Debates of April 7th, 2022

Constitution Act, 1867

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

Madam Speaker, my colleague from Edmonton is quite right when she speaks of the Edmonton—Wetaskiwin riding, which takes in the deep south of suburban Edmonton and has a farming and small-town component. That is something the boundaries commission of each province takes into account among the factors they consider in drawing boundaries, including having regard for communities of interest. They are ensuring, to the greatest degree possible, that the boundaries of each riding align with communities of interest, and at the same time, they are trying to maintain, as best as possible, roughly equal population sizes.

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

Madam Speaker, I want to expand on the question from the previous member. When I look at Toronto, we have more than 20 members representing a riding that, arguably, as I have driven from one side of it to the other, is not that different.

Is there a question we should be asking at this time about that? Certainly we need more people to support that many individuals regarding services, but do we really need that many members?

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

Madam Speaker, that is a good question from my friend, the member for Sarnia—Lambton. There are different challenges that members of Parliament face in representing urban and rural areas. They are taken into account, having regard for additional resources for the members who represent larger ridings by population and by virtue of their geography. However, I underscore that when we allocate seats and draw boundaries, the principle that must be respected to the greatest degree possible is representation by population.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Madam Speaker, we are discussing representation in the House, and I talked earlier about the important work we need to do on gender balance and proportionality. I talked a lot about young people and the lack of opportunities for them to have a seat at the table. We know that at 16 years old, young people can drive a car, work and pay taxes in this country. We also know that if they participate at a young age, they have a better chance of voting in the future.

As to my question for my colleague, there is a bill before the House, Bill C-210, tabled by my colleague from Skeena—Bulkley Valley. Does the member support allowing those who can drive—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Order, please. We need to hear the question.

The hon. member for St. Albert—Edmonton.

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

Madam Speaker, let me say, in short, that I believe in principle that the voting age of 18 is the most appropriate age. However, I do look forward to debate on the bill.

World Health Day

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, today, April 7, is World Health Day. The World Health Organization has asked that this year we focus on planetary health, which is a good idea. We have a planetary health doctor, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which gave us all a prescription on Monday and really clear, good health advice. If we want to be healthy, cut out the bad things and cut down on the smoking.

Oh, but the Government of Canada did not like that prescription, not one bit. We have our own quack, apparently. We have our own snake oil remedies. We do not want to cut down; we want to double down, on the smoking, on the Bay Du Nord, on the Trans Mountain pipeline. We are not paying attention to what the planetary health doctor is telling us to do. We will make money smoking. We have enough investments in the cigarette companies. We can use that money to get to net health by 2050. Yes, indeed, we will ignore the health advice to save our planet and it will—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Before I call on the next speaker, can I please have some quiet? We can barely hear what is being said in the chamber. There is an issue with the outside lobby, so I would really appreciate it if people kept quiet.

The hon. member for Lac-Saint-Louis.

Lyle Cruickshank

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Madam Speaker, Montreal's West Island has lost a true gentleman and man of integrity who contributed in so many meaningful ways to community and country. Lyle Cruickshank's early work as an educator was followed by a lengthy career supporting the development of Canadian culture with the National Film Board. A pillar of community life, he served three terms on Beaconsfield's city council.

A faithful member of the Beaurepaire United Church, Lyle was the inspiration and life force behind Villa Beaurepaire, a church-sponsored project to build a non-profit affordable residence for autonomous seniors that has become a vibrant community in its own right. Last month, I had the pleasure of accompanying our Minister for Seniors, the member for Brampton West, on a visit to this extraordinary model of independent senior living.

I ask members to join me in sending our heartfelt condolences to Lyle's wife Susan and children Paula, Devon and Ian.

Leucan Shaved Head Challenge

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Speaker, April is cancer awareness month. I was very happy to become the honorary co-chair of the 2022 Leucan shaved head challenge in the Montmagny region together with Jean‑Philippe Dumas, sales manager at Planchers Mercier.

This important annual event is an opportunity to raise awareness of the fact that our children also experience health problems. Leucan provides services tailored specifically to children with cancer and their families and also conducts clinical research. Recently I was profoundly affected by the health problems of my grandson Oskar. I understand the difficulties and hardships experienced by families with children who are ill.

Our campaign accepts donations, and we have set an ambitious goal of raising $100,000.

I invite the Speaker to support me by agreeing to shave his head. I will be shaving mine at the Café Bistro Au Coin du Monde in Montmagny on June 18.

Mr. Speaker, you do not have a lot of hair, but you would be shaving it for a worthwhile cause.

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

I believe we have the same hairdo.

The hon. member for Brampton North.

Sikh Heritage Month

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, April is Sikh Heritage Month and April 14 marks the day of Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is a special day for Sikh people, as it signifies the beginning of the Khalsa Panth created by the 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who initiated the Khalsa as warriors designated to be the protectors of the innocent. Sikhi teaches us the importance of justice, equality and service to others.

