Debates of Feb. 8th, 2023

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The member for Sarnia—Lambton will lead us in the singing of the national anthem.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Ukrainian Refugees in Kitchener—Conestoga

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the resilience and courage of the Ukrainians have inspired the world. Canada is unwavering in its support for Ukraine and the democratic values that our countries share.

The capacity of Canadians to open their hearts and their homes is truly inspiring. We have seen an exceptional amount of goodwill coming from our community in Kitchener—Conestoga. I am proud of the many hosts who offer spare rooms and spaces to those in need.

Today, I want to acknowledge the temporary residence that has opened its doors for Ukrainian refugees coming to Woolwich Township. My friends Karen and Bob Martin have converted Hillside Residence, their former retirement residence in Maryhill, to open their doors to Ukrainian refugees, providing temporary housing for 22 Ukrainians. I also want to commend the organization Waterloo Region Grassroots Response, which has been instrumental in helping with the settlements. This is now the second residence in Woolwich to open its doors to Ukrainian refugees, the first being the former Jakobstettel Inn in St. Jacobs.

I thank Karen and Bob Martin and I thank Waterloo Region Grassroots Response for offering a place to live and for making a positive difference in our community.

Hospice Dufferin

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

Mr. Speaker, Hospice Dufferin is partnering with eight local restaurants and cafés during February to host the Hot Chocolate Festival. The purpose of this is to help support Hospice Dufferin, which is an amazing organization in my riding of Dufferin—Caledon.

Community support is absolutely critical, because Hospice Dufferin gets only about 60% of its funding from the government. It has to make up the rest in the community in order to offer the services to the people of Dufferin.

For all of February, eight local restaurants and cafés are going to have their own signature drink to support the Hot Chocolate Festival and Hospice Dufferin, with $1 from each drink going to Hospice Dufferin. People can find out where they can get their special drink at hospicedufferin.com.

Come on, Dufferin—Caledon, let us go buy those drinks and support Hospice Dufferin.

Coptic Churches Representatives

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to rise in the House to welcome members of the Coptic churches from the great city of Markham to our nation's capital, and to thank them for their hard work and community services in my riding of Markham—Unionville.

I would like to specifically acknowledge His Grace Bishop Boulos, His Grace Bishop Archilides and Father Pishoy, and thank them for their service to the less fortunate and their support of local charities, as well as their efforts to bring the community together. It is an example for all of us. On behalf of the constituents of Markham—Unionville and the entire country, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for all of the work that they do. Their work serves as a reminder of the importance of serving others and of the powers of community to make a positive impact on the world.

I thank them for being with us today. May their visit to our capital city be a memorable one, and may their journey be filled with joy, peace and hope.

Tragedy at Laval Day Care

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, when Quebec parents heard what had happened in Laval, their hearts stopped. Children are what we, as mothers and fathers, but also as a society, hold most dear.

We now know that a bus drove into a day care, taking the lives of two children and injuring six others. We know that the driver has been arrested, but now is not the time to speculate. Whatever the explanation may be, now is the time to express our sympathy and tell the parents, the people of Laval, but also all the children who will be affected by this tragedy, to stay strong.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I offer my deepest condolences to the parents of the victims. We sincerely hope that there will be good news for the injured children and their families. Our hearts go out to all the parents, children and all the staff at the Garderie éducative Ste-Rose. We thank the first responders, the medical staff and all those who are mobilizing in support of the little ones.

Today, the Quebec nation is in mourning, and our hearts go out to the people of Laval.

Black History Month

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

Mr. Speaker, February is internationally known and recognized as Black History Month. It gives us an opportunity to recognize the remarkable contributions of Black Canadians to the community of Orléans and to all of Canada.

This year's theme, “Ours to tell”, invites us to engage in open dialogue and commit to learning more about the stories Black communities in Canada have to tell about their triumphs and experiences.

Whether it is in academia, health, sciences, business, sports or the arts, Black Canadians have made and continue to make an important impact on communities across our country.

I thank the entire Black community for its contributions, which helped to build a stronger Canada. I commend the Black community for its commitment and leadership, which contribute to the cultural mosaic that shapes our country and is the envy of many.

