House of Commons Hansard #76 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was use.

Topics

Naturopathic Medicine WeekStatements by Members

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON

Madam Speaker, this week is Naturopathic Medicine Week. As a chiropractor myself, I understand and have seen first-hand what Canada's incredible naturopathic doctors do. Canada's naturopathic doctors are primary care providers and experts in natural medicine. Naturopathic medicine blends the healing power of nature with modern scientific knowledge to offer a new perspective on safe and effective ways to restore health.

Focusing on health promotion and disease prevention, naturopathic doctors work with patients to identify the root causes of disease and to identify all the factors that are affecting their health. Addressing a variety of health concerns including acute and chronic conditions, naturopathic medicine can ease symptoms and help to reduce the use of prescription medications, making it a valuable complement to conventional treatments.

Especially as we emerge from the COVID-19 virus, I am asking all members of the House to join me in thanking our naturopathic doctors for all they have been doing to help patients in their communities across Canada.

Retirement CongratulationsStatements by Members

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a dedicated physician, Dr. Joseph Lawen, who recently announced his upcoming retirement. I have known Dr. Lawen and his family for a long time through his involvement in our community and through his church Saint Antonios.

During his 33 years as a urologist in Halifax, his work has had an immeasurable impact on his patients and their families across Atlantic Canada. Throughout his career, he has performed over 2,000 kidney transplants, more than any other transplant surgeon at the QEII. He has been a true pioneer, constantly developing his expertise in a very complex surgical procedure.

Though he intended to retire in 2019, Dr. Lawen stayed on another three years to mentor his successor. He has also trained over 50 fellows, hundreds of residents and many more medical students. He also inspired his eldest son, Tarek, to follow in his footsteps.

I ask all members to join me in thanking Dr. Lawen for his remarkable career and service.

Violent CrimeStatements by Members

11:25 a.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of young women in my riding of Port Moody—Coquitlam who have expressed to me sincere concern regarding the Supreme Court of Canada ruling on self-induced intoxication in cases of violent crimes.

Youth-led, non-profit BOLT Safety Society wrote to me stating, “Court decision threatens Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights, which affirms everyone the right to life, liberty and security. In no manner does defending perpetrators for their conscious choice of self-intoxication guarantee Canadians this right, and this bolsters a dangerous narrative in a justice system that is built upon precedents”.

In Canada, there are five million survivors of sexual assault. With this ruling, figures are set to boom, putting more woman, girls and LGBTQ2+ Canadians at risk as overwhelmingly the defendants are men and the victims are women. The gaps in this law relating to self-induced intoxication need to be amended immediately.

55th Quebec GamesStatements by Members

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC

Madam Speaker, over 3,300 young athletes from across the province will be participating in the 55th Quebec Games in Laval from July 22 to July 30.

The Quebec Games are more than just a competition. They are an excellent opportunity to celebrate sports and sportsmanship. This event enables young people from everywhere in Quebec to show off their talent in their favourite sport and to build relationships with their peers. It is an unforgettable and life-changing experience.

These athletes will serve as an inspiration to young people in Laval through their discipline and perseverance. It is an honour for our city to host such an event.

Let us play together. Sports unite us.

I encourage the people of Laval to come out in great numbers to cheer on our athletes. To the athletes, I say that nothing is impossible with hope and hard work. Game on, Laval.

Paddling and Rowing in Dartmouth—Cole HarbourStatements by Members

11:25 a.m.

Darren Fisher Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, Lib.

Madam Speaker, it is paddling and rowing season in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. Folks from all walks of life are getting their canoes and their kayaks out and heading out onto the incredible lakes and waterways. There is a reason why Dartmouth is called the “City of Lakes”. We are home to the world's very best competition course, historic Lake Banook. In fact, this beautiful lake will host incredible competitions this year, such as Canoe '22, and the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships.

In Dartmouth, folks do not ask if one paddles, they ask where one paddles. From Abenaki to Senobe, North Star to Banook and, of course, to my home club, Mic Mac, we have incredible aquatic clubs that inspire kids to enjoy sports, and to even become Olympic athletes.

I wish Dartmouth—Cole Harbour a safe and incredible paddling and rowing season in 2022.

Vaccine MandatesStatements by Members

11:25 a.m.

Conservative

Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK

Madam Speaker, the irrational stubbornness of the government when it comes to vaccine mandates is frustrating to a broad range of Canadians. Whether it is federal public sector unions, the tourism and travel industry, military and RCMP members or Canadians who just want to travel, they want the government to end the mandates. Continuing to impose mandates is causing stress and hardship. Businesses are hurt as interprovincial and international travel is more difficult.

