Debates of May 31st, 2023

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I understand the hon. member for Timmins—James Bay will be leading us in the singing of the national anthem.

[Members sang the national anthem]

De Rochebelle High School

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday evening, I had the pleasure of once again attending the traditional SOPAR committee dinner at De Rochebelle high school.

The SOPAR committee is made up of dozens of young people who, year after year, without fail, dedicate themselves to raising funds to build wells in southern India. Through good times and bad, they have managed to build over 100 wells in the past 13 years.

I want to congratulate all of the young people, past and present, who helped achieve this feat. Their commitment does them credit. I congratulate them. I also want to underscore the inspired and inspiring work of the staff members who spent countless hours making this involvement possible. My thanks go out to Denys Parent, Nicole Lagacé, Manon Lapolice, Nicolas Blanchet and Marina Gonzalez.

Finally, I would like to say a special word about principal Daniel Lemelin, whose well-deserved retirement is fast approaching. Rochebelle has always had a special place in Daniel's heart, and he always managed to bring people together, whether they were students, teachers or parents.

Daniel reminded me last Thursday that once, in the long-distant past, when I was running for school council president, my campaign slogan was: “Rochebelle can do better”. I would have a hard time campaigning on that slogan all these years later, considering how Rochebelle has thrived under his caring leadership. I thank Daniel for everything and wish him a very happy retirement.

MS Awareness Month

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, May is MS Awareness Month. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the different communities and individuals who have participated in events like the MS walk.

This past weekend, in the town of Eastend, over $11,000 was raised for MS awareness and research. This great event was organized by Donovan Henrion, who has MS himself.

Since my wife was diagnosed a couple years ago, we have both seen first-hand how important this campaign to create awareness really is. Through continued research and development, we will not only continue to help people live with MS, but find a way to repair and cure it. For now, the advancements in treatments have enabled my wife to not just live with MS, but continue to work full time and be the amazing mother, wife and rock for our family that she has always been. She refuses to let this disease define her.

My message to people who have been diagnosed recently is that they are not alone and their diagnosis is not the end of their life as they know it. They will soon learn there is a great community alongside them that is willing to help every step of the way.

World No Tobacco Day

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, World No Tobacco Day is a good opportunity to remember that, despite decades of efforts, tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of premature death and disease in Canada. Sadly, tobacco still kills about 48,000 Canadians every year.

Our government recognized the need to do more to protect Canadians' health and inform them of the health risks of tobacco use. That is why, today, our government updated the health-related messages and images printed on cigarette and other tobacco product packaging. This will help prevent the preventable by providing more information on the risks of tobacco use to the health of millions of people in Canada every day. These updated health warning messages will help more Canadians live healthier and avoid tobacco use.

Together, let us continue to promote healthy, tobacco-free living.

11th Gala Edis

[René Villemure, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Jeune Chambre de la Mauricie held the 11th edition of its Gala Edis on May 5 at the Complexe Laviolette in Trois-Rivières.

The gala recognizes young entrepreneurs in the region who have excelled over the past year. Muraluxe, a company in Trois-Rivières, won the ultimate award of business of the year, in addition to an award for innovative business practices.

Marilyne Desaulniers, a media solutions adviser with the company icimédias Mauricie, received the community involvement award in the business people category and was also named volunteer of the year.

I would like to personally thank the Jeune Chambre's executive director, Catherine Lessard, and its president, Célia de Montigny, for their warm welcome and their outstanding work.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the businesses that were nominated and express my support for the next generation of entrepreneurs in Trois-Rivières.

Indspire Lifetime Achievement Award

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a Mi'kmaq elder, whose wisdom, knowledge and persistence will be rightfully recognized during Indigenous History Month.

Albert Marshall, Sr., of Eskasoni, is this year's recipient of the lndspire lifetime achievement award for his life's work to preserve and foster Mi'kmaq teachings and language. Elder Albert Marshall is the innovator of the emerging indigenous knowledge system known as etuaptmumk, or two-eyed seeing, a perspective that speaks to the need for both indigenous knowledge and western ways of knowing in all that we do.

