Debates of Nov. 24th, 2023

Regina International Airport

[Michael Kram, Conservative, Regina—Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, after a long absence, non-stop daily flights will once again connect Regina to a major U.S. hub.

Last Monday, the Regina International Airport announced that WestJet will be offering daily round-trip flights between Regina and Minneapolis. This investment is a demonstration of confidence in southern Saskatchewan, including our airport, our city and our province. It is a fitting chapter in the comeback story of the Regina International Airport, which in the spring of 2020, went several days with no flights of any kind, international or domestic.

To James Bogusz, CEO of the Regina International Airport, Jared Mikoch-Gerke, director of alliances and airport affairs at WestJet, and everyone who made Monday’s announcement possible, I send my thanks and congratulations. To the travelling public in Regina and southern Saskatchewan who would like to fly to a major U.S. hub, I encourage them to sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.

Kiwanis Club of Sydney 100th Anniversary

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Kiwanis Club of Sydney on the celebration of their 100th anniversary.

Chartered in November 1923, it is one of the oldest Kiwanis Clubs in Canada, and it has been a core part of the community for a century. Its impact can be seen throughout Sydney, from the first library, the first seniors housing and the donation of the first Handi-Trans bus. It built the Kiwanis pool and the Wentworth Park bandshell, and played an important role in developing the first-ever little league baseball league.

The Kiwanis Club has supported the Salvation Army, Cape Breton Boys and Girls Clubs, buddy benches in elementary schools, Hawks Dream Field, Cantley Village, accessible play parks, peer-to-peer outreach programs and yearly high school scholarships, and that is just to name some of the work that took place over those 100 years.

I would ask all members of the House to join me in offering congratulations to the Kiwanis Club on 100 years of incredible work in Sydney—Victoria.

Environmental Bill of Rights

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of Canadians believe they should have the right to live in a clean, healthy environment.

The government believes that, too, as it voted in favour of a United Nations motion that enshrined that right around the world. However, we do not have that right in law throughout Canada. Some provinces have enshrined that right in legislation. The federal government put it in the new Canada Environmental Protection Act, but there, it is restricted to the narrow confines of the act.

I have introduced Bill C-219, the Canadian environmental bill of rights, which would extend the right to live in a clean and ecologically sustainable environment to all federal legislation. It would improve on existing laws by providing accountability measures to make sure governments live up to their legal promises. It is constitutional because it only acts through existing federal legislation.

I call on all members to support all Canadians and enshrine the right to live in a clean environment by voting for Bill C-219.

Social Enterprise Using Supported Employment

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to visit Défi Polyteck, a social enterprise in Sherbrooke that is powered by supported employment. The CEO, Steeve Breton, puts his employees first by providing them with training, opportunities for professional development, and a bright, safe environment adapted to their functional limitations.

This business has been specializing in industrial subcontracting for decades, and it has positioned itself as a major player in the field of appliance recycling by taking a circular economy approach. Everything is reused or recycled. For example, for its fan repair project, the company collected 800 fans from the city's eco-centres, repaired them, reused some of the materials and put them back on the market.

The most amazing thing about this company is the smiles on the faces of the employees, demonstrating their well-being, pride and commitment to this workplace, where they can grow and reach their full potential in a respectful environment.

Christmas Bureau of Edmonton

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the wonderful service performed by the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton. The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton started as a wartime effort in 1940 when neighbours put food hampers together, often from their own near-bare cupboards, to support military families during the holidays.

Over the past 80 years, the needs have changed, but the spirit of neighbours helping neighbours remains the same. The purpose of the Christmas Bureau is simple, and it is to bring Christmas joy to those in need. Last year, it saw the full effects of the cost of living crisis, as a need for Christmas hampers increased by 65%, but the bureau rose to the occasion and served over 60,000 Edmontonians last year.

I want to send a special thank you to Barb, Adam, Oilers' legend Kevin Lowe and so many others for helping the Christmas Bureau serve those in need. Their service and dedication is truly commendable and certainly more proof why Edmonton is known as the “City of Champions”.

Greeting Card Business

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, recently, while going to the Fine Arts and Crafts Holiday Market at the DDO Civic Centre, I had the pleasure of meeting Zach Reisman. Zach is a talented artist.

