Debates of June 8th, 2022

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Yellowhead will now lead us in the singing of the national anthem.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives

[Wilson Miao, Liberal, Richmond Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a local non-profit organization, Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives.

It has played a vital role in Richmond by providing philanthropic efforts and essential services in our community. Started in 1972 with humble beginnings, a group of passionate individuals launched an information centre. Eventually, the organization grew and began offering more services with the passion to serve the community as its core value.

Some of its programs include a child care resource centre, senior support services and the annual Richmond Christmas fund. Its contributions have demonstrated the community values of generosity, collaboration and compassion.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the amazing work of all the volunteers, staff, board members and supporters of Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives. Their stories and ongoing work continue to inspire us all and remind us of what a healthy community looks like.

Leucan Shaved Head Challenge

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to share the story of Clovis, a talented and imaginative little boy from Saint‑Cyrille‑de‑Lessard.

The first summer of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was two years old, Clovis started experiencing strange symptoms, which led to hospital visit after hospital visit, where he was poked and prodded. It was a very painful, emotional and worrisome time for both him and his family. Finally, he, his parents, Rémy and Véronique, and his brothers found out that he has cancer. He was diagnosed with leukemia.

His loved ones and community, along with Leucan, stepped up to help. Leucan brings moments of joy, peace and support.

On June 18, Jean‑Philippe Dumas and I, the co-chairs of the 2022 Leucan campaign, will be shaving our heads in a show of solidarity at the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge in Montmagny. I am very happy to do it.

As we speak, every member of the House is receiving an email from me asking them to contribute to this cause and support Leucan. I want to thank them in advance on behalf of Clovis and all children with cancer. I thank them for their generosity.

Seniors

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, June is Seniors Month in Ontario, and last Friday I had the pleasure of visiting the Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre, which serves about 3,000 members across my riding of Hamilton Mountain and beyond. I awkwardly participated in an energetic cardio dance class led by Pam, got schooled in billiards by Angelo and chatted and laughed with women enjoying the bright, sunny lounge.

The centre was packed and full of life, despite not yet returning to full capacity. We know the pandemic took a toll on many seniors, who are already vulnerable to social isolation. Places like Sackville are critical to healthy aging and supporting mental well-being and regular physical activity.

We thank recreation supervisor Laura Rolph for the tour, for showing me the impact that Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre has on our community and for sharing postpandemic plans to further engage and expand.

Roger Barrette

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I have the pleasure and privilege of paying tribute to an exceptional man.

Roger Barrette, a community worker at the CISSS des Laurentides, is loved by all and known for his outstanding sense of dedication to his community. That dedication is not new. By the time he was 14, he knew he was destined for a career in community service.

He started getting involved at a young age. He opened the first youth centre in his home town of Lac‑Saint‑Jean. He became a community worker at the age of 21, and his first assignment was to support the community of Chapais in the wake of a deadly fire.

During his more than 40-year career, Mr. Barrette has taken on numerous professional challenges. Most importantly, he has played a vital role in developing a unique community approach that has made a huge difference in the lives of residents and strengthened the social fabric of our community.

I want to thank Mr. Barrette.

Laurentian University Lunars

[Viviane LaPointe, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Laurentian Lunars of Laurentian University in my riding of Sudbury recently won the Over the Dusty Moon competition hosted by the Colorado School of Mines.

Students from around the world went to Colorado to participate in the innovation competition. Each team had to create a system capable of transporting lunar regolith, or loose sediment.

I am so impressed by the team's hard work and innovative spirit. Its members are Ethan Murphy, Adam Farrow, Quade Howald, Alexander Mackenzie, Reid Ludgate, Goran Hinic, Kevan Sullivan and Kyle Wulle.

The competition took place at the same time as convocation, so these students did not have the pleasure of walking across the stage with the other graduates.

Cheers to the team's impressive leadership, and congratulations to its members on winning the competition and earning their diplomas.

Women's Institutes

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on June 18, the Wellington-Halton District Women's Institute will be joining other women's institutes across Ontario to celebrate 125 years. Established in 1897 in Stoney Creek, Ontario, the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario offers inclusive and supportive social networking for women, community action and the personal growth of women.

Women's institutes offer educational programs and advocate for social, environmental and economic change. Today, there are some 2,600 members across 220 branches in Ontario. In Wellington—Halton Hills, we have six branches in the local communities of Alma, Ashgrove, Coningsby, Dublin, Norval and Silver-Wood.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers of the women's institutes that have served our local communities. Congratulations on this important anniversary.

Birthday Congratulations

[Yasir Naqvi, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable person from my riding of Ottawa Centre who will be celebrating her 100th birthday on June 25. Rita Margaret MacKenzie Markey moved to Ottawa when she was 18 years old to help support her mother. She worked hard and was employed in this very House as a transcriber of Hansard. She is a proud Canadian who takes pride in the fact that she has voted in every election.

