Debates of June 1st, 2023

Port Saint John

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

Mr. Speaker, as Port Saint John celebrates its annual Port Days, excitement and optimism reign supreme. Our government's $100-million investments are supporting more than 100,000 TEUs of cargo and are aimed at 150,000 by the end of the year. This will be the largest volume of container traffic the port has ever processed and will explode to over 800,000 TEUs in only a few years.

This has positioned Port Saint John as the fastest-growing container port on the eastern seaboard and in all of Canada. We are no strangers to tourists through our port either. Just this week, Saint John welcomed the fourth-largest cruise ship in the world. The Oasis of the Seas came to our port with over 8,000 passengers and crew filling our uptown businesses, restaurants and tourist destinations.

Federal investment in our port is driving our economic diversification and growth in Saint John—Rothesay. I am proud of the entire team at Port Saint John, led by CEO Craig Estabrooks and chair Jack Keir, and I know our government will continue to stand up for, invest in and deliver for Port Saint John.

Criminal Code

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

Mr. Speaker, traditionally, members' statements are used for non-partisan purposes. I assure the House that today, my statement will uphold that tradition.

When the government adopted Bill C‑5, I am sure that those who supported it meant well. We now see, however, that we need to go back to the drawing board.

We all agree that violent criminals deserve harsh sentences. Any form of violence against women, children or any other person needs to be taken seriously.

It is possible that some people saw Bill C‑5 as a way to modernize the Criminal Code, but in fact its application has been quite the opposite. That is why I am introducing Bill C‑325.

This bill has two objectives. First, it will ensure that violent criminals have no chance of serving their sentence at home. Second, my bill seeks to create an offence for violent criminals who breach their parole conditions. There are currently no consequences for breaching conditions. Everyone agrees that this is wrong.

We all have people in our lives who are dear to us. As elected members, we must ensure that they are protected. Let us support Bill C‑325.

World Milk Day

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today we are celebrating World Milk Day. It is an opportunity to thank our dairy producers who work tirelessly to supply our country with dairy products of superior quality.

The Canadian dairy industry plays a crucial role in our economy and in our food supply. It is an economic powerhouse in our regions.

Not only are our dairy products delicious, but they are prepared with care, safely and sustainably. We are proud of the quality of our dairy industry and its environmental innovation.

Today, we are celebrating the work of our farmers, producers and processors. Their efforts ensure that we always have delicious milk and beloved milk products such as butter, yogourt and cheese on our tables

On this World Milk Day, I want to express my gratitude for these dedicated individuals and thank them for their commitment to the quality and sustainability of their products.

I wish them a happy World Milk Day.

2SLGBTQI+ Community

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Liberal governments have done more to advance equality for the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Canada, and globally, yet we continue to see an alarming rise in hate directed at this community, both here and abroad.

From 2020 to 2021 alone, there was a 64% increase in hate-motivated violence against this community in Canada. Queer and transgender Canadians are subjected to harassment, threats, vandalism, swatting and assault.

In 1993, I ran on the issue of equality under the law for 2SLGBTQI+ persons and continue to champion this cause as our government funds community organizations, banned conversion therapy and redressed past wrongs to the Canadian Armed Forces.

What I have learned is that no one can take equality for granted. Basic human rights can be removed easily by non-progressive governments. Be on guard as parliamentarians and act for queer safety.

Pride Month

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we begin to celebrate Pride Month, I want to say I am thankful. I am proud to live my life as an openly gay member of Parliament. As a then-29-year-old mayor in small town rural Ontario, my public coming-out story could not have gone any better. My family, friends and colleagues to this date have been absolutely wonderful and I am truly blessed.

I know that was often not the case for past generations, and sadly for too many people today still. Many have lost their jobs, their livelihoods, their family and friends. They risked everything for the freedom to live and love as they were born. For me, during Pride Month, I am reminded, through my lived experience, of my blessings and also of the struggles of others in tough times. Their sacrifices and pain have made it easier for Canadians like me to share my story and to have witnessed such progress.

