any proof of those allegations?

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I think all Canadians understand that I need to be deliberate about my answers, when it comes to matters of national security. Canada and its allies are regularly targeted by foreign states like China, including during our elections. Our national security agencies, under this government, are taking more action than ever.

We created an independent panel to evaluate foreign interference threats to Canadian elections and that panel confirms that election integrity was not compromised. Yes, I am regularly—

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, that is very interesting. He has received briefings. The question, then, is whether he received those briefings since November 7, when Global News reported that CSIS had said the Chinese government had funnelled money to nearly a dozen candidates. The Prime Minister says he knew nothing about money from China to candidates.

However, presumably he would have been curious enough to ask, when he read about it in the news. Did he?

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I think members and all Canadians understand that I need to be deliberate about my answers when it comes to a matter of national security.

Canada and its allies are regularly targeted by foreign states like China, including during our elections. Our national security agencies, under the current government, are taking more action than ever and indeed are among the global leaders on countering foreign interference in elections. We created an independent panel to evaluate foreign interference threats to Canadian elections that confirms that election integrity was not compromised. I am briefed, but more, all parties are briefed on threats—

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.