Debates of Dec. 6th, 2022

Report Stage

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I think that my hon. colleague may be confusing certain age groups.

There are also those aged 64 to 75, of course. I understand the idea of need. We completely agree on that. Perhaps I should also repeat it. The problem is that this is not about information, or data, as he said, but about people.

In my riding, the main groups that represent seniors and defend seniors' rights are calling for the elimination of discrimination. What seniors are receiving is already too little. The government must not tell us that it is enough for those 75 and older. It is not enough.

There is still discrimination, and I would like to say that the government should not kid itself. It should not think that depriving a certain group of seniors of adequate income will make them get a job, if the idea is to get them to support themselves even though they worked their whole lives for a decent retirement.

That is what the Bloc Québécois has to say.

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her speech. I would like to ask her a question.

There is not much in this bill about health and health care funding. Could the member comment on that?

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to. I thank my colleague from Sarnia—Lambton for her question. I would like to mention an anecdote that comes to mind whenever I hear the term “health transfers”.

Mr. Chrétien, the former prime minister, once said that cutting health transfers was really good because he got to keep something in his pocket and the government that would get blamed was the one that had jurisdiction over health care, meaning Quebec.

In other words, he got to keep the cash, and the problem stayed in Quebec and the other provinces, which had to make up the difference because the needs were still there. People did not stop getting cancer just because Chrétien decided to cut health transfers.

That is one of the first comments I would make. We should get the monkey off our back and put it back where it belongs, on the government's back.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, I would like to thank the member for her intervention. I enjoy working with her at the indigenous and northern affairs committee. I have similar constituents. My riding has three time zones and is much larger, so I connect with her intervention, clearly.

The NDP supports this bill because it provides for the Canada recovery dividend, which will tax for-profit corporations such as the banks and insurers that are showing major profits. I wonder if the member agrees that the Canada recovery dividend needs to be extended to the big box stores, which are clearly contributing to the hardships of our constituents.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I listened to the question in English. I hope I understood it correctly.

I thank my colleague from Nunavut, with whom I have a lot in common. I could talk to her about going to stores in my riding in the north. I think there are Northern stores in her riding as well. I have nothing against the chain itself, but the issue of the exorbitant costs for residents is something that must be addressed.

Here is another anecdote that illustrates what is happening in my riding. In grocery stores in the north, a can of Maxwell House coffee costs $55. Coffee is considered a luxury. Generally speaking, one of the issues that is very important to me is having programs to lower costs so it goes directly into the pockets of people in my riding.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

As much as I enjoy the energy of the next member, I will have to cut him off in about four minutes.

The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate)]

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that when you said you were going to cut me off, a number of Conservatives clapped, so I will try to make the four minutes worth their while.

It is unfortunate that, once again, we are in a situation where the government has had to bring in time allocation on very important legislation to serve Canadians and to bring resources to them, in particular those who are in the most need. I will reflect on the fact that 38 members of the Conservative Party have spoken to the bill. Twenty-six Liberal members, six NDP members, 10 Bloc members and one Green member have also spoken to it. The bill, now back to the House at report stage, has had a number of interventions at the various different times. To somehow suggest that democracy is not in full effect as it relates to the bill would be extremely disingenuous.

We all know what happened to the fall economic statement of 2021. When we tried to act in good faith with the Conservatives to continually bring that bill forward so they could have more and more discussion on it, we never ended getting to vote on it until May or June of 2022. It is entirely fair to assume that the same thing would probably happen again this time, and therefore bringing in time allocation was certainly a requirement.

I want to talk specifically about something I am hearing quite a bit in the House, particularly on this legislation. This is the discussion about inflation. There is no doubt that inflation is real, that it is hurting Canadians and that it is difficult. It is creating a lot of uncertainties in the lives of people and in the marketplace. However, the problem is that Conservatives want to talk about inflation as though this is a problem that is isolated only to Canada. The reality of the situation is that inflation is happening globally right now.

We could try to accredit a number of things to it. We could say that it was the various attempts of G7 or OECD countries to support their constituents during the very difficult times of the pandemic. We could say it is about the war in Ukraine. There are a lot of different contributing factors to it.

However, it is happening throughout the world. In fact, in the G7 countries, Canada has the third-lowest inflation rate. The only two countries lower than Canada are Japan and France. Every other country has a higher inflationary rate. Of course that brings little comfort to those who are trying to deal with inflation, but it is important to reflect on the fact that this is a global issue and something that citizens throughout the world are trying to tackle.

