Debates of April 20th, 2023

Questions on the Order Paper

[Some hon. members]

Agreed

Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

moved that a ways and means motion to introduce an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023, and other measures be concurred in.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division or wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Speaker, we request a recorded division.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #299

Ways and Means

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion carried.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

moved that Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023, be read the first time and printed.

(Motion deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

The Environment

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we have known, since 2006, that toxic effluents around the oil sands cause an increased cancer rate in indigenous peoples. We have known for two decades that toxic contaminants within the oil sands are reaching the Athabasca River.

We have known these things, and for 10 months this year, Imperial Oil knew that their tailings ponds were leaking, yet they failed to tell or warn the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation, the Dene peoples or the Métis downstream. These things we know. However, these things are not exactly leaks. We need to understand that the 225 square kilometres that represent the oil sands, the tailing ponds, do not contain waste. It is not that they leak; it is that they do not work.

When will someone go to jail for criminal negligence in taking the lives of indigenous peoples?

Eid al-Fitr

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

Mr. Speaker, this Friday, April 21, or Saturday, April 22, based on the moon sighting, Muslims across the world, including several members of the House and many of my constituents in Markham—Unionville, will celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast daily from dawn to dusk, participate in communal prayers and give back to their communities. Eid celebrations traditionally last three days, starting with a special prayer on Eid morning. The festivities include sharing meals, giving gifts and spending time with family, friends and community.

To all of the Muslims who will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr this week, from my family to their family, Eid Mubarak.

Ken Graham

[Earl Dreeshen, Conservative, Red Deer—Mountain View, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last Saturday in my home town of Innisfail, we celebrated the amazing life of a longtime beloved family physician, Dr. Ken Graham.

Born in Monaghan, Ireland, into a farming family, he attended Trinity College in Dublin for his medical training. Dr. Graham and his wife, Phyllis, immigrated to Canada in 1958. He started his career in Calgary at the Holy Cross Hospital before coming to Innisfail in 1959. During his short time in Calgary, he worked alongside orthopaedic surgeon and Calgary Stampeder, Dr. Vince Murphy. Years later, together, they saved my shattered leg and healed my crippled body. Many other patients speak of similar touching experiences.

Dr. Ken loved rural life and incorporated that passion into his 40-year practice. He was renowned for his diagnostic excellence and compassionate care. His farming roots, and his love of Charolais cattle, pheasant hunting, curling and fishing, further endeared him to our community and truly made him a man of the people.

We are so fortunate that he and his family made Innisfail their home. May Dr. Graham rest in peace.

Earth Day

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about our planet, as April 22 marks Earth Day. Now, more than ever, we must recognize the importance of protecting our natural environment and combatting climate change.

My riding of Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill is home to many hectares of the greenbelt, as well as the ecologically diverse Oak Ridges Moraine. I am proud of local organizations such as the York Region Environmental Alliance, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, MapleCross, the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition and many more who work tirelessly, advocating for the health of our planet.

Additionally, I would like to thank members of the York Region delegation who are here in Ottawa, including Mayor West and Mayor Mrakas from my riding, and my brother, Mayor Taylor of Newmarket, for their commitment to integrating ecological and environmental considerations into all aspects of municipal and regional development.

The theme of Earth Day 2023 is “Invest in Our Planet”. The House has certainly heard much about our government's investments in a sustainable green economy, but we can all invest individually through the decisions we make in everyday life, by raising awareness about climate change or simply by taking a moment to spend in nature. For my part, I will be in Richmond Hill and Aurora with volunteers to help clean up local parks and streets. I encourage all members to similarly engage.

We must remember that we only have one home, our Earth, and it needs all of us to make its health a priority.

Yves Michaud

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to a great constituent and a great Quebecker. I recently had the pleasure of bestowing, with my own hands, an honorary plaque acknowledging the full life and career of Yves Michaud.

Originally from Saint‑Hyacinthe, he cut his teeth as a war correspondent and editorial writer at Clairon de Saint‑Hyacinthe. As such, he was a pioneer in the fight against obscurantism. He then became an MNA with the party of the Quiet Revolution, founder of the newspaper Le Jour, which published separatist ideas, diplomat as the delegate general of Quebec in Paris, president and CEO of the Montreal convention centre, precursor of the discovery of good French wine in Quebec and crusader against the abuses of powerful financial corporations as the “Robin Hood of the banks”.

