Debates of Nov. 1st, 2023

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Elgin—Middlesex—London.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Public Safety

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, keeping our communities safe is important to Brampton residents. While community safety is a shared jurisdiction with the provinces and municipalities, this government has been working hand in hand with law enforcement and other partners. We are strengthening Canada's Criminal Code and our community safety by keeping repeat violent offenders in prison with Bill C-48 and supporting the CBSA with historic investments that make our border secure.

Most importantly, we are working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners in Peel and right across the country to combat auto theft. I know that fighting car theft is an important issue. This is why, earlier this year, we made an important investment of $120 million in Ontario to combat gangs. In partnership with CBSA and other agencies, Peel Regional Police has successfully recovered over $130 million worth of stolen vehicles this year and put many criminals behind bars.

We are committed to continuing to work to strengthen measures to combat auto theft to ensure a safe environment for Brampton.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I would remind members, as much as possible, to stick to their 60-second time limit for Statements by Members.

The hon. member for Prince Albert.

Raiders Wall of Honour Inductee

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Bruce Vance of Prince Albert, who was inducted into the Raiders Wall of Honour.

Bruce spent 14 years with the Raiders and was responsible for bringing many special events to our community. He is also the former president of the Crescent Heights Community Club, the former co-manager of the Mann-Northway Northern Bears and co-founder of the Girls Prairie League Softball.

Despite being diagnosed with colon cancer for the second time in 2020, Bruce continues to take on whatever challenges life may throw at him. Just this past year, the Northern Bears hosted an event with his team jerseys. They auctioned off the jerseys and raised $23,000 for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation and the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Bruce is an idol in our community. We thank him for his service and ask him to please keep up the good fight.

Ron W. Ianni Faculty of Law Building

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, I attended the grand reopening of the Ron W. Ianni Faculty of Law building at the University of Windsor after transformative renovations.

I met generations of alumni, like Frank and Peter, who made the drive to Windsor to reconnect over the two-day celebration. On hand were the chief justices of Canada and Ontario. The $38-million renovation is truly spectacular. The architects pulled off the impossible: inserting light into a stone. The moot court is a showpiece, with gorgeous views of the campus, the Ambassador Bridge and Assumption church. A generous gift provided by the Rodzik family, the court is fully accessible, and one of the three rooms is set up to host smudge ceremonies.

Seeing all the alumni and donors highlighted the real sense of family and pride that are the hallmark of University of Windsor law. I know my predecessor and the founding dean, the late Hon. Mark MacGuigan, was smiling proudly on this day too.

70th Anniversary of Zoo de Granby

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for many people, “Granby” means “zoo”. Founded in 1953, we owe the non-profit Société zoologique de Granby to the mayor at the time, Pierre-Horace Boivin, a visionary and animal lover.

In 2023, the Zoo de Granby is celebrating its seventieth year. Over the decades the zoo has thrived, modernized, and created moments of wonder and family memories for young and old alike. Besides being a major economic driver and tourist attraction for the region and for Quebec, it has a critical mission to protect species and promote conservation and biodiversity. These efforts have earned it an international reputation.

All of Granby proudly celebrates the zoo: giant statues of exotic species have been placed around the city, including a pink elephant near Lac Boivin, a blue gorilla and a yellow meerkat.

Let us take advantage of this anniversary year to visit, or go back to visit, the Zoo de Granby.

Jacques Fortier

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in June, the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Sherbrooke awarded Jacques Fortier the title of Eastern Township resident of the year for 2023. He received the honorary title of Grand Estrien with all of the humility he is known for, despite his impressive record.

Jacques Fortier is a passionate and active supporter of his Sherbrooke community. He has supported residents for 45 years as a claims adjuster, including during the great ice storm and the Lac-Mégantic tragedy. He is also a very active volunteer, especially in the health care network, where he led a major project to renovate the Hôtel-Dieu de Sherbrooke hospital complex and played a key role in setting up the centre mère-enfant. A huge sports fan, he significantly contributed to the return of major junior hockey in Sherbrooke and is still involved with the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

He is unwaveringly supported by Marie-Claude, the love of his life. Together, they are a remarkable couple, always there for their community.