This bill is specifically about that. It is about trying to make life more affordable for Canadians, in particular those who are struggling the most. When we think about things like the Canada housing benefit, or the dental benefit that was previously adopted, or the GST credit or some of the various other measures that the government has brought in specifically to help low-income people, we know those measures will have very little impact on inflation. We know they are right measures to take right now to support constituents throughout Canada.

I look forward to continuing afterward question period, and taking some questions at that time as well.

Birthday Congratulations

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in the House of Commons to tell members a bit about a special constituent named Marta.

Marta is a remarkable person. Born in a small town in eastern Poland, she dreamed of becoming a dancer, but studied administration instead and worked with her husband in a large factory to help raise a family, including two boys, the youngest of which was a steady source of mischief.

To give her boys a bright future, Marta and her family immigrated to Canada as political refugees. She worked full time at the Polonia Centre and later the Polish credit union, all the while making sure her boys had home cooked soup and did not miss soccer practice. She volunteered in community theatre, in the Carrousel of the Nations, the Holy Trinity Choir and many fundraisers.

Everyone back home knows her as Marta, but I just call her mom. Today, I hope members will join me in wishing her a happy birthday and sto lat. I love my Mamo. Kocham cie.

Food Banks

[Richard Lehoux, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this year, families can finally get together to celebrate over a nice Christmas dinner. However, during this time of celebration, we must not forget that some people, for all sorts of reasons, cannot afford a nice meal, period.

This is the time of year to give generously. Food banks need our help now more than ever. According to the Moisson Beauce website, in my riding alone, one-third of the 12,500 monthly requests for food aid filled by its network of organizations are for children. I invite all those who can to give to these food banks. That is the real spirit of Christmas.

I would like to say a big thank you to the volunteers at these many organizations who take the time to collect food donations, prepare food, and make up food hampers. In Beauce, food donations can be made through some 50 organizations, including the Comité d'aide de Beauceville, the Source de Sainte-Marie, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and, of course, Moisson Beauce.

I hope that everyone will be able to sit down to a nice meal this holiday season. Merry Christmas and happy new year to everyone.

Gender-Based Violence

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 33 years ago, 14 young women were murdered at École Polytechnique. This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led our government to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Sadly, women continue to be subject to violence and misogyny today. We must stop gender-based violence.

I invite all members of the House to join me this evening for a panel event and critical discussion in partnership with Actua to raise awareness and advance solutions on how to effectively protect and empower women online. Following the panel, we will be screening Backlash: Misogyny in the Digital Age, a film showcasing the stories of four women and one man whose lives have been negatively impacted by online violence.

Gender-based violence is never “just one time” or “just words”. It is never “just” anything; it is violence.

National Gallery of Canada

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what is happening at the National Gallery of Canada is outrageous. Art is being sacrificed to an ideological agenda that no longer has anything to do with the purpose of a museum.

In the words of Marc Mayer, former director of the National Gallery of Canada, “it is literally a coup”. It has gotten to the point where Jean Paul Riopelle—Riopelle is no joke—is considered by the gallery's new administration as an “old white man artist”. No one thinks it is necessary to mark his 100th birthday. At this point, this is far from a national art gallery.

This is the same reasoning behind Radio-Canada having to apologize for inappropriate comments made by the people it interviews, or a director from the National Film Board applauding when copies of Astérix are burned.

From now on, art no longer serves art. From now on, art is a propaganda tool this government uses to impose its ideological vision. It is scary. It is a dangerous direction, falsely progressive, that gives off a vile whiff of disreputable regimes.

The government and its Crown corporations need to get their act together.

Bhimrao Ambedkar

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today marks 66 years since the death of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, who was an Indian economist, politician, social reformer and jurist. A leader in India's path toward independence, Dr. Ambedkar has been widely recognized as the principal architect in the drafting of the Constitution of India.

A champion of civil rights, Dr. Ambedkar strongly campaigned against social discrimination, choosing to step down from his position as India's first minister of law when cabinet refused to pass the women's rights bill.

As a lifelong scholar, Dr. Ambedkar earned his masters degree at the London School of Economics before being awarded his Ph.D. from Columbia University. In 1952, Columbia University presented him with an honorary doctorate for his service as “a great social reformer and a valiant upholder of human rights.”

Today we recognize and honour his legacy and praise those who continue his work both here and in India, promoting social equality and justice.

Children

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, children represent the best part of humanity. They are imaginative, resilient and inquisitive. They bring joy to even the most difficult of circumstances. They give us hope in the face of the biggest challenges. The responsibility of the rest of us is to ensure they live up to their potential.

