Debates of Dec. 13th, 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 Kitchener—Conestoga.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Khalsa Aid Canada

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, every winter Khalsa Aid Canada has its winter drive in memory of Mata Gujri. She and the younger sons, or Chote Sahibzaade, of the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, were made to suffer the elements during winter while in captivity.

In Canada, inflation and food insecurity disproportionately impact women and acutely impact our youth. One in three food bank users is a child. This year, in Victoria, Khalsa Aid Canada provided food aid to Rainbow Kitchen, The Mustard Seed Street Church and the UVic and Royal Roads University food banks; hot meals to Our Place shelter; and tents and winter items to the Justice Van Society and the Peer2Peer project. Khalsa Aid Canada also continued to make its annual donations to youth-focused organizations, such as Threshold Housing, Out of the Rain Youth Shelter and the Foundry clinic.

Women and children, especially in single-parent families, are struggling with the high cost of living. I thank Khalsa Aid Canada for all they do.

Christmas Greetings

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Mr. Speaker,

'Tis a week before Christmas, and it's time to state
That our PM is well past his best before date.
After eight years of his rule, it's time to say thanks
For doubling the number of folks using food banks.
After eight years, when our kids nestle snug in their beds,
They're just lucky there is still a roof over their heads,
For on cold winter nights, under snow and the stars,
Many citizens now have to sleep in their cars.
They can protest, of course, but only in small amounts
Lest, like the truckers, he freezes their bank accounts.
He will accuse them of hate based on faith or on race,
Which seems strange from a man caught three times wearing blackface.
He's so quick to say sorry for wrongs from long ago,
But not for when he elbowed Ruth Ellen Brosseau.
So let's quote back to the PM some words of his own:
“Sir, enough is enough. Now, go home and stay home.”
Here is what we would like Santa's elves to administer:
This Christmas, please bring us a brand new prime minister.

Canada-South Korea Relations

[Ali Ehsassi, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of Canada's diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea. Several days ago, the Korean national assembly adopted a special resolution celebrating this significant milestone. The resolution mentioned the immense contributions of Canadian veterans to the defence of democracy during the Korean War and acknowledged the deep economic, strategic and cultural ties that bind our nations together.

As such, Mr. Speaker, I rise to echo the same sentiments in this House. Today and every day, let us honour our shared history with this cherished ally and redouble our efforts to broaden and deepen our comprehensive partnership, while celebrating the enduring friendship that has flourished between our two nations.

As they say in Korean:

[Member spoke in Korean and provided the following translation:]

Stronger together.

Farmers in Abitibi West

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

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to welcome three farmers from my riding to Parliament Hill: Éric Lafontaine, Alexandre Bégin and Mathieu Dumont. I salute the courage of all agricultural entrepreneurs, who just experienced one of the worst years ever from a climate perspective. Abitibi West farmers lived through a crop-damaging winter freeze, historic wildfires that required livestock evacuations and a catastrophic drought.

To raise awareness among the public and elected officials about the economic and psychological impact involved, Éric, Alexandre, Mathieu and Maxime Fontaine wrote the “Red Letter”, which they will be delivering today to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. This letter was signed by 79 farm businesses in Abitibi West, many of them now forced to sell off some of their animals because of risk management programs ill-suited to climate change. We are talking about 30% of Abitibi West herds that have already been sold or that are currently for sale on the market to allow these farm businesses to survive.

I ask the minister to be generous and to commit now to ensuring the sustainability of farm businesses and of our agricultural sector.

Food Banks in Vaudreuil—Soulanges

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated individuals and organizations that support the Vaudreuil—Soulanges food banks. I want to thank them for their outstanding service to our community, especially during this holiday season.

The holidays are a time of joy and celebration for many, but they can also be challenging for those experiencing economic hardship. It is during these difficult times that food banks in Vaudreuil—Soulanges rise to the challenge.

I want to thank the teams at L'Actuel, Source d'Entraide, Meals on Wheels, Café de la Débrouille and Moisson Sud-Ouest.

