House of Commons Hansard #79 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was ukraine.
2 p.m.
Liberal
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
Before we begin, we have some angelic voices up in the Speaker's Gallery today. With the summer adjournment approaching, I would like to thank the pages for their extraordinary work this year.
2 p.m.
Voices
Hear, hear!
2 p.m.
Liberal
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
Normally, on the first Wednesday in June, the House of Commons pages sing the national anthem at the beginning of the sitting. However, these past two years have been exceptional for everyone, including this year's group of pages.
Although they are not able to sing grouped together on the floor of the House this year, the pages will lead the anthem from the Speaker's Gallery to safely maintain tradition.
[Pages sang the national anthem]
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipStatements by Members
2 p.m.
Independent
Kevin Vuong Independent Spadina—Fort York, ON
Mr. Speaker, last week I was in Warsaw. While there I spoke with an Afghan refugee couple, he a journalist and she a teacher, as well as a female former supreme court justice. They are all priority targets for the Taliban. They were rescued from certain death and evacuated from Kabul by the Polish Air Forces.
Since August of 2021, Poland has provided them with money and housing. However, after 10 months of waiting for them to be resettled in Canada, Poland has done all it can. That country needs to focus on the 3.6 million Ukrainians who have crossed its borders.
Repeated efforts to obtain assistance from Canada's embassy in Poland, GAC and IRCC have proven useless. What good are Canada's special immigration measures for Afghans if they do not work and only amount to “Hey, here's a bunch of websites. Don't expect any help.”
What a disgrace. People's lives are at stake. Canada made a commitment. I call upon the government to honour our nation's word.
UkraineStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, I recently joined the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Northern Affairs, my Manitoba colleagues and Premier Heather Stefanson to greet 350 Ukrainian adults and children and their pets as they arrived in Winnipeg.
We greeted them like family, which is not an exaggeration. More than 120,000 Manitobans are of Ukrainian descent, including members of my own family. Each of them received a warm Manitoba welcome.
However, those moments of warm embrace were bittersweet. Thoughts of beloved family, friends and homeland left behind were ever-present. Vladimir Putin is solely to blame for the chaos, for displacing millions of people and taking thousands of lives. He has waged an illegal war on a democratic nation and is terrorizing civilians and razing cities.
Ukraine is a significant ally to NATO, and as a member of the alliance, Canada will continue to support its defence through humanitarian aid and military equipment for as long as necessary. Canada will always be a steadfast supporter of Ukraine and host its people with warmth, dignity and respect.
Leadership in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-MedonteStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Conservative
Doug Shipley Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I am especially proud to rise in recognition of two outstanding leaders in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte who will be starting their much-deserved retirement soon.
Janice Skot led the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre for 17 years as president and CEO. She had an oversized role in making the RVH a regional leader in health care in Simcoe County and led an exceptional team that guided our health care community throughout many challenging times.
Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes served as the president and CEO of Georgian College for the better part of 10 years. In her time there, she led the growth of an educational institute that attracts talented students and staff from across Ontario and the world. Students who settle in Barrie stimulate our economy and enrich our community.
I want to wish Ms. Skot and Ms. West-Moynes the very best in their much deserved retirement. I would also like to welcome the new CEO and presidents: Gail Hunt for RVH and Kevin Weaver for Georgian College.
I know Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte's future is bright with such talented and competent people in important leadership roles.
Maulana Naseem Mahdi SahidStatements by Members
June 1st, 2022 / 2:05 p.m.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today in memory of a great man, Maulana Naseem Mahdi Sahid, a dear friend of mine for over 30 years. He left this world last week.
Naseem was a loyal and trusting friend that I, my husband Sam and the rest of our family are honoured to have known. He was born in Pakistan, arriving in Canada in May of 1985 as head of the Canada Jamaat, and served as well in many other countries.
I first met him in Toronto, where he was already a well-respecting and loving mubaligh. He impacted thousands of families and left quite the footprint through things such as the Baitul Islam Mosque, Peace Village and the Ahmadiyya Abode of Peace. He was a champion of interfaith harmony.
Naseem believed that at the core of everything was love and peace and that by working together we could achieve this for the world. He did not believe in just co-existing; he believed in existing as one. I will never forget the work he has done, the love he has shown and the many things he has done for all of us as Canadians.
Naseem's legacy of love and community remains, and I thank him for sharing it with me and every other person who was blessed enough to have encountered him. Rest in peace, dear friend, until we meet again.
