Debates of March 21st, 2022

Nowruz

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week, more than 300 million people around the world are celebrating Nowruz.

Nowruz, which means “new day”, celebrates the Persian new year and the arrival of spring. During this time, friends and families sit around the haft-seen table and exchange gifts, share food, and reflect on the year that has been and the year to come. Without a doubt, the past two years have been quite challenging, but Nowruz and spring present a beautiful time for renewal and new beginnings.

Nowruz also gives us an opportunity to mark the contributions of communities that celebrate this day. Whether they are the Persian, Afghan or Kurdish communities, whether they are Ismaili, Bahá'í or Zoroastrian, or whether it is through the Iranian Cultural Society of West Island, or through appreciating the Afghan cuisine of Aryana Restaurant on Sources Boulevard in Pierrefonds, we thank them for their contributions to our community and celebrate them.

To all marking Nowruz in Pierrefonds—Dollard and beyond, I wish them a happy Nowruz and better days ahead.

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

I know everybody is really happy to see each other after being away for a couple of weeks, but it is getting a little noisy, and we want to hear these great statements.

The hon. member for St. Albert—Edmonton.

Oil and Gas Industry

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine is being fuelled by European dependence on Russian energy. As Europe and much of the world searches for alternatives, Canada should be part of the solution. The only thing standing in the way is the Liberal government and its war on Canadian energy. In cancelling pipelines, killing LNG projects and driving away hundreds of billions of dollars of investment, the Liberal government's record is so disastrous that last year Canada imported $400 million of Russian oil, $400 million to fuel Putin's war machine.

As a result of the Liberals' war on Canadian energy, Canada is weaker, Putin is stronger and the world is less safe.

World Down Syndrome Day

[Viviane LaPointe, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, March 21, marks World Down Syndrome Day. This day was created to raise public awareness, promote inclusivity, encourage advocacy and support the well-being of those living with Down syndrome.

People with Down syndrome have an inherent right to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of our communities. This date was chosen because it is the 21st day of the third month, which signifies the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.

I want to recognize organizations in my riding of Sudbury, such as the Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury, L'Arche Sudbury, Christian Horizons and Community Living Greater Sudbury, that work extensively to amplify the voices of and empower individuals living with Down syndrome.

Together we can work to create inclusive communities around the world that welcome and support individuals with Down syndrome.

Ukraine

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, on Canada's Prairies, they are known as kokum scarves. In the Yukon, we call them granny scarves. In a tribute to the historic friendship between first peoples and early Ukrainian settlers, indigenous men and women across Canada are wearing these colourful scarves to show support for Ukrainians devastated by this war.

The Yukon boasts the fourth largest per capita population of Ukrainian Canadians. When Yukon first nations leaders met recently with representatives of the Ukrainian community to offer their support, they were presented with symbolic granny scarves. At a time when first nations and Yukoners themselves are responding to the simultaneous tragedies of the opioid crisis, residential school trauma and the pandemic, they are nevertheless coming forward to show support for Ukraine.

Putin's war in Ukraine has surely broken the hearts of all Canadians, but we can take solace in these stories of support and solidarity. As Yukoners open their hearts and homes and pledge their support to Ukrainians, our indigenous communities are once again lighting the way to peace and reconciliation.

Slava Ukraini.

Nowruz

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish Canadians of Kurdish, Persian and Central Asian heritage a very happy Nowruz as this week marks the start of their new year.

Nowruz is an ancient new year celebration adopted by many Central Asian peoples. For Kurds, this new year will be 2722, and the word “Nowruz” literally means a new year, marking the first day of spring. It is celebrated through a variety of traditions. The Kurds gather in the countryside to light bonfires, which represent passing from the darkness of the previous year into the light of the next. Fire is considered a symbol of triumph in Kurdish mythology. In Kurdistan, Kurds will light fires and fireworks, and they will be heading to the mountains of Akre, considered the home of the celebration of Nowruz.

Persians set the haft-seen table and exchange gifts. Other Central Asians also celebrate by planting trees and attending festivities marking the same occasion. On the 13th day after Nowruz, Kurds will go out for a picnic for Sizdah Bedar, celebrated in the new year with family and friends.

To all of my Kurdish friends in Canada, I wish them Newroz piroz bet.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians should be able to live a true and authentic life, free from violence and discrimination, no matter who they are, where they live or how they appear. Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. We know that the elimination of racial discrimination is not confined to 24 hours on March 21, but is required 24-7, 365 days a year.

Nelson Mandela shared the following truth many years ago, which I would like to highlight today. He said, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of [their] skin, [their] background, or [their] religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

Let us keep raising our voices, bringing down the towers of oppression, and keep doing the right thing for generations of the past, present and future.