His involvement speaks to his boundless generosity and selflessness. My congratulations to Jacques Fortier, our Grand Estrien for 2023.

Carbon Tax

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, the flailing Liberal-NDP Prime Minister flip-flopped and admitted that he and his scam of the century, the carbon tax, are just not worth the cost.

The Governor of the Bank of Canada confirmed scrapping this inflationary scam would bring down the cost of everything and put a massive dent in the inflation crisis. It is hypocritical for the Prime Minister to only put a pause on this tax where his polling numbers are low yet punish those Canadians who do not vote Liberal by quadrupling it.

Liberals sold this carbon tax scam to Canadians by telling them they would get more back in phony rebates than what they would pay into it and that somehow it would fix the environment. Both have been proven false. Even a Liberal minister admits that Liberal MPs are utterly useless and have no voice in their own caucus.

Only our common-sense Conservative leader will axe the tax to keep the heat on and bring home lower prices for all Canadians. Why does the out-of-touch Prime Minister not shove the carbon tax scam and his woke policies where his polling numbers are, in the gutter?

London and District Business Hall of Fame Inductees

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour two new inductees into the London and District Business Hall of Fame. The first is Allan Drewlo, president of Drewlo Holdings. He helped make the company one of the country's largest leading real estate development and property management firms. On top of that, he is an important philanthropist in our community. He has supported, among others, the Kidney Foundation, the London Food Bank, Mission Services, Habitat for Humanity and the Grand Theatre. He continues to be steadfast in the community's vision for the future.

Jill Wilcox, the owner of Jill's Table, is the second. She is an award-winning specialty food and kitchen store entrepreneur in London. In addition to running a very successful business for more than 25 years, Jill has been a leading entrepreneur, organizing cooking classes and culinary tours to Europe. She is another philanthropist. Since 2012, she has helped fund food-related education projects in support of Investing in Children, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Growing Chefs and others.

Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely honoured to recognize the stellar career path of the Honourable Judy Foote, a colleague and a friend to many of us in this House. As she is leaving her position as Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, I would like to thank her for her dedicated service to Canadians for over 30 years in politics.

Ms. Foote brought the best practices from the place where she started, in education and television journalism. She made history, being the first female lieutenant governor for her province. As the Prime Minister announced earlier, Ms. Foote brought passion, energy and an unwavering dedication to serving Canadians during her historic mandate. Her diverse experience of public service enriched not only her province but the whole of Canada.

On behalf on my family, my colleagues and me, I want to thank my dear friend. We wish her all the success in her future endeavours.

Carbon Tax

[Scot Davidson, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the desperate NDP-Liberal government's plan to pause the carbon tax on home heating will not help 97% of Canadians. This includes residents of York Region. They rely on natural gas and propane to heat their homes.

The Rural Economic Development Minister said an exemption was not offered across Canada because those regions did not vote Liberal. News flash: 70% of York Region is represented by Liberals. It seems there is no carbon tax relief for York Region families because of the incompetence of Liberal MPs in Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket.

These York Region Liberals are just not worth the cost. Instead of treating Canadians like contestants on a reality show, pitting them against each other and picking winners, losers and survivors, how about we axe the tax and vote all these Liberals off the island?

Public Safety

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

Mr. Speaker, making sure Canadians are safe and feel safe in their community is a priority for our federal government. It is not optional; it is not political.

In my riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge, public safety is at the centre of many conversations. We know the federal government has a leading role to play. Vaughan residents support the co-operation and collaboration seen from all levels of government, law enforcement and victim advocates working together to crack down on crime, keep guns away from our streets and protect Canadians.

Canadians asked that we strengthen the justice system to keep repeat offenders behind bars. As a response, our government introduced Bill C-48 on bail reform, which would amend the Criminal Code and reinforce public confidence in Canada's justice system.

We also introduced a national freeze on handguns, supported the Province of Ontario with $120 million to combat guns and gangs, and provided over $500 million to CBSA to protect our borders. By providing the funding, working with all levels of government and passing impactful bail reform legislation, we are doing everything it takes to keep Canadians safe.