350th Anniversary of VerchèresStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Bloc
Xavier Barsalou-Duval Bloc Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC
Mr. Speaker, in 1672, Intendant Talon granted the seigneury of Verchères to François Jarret, an officer with the Carignan‑Salières regiment.
This little village along the St. Lawrence River saw history being made when 14-year-old Madeleine heroically protected the village from Iroquois attacks. Some even say she saved New France.
Years later, patriot Ludger Duvernay, who was also born in Verchères, founded the Société Saint‑Jean‑Baptiste and organized the first celebration of Quebec's national holiday. We also have another son of Verchères, former premier Bernard Landry, to thank for National Patriots Day.
When we think of Verchères, we also think of its famous rowboats and its dedicated artisans who work hard to keep the knowledge of their predecessors alive.
In 2002, Verchères became a wonderful, idyllic village that people could not help falling in love with. That is why I want to wish everyone from Verchères a happy 350th anniversary.
World Milk DayStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Liberal
Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC
Mr. Speaker, today is World Milk Day. It is an opportunity to thank our dairy farmers, processors and producers who work hard to supply our country with delicious milk.
Our farmers give their all every day to provide us with healthy, quality dairy products. The products are made with care, safely and in an increasingly eco-friendly way.
The Canadian dairy industry is known the world over for its superior quality. Dairy products are an important part of our food experience and a mainstay of our economy. The industry is an economic driver in rural municipalities, including mine, and contributes to our dynamic land use.
We are proud not only of the calibre of our dairy industry, but also of its environmental innovation. Our dairy sector is a world leader, and the hard work of our farmers, producers and processors should be celebrated. I wish them all a happy World Milk Day.
World Milk DayStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
Richard Lehoux Conservative Beauce, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honour of World Milk Day, which is celebrated every year on June 1.
I want to thank all of our 10,000 dairy farms and our 500-plus processing plants in Canada.
These men and women wake up at dawn every day, put on their work boots and do an incredible job to feed Canadians by providing quality products that make us proud.
There are several such businesses in my riding that consistently provide products that are among the best, the healthiest and the most nutritious in the world. Not only do these farmers produce the best products in the world, but they also play an important role in helping Canada meet its environmental objectives.
On behalf of all of my colleagues in Parliament, I thank them for their hard work. We will continue to support our agricultural sector, which is the economic engine that will put our economy back on its feet.
On this World Milk Day, I encourage all my colleagues to raise a glass of milk in honour of the Canadians in our dairy industry, who work very hard for all of us.
Filipino Heritage MonthStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Liberal
Rechie Valdez Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Mr. Speaker, mabuhay, and welcome back.
I am excited to rise in the House today to kick off Filipino Heritage Month for the month of June. I would like to thank my colleague from Scarborough Centre and every MP in the House who supported Motion No. 155 to make this happen.
From coast to coast, Filipino Canadians will be celebrating in June by having flag-raising ceremonies, Independence Day festivals and celebrations throughout the month.
From the original settlers in New Westminster, B.C., 130 years ago to the now one million Filipinos across Canada today, I want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of Filipino Canadians in making their mark in Canada.
I would like to give special thanks to my husband Chris, my kids Kyle and Cassidy, my mother- and father-in-law and the Filipino interns for joining us in Ottawa today.
Maraming salamat! Maligayang Buwan ng Pamanang Pilipino. Thanks very much, and happy Filipino Heritage Month.
National Indigenous History MonthStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, June marks National Indigenous History Month. My constituents, including Anne Hines, the minister of Roncesvalles United Church, care deeply about understanding indigenous contributions to our community. When Anne considered what her congregation could do to support indigenous reconciliation, she looked no further than Phil Cote.
Phil belongs to the Moose Deer Point first nation and is a celebrated Anishinabe artist. Anne commissioned him to create a soaring indigenous mural, some 60 feet high and 70 feet wide, that now adorns an entire wall of the church.
The mural is the first of its kind in a church in Canada. The significance is clear, given the historical role of the church in administering the residential school system. Now all those who enter Toronto's Roncesvalles United Church are struck by this towering work of art and the creation story it depicts.
As opposed to working to take the Indian out of the child, Roncevalles United is now celebrating the indigenous presence that surrounds all of us.
The path toward reconciliation is a shared one. Thanks, Phil Cote and Anne Hines, for demonstrating that for all of us.
Chi-meegwetch.