In 1940, Rita met a young man named Edward John Markey. They have been married for an amazing 62 years. They found joy in their six children: Stephen, Shaun, Scott, Stuart, Sloan and Sharon. Her 22 grandchildren and great grandchildren adore their nonna. Rita loves nature and always spends her time painting, gardening and swimming at her cottage on Danford Lake.

On behalf of the entire community of Ottawa Centre and the entire House, I wish to recognize Rita Markey, a wonderful Canadian. I wish Rita a happy 100th birthday.

Canada-Ireland Relations

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have risen many times in the chamber to celebrate the important relationship between Canada and Ireland. This week is the first-ever Canada regional conference. It is hosted by the Irish embassy in Ottawa and brings together Irish honorary consuls and the trade promotion agencies from across Canada. Representatives from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Halifax and Ireland are meeting to look at ways to continue strengthening the bonds between our two nations.

I want to thank them, and in particular I want to thank our friend, the Irish ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Eamonn McKee. His tireless efforts to highlight our cultural ties and close historical links are truly inspiring. I also want to say a special thanks to our friend Eithne Heffernan, a true champion in the Irish community.

However, it is with great sadness that I also pay respects to a former ambassador, His Excellency Jim Kelly, who passed suddenly on March 17. He was a man of great integrity and kindness and a diplomat with enormous vision.

As we look to the future, the House looks forward to working with Ambassador McKee and his team. Lastly, I want to wish my Irish seatmate a happy birthday.

Canadian Walk for Veterans

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today, I have the honour to talk to the House about the annual Canadian Walk for Veterans. The first walk was hosted as a fundraiser for the Equitas Society, organized by South Surrey—White Rock resident Marc Burchell, a great friend of mine, and the co-founder, retired Master Corporal Chance Burles.

This year the walk will take place both in person and virtually across Canada over the weekend of September 24 in over 152 cities. This event, hosted by One Veteran Society, invites Canadians from coast to coast to coast to walk shoulder to shoulder in recognition of our military, veterans and first responders, with the goal of providing opportunities for Canadians to learn about the challenges of coping with life after service. The walk will raise awareness of the plight of translators, interpreters, cultural advisers and other locally employed people who have been essential to the success of multiple Canadian missions.

I call on each and every member of the House to participate in any way they can and help bring awareness to this very important issue and outstanding organization.

Portuguese Heritage Month

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in June, we celebrate Portuguese Heritage Month. It is a great time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Portuguese descent.

Also, Friday, June 10, is Portugal Day. It is commemorated both in Portugal and around the world. It is a very special day of pride for me as a Portuguese Canadian. Canada is now home to one of the largest Portuguese diasporas in the world, with nearly half a million people of Portuguese origin calling Canada home.

This year, we have the special honour of having with us His Excellency Augusto Santos Silva, President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the ambassador of Portugal, António Leão Rocha, and Mrs. Luisa Leão Rocha for their great service to our Portuguese Canadian community.

To our LUSO community and in tribute for 70 years of Canada-Portugal relations, I say this.

[Member spoke in Portuguese]

North Nova Scotia Highlanders

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

Mr. Speaker, on June 6, 1944, 156,000 Canadian, British and American soldiers stormed some 50 miles of beaches along the heavily fortified Normandy coast of France. The sage advice given to troops by Dwight Eisenhower was simple: “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you.”

Fortunately for us, one of the regiments to land on D-Day was the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. This storied regiment, based in Amherst in my riding of Cumberland—Colchester, pushed through the extreme fighting and made the greatest inland gains of any allied forces. The now Nova Scotia Highlanders still exists today in Cumberland—Colchester and in Pictou County. Those who continue to serve stand on the shoulders of giants. The cenotaph in Amherst has recently been beautifully revamped. It is adorned with a lifelike North Novie and it is spectacular.

As we often debate freedom in this House, let us always remember the great sacrifice by those who have gone before, the seriousness of our decisions and the plight of those we represent. Lest we forget.

Justice

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this House with sadness, frustration and worry. These emotions are directly related to the Liberal government's agreement with British Columbia that will decriminalize fentanyl. Never before has the government made such a bad decision that will directly impact the safety and well-being of British Columbians. This exemption will now allow British Columbians to carry up to 2.5 grams of this deadly drug. This amount is serious enough to kill someone many times over, including many members of this House.

How can the Liberal government be so complacent and look to normalize the use of this deadly drug, which is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine? Street drugs are a serious issue in B.C. In so many cases, parents cannot take their children to the park without first checking for used needles. Just this week, at my son's school, teachers were picking up drug paraphernalia right at the entrance of his classroom. This is devastating and not acceptable.

