Debates of Oct. 3rd, 2023

Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, everything in Canada feels broken.

Canadians do not feel safe in their communities and life is now unaffordable for many. On my recent travels in northern Saskatchewan, I was reminded of this again when I found a $17 jug of milk, a $41 bag of flour and a $4 can of mushroom soup. Everything on every shelf everywhere has a huge freight cost.

What will these basic necessities cost if the NDP-Liberal government gets to its 61¢-a-litre tax on fuel? I will tell members. The lives of people in northern Saskatchewan and of all Canadians will not be better off.

However, there is hope on the horizon. Under the direction of the Conservative leader, we can put the pieces back together. He will lead a government that lives within its means, leaves more in one's pockets, protects its citizens and lets us feel safe again in the Canada we know and love.

For all Canadians, let us bring it home.

Woodbridge Fall Fair

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

Mr. Speaker, each year, as the leaves change colour and the air turns crisp, Vaughan residents, friends and neighbours gather to celebrate Thanksgiving and the harvest season at the Woodbridge fall fair. This year the fair is celebrating its 176th anniversary. It is older than Canada itself.

Just as every year since the start in 1847, the fair embodies the essence of Thanksgiving. It offers something for everyone. That is why it attracts over 10,000 visitors every year. As people stroll through the fairgrounds, they witness the hard work and dedication of local farmers, vendors and volunteers.

This Thanksgiving I would like to invite everyone to create a new family tradition and visit the Woodbridge fall fair at the beautiful Woodbridge fairgrounds. The annual event serves as a reminder to reflect on the many blessings we have received with gratitude, to appreciate the abundance of the land and to acknowledge the efforts of those who work tirelessly to provide for our communities.

From my family to everyone's, happy Thanksgiving. We look forward to seeing them at the Woodbridge fall fair.

Housing Affordability

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if members know this, but monthly mortgage payments on a typical family home are now a crushing $3,500 per month. When the leader of the official opposition was the housing minister, homes were attainable and affordable. Now it takes 25 years to save up for a down payment in a city like Toronto. Some families have even had to stretch the terms of their mortgages to a shocking 90 years. Some just cannot make their payments anymore.

Let us take Cora Cook, a Barrie, Ontario, woman, who bought a home in January 2022 and was forced to sell when her monthly mortgage payments jumped from $2,800 a year to just over $6,000 a year. After selling belongings and holding garage sales, Cora and her husband could not hang on anymore and were forced to sell.

For those clinging on to their homes, time is running out. Our common-sense plan will cut the waste and cap spending so Canadians can once again keep their homes.

Online Censorship

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

Mr. Speaker, the day the online streaming censorship act was introduced, I was free to produce a livestream video on Facebook warning Canadians about this threat to freedom of speech. The Internet gave each citizen the freedom, power and will to become a newscaster, podcaster or independent digital creator.

For nearly a century, the government and a few powerful media companies controlled the flow of information and money in Canada. A free and open Internet represented a threat to the rich and powerful, so on their behalf the Liberals took action to crack down on the free and open Internet.

The online streaming censorship act will force podcasters the Prime Minister does not agree with out of Canada. This urge to censor is rooted in a malignant narcissism that views any opposition as intolerable and deplorable. Only Conservatives will bring home a free and open Internet.

350th Anniversary of the City of Châteauguay

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 350th anniversary of Châteauguay, which has grown from the seigneury offered to Charles Le Moyne into the city we know today. Our entire shared history is what we are celebrating on this important anniversary. We are celebrating 350 years of courage, solidarity and living in harmony.

This important anniversary represents our many stories and shared history. Many thanks to all those who have contributed to building this magnificent and prosperous community.

Châteauguay has a rich past, a present it can be proud of, and a future it can look forward to with confidence.

Breast Cancer

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Despite recent progress, breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women. Last year alone, some 29,000 Canadians were diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 6,000 died from the disease.

We must act now to improve prevention, early detection, treatment and support for patients and their families. The New Democrats recently pushed the government to launch an expedited review of Canada's breast screening guidelines. Experts have called the current approach outdated and dangerous, and it must change.

I am pleased to inform the House that the health committee has unanimously adopted my motion to study women's health for the first time in decades. This will include a specific focus on breast screening and cancers. Working together we can reduce the number of people diagnosed, decrease mortality and improve the quality of life for all Canadians affected by breast cancer.

Kim Yaroshevskaya

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your election.