Albert teaches that every action we take should be in balance and harmony with our earth. We call this netukulimk.

In closing, I could not mention Albert's achievements without also honouring the contributions of his late wife Murdena. Together, they created a wealth of knowledge that continues to inspire future generations.

Wela'lioq, Albert. I congratulate him.

Al Horning

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

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to pay tribute to a pillar of Kelowna—Lake Country, Al Horning. It was not too long ago that I did the same for his powerhouse wife, Donna Horning.

Al was known for getting things done and was a fierce advocate of our community, in particular, Rutland, while he served on all three levels of government. He served several terms on Kelowna City Council, as an MLA and as a Progressive Conservative MP from 1988 to 1993.

Al was a mentor and friend. I met him one time at one of his coffee spots, the McDonald's on Highway 33, where he said, “Why don’t you come to Rutland?” I said, “Al, what are you talking about? I’ve been to Rutland many times this past week alone” and let him know the activities, and that there were pictures on my social media. He said, “I don’t look at that” in Al’s matter-of-fact, to-the-point way.

He contributed so many ways locally within agriculture, the Black Mountain Irrigation District, and sports and recreation organizations. Al was inducted into the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame. The City of Kelowna recently presented Al with the naming of a future roadway, “Al Horning Way”.

My heart goes out to the Horning family. Al will always be remembered for setting the bar for community service.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I want to remind the hon. members that S. O. 31s are taking place, and we all want to hear what individual members are telling us about in their riding and what is important to them. I am going to ask everyone to just keep their talking low or whisper to each other rather than talking loudly.

Tibetan Community in Canada

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Tibetan community in Canada, as we mark the end of Asian Heritage Month.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Canada opened its doors to Tibetan refugees, offering them a chance to rebuild their lives. They were trailblazers. Many were the first non-European refugees to be permanently resettled in Canada as part of a government-sponsored refugee program.

Since that time, Tibetan organizations have been established across the country, with five in Toronto. I think of the Canada Tibet Committee, the Tibetan Women's Association of Ontario and of course, the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre, which is located in my riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore.

Their vibrancy, deeply rooted values of peace, community and caring for others, and rich cuisine and culture greatly enrich our lives. Tibetan humility and modesty are legendary. In Canada we gained with their arrival and we are much stronger because of them.

Opioid Crisis

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is shameful that the Conservative leader is relying on fear and moral arguments in his attack on the overdose crisis. He was part of a government that fuelled that crisis and added to the stigma faced by people who needed more compassion. Today, he is trying to continue his party's dogmatic tradition at the expense of Canadians, who deserve better than contempt. He is ignoring the fact that decisions concerning the overdose crisis must be carefully considered and evidence-based. That is hardly surprising, given that his party does not believe in science.

Our government put harm reduction back into the Canadian drugs and substances strategy, when the Conservatives had taken it out in favour of an outdated ideological view of drug policies. Thanks to our government, safe consumption sites have helped prevent over 46,000 overdoses. We must have the courage to abandon repressive policies. We must have the courage to implement an approach based on human rights and dignity.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Once again, I just want to remind everyone that we are trying to hear what the individual members have to say. If members are going to talk to each other, please whisper to each other. Do not talk out loud.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Prime Minister, inflationary Liberal deficits have caused a world of hurt.

After their latest carbon tax increases and their $43-billion deficit-busting budget, the inflationary pain Canadians are feeling continues to rise. Rent and mortgages have doubled. Food inflation stands at 8.3%. Our ability to spend is not infinite. What Canadians want is for inflation to come down now. While millions visit food banks, the Liberals choose to pour fuel on the inflationary fire. The Prime Minister wants Canadians to believe that they have never had it so good.