On this occasion, I would like to recognize the outstanding work of Khalsa Aid Canada, an organization that highlights and practises these important teachings. Khalsa Aid responded rapidly to the crisis in Ukraine and established relief teams in five countries bordering Ukraine. Recently, at the Ukraine-Poland border, my friend Gurpartap Singh Toor and a team of young volunteers from Canada provided langar seva. They provided up to 5,000 free meals a day, along with emotional support, to escaping Ukrainians in one of the largest refugee camps in Europe today.

I want to thank these volunteers and the Sikh Canadians who are living up to their Sikh values and making contributions.

Happy Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi diyan lakh lakh Vadhaiyan.

Nicole Thauvette

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

Mr. Speaker, I am excited to rise today to congratulate Nicole Thauvette on winning the “Don Quichotte” award, which recognizes individuals who are working hard to build a better, fairer and more humane world.

Nicole Thauvette, an amazing woman from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, embodies those goals. Nicole is a smart woman with an intrinsic drive to improve our community, one heart at a time.

This award reflects the kindness she shows everyone around her and her commitment to helping those who are often forgotten. She is being overwhelmed by a huge wave of love today, but it is well deserved, given the laughter she spreads to everyone around her, the bursts of creativity and freedom she inspires, and the many times she has offered people a shoulder to cry on.

I admire Nicole Thauvette tremendously and sincerely appreciate her friendship, so I have decided to celebrate her myself and award her the very first Lys de Salaberry—Suroît. Thank you, Nicole. She is such an inspiration.

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

I just have a little suggestion to keep the conversations outside. There are some great S.O. 31s, Statements by Members, going on today. I think everybody wants to get a good clip and make sure we hear everything that is going on. Let us keep those conversations outside.

Support for Ukraine

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

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 4, I had the privilege of participating in a local fundraiser in support of Ukraine.

Thanks to Mayor Jim Watson and local elected officials, Councillors Matt Luloff, Laura Dudas and Catherine Kitts, for joining us. The community of Orleans was invited to visit the drive-thru set up at Soul Stone Restaurant to pick up delicious, traditional Ukrainian delicacies, perogies and borscht.

This amazing event was organized by the Knights of Columbus in partnership with Sam and Emily Hee, owners of Soul Stone Sushi Bar and Grill, who graciously provided their indoor space to the many volunteers to help set up the distribution of food.

I want to recognize John Sanko and his family for his effort and his leadership in making this such a great success. Orleans residents naturally responded to the call, as 609 dozen perogies were sold within two hours. With a fundraising goal of $20,000 between this event and the GoFundMe page, today we have reached close to $19,000.

All of the proceeds are going to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

Again, I thank Orleans for its generosity and support.

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

Again, I would remind members that S.O. 31s are actually 60 seconds long.

Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

[Larry Maguire, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, this past week, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair opened its doors to thousands of enthusiastic visitors after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Held annually in Brandon, the fair is one of western Canada’s largest agricultural events and one of only two fairs in Canada to receive royal designation from Queen Elizabeth II. We could feel the energy in the Keystone Centre as visitors took in the world-class show jumping and heavy horse competitions. Show jumper Piet Van Genugten and his horse Haido performed impressively and won the Wawanesa Insurance Grand Prix as the finale to the week.

Livestock displays, live entertainers and hundreds of exhibits engaged folks of all ages and all walks of life. The hands-on agricultural education program and petting zoo put smiles on plenty of kids’ faces. Thousands of people, myself included, were incredibly happy to get back to this time-honoured tradition in our community.

Congratulations to Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba president Kathy Cleaver and her board on another great fair, and thanks to all the volunteers who invested their time in the fair’s success.

David Kilgour

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday our friend, former MP and cabinet minister David Kilgour, died.

Everything in David's life was animated by his deep Christian faith. The anti-politician's politician, David ran for the Conservatives and won. He ran for the Liberals and won, and ultimately sat as an independent.

He had little or no time for the compromises of politics, or prime ministers or party leaders. If a government hung in the balance over Darfur, so what? If he was banned by the Government of China for advocating on behalf of the Falun Gong or the Uighurs, so what? David's passion was so strong and his advocacy so effective that it was ultimately taken up by many others.

While David could be described as a maverick with a cause, he also knew how to work a room. He put people together to move agendas, and David always had an agenda. David lived by Matthew 22: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind,” and “love your neighbour as yourself.”

David had a diverse set of neighbours, and he loved them all. I thank Laura for sharing him with us.

Windsor Journalists

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

Mr. Speaker, I have heard it said that stories create communities. For decades, my community has been home to three of the best storytellers in Canada. They are journalists representing print, radio and television who have signed off on their last assignments.

