Mr. Speaker, on this International Women's Day, we continue to be inspired by all women who show us what it means to be strong, brave and courageous, especially in the face of adversity. Today, let us acknowledge what women around the world have taught us: fighting for what is right and never giving up, from the bravery of Iranian women and the schoolgirls who were poisoned to the resilience of the Ukrainian and Canadian women in the armed forces and women’s achievements in engineering, science, innovation and other sectors.

As we continue to remember these great women today, I also want to thank the women working in health care, especially in personal support care, and frontline workers. During the Prime Minister’s visit to SEIU Healthcare in Richmond Hill two weeks ago, we heard heartbreaking, fascinating, encouraging and inspiring stories about the resilience and compassion of our personal support workers. They love their job, and the happiness they see in the faces of the people they care for makes them even more passionate about their job.

Today, and every day, we celebrate women, their courage and bravery, their compassion and kindness. I wish them a happy International Women's Day.

International Women's DayStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

Before we continue, I just want to remind everyone that S.O. 31s are taking place. If members are talking among themselves, please leave the chamber. Each one of us is not talking loudly, but if we are all talking, it is drowning out the message, and we all want to hear what the message is.

The hon. member for Saskatoon—Grasswood.

Shelley GreggStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK

Mr. Speaker, today we remember the life of Shelley Gregg. We say a loving farewell to a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend who cared so deeply for those around her.

Shelley knew how much it meant to give back to her community. She was always stepping up to volunteer. She gave back in many ways, but it was the Choc'laCure fundraising initiative that stood out. Her incredible work over 15 years raised millions of dollars for the Saskatoon Cancer Centre to purchase equipment that helped shorten wait times.

Shelley was a humble, fearless and inspiring leader. Her efforts and ideas have touched not just those who were fortunate to meet her, but also the patients, and their families, who were able to access better cancer care because of her volunteer work.

To her husband Jim, her sons Brett and Eric, and their extended family, I send our deepest condolences.

International Women's DayStatements by Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jenna Sudds Liberal Kanata—Carleton, ON

Mr. Speaker, today is International Women's Day. I am proud to be part of a government that has made, and continues to make, meaningful strides toward gender equality each and every day.

This is a government that has legislated pay equity, adopted Canada's first-ever federal 2SLGBTQI+ action plan, and introduced a national child care framework. This is a government that continues to work with survivors to end the national tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and ensures that a gender-based lens is applied to everything we do. We have come so far in the fight for gender equality, but we cannot stop here.

Today, and every day, we raise awareness against bias, and we acknowledge women making a difference in the world, big and small. We remind ourselves and those around us that all women, from all ages and all walks of life, have a place in every aspect of our country. Every woman counts.

International Women’s DayStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC

Mr. Speaker, on this International Women’s Day, we need to reiterate an unfortunate truth, and that is that women's rights are never guaranteed and we need to remain vigilant.

In many parts of the world, such as Iran and Afghanistan, there is a real gender apartheid, and it would be a mistake to use cultural relativism to rationalize it. Even in the United States, abortion rights have recently been compromised. We must not make the mistake of believing that we are immune to such backsliding in Quebec and Canada.

The best defence against backsliding is, of course, the political commitment of many strong women who are determined to stand their ground. We also need to fully support certain principles that protect the rights of women, bearing in mind that secularism is a friend to women, all women, anywhere in the world where such an approach is taken. Women's place is everywhere. The fight to promote and protect their rights is always being waged. It must be waged by each and every one of us.

International Women's DayStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC

Mr. Speaker, today is International Women's Day. I would like to take a moment to recognize the woman with whom I have shared my life for the past 29 years. I thank her for being who she is and for allowing me to be the man that I am.

I believe that every day is International Women's Day. That is why I want to pay tribute to the contributions of female nurses, teachers, mechanics, politicians, hockey players, police officers, engineers and those of all women who shape our daily lives.

Although advances have been made, gender equity remains a collective goal. As Gloria Steinem said so well, the human race is like a bird with two wings, men and women, and if one wing is broken, the bird cannot fly.

I invite my colleagues to join me in telling the women and girls around us about the positive impact they have on our lives.

International Women's DayStatements by Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

Mr. Speaker, on International Women's Day, Canadians across the country come together to celebrate the incredible women who build this country and who have built it over the centuries. Whether it is fighting for civil rights, like Viola Desmond, or leading Canada to gold medal glory, like Christine Sinclair, women have played an essential role in crafting our story.

I also think of lesser-known but equally important people, like Tracy MacDonald in Nova Scotia, who dropped out of high school but then returned and succeeded, and now dedicates her life to helping similarly disadvantaged women.

I think of the mother who had me, the mother who adopted me, the wife who agreed for some reason we do not understand to marry me, and of course the daughter who makes my life so much worth living.

Every day, in every way, there is more work to be done to improve equality and opportunity for women, but today is an opportunity for all of us to thank the women in our lives who built our country, and all around the world, for whom we must fight to advance opportunity and equality.