To the dedicated teams and volunteers at Le Pont Bridging, Meals on Wheels and The Dream Centre, I express my sincere gratitude on behalf of all members of our community for their tireless work in extending a helping hand to those in need. Because of them, the holidays will be a little brighter for our neighbours, families and friends. For that, on behalf of this entire House, I say thanks.

Christmas Thanks

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as families across Canada anxiously anticipate Christmas Day, opening presents and having turkey, many families will not all be together.

Doctors, nurses and caregivers in our hospitals, long-term care homes and hospices will be taking care of our loved ones. Firefighters, police officers and first responders will be keeping our streets safe. Hydro workers will be working to keep the lights on our Christmas trees bright. Snowplow operators will work day and night to keep our roads clear and safe. Pilots, flight attendants and airport personnel will be working hard to get us to our destinations, so we can be with our families. Border security officers will work long shifts protecting our vast borders. Of course, our brave men and women in uniform, keeping Canadians safe both in Canada and around the globe, will sacrifice yet another Christmas with their families. The list goes on.

This Christmas, I ask Canadians to take a moment to thank those who serve so selflessly and who will miss their Christmas Day so we can be at ours.

Merry Christmas.

Jewish Students on Campus

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the increase in anti-Jewish hate over the last two months is a danger to our country and its values, our democracy and our national security.

One of the most hostile places for Jews is on campus. Last week, a U.S. House committee heard from the presidents of Harvard, MIT and Penn State. All three were asked whether a call for the genocide of Jews would violate their code of conduct. None unambiguously said yes.

Today, some colleagues and I sent a letter to the 25 biggest Canadian universities asking how they are protecting their Jewish students. One thing we asked was whether a call for the genocide of Jews would violate their policies. I have also tabled a motion with the justice committee for us to undertake a study on anti-Semitism, with a focus on universities.

I hope colleagues will join me in wanting to tackle this issue quickly. The Jewish community cannot fight this alone. We need all MPs and Canadians on our side.

Holiday Greetings

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we look to the new year, I rise in the House today to wish all the residents of my community of Mississauga—Erin Mills and all Canadians a very happy holiday season.

This is a time to reflect upon and reinforce Canadian values of hope, generosity and unity for everyone, especially during what can be a very difficult time for many in our communities. I also want to thank my team, who work diligently to support the residents of our riding and the work that I do on their behalf. We have worked hard this year for Canadians, and I know that we will continue to work harder for them in the new year.

I wish all the residents of my riding a very merry Christmas, happy holidays and all the very best in the new year.

Kalavryta Attack

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, 80 years ago today, the village of Kalavryta in Greece fell victim to the cruelty of occupying German Nazi forces in World War II.

On December 13, 1943, the Nazis rounded up all males over the age of 12 for execution. They locked women and children in the village's school and lit it on fire, aiming to burn them alive. The women broke down the doors to find, sadly, their husbands and sons dead and their village in ashes. The widows were left to rebuild shattered lives. They displayed immense courage and determination as they worked to provide for their families and preserve their community.

The women of Kalavryta demonstrated the power of the human spirit in adversity and testified to the indomitable strength of women. Euthymia Vaya was the last widow of the massacre. She passed away in 2008, having immigrated to Canada with her daughter Georgia. Her courage and resilience allowed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to thrive as proud Canadians.

As we reflect on this dark chapter in history, let us honour their memory. May the victims of the massacre of Kalavryta rest in peace.

Enlève ton étiquette Campaign

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the Enlève ton étiquette campaign at the Fondation du Centre jeunesse de l'Estrie. The purpose of this initiative is to raise awareness about the importance of removing the labels we put on others, especially on young people from the youth protection branch and young offenders. Our young people need to have self-confidence to achieve their goals and that is even more important if they have had a difficult start in life.

By proudly wearing this ribbon, I become a goodwill ambassador and I invite people to do the same. I met Alexandra Goulet, the foundation's new executive director. I congratulate her on this initiative. Alexandra, having herself benefited from the services of the youth protection branch, knows first‑hand the importance of destigmatizing children that have been in the system.

