House of Commons Hansard #155 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was pricing.
The Deputy Speaker Conservative Chris d'Entremont
Order. I want to remind folks that we are getting close to two o'clock and a lot of members are coming in to join us for question period, so the noise is going up a bit. There is a lot of noise in the chamber.
The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader has about seven and a half minutes left.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives all ran on pricing pollution. Then they got elected to the opposition once again, immediately did a 180° and have brought in seven motions within the last year about pricing pollution. They are now clapping at their own flip-flop. I cannot make this stuff up. They are flip-flopping on their position. Maybe one of them can just get up and explain to this House why they ran on it and have now changed their minds. There could be a very legitimate reason for that. Maybe there is a legitimate reason for changing their minds, but they should enlighten the rest of the country by letting us know why they decided to flip-flop in such a way.
As a matter of fact, when they introduced this in the last election, the member for Calgary Centre said this about the price on pollution in their platform: “I think it's an evolution for parts of our party”. He admitted that the Conservative Party was finally evolving into hopefully accepting climate change as real, but also thinking that it was a good thing. That was the member for Calgary Centre, who will vote in favour of this motion and against pricing pollution, which is a complete flip-flop from what he first said.
The member for Durham, their leader at the time, said, “We recognize that the most efficient way to reduce our emissions is to use pricing mechanisms.” Time after time, the Conservatives are coming forward in the House and completely confusing Canadians with their positions on this, given what they said during the election versus where they are now.
A lot has been said about the PBO and its recent report. I found it interesting that the member for Dufferin—Caledon, while asking a question of one of my colleagues, noted a follow-up report. He should know from the follow-up report, assuming he read it, that the PBO admitted that in the original report, there was no consideration of what the effects would be, economically and socially, in the event we did nothing to address climate change. The PBO therefore acknowledges that this was not a consideration in the initial report.
The member talked about cherry-picking information and using information in a certain way, but he is not even completely representing the report he is trying to use against the member who was speaking just before me. That is the irony of all this. The report the member referenced also mentioned that the PBO followed up and said that eight out of 10 Canadians would be better off under a pricing mechanism that includes a rebate. Of course, the Conservatives never want to tell Canadians about that. They never want to bother telling Canadians that they will get the money back.
When we say eight out of 10 Canadians are going to get more money back than what they put in, I am sure I do not have to explain that they will certainly be those who need it the most. It is not extremely wealthy people who will be getting more back than they put in. Again, the Conservatives want to gloss over that fact because they do not see representing the truth on that point as easy to talk about and as palatable. If they want to talk about the parliamentary budget office report, they need to start talking about it in its entirety. They need to start realizing and accepting that the Parliamentary Budget Officer said eight out of 10 Canadians will get more back than what they put in.
I am left with a conclusion, which I have said many times in this House: How is this possible from the Conservatives? The Conservative Party touts itself as the steward of the economy, of good fiscal responsibility and of understanding how an economy works. How is it possible that a party like that cannot understand the basic, fundamental principle that if we put a price on something, it will change people's decisions and will change market behaviour? That is exactly what just about every economist in the world has said will be the result of pricing pollution. This is about making sure we are encouraging people to make the right decisions.
We do not even have to look that far to see the success. I have talked in the House many times before about how Quebec and Ontario were part of the cap-and-trade deal with California that was established around 2006. Quebec, Ontario and California got together and set up a cap-and-trade model. By the way, had Doug Ford not ripped it up when he got into the government, we would still have it in place and there would not be a price on pollution in Ontario.
What actually happened? When Doug Ford ripped that up and got out of the deal, he started removing electric vehicle chargers from GO stations. What has happened between then and now with the provinces of Ontario and Quebec? Quebec is light years ahead in terms of where they are in preparing for the future of electric vehicles and the future of increasing and building their electrical grid.
Unfortunately, because of Doug Ford's choices to completely move away from very important pieces of legislation like the one on cap and trade, we have ended up in a situation where Ontario is lagging behind. We were neck and neck with Quebec when that began and years into it. Unfortunately, we can already see the devastating effects of the decisions made by Doug Ford and his government once he was elected in Ontario.
I find it unfortunate that this is like Groundhog Day. Once again, here we are with the Conservatives and the exact same motion. We are all saying the exact same thing. We all know exactly how everybody is going to vote. This is going to end up just as it did the other six times. Hopefully, at some point, the message will get through to the Conservatives that this is a piece of policy the majority of Canadians are in favour of and that we will continue to use it.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, I will be attending the annual Saint Valentine's Gala of Montreal's West Island Italian Association, a marquee event that is among the highlights of the West Island social and cultural calendar. This year's gala is particularly special. The association is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Founded in 1992, the West Island Italian Association gives people of Italian origin the opportunity to gather on a regular basis to celebrate their beautiful language and wonderful culture.