Yves Michaud has conducted his entire life as an unwavering patriot and a proud separatist. He deserves our utmost appreciation and honours from every Parliament.

Thank you for everything, Mr. Michaud.

Julie Sigouin and Mohammed Barhone

[Emmanuel Dubourg, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Julie Sigouin and Mohammed Barhone are two well-known community leaders who, unfortunately, passed away recently. I would like to honour their memories today, here in the House of Commons of Canada.

Julie was an engaged, tireless and very empathetic individual. She helped improve the lives of people through various community organizations in Montreal North, including Halte-Femmes Montréal-Nord in the riding of Bourassa.

Mohammed was involved in the community for 25 years. At the organization RePère, he helped fathers develop their relationship with their children, mainly in Ahuntsic-Cartierville. He was also an advocate.

On behalf of the citizens of Bourassa and myself, I offer my sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. May they rest in peace.

Infrastructure in Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a tale of two bridges, but, unlike the classic Dickens novel, there are no best of times. There are only the worst of times for the residents of Bolsover and Bobcaygeon. For three long years, two bridges under Parks Canada have been out of service, cutting communities in half.

In Bolsover, residents must drive 20 minutes to re-enter their community just to buy groceries and get the mail. In Bobcaygeon, one of the busiest locks in the Trent-Severn Waterway is covered in tarps, with heaps of twisted, jagged metal leaning against historic monuments, cordoned off by traffic cones and bent metal fences.

Sherry Peel, owner of the iconic Bigley Shoes, says that locals feel trapped and isolated. Taylor and Craig Poole, owners of Buckeye Marine, lament that there has been little communication and engagement with stakeholders. With no date of completion from Parks Canada, residents are feeling that the government simply does not care about them.

I challenge the minister to listen to those affected by his department's reluctance and finally take action to help these communities.

Taiwan

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the honour of leading 10 senior parliamentarians to Taiwan. All the while, the People's Republic of China conducted its war games overhead and at sea.

The Taiwanese officials, on the other hand, were effusive in their welcome. From the president and the vice-president, to many other senior ministers, the Taiwanese appreciated the efforts of our delegation of Canadian parliamentarians from all parties to come alongside them during their time of routine bullying by China. President Tsai particularly appreciated the unanimous report of the Canada-China committee on Taiwan relations. We had an opportunity to ceremonially present it to the her in person.

Taiwan has become the unfortunate centre of geopolitical tensions. It is important that Canada demonstrate our support for this young democracy, which is standing up for itself and for us against tyrannical bullying.

Earth Day

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day, which was first held in April of 1970.

There are so many ways to get involved and demonstrate support for environmental protection. A few of the things that come to mind are becoming familiar with climate and environmental education, breaking free from single-use plastics, participating in a community cleanup, planting trees or donating funds to support the planting of trees, and fighting against fast fashion by supporting sustainable clothing.

There are several community cleanups and tree-plantings taking place in my riding of Oakville North—Burlington this weekend, organized by BurlingtonGreen and The Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights. This year, I will be there with a team once again to take part with our community.

This year's theme is “Invest in Our Planet”, and I encourage all members to get out this weekend, get some fresh air and invest in our planet.

Derek Meyers

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, we recently lost a good one in Regina. Derek Meyers passed away on March 28. He was 45, he was an oil man, he was a sports broadcaster and he was the MLA for Regina Walsh Acres. Derek's passions were his family, friends and community, and he instilled these traits in his kids.

Derek was one of the most positive and enthusiastic people I have ever met. His brother Darcy summed him up perfectly. With Derek, “It was the journey and the company that mattered, not the destination...It was about enjoying life together, building great memories and adding friends along the way.”

Derek's friend Jill said, “The seemingly mundane in Derek’s world could become thrilling, joyful and full of ease and laughter.”

Derek's sister Brandi compared him to the lightbulb. She wished her brother had not burned so bright because the brightest bulbs always burn out the quickest.

I consider Derek my ”where and when” friend. Could he come play in a ball hockey tournament? “I am in. Where and when?” Want to come door-knocking in February? It is -30. “I am in. Where and when?” Hey bud, want to just meet up for a beer and just talk about our families, the Riders, anything but work? “I am in. Where and when?”

Derek had three young kids, loved politics and sports. We had a lot in common. His infectious positivity just made a person feel better.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his partner Laurie, kids Dayn, Sebastian and little Eisley.

May my friend rest in peace. I will see him for beers again someday. I am just not sure where and when.