I congratulate Alexandra and I wish this initiative continued success.

Ukraine

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

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives support Ukraine. It was a Conservative government that was the first western country in the world to recognize an independent Ukraine. It was a Conservative government that negotiated the existing Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. It was a Conservative government that commenced Operation Unifier. It was Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper who said to Vladimir Putin “get out of Ukraine.”

On the other side, the Liberal government exported a gas turbine that has been used to pump Russian gas to fund Putin's war machine. It was the Liberal government that allowed Canadian detonators to end up in Russian mines, which are being used by the Russian army in this war. It was the Liberal government that decided to not provide war risk insurance, which prevents Canadian companies from investing in Ukraine.

Members should not listen to their Liberal disinformation. Conservatives unequivocally support Ukraine.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the results of Operation Unifier are why Ukraine has been able to fight for the last 658 days against Russia's genocidal war.

After Russia annexed Crimea and began the war in Donbas in 2014, the Liberals and NDP on multiple occasions voted against Operation Unifier, voted against Operation Reassurance, voted against the first shipments of military aid to Ukraine and voted against hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance to Ukraine. In 2016, the Liberal government's first foreign policy act was to cancel the provision of RADARSAT images for Ukraine to appease Russia.

Since 2018, Conservatives have called on Canada to send lethal defensive aid to Ukraine when it could have acted as a deterrent against Russia, but the NDP-Liberal government refused until the hot war began. Its members even called me a warmonger for it in early 2022.

Conservatives negotiated the first Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, and when we form government, we would negotiate a better one that does not include a carbon tax. Conservatives will always stand with Ukraine.

Slava Ukraini.

Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, yet they still voted against the Ukraine-Canada trade agreement.

We all remember the voting marathon last week. While the Conservative leader was wining and dining at a high-end fundraiser, his Conservative MPs here were served a cold unhappy meal. The Conservative leader may want Canadians to only order off the value menu, but we know they deserve the whole Big Mac meal.

Canadians have seen the MAGA politics value menu the Conservative leader has to offer, and they are not “lovin' it”, but “lettuce” be serious. Canadians know it would be a “McNightmare” if that leader were to take charge.

Christmas

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker,

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the nation,
Liberal numbers were tanking, to the PM's frustration.
The Speaker was restless, with nightmares in bed,
While partisan videos danced through his head.
As secular snowflakes made their Grinch-like dissent,
The Bloc says that Christmas is not a religious event.
While the two Greens tried hard to make themselves heard,
If co-leaders don't work, maybe try a third.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The Conservative leader bringing burgers, no beer.
With his little red apple, who votes through the nights,
I knew in a moment, this guy really bites.
More rapid than reindeer, his chops he laid bare,
Revealing his taxpayer-funded oral health care.
Public dental for all is the NPD's dream.
We'd have pharmacare too if the Grits weren't so mean.
And one final wish for this season of light:
Happy holidays to all, and to all a good bite.

Acadian Remembrance Day

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Acadian Remembrance Day reminds us that, in December 1758, three ships crowded with Acadian deportees sank, causing the deaths of 850 of them. It was the deadliest chapter of what was called the Great Upheaval, which led the Acadian population to spread across North America.

For a long time in our history, and until fairly recently, the Acadian distinctiveness was intolerable to the eyes of English colonialists. They did everything in their power to try to keep Acadians in the minority or even assimilate them, but that did not work. The Acadian identity survived to restore itself into a dynamic diaspora that continues to grow and thrive. However, the traumatic experience of those who survived those deportees lost at sea, the victims of a vile, unquestionable attempt to eradicate Acadians, will always be a painful wound.

Today, Acadia remembers, and so does Quebec.

Carbon Tax

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Liberal-NDP government, Canadians are financially spent. Instead of common-sense tax cuts to help struggling families, in his fall economic statement, the Prime Minister doubled down on his massive increase to the carbon tax, which is driving up the cost of groceries, heating and gas.

