Debates of May 17th, 2022

Opposition Motion—Subsidies for the Oil and Gas Sector

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Madam Speaker, I would like to give my colleague my deep sympathies, because the Flames are going to lose the next round in the playoffs.

To answer that particular question, I would say there are many things that have contributed to the layoff of Alberta workers. One of the things that I pointed out in my speech is the automation of the oil and gas sector. Even if the oil and gas sector was not causing climate damage and was something that we could continue to go gangbusters with, it does not have the jobs. They are not there. Talk to any worker in the oil and gas sector and they know that. They know the jobs are not staying. There has to be something else.

The longer the Conservatives fail to take that action, the more coverage they give to the Liberals doing nothing. They are helping the Liberals do nothing.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Madam Speaker, I very much enjoy listening to my colleague from Edmonton Strathcona talk about Alberta. When we hear her talk about Alberta, we see that there is another type of Albertan, one who is more concerned about the environment and less concerned about oil, one who sees that there are solutions for breaking our dependency on oil and who is open to a transition to renewable energy.

We are voting in favour of the motion moved by our NDP colleagues today. In the motion there is a paragraph that I think is very important regarding re-investing savings from the elimination of fossil fuels subsidies to help those Canadians who have been hit the hardest by the high cost of living. What measures would the NDP want put in place? Practically speaking, what measures are the NDP proposing to help Quebeckers and Canadians?

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Madam Speaker, I have worked very well with the member on committee and enjoy his interventions a great deal.

This ability to take these dollars and investing them in communities is very important. One of the areas that I would love to see better investment in is infrastructure for first nation and Métis communities in Alberta.

Right now, we are looking at a situation in northern Alberta where communities have to make a very difficult choice of whether or not to allow the release of tailings ponds into their ecosystem, because they have not been dealt with. There are communities that do not have the resources they need for clean drinking water and for schools. I would love to see those resources going into—

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

Before we resume debate, the hon. member for New Brunswick Southwest is rising on a point of order.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Madam Speaker, earlier today, when I attempted to state what I thought was the NDP's position clearly, the member for Timmins—James Bay yelled that I was lying. He told the House that Canada can decide whether our children have a future or whether we are going to continue to have cheap gas.

I should not have to point to his words or my words to request an apology. I would like him to withdraw the remark that he made that somehow members of this side, myself in particular, are lying for pointing out what the NDP is in fact saying today in the House of Commons.

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

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Madam Speaker, I really appreciate that my hon. colleague put on the record once again the issue that the Conservatives continue to misrepresent, which is that they believe our children do not need a future as long as they get cheap—

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

We have a request for a withdrawal.

[An hon. member]

Oh, oh!

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

It could lead us into debate, and we do not have that opportunity.

There was a request for an apology. Is the hon. member not ready to make that apology?

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am more likely to say that my hon. colleague probably did not understand the difference. I withdraw the word “lying”, but the fact that the Conservatives would use this on—

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

That was all that was required. I thank the hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.

Resuming debate, the hon. member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay has about three minutes.

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

Madam Speaker, I am happy to rise today to speak to the NDP motion before us. The NDP has always focused entirely on helping Canadian families. The most important issues for Canadians right now are the affordability crisis, the impossibility of the housing market, the rising cost of groceries, the soaring price of gas and the more existential crisis of climate change that asks what kind of planet we are going to leave our children and our grandchildren.

The NDP motion today asks the government to stop subsidizing highly profitable oil and gas companies once and for all. We are talking billions of dollars every year. Instead, it should invest those funds in relief for the millions of Canadians who are struggling right now with the high cost of everything, as well as renewable energy and other initiatives to deal with the climate crisis.

I would like to start by talking about fossil fuel subsidies. Canada and its G20 partners promised 13 years ago to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. Four years ago, I was at a G20 meeting in Argentina where that promise was reaffirmed and a peer review of the subsidies was initiated. That review is now years behind schedule. Finance officials recently admitted that they will not even finish the self-review portion of that until the summer of 2023, which is five years later. Most of the other countries finished their peer review within 18 months.

A couple of years ago, the environment commissioner could not even do a proper audit of our commitment to end subsidies, because the government admitted it did not yet have a clear definition of what an inefficient fossil fuel subsidy was.

Only last year, the Liberals forked out over $8.6 billion in subsidies and public financing to the multinational oil and gas companies. Over $5 billion of that was provided by Export Development Canada. Canada gives more tax dollars to oil and gas companies than any other G20 country, handing out 14 times more taxpayer dollars to that sector than it did to renewable energy companies between 2018 and 2020.

Canada paid $4.5 billion for the Trans Mountain pipeline when the private company building it said it was no longer a viable project. We are now facing a $21-billion cost for the expansion of that pipeline. It is an expansion that assumes and depends on an increasing demand for oil, when everyone realizes we must drastically cut our oil consumption worldwide.