One example is Josh, a farmer in my riding, who is at risk of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars due to the uncertainty of international travel. Whether impacted financially or not by the federal mandates, all Canadians are negatively impacted by the divisiveness of the Prime Minister.

Regardless of their vaccination status, many feel like the government has created two classes of citizens. This has to stop. Canada needs to join the rest of the world and get back to normal.

TelecommunicationsStatements by Members

11:30 a.m.

Jenna Sudds Kanata—Carleton, Lib.

Madam Speaker, I am deeply proud of the deep telecom history and innovation in my riding of Kanata—Carleton. The decision to prohibit Huawei and ZTE from accessing and developing within Canada's 5G networks is the right decision, as 5G is a critical piece of Canada's digital infrastructure. As 5G technology becomes more prevalent, our government must be stringent about which trusted partners have access to our highly integrated technological realm.

Prohibiting foreign firms such Huawei and ZTE from accessing our network will reinforce the confidence and integrity of our telecommunications industry. It will invite continued partnership and development from trusted firms.

I look forward to the forthcoming legislative framework to codify Canada's commitment and protect our telecommunications industry from exploitation.

Mullivaikkal Remembrance DayStatements by Members

11:30 a.m.

Conservative

Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB

Madam Speaker, May 18 was Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day. This year marks the 13th anniversary of the genocide, where tens of thousands of lives were tragically lost near the end of the Sri Lankan civil war. The Tamil diaspora in Canada has a rich history and is deeply connected to our communities all across the country. Many of them came to Canada because of the civil war and to start a new life in safety, free from persecution and violence.

On May 18, we remember the pain, the loss and brutality faced by Tamil Canadians and Tamils. We remember all of those who disappeared and were murdered. As we observe Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, we must commit ourselves to stand with all Tamil people in the search for truth and justice. We join in the desire to create a more just world, free from this inhumane and shameful violence.

Graduating Class of 2022Statements by Members

May 20th, 2022 / 11:30 a.m.

Liberal

Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS

Madam Speaker, yesterday and today, Cape Breton University hosted their spring convocation ceremonies, celebrating the class of 2022. As a CBU graduate myself, I welcome the new class to the Cape Breton University alumni family. I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of a long road of success, happiness and well-being for each of them.

On behalf of all members in the House, I would like to extend a congratulations to the graduating class on achieving a huge milestone today. Each graduate has shown immense resiliency in this chapter while navigating the new world of online learning and doing all of that during a global pandemic.

I would like to extend a special congratulations to two members of my team: Natasha Kochhar, graduating with her MBA, and Madlyn O'Brien, graduating with her bachelor of arts in political science. Both Madlyn and Natasha committed to finishing their degrees while working exceptionally hard for the people of Cape Breton—Canso. I extend my thanks to them and to the graduating class.

Public SafetyStatements by Members

11:30 a.m.

Conservative

Jeremy Patzer Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK

Madam Speaker, it is never a good thing when the government turns a blind eye to violence, especially if it is politically motivated. The character of our nation is at greater risk if there is any perception of a double standard based on political bias and interests. Canadians do not want to go down that dangerous path.

On February 17, we saw a vicious attack on the Coastal GasLink work camp in British Columbia. A mob of masked attackers carried torches and flare guns, and wielded axes, causing millions of dollars in damage. There have been reports of ongoing damage to vehicles and private property linked to executives of the bank that is funding the project. Destroying property can all too easily spread to harming human life as well, and it inspires similar crimes.

Despite a lot of talk about an investigation by over 40 RCMP officers, we have seen no action from the current government, not like we saw with its reaction to the bouncy castles and hot tubs here in Ottawa. With its so-called emergency out of the way, it is time for the Liberals to get serious and deal with real crime and violence.

Government AccountabilityStatements by Members

11:30 a.m.

Conservative

Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB

Madam Speaker, virtual Parliament was meant to be a temporary measure to deal with a worldwide pandemic, but it has the effect of reducing the accountability of government. That is fine with the current Prime Minister and his cabal, but it should not be fine with Canadians.

As workers across the country are back at work, is it not a little rich for the government to insist that it is not safe to do our work in person? We are no more special than the rest of Canadians. Trying to represent our constituents from the comfort of our homes just does not cut it. Continuing with a hybrid parliament diminishes this institution.