Unfortunately, far too often we have not lived up to that hallowed responsibility. We must never again allow the government to violate that sacrosanct relationship between parent and child, as we have seen in the devastating consequences of the residential school program.

However, in spite of all these challenges, I remain incredibly optimistic because of the blessing that children bring.

It would be incredibly inappropriate for me to acknowledge my children in the gallery, Margaret and James. It would be even more inappropriate to say that I love those guys, so I will not do that.

Retirement Congratulations

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mary Long, the founder of Hamilton Tax Help, a free low-barrier tax clinic that has helped Hamiltonians access almost $7.2 million in critical federal benefits last year alone, $1.6 million in my riding of Hamilton Mountain.

Mary is set to retire at the end of this month after an inspiring career. Whether it was through her 17 years at Family Services Hamilton, as president of her OPSEU local, as a former director of labour services at the United Way of Hamilton & Halton or as the first woman to be elected president of the Hamilton and District Labour Council, Mary has consistently sought out opportunities to respond to the needs of the community.

At age 55, she returned to school to study social service work. She is a Mohawk College Alumnus of Distinction, as well as a fellow Women of Distinction Award winner.

I wish Mary a wonderful and well-deserved retirement. I thank Mary for her commitment and service.

Hunters' Donation Program

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I visited some food banks in my riding and met Amélie, a passionate volunteer. She showed me large freezers full of wild game meat.

Are my colleagues familiar with the Chasseurs généreux program organized by Food Banks of Quebec and the Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs? Through this program, hunters donate a portion of their wild game meat for those most in need in our communities right across Quebec.

I want to thank all the hunters in the Gatineau Valley. I would also like to acknowledge the butchers' contribution. Thanks to them, families in need will be able to celebrate Christmas with a traditional meal.

Christmas Poem

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker,'Twas the night before Christmas and no one could afford a house. Some people were blaming a fellow named Klaus.
The Prime Minister said he would have people's backs. But it turned out his real plan was to triple the tax.
The holidays are here. There is a gift shopping tradition. But things are more expensive, thanks to the costly coalition.
So instead just rest, stay home and take a nap. Try to forget about the ArriveCAN app.
If you hear the sound of a reindeer's hoof, then it is Santa, not Stephen, up on the roof.
Santa reaches down inside of his sack. He knows what the people want is to have their freedoms back.
But if you hear the sound of a convoy truck, then the message for Liberals is: end the mandates.
Jesus was born with a hope to save every sinner even the ones who attend the press gallery dinner.
At Christmas we celebrate the joy that we find and proclaim peace and love to all “peoplekind”.
This might be not as a good as Cuzner's last riff. I just hope it will not get me shot by journo Dale Smith.
'Twas the night before Christmas. Inflation is the worst. The Conservatives have a leader who will put the people first.

Holiday Season

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the holiday season is upon us, and back in St. John’s East many will celebrate together and welcome home loved ones, celebrate the annual mummers festival and have a little fun on Tibb’s eve.

This is also a time to reflect on the true meaning of the season. We can welcome an international student away from home for dinner. We can reach out to friends and neighbours who might be alone and find this season hard, or volunteer or donate to local charities and not-for-profits to ensure that Santa does not miss any households this year, or thank our essential workers and those working away from home or connect with our diverse communities and understand their own unique traditions.

During this time of year, however we choose to celebrate, this is a time, I am sure we can all agree, that should be full of kindness and compassion

Halifax Explosion

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, 105 years ago today, two ships collided in the narrows of Halifax Harbour. The collision between the French munitions ship, the Mont-Blanc, and the Norwegian ship, the Imo, resulted in the largest human-made explosion at that time. There were 1,782 people killed and an estimated 9,000 injured. Relief efforts came from across Canada and the northeastern United States. To make matters worse, these heroic rescue efforts were also hampered by a snowstorm.

The community of Richmond was devastated, as was the long-standing Mi’kmaq community of Turtle Grove. Lives of countless Haligonians were changed forever. Railway dispatcher Vince Coleman's heroic effort to stop incoming trains stands out. I quote, “Hold up the train. Ammunition ship afire in harbor making for Pier 6 and will explode. Guess this will be my last message. Good-bye boys.” He died at his post.

To this day, we send an annual Christmas tree to Boston as a token of our appreciation in our rebuilding efforts.