Fanfreluche is a centenarian. On Sunday, actor Kim Yaroshevskaya, known to my generation as the unforgettable Franfreluche and to the Passe-Partout generation as the beloved Grand-mère, celebrated her 100th birthday.

Fanfreluche's magical stories, read in her lively, animated voice, captivated and fascinated us while nurturing our love of reading. Kim Yaroshevskaya had the rare ability to awaken the imagination. To this day, I still get a fright when I think back to the episode “La petite hutte sur pattes de poule,” which I am sure the older among us will remember.

In celebrating this venerable birthday with her, we get to appreciate the long road she has travelled as an immigrant who made her way to the forefront of our culture, setting the standard in theatre and on television. Kim Yaroshevskaya's entire life tells a beautiful story of its own. To the delight of her loved ones and all of Quebec, the best part is that her life story is still a work in progress. To Kim Yaroshevskaya, a thousand thank yous, and happy birthday a hundred times over.

Cost of Living

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, throughout Atlantic Canada, people are hurting. The soaring cost of living and the never-ending carbon tax increases are eating away at their pocketbooks and their morale. I see it on the furrowed brow of the farmer who has seen input costs go through the roof. I see it on the face of the single mom who is trying to put food on her table and get her kids to school and practice. I see it in the eyes of the young couples who have seen their dream of home ownership slip further and further away. I also see it in our seniors, whose incomes are fixed and who are staring down another long, cold winter wondering whether they will have enough to buy food or even keep the heat on.

I see it in all Canadians. They are tired and burdened. That is what happens when the government taxes the farmer who grows the food, then taxes the trucker who ships the food: We end up taxing every Canadian who buys the food.

However, I have hope, and help is on the way. When Canadians elect common-sense Conservatives, we will axe the tax, make life more affordable and bring hope for all Canadians. Let us bring it home.

Breast Cancer

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, “I Want You to Know” is a photo essay co-produced by Dense Breasts Canada from Waterloo photographer Hilary Gauld and Waterloo-based breast cancer survivor Ellyn Winters-Robinson. It brings together the images and voices of 31 Canadians affected by breast cancer to drive awareness and action and to send a powerful message to all Canadians that we each must take responsibility for our breast health and be prepared to advocate for ourselves.

We believe this photo essay is one of the most inclusive campaigns of its kind. It features individuals from across the country, aged 26 to 73, at all stages of the disease and from all genders, ethnicities and lived experiences. The photo essay can be viewed in its entirety on the Dense Breasts Canada website, and a portrait will be released on its social media each day of October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Every Canadian I know has personally or through a loved one experienced this horrible disease. Together, we can do something about it. Please check out the “I Want You to Know” photo essay campaign.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Before we begin my first question period, I ask my colleagues to please treat me like a new car and not give it a dent on the first day.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we will keep the car on the right side of the road.

After eight years of this Prime Minister, prices are increasing to the point where it is just not worth the cost. The National Payroll Institute reports that 63% of Canadians spend their entire paycheque and 30% spend more than their paycheque each month. The institute is calling this a perfect storm and a national emergency.

Will the Prime Minister finally reverse his taxes and his inflationary deficits so that Canadians can eat and keep a roof over their heads?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are listening to Canadians' concerns, and that is why we are taking action. Here is what we are doing.

We are making sure that thousands more homes are built by getting rid of the GST on the construction of new apartments. We are creating thousands of good, middle-class jobs. We are taking care of the environment with projects like Northvolt in Quebec. We are making life more affordable for Canadians by working to stabilize the cost of groceries through the grocery rebate. We will continue to work every day to make life more affordable for Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, this Prime Minister is not worth the cost of food. He has raised taxes and inflationary deficits on food.

He announced a month ago, with great fanfare, that he would bring down the cost of groceries by Thanksgiving. Today we learned that a turkey can cost up to $120. It is outrageous.

Can he bring down the cost of turkey before Thanksgiving, which is six days away?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry convened a meeting several weeks ago with the CEOs of the major grocery chains precisely to talk about how we can stabilize the price of groceries for Canadians.

We will continue to work with them on this file to ensure that Canadians can buy their food at the grocery store this weekend and every weekend going forward.

We are here to bring in measures like the grocery rebate and reduced fees for child care. We will always be there to help families.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. According to the National Payroll Institute, there is a financial storm gathering. It also describes it as a national emergency, as 63% of Canadians are spending their entire paycheque and 30% are spending more than their paycheque, forced to eat up their savings or go into debt.

