Debates of May 31st, 2023

The Economy

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we are a government grounded in facts and evidence, and that is part of why we got through the pandemic better than most other countries around the world that we are comparable to. The fact is that the Conservatives' reliance on conspiracy theories, their unwillingness to promote vaccination, would have harmed Canadians significantly over these past years of the recovery.

We have seen significant job growth and economic growth postpandemic, and we will continue to be there to support Canadians who need it, by investing in food banks, investing in countering homelessness and investing in supporting families from coast to coast to coast.

Government Priorities

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, he says he is investing in food banks. He has definitely increased the business at food banks; we have 1.5 million people eating from there. Instead of reversing the policies that cause that hunger, he divides. He divides to distract. He reaches back and uses the pandemic as a point of division to tear this country apart, just like he did then, and he did it only because, under eight years of him, life costs more; work does not pay; housing costs have doubled; drugs, disorder, crime and chaos have reigned in the street; and the country is more divided than ever.

Why does he not reverse those damaging actions rather than trying to divide Canadians some more?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have all heard the Leader of the Opposition, and according to him—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The Prime Minister is getting a standing ovation, and he has not even started yet.

Please continue.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we have heard the Leader of the Opposition again and again. He believes that everything is broken in Canada and that we should all just throw up our hands. Well, he is wrong about that, and when he talks about the economic record of the past few years and seems to ignore the pandemic because it was inconvenient for him, his own behaviour during the pandemic, his own mistrust of science and evidence, his own encouragement of disorder and—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order, please.

The right hon. Prime Minister, please.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is inconvenient for the Leader of the Opposition for us to talk about what happened during the pandemic, even though it had a deep and serious impact on Canadians, on families and on our economy. We were there to support them. We were there, grounded in science, ensuring that everyone was kept safe with vaccination programs, with science, evidence and supports. The reality is that we will continue to be there for Canadians. We will continue to not believe Canada is broken but to know we are building together a—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Vaughan—Woodbridge.

Dental Care

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, parents across my riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge and the city of Vaughan are again telling me how their children now have better access to dental care, clean teeth and bright smiles.

Would the Prime Minister provide an update on Canada's—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I need to interrupt the hon. member for Vaughan—Woodbridge. I can hardly hear his question.

The hon. member for Vaughan—Woodbridge from the top, please.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, parents across my riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge and the city of Vaughan are again telling me how their children now have better access to dental care, clean teeth and bright smiles.

Would the Prime Minister provide an update on Canada's dental care plan and how it is impacting Canadian families from coast to coast to coast?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge for his dedication to his constituents.

We introduced the Canada dental benefit because we believe that no parent should have to choose between the health of their children and putting food on the table. Today, I can announce that the Canada dental benefit has now helped 300,000 kids across the country go to the dentist, including 1,100 kids in the riding of Carleton. It is all part of our plan to make life more affordable for families, and it is a real shame the Conservatives continue to stand against a dental benefit for low-income Canadians.

Health

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, a year ago tomorrow, most of the Liberal caucus and all Conservatives teamed up to defeat Bill C-216 for a health-based approach to substance use. If it had passed, today we would have a multi-faceted plan to fight the toxic drug crisis, based on the recommendations of the government's own expert task force. Instead, thousands more families have lost loved ones because of poisoned drugs purchased on the street.

When will the government deliver a comprehensive plan to keep people who use drugs alive and provide no-fee, on-demand treatment for those who need help now?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we know how devastating the opioid epidemic is for families right across the country. That is why we have continued to step up, while being grounded in science and evidence and working in partnership with others.

I salute the intention of the member opposite to contribute to this debate, but, as we have worked concretely on the ground with partners, including with the government of B.C., for example, to move forward on decriminalization in a way that is showing positive impacts across B.C., we will continue to be grounded in evidence as we take action to save lives and keep Canadians safe.

Public Safety

[Alain Rayes, Independent, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we learned from an article by journalist Daniel Leblanc that the RCMP is preparing to provide additional protection services to a dozen senior officials and maybe even some ministers.

We are all aware that in-person and online threats and aggressive language are on the rise. The risks are real, and we cannot wait for something bad to happen to realize that we should have done something.

It is therefore high time that the government and Parliament showed some political courage and gave all ministers and party leaders a bodyguard, as is already the case in the Quebec National Assembly.

Can the Prime Minister tell us whether he intends to put such a measure in place here in Ottawa?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question and his concern, which is one we all share.

Unfortunately, over the past few years, we have seen a rise in polarization, in toxicity, and in hatred toward Canadians and parliamentarians. We need to do whatever it takes to keep those who serve our democracy safe because protecting them means protecting the very foundation of our democracy.

We are looking at tangible measures to increase the safety of our ministers, and we also are working with the Sergeant-at-Arms to ensure the safety of all parliamentarians.

The House resumed from May 30 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Public Inquiry into Allegations of Foreign Interference

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:25 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Vancouver East relating to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

The question is on the motion. May I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

[Chair read text of motion to House]

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

Vote #339

Business of Supply

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I declare the motion carried.