Northern Ontario Curling Championship

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, just over a week ago, the City of Kenora played host to the top curlers from across northern Ontario for the regional playdowns. This is always an incredible opportunity to showcase the great talent we have across the north, and I know that Kenora was honoured to once again host this important event.

I want to thank and congratulate all of the volunteers and organizers who put together a great week and a wonderful tournament. I also want to recognize the local athletes we had competing and representing the Kenora riding so well. We had Team Meadows from the Kenora Curling Club, as well as Team Szajewski representing Keewatin.

Of course, I must congratulate Team McCarville out of Thunder Bay and Team Horgan from Sudbury on their victories and wish them the best of luck as they represent northern Ontario proudly at the Scotties and the Brier respectively. We will all be cheering them on.

Women and Girls in Science

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

Mr. Speaker, February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It is a time to recognize the critical place for women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is a time to recognize that when women succeed, including in STEM, we all succeed.

I have had the honour of knowing and supporting some remarkable women in STEM. Zainab Azim, 21 years old, is Canada's youngest future astronaut with major contributions to space exploration. Shifa Hussain, 14 years old, is an ambassador for the Canadian Association for Girls in Science. Knowing and supporting women and girls like Zainab and Shifa is how we ensure that equality of opportunity exists in STEM for everyone.

I am proud to be part of a Liberal government that continues to stand with women, invest in women, and break down barriers so that girls worldwide can contribute to our collective progress.

Yukon First Nations

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, “we will tell you something about our past history; then something about the problems we have today; and finally our thoughts about the future.” That is from the introduction to a document entitled “Together Today for our Children Tomorrow”. Fifty years ago, Elijah Smith and a delegation of Yukon chiefs went to Ottawa to meet with Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and present him with this historic document. The document claimed first nations’ right to have their economic, social and cultural needs met through a settlement with Canada. That meeting was the first step in a long journey towards the Umbrella Final Agreement and some of Canada’s first modern treaties.

Next week, I will be joining the 50th anniversary of “Together Today for our Children Tomorrow”, and I welcome any member to join me there. As Yukon’s Grand Chief Peter Johnston said, “These celebrations truly honour the journey and the stories of the leaders whose vision and determination have had an unprecedented and immeasurable impact on the lives of Yukon First Nations and Yukoners alike.”

Shäw níthän. Gunalchéesh, and see everyone there.

The Economy

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, Canadians can barely afford to feed themselves, with food inflation over 10%.

After eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, Canadians can barely afford to fill up their gas tanks to go to work because of the punishing impact of the carbon tax.

After eight years of the Prime Minister, Canadians cannot even afford their own homes with mortgage payments and rent doubling.

After eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, Canadians are struggling just to survive, with inflation at record 40-year highs.

After eight years, Canadians cannot afford the Prime Minister. Canadians need and deserve a prime minister who will put the people first, fight the affordability crisis and give people control of their lives back.

Ski Day on the Hill

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday was Ski Day on the Hill. It was perfect timing, as this week is Winter Health and Fitness Week. Cross-country skiers from as far as Salmon Arm, senators, fellow members, and even some Ukrainian newcomers strapped on our cross-country ski gear and raced laps around the west lawn.

I send a big thanks to groomer Dave of the Kichi Sibi trail for setting things up and making sure we had a smooth run. I especially thank my friend Marty Deacon from the other House, and fellow Olympian Sue Holloway. She is actually an Olympian in my two favourite sports: She is a cross-country skier and a medallist in kayaking.

Physical activity is absolutely essential for our physical and mental health, and for the strength of our communities. According to Ella from Nakkertok, whom I tried but failed to keep up to yesterday on my skis, sport helps her deal with stress and teaches her to overcome challenges and set goals.

These young people told me about how their physical and mental health are connected, and that the sense of teamwork and belonging they get is so important. They reminded me that despite it being hard to get up sometimes when it is early or get outside when it is cold in the winter, I have never regretted a bit of exercise.

