Debates of May 30th, 2023

Carbon Pricing

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we understand that life is difficult these days for ordinary Canadians, for many Canadians.

That is why our government has implemented programs to help Canadians with affordability. For example, the grocery rebate will be there for Canadians on July 5. I am very pleased that we were able to come together to accomplish that. Now, we need to do the same with the other measures we have introduced to help Canadians.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what is absolutely clear is that they cannot count on the Conservative Party to support a second Liberal carbon tax. There is already one excessive tax, and now they are creating another to tax Canadians even more. It will cost Canadian families an additional $436 on average.

Those people over there are happy to see it and happy to say it. I have news for the Liberals. Could they answer a very simple question?

Are they going to add another Liberal carbon tax on top of the existing Liberal carbon tax that is already being taxed?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for the member for Louis‑Saint‑Laurent, but he should have listened.

We listened to Canadians, which is something those on the other side should do more often. Canadians told us three things. First, they wanted help with the cost of living. That is why the Minister of Finance proposed the grocery rebate, which will help 11 million Canadians across the country. Second, they told us that they need more health care services, and we took action. Third, they told us to invest in the economy of the future. That is exactly what we did yesterday by bringing GM to Quebec.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Before we move on to the next question, I would like to remind members that I can see them very well, even though they are looking in another direction when they shout.

The hon. member for Jonquière.

Intergovernmental Relations

[Mario Simard, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 2007, Commissioner Grenier tabled a report on Option Canada's illegal spending in connection with the 1995 referendum. He concluded that the “no” side had spent over half a million federal dollars illegally. The federal government refused to co-operate. This week, the National Assembly unanimously supported the release of documents from the Grenier commission. Even the Liberal Party of Quebec supported the motion, but the federal government's documents are not forthcoming.

Will the government commit today to fully co-operating with the unanimous National Assembly?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, that is typical Bloc Québécois. They look forward by looking back 35 years. That is how the Bloc operates. Basically, what Bloc members want is to come here and pick yet another fight, but not just with the Government of Canada. Now they want to pick a fight with Newfoundland. They are even picking fights with Québec Solidaire because it is not sovereignist enough for them. Seriously.

[Mario Simard, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we are not picking fights, and that is the truth. The only person I know of who is spoiling for a fight is the member for Mont‑Royal when the discussion turns to official languages.

The Grenier report revealed $500,000 in illegal spending originating with Canadian Heritage. We will never really know what went on unless Ottawa co-operates. Almost 30 years after the fact, the National Assembly unanimously believes that enough water has flowed under the bridge. All information about the referendum campaign can now be disclosed without damaging the reputations of the people involved. Quebeckers and Canadians have the right to know the truth.

Will the government agree to co-operate with a unanimous National Assembly?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, they want the truth. The truth is that the Bloc has both feet firmly planted in the past. They have both feet stuck right in it. The Bloc is incapable of looking toward the future. They say they want to talk about the future, yet they focus on events that took place 30 years ago. In the meantime, the government is focused on our youth, our seniors and the environment.

Instead of staying stuck in the past, the Government of Canada is making those things a priority.

Carbon Pricing

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are doubling down on their failed scam with a second carbon tax and Canadians are paying the price.

Carbon tax 1 drove up the cost of feed, fuel and fertilizer, driving up the cost of food more than $1,000 per family. Higher carbon taxes mean higher food bank use. Last year, more than five million families were using a food bank every month. With a higher carbon tax, the use of food banks has gone up a staggering 60%. More than eight million Canadians are using a food bank every single month.

My question is for the Prime Minister. How many Canadians are going to use a food bank when he implements the carbon tax 2.0?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, during this question period, we have heard a price on pollution described by Conservatives as rubbish and just now as a failed scam. That is astonishing because every single Conservative MP was elected on a promise to introduce a price on pollution. This is what their platform said: We will assess progress so carbon prices can be on a path to $170 a tonne.

When were Conservatives telling the truth? Was it when they were asking for votes or in the House today?

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that the Prime Minister likes the carbon tax so much that he created a second one. Carbon tax 1 is already inflating the price of groceries. It is going to cost a family of four more than $1,000 more in this coming year. Carbon tax 2 is only going to make that worse. Food bank use is already at record highs with one in five families skipping meals. Now a family farm will face up to $150,000 more in taxes by the time this carbon tax is through.

When will the Prime Minister get the facts and stop the tax?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, what a responsible government does is fight pollution while, at the same time, helping Canadians who need it most, especially when the cost of living is high. What a responsible government does is build the economy of tomorrow by investing in our businesses while helping Canadians cope with the cost of living through the grocery rebate, for example.

What we do know is that the Conservatives are being completely irresponsible, particularly by voting against the budget, which includes targeted measures to help Canadians. When will the Conservatives become a little more responsible for the good of Canadians?

