Debates of June 5th, 2023

Filipino Heritage Month

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, June is Filipino Heritage Month in Canada and I would like to wish a happy Filipino Heritage Month to Canada’s Filipino community.

This past weekend, I attended the Filipino Canadian National Congress convention in Halifax with the member for Halifax West, and I was reminded again how this community was making a difference in every corner of Canada.

One of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, they are our doctors and nurses, our caregivers and restaurateurs, our sports stars and business owners. So many were on the frontlines in the pandemic, working so we could stay home and bend the curve.

With the MP for Mississauga—Streetsville and Senator Gigi Osler as role models to the next generation, I hope we will see even more Filipino Canadians taking their place in public life.

I look forward to celebrating with everyone this month.

Mabuhay Canada. Mabuhay Philippines.

Hunting, Fishing and Trapping

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to champion the outdoor way of life that millions of Canadians hold dear.

With over eight million avid anglers, two million passionate hunters and countless others who relish our great outdoors, we must defend and promote this cherished heritage. These pursuits not only provide immeasurable personal benefits, but also contribute a staggering $18 billion to our national economy.

Let us not forget that hunting, fishing and trapping are a huge part of Canada's history, which shaped us into the resilient nation we are today. However, the past eight years of the Liberal government have brought unprecedented frustration to some of those who hunt and fish, such as fishing closures that are not based in science, delayed decisions on selective marked fisheries and inaction to control pinnipeds that are devastating fish populations. There is also the full-on ideological attack on lawful gun owners that would have banned thousands of rifles and shotguns used by hunters.

Only Conservatives truly respect those who hunt, fish and trap. Only Conservatives will prioritize conservation. Only Conservatives will safeguard Canada's outdoor way of life, generate new opportunities and ensure abundance for generations to come.

Raising of Italian Flag

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada and Italy have been partners and loyal friends for more than 75 years. In this spirit of deep friendship founded on common values and in honour of the Festa della Repubblica, every member is invited to the raising of the Italian flag in front of the Centennial Flame tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

The simple tricolour design embodies the essence of Italy. The bright green symbolizes hope, growth and the fertile lands of the Italian peninsula. The pure white represents faith, purity and peace, as well as the commitment to harmony. Finally, the vibrant red symbolizes courage, strength and the indomitable spirit of the Italian people. It evokes Italy's determination and immense pride in its heritage.

A domani mattina.

Climate Action

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, June 5, we are marking the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day. This year, the UN is urging us to do more to tackle the use of single-use plastic. We must be more responsible, but that is not all I want to talk about today.

On this World Environment Day, our thoughts go out to the thousands of Quebeckers and Canadians whose lives have been devastated by the widespread forest fires. In Quebec, the SOPFEU has responded to 416 fires that are still burning. This is an absolute disaster.

Climate change has a real impact on people and on our forests. We need to start a real green transition and really move away from oil, but, for the time being, let us say thank you to the thousands of men and women who are fighting these fires. Let us also thank the armed forces for supporting them and for supporting the people affected by the fires.

They help us keep hope alive. We thank them.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as a region with numerous lakes and rivers, the Eastern Townships face many challenges in terms of preserving their waters and ecosystems. Last month, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced the new aquatic invasive species prevention fund, which will provide $875 million over the next five years for projects across the country.

My colleagues from the Eastern Townships and I have announced that $644,000 from this fund will be going to the Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l'environnement du Québec, which includes the Eastern Townships CRE, or regional environment council. I thank the Eastern Townships CRE and all the regional partners for their co-operation in seeking lasting solutions to protect our water.

On that note, my colleague from Compton—Stanstead has shared an excellent handbook for boaters that will soon be delivered to households across Sherbrooke to raise awareness of our vulnerable lakes and rivers.

By working together, we can protect this precious collective resource.

Happy World Environment Day.

The Environment

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, our planet and our country are literally burning. Objectively, the Liberal environment minister is making it worse. Not only has he allowed Canada's greenhouse gas emissions to climb to a record high, but he has also done so while dogmatically enforcing policies that are not getting the job done and are making the cost of living worse.

That is because the Liberals' deficit-fuelled inflation crisis means that Canadians cannot afford to replace their high-emissions cars, even if they want to, or make improvements to energy efficiency in homes they do not have or cannot afford to live in.

We need to address climate change and make life more affordable. Today, I beg the Liberals to do smarter things, including getting more public transit bills, building more emissions-free electricity plants and, more importantly, cancelling policies that do not work, such as ineffective, inflation-causing deficit spending and taxes.

None of us can afford to allow these failures to continue. We just need to look outside today.

Hespeler Village Market

[Valerie Bradford, Liberal, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to announce the seventh season opening of the Hespeler Village Market, a vibrant and community-centred hub that is a haven for local vendors and shoppers alike.

Nestled in the heart of Hespeler village, this eagerly anticipated market brings together a diverse array of vendors showcasing their finest products and creations. However, it is more than just a place to buy and sell. It is a celebration of Hespeler's rich culture, heritage and craftsmanship. Visitors can expect to discover an abundance of fresh produce, baked goods, unique artworks and so much more. Beyond the stalls, the Hespeler market also serves as a gathering space for events and entertainment. It is a cherished meeting spot where neighbours can connect, families can explore and memories can be made. It is truly the hub of Hespeler.

