House of Commons Hansard #95 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was hybrid.

Topics

Constituency Office StaffStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB

Mr. Speaker, the government is failing on so many basic matters. It is failing to provide passports to Canadians. It is failing Afghan refugees, who assisted our brave men and women in a war zone. It is failing to process immigration applications. There are now millions of files that are behind. Frontline government employees are now simply resorting to telling their frustrated clients to call their MPs, just as the minister for Service Canada has recommended. One can imagine the significant increase in call volumes to our offices. Our caseworkers are doing their utmost to fill the void.

The people of Calgary Centre and I are extremely lucky to have Shaney Pap in my office. There is not a week that goes by that I do not get glowing comments about the invaluable assistance she has provided. The volume of files she handles is immense and broad. While the government is working at half speed, often from home, Shaney has stepped in to ensure that people who need essential services are getting them. Today, I join my constituents in thanking Shaney for all she does for us.

SeniorsStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Speaker, starting this July, the NDP-Liberal coalition is taking its first step to increase the retirement age to 75. The decision by the NDP-Liberal coalition to practise age discrimination by creating separate classes of the aged in the amount paid out for old age security has made seniors' worst fears realized.

The socialist coalition is shifting the financial burden onto the backs of seniors to pay for Canada's excessive debt. Seniors see this age discrimination as an effort to force Canadians under 75 to remain in the workplace and continue paying taxes for the “tax, borrow and wasteful spending” Liberal policy of high inflation. It is robbing seniors of their lifetime savings for what should be their golden years.

Inflation erodes the worth of savings. This is a massive societal shift. People are being forced to work longer and are needing to work longer. The socialist coalition needs to be held accountable for left-wing inflation policies that are robbing Canadians of the retirement they have been dreaming of.

National Day of Remembrance for Victims of TerrorismStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

Mr. Speaker, today is the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. Thirty-seven years ago today, Air India Flight 182 was blown out of the sky, which killed 329 innocent souls. These were 268 Canadians, including moms, dads, grandparents, friends and 82 children, who would never come home.

To this day, this remains the single largest act of terrorism perpetrated against Canadians. It was the result of a conspiracy conceived, planned and executed in Canada. Despite the advocacy of the victims' families, who have battled racism, discrimination and indignity, few Canadians know about this tragedy. We do not learn about it in schools. We hear little about it in the media. It cannot be this way. This is, and must always be, remembered by the House and all Canadians as a Canadian tragedy.

As we remember, let us reflect on the words carved into memorials for the victims from Vancouver to Bantry, Ireland:

Time flies. Suns rise and shadows fall.

Let it pass by. Love reigns forever over all.

May love always reign forever over all.

Refugee Mental Health SupportStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC

Mr. Speaker, the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees provides mental health counselling, specially trained interpreters and culturally appropriate trauma services. Ukrainians fleeing Putin's war have been arriving on Vancouver Island, and many are understandably traumatized.

While the federal government is providing settlement services, there is no funding for mental health support. These victims of war should be covered by the interim federal health program. Organizations such as VICCIR were already responding to increased demands, and now are providing mental health supports without funding.

In addition, there is a serious issue with clinical counsellors in B.C. not being able to register as providers with the interim federal health program, no matter how qualified and experienced they may be. The IFHP needs to provide consideration for professional equivalencies. These issues negatively impact refugees who struggle to find providers.

I want to say a huge thanks to the counsellors, the interpreters and the staff at VICCIR. I thank them for their incredibly important work.

Co-operative in RacineStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Bloc

Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am awfully proud that one of our wonderful homegrown organizations has gained recognition outside Quebec. At the annual Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada awards, La Brunante won the small co-operative of the year award, which recognizes the unique impact of a co-operative on a community.

Established in 2003, La Brunante is a fantastic model of a solidarity housing co-operative for seniors in the village of Racine in the Eastern Townships. The model has gained momentum. Over the years, La Brunante has forged an international reputation, even giving three presentations on seniors and aging to the World Health Organization.

I had a chance to visit the co-operative, where I witnessed how well the “aging in place together” model works. Seniors there have opportunities to share their knowledge and know-how. By helping one another, seniors continue to feel useful.

I have to hand it to two of La Brunante's founders, Gaston Michaud and his partner, Mariette Bombardier. They have enabled so many seniors to grow old with dignity. I heartily congratulate them on this well-deserved award.

Government AccountabilityStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Mr. Speaker, as we will soon rise, let us recap what we have learned. A Canadian diplomat attended a party at the Russian embassy and embarrassed our country, but the minister says it is not her fault because her staff do not check their emails.

We learned that the Emergencies Act was not used at the request of the police, but the minister falsely claimed otherwise.

The Liberals do not get a pass on passports. People camp out for hours every day, but the minister points to a spike in demand. We will learn that this was not true.

We have chaos in our airports, but the minister blames rusty travellers.