École Polytechnique Tragedy

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 33 years ago, on December 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered. They were murdered because they were women. They were murdered because they were at university. They were murdered because they were studying engineering. It was the ugliest form of cruelty. The words “Poly” and “Polytechnique” will always and forever be associated with this tragedy.

This tragedy concerns us all and serves to remind us how fragile life is. How many times have we looked the other way? How many times have we pretended not to hear? How many times have we let out a nervous laugh?

We have a duty to stop pretending and start taking direct and concrete action. We have to start approaching people, to guide them towards help, or to report them. We cannot sit back and do nothing. We owe it to the 14 victims of École Polytechnique.

We must never forget.

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every December 6 for the past 33 years has served as a sorrowful reminder that violence against women happens every day. The Polytechnique tragedy shook our collective conscience and brought the lives of 14 brilliant young women to an abrupt end. It is our duty, one and all, to remember this shocking event.

Violence against women is not always obvious, but it is always devastating. I would like to take this opportunity to salute organizations such as Re‑Source, Quartier des Femmes, and the CALACS, the sexual assault centre, along with many other organizations in Châteauguay—Lacolle that do such essential work in our communities to counter violence against women. I thank them for their engagement and their conviction.

As a society, we must keep working to make sure that tragedies like what happened at the Polytechnique never happen again and that the lives of thousands of women in Canada do not turn tragic.

I remember.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on December 6, 1989, a man entered a classroom at École Polytechnique with a semi-automatic rifle. He separated the men from the women and killed 14 female students. These 14 bright young women were cowardly murdered because they were women. It is a horrible, misogynistic, sexist and hate-filled crime.

Hate continues to kill, even today. We see evidence of this violence and toxic masculinity every day. Recently, four indigenous women were murdered in Manitoba. Last year, there were 26 femicides in Quebec; that is 26 women who were murdered. This year there have already been 14 femicides. We have seen the equivalent of another Polytechnique this year alone.

Not only must we change our culture, we must also work together to better protect women who are victims of violence. Chronic underfunding forces shelters to turn away thousands of women because they have no room. The memory of these 14 students whose lives were taken must motivate us to do better for all women.

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was not yet born when tragedy struck at the Polytechnique. I did not know the women who fell in the hail of bullets fired by a misogynistic gunman. However, like the women and men of my generation, I am an heir to this event. It is a legacy that comes with a certain responsibility.

We have a duty to do everything in our power to ensure that Quebec never again experiences such a tragedy. That is why we are strongly in favour of tighter gun control. That is why we strongly support banning assault weapons. It will not solve everything. It will not guarantee that there will be no more tragedies, but it will reduce the risk. We need to take steps in the right direction. Banning assault weapons is a step in the right direction.

Above all, we must fight misogyny and violence against women and normalize equality for all. Today is December 6, 2022. Thirty-three years after the Polytechnique massacre, we must remember and we must take action.

The Economy

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the difference between what I am hearing from my residents in Kelowna—Lake Country and from the Liberal government could not be more far apart. While local seniors tell me they are choosing between gas and groceries, a Liberal minister said he is “sick and tired” of people complaining about heating their homes in cold weather.

Canadians are sick and tired of a carbon tax plan that has missed every target and left Canada as 58th out of 64 countries on climate performance. People are worried with the latest “Canada's Food Price Report”, which says a family of four will pay more than $1,000 extra in 2023.

A Conservative government will axe the tax to lower the costs of basic essentials like food, gas and home heating. We will end wasteful government spending to stop the Liberals' made-in-Canada inflation. We will invest in Canadian innovation, mineral exploration and electric infrastructure to build the cleaner, greener and affordable future that we all want.

Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to welcome members of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, who are here as part of their annual fire chiefs on the Hill days.

Over the coming days, many of us will have the opportunity to talk to these fire chiefs about the main issues fire departments across the country are facing, including challenges around recruiting and retaining firefighters when climate and health crises are on the rise. Another issue that is of particular importance to me is the risk of cancer among firefighters.

I am proud to have the support of the CAFC and other stakeholders for my private member's bill, Bill C-224, an act that would establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting. This, as members know, was referred to the Standing Committee on Health last June. It is my hope that all members will work together to ensure this legislation is passed soon, and send a clear message to our firefighters that their health and safety is a top priority for all of us.

Gender-Based Violence

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, today our thoughts are with the victims of the terrible École Polytechnique tragedy. Women lost their lives just because they were women. We remember their lives. We remember how talented they were. We remember how tragic this is for their families. We are working to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.

Would the government like to share its thoughts on this subject?