Let us listen to the kids, get outside this winter and stay active. Here, in this place, let us remember that quality sport and recreation programs require investments in infrastructure and programming, and that investments in sport and play are investments in our collective health, just as important as investments in health care.

The Economy

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, after eight long years of the Liberal government, Canadians are realizing that elections have consequences and that they have walked to the far side of a disappointing decision.

After eight years, Canadians have seen their paycheques dwindle so that even the most basic necessities are out of reach. After eight years, seniors, especially those on fixed incomes, are having to choose between eating and heating. Conservatives would keep the heat on and take the tax off.

After eight years, food prices are at all-time highs, forcing families to make impossible choices. This has led to over 1.5 million Canadians visiting their local food banks in just one month.

After eight years, young people are seeing the dream of home ownership evaporate due to the government's runaway spending, which is causing sky-high inflation and ever-rising interest rates. After eight years, our farmers, transporters and small business owners have all experienced the devastating consequences of soaring input costs.

After eight years, Canadians are desperately needing their hopes restored and wanting back the country they know and love.

Carbon Tax

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the job-killing carbon tax is a tax plan, and after eight years it is making everything more expensive.

After eight years of a Liberal anti-energy agenda, Canadians have been deprived of economic prosperity, and the livelihoods of millions of workers in the energy, manufacturing and transportation sectors are on the unjust transition chopping block.

After eight years, Canadians are struggling to cope with 40-year highs in inflation, and 1.5 million Canadians visited a food bank in a single month. Heating one's home in the winter is not a luxury, yet after eight years of the Liberals in charge, Canadians are being forced to choose between heating or eating. After eight years, Canadians are out of money and cannot afford to eat, heat or house themselves.

Canada's Conservatives are ready to turn the hurt into hope and help families get ahead, not just get by. We will clean up this disaster and ensure that Canadians can get their heat on by turning the carbon tax off.

Black History Month

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to honour the legacies of Black Canadians, “Ours to tell” is the theme encouraging us to look within our own villages to find Black Canadian trailblazers in our ridings and celebrate them.

Many of us know a lot of first, second and third Black Canadians in many fields, but to quote Ben Okri:

There is no exhaustion where there is much
To be hoped for, much to work towards,
And where the dreams and sufferings
Of our ancestors
Have not been realized
Or redeemed.

I know that history is there to be made in the future, and I look forward to the day when we will celebrate the stories of the 20th, 30th, and 50th in their fields.

I welcome and look to our many stakeholders from across the country who are joining us in today's celebration. I thank them for being their ancestors' wildest dreams and for keeping the light in our communities.

International Development Week

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take an opportunity to thank Canada's international development sector for its fantastic work, particularly its efforts to build a better world for women and girls.

As we know, women and girls are particularly vulnerable to humanitarian crises, climate change and conflict, and while Canadian organizations continue to play a vital role around the world, the federal government has not lived up to its obligations.

Canada must be ambitious. The government must commit to strategic, predictable and significant increases in funding and remove barriers that prevent Canadian organizations from doing their vitally important work, barriers such as what we are seeing in Afghanistan, where we have no carve-out for humanitarian organizations.

Finally, Canada needs to ensure that we have a strong public foreign policy, a feminist foreign policy that puts women and girls at the forefront of all of Canada's foreign policy decisions. Canadians are doing their part. It is time for the Canadian government to its.

I wish members a happy International Development Week.

Supply Management

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, the Bloc Québécois travelled throughout Quebec to promote its Bill C-282, which seeks to protect supply-managed agricultural sectors by preventing future international agreements from having a negative impact on our farmers' share of the market and the income they earn from all of their hard work.

Supply management is a critical component of our regions' economies and helps feed families in Quebec and Canada. It must be protected.

Again today, many stakeholders from the agricultural community have come to Parliament Hill to show their staunch support for this bill. I want to recognize them and tell them how much I respect them.

I thank them for their work and especially for being here to remind parliamentarians of the importance of supporting this bill, which will help maintain our very effective and resilient agricultural model.

The message is clear. Parliamentarian friends, let us unite and pass Bill C-282 together.

Tragedy at Laval Day Care

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

Mr. Speaker, this morning in Laval, an incomprehensible and shocking event happened. A bus crashed into a day care.

Over the past few hours we unfortunately received the worst news we could get. Two children are dead and several are seriously injured.

As a mother, I can well imagine the concern, dismay and pain weighing on the hearts of the families affected by this tragedy.

There is nothing more important to us than our children, and what happened this morning is absolutely chilling. We are all in shock.

We also want to thank all the police and emergency services that came to the scene.

Personally, and on behalf of our leader and our political party, I would like to send everyone affected by this terrible tragedy our warmest thoughts and prayers.

Mississauga—Lakeshore

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

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to be standing before the House as the newly elected representative of Mississauga—Lakeshore.

Our community has a rich history. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. It is also my home, where my wife, Zenny, and I have raised our three children. We are blessed to be part of a vibrant and active community, engaged in revitalizing our waterfront and enhancing our villages. They are champions in protecting our conservation areas so future generations can thrive. I am humbled by the trust my neighbours have placed in me.

My constituents also want us to promote a prosperous Canada. My family sought freedom and opportunity in Canada years ago, and we are very grateful. Like many new Canadians, it became our duty to give back to ensure that others also reached their full potential. That means working to creating a strong economy that sustains social programs, such as universal health care, and supports businesses, which are the backbone of creating jobs.

Finally, I believe in standing up for the rights and freedoms of all Canadians. We must work together. As my father Antonio says, “There is room for everyone. There is room for everyone to compete and do business, room to learn, and more importantly, room to help each other.”

Tragedy at Laval Day Care

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence to acknowledge the tragic event that occurred today in Laval, Quebec.

I would now invite members to rise.

[A moment of silence observed]

Public Safety

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, a bus crashed into a day care full of children. Unfortunately, we have learned that two children died and others are injured.

As a father, I can imagine the suffering of the families affected. We offer our support and our prayers to these families.

Can the Prime Minister update us on this tragic incident and tell us what the government will do to support the families and Quebeckers?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague said, our hearts go out to the families affected by this senseless tragedy.

Nothing can erase the grief and the pain that these families and this community are experiencing. We will be there for them in the coming days, months and years as they endure unimaginable grief.

I also want to thank the first responders and all those who intervened to help and make the situation safe. We will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years under this Prime Minister, a study by the Bank of Canada has found that it now takes $1.7 million for someone to retire, to be able to feed themselves for the rest of their life.

After eight years, we have the highest inflation rate in a generation. With mortgage costs going up, with the cost of rent and groceries going up as a result of this Prime Minister's inflationary policies, people can no longer afford to pay their bills.

Will the Prime Minister personally take responsibility for these problems, so we can fix what he broke?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we understand that many people, including seniors, are struggling, but it is not true that we have not been there for the past eight years, on the contrary.

We increased old age security by 10% for seniors aged 75 and over. We increased Canada pension plan benefits. We increased the guaranteed income supplement for single seniors. We made high-speed Internet more affordable for vulnerable seniors. We doubled the GST tax credit, which helped seniors.

We will continue to be there for seniors. We will continue to be there to support them through these difficult times. We know that is how we will get through them together.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, despite those talking points, after eight years, it now costs $1.7 million for someone to retire, according to a Bank of Montreal study.

One now has to be a millionaire to be able to retire in this country. After eight years of this Prime Minister's inflationary deficits and taxes, and after eight years of doubling the cost of home heating with his carbon tax, increasing food prices by burdening our farmers and increasing the cost of everything through a half-trillion dollars of inflationary deficits, why does the Prime Minister not personally take responsibility for what he broke so that we can fix it?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it is ironic that the member opposite speaks about fixing things. When we took office, one of the first things we had to do was reverse the cuts that the member had voted for that would have raised the age of retirement to 67 years old instead of 65.

We continued to step up with increasing GIS by 10% for our most vulnerable single seniors and, in the years following, we have consistently been there for seniors. Conservatives continue to call for more cuts and more austerity, while we have been there to support seniors, and we will continue to be there.