Pitt MeadowsStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
Marc Dalton Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC
Mr. Speaker, Pitt Meadows is one of the prettiest spots on our planet and is a wonderful place to raise a family. It is on the traditional land of the Katzie, and is nestled between the coast mountains and the Pitt River and Fraser River. It has a small-town feel even though it is in metro Vancouver.
Residents enjoy chatting or strolling along the dikes, perhaps after grabbing a coffee at the Stomping Grounds Café & Bistroor an ice cream from the Sweet Tooth Creamery. If people are looking for a wonderful place to golf or to get married, there is nowhere better than Swaneset, which is not far from Pitt Lake, the largest freshwater tidal lake in the world, where people can view eagles, swans, herons and seals.
Business is booming. This month, a new airport terminal is opening, as well as a Vancouver aviation school. This Saturday, residents will line up by the thousands for Pitt Meadows' 81st annual parade. It is a great time to connect and it will be a blast.
Italian Heritage MonthStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
Liberal
Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, happy Italian Heritage Month, a time to recognize, celebrate and honour the immeasurable contributions of Italian Canadians while showcasing the rich Italian culture, heritage and gastronomy.
[Member spoke in Italian]
[English]
The Quiet Immigrant project, titled le femmine forti, is a tribute to the brave Italian women who immigrated to Canada after World War II. Through sheer strength of character, with neither fanfare nor complaint, they wove their way into Canada's social fabric. These are our nonnas, our mothers, wives and our daughters, including mine—Eliana, Natalia and Leia—who will carry the rich Italian Canadian legacy for years to come.
[Member spoke in Italian]
[English]
This Italian Heritage Month, join me in sharing and celebrating the stories of these brave Italian women.
[Member spoke in Italian]
[English]
Jury ServiceStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Mr. Speaker, jury service often comes at a considerable sacrifice. Many jurors go through difficult trials and are exposed to horrific evidence, yet they are unable to talk about what is often the most stressful aspect of jury service, the deliberation process, due to the jury secrecy rule.
Yesterday, the justice committee voted unanimously to send Bill S-206, of which I am the House of Commons sponsor, back to the House for third reading. The bill carves out a narrow exception to the jury secrecy rule so that former jurors can disclose all aspects of their jury service to a medical professional bound by confidentiality so that former jurors can get the help that they deserve.
Jurors play an indispensable role in the administration of justice. We owe it to them to see that this bill finally crosses the finish line and is passed into law.
Canadian HeritageStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
Tim Uppal Edmonton Mill Woods, CPC
Mr. Speaker, despite the many flaws in Bill C-11, the Liberals continue to force this legislation through Parliament.
Last week, the CEO of Canada's most successful YouTube channel told the heritage committee that Bill C-11 is not an ill-intentioned piece of legislation, but it is a bad piece of legislation. It has been written by those who do not understand the industry that they are attempting to regulate.
Artists and creators who work in digital media have been clear: Modernization does not mean taking an outdated, 30-year-old regulatory system and simply applying it to today's technology. While the Liberals claim there is now an exemption for user-generated content, this legislation clearly allows the CRTC to regulate any content that generates revenue, directly or indirectly. That means that virtually all content can be regulated by the CRTC.
It is clear: Bill C-11 is flawed, and it must be scrapped.
Maritza Ferrada‑VidelaStatements by Members
2:15 p.m.
Liberal
Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Speaker, this being National AccessAbility Week, I would like to highlight one woman's exceptional contribution.
This immigrant woman dedicated over 35 years of her life to developing respite services for families with children with intellectual disabilities. She mobilized parents and built a community support network, and she enlisted the support of funding organizations and elected officials at all levels of government. The woman I am talking about is Maritza Ferrada-Videla. She is my mother.
She played an exemplary leadership role in ensuring the inclusion of families with children with disabilities. I am deeply moved and very proud to salute her courage, her determination and her resiliency in fighting for human dignity, and today I wish her a well-deserved retirement.
My mother is and will continue to be a source of inspiration and quiet strength that sustains my presence here in the House every day.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who, like her, is working to build a more equitable and inclusive society.
International Sex Workers' DayStatements by Members
2:20 p.m.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
Mr. Speaker, June 2 is International Sex Workers' Day: a day to celebrate sex workers, to honour their work and to push for better working conditions.
Women, men, queer, trans and non-binary sex workers are workers. They are members of our communities and deserve dignity and respect, and not stigma. Stigma leads to barriers in accessing health care, to isolation and to dangerous working conditions.
Our laws, while claiming to protect sex workers, actually cause more harm by making it harder to report violence and screen potential clients.