Leonard Joseph Gustafson

[Robert Gordon Kitchen, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Leonard Joseph Gustafson, a former member of Parliament, parliamentary secretary to then prime minister Mulroney, and a senator, who passed away last Friday. Len was born in, and loved, Macoun, Saskatchewan. Throughout his life he was many things, including a contractor, a businessman, an MP, a senator and, most importantly, a farmer.

The great orator, Paul Harvey, must have been thinking of Len when he wrote his famous speech “So God Made a Farmer”. In a quote from the speech, God says he needs, “‘somebody...who, planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, then, pain'n from 'tractor back,' put in another seventy-two hours.’ So God made a farmer.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Len's loving wife, Alice; their children Terry, Jerry, Ben and Bona Jean; their children's spouses; and their many grandchildren. Len is now with his son Jerry, looking down on all of us and sending their blessings for a bountiful harvest season.

I send my thanks to Len for his service to the people of Souris—Moose Mountain and to Canada. His legacy will not be forgotten.

COVID-19 Mandates

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the end of mask mandates in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Quebec has already ended their vaccine passport requirements. As of March, P.E.I. no longer requires proof of vaccination. Saskatchewan has not had vaccine mandates since February 14, the same day that New Brunswick ended all COVID-19 restrictions, and Alberta ended its mandates back on February 8.

Across the country, provinces are following the science and they are removing their restrictions. The government must follow suit. Vaccine mandates have cost Canadians their jobs, have restricted travel and are hurting our tourism sector here at home.

Canadians have done their part to fight COVID-19. They have done their part to get through this pandemic. It is time that they get their lives back. The federal government must put an end to all pandemic restrictions that are in its jurisdiction.

Nowruz

[Ali Ehsassi, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to rise today to join other colleagues to wish everyone who celebrated Nowruz a happy new year. Yesterday, thousands of residents in my riding of Willowdale and, indeed, hundreds of thousands of Canadians, joined 300 million individuals around the world, to usher in Nowruz. A 3,000-year tradition, Nowruz is a festive holiday celebrated by Persians, Afghans, Turks, Kurds, Bahá'í, Ismailis, Zoroastrians and many more communities.

It was a pleasure for me to join others around the haft-seen table to mark the spring equinox and the promise of new beginnings. Nowruz celebrates renewal, optimism and light, all essential qualities that are necessary at a time like this.

May this festival of renewal bring hope to a world that needs it like never before by ushering a new year free from hardship, the pandemic and war. To everyone celebrating,

[Member spoke in Farsi]

[English]

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today I join all New Democrats in marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. As a Métis person, I know first-hand how the tolerant image that Canada projects on the world stage can hide ugly realities, racism and discrimination.

Too often, this shiny image does not match the reality that indigenous peoples, Black Canadians, Asian Canadians, Muslim Canadians and other racialized people, both in my riding of Edmonton Griesbach and across the country, face every single day. Canada must wake up to the reality that we have a serious and growing problem with white supremacy and hatred. We saw another reminder of how serious this problem is just days ago when a Mississauga mosque was violently attacked in an act of islamophobic hate.

Words of solidarity and symbolic gestures are not enough to stop the ongoing violence and dismantle the systemic racism that continues to thrive in Canada today. We need real solutions.

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

I do want to remind everyone that we are almost at QP. I know that is what everybody is waiting for, but we are getting a little noisy. I want to make sure we can listen to the great statements we have been having.

The hon. member for Salaberry—Suroît.

Quebec Social Workers' Week

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week, Quebec is recognizing the professional contribution of social workers.

Social workers put people first. They make it easier to access basic social services. They make the voices of the most vulnerable and overlooked members of our society heard. They innovate and make lasting improvements to society. They are true agents of change.

We see what social work is really all about through the independent community organizations that perform miracles on a daily basis, through every individual citizen who moves one step closer to realizing their full potential, and through the roughly 15,500 social workers who lead, organize and participate in the development of their communities. Every day, these professionals guide us toward a more welcoming, warm, respectful and fair society. I am proud to be a social worker.

I wish all of my dear colleagues a happy social workers' week.

Vanderhoof RCMP

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on November 25, 2021, at 12 noon, a white Ford F-350 pulled up to a small RCMP detachment in my community of Vanderhoof, British Columbia. Seconds later, the driver started shooting, narrowly missing the officers and civilians inside. He circled the building and continued shooting. Minutes felt like hours. Leaving behind rounds and bullet-ridden vehicles, the suspect fled into the community. It is a miracle that no one was injured or killed.

For the first time, the B.C. Emergency Alerting System was activated, and the community was locked down within minutes. Simply put, the suspect was hunting police officers. He fired over 20 rounds alone into the detachment. Within an hour, the suspect was taken down without incident. When asked to recount the events of this day, many of the officers' voices still crack with emotion. They are still hurting. One shared with me that he thought this was the day that he was going to die.