Carbon Tax

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, scarcely a year ago, in the House, we Conservatives asked the government to cancel the carbon tax on home heating. All parties in the House voted against us, including the Bloc. It is costly to vote for the Bloc.

Last Thursday, because he is plummeting in the polls, the Prime Minister announced a temporary pause for home heating oil. He did this only with his Atlantic members. Why? The Minister of Rural Economic Development explained it: The other regions just have to vote Liberal.

Where are the members from Quebec when it comes to protecting taxpayers’ money? Are they with the Bloc, which wants to radically increase the carbon tax?

Not only is this measure unfair to 97% of Canadians, it is also divisive. Even the Liberal carbon tax’s architect, Catherine McKenna, said she was heartbroken over this Liberal flip-flop. The current Minister of Environment said that if saw another one, he would slam the door. Things are not going well with the Liberals.

For us, Conservatives, it is clear. Eliminating the carbon tax is just common sense.

[Terry Dowdall, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, the Liberal-NDP government is desperate. Its polling numbers are in a free fall, and it will now do anything to stay in power, even telling Canadians, “Vote for us, or we'll tax you more.”

In pausing his carbon tax until the next election for Atlantic Canadians only, the Prime Minister has admitted that his gimmicky carbon tax rebate did not give them more than they paid in, yet he stands here and tells rural Ontarians that we are getting more back than we pay in. He seems confused, but Canadians are not. They know that the Prime Minister cannot be trusted. They know he is not worth the cost.

Seniors in my community are telling me they are worried about their heating costs. Some have even told me that they cannot buy fresh vegetables any more. When will the Prime Minister stop the games, treat all regions fairly, axe the carbon tax and give all Canadians a break?

Orléans

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the poppy campaign kickoff of the Orléans Royal Canadian Legion. It was an honour beyond words to place the very first poppy on the lapel of esteemed veteran retired warrant officer Serge Millen, a gesture symbolizing our immense gratitude for his service and sacrifice to our country. Let us all help our Canadian legions by donating to them and by wearing our poppy with pride.

In addition, I extend my warmest congratulations to Andrea Baird, owner of AKA Beauty Concepts, as she celebrates a decade of successful business in Orléans. I was so impressed by Andrea's leadership after she was told me that her salon is certified as a sustainable salon by Green Circle Salons. That means that up to 95% of the beauty waste is recovered and recycled, giving beauty waste a new life and joining the fight against climate change.

Gender-Based Violence

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week, Canadians were collectively heartbroken by the barbaric act of intimate partner violence that took the life of Angie Sweeney and her three young children in Sault Ste. Marie.

As we grieve for Angie and her children, we must redouble our efforts against intimate partner violence. Gender-based and intimate partner violence in Canada has increased for five consecutive years. In 2021, the rate of IPV was 336 victims per 100,000 people. Women and girls represent almost 70% of victims.

In 2021, the rate of gender-related homicides of indigenous women and girls more than tripled compared to the total number of gender-related homicides. In Ontario, the number of women and girls killed as a result of acts of violence involving a male offender increased by 39% between 2018 and 2022.

This epidemic cannot continue. We must implement the recommendations from last Parliament's justice committee report on stopping coercive and controlling behaviour in intimate relationships. Women need us to stand up for them now more than ever.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we have seen successive moratoriums and closures in our vital fishing sector, but since 1992 the federal government has provided no compensation, no valid options to help our fishers face hard times.

To date, fishers of mackerel, herring, yellowtail, winter flounder, turbot and now shrimp have been hard hit or threatened with closure. Add to that the problems with lobster, North Atlantic right whales, the overpopulation of seals, and now clams and seaweed harvesters. Workers in processing plants are also struggling.

There is a real fishing crisis, and new-generation fishers are becoming hard to find. Our fishers' patience and resilience have limits. The good news is that fishers and scientists have solutions to offer, including alternative or sentinel fisheries, communal licenses, integrated ecosystem management and financial compensation. The fishing community knows the ocean and everything living in it, and it wants more than anyone to protect the resource and renew it.

We must act, and quickly. The Bloc Québécois hears them, supports them and will make their voices heard.