Zach is a young adult with autism in my riding of Pierrefonds—Dollard.

Since 2018, Zach and his mom Lorri have operated Zach Designs. Their small business sells hand-illustrated greeting cards around the world. His cards are for every occasion, including Christmas and Hanukkah. They are a true work of art, and they are also cherished by our community. Everyone can find Zach's cards at zachdesigns.ca.

Through his small business, Zach not only earns a living but also donates 10% of his sales to The Liam Foundation. The foundation raises funds for mitochondrial disease awareness and research.

I am truly impressed by Zach, his art and his talent. I am truly moved by Lorri's perseverance and support of her son.

Since the holidays are coming, let us support Zach by buying some of his beautiful greeting cards.

‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas Foundation

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the champions who run ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas Foundation. Fifteen years ago, leaders in Mississauga came together to make a real difference in fighting hunger, feeding hope and empowering people. ‘Twas the Bite runs multiple events throughout the year, including the annual holiday turkey drive, which provides truckloads of frozen turkeys to local food banks. It all culminates in the ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas dinner, which is happening on December 5 this year.

We are grateful to individuals such as Dan Meadowcroft, who brought our community together in a common cause to help one another. They include members from church groups and businesses, and like-minded people who care about their neighbours. Since its inception, more than $1 million has been raised to help families in need during the holiday season. We especially appreciate the inspiration of Slavica Bissylas and her tremendous team in continuing this generous work.

I thank all the volunteers and donors for their dedication and kindness.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Women do not feel safe in our streets. We are always in a state of hypervigilance. After eight years under this government, sexual assaults have increased by 71%.

Help is available, however. I want to salute the Centre-Femmes de Bellechasse, which does amazing work in my community. I also want to highlight the work of Conservative Senator Boisvenu, who is sponsoring a bill that would allow courts to require violent partners awaiting trial to wear an electronic monitoring device. At the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, brave survivors urged us to pass that bill. The Conservative Party is in favour of using this tool to protect the freedom of victims of violence who are courageous enough to report their abuser. That is the strongest possible message: A world where women are free from violence is a world where women are free. That is our wish for each and every person.

Canadian Paralympian

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the privilege of meeting with a 15-year-old Hamilton Mountain constituent, who highlighted the importance of the Parapan American Games, which are wrapping up in Chile this weekend.

Charlotte McElroy has been playing wheelchair basketball since she was six. She trains more than 15 hours a week to excel at the sport she adores. Last month, she competed with authority at the under-25 world championships in Thailand, motivated and inspired by her teammates, who became like sisters during the tournament. Shortly after she hit her first three-pointer. This sport and these athletes are tough. Charlotte told me that wheelchair basketball is aggressive, high contact and fast. She said that it is so cool to see what people can do with a wheelchair. Charlotte learned by watching her idols, like Hamilton-born wheelchair basketball star Melanie Hawtin. I expect that one day soon we will be cheering for Charlotte, who will be living her dream and taking on the world as a Canadian paralympian.

Go, Charlotte, go.

Ukraine

[Shuv Majumdar, Conservative, Calgary Heritage, AB]

Mr. Speaker, for Ukrainians facing a fierce winter Russian offensive, hope dies last. Canada’s Conservatives unequivocally support Ukraine. Do colleagues know what does not help? NDP-Liberals putting a carbon tax in their trade agreement, right there in section 13. This is a carbon tax on concrete and steel, $300 billion worth of infrastructure that Ukraine will need to rebuild, from the Prime Minister, the same man who betrayed Ukraine by sending emissaries to be best friends with Vladimir Putin; betrayed Ukraine and refused to let Canadian gas break European dependence on Putin; and betrayed Ukraine and supplied Putin a turbine to fund his war machine.

Conservatives will deliver the deal that Ukrainians want, that their ambassador told Canadians about last night, not for taxes, but for defence production; not for taxes, but for energy partnerships. By advancing taxes over victory, they are putting their partisan interests over the national interests of Canadians and Ukrainians.

We will never back down, never give in and never surrender. Conservatives will always stand for Ukraine.

Carbon Tax

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, in the Prime Minister's mini-budget, prices are up, rent is up, debt is up and taxes are up. The time for the Prime Minister is up. He has doubled down on his plan to quadruple the carbon tax on gas, groceries and home heating.