Canadians struggling with addiction deserve compassion, compassion that puts them on the path to recovery, compassion that leads them to the mental, physical and cultural health supports they need. Normalizing fentanyl is not compassionate.

Canadian Environment Week

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this is Canadian Environment Week, so it is a great time to highlight the historic investments our government has made to position our country and the Sherbrooke community on the path to a clean, strong and competitive economy in a low-carbon world.

I am proud of our government for investing more than $3.8 million in the Société de transport de Sherbrooke so it can operate a fleet of 100% electric buses.

I would also like to highlight the innovative businesses in Sherbrooke that are doing their part to reduce our carbon footprint. One great example is Sherbrooke OEM, a company that specializes in recycling. It has been able to continue to expand after receiving an investment of nearly $1 million from our government.

We all know how much these businesses need our support for the common good.

Let us all continue our efforts to ensure that our country remains a leader in the fight against climate change.

Justice

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

[Member spoke in Inuktitut and provided the following text:]

ᐅᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨ

ᓈᒻᒫᓂᖏᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᑐᐃᔪᓕᕆᓂᖅ ᑐᑭᓯᐅᒪᔭᐅᓗᐊᕌᓂᒃᑐᖅ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ, ᐊᓪᓚᐃᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᓪᓚᖓᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᕐᓇᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ.

ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᓕᐊᖑᔪᑦ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᑭᒡᓕᓯᓂᐊᕐᓂᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ ᐃᓄᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓅᖓᔪᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᕆᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐊᒥᓱᒻᒪᕆᖕᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᓂ ᐃᓅᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒃᑐᐃᓂᕆᔭᐅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ ᓈᒻᒫᓂᖏᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᑐᐃᔪᓕᕆᓂᖅ.

Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance, ᐊᓪᓚᐃᑦ ᓄᑲᕇᒃ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᕐᒥᒃ ᑕᐃᔭᐅᔪᖅ “ᓈᒻᒫᓂᖏᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᑐᐃᔪᓕᕆᓂᖅᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ 12 ᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᓇᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ” ᓇᓗᓇᐃᕆᒻᒪᕆᒃᐳᖅ ᑐᓴᕆᐊᖃᒻᒪᕆᖕᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᓗᐃᑦᑑᓂᖓ ᓈᒻᒫᓂᖏᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᑐᐃᔪᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥᒃ.

ᐊᕐᓇᐃᑦ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐊᒥᓲᓂᖏᑦ ᑳᓇᑕᒥᒃ 4%ᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᕗᑦ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐊᒥᓲᓂᖅᐹᖑᔪᑦ ᑎᒍᔭᐅᕕᖕᒦᑦᑐᑦ 50% ᒧᑦ ᑎᑭᐅᑎᓯᒪᒻᒪᕆᒃᖢᑎᒃ ᒐᕙᒪᑐᖃᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᑎᒍᔭᐅᕕᖏᓐᓂᒃ.

ᐊᔭᐅᖅᑐᖅᐸᓯ 44ᖑᒋᔭᐅᔪᑎᒍᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᖅᔪᐊᕆᔭᐅᑎᓪᓗᑕ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐃᓕᒪᖁᓪᓗᑕ ᓈᒻᒫᓂᖏᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᑐᐃᔪᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥᒃ. ᐊᔭᐅᖅᑐᒻᒪᕆᒃᐸᓯ ᐃᓗᐃᑦᑑᔪᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔪᒃᓴᕐᓂᒃ ᐱᙳᖅᑎᖁᓪᓗᓯᒃ ᑕᒪᒃᑯᓂᖓ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒋᓕᐊᓂᒃ ᑐᙵᕕᖃᖅᑐᓂᒃ

[Inuktitut text interpreted as follows:]

Mr. Speaker, “incremental justice” is a phrase too familiar with Inuit, first nations and Métis women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ in Canada. Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance are indigenous sisters whose stories in “Injustices and Miscarriages of Justice Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women” demand that we pay attention to the shortcomings of incremental justice.

Indigenous women account for 4% of women in Canada, yet they represent 50% of all women in federal prisons. I call upon members to ensure comprehensive action to avoid incremental justice.

French at Work

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on May 23, the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec launched a big campaign to promote the French language and to emphasize that working in French is a right.

With online, television and street furniture ads, this campaign uses funny translations of Quebec expressions as a reminder that people understand one another better when they speak our common language. The French expression “pain sur la planche” does not mean “having bread on the board”.

It means we have our work cut out for us, and that is true when it comes to stopping the decline of French in Quebec workplaces. I would like to draw the attention of our friends in the FTQ to Ottawa, which continues to avoid applying the Charter of the French Language to federally regulated businesses.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I thank the entire FTQ team, especially its president, Daniel Boyer, and its general secretary, Denis Bolduc, for promoting our national language. As the FTQ said so well, French at work is always better.