We need to end the stigma and listen to the voices of sex workers, who are calling for decriminalization and calling on MPs to stop conflating sex work with human trafficking, because it makes it harder to keep people safe.
Instead, let us support the sex work community. One amazing organization doing just that is Peers Victoria Resources Society. It is an organization by sex workers, for sex workers.
On June 2, let us celebrate sex workers and end the stigma. Sex work is work.
World Milk DayStatements by Members
2:20 p.m.
Bloc
Yves Perron Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Speaker, today, June 1, we are celebrating World Milk Day. This year, again, I want to acknowledge the contribution of dairy farmers who take care of their herds and put high-quality milk on our tables, as well as precious milk products such as butter, yoghurt and cheese.
Today, milk was delivered to the lobby. It was a good opportunity to raise a glass to the health of our local farmers, which we did with pleasure, because milk and milk products are healthy and nutritious food.
Dairy farmers and farmers of other supply-managed products fared better than others during the pandemic. That is just more proof that they have an effective system. We need to quickly pass version 2.0 of our bill that seeks to protect supply management from any further breaches in future free trade negotiations.
Long live our dairy production here at home.
Vaccine MandatesStatements by Members
2:20 p.m.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Mr. Speaker, I recently travelled to Israel on a parliamentary mission to learn about the conflict, but something else that really stood out to me was how the country has moved on from COVID. It was immediately noticeable when we got off the plane: no masks, no public health warnings and no distancing or divisive vaccine mandates. In Israel, people are living joyously in a post-COVID world.
As soon as we boarded the flight home to Canada, all COVID restrictions and mandates returned, and I felt the anxiety and stress of the past two years. I realized the terrible impact Canadian restrictions continue to have on our psyches and how desperately people need a return to normal. The current Liberal government will not allow it. The Liberals voted against our motions on travel restrictions and mandates, even though other highly advanced vaccinated countries, with leading scientific and medical experts, have done so.
It does not have to be this way. All Canadians can live freely once again. I have seen it with my own eyes. It is time for Canada to move on too.
Bird Friendly CityStatements by Members
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, the City of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue in my riding of Lac-Saint-Louis is for the birds. Sainte-Anne's is the proud recipient of Nature Canada's Bird Friendly City designation. It is only the 13th city in Canada to qualify.
This designation is the result of the city's long-standing commitment to conserving and enhancing its natural environment with our feathered friends top of mind.
The bird-friendly measures implemented by the City and its partners over the years include eliminating the use of harmful pesticides, promoting organic gardening and mobilizing citizens through education and awareness.
Congratulations to Mayor Paola Hawa; Councillor Ryan Young, who has long spearheaded bird-friendly initiatives; the McGill Bird Observatory; and Morgan Arboretum on making it possible for Sainte-Anne's to obtain this well-deserved honour and recognition.
The EconomyOral Questions
2:25 p.m.
Portage—Lisgar Manitoba
Conservative
Candice Bergen ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have failed when it comes to making life more affordable for Canadians.
Canadians are worse off today than they were six years ago with out-of-control gas, grocery, rent and housing costs. What does the Prime Minister do? He does nothing except blame everyone else. Inflation is the fault of COVID and for high gas prices, he blames Putin. That is a cop-out.
What is the Liberal government going to do to reduce the prices of things like fuel and groceries, and when is it finally going to do it?
The EconomyOral Questions
2:25 p.m.
Papineau Québec
Liberal
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite talks about six years ago. One of the very first things we did when we got into office was lower taxes for the middle class by raising them on the wealthiest 1%.
We then moved forward with a Canada child benefit that delivers hundreds of dollars a month to Canadians, tax free, while not sending cheques to millionaire families as the Conservatives did before us.
We have now indexed to inflation the Canada child benefit, so as of next month that will rise for families across the country to help them keep up with the cost of living, as we continue to invest in supports for families—
The EconomyOral Questions
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
The EconomyOral Questions
2:25 p.m.
Portage—Lisgar Manitoba
Conservative
Candice Bergen ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I have a news flash for the Prime Minister. Canadians cannot keep up with the cost of living. They desperately need a break on these high costs.
While some provinces are taking action to relieve the pressure on Canadians, the Liberals are actually cheering on high gas prices and raking in the extra cash. On top of tax increases that came on April 1, we are now seeing interest rates rise, which will cost Canadians more, but the Prime Minister continues to deny the reality.
Why will he not take some responsibility and do something to reduce the cost of food, gas and housing?