Every person who shares their story opens new hearts and new minds. I thank those who have fought and who keep fighting for a better and brighter future. I wish everyone in Canada a happy Pride Month.

Filipino Heritage Month

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the month of June marks Filipino Heritage Month, and on June 12, Filipinos from around the world will celebrate Philippines Independence Day.

From coast to coast to coast, there will be flag-raising ceremonies, cultural events and festivals. Filipino Canadians have made tremendous contributions to this great country. It is an honour to stand here on behalf of nearly one million Filipino Canadians to mark this momentous occasion.

I want to thank my friend and colleague, the member for Scarborough Centre, for advocating for Motion No. 155 to designate June as Filipino Heritage Month in Canada. This would not be made possible without her support, and the support of all the members of this House.

This month, I encourage everyone to learn more about our rich Filipino heritage, culture, traditions and food. I want to send a special mention to the Filipino interns who travelled from across the country to work here on Parliament Hill. I wish all Filipino Canadians a happy Filipino Heritage Month.

[Member spoke in Filipino and provided the following translation:]

Happy Filipino Heritage Month.

[English]

Oil and Gas Industry

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, “broken” is the only word to describe what happens to everything the current government touches.

We are learning of yet another $3-billion loan guarantee required to complete the Trans Mountain expansion so the Liberal government can sell it. It would not have had to buy it if it had not broken the regulatory approval process in the first place. The list just keeps getting bigger, with northern gateway, energy east, Teck frontier, 17 LNG terminals and, just in, Bay du Nord, which are all broken. The cost to complete the TMX has quadrupled in the past decade, to $31 billion.

The cause of all of these cost increases is not only inflation and supply chain challenges but also incompetence.

I would say to the Prime Minister that he broke it. He bought it, and then he broke it again, so he should get out of the way so the Conservatives can fix it.

Carbon Tax

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I recently heard from a local small business owner who produces value-added goods found in many of our local grocery stores. His products and ingredients come from Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and he uses federally regulated trucking companies to deliver these goods.

Unfortunately, those companies now charge fuel surcharges and carbon tax fees on top of his invoice, which he shared with me. As a B.C.-based small business owner, he not pays not only these federal Liberal carbon taxes, but also the provincial NDP carbon tax increases. To offset these taxes, he must raise his prices to his customers, resulting in further increases in food prices when his finished value-added goods are shipped to grocery stores. This is direct evidence that the out-of-touch Liberal government is to blame for rising food prices and made-in-Canada inflation.

Under the leadership of the member for Carleton, a Conservative government will look to help struggling Canadians by cancelling the carbon tax and ending this constant barrage of NDP-Liberal policies on food prices.

Italian Heritage Month

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

Mr. Speaker, today, Italian Canadians are proudly part of the chamber and of the broader italo-canadese community ingrained in Canada’s social fabric.

However, the journey was not an easy one. In 1933, 90 years ago, the Christie Pits riot brought together Jews and Italians to fight against discrimination. From 1940 to 1943, nearly 31,000 Italian Canadians were considered “enemy aliens”, and almost 700 were sent to internment camps. On March 17, 1960, the Hogg’s Hollow disaster claimed the lives of five Italian Canadian construction workers who were installing a water main under the Don River in the city of Toronto. Nearly 2,000 Italian construction workers died helping to build Ontario.

During Italian Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich culture, history and traditions by sharing the stories of the brave Italian men and women who immigrated to Canada in search of opportunities but have never forgot their homeland.

La nostra storia is one of resilience.

[Member spoke in Italian]

[English]

Land Acknowledgements

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, today is the first day of National Indigenous History Month.

When the sun rises in the east, shines throughout Canada and sets in the west, too many indigenous peoples are missing, murdered or buried at the hands of governments.

Indigenous history is largely invisible in the House. There is nothing I see that acknowledges that we sit on unceded Algonquin Anishinabe territory.

All governments, past and present, have used incremental change. Responses are always that more needs to be done.

I ask for two small but important land acknowledgements: first, that the Speaker do one at the the start of each day, and second, that all standing committee reports publish them.

Let us start to make Canada's obligations more visible in order to ensure that indigenous well-being is celebrated. Yes, I expect more to be done in order for indigenous justice to be realized.

World Milk Day

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is World Milk Day, but I drink my milk every day just as I like it, because, frankly, milk is better under any circumstances.

Milk is a rich and tasty source of nourishment, proudly produced by people who continue to innovate, to produce more and better using less, people who are protecting our planet and our future. Milk is liquid gold.

I therefore invite all members of the House to enjoy this fantastic product. Let us do right by our farmers by passing Bill C‑282 quickly and protecting their wonderful model, so that we can always say “Never without my milk”. There is no need for moderation, because when it comes to milk, one glass is good but two is better.

To anyone with doubts, remember that it is worth crying over. I cannot imagine a better natural source of comfort.

In conclusion, milk is, and always will be, the best thing ever.

Housing

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

Mr. Speaker, residents of Kelowna—Lake Country are increasingly disturbed by a Liberal government, propped up by the NDP, that does not seem to care that homelessness is on the rise. After eight years of the Liberal government, rents and the cost of owning a home have doubled, inflationary policies have poured fuel on the inflationary fire, interest rates are high and local food banks have 30% more people reaching out for help.

Encampments have now become common sights across the country, including in my community, but when I asked the housing minister what he thought about the average rent in Kelowna being over $1,900 a month, he said “it does not matter”. Instead of addressing crushing inflation and building homes, these left-wing Liberal and NDP politicians would rather defend people's living in tents. This creates safety issues for the greater community with potential fires and crime, and leaves vulnerable people to live in unsafe conditions where criminals prey on them.

An Auditor General's report noted that the federal government does not even know whether its billions of dollars spent have improved outcomes for people experiencing homelessness or chronic homelessness, or for other vulnerable groups. Every Canadian deserves a safe place to call home.

Carl Gillis

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 35 years ago, I was a parliamentary page in the House. Many of my page colleagues from 1988-89 are here with us today.

We are honouring the memory of one of our colleagues, Carl Gillis, with a gift to the House of Commons.

On a beautiful day in May 1996, Carl went rollerblading along one of Ottawa's famous paths. It was to be his last time. He suffered a devastating fall, and the resulting injury was fatal. One of Canada's brightest lights was extinguished. Carl was vibrant, smart, caring and compassionate. We lost a dear friend. His family lost a son, a brother, an uncle and a grandson, and I am convinced that Canada lost a future prime minister.

Carl loved Parliament. He loved public service and parliamentary procedure. Even at the tender age of 26, Carl was committed to making a difference as he embarked on his life in politics. Although he was robbed of that chance, he still had an incredible impact on everyone he met.

I hope that future pages will like this gift from the class of 1988-89 and know that they are part of a larger family of parliamentary pages.

I say, “Here's to Carl.”

Democratic Institutions

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Parliament passed a motion expressing its lack of confidence in David Johnston, the ski buddy, cottage neighbour and Trudeau Foundation member that the Prime Minister tasked with investigating Beijing's interference. In response, Mr. Johnston said that he was working not for Parliament, but for the government and the Prime Minister. That is the problem. Only 27% of Canadians trust him to do the job.

Will the Prime Minister finally fire David Johnston and appoint an independent judge for an independent inquiry?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is unfair, and frankly offensive, to question Mr. Johnston's allegiance.

His 50-year career in public service makes it clear that his loyalty is to Canada. I believe he represents the highest ideals of hard work, dedication, public service and humility. We should all be thankful that he perseveres in his commitment to service to Canada.

Disaster Assistance

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister of Emergency Preparedness for his briefing yesterday with regard to the wildfires. I know that Premier Houston and other provincial leaders have been working hard to protect public safety, to save lives and to minimize damage to property.

Would the minister please rise and give us an update? Since the Government of Nova Scotia has asked for assistance, would the minister give an update on what assistance the federal government will provide?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question and also for attending that briefing.

In an emergency when the safety of all Canadians is threatened, it is all hands on deck, and it is important that we work together. Premier Houston has, in fact, submitted a request for assistance. It was immediately approved. We have been mobilizing the resources Nova Scotia needs, and, in fact, many of those resources have already been delivered. We will act as expeditiously as possible to make sure Nova Scotians get the resources they need, and that we respond positively. We will work very carefully and closely with Premier Houston.

Oil and Gas Industry

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are in shock today that the Bay du Nord project is now being delayed by three years, and maybe forever.

The federal government killed two pipelines, bungled and massively overspent on a third, killed the Teck frontier mine and blocked 14 or 15 massive natural gas liquefaction projects that are necessary to fight global climate change.

Will the government remove its gatekeepers so Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can bring home energy production to their province and our country?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, as the Leader of the Opposition well knows, I approved that project myself just last year. The company announced yesterday that it is putting the project on pause for three years because of market conditions.

That is the company's decision. We will take it as it is.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, whenever the government henpecks to death a natural resource project, it forces the company to claim it has something to do with market conditions. It does that by threatening them to do more damage on other projects. We know the government did that with TransCanada's national pipeline, claiming that it was the daily price of oil that had caused the company to cancel a project that would have been place for more than half a century. We know that the price of oil has been stable now. We know that the energy demand is going to be continuing for at least half a century. We also know the government kills projects like this.

Why will it not get out of the way and let Newfoundlanders and Labradorians bring home paycheques for its people?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to reiterate that this was an independent business decision made by Equinor; it was not a cancellation. The decision was largely due to market forces.

Let us also talk about the fact that, right now, we have introduced legislation to diversify Newfoundland and Labrador's economy. We have introduced Bill C-49, and it provides huge opportunities for offshore projects, resource projects. That is what we are doing; we are making sure we are diversifying and supporting the economy right across our country.

Natural Resources

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the problem is that the Liberals cannot get out of the way to let people get things done.

It is not just oil and gas. The fisheries department blocked a tidal wave power project in Nova Scotia for so long that the private company that was going to build it left to build it somewhere else. By the government's own admission, it takes as long as 25 years to get a mine approved. It is no wonder we do not actually produce any lithium here in Canada. We have to import it from abroad. Yesterday, the resources minister tweeted a bunch of projects that are not even started.

Why will the Liberals not get out of the way so Canadians can get things done?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we are getting good projects done. I would like to highlight that, just earlier this year, we approved two mines. James Bay lithium and Marathon palladium were both approved under the government.

More than that, if we are looking at LNG projects, let us look at Cedar LNG. It is a first nation-owned business, and it is something that has been pointed out by that first nation as being economic reconciliation in progress. We are supporting good energy projects in our country.

Democratic Institutions

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the House voted again yesterday in favour of a public inquiry into Chinese interference.

The three opposition parties stood up for our constituents, who are demanding an inquiry. However, there is no inquiry because, as David Johnston explained yesterday, his mandate comes neither from the House nor from the people. His mandate comes from the Prime Minister himself.

The Prime Minister said, no, over my dead body, the people will not get an inquiry.

I know the Liberal members. They are democrats. Are they not embarrassed that their leader is the only one fighting this inquiry, but more importantly, the only one going against the entire population?

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

Mr. Speaker, I must say, as a relatively new parliamentarian, I am extremely disappointed to see that some elected officials here do not understand the importance of protecting Canadian intelligence, as well as the people who work on gathering this intelligence.

Protecting our democracy and protecting our institutions is the responsibility of all of us. The responsible thing for the leaders of the opposition parties to do is to get their security clearances, receive their briefings and work with us to strengthen our democracy.