I would like to pay tribute to Egidio Vincelli, now in his 16th year as president of the association, as well as to past presidents Marino Discepola, Femiria Nanni, Rocco La Giorgia and Victor Romani. Congratulations to the West Island Italian Association on three decades of fostering the friendships that make for a strong and vibrant community.
[Member spoke in Italian]
Glen Motz Conservative Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB
Mr. Speaker, Liberal changes to bail in 2018 were naive, ideological and just plain wrong. Police and courts are now required to ensure offenders are released at the earliest opportunity, rather than be detained. Canadians are paying the price, in some cases with their lives.
Violent crimes and gang-related homicides are way up, and that is the Liberal record. In the last 40 days alone, an OPP constable was killed near Hamilton, paramedics were shot at in Vancouver, a person was shot during a robbery in London, there was a random stabbing in Mississauga and a violent carjacking in Manitoba. That is just to name a very few. In each and every case, the offender was out on bail. This travesty has to stop.
Just yesterday, the Liberals and the NDP voted against the Conservative common-sense legislation that would correct this problem. Canadians need a Conservative government to fix the damage caused by eight years of repeated Liberal failures.
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is International Development Week. Last month, I had the opportunity to travel with IDRF to Pakistan, which is still reeling from the devastation caused by major flooding last summer, to see how it and other Canadian aid organizations are helping on the ground. The impact is still being felt by millions of people and there will be an ongoing need for international support for many years to come.
During my trip, I saw the important work being done in many villages and flooded areas to bring food, water and shelter. I saw schools being created so the displaced children can continue their education. There is also a midwifery program that is giving women a profession and skills to earn an ongoing income.
To date, our government has committed $58 million in funding for assistance in response to the floods and for longer-term recovery from the floods in Pakistan. I hope we will be a partner for the long term.
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, Quebec's gastronomy community is in mourning. Marcel Kretz, a monumental figure in that community, passed away on January 31 at the age of 91.
He was a member of the Order of Canada and the Ordre national du Québec whose expertise and talent paved the way for Normand Laprise, Martin Picard and Colombe St-Pierre.
Today I want to highlight the important role and influence he had in making Quebec a gastronomy capital of North America. He was born in Alsace and graduated from the Strasbourg school of hospitality, but he chose to settle in Val‑David.
For 30 years, Marcel Kretz was the chef at La Sapinière, the first property in Canada to make the Relais et Châteaux list. He was also one of the founders of the École hôtelière des Laurentides, a school of hospitality in the Laurentians.
I am grateful to Marcel Kretz for making us so proud of our local cuisine.
We in the Bloc Québécois extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Mr. Speaker, February 10 is World Pulses Day. It is an opportunity to thank the farmers, traders and processors who work hard to provide our country with the highest-quality pulses. Every day, our farmers wake up with a passion to provide us with delicious and nutritious beans, lentils and chickpeas. These world-class products are made here at home, with care and safety, in an environmentally friendly manner. When shipped abroad, they showcase the high-quality agriculture products that come from Canada.
Pulses are an important part of our diet and an important pillar of our economy. The industry is an economic powerhouse in rural municipalities and contributes to our dynamic land use.
We are proud not only of the calibre of our pulse industry, but also of its environmental practices. We are a world leader in pulse production, largely thanks to the hard work of our farmers, merchants and processors.
I thank them and wish everyone a happy World Pulses Day.
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
Mr. Speaker, I am rising today to celebrate the great work of the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. Before the House rose last year, I had the pleasure of joining the grand opening of its brand-new location on Portage Avenue in my riding. The work that Carla Martinelli-Irvine and her team do at this shelter is truly vital and heartwarming.
This organization has rescued more than 10,000 animals that find themselves without places to call home. The Pet Rescue Shelter takes these animals in, gives them medical treatment and ensures that they have places to stay before they eventually find their new homes. Most importantly, the Pet Rescue Shelter is Manitoba’s first no-kill animal shelter. It understands that our furry friends should never be euthanized simply because they find themselves without owners.
I want to thank Carla and her entire team for the work that they do, and I wish them all continued success in helping Manitoba pets find their forever homes.
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, watching the news unfold, my heart aches for the people of Turkey and Syria. Devastating earthquakes have claimed the lives of over 7,000 people thus far. Thousands of buildings were downed in the first quake, and families are searching for their loved ones and trying to access medical care.
These terrible magnitude 7-plus earthquakes were felt as far away as Lebanon, Cypress and Egypt. The impact in northwestern Syria, where many are already displaced and living in camps, has been tragic.