However, a new day is dawning. A new Conservative prime minister would turn that hurt into hope by ending inflationary deficits, by scrapping the carbon tax on heat, gas and groceries, by cutting taxes and making paycheques powerful again, and by building homes that workers can afford.

It is the common sense of the common people. For their home, my home, our home, let us bring it home.

Ontario Dump Truck Association

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to welcome to Parliament Hill the Ontario Dump Truck Association.

The members of this organization play a vital role in coming together to help build essential infrastructure that keeps our communities connected. In my riding of Brampton East, it is always a pleasure to connect with its members to hear about the amazing work this association and its members do. In conversations with my constituent Mr. Jarnail Mand, I got to hear first-hand about the important advocacy this association does on behalf of the industry and hard-working drivers who are always giving back. Seva Food Bank, the Salvation Army and GTA women's shelters are just some of the charities its members generously support. I would like to thank Bob, Sarbjit, Mandy and hundreds of members of this association for their commitment to the betterment of the industry.

I ask everyone in the House to please join me in thanking our hard-working truck drivers for their tremendous contributions to our economy and to building our beautiful country.

Carbon Pricing

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I remind the government that Atlantic Canada exists east of the Laurentians, and Atlantic Canadians are between a rock and a hard place.

Last year, Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberal premier, Andrew Furey, stated, “Further cost increases at this point will only provide diminishing returns in terms of decarbonization while placing undue economic burdens on the people of this province.” All Atlantic premiers agreed, but the Prime Minister did not listen, so here we are in 2023, and Atlantic premiers are demanding that carbon tax 2.0 not be placed on fuel. They know it will have a devastating effect on fuel prices, which, in turn, will increase the cost of goods imported into the region. Carbon tax versions 1 and 2 will cost households in my province, when fully implemented, an extra $2,166 a year. Carbon tax 2 will be placed even on fuel that fishermen use to land their catch.

It is time for the Prime Minister and his Minister of Environment to listen to the Atlantic premiers and scrap the carbon tax. Atlantic Canadians are not picking up what the government is laying down.

New Democratic Party of Canada

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, we know that Beijing interfered in the last two federal elections. The Liberals' response was to use their Trudeau Foundation friends to cover it up. The NDP's appearance of standing up to foreign interference is like a bad group-work partner: They arrive late, do nothing, copy others and then boast that the best ideas were their own. I guess the NDP is just an empty “bewoke” suit.

Just yesterday, after the bark and bluster of an NDP motion calling for the resignation of the special rapporteur, the NDP leader walked out of the House right into a media scrum, and dismissed calls to end this Canadian coalition nightmare.

If the New Democrats were serious about wanting to restore confidence in our electoral system, they would do what Canadians are asking: get out of the way and let Conservatives fix what the Liberals have broken.

Festa della Repubblica

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on June 2, Italians celebrate Festa della Repubblica. This festival marks the victory of democracy and the will of the people over autocracy and oppression.

With peace in Europe undermined by the invasion of Ukraine, we must cherish and remember to commemorate these types of victories. For the Italian diaspora and friends of Italy, this day is also an opportunity to celebrate Italy's rich history and culture. Italians have chosen Canada as their home, bringing with them a spirit of resilience, hard work and commitment to family values. They have contributed to Canada's growth and prosperity.

I invite all MPs to join the Festa della Republica celebrations in the Speaker's dining room tomorrow, from noon to 1:30 p.m., for a little taste of Italy.

Viva l'Italia! Viva Canada!

Gender-Based Violence

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability recently released a report on gender-based violence and murder in Canada. The “#CallItFemicide” report, 2018 to 2022, shows gender-based violence and murder are on the rise, and the numbers are chilling.

The report notes a 27% increase in the number of women and girls killed by a male accused compared to 2019. Young women aged 25 to 34 are more likely to be victims. The report also states that one in five female victims killed by a male accused was an indigenous woman or girl.

The “#CallItFemicide” report shows exactly why Parliament needs to take the national action plan to end gender-based violence seriously. There is also a dire need to ensure that the funding for the indigenous shelter and transitional housing initiative is allocated, which would go a long way to protecting indigenous women from dangerous situations.

Let us immediately do all that we can to end gender-based violence.

25th Anniversary of Maison des familles de Mercier-Est

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Maison des familles de Mercier-Est.

The family unit is the foundation of society and the future of Quebec. The Maison des familles de Mercier-Est has been anchored in La Pointe-de-l'Île since 1998. It is a vital organization.

I would like to thank its director, Véronique Coulombe, as well as the entire team and the participating families. The Maison des familles de Mercier-Est is an essential resource and the only organization for families in that neighbourhood.

Through workshops, one-off interventions, support and referrals, the staff members work tirelessly to combat isolation. They create communities and support networks by fostering the enrichment—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I will ask the member to start his speech again, and I am going to ask everyone else to whisper and speak much more quietly.

We are trying to hear what hon. members have to say, but we are really having a hard time.

The hon. member for La Pointe-de-l'Île.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Maison des familles de Mercier‑Est.

The family unit is the foundation of society and the future of Quebec. The Maison des familles de Mercier‑Est is a vital organization that was established in La Pointe-de-l'Île in 1998.

I would like to thank its director, Véronique Coulombe, as well as the entire team and the participating families. The Maison des familles de Mercier-Est is an essential resource and the only organization for families in that neighbourhood.

Through workshops, one-off interventions, support and referrals, the staff members work tirelessly to combat isolation. They create communities and support networks by fostering the enrichment of the parenting experience. They have helped hundreds of families develop their potential where they live. They help give the children of Mercier‑Est equal opportunities.

I want to thank the whole team at the Maison des familles de Mercier-Est, and I wish them a happy 25th anniversary.

Asian Heritage Month

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this May, Canadians celebrated Asian Heritage Month.

One in five Canadians, including my family and many members of the House, traces their roots back to Asia. Asian Canadians have made significant contributions going back to Confederation. In fact, Confederation would not have happened if it were not for the back-breaking labour of Chinese railway workers, who built the railway that laid the constitutional foundations of this federation. Today, the Asian community is a cherished part of our Canadian family. From business to politics, the academy, arts and charity, Asian Canadians play leading roles in Canadian society.

Let us remember the sacrifices Asian Canadians have made. Let us stand in solidarity with Asian Canadians against racism and discrimination, and let us celebrate Asian Canadians for the contributions they have made and continue to make to our home and native land.

Michel Denault

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great appreciation that I rise today before you and the entire House to pay tribute to a good, kind and gentle man from Gatineau, Quebec, who has dedicated 38 years of his life to serving his country. He spent 10 of those years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, while the last 28 years were spent protecting us, the MPs, and all those who come to the House.

I am talking about the man who is sitting in the Sergeant-at-Arms' chair today, Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Michel Denault.

We all know this man, but what many may not know is that on that terrible day in October 2014, he faced the danger unarmed, ready to give his life to back up his colleague and keep us safe. He disobeyed a direct order to stay back, because that is just who he is. He put our well-being above his own, not just on that day, but every time he entered this place.

Michel Denault's dedication and altruism are not often mentioned, but today I want to recognize just how hard he has worked during his career in the House of Commons. More importantly, I want to thank him.

On behalf of all parliamentarians, I sincerely thank Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Michel Denault. We wish him a happy retirement. I want him to know that he will be sorely missed.

Public Safety

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, how many police stations is Beijing operating here in Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as you well know, it is completely unacceptable for a foreign government, especially the government of China or others, to interfere in the lives and concerns of Canadians, whether in relation to our citizens, our democracy, our educational establishments or our government institutions. We will continue to ensure that protecting Canadians is a priority. The RCMP is currently following up on all of these police stations.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, how many?