Conservatives believe it is time to get democracy working again. The Prime Minister and his NDP-Liberal government have demonstrated repeatedly that they are willing to do anything to avoid the oversight of Parliament. Virtual sittings reduce accountability and transparency in our democratic parliamentary system. We have seen it clearly in question period, where answers to serious questions are obfuscated at best.

This needs to end now, so we can bring back a real democratic Parliament to Canadians.

Fire Department in Greater Longueuil AreaStatements by Members

11:35 a.m.

Liberal

Sherry Romanado Liberal Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC

Madam Speaker, the Service de sécurité incendie de l'agglomération de Longueuil recently received a 2022 municipal award for excellence in the special COVID‑19 category from the Union des municipalités du Québec. The Longueuil fire department was being honoured for its role in coordinating municipal emergency preparedness organizations in response to COVID‑19.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the department implemented a regional governance framework and held meetings to coordinate decision-making, co-operation and alignment in the greater Longueuil area.

The department's leadership and professionalism during this unprecedented time has benefited all citizens of the agglomeration.

I congratulate the Service de sécurité incendie de l'agglomération de Longueuil, its director, Jean Melançon, and all of its members on winning this fantastic award.

I want to thank all of them on behalf of the people of Longueuil—Charles‑LeMoyne.

National School Food ProgramStatements by Members

11:35 a.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Madam Speaker, can members imagine going to school hungry? They would have a hard time concentrating. The sound of the teacher's voice would be a dull rumble in their stomachs. They would be feeling tired, and they would barely have the energy to lift their pencils. That is the reality for nearly two million children in Canada. Right here at home, one in three children is at risk of going to school hungry.

Canada is the only G7 nation without a national school food program. UNICEF ranked Canada 37 out of 41 industrialized countries for food security among children.

Canada is a wealthy nation, yet our children are going hungry every day. We can change all of that. I am calling on the Liberal government to adopt the NDP private member's bill to develop a national school food program. All children deserve a chance to succeed.

Christian OuelletStatements by Members

11:35 a.m.

Bloc

Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC

Madam Speaker, the passing of former Bloc Québécois MP Christian Ouellet will be marked in Bromont this Saturday, May 21.

He was first elected in 2006 in the riding of Brome—Missisquoi at the venerable age of 72 and was re-elected in 2008. He decided to take his well-deserved retirement in 2011. His love for Quebec always guided his choices and his commitment. He was my political mentor.

He started out as an architect specializing in green architecture and was even named a fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada for his commitment to promoting green buildings. He was a formidable and extremely competent deputy critic for the environment and natural resources. Mr. Ouellet connected with his constituents and cared deeply about his fellow human beings. This made him a thoughtful critic for social housing and homelessness. Mr. Ouellet had an open and inquiring mind and was ahead of his time in many ways. The most important thing I learned from him was when he said to me, “Andréanne, once you are elected, you will represent everyone”.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I want to extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Estelle, his family and his loved ones.

The Queen's Platinum JubileeStatements by Members

11:35 a.m.

Conservative

John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON

Madam Speaker, 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s reign over the Commonwealth. To celebrate, in the absence of any formal federal recognition with a platinum jubilee medal, I will be awarding 70 specially designed platinum jubilee commemorative medallions to volunteers in Barrie—Innisfil who have gone above and beyond to selflessly help the residents and communities of Barrie—Innisfil.

Over the past month, since we put out the call for nominations, my office has received amazing stories of these volunteers, and I am not in the least surprised by it. I encourage residents to nominate a deserving volunteer by visiting my website, johnbrassard.com. Over the summer, I will personally deliver these special medallions to these special volunteers.

As we head into the first long weekend of the summer, I want to wish everyone a safe and restful weekend. I wish a happy Victoria Day to all members of this House and every resident of Barrie—Innisfil. God save the Queen and long may she reign.

James QuongStatements by Members

11:35 a.m.

Liberal

Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT

Madam Speaker, Jimmy Quong came to the Yukon literally to build bridges. A practice-trained engineer, James moved up from Vancouver in 1942 to design bridges for the Alaska Highway that connected Dawson Creek, B.C. to Fairbanks, Alaska in an astounding eight months. One hundred and thirty-four beloved bridges later, Jimmy Quong's legacy expands from the Dempster Highway to Nisutlin Bay, to the Marsh Lake bridge and the magnificent Skagway road connecting Carcross to Alaska.

Jimmy brought his keen eye for detail to photography, illuminating scenes of the Yukon from the forties onward: roads and bridges, paddle wheelers, buildings and the people of his time. His meticulous photographs now tell the Yukon's story in museums and archives around the territory. When I first arrived in the Yukon, in a frigid January in 1995, one of the first to welcome me was Dr. Ken Quong, Jimmy's son, now a respected medical leader and a skilled photographer in his own right.

As we commemorate Asian Heritage Month, I salute the life of Jimmy Quong, whose bridges, photographs and family form part of the Yukon's vital fabric.

JusticeOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Madam Speaker, by calling anyone who disagrees with his reckless policies a racist, this Prime Minister is playing a dangerous game. He should know that even some of his most loyal MPs have had enough with that cop-out, because it is getting harder and harder for them to explain it to their constituents.

He calls us racist because we know how bad Bill C‑5 is. If passed, it would reduce the number of prisoners in federal penitentiaries by leaving dangerous offenders in our communities. Am I to assume that the Prime Minister also thinks Laval police chief Pierre Brochet is racist?

JusticeOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Scarborough—Rouge Park Ontario

Liberal

Gary Anandasangaree LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Madam Speaker, I want to be very clear: Those who commit serious offences will continue to receive serious sentences.

Our bill is about getting rid of the failed policies of the Conservative government, which have filled our prisons with low-risk first-time offenders who needed help, not to be put in jail. These failed policies did not deter crime and did not keep us safe. They target vulnerable and racialized Canadians.

JusticeOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Madam Speaker, when the Prime Minister calls racist for opposing this dangerous law, he does not realize that, by the same token, he is accusing members of his own caucus of the same thing.

Bill C-5 is nothing more than a public relations exercise that seeks to reduce incarceration statistics by letting violent criminals go free when they should be behind bars.

Since the Prime Minister likes to brag about having Canadians' support, is he aware that Stéphane Wall from the Communauté des citoyens en action contre les criminels violents said, and I quote, “There is absolutely a dichotomy between Bill C‑5 and the social context of gun violence”?

JusticeOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Scarborough—Rouge Park Ontario

Liberal

Gary Anandasangaree LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Madam Speaker, let me repeat: Those who commit serious offences will continue to receive serious sentences. Our government is committed to our criminal justice system reform. It is a promise we made to Canadians, and we intend to keep it. This is about criminal justice policy that actually keeps our communities safe. A justice system that unfairly targets indigenous peoples and Black and marginalized communities is not effective, does not keep us safe and must be changed.

JusticeOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Madam Speaker, Anie Samson is a former city councillor and member of the City of Montreal's executive committee who was responsible for public safety. She said, and I quote, “What does Bill C‑5 do to protect our young people and deter them from taking this path? It does absolutely nothing to deter them, in fact. Abolishing certain MMPs simply exacerbates impunity for these kinds of acts.”

Would the Prime Minister have us believe that the Laval police chief, the Communauté des citoyens en action contre les criminels violents and Anie Samson are all racist?

JusticeOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Scarborough—Rouge Park Ontario

Liberal

Gary Anandasangaree LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Madam Speaker, a justice system that targets indigenous peoples, the Black community and marginalized individuals is not fair, does not keep us safe and needs to be changed.

I invite the member opposite to listen to the testimony of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers and the South Asian Bar Association, as well as many legal experts who have come forward in support of this bill.

JusticeOral Questions

11:40 a.m.

Conservative

Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB

Madam Speaker, we have recently seen the Supreme Court interpret current law as allowing extreme intoxication as a valid defence against violent crimes. This is an urgent message that the legislation we pass here in this House must be absolutely clear, yet the government is insisting on trying to weaken our justice system by allowing judges to sentence offenders to house arrest for violent crimes.

Why is the government allowing drug traffickers and those guilty of firearms offences to go virtually unpunished?

JusticeOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

Scarborough—Rouge Park Ontario

Liberal

Gary Anandasangaree LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Madam Speaker, I want to be very clear here. I have repeated this before: Those who commit serious offences would continue to receive serious sentences. Our bill is about getting rid of the failed policies of the Conservative Party, which have filled our prisons with low-risk first-time offenders who needed help, not to be put in jail. These failed policies did not deter crime, did not keep us safe and target the most vulnerable and racialized Canadians.

JusticeOral Questions

11:45 a.m.

Conservative

Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB

Madam Speaker, the government can try to deny it all it wants, but organizations like MADD Canada and Women's Shelters know the truth. With Bill C-5, the court may order that the offender serve the sentence as house arrest for offences such as sexual assault and harassment. This means that many women would be stuck in their community with their offender.

The Prime Minister claims he is a feminist, but his legislation would cause harm to women. If he is really a feminist, why would he do that?