Conservatives are the only party working to lower taxes for Canadians. That is exactly what Bill C-234 would accomplish. It would create another carbon tax carve-out by removing the carbon tax for Canadian farmers. This bill would help lower prices in Canada, because when there is a tax for the farmer who grows the food, and a tax for the trucker who ships the food, groceries cost more. An added bonus for Canadians is that the Prime Minister's activist environment minister has promised to resign if this bill passes.

Will the Prime Minister instruct his Liberal Senators to put Canadians before his environment minister and pass Bill C-234, so we can leave a billion dollars in the pockets of our hard-working farmers and Canadian families can afford to feed themselves?

Affordability

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to a very timely issue: affordability. Investments in the middle class and in housing are core features of our policies. Affordability is essential in all aspects of life. Financial accessibility, whether in terms of housing, education or health care, creates equitable opportunities. A society where goods and services are affordable promotes inclusivity and reduces inequality.

By ensuring that everyone in Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation has access to decent living conditions, we are building a stronger, more unified community. Affordability is not simply an economic issue, but a social justice issue as well. Investing in policies that promote affordability helps build a future where everyone has a chance to prosper, regardless of their personal financial means.

Nanaimo Clippers

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Nanaimo Clippers Junior A hockey team in my riding of Nanaimo—Ladysmith has been on fire. Not only are they playing hard and climbing up the leader board, but the talented team has also been going above and beyond to engage with the community. It was a great evening on November 10 when I was able to not only join in the fun of watching the Nanaimo Clippers win yet another game, but also had the opportunity to do so with the crew of HMCS Nanaimo, honouring all those dedicated to service, including veterans, military personnel and first responders.

The Nanaimo Clippers recently welcomed 1,900 Nanaimo Ladysmith Public School students for the team's first-ever school-day game. For many of these students, it was their first time attending a hockey game and the Clippers did not disappoint.

From visiting schools to showing off their skills on the ice, Nanaimo is so fortunate to have this dedicated team representing our community. I hope you will all join me today in cheering on this amazing team.

Go, Clippers, go.

Holodomor

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, if there is one thing humans cannot do, it is erase pages from history. If we could, we would rewrite major parts of our history, like the horrors experienced by the Ukrainian people under the yoke of the U.S.S.R. in the winter of 1932-33, when dictator Stalin deliberately cut off food supplies to the entire country in order to wipe out the population through famine. It was an atrocity, a genocide in the true meaning of the word, that came to be known as the Holodomor.

Millions of Ukrainians perished, including entire families and villages. Survivors carried the scars of the horrors they had lived through, and those who were able to passed on the knowledge of the Holodomor to their descendants, so that future generations would ensure that such an atrocity never happened again.

However, it is happening again right now in Ukraine. Now more than ever, Ukraine's allies must stand in solidarity and support the Ukrainian people in their fight against the dictator Putin. We do not have the right to let history repeat itself. We do not need another Holodomor to commemorate.

Slava Ukraini.

The Economy

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, what do grocery prices, tax, rents and mortgage costs all have in common? They are all up, up and away after eight years of this NDP-Liberal government.

This week, in his mini budget, the Prime Minister has shown that he is not worth the cost. Our estimated public debt costs have skyrocketed to over $52 billion next year, which essentially equals the budget for the entire health transfer, but why? Food bank lineups are longer, and unless one is a Liberal insider, life has never been less affordable.

This Prime Minister once pledged that he was working for the middle class and those wanting to join it. After eight long years, the middle class can no longer afford to be the middle class, because this Prime Minister has made it too expensive. The proof is not in the pudding but in the eating, and right now seven million Canadians are skipping meals to save money. They know that this Prime Minister plans to continue to spend and thus they will continue to pay through higher debt, taxes and suffering. Time is up for this Prime Minister.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

[Jenica Atwin, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, Monday marked the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to mourn the lives lost to transphobia and violence and to reflect on the conditions in our society that continue to allow trans and gender-diverse individuals to face a significantly higher risk of violent victimization.

In 2023 alone, at least 320 trans and gender-diverse people were murdered. Ninety-four per cent were trans women or trans-feminine people and 80% were racialized people. Since 2008, when this data began to be collected, there have been more than 4,600 murders of trans and gender-diverse people.