Bill C-5

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this week, a coroner’s inquest has begun into one of the worst cases of multiple-partner violence in Canadian history.

Basil Borutski murdered Anastasia Kuzyk, Nathalie Warmerdam, and Carol Culleton in separate incidents on the morning of September 22, 2015 in Renfrew County. Borutski was well known to all of his victims and to police for a long history of violence. He was a dangerous serial offender with a history of beating women. Now, the three families, and our entire community, are reliving the horror of that event through the inquest.

Bill C-5 is a radical left-wing bill that would eliminate mandatory minimum penalties. It sends the wrong message to women who live in fear of domestic violence. It sends the wrong message to the courts. In this case, a violent offender who openly ignored court orders that were part of his probation was released anyhow. Bill C-5 is a slap in the face to every woman in Canada by a Prime Minister consumed by his own toxic masculinity.

Filipino Heritage Month

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

Mr. Speaker, mabuhay. Maligayang Buwan ng Pamanang Pilipino.

For decades, Filipino Canadians have contributed to the social and economic fabric of Canada, and throughout June we recognize their achievements and show our appreciation for this growing community. Among Vaughan's outstanding Filipino organizations actively building a more inclusive Canada are the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan, founded in 1990 by Antonio and Erlinda Insigne, which will be celebrating its fifth annual Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza this July 2-3; MCBN's Pinoy Radio, led by Von Canton, a great friend, keeping the community across Canada informed and connected; and the Filipino Seniors Club of Vaughan, offering regular cultural and educational activities to seniors.

For 26 years, the City of Vaughan has been a proud sister city of Baguio, Philippines, and it is home to more than 15,000 hard-working Filipinos, who are enriching our community every day.

I want to say maraming salamat to all Filipino Canadians, who embody the values of perseverance, selflessness and hard work, and wish them a happy Filipino Heritage Month.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Before proceeding, I want to thank all the members who kept their Standing Order 31 messages under 60 seconds. To those who went over, which was quite a number of them, I just want to remind them that I do not want to have to cut off their messages, so tomorrow when we are starting, they should make sure to keep them under 60 seconds.

The Economy

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, 38% of Canadians are worried more about money than anything else in their lives, more than their health, their kids or their relationships. What does that tell us?

Over 20% of Canadians are skipping meals because they cannot afford to eat. They do not need a top-up cheque from these big-spending Liberals. They want the price of gas, food and housing to go down, or at least stop going up. What are these Liberals, who do not think much about monetary policy, going to do to stop the rising cost of everything?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to affording the cost of living for the overwhelming majority of Canadians, the most important thing is to have a job. That is why our government focused so relentlessly on a jobs-centred recovery, and it has worked. Canada has recovered 115% of the jobs lost to COVID compared to just 96% in the U.S. Right now, our unemployment rate, at 5.2%, is the lowest it has been since comparable records were kept. That matters to Canadians.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Liberals are completely out of touch and denying reality. That is why single parents, young homebuyers and seniors do not believe that they have a plan. Literally every single day, people are seeing the prices of everything go up. On fiscal policy overall, no one will trust the Prime Minister, who is in a very happy political marriage with the NDP. We should just ask the Parliamentary Budget Officer, or maybe former finance minister Bill Morneau, what they think of the government's fiscal policy.

All we see from the tax-and-spend Liberals is more taxing and more spending, and no plan to fight inflation. Is that not the truth?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I am really glad that the member opposite spoke about seniors, parents and people struggling to pay the rent because, thanks to our policies in this year's and last year's budgets, there are measures directly focused at helping them. With the Canada workers benefit for low-wage Canadians, a family of three will get up to $2,300 more this year. Seniors will receive a 10% increase in OAS, which is $815.

Public Safety

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, families and leaders across the country are tired of seeing repeat offenders in their communities terrorizing them with guns. Conservatives are tired of it, too. We are all tired of the Liberals' soft-on-crime approach. The Liberals' so-called gun ban is a joke and will do nothing to stop the violence. We just need to ask frontline officers.

Why do these soft-on-crime Liberals think it is okay for drug dealers to shoot up neighbourhoods using stolen and smuggled weapons and then be let out on the street, literally sometimes the next day, to do it all over again? Why?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to have a question about crime. I want to talk about Bill C-5 and mandatory minimums, and I want to offer a very personal story.

When I was a small child, my mother practised law in northern Alberta. She did a lot of legal aid work and the overwhelming majority of her clients were indigenous. She would take me court and sometimes she would take me with her to reserves, and I saw first-hand how our criminal justice system treats indigenous peoples. Our government is fixing that and everyone in the House should be supportive of that.