Inflation is out of control, but the minister says it is not her fault, despite injecting $100 billion of stimulus that makes inflation in the lives of Canadians worse.

We found out that the commissioner of the RCMP promised the PMO and the public safety minister to help them achieve their political objectives after a horrible tragedy. In response, the former minister tried to shift the blame onto an RCMP superintendent for doing his job with integrity.

The Prime Minister was a schoolteacher. He knows one cannot pass students who do not do their work or take responsibility. He should flunk them, but he will not. At the very least, he and the lot of them should spend their summer at remedial school. The Canadian people deserve better.

Quebec's National HolidayStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC

Mr. Speaker, this week, my riding of Hochelaga, like the rest of Quebec, is celebrating our national holiday. This year's theme is “One Language, a Thousand Accents”.

With its French language, Quebec is a strong nation with a unique identity, a large artistic community, and a resilient and inspiring entrepreneurial and community-centred culture. We are celebrating an open, inclusive Quebec. We are celebrating a Quebec where everyone is welcome, regardless of their French accent.

Quebec nationalism is for all Quebeckers. Pride in being a Quebecker is about more than political parties. It is the belief that Quebec's future is intimately entwined with its ability to carve a place for itself in Canada and the world, that Quebec is an example of language protection and immigrant integration.

There are millions of immigrant Quebeckers who speak French, with thousands of different accents. That is not a trivial or minor fact, let alone an anecdotal one. We should be proud of it and focus on our similarities and shared goals to create a unifying message that respects Quebec's uniqueness.

Happy Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

PassportsOral Questions

June 23rd, 2022 / 2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

Mr. Speaker, promises and more promises, but never any results: That is the hallmark of the Liberal government.

The minister knew for months that Passport Canada was headed for disaster, and yet what did she do? She went full steam ahead anyway.

People were told yesterday that they could wait in line to get a number, so they would be able to get a passport. People waited in line all night in the rain to get a number. What happened? There were no numbers left this morning. That is their new strategy.

We have learned that it takes 15 weeks to train a new employee. The minister is going to say that she has hired lots of people. This is truly appalling. Who is going to take responsibility for this monumental Liberal fiasco?

PassportsOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Burlington Ontario

Liberal

Karina Gould LiberalMinister of Families

Mr. Speaker, I understand Canadians' frustration with the passport situation.

We implemented a new strategy as of yesterday. We saw the lines of people forming outside of the Saint-Laurent, Laval and Guy-Fravreau offices, so they received tickets and appointments.

Today, 250 people who were outside the Laval and Saint-Laurent offices spoke with managers and got appointments. There are 10 or so managers in each office who are organizing people into 12-hour shifts to ensure that everyone can travel on time.

TaxationOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

Mr. Speaker, let us just think about this for one second: This government is so out of touch that it cannot even provide basic services to the public. It waited until today to start talking to people who are waiting outside. The minister assured us that the government has installed toilets outside, which does not bode well for the rest of the summer. We anticipate that this is going to be a very long summer.

Every Canadian is affected by the cost of living, which is going up faster than ever. The inflation rate is the highest it has been in 40 years, when there was another Trudeau in power, incidentally. Every responsible country is lowering their gas tax. Why is this government refusing to do what is right for everyone?

TaxationOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

University—Rosedale Ontario

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, we understand that the cost of living is a major concern for Canadians, and that is why we have taken concrete steps to help the most vulnerable Canadians.

We increased the Canada workers benefit, so a family of three will get $2,400 more this year. We increased old age security by $815.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

Mr. Speaker, no one is listening anymore because no one believes this will change anything now.

The Minister of Public Safety has no problem misleading Canadians to justify political decisions. The former minister of public safety has no problem interfering in a police inquiry into a tragedy to use that information for political purposes.

According to RCMP Superintendent Darren Campbell, the RCMP commissioner said that she had promised the then minister of public safety and the Prime Minister's Office that the RCMP would release the information.

My question is simple. Does the Prime Minister believe RCMP Superintendent Darren Campbell?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Scarborough Southwest Ontario

Liberal

Bill Blair LiberalPresident of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Speaker, I have never criticized, and will not criticize, a serving member of the RCMP. I was not a party to the discussions that took place between the commissioner and her subordinates. We have made no comment on that discussion, but I will reiterate that there was no interference in this matter, and the commissioner of the RCMP confirmed in her statement on Tuesday that there was no interference or pressure brought to bear by the government.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, there are handwritten notes confirming political interference during the active police investigation in Portapique, Nova Scotia in 2020. These notes are from a well-respected and experienced RCMP officer. Instead of honesty, we hear this minister doubling down on his rhetoric, disrespecting Parliament and Nova Scotia and blaming other people.

Given the gravity of the situation, will the minister admit the political interference and stop this shameful performance?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Scarborough Southwest Ontario

Liberal

Bill Blair LiberalPresident of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Speaker, of course I will not because it would not be true. There was no interference in this matter.