We will never recoup the cost of Trans Mountain, so if there ever was an inefficient subsidy, I would say that buying a pipeline that a private company did not want and then spending $20 billion to expand it to provide capacity for expanded oil production that the world will not need and cannot withstand is—

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

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member, but can members keep it quiet? It is already very noisy in the courtyard. If people have conversations in the House, I cannot hear the hon. member's speech.

The hon. member may continue.

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

Madam Speaker, in the latest budget, the Liberal government promises over $2 billion for carbon capture and storage projects for fossil fuel companies. That is more taxpayer dollars to companies that are doing very well. Imperial Oil is making more money than it has for 30 years. Suncor made a profit of almost $3 billion in the last quarter alone.

Again, is this an inefficient subsidy? Even if carbon capture projects can be developed that actually work, and there is a lot of evidence that most do not, using them to clean up an industry whose raison d'être is providing oil and gas for the world to burn to create more carbon dioxide is an highly inefficient way to wean the world off of fossil fuels.

What do Canadians get for this multi-billion dollar propping-up of oil and gas multinationals? They get record-high prices for gasoline. The oil barons are doing well, but ordinary Canadians are not. What Canadian families need is help during these times of increasing costs. We all need help transitioning to a low-carbon future. Let us imagine a future where our car, truck and home heating costs were not left to the vagaries of world markets and the international price of oil.

Canada has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. We cannot achieve this goal if we continue to pour 14 times the number of taxpayer dollars into the fossil fuel industry than we provide to the development of renewable energy.

The latest IPCC report had a stark warning. Either we take action now on mitigation and adaptation for climate change, or we risk suffering even more severe consequences from extreme weather events, wildfires and floods.

António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, said some government and businesses have not entirely been truthful in claiming to be on track. In his words, he warned, “Some governments and business leaders are saying one thing but doing another...And the results will be catastrophic.”

Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut in half by 2030, and the good news from the IPCC report is that this can be done. The final cost of necessary actions will be minimal, but will require a massive effort by governments around the world.

Wayne Gretzky once said that a good hockey player plays where the puck is, but a great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be. For Canada's energy future, the puck is going to be with renewable energy. Canada is uniquely positioned for becoming a renewable energy superpower. Our nation is rich in hydro, wind, solar power and the rare earth minerals that are needed for that low-carbon future.

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

The hon. member will have four minutes after question period to resume his speech.

Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate both the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative and the Nova Scotia Community College for launching the first annual Cape Breton Music Industry Hall of Fame induction gala, which will occur in the spring of 2023.

I would like to take this moment to congratulate the 2023 inductees, who, as a point of pride, all hail from my riding of Cape Breton—Canso: two individuals, Rita MacNeil and Matt Minglewood; The Men of the Deeps, my dad's favourite; and a song induction, Getting Dark Again by Buddy MacDonald.

We Cape Bretoners are recognized nationally and internationally for our musical talents, and I could not be prouder of the inductees. Hey, with iconic musicians like that, it is about time we began to recognize them with a hall of fame induction gala.

On behalf of my colleagues and myself, congratulations to the organizers, NSCC and CBMIC, and to all of the inductees, for making the event possible and sweet-sounding.

Diffuse Brain Stem Glioma

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Madam Speaker, five-year-old Florence Gagné has lost her battle with diffuse brain stem glioma. This cruel form of cancer primarily affects children between the ages of five and seven. It is inoperable and incurable.

This adorable and delightful princess touched the hearts of thousands of people in Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier and elsewhere. This cause became close to everyone's hearts. Her parents, Stéphanie and Sébastien, like many others, want to do something to help our young children heal.

They saw that resources were lacking and that the medical community could not do anything about it. We need to take action and find a way to get results.

I invite everyone to sign the new e-petition 4021 to declare May 17 as the national DIPG day of awareness across Canada. We must draw inspiration from this princess and work together to find treatments to save our little angels.

John Halani

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the memory of John Halani, a friend, a businessman and a benefactor who helped immigrants settle in Canada.

John came to Canada in 1972 as part of the Ismaili exodus from Uganda, expelled by dictator Idi Amin. He worked as a salesman, but was an entrepreneur at heart and later became a hotelier and head of the Ethno Business Council of British Columbia.

John was a community activist and, in 2007, received the title of “Rai”, the respected one, from the Aga Khan. He was named one of Canada's top immigrants in 2009, and he served for many years as the honorary consul for Uganda.

To his wife, Anar, I send my love and condolences. John's kindness, generosity and passion for politics and the Liberal Party earned him an enduring place in our hearts. We will miss him.

Port of Trois-Rivières

[René Villemure, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to mark the 140th anniversary of the Port of Trois-Rivières.

