Debates of Dec. 12th, 2023

CBC/Radio-Canada

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when people are calling for someone's resignation, it is probably not a good time for them to go on an overseas trip. However, CBC/Radio Canada's CEO, Catherine Tait, left for Australia shortly after announcing that 600 CBC/Radio-Canada employees are being let go. I am sure everyone will agree that that shows a lack of judgment.

Does the Minister of Canadian Heritage still have confidence in Catherine Tait? Does she approve of the CEO's decision to go ahead with these layoffs?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, the term of CBC/Radio-Canada's CEO ends at the beginning of 2025. Starting in early 2024, I will be striking a committee to search for the best candidates in the country to lead this organization, which is absolutely essential to Canadian democracy.

On this side of the House, we believe in a strong public broadcaster that provides services to Canadians from east to west, in French, English and eight indigenous languages. We will continue to defend our public broadcaster.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the recent economic update, the government announced that it would increase the tax credit for newsrooms from 25% to 35%, which is very good. Even if that does not solve the media crisis, we know that it will help.

It will help, but only print media. Unfortunately, television and radio journalists are not eligible.

It is clear to us that Bell Media, Quebecor and Cogeco are struggling too. Electronic media outlets are all struggling.

Will the minister make the tax credit for newsrooms available to electronic media as well?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, I must begin by congratulating and thanking my colleague from the Bloc Québécois for being an advocate for newsrooms, for democracy and for journalism, which the Conservatives, unfortunately, try to destroy every chance they get.

As my colleague knows, we have modernized the Broadcasting Act, giving the CRTC the authority to lighten the regulatory burden on our broadcasters, which are indeed struggling right now. The CRTC will also be able to decide whether to create a new fund to support the news across Canada.

We will continue to work with the entire sector to deal with the media crisis.

Sport

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are abandoning victims of sexual misconduct in sport. They promised an independent public inquiry. The victims want sport organizations to clean house.

Yesterday, the Liberals backed down. They proposed a voluntary commission. A voluntary commission has no power to compel sports federations or abusers to appear. A voluntary commission has no power to compel documents. A voluntary commission does not have the power to clean house or to force changes within Sport Canada.

Why are the Liberals protecting the federations instead of protecting victims?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we announced a commission on the future of sport in Canada that is trauma-informed and focuses on the victims. It is looking to determine the future of sport in our country.

My priority is athletes, victims, survivors and safe sport in Canada.

Carbon Pricing

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Premier of the Northwest Territories wants to axe the tax. Other premiers are saying they will not collect the carbon tax. First nations are suing the government because of the carbon tax. We have a coast to coast to coast revolt against the carbon tax led by Conservatives.

As a result of the carbon tax, 40% more Ontarians have to use a food bank. The Liberal Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Will he cancel his plans to quadruple the carbon tax on farmers, families and first nations for good?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, when this government came into power after 10 years of Stephen Harper and the member for Carleton, emissions in this country were projected to go up by 15% versus 2005 levels by 2030.

Last week, we released the emissions reduction plan update for Canada. It shows that we have far exceeded the Harper target. We raised the target. We will achieve the interim objective in 2026. We will achieve the 2030 objective of a 40% reduction.

We have a climate plan that is working. Where is his climate plan?

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the only thing the Liberals have achieved is 800,000 Ontarians going to the food bank. Let us think about that. That would be the third-largest city in all of Ontario completely dependent on using the food bank to exist.

According to Feed Ontario's CEO, it used to be that having a job meant one did not have to access a food bank, but after eight years of these incompetent Liberals, that is the new reality here in Canada.

Why do the Liberals care so little about Canadians? Will they axe the tax so Canadians can feed themselves?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives actually do care about supporting families, their actions last week speak differently, and actions speak louder than words.

The Conservatives voted against much-needed investments to increase access to child care in underserved communities. They voted against moving forward with a framework to create a national school food policy, which would put food back into schools for children who need it. The Conservatives are just not worth the risk.

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

Mr. Speaker, inflation is shattering the dreams of Quebeckers from age 18 to 45. In fact, 75% of them are postponing or abandoning their plans to buy a home or start a family. The costly Bloc‑Liberal coalition that wants to radically increase the inflationary carbon tax is simply making life impossible.

Will the Prime Minister axe the tax and the inflationary deficits so that Quebeckers can achieve their dreams?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, I must say that it is especially painful to see my Conservative colleagues from Quebec show so much wilful blindness.

What many of them defended at the National Assembly, whether for the benefit of battered women or for environmental protection, among other things, is now taboo under their leader. They keep turning their backs on their values, turning their backs on Quebeckers, turning their backs on the measures that could help Canadians and Quebeckers.

It is incredibly sad.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am wondering who is actually turning their back on who.