This week is International Development Week, and now, more than ever, the people of this region need our support. I am grateful to the groups that are already stepping up to collect donations for the victims, including the Turkish Society of Nova Scotia. Now is the time for us to give whatever we are able to.
My thoughts and prayers are with our Syrian and Turkish friends and my constituents in Halifax West. Canada and Canadians will be there for them in this difficult time.
Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, Vaughan residents are among the most entrepreneurial and generous in the country. It is an honour to be their voice and the voice of the thousands of hard-working families in the city of Vaughan, who are dedicated to building strong communities and creating a better future for their children.
For seven years the government has stood side by side with Vaughan families to put more money in their pockets and make life more affordable. We introduced the Canada child benefit and have now implemented a transformational early learning and child care program that is bringing $10-a-day day care closer to reality every day.
To fight climate change, we put a price on pollution and created the climate action incentive. We also introduced the Canada dental benefit and are working to strengthen our public health care system.
These are real, tangible and long-lasting measures to help Vaughan families. Our government is laser-focused on making life more affordable for Canadians by fostering inclusive economic growth that sets up Vaughan families, and families from coast to coast to coast, for success.
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the current Liberal Prime Minister, inflation is at a 40-year high. After eight years of the current Liberal Prime Minister, the average family is paying $16,000 a year on groceries. After eight years of the current Liberal Prime Minister, one in five Canadians is skipping meals, is accessing charity services just to meet their basic needs, and is out of money. After eight years of the current Liberal Prime Minister, rents and mortgages have doubled. After eight years of the current Liberal Prime Minister, his insider friends have made off with billions of tax dollars while Canadians face an affordability crisis. After eight long years of the current Liberal Prime Minister, Canadians are out of money and the Liberal government is out of touch.
It is time to rein in the spending, fire the gatekeepers and put out this inflationary fire. It is time to get the Liberals out of the way so Conservatives, led by the member for Carleton, can clean up this mess and ensure Canadians can keep the heat on by taking the carbon tax off.
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, we have all been horrified to learn of the devastation and suffering caused by two powerful earthquakes that occurred in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. As we witness the images emerging from the region, I know I speak on behalf of every member of the House when I say that we are truly shaken by the scale of the devastation, that we stand united in expressing our heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones and that we offer our support to all Turks and Syrians during this difficult period.
The death toll from these earthquakes is currently estimated to have surpassed 6,000, and it is important for every person in this hard-hit region to know that we share their grief. Canada is monitoring and fully supports the efforts currently under way by UN agencies in the region, as well as the critical efforts of other humanitarian agencies on the ground.
I would encourage members of the House to meet with constituents from the Turkish and Syrian communities in their ridings to ensure we fully support their efforts and demands to alleviate the pain and suffering that has occurred.
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
Mr. Speaker, after eight years, Canada has lost respect and credibility abroad and is being dismissed and disregarded on the international stage. After eight years, our armed forces are facing a recruitment crisis that will take years to overcome. After eight years, our troops are still operating without the basic equipment they need to keep our country strong, safe and secure. After eight years, violent crime in Canada has risen by 32%. After eight years of spend, spend and complete debt mismanagement, the current government now wants to pile it on vulnerable Canadians by imposing a carbon tax.
A tax plan is not an environmental plan. Enough is enough. Canadians are in crisis mode and looking for disciplined, principled leadership. Canada's Conservatives will keep the heat on and take the tax off.
Warren Steinley Conservative Regina—Lewvan, SK
Mr. Speaker, after eight years, do Canadians feel they are better off? Do Canadians think the costly NDP-Liberal coalition will look after them? Do Canadians believe that the Liberals have done what they promised? The answer is no. That is what 67% of Canadians feel: After eight long years of the Liberal government, everything in Canada is broken.
Who can blame them? Time and time again Canadians see rich, connected Liberals getting big government contracts while hard-working Canadians just get hit with more and more tax increases. The government wants to triple, triple, triple the tax on gas, groceries and home heating. After eight years, Canadians want change. In the Conservative leader and his united team, they see a group that will turn hurt into hope. They see change coming.
A Conservative government will keep the heat on and take the tax off.
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to put to the House. Can anyone in this place say that they have never experienced significant distress in their life or had suicidal thoughts?
This proves that suicide is everyone's business. In Canada, 12 lives are lost to suicide every day. This week is Suicide Prevention Week in Quebec, and this year's theme is “Prevention is Better than Death”. This highlights the importance of prevention and encourages people to dare to talk about it.
I think that all of us in this place must do more. We can make small gestures, like calling someone who is going through a difficult time, and also promoting organizations in our ridings that are there to provide assistance and support, such as Suicide Détour in Maniwaki.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, sadly, Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island has bid farewell to its former mayor and freeman of the town, Art Skipsey, who passed away last month at the age of 96 following a life well lived. He was a man of integrity, vision, humour and strength, and we came to believe he would go on forever.