I would also take the opportunity to remind the House that there is currently an independent public inquiry taking place in Nova Scotia: In the Mass Casualty Commission, these very matters are being addressed. Witnesses will be called to testify under oath. The work of the Mass Casualty Commission is important to the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy and important to the people of Nova Scotia. We intend to support the commission in doing its important work.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, the ongoing disinformation spawned by the former minister of public safety is revictimizing families and all those affected by the events in Portapique. The clear notes provided by Superintendent Campbell implicitly implicate the minister in peddling political pressure on Commissioner Lucki. Certainly, we all know from the comments of other officers that Superintendent Campbell is an exemplary officer.

If there is truly nothing to hide, will the minister submit to an in-depth investigation, yes or no?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Scarborough Southwest Ontario

Liberal

Bill Blair LiberalPresident of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

Mr. Speaker, I have absolutely no doubt that Superintendent Campbell is an exemplary officer, and I do not question his integrity in any way. I would simply remind this House that the fact is that there was no interference in this matter and the commissioner of the RCMP herself issued a statement on Tuesday, in which she said very clearly that there was no interference and no pressure brought to bear. Those are the facts.

I would also remind the member opposite that we have initiated an independent public inquiry that is examining these very issues, and that work will be very important to the families of the victims of this tragedy.

PassportsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Bloc

Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC

Mr. Speaker, the federal government's management of passports is so incompetent.

The solution is not appointment tickets, as the minister is proposing, it is not fifty-fifty draws, and it is not a Hunger Games. The only solution is to open offices seven days a week. The people in line are there seven days a week.

Tomorrow is Quebec's national holiday. The minister has no right to let Canadians who do not get an appointment today sleep outside for another four nights until Monday. That is inhumane.

When will she understand that the offices must be open seven days a week and have longer hours?

PassportsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Burlington Ontario

Liberal

Karina Gould LiberalMinister of Families

Mr. Speaker, the situation in Montreal is truly unacceptable. That is why, since yesterday, teams of 10 managers have been going down the line to ensure that everyone gets a chance to have a conversation and get an appointment ticket.

Service Canada offices will be open until midnight today to serve people. We have a new strategy in place, and people lining up today who will not be travelling in the next 12 to 24 hours will receive an appointment for Friday or Saturday.

PassportsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Bloc

Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC

Mr. Speaker, the minister should go and ask the people who are waiting in line in Quebec if they are happy with the answer that this is unacceptable, that the government needs to do better and that it is working hard.

The government needs to open the offices seven days a week with extended hours until there is no one left in line. People are waiting day and night in the rain. They have been completely abandoned. Tensions are rising. People are getting angry. People are breaking down in tears. They are the victims of federal incompetence.

Seriously. Is the government finally going to start governing or do we need to call in the army?

PassportsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Burlington Ontario

Liberal

Karina Gould LiberalMinister of Families

Mr. Speaker, Service Canada employees are already working 12, 14 or 16 hours a day. They are there first thing in the morning. They are serving Canadians. They are also working Saturdays to process passports.

They receive applications during the day. At night, they process them and print the passports. They are working extremely hard in this extraordinary situation that is happening in Montreal.

HousingOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Jagmeet Singh NDP Burnaby South, BC

Mr. Speaker, the cost of living is hitting Canadians tremendously hard. New Democrats have shared stories about the Canadians who are suffering right now, who cannot afford groceries and cannot afford gas. On top of that, CMHC has put forward a report that we are three million homes short of ensuring that Canadians can find affordable homes, and in fact people will not be able to find a home they can afford.

Given how serious things are, the government is just waiting to see if it will go away. It is not going to go away on its own. The government must act to help people now. When will it act to support families who are in need of help?

HousingOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

York South—Weston Ontario

Liberal

Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

Mr. Speaker, we are very aware of the need to build more housing supply in Canada. That is why we have introduced the housing accelerator fund. That is why we are investing $4 billion that will go directly into municipalities so that they can build more housing supply and so that they can do it faster. We are the only government in Canadian history that has taken the step of creating systemic change to produce more housing supply. In addition to that, we are also investing in more supply through the rapid housing initiative, more investments in co-op housing and more investments in the co-investment program.

HousingOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Jagmeet Singh NDP Burnaby South, BC

Mr. Speaker, we know that the cost of living is on the rise and is hitting families hard. It is increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for many families across the country to make ends meet.

According to a recent report, if the government does not take action during these tough times, some people in Canada will not be able to find housing. Knowing all this, when will this government take swift action to help families weather this crisis?

HousingOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

University—Rosedale Ontario

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, we understand that the cost of living is a very important and difficult issue for many Canadian families. We understand that housing is one of the biggest challenges, and that is why our budget targeted the very complicated housing issue.

We are going to invest in housing and build homes for Canadians. We are going to give those who are struggling the most an extra $500 for housing.