Recently, we learned that, next year, a family of four will have to pay $700 more just for groceries. That is the unfortunate consequence of the costly Bloc-Liberal coalition and its carbon tax, which is having a real impact in Quebec. This comes after the largest increase in grocery prices in 40 years.

Will the Prime Minister finally take action so that Quebeckers can have enough to eat, especially at Christmas?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, when Quebeckers sit down at the dinner table this Christmas, they will be wondering why the Conservatives voted against the dental insurance program. Why did they vote against the child care program? Why did they vote against the high-frequency train? Why did they vote against the rail bypass in Lac-Mégantic? Why did they vote against the festival in St‑Tite? What have they got against that festival? We like going there.

Indigenous Affairs

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government voted to recognize missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people as a Canada-wide emergency. The Prime Minister acknowledged it as an ongoing genocide.

Four years after the release of the national inquiry's 231 calls for justice, how many have been completed? Just two. At this rate, it will take 462 years to implement all of the calls for justice.

When will the Liberals start treating this national emergency with the urgency that it deserves?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, addressing the ongoing violence against indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people is a whole-of-government approach which requires living up to our moral obligations as a country on the calls to justice. That is why, in budget 2023, we have invested $125 million to implement the national action plan for MMIWG, ensuring accountability by establishing an oversight mechanism and support for the National Family and Survivors Circle.

We will continue to work with families to ensure that the tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals announced legislation for clean water on reserve, but they made no mention of the Neskantaga First Nation which has gone 28 years without access to clean water.

At the same time, the leader of the Conservative Party ordered his caucus to try to cut funding for both the suicide hotline and for first nation clean water projects. His indifference is deeply disturbing, but it is not surprising.

As for the Liberals, Neskantaga First Nation has reached out time and time again. Why is the Liberal government continuing to fail the people of Neskantaga First Nation?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, I have been meeting on a quarterly basis with Neskantaga to solve the current crisis that Neskantaga has been undergoing. Despite the renovation of their plant, the water is still not testing clean. We are working together to make sure that happens.

In regard to the legislation, Neskantaga was one of the litigant communities that were deeply involved in the drafting of the legislation. We look forward to continuing to hear their perspectives.

Health

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every day, approximately 12 people die by suicide in Canada. Each life lost by suicide can have far-reaching effects, whether it is families grappling with the loss of a loved one or the effects that are felt within communities. Last week, I was disappointed to see the Conservatives vote against funding to support the implementation of the new suicide crisis helpline. Can the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions tell us how our government is bringing 988 to Canadians, no matter where they live?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for being such a strong advocate for mental health. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost a loved one to suicide. To those struggling with suicidal thoughts, we want to say clearly, “We are here for them; they are not alone”.

Last week, it was despicable to see Conservatives vote against or abstaining on funding for the new 988 suicide prevention helpline, including the member for Cariboo—Prince George, who abstained on his own motion.

The Conservatives' risky and reckless behaviour has real consequences. We will not pit mental health against climate change.

Carbon Pricing

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's Christmas gift to Canadians is two costly carbon taxes, driving up the cost of food, fuel and home heating. However, premiers and first nations across this country are demanding that he axe the carbon tax because they know that this Prime Minister is not worth the cost. They are joining Conservatives in opposing this punitive carbon tax because Canadians cannot afford Christmas dinner.

Every month, two million Canadians are lined up at food banks because they cannot afford to feed their families. When the Prime Minister increases taxes on farmers, those numbers get worse. Will the Prime Minister cancel his plans to quadruple the carbon tax on families, first nations and farmers?

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, if they want to talk about food affordability, we should talk about Ukraine as the breadbasket of the world. What I found interesting is something that the Leader of the Opposition said today in response to the Prime Minister's calling out the Conservatives' vote against Ukraine. He used the term “faraway lands”. That reminded me of something: “We will no longer use American military might to construct democracies in faraway lands”.

Donald Trump said that. Why are Conservatives repeating MAGA lines?

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is merry Christmas and I guess the member opposite does not realize what country she is in, but the merry Christmas gift from this Prime Minister to farmers is what? It is a billion-dollar carbon tax bill in their stocking, quadrupling that carbon tax under the tree; and the gift from the Prime Minister's Liberal loyalists in the Senate is to cancel Bill C-234, preventing a carbon-tax carve-out for farmers.

When we have two million Canadians lined up at food banks every month and those numbers only getting worse when they increase taxes on farmers, why was the Prime Minister cancelling Christmas instead of cancelling the quadrupling of his carbon tax on farmers, families and first nations?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader inadvertently showed his true colours a moment ago. He could not bring himself to say the word Ukraine, so instead he dismissively called it a faraway land. Do members know who notoriously used that term? It was Neville Chamberlain in 1938 when he infamously described Germany's invasion of Czechoslovakia as “a quarrel in a far away country between people of whom we know nothing”. Shame on them for using the language of appeasement and dissolution.