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

Mr. Speaker, carbon tax 1 is inflating the price of groceries, making it more expensive for families to put food on their tables. Food bank use is at record highs and one in five Canadians are skipping meals. The average farm of 5,000 acres will pay up to $150,000 for the first failed carbon tax. Carbon tax 2 is only going to make things that much worse. Families cannot afford food.

When will this jet-setting, out-of-touch Prime Minister finally realize the more he goes woke, the faster Canadians are going broke?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, once again, our Conservative colleagues are providing incomplete information.

I would like to remind members of all the efforts we are making to help and support our farmers, who are the first to be affected by climate change.

One example is the agricultural clean technology program, which is accepting applications from June 1 to June 22. I encourage all farmers who are in transition, who are in the process of purchasing specialized equipment such as biodigesters and grain dryers, to take advantage of this program.

Canadian Heritage

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

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's cultural sector is in mourning. Yesterday, actor Michel Côté passed away.

For decades, Quebeckers enjoyed and admired his immense talent. He left his mark on several generations and achieved the rare feat of captivating audiences not only in the theatre, but also on television and the big screen.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, can the Minister of Canadian Heritage share a few words about Mr. Côté's impact on our culture?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, first, I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Michel Côté.

Michel, we loved him for his humour, his sensitivity, his sincerity and his absolutely extraordinary talent. With his roles in De père en flic, Broue, Cruising Bar, Omertà and C.R.A.Z.Y., he left his mark on several generations of Quebeckers.

Simply put, when we see Michel Côté's name on a film, a show or a play, we know it is going to be good.

Thank you, Michel, for everything. Like many Quebeckers, I will raise a glass in his honour.

Justice

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Liberal government, violent crime is up 32%. Just three days ago in my community, a notorious and violent repeat offender was arrested for a break-in just hours after his release from court.

The RCMP revealed this man has generated 421 police files and has been charged with 64 offences since 2016, including assault. Our streets are more dangerous and the Liberal bail legislation will still allow many violent repeat offenders to be released.

Will the government take bail reform seriously and keep violent repeat offenders out of our communities?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-48 targets precisely violent repeat offenders with weapons.

We have been working in close collaboration with the provinces since last October in order to not only come up with a bill that is charter-compliant but also listen to concerns raised by police associations, provincial ministers of justice and public safety ministers. We have come up with a bill that addresses that.

Here is what the Canadian Police Association had to say with respect to the bill: “we appreciate that [ministers]...have worked collaboratively with stakeholders and introduced this common-sense legislation that responds to the concerns”.

[Corey Tochor, Conservative, Saskatoon—University, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government has increased violent crime by 32% in Canada. Last Wednesday, I had a ride-along with the City of Saskatoon Police to see first-hand the mess that these guys have created in our streets. That night, I witnessed an arrest of an individual who had almost a dozen warrants out for her—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It is happening on one side and then on the other side. I am gong to ask the hon. member to restart his question, and I want everybody to listen.

Earlier, there was something that was very sensitive and I saw some people laughing out there. I just want to point that out, because it is very insensitive to do that. So, please, pay attention to what is being said so that we can all react appropriately, and by appropriately, I mean parliamentary appropriately, not what members might think is the proper response in their minds.

The hon. member for Saskatoon—University from the top.

[Corey Tochor, Conservative, Saskatoon—University, SK]

Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government, over the last eight years, has driven up violent crime by over 32%.

Last Wednesday, I had an opportunity to go for a ride-along with the City of Saskatoon Police to see the mess that the government has created in the streets. That night, I witnessed an arrest of an individual who had over a dozen warrants out for her arrest. Her most recent charge happened at a safe injection site where she took a utility knife to another addict and cut him from his ear to his mouth.

Violent criminals should not be on bail—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. Minister of Justice.

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, we have introduced Bill C-48 precisely to address violent repeat offenders with weapons, including knives, which was raised by Manitoba and other provinces. We have done that working in collaboration.

Here is what the Saskatoon police Deputy Chief Cam McBride, who I am sure is a friend of the hon. member, said about our new federal bail. He said that it is “a good move forward. It’s encouraging to see the voices of the community and the policing community across Canada are being heard”.

We have the support of the police. We have the support of provinces and territories here. The only person we do not have the support of is the Leader of the Opposition.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years under this Liberal government, violent crime has increased by 32%. Every member of the House should be concerned about that, because 32% is a huge increase.

When we consider, for example, the case of Jonathan Gravel, who was sentenced to serve 20 months in the comfort of his own home after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault, it becomes clear that the government has lost its way.

I would, however, like to ask a question. Is the Prime Minister prepared to support a bill that would seek to create an offence for breach of parole and to put violent criminals back in prison rather than letting them serve their sentence at home?