On this date in 1882, the newly formed Chamber of Commerce convinced the federal government to set up the Trois-Rivières Harbour Commission with the mission of modernizing the harbour facilities and integrating them into the rail network to stimulate the region's economy. A number of significant events in the first half of the 20th century contributed to the port's development, such as the arrival of major paper mills and the two world wars, which meant increased demand for grain transportation.

The opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the late 1950s also gave the port a considerable boost. Growth continued during the 2000s as our urban port continued to develop and increase its socio-economic influence while reducing its environmental footprint. For all these reasons, we are proud of the Port of Trois-Rivières.

Today, I would like to congratulate Danielle St-Amand and Gaétan Boivin who lead the board of directors and wish them a year of festivities worthy of their institution.

Support for Ukraine

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC]

Mr. Speaker, while millions of Ukrainians have had to flee their homeland, people, associations and organizations from across the country are coming together to provide support. In Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, we have done our part.

Paul Hénault made a $10,000 donation on behalf of the 84 members of the Lachute Lions Club, which then raised an additional $18,250 in record time for projects that will help Ukrainian refugees.

The director of the Séminaire du Sacré‑Cœur, Christian Lavergne, along with his colleagues and friends, gave of their time to renovate a floor of the former student dormitory at the seminary in Grenville‑sur‑la‑Rouge. Eight of the 11 rooms were updated.

Diane Gagné from Thurso went directly to the airport to pick up Ukrainian families she is housing for the next few months.

It is acts like these that help Canada to have a strong presence on the international stage. Slava Ukraini. Glory to Ukraine.

COVID-19 Restrictions

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the last two years have been a traumatizing time for many Canadians, and the NDP-Liberal coalition continues to make the situation much worse. It supported draconian rolling lockdowns, which contributed to a mental health disaster. It supported and is still keeping unscientific and now notorious vaccine mandates, which angered and divided Canadians more than any other policy we have ever seen.

By keeping these vindictive mandates, the government continues to punish more than six million Canadians who choose to remain unvaccinated. The Liberals are also supporting the pointless ArriveCAN app, which does nothing to protect Canadians. This app is just another overreach by a government obsessed with surveilling Canadians. ArriveCAN must be scrapped immediately: not tomorrow, not next month, but today.

Rather than try to save face, the NDP-Liberal coalition must finally face reality. Its ArriveCAN app and notorious vaccine mandates must be done away with immediately.

Afghan Families in Hamilton

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it was an honour to host the Prime Minister once again in my riding of Hamilton Mountain, where we greeted two families who recently settled in Hamilton after escaping Afghanistan.

Last year, Ahmad and Marghana fled their home country, clutching their newborn daughter. They now have a home and work in their chosen fields, and their daughter, Harir, who is not yet two years old, will go to school and have opportunities that sadly will not be afforded to many of her peers in Afghanistan.

Eight-year-old Atresa, six-year-old Zoya and their little brother Haris, who also recently fled Kabul with their parents, Mirwais and Zuhal, are thriving academically and making lots of friends.

These families were overwhelmed with emotion to thank the Prime Minister for helping them get here and start new lives as Canadians, but as the Prime Minister so rightly noted, we are the lucky ones to have them join our community.

City of Vaughan, Ontario

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

Mr. Speaker, as I have always stated, the entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude that exist in the city of Vaughan are second to none and are inspiring. Driven by the decade-long leadership of His Worship Maurizio Bevilacqua, and based on the three core values of readiness, resilience and resourcefulness, the city of Vaughan exits the global pandemic as an economic powerhouse.

Vaughan is the largest economy and employment centre in York Region, accounting for nearly 39% of all jobs and an annual economic output estimated at $25 billion. Critical investments in Vaughan’s infrastructure, including the Yonge North subway extension, the development of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, the Highway 427 extension and the opening of the YMCA’s flagship site, are examples of the city’s transformation and key partnerships.

Vaughan’s growth is remarkable and the future for its residents is bright. We are making the city of Vaughan the city of choice to work in, to invest in and to live in.

Calgary Nagar Kirtan

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Dashmesh Culture Centre, including its president, Amanpreet Singh Gill, the entire executive committee, and the whole Calgary Sangat for a very successful and well organized Nagar Kirtan.

More than 100,000 people attended, and this was the first Nagar Kirtan since 2019. I commend the City of Calgary, Calgary Police Service, the EMS, Calgary Fire Department, Parks and recreation and Alberta Health Services for all their efforts in planning this very successful event. Special thanks to Calgary Transit for providing free transit to anyone in Calgary for the day.

It was a great honour to meet Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, the wife of human rights activist, the late Jaswant Singh Khalra. She was recognized by the Gurdwara Sahib for all of her advocacy.

Kanwar Grewal also took time to attend the Nagar Kirtan. This event would not have been possible without the seva of hard-working volunteers like the United Hawks Sports Club and others, who ensured the grounds were kept clean.

I thank everyone who made the Calgary Nagar Kirtan a massive success.