Will the Prime Minister reverse his inflationary debt and taxes so Canadians can eat, heat their homes and house themselves?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives were telling us that we should not be investing to have Canadians' backs through the pandemic and that we should not be there for families. They continue to say we should not be sending low- and middle-income Canadians support to send their kids to the dentist.

We are going to continue to be there for Canadians because we know people are facing challenging times because of the global context. That is why we are building thousands more homes by cutting the GST on the construction of new apartments. We are creating thousands of good, middle-class jobs and cleaning our environment with projects like Northvolt in Quebec. We are making life more affordable for Canadians by working to stabilize grocery prices and by having delivered the grocery rebate.

We have lots more to do, and we are going to keep doing it for Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Prime Minister to please not keep doing anything he is doing.

In fact, he talks about grocery prices. A month ago, he held a big photo-op where he claimed he would stabilize grocery prices before Thanksgiving. The news is out that a single Thanksgiving turkey now costs as much as $120. It is now six days until Thanksgiving.

Will the Prime Minister promise to bring the price of turkey back down to normal levels before people eat the turkey on Monday?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, a number of weeks ago, our Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry brought together the heads of all the large grocery chains in Canada to directly address the challenges that Canadians are facing around high food prices. It is not right that Canadians are as squeezed as they are right now, and that is why we are taking action.

We also continue to take action on investing in housing, as Canadians need more and more supply. This is why we have eliminated the GST on new rental construction and why we have incentivized communities to move forward on greater densification.

We are continuing to respond to the needs of Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, that was not his promise. His promise was not to have meetings and to read off talking points. His promise was an affordable Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is now six days away and turkeys are going for $120 at some outlets. Canadians cannot afford to eat, heat or house themselves.

Can the Prime Minister tell us, given that it was his promise to create an affordable Thanksgiving dinner, how much that dinner will cost an average family of four this Monday?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as we have seen consistently, Canadians are facing real challenges. That is why we have consistently stepped up with measures to support Canadians, whether it is bringing in a reduction of 50% on child care, which Conservatives campaigned against, that has saved thousands of dollars a year for many families; whether it is moving forward with the grocery rebate; or whether it is moving forward with dental benefits for low-income and middle-income families that cannot offer them to their kids. These are things that Conservatives voted against.

We will continue to be there. We are working with the large grocery companies to increase competition and stabilize food prices.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week Statistics Canada reported that there were almost half a million non-permanent residents in Quebec in July. That is 150,000 more than last year, and it is all because of Ottawa.

Quebeckers may well be the most welcoming people in the world and the most open to immigration, but we will have to wake up and smell the coffee at some point. There are half a million non-permanent residents here, and we just cannot handle them all. Public services cannot keep up.

Will the government be reasonable and adjust its targets so they are in line with our capacity to accommodate people?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we know full well that immigration is crucial to helping businesses find the workers they need and also to growing our economy.

Our plan will continue to strengthen the system and extend the benefits of immigration to communities across the country, including francophone immigration outside Quebec.

That is because immigration is not only good for our economy, but also essential to the future of our communities. We will keep working with the Government of Quebec to ensure we can welcome people, put them to work and build a more prosperous future for everyone.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Quebec immigration minister, Christine Fréchette, is asking the federal government to wake up. She said that these figures “change the game” in terms of the “state of the situation”.

Quebec controls its permanent immigration, but not its temporary immigration; that falls to the federal government.

With half a million non-permanent residents in Quebec alone, the pressure on our education system, our ability to teach people French, our housing supply and, in short, our ability to integrate people is becoming too great.

Will the government lower its targets?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I would recommend that my esteemed colleague spend a little more time listening to Quebec businesses, Quebec universities and communities across Quebec who need workers, who want to welcome people from all over the world and who want to help integrate them into French society and succeed in Quebec.

We will be there to continue to work hand in hand with the Government of Quebec to create a more prosperous future for all Quebeckers and Canadians.

Housing

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, whether they are seniors being renovicted, people who are unhoused and in an encampment or young families dreaming of owning their own home. The Liberals claim that they want to see more affordable homes built faster, yet they have rejected offers of municipal land and provincial and territorial money from British Columbia and Nunavut to build homes.

Talk is cheap. Empty promises will not house people. Will the Prime Minister commit to funding these projects to build homes that families desperately need?