Glendale Secondary SchoolStatements by Members

March 8th, 2023 / 2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Chad Collins Liberal Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON

Mr. Speaker, I stand in the House today to acknowledge Hamilton’s Glendale Secondary School on its designation as a language-friendly school. The Language Friendly School network has 23 members around the world, and Glendale Secondary School is the first secondary school in Canada and North America to receive this title.

More than 40 languages are spoken by the student body at Glendale, and a team of teachers, administrators and student leaders have made it their mission to ensure the school is linguistically and culturally welcoming. On February 21, International Mother Language Day, a Language Friendly School flag was raised in front of the school.

I congratulate Joanna Duong, Language Friendly School student ambassador; Marjorie Hewitt, head of ESL; David Schroeder, school principal; and all the staff and students at my alma mater, Glendale Secondary School, for their efforts to build understanding and connection through multilingualism.

Go Bears.

International Women’s DayStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON

Mr. Speaker, every woman counts. On this International Women’s Day, I would like to have the women in my life be counted. I stand where I am today because of women role models and male allies: my Erin Mills Women’s Council's strong leadership toward the empowerment of women and the tackling of our most pressing social issues daily; my mother, my bebey, whose support has provided me with the opportunities and tools to succeed in giving back to my community; my BFF, Reema Zuberi, who is always keeping it real.

Today, I reinforce my commitment to work even harder to ensure that women have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, and that everyone benefits from empowering women and empowered women.

Here is to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

International Women's DayStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

Mr. Speaker, today the world comes together in celebration of International Women's Day. On this day, we recognize the social, economic and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.

These past years have had a disproportionate impact on women, including an increase in domestic violence and sexual assaults, job insecurity, and challenges of work-life balance for mothers, daughters, sisters and caregivers.

We continue to voice our concerns for those women whose voices have been shut down, intimidated and silenced, vulnerable women and girls who have been sexually exploited and trafficked, and victims of abuse and crime. We fight for equality and freedom of speech for those protesting in Iran, and we stand in solidarity with the women in Afghanistan. We remind women and young girls today, and every day, that their dream is within reach and they are able to make a difference in the world.

I wish them a happy International Women's Day.

Young Women in Leadership ProgramStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, happy International Women's Day.

I am very excited that the Young Women in Leadership program that I started in 2017 is officially back in person. This program offers young women and gender nonconforming youth in Halton an opportunity to job shadow in a local business, agency, organization or government. The program will take place at the end of May, and our youth applications are open as of today until March 29.

This program also inspired Camp Molly, developed by Chief Monique Belair to inspire young women to choose the fire service. Those listening can visit my website or social media to learn more about how to apply to this empowering program. They can also share the news with a young woman in Halton who is between the ages of 15 and 25 years and curious about what their future might look like.

Human Rights in IranStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, “Zan, zendegi, azadi. Woman, life, freedom.” This is the call we hear around the world as brave Iranian women dedicate their lives to fighting for freedom, human rights and equality.

The revolution itself started by the actions of Jina Mahsa Amini, one brave woman in Iran, and that is the definition of extraordinary heroism. Since then, it has been carried out by women around the world, who are undeterred by threats of torture, imprisonment and death from the mullahs of Iran’s ruthless regime. After six months, the revolution’s heart beats strong.

On International Women’s Day we are reminded of the immense courage of the countless women who have committed themselves to causes like the revolution and freedom and liberty across the globe. We are reminded that strong, passionate, dedicated women can and will change the world.

May we know them. May we raise them. May we be them.

Freedoms in CanadaStatements by Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON

Mr. Speaker, in Communist countries like China and North Korea, the government determines what online media content people can and cannot see. The government determines what content is suitable for the country.

The Liberal government has brought forward Bill C-11, which would allow cabinet to tell the CRTC what the criteria for acceptable content are. It would also allow them to use algorithms to either allow the content to be seen by Canadians or bury it.

The Senate tried to bring amendments to exclude individual content from being censored, but the Liberal government has said it will refuse to accept these amendments.

Canada is not yet a Communist country, and Conservatives want to ensure that Canada remains the freest nation on Earth. In order to do that, we need to kill Bill C-11.

International Women's DayStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC

Mr. Speaker, today we are celebrating International Women's Day. We have come a long way. There are now over 100 women sitting in the House.

Women around the world stand together, bound by a deep sense of gratitude to the brave women who faced adversity to defend our rights. Today, we can be proud to live in a country that allows women to work and care for their families, implements policies that give them child care, lifts women out of poverty and invests in shelters for women fleeing violence.

According to the World Bank, more than 2.4 billion women are not afforded equal economic opportunities. Women's rights are not just about money. Women's rights are about dignity and opportunity.

We must be vigilant, however, because global and national movements are threatening women's rights. They threaten the right to choose. This is about preserving the rights gained and extending them to all women. That is my wish on this International Women's Day.

National School Food ProgramStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, today is International Women’s Day.

As people struggle with the high cost of living, the poverty rate for single moms is the highest among all family types. The Vancouver School Food Network and Coalition for Healthy School Food are calling on the Liberal government for a funded national school food program in budget 2023. Rising food costs and greedflation have put an enormous strain on families, and too often, children go to school hungry.