Art was born to settler parents in 1927 in the Alberni Valley, where he grew up with a love of the outdoors and the urge to teach, build with his hands and serve his community. He earned a degree in education at UBC and moved to Qualicum Beach to raise a family with Cora, the love of his life. They barged a house from Vancouver when a suitable home was hard to find. In 1975, Art began a two-year term as alderman; he then served as mayor from 1977 until 1990. He made too many voluntary contributions to the community to mention. Suffice it to say that many thought of Art as “Mr. Qualicum Beach”.
We will miss Art. May he rest in peace.
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, as we speak, rescue workers are still searching for survivors of yesterday's powerful earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The death toll is now over 7,000 and climbing. We are witnessing a race against time. It is a chilling story, a true catastrophe.
The earthquake comes on top of a very serious humanitarian situation. Syria has been ravaged by a civil war since 2011, and the Bloc Québécois wants to reiterate its solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian people.
We also want to point out the importance of investing in a humanitarian emergency division at the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, to enable the federal government to act quickly in the event of a crisis, without having to stop processing regular cases.
We want and need to be part of the solution, for the sake of humanitarianism, security and refugee protection, but most importantly, because lives depend on it.
Clifford Small Conservative Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL
Mr. Speaker, after eight years, Canadians are out of money and cannot afford food, heating or housing. I spent the last month in my riding talking to friends and neighbours, and they all expressed the same sentiment: Life under the Liberal government has gotten too expensive.
Mary told me she is overwhelmed every time she goes to the grocery store. The cost of groceries has skyrocketed in the last year. She wonders how she is going to keep food on the table for her and her three children. After eight years of the Liberal government, she has had enough.
I spoke with John and Francis, a hard-working middle-class family who say their heat bill has doubled. They do not know where they will come up with the extra $500 a month to put oil in their tank. They are out of money. They cannot afford the Liberal government any longer.
A Conservative government will keep the heat on and the tax off.
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
Mr. Speaker, last Saturday was World Cancer Day, a time to spread awareness and take action against a disease that has touched each of us. I recently visited Dr. Sheila Singh, who I have no doubt will cure brain cancer, in her lab at McMaster University. I also attended an announcement at SickKids about our investment in pediatric cancer, which will be transformational for kids with cancer.
Some actions we can all take to prevent cancer include making healthy choices, such as living smoke free, being sun safe, moving more, sitting less, having a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol and eating well. I know far too many who have been touched by cancer, and I am always inspired by their strength and resilience.
As Terry Fox said, “dreams are made possible if you try.” I dream of a world without cancer, and I will do all I can to make that dream come true.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, health care in Canada is broken. He has accomplished the impossible. He managed to double our national debt, adding more inflationary debt than all prior prime ministers combined, without improving health care. In fact, it is worse than ever.
Today, the Prime Minister admitted that the system does not meet our expectations. Will he finally take responsibility so that we can fix what he broke?
Randy Boissonnault LiberalMinister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, let us remember the facts. During the pandemic, we transferred an additional $72 billion to the provinces, on top of the $46 billion in investments.
What is more, the Prime Minister and the premiers of this country are meeting today to talk about building a health care system that will be sustainable for the next 10 years. That is how our Confederation works. It is a great day for Canada.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, health care in Canada is broken. He has accomplished the impossible: He managed to double our national debt, adding more debt than all prior prime ministers combined, without improving health care. In fact, by his own admission, it is worse.
Now will the Prime Minister finally take responsibility for the problems in health care he has caused so that we can fix what he broke?
Randy Boissonnault LiberalMinister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, let us remember the facts. During the worst pandemic in a century, the Government of Canada transferred $72 billion to the provinces to make sure that we could get through the pandemic, on top of record investments of $46 billion. Today, the Prime Minister and all the premiers of this country are meeting to build a health care system that would be sustainable for the future.
It is a great day for Canada and a great day for Canadians.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, inflation is at a 40-year high.
Former Liberal finance minister Bill Morneau said that the Prime Minister spent too much. Another former Liberal finance minister, John Manley, said that this spending caused inflation. The current Governor of the Bank of Canada says that government spending is causing inflation and Mark Carney, the future Liberal leader, agrees.
Will the Prime Minister take responsibility for the inflation he caused so we can fix what he has broken?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the leader of the official opposition because we are going to do just that and take responsibility for all the investments we have attracted to Canada.
I think that the Conservative leader has forgotten the investments in science and biopharma across the country. We attracted Moderna to Canada for the first time. I believe that the opposition leader is forgetting about the investments in the auto industry and green energy. We will continue to invest in Canada to create the jobs of today and tomorrow.