York Region

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, proud to represent my community of Newmarket—Aurora and, most important, the broader community of York Region. Home to nine municipalities and over 1.2 million residents, York Region is one of the largest municipalities in Canada.

As a former mayor of Newmarket, I know how important it is for all levels of government to work collaboratively and in partnership with one another. When we work together effectively, we can produce something more significant than any one of us could accomplish on our own.

I want to thank Wayne Emmerson, the chair of the Regional Municipality of York, his staff and their mayors for coming to Ottawa to share their priorities, their issues, their concerns and the opportunities with our government.

Let us continue to work together and accomplish the best for our communities.

John Oostrom

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in honour of and in the memory of John Oostrom, the former member of Parliament from the riding of Willowdale, and a long-time resident of Thornhill.

John passed away in early March of this year, leaving behind his wife and constant companion Sigi, three daughters, his grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

John had a story like so many Canadians, immigrating here from the Netherlands to build a home and raise a family in a country with unlimited opportunity, where hard work paid off and service to the community was a calling.

John was a successful businessman before he became the first Dutch-born Canadian elected in the House of Commons.

We recognize John's service to Canada and to the Toronto area, and send our sincere condolences to his family, which attended his funeral this past week in Thornhill.

May he rest in peace.

Natural Resources

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative leader will never allow federal control over provincial resources.

Since Confederation, then for the west in the prairie transfer agreements and in the 1982 Constitution, resource development is provincial jurisdiction. However, last week, news broke that the Liberal justice minister actually said that he would “commit to looking at” the prairie deal when asked if he would cancel it.

Conservatives and prairie premiers immediately told him to back off from his threat, so then he said, “At no point did I commit... to reviewing” exactly what he committed to look at.

The PM says that this is not what the NDP-Liberal costly coalition means, but, still today, neither he nor any one of them will outright confirm that they will uphold provincial jurisdiction.

After eight years, they have killed billions in major projects, innovation, jobs, indigenous equity and opportunity and forced companies to flee Canada, because they do want control, to shut down parts of it. Their top target is always Alberta. However, an attack on one is a danger to all of us. A strong Alberta means a strong Canada.

Therefore, the Conservatives will fix what they broke, keep westerners and all provinces in control—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Châteauguay—Lacolle.

National Volunteer Week

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight that this is National Volunteer Week, a very special time for us to recognize that life in our communities would be much more difficult, less cheerful and less united without the thousands of dedicated individuals who give of themselves to so many organizations and associations.

I would like to commend them and thank them for their generosity and dedication. Whether in community, sports, recreational or cultural groups, their work is essential. I especially commend all those who volunteer in the very active riding of Châteauguay—Lacolle.

I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the outpouring of solidarity and mutual assistance shown by residents and first responders during the recent ice storm in our region.

Ladysmith Secondary School

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today, I want to take a moment to celebrate an incredible group of improv students and their coach, William Taylor, from Ladysmith Secondary School.

Ladysmith Secondary has long supported creativity and expression through one of theatre's most challenging art forms, improvisation. This style of performance bridges quick thinking with storytelling, creating magic for audiences and performers alike.

In February, the team's talent collaborations and lots of practice led to a win at the Vancouver Island improv competition. As a result, the team recently travelled right here to Ottawa where it competed in Canada's improv finals.

Over 300 talented teams came together from across Canada for this competition, yet the students from Ladysmith Secondary did not let that stop them and brought home a bronze medal.

I am beyond proud of their work, their dedication and for showing all of Canada the incredible arts and culture found within the beautiful town of Ladysmith. Congratulations.

Protection of Pension Plans

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pension plans are finally protected. The Senate has just passed Bill C‑228. After tabling this bill three times, every time I was elected, and after seven years of raising awareness, providing information, collaborating, coordinating, rallying public opinion and negotiating, I can finally say, to everyone who helped ensure pension plans would be protected in the event of bankruptcy or restructuring, “mission accomplished”.

I want to offer my warmest congratulations to the Cliffs retirees, who approached me in 2015 to speak on their behalf in Ottawa. From the bottom of my heart, I thank the United Steelworkers for believing in this cause and supporting it from start to finish. Their voice has been heard. I also want to thank my colleagues in both houses. On a more personal note, I especially want to thank the member for Sarnia—Lambton.

Workers and their unions are the ones who change things, and changing things requires strength, solidarity and respect.