The NDP’s Bill C-212 would help families that are stretched to the max and having trouble putting food on the table. The Liberals ran on a promise of investing $1 billion over five years for a national school nutritious meal program, but empty promises will not fill empty stomachs.

I am calling for a national school food program in budget 2023. I am also calling for a guaranteed basic livable income, a low-income CERB and CRB amnesty and the refund of clawbacks from Canada child benefit recipients. Let us end poverty and bring food security to all families and their children.

Elsie RefordStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC

Mr. Speaker, on this International Women's Rights Day, I would like to honour the memory of a woman who had a huge impact on the social and cultural identity of my part of the country.

Elsie Reford was the kind of philanthropist we could use more of. Known for her civic engagement, she was a co-founder of the Women's Canadian Club of Montreal. As the first women's club in Canada, it helped give women a voice in the early 1900s.

Born into the Montreal bourgeoisie, Elsie Reford became a prominent horticulturist in the lower St. Lawrence region. She founded the very popular Les Jardins de Métis, an exceptional work of horticultural art and an internationally recognized jewel in our region's crown.

Today's date, March 8, was carefully chosen for the launch of a book about her life. Elsie Reford: 150 Objects of Passion tells the story of this passionate woman and of the passions that inspired her and made her story so fascinating.

We still have a long way to go, but I am grateful to Elsie Reford and all the women who laid the groundwork for our emancipation.

Democratic InstitutionsStatements by Members

2:20 p.m.

Conservative

John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are concerned about foreign interference into Canadian elections. However, instead of accepting the proposal from all opposition MPs for a public inquiry, the Liberals are offering a secret process at a secret committee, with secret hearings, secret evidence and secret conclusions all controlled by the Prime Minister. He is focused on protecting himself and not our democratic institutions.

Yesterday, at the procedure and House affairs committee, the Liberals filibustered for hours and then did not even show up to the committee meeting. All this was to prevent the Liberal chief of staff from testifying under oath. Canadians deserve to know what the Prime Minister knew, when he knew about it and why he chose to keep it from the public. Canadians deserve answers, a public inquiry, or better yet, a new Prime Minister.

Dignity InternationalStatements by Members

2:25 p.m.

Liberal

Valerie Bradford Liberal Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON

Mr. Speaker, on this International Women's Day, I would like to pay tribute to the women of Dignity International, a Canadian not-for-profit organization with the mission of empowering women, youth and families. Its 3,100 members can be found across Canada, with the majority located in Ontario. It has received numerous awards for its grassroots community support and development.

The organization established a presence in Kitchener a mere two years ago, and it has since grown to 104 members. It is an example of the tremendous work it is accomplishing in improving lives by reducing poverty among low-income families, people in shelters and homeless persons in community living. Through various outreaches in training, sports, food banks, empowerment skills for women, youth development and many others, this organization is making a real difference in the lives of so many. I wish to thank the women of Dignity International for their contribution, dedication and service in enriching our community and communities all across Canada.

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said repeatedly that he had no knowledge of funds from the dictatorship in Beijing going to federal election candidates. Today, we learned that is not true. His department prepared a briefing that said a large clandestine transfer of funds earmarked for the federal election, from the PRC, in Toronto was transferred to an elected provincial government official via a staff member of a 2019 federal candidate.

Why did the Prime Minister say the opposite of what he knew to be true?

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the issue of foreign interference in our democracies and our institutions is extraordinarily serious. This is why, as a government, we have always taken it incredibly seriously, including by building and creating new mechanisms to oversee and to ensure that we can counter that interference and demonstrate to Canadians that they can have confidence in their institutions. However, on the specific question, as I and the NSIA both stated last fall, we have no information on any federal candidates receiving money from China, and that continues to remain the case.

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, that is impossible, because not only did his own department prepare a briefing for him, which said candidates had received funds, so did his own security committee. I will quote Global News: “Global News also learned of an earlier, high-level warning about clandestine funding of China’s ‘preferred candidates’ that came from a bipartisan panel of parliamentarians two months before the 2019 election.”

That so-called bipartisan panel is the Prime Minister's secret committee. It reports to him. He knew. Why did he say the opposite of what he knew?

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, as I said last fall, and as the national security and intelligence adviser stated, we have no information on federal candidates receiving money from China. That continues to be the case.

In regard to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, I am happy to correct the hon. member and highlight that this committee actually publishes reports to Parliament and to the public. This is something that is very clear. It is a committee of parliamentarians. They get top secret clearance so they can look at everything our intelligence committees do and then report back to Parliament.

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister stated another falsehood. He said it reports to the public; many of its findings are not reported to the public. Second, section 21 of the act that creates that committee states that its reports go to the Prime Minister. They have to go to the Prime Minister, and he is the one who decides what becomes public thereafter. Therefore, he knew, when that committee reported, that candidates received money directed by the dictatorship in Beijing, yet he has been saying and continues to say exactly the opposite. Why is that?

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, parliamentarians can now go to the Library of Parliament or go online and see reports from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians that were released publicly to them. The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which the previous Conservative government opposed as an oversight body, actually allows parliamentarians to attain those top secret clearance levels to look into everything our intelligence agencies do and report back to Parliament, to me and to Canadians on how that is working.