When the wallets of Canadian families were raided bare by this government's carbon tax, it was the Conservatives who heard the calls for help. It was the Conservatives who introduced Bill C-234 to deliver carbon relief on farmers and the people they feed.

The legislation was duly passed in the House with the support of every party except the government. Then, right before Christmas, the Prime Minister called in favours from his functionaries in the other place and lobbied his Liberal-appointed and anointed senators to cut the legislation.

Now that it is back in the House, our Prime Minister needs to put his zeal for carbon tax aside; listen to Canadians who feel troubled, broken and betrayed this Christmas season; rein in his ideologues in cabinet; and pass Bill C-234.

Christmas

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker,

'Twas the week before Christmas and I must admit,
Thirty hours was a long time to sit.
But Liberals prevailed on behalf of the masses,
While Tories stepped back and sat on their hands.
On the other side we witness a continuing saga.
Diefenbaker's party looks much more like MAGA.
I know they have been challenged by a leader's swinging door,
But they think they have struck gold with leader number four.
They gave him a makeover with etiquette classes,
Pumped up his chest and took off his glasses,
But no matter the issue they put on the docket,
We still persevere with the Dippers in our pocket.
This marriage of convenience might seem like a rental,
But because of this deal, Canadians got dental.
In that glorious moment, I looked up and saw
Not a lick of support from the Bloc Québécois.
But now it is time to return to our ridings
And share with our friends the best Christmas tidings.
Mr. Speaker, I know you will hate to see us go.
If you think of us over Christmas, please do not send us a video.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

That is very good advice.

Finance

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, this Prime Minister is not worth the cost of the debt for Canadian families. He said that the government was going to go into debt so that Canadians would not have to. However, today, we learned that Canadian families are now spending more on interest on their own debt than ever before in the history of the country. They are spending more than what American families were during the 2008 financial crisis.

Will the Prime Minister finally reverse the inflationary policies and taxes that are driving families into debt and forcing them to give more to bankers and spend less on groceries?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader continues to rise in the House to talk about austerity.

Last week, we saw the true nature of the Conservative Party's austerity. The Conservatives voted against help for dairy, egg and poultry farmers in Quebec. They voted against funding for the Plains of Abraham. They voted against help for people in the Magdalen Islands following hurricane Fiona. What is worse, the member for Mégantic—L'Érable voted against funding for the rail bypass in Lac-Mégantic. That is truly shameful, and Quebeckers will never forget it.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, that is yet another example. The Prime Minister has had eight years to build that bypass, but has not even begun to do so. That is so typical of this Prime Minister, who makes announcements and spends loads of money but produces zero results. The same goes for affordability. He spent $87 billion on housing affordability, but that just doubled the cost. According to the Bank of Canada, the cost of housing is the worst it has been in 41 years.

Will the Prime Minister finally reverse his inflationary policies, which have doubled the cost of housing for Canadians?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, while the Conservative leader was out partying last week, all Canadians got was an order of cold McNuggets. The only thing his 30-hour, $2-million tantrum achieved was show Canadians the true colours of the Conservative Party of Canada. When it was time to support our veterans, how did the Conservatives vote? They voted against it. When it was time to support our farmers, how did they vote? They voted against it. When it was time to ensure services to first nations, how did they vote? They voted against it.

Everyone can see who they really are.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, for eight years, the Prime Minister and NDP-Liberal government have not been worth the cost. He said that he was taking on all this debt so that Canadians would not have to. Now we learn that Canadians are spending more on household debt interest than at any time in Canadian history, more than the American families were during the 2008 financial crisis, which almost brought down the global economy.

Will the Prime Minister reverse the inflationary, high-tax policies that have indebted Canadians and driven up their interest rates?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the audacity of the Conservative leader knows no bounds. Just last week, he voted against a national school food program, and now he rises to talk about affordability. Let us be clear. The Conservative leader has no long-term vision for this country, with or without the glasses.

It takes more than a couple of bags of McDonald's to feed Canadians. That is why we are going to continue to step up and be there with investments for Canadians, while he talks about cuts and austerity, and then goes and votes for cuts and austerity.