Jim Crichton anchored CTV News Windsor for 21 years. Anne Jarvis was an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Windsor Star for 32 years, and Tony Doucette spent 38 years at CBC, including 16 years as the host of Windsor Morning. Together, they were the pen, the voice and the trusted source for tens of thousands who tuned in or turned the page to make sense of our world. Anne said it best:

This job was an adventure every day. I’ve covered prime ministers and premiers,...

But often, those who inspired me most were ordinary people who enriched the community in all kinds of ways.

I thank Anne, Jim and Tony for sharing their talents and enriching our community by helping us to tell our stories.

2020 Shootings in Nova Scotia

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an incident that sadly will live in infamy, and in the minds of the citizens of Portapique, Nova Scotia, and indeed of all Canadians. I refer to the incidents of April 18 and 19, 2020. Over this less than 24-hour time span, 23 lives, including that of an unborn baby, were senselessly taken.

The families, community members and all of us continue to mourn. This unfathomable act of violence occurred in small-town Canada. All of us continue to question the whys and the hows of this mass tragedy. Our feelings continue to be raw. The questions continue to be great. The sorrow experienced continues to be, at times, overwhelming.

My comments today will not provide great relief to those who are suffering; however, they will know that their loved ones and their terrible grief have not gone unrecognized. They are remembered and shared by those of us in the House of Commons today and, as the anniversary of the tragedy looms ever closer, by all Canadians.

Let us forever remember those families and all of those affected in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Easter

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

Mr. Speaker, Christians in Canada and around the world have been preparing through Lent for the joyous arrival of Easter: the feast of all feasts that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ in both our communities and our hearts. As engraved over the windows of the Peace Tower, here on Parliament Hill, “Where there is no vision, the people perish”. That is from Proverbs 29:18.

This year, we enter Easter at a challenging time that calls for peace, healing and hope, as well as a worldwide vision that invites all of us, regardless of faith, to seek unity. Easter is a time of new beginnings when we are reminded of God's providence and unconditional love, for Jesus bore our sins on the cross and made intercession for our transgressions. As we let go and let God, this Holy Week we lift our eyes to the cross to receive the grace of amazement.

I wish everyone celebrating in Vaughan—Woodbridge and around the world a blessed Holy Week and a happy Easter. Buona Pasqua a tutti.

Jeanick Fournier

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there was a performance on the well-known show, Canada's Got Talent, two days ago that is worth mentioning here in the House.

Jeanick Fournier, from Chicoutimi, was the recipient of the famed golden buzzer for her outstanding performance of Céline Dion's I Surrender.

Jeanick's background is quite remarkable. She started singing in her church choir and now she is on the big stage. Her performance was impressive and very inspiring for all the young singers who saw it.

I had the chance to see her on the regional circuit, and here she is on the national stage. With her talent, she is on her way to international fame. Jeanick deserves every success. Her involvement in the community and her professional career make her an incredible asset to our region. She is, quite simply, impressive and inspiring.

Congratulations and good luck.

Menachem Mendel Schneerson

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on April 12, thousands will visit the Ohel: the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, for the 120th anniversary of his birth.

The Rebbe’s teaching has imparted to the Jewish people a sense of responsibility to God and to one another. He was a leader who exemplified true selflessness, and whose altruism grew in others exponentially and continues through the unparalleled success of the Chabad movement. He took a people decimated by the Holocaust and inspired them to believe in God’s providence again.

This great modern Jewish sage was born in Ukraine, which is a country that today is an example of moral clarity and strength in the world. It is a country where Chabad’s humanitarian effort is nothing short of heroic. The Rebbe would go on to engineer the global Jewish renaissance committed to caring for the spiritual needs of all Jews, wherever they could be found. He turned Judaism outward instead of inward.

Today, Jews and non-Jews around world are influenced by the Rebbe through his thousands of emissaries, through his teachings and through his actions. It is not only the Rebbe's birthday, but it is a day of virtue for Chabad in our communities and for the entire Jewish people.

Boris Brott

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Boris Brott, an icon of Canadian culture, was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Tuesday.

Hamilton Spectator columnist Susan Clairmont wrote:

Among the steel mills and hardscrabble neighbourhoods, for richer and for poorer, from school halls to concert halls, the maestro believed our lunch-bucket town could love classical music.

He was right.

But even more, we loved Boris Brott.

His accomplishments are legion; too many to mention. He was an Officer of the Order of Canada and a passionate conductor internationally renowned for making classical music relatable. He was the artistic director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra for more than 20 years. He performed at Carnegie Hall, Covent Garden and even a blast furnace at the Dofasco steel mill. In 1988, he launched the Brott Music Festival. It is Canada's largest orchestra festival, and brings classical music to the streets of Hamilton.

Our shocked city has been stunned silent. My deepest condolences to his wife Ardyth, his children and grandchildren.