The data is clear: trans lives are under attack. The recent rise we have seen in anti-trans rhetoric, prompted by highly organized and well-funded right-wing hate groups, is to blame for this inexcusable violence.

This year, in the U.S. alone, 586 bills have been targeted at the trans community. This trend has already begun creeping its way into our communities, starting with my own province.

Canada cannot stand by and allow this hateful movement to continue to spread and gain power, which is why I am joining in the calls of activists like Fae Johnstone to urge our government to implement the recommendations from the White Paper on the Status of Trans and Gender Diverse People.

Trans lives matter.

Finance

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

Mr. Speaker, here is breaking news: Rents spiked in October at the highest rate in 40 years. Rents are up, taxes are up, prices are up and interest rates are up. The Prime Minister's reckless spending is causing pain. Scotiabank says mortgage rates would be two full percentage points lower if the government would just control its spending. Canadians are at risk of losing their homes when they renew their mortgages. Two per cent is the difference between making it and breaking them.

Will the Prime Minister end his reckless spending so that Canadians can keep their homes?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member wishes to talk about Canadians keeping their homes. Let us look at the Conservative record on housing. When the now opposition leader was the so-called minister of housing, $300 million was allocated toward housing. How many homes were built? Fewer than 100. The record speaks for itself.

Across the country we have signed deals with many municipalities: Kelowna, London, Hamilton, Halifax, Calgary and the list continues. We are going to continue to work with municipalities and with partners across the way, to make sure we get homes built. This is an obligation, and we are up to the task.

Carbon Pricing

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

Mr. Speaker, photo ops do not build homes, and when our leader was not the so-called minister but was the minister, rent was lower, down payments were lower and housing was lower. It was a much more affordable place eight years ago than it is today in Canada.

Here at home at a time when Canadians are struggling with the cost of everything, the Prime Minister wants to quadruple the carbon tax. He is just not worth the cost.

Will he show some compassion and cancel the NDP-Liberals' cruel plan to quadruple the carbon tax on the backs of struggling Canadians?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, in a week where that party has been exposed for what it is, that is, a party that does not stand in alignment with the principles of freedom and has turned its back on the Ukrainian diaspora and on Ukrainians, it is hard to take anything that side has to say seriously today.

On the matter of housing, $46 billion has been allocated toward housing, and the result is that two million Canadians have been housed. They have had homes built, they have had homes repaired and homes subsidized. We are going to continue this work.

Automotive Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, this is the government that sent turbines to Putin so he can pump natural gas into Europe and fund his war machine. We should end dollars for dictators and turn them into paycheques for our people. The Prime Minister gave $15 billion to Stellantis in Windsor without protecting Canadian jobs; $15 billion is being used to bring in up to 1,600 foreign replacement workers.

Let us see the contract. Let us see the details. Will the Prime Minister release the contract and let Canadian workers see for themselves how many jobs are going to foreign replacement workers?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, what is becoming clearer and clearer every day is that the Conservative leader of today is just not worth the risk. Quite frankly, the far right element of Canada has actually taken over the Conservative Party today. We saw that in the actions of all Conservative members voting against the Canada-Ukraine trade agreement. It is completely amazing. It shows a lack of leadership. The leader of the Conservative Party is moving it far to the right. It is inexcusable and shame on every Conservative member for joining with—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable has the floor.

Finance

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, “A Fiscal Forecast Only a Contortionist Could Love”. That is what Mouvement Desjardins had to say about the Minister of Finance's mini-budget.

After eight years of fiscal irresponsibility, this Prime Minister has lost all credibility. Next year, the government will be spending $51 billion on debt payments. That is the same amount allocated to the health care transfers to the provinces and double the amount allocated to national defence. This shows that the Prime Minister is just not worth the cost.

Are the Liberals capable of showing some common sense and balancing their budget so that Canadians can finally manage their own budgets and put food on the table?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, those who are watching at home on this Friday morning understand that the Conservative Party is not worth the risk.

Foreign investments in Canada are up, but that is something that our Conservative neighbours will not talk about. When it comes to attracting foreign investment, Canada is now ranked third in the world, after the United States and Brazil.

We have seen record investments in the battery, automotive, mining, steel, and aluminum industries. We will continue to fight to ensure that Canada is part of the 21st century economy.