On behalf of the residents of Cariboo—Prince George and all Canadians, I would like to express our appreciation and our gratitude. These brave men and women put the safety of their community above their own. They ran towards danger. They ran towards gunfire. They are somebody's mothers, daughters, sisters, fathers and brothers. They are true heroes, and I ask that all my colleagues join me in saying a heartfelt “thank you”.

International Day of La Francophonie

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the francophones and francophiles who celebrated the International Day of La Francophonie yesterday.

We must thank the pioneers and builders across Canada who fought, worked and advocated to ensure that we can access services in French and English in official language minority communities. The francophonie should be celebrated for the significant cultural and economic contributions it has made to Canada.

We must support our community organizations and promote education, from early childhood right through to post-secondary, across the country.

I thank all of the proud private-sector companies that promote the French language and that are working hard to provide bilingual services to their customers.

Let us celebrate the culture, community and pride that unite us. Let us show deep compassion for our neighbours and be proud of our diversity.

Labour

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, railways are central to Canada's economy.

Canadians are finding it harder and harder to find the essentials, and the labour dispute could not come at a worse time. Some $425 million worth of goods are transported on the CP railway every day. Farmers, businesses and millions of Canadians are affected every day of this dispute. This was all foreseeable.

How do the Liberals plan to prevent disruptions to the supply chain, job losses and business closures?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, negotiations always come with their challenges, but it is important to know how to overcome these challenges to come to an agreement.

CP and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference are still negotiating. The parties are working hard and no one has left the table. They are well aware of what is at stake here.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, two years after the onset of a pandemic that deeply scarred the supply chain, caused skyrocketing prices across the board and continues to compromise buying power, the Prime Minister does not seem to care, and that is disappointing. This labour dispute comes as no surprise. Everyone has been talking about it for weeks, but once again the Prime Minister is slow to act. Canadians are paying the price, and so will the rest of the world if a solution is not found quickly.

Will the Prime Minister personally commit, here and now, to finding a solution to this conflict?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, the best deals are reached at the bargaining table. We have faith in the parties' ability to reach an agreement. Canadians are counting on a swift resolution.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it sounds to me like they are washing their hands of the whole thing. I really do not understand the Minister of Labour's response. While we are here talking, Canadians are paying a hefty price.

Inflation is at an all-time high, houses are no longer affordable, and grocery bills are forcing families to make tough choices. The CP Rail dispute will exacerbate the situation.

We would like to suggest a way for the government to make things a little bit more bearable for Canadians right away. Will the Prime Minister waive the GST on gas and diesel immediately?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, negotiations between the parties are ongoing. No one has left the table. We have faith in the parties' ability to reach an agreement at the bargaining table. Our government believes that is where the best deals are reached. The parties understand what is at stake, and Canadians are counting on them to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

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

Mr. Speaker, when I previously asked the Minister of Transport what he was doing to prevent a CP Rail strike, he said, “Let me assure my colleague we are monitoring the situation. I have met the CEO. I have met with the Teamsters. It is really important that we maintain the fluidity of our supply chain.”

The strike is on and damage is already happening. The agriculture sector is already seeing it, the automotive sector has said it cannot endure another hit and the Chamber of Commerce is calling for back-to-work legislation on behalf of small businesses.

What is the government’s plan to immediately resolve this dispute?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, notice of a work stoppage could not have come at a worse time. Every day that goes by, for farmers and for manufacturers in this country particularly, is a day too long, and I think the parties at the table know that. They have an enormous responsibility to all Canadians to negotiate an agreement that protects the supply chains that Canadians depend on. They are working hard. No one has left the table. Our party believes that the best deals are reached at the table.

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

Mr. Speaker, those are empty words, because the government's record is of being slow to act in these situations. With the Wet’suwet’en and the Coastal GasLink rail blockades, it took weeks for the federal government to intervene. With the Port of Montreal, it took over a week.

Forty-five hundred railcars, and nearly half a billion dollars' worth of goods getting to market, are in jeopardy every day. Canadians cannot afford more inflation. Eight out of nine of the previous CP disputes went to binding arbitration.

What will the government do to immediately address this situation?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I would acknowledge Canada's supply chains are still reeling from the B.C. floods, from COVID-19 and now the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Canadians' best interests need to be prioritized. I am here in Calgary. I am urging the parties to reach an agreement. Our government is committed to ensuring the reliability and the efficacy of our supply chains, which support Canada's economy right across all sectors.

Canadians worked together throughout this pandemic to find solutions to our collective challenges, and they expect the same from stakeholders in our national economy.