Debates of Dec. 2nd, 2022

The Economy

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the President of the Treasury Board]

Madam Speaker, we said not only that we were back but that we were going to have Canadians' backs.

In seven years of this government, we have introduced programs that have made a huge difference to Canadians, such as the Canada child benefit, which has been able to cut down child poverty in this country. More than 425,000 children today are not in the situation of poverty. We can talk about the Canada workers benefit or the Canada dental benefit. With those things, we really have Canadians' backs.

Do members know who do not have Canadians' backs? It is the official opposition, which voted against each one of these great programs for Canadians.

Gender-Based Violence

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

Madam Speaker, we all have a role to play in preventing gender-based violence. Many men and boys are aware of gender inequities. It is crucial to start discussions at a young age to encourage them to act now to develop healthy masculinities.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth speak about what our government is doing to support the allyship of men and boys in addressing gender-based violence?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth]

Madam Speaker, for many men, the awareness of gender-based violence hits close to home when they have a daughter or when they reflect on the women in their lives, but women and girls cannot wait that long.

This week, as part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, our government provided roughly $600,000 to White Ribbon. With this support, White Ribbon can continue calling men and boys into the conversation and find ways to address the problematic social norms and attitudes that are harmful to so many. Only together can we address gender-based violence.

Carbon Pricing

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

Madam Speaker, residents of Saskatoon are suffering because of the carbon tax. It makes the cost of everything increase. Fuel and home heating are more expensive, and so is food. Some 20,000 people are using the Saskatoon food bank each month, and 40% of them are children.

This tax plan does nothing for the environment. Instead, it is ripping a hole in the bank accounts of Canadians.

Will the Liberal government show some compassion and stop forcing its failed carbon tax on Canadians?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Madam Speaker, I am not sure the hon. member heard the good news, but this spring, as of April 1, a family of four will get up to about $1,500 in Saskatchewan and $1,000 in my home province of Manitoba. They are going to receive these cheques every three months. This is going to help with cash flow. It is going to help with affordability.

The other side has no plan for affordability, no plan for the economy and no plan to fight climate change.

Domestic Violence

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

Madam Speaker, in Calgary, families are waiting up to 112 days to access shelter and support services. According to the Discovery House, “It used to be that people would stay for six or seven months on average. We’ve seen that increase to 10 or 11 months, or even over a year sometimes. That’s because of the affordability crisis.”

With higher rates of violence and increased costs of living, families are vulnerable. Will the Liberal government end inflationary policies that are punishing Canadians and help those who are trying to escape family violence?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth]

Madam Speaker, we realize and know on this side of the House that it is a difficult time for families. That is why, most recently, we launched the national action plan to end gender-based violence. This is a joint federal-provincial-territorial agreement moving forward to ensure that we are there for women and gender-diverse people as they are seeking help and getting out of abusive situations.

National Defence

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Madam Speaker, a year ago, the advisory panel on systemic discrimination in the military recommended excluding clergy of the three Abrahamic religions from being chaplains. It said:

Defence...cannot consider itself supportive of inclusivity when it employs as chaplains members of organizations whose values are not consistent with National Defence's ethics....

For example, some churches [exclude] women from their priesthoods...[and] certain faiths have strict tenets requiring conversion....

This recommendation is anti-Muslim, anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish. Has the government definitively rejected it?

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for raising the issue of chaplaincy in the national defence forces.

It is absolutely important to do spiritual care that is sensitive and culturally aware and that engages all people from different faith communities. This government is committed to doing that.

We will take his question under advisement and get back to him.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Madam Speaker, young people are the leaders of today and tomorrow. They are change makers who are helping to build a future with clean air and water, affordable housing and economic opportunities for everyone. I know that no matter where they are from, young people keep our country strong and support diversity and inclusion. They make Canada a better place.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship update the House on how our government is mobilizing youth to help rebuild our economy?

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question.

Let us be clear, Canada benefits when diverse, engaged and independent young people are able to come from abroad to gain enriching work and life experience in this country.

Yesterday, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced a 20% increase in the number of people who can apply to the international experience Canada program for 2023. This increase means that close to 90,000 candidates will be able to work and travel in Canada, including francophone youth. This will help employers fill labour gaps, including for seasonal work opportunities in Canada's tourism industry. We know that when we invest in youth, we invest—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay.

The Environment

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Madam Speaker, the recent wild species report found that one in five species in Canada is disappearing. That is more than 2,000 of Canada's species at risk of extinction or extirpation. This loss is a huge threat to our environment, our ecosystems and our food supply.

The Liberals have made almost no progress on their promises to protect 30% of our natural lands by 2030. Will the government introduce a biodiversity accountability bill to make sure we reach those critical targets?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his advocacy on this front. He is absolutely right. We tabled the wild species report the other day and we are losing some of our species at a very rapid rate. That is why we are gathering in Montreal at the UN biodiversity convention.

We have stepped up to make aggressive targets: 25% of our land and waters by 2025 and 30% by 2030. We are focused like a laser beam on this. We look forward to working with the hon. member to realize those goals.

Taxation

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

Madam Speaker, Danielle Dubois is an entrepreneur in my riding who owns a company called Zenit Nutrition, which produces healthy energy bars made exclusively from local, Canadian ingredients.

The problem is that because of the way this product is classified, she has to charge GST on these bars, unlike other, less nutritious imported products that are made with industrial ingredients. Just think, she is being penalized for encouraging our Canadian producers and using healthy ingredients.

Can the minister tell us whether she plans to review this more than 30-year-old legislation so that our local foods, which are healthier, are not penalized and taxed?

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Madam Speaker, let me begin by thanking my colleague from Richmond—Arthabaska for his hard work. I also want to commend the entrepreneur for promoting local, Canadian products.

Our government has always supported small businesses. In our last budget, we once again lowered taxes for small and medium-sized businesses to 9%. That is one of the lowest tax rates in the world.

For this question in particular, I would be pleased to talk directly to my colleague, and I invite the businesswoman to take part in the consultations—

Oral Questions

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

That concludes question period.

I did indicate that I would be asking the hon. member for Lethbridge for an apology to the Minister of Public Safety for her comment in the House.

The hon. member for Lethbridge.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Madam Speaker, earlier today, I called the Minister of Public Safety a liar. I should not have done that. Instead, I should have said that he misled the House. I apologize.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I do not believe that is an acceptable apology at this point. The hon. member is trying to justify what she said, and I would ask the hon. member if she would like to try it one more time, given the unparliamentary language used in the House.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Madam Speaker, I apologize.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Elgin—Middlesex—London has a point of order.

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

Madam Speaker, I know that in today's debate, of course, we got very uptight on certain issues, but I find it very rich when we have a member talking about the rights of women who then turns to me and tells me to zip it.

I would like to ask for an apology from the member for Ajax. If they are actually going to talk about treating people with dignity and respect, then that goes for Conservative women as well.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. government House leader is rising on that same point of order.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased and proud to represent the riding of Ajax, and I do not think I am who the member was referring to.

However, this is an opportunity to reflect on—

[An hon. member]

Madam Speaker, I have a point of order.