Public Services and Procurement

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, outright incompetence is how senior officials to the Prime Minister describe the scandal around the $1-billion green slush fund, $40 million of which is under investigation for suspicious payments.

Leaked audio has been recently released, and members will not believe what a Liberal government official had to say about it. He called this fund “a sponsorship-scandal level kind of giveaway”. After eight years of the Prime Minister, he is simply not worth the cost.

The unholy alliance of the NDP and the Liberals, with its spending, scandals and corruption, has now caused sponsorship scandal 2.0. The previous Liberal sponsorship scandal began with an Auditor General investigation. Today, we learned that the Auditor General is now investigating the taxpayer abuse at the $1-billion green slush fund.

Liberal corruption must stop. Common-sense Conservatives will finally clean up this mess.

Member for Bourassa

[Emmanuel Dubourg, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour for me to have sat for 16 years as an MP at both the provincial and federal levels—and as the only member of Haitian origin, I might add. However, the time has come for me to take my leave.

I thank the Prime Minister for this opportunity to serve Canadians.

I thank all members and staff of the House of Commons for their friendship.

I thank the Quebec CPA Order for the Emeritus Certified Accountant award and the title of Fellow. I thank UQAM for the special tribute award for teaching. I am grateful for the Governor of Canada Medal regarding my work at the Canada Revenue Agency. I thank the Hon. Jean Charest for his sincere friendship. I thank all the residents of Viau and Bourassa, my brothers and sisters, my supporters and my employees. From the bottom of my heart, I thank my wife, our children, their spouses and our grandchildren.

Manman, Papa, mèsi anpil pou toute sacrifice nou fè pou mwen.

It was with a lot of emotion that I informed the Prime Minister that I would not be seeking re-election.

AvèwMapMaché.

Carbon Pricing

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister flip-flopped and paused his carbon tax on heating oil, it did nothing to help Quebec. Quebeckers will have to pay the second carbon tax, which will drive up the price of both gas and groceries.

Why is the Prime Minister raising taxes for Quebeckers? It is to finance a $1-billion fund. A senior official was caught on tape saying that this is just like the sponsorship scandal and that it is outright incompetence.

Why is the Prime Minister forcing Quebeckers to pay for another Liberal scandal?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, I have a brief question for the Conservative leader. What is the Conservatives' plan to protect the environment? The answer is simple: They have no plan and no solutions. A real solution would be to develop a plan to fight climate change. A real solution would be to protect our environment for future generations.

The Conservative leader must know that Canadians do not have the memory of a goldfish. They know what the Conservatives do when they are in office. It is chop, chop, chop. The Conservatives are not worth the risk.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised that Wednesdays would be Prime Minister's question period. His public itinerary indicates that he is in Ottawa, and he was even spotted in the building.

The question for the Prime Minister is about the carbon tax chaos he has unleashed. He has paused the tax on some heat for some people, leaving the Government of Alberta to threaten a lawsuit, the Government of Saskatchewan to threaten to not collect the tax, NDP provincial parties in the west turning against it and some first nations saying the entire thing is illegal.

Will he reverse all of this chaos and just axe the tax?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Before I have the hon. minister answer the question, I would like to remind all members that it is important for one to not do indirectly what one cannot do directly.

The hon. minister.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, let us bring the temperature down and talk about exactly what we have done here.

We have accelerated the replacement of home heating oil with heat pumps. It is a national program. If the Premier of Alberta and the Premier of Saskatchewan want to make sure that people who heat their homes with oil in those provinces have access to the same heat pumps, do members know what they can do? They can join three Atlantic provinces and B.C. and sign up for a plan to help low-income people in their province. Will they do it? Time will tell.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the question was for the Prime Minister. He has unleashed carbon tax chaos across the country.

After saying he would never bend, he backed down because I kept beating him in these debates in the House of Commons. He has put a two-year pause on some heating oil for some people, causing Saskatchewan to threaten not to collect the tax, Alberta to threaten a lawsuit, six provinces to come out against the plan and first nations to say it is illegal.

If he is so proud of himself and what he has done, why will he not stand up now to defend it?