I ask members of the House to join me in celebrating the opening of the Hespeler market, and I encourage my colleagues to pay Hespeler a visit and experience this one-of-a-kind market first-hand.

Lions Clubs International Poster Contest Winner

[Churence Rogers, Liberal, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an amazing accomplishment of a young lady living in my riding of Bonavista—Burin—Trinity. Her name is Trinity Hogan, and she recently participated in a peace poster competition hosted by Lions Clubs International.

Ms. Hogan, hailing from Port Rexton, placed first in both the local contest and the eastern Newfoundland school contest. Following that, her poster was sent to Lions Clubs International, where it placed in the top 23 from over 600,000 entries globally.

Along with the entire community, I am inspired by Trinity’s poster and message for global peace. I am also hopeful for our tomorrow because of youth like Trinity.

I want to congratulate Trinity Hogan on behalf of this House and my entire riding, and I would like everyone to join Trinity in her wishes for peace and hope.

The Economy

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the cost of the Liberal government is driving up the cost of living. The more the Liberals spend, the more things cost. They have added more than $60 billion in new spending, and what do Canadians get? They get more inflation, more taxes, higher costs and worse government services.

Canadians are struggling. Mortgage payments and rent have doubled under the Liberal Prime Minister, and that is if one is able to afford a home or find a place to live to begin with. The cost of food is at a 40-year high, driving more than 1.5 million Canadians to food banks in a single month. Now, the Liberals are adding a second carbon tax, increasing the price of food and necessities that will cost the average family another $600 per year.

Things have gotten so bad that retired seniors are trying to re-enter the workforce, because they have to choose between heating and eating. After eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, everything feels broken, and Canadians have less money in their pockets.

Conservatives will bring home a government that works for people who work. It is time to bring back common sense for the common people.

Attack on Amritsar Temple

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, for many, the sacred place of worship is Jerusalem, Mecca or Varanasi. For the Sikh community, that place is the Harmandir Sahib, globally known as the Golden Temple.

However, in June 1984, the most sacred place of worship for Sikhs was stormed in an orchestrated military operation. In this gruesome attack, thousands were killed, many at point-blank range, and the sarovar turned red with blood. The Akal Takht was blasted. The Sikh Reference Library, containing thousands of manuscripts, paintings and scriptures, was torched to the ground. Forty other gurdwaras around the country were also attacked, and, 39 years later, Sikhs around the world still remember this tragic day.

The Sikh community will forever send its prayers to the victims of this massacre, while also praying that such a dreadful attack on a place of worship never happens again. We shall never forget 1984.

The Budget

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal budget is the work of a finance minister who says one thing and does another. She does not answer a single question asked of her in this House, and she lectures Canadians who do not agree with her. The $60 billion in new spending pours gas on the inflationary fire. She admitted that to be true. She said she would not do it, and she did it anyway. She told Canadians that the budget would be balanced in 2027. Now, she says it will never be balanced. She said the debt ratio would go down, but she cannot tell this House the number, because it went up.

Canadians cannot afford the Prime Minister or the government. They think we can spend our way to prosperity, but the last eight years have created a crisis. There is good news, though. Conservatives will deliver lower prices and more powerful paycheques by capping spending, ending the deficits and scrapping the carbon tax. Those are our demands of this budget. The choice is clear. It is freedom versus control, prosperity versus poverty and technology versus more taxes.

There have been enough lectures from the minister. Canadians cannot afford to be duped by her any longer.

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, “Water, water everywhere, so let's all have a drink.” At least Homer Simpson thought so as he scooped up a mouthful of sea-water to quench his thirst. Of course, while it may have the illusion of relief, drinking ocean water will not cure thirst; it will only make it worse. That is a lot like the Liberal budget. It is full of salt water.

Canadians are parched with inflation caused by massive Liberal deficits. Even prominent Liberals, such as John Manley, Bill Morneau and the finance minister herself admitted that bigger deficits would make the problem worse. Not only are the Liberals salting the water by tripling the first carbon tax and introducing a second one, but they are also racking up $63 billion in new inflationary deficits. Extra spending means extra borrowing, which means higher interest rates for Canadians.

Therefore, the illusion that Liberals are offering in response to the cost of living crisis will actually just make things worse. Canadians will not be fooled. They are smarter than Homer Simpson and the finance minister, and they are demanding the real relief that Conservatives are offering. We are offering the fresh water of lower taxes, an end to inflationary deficits and a stop to the waste and mismanagement.

40th Anniversary of Gîte Ami

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

Mr. Speaker, last Monday was the 40th anniversary of Le Gîte Ami, a veritable beacon of compassion and community in my riding.

Over the past four decades, this extraordinary organization has touched countless lives by providing shelter and support to those in need. Le Gîte Ami has become an integral part of our region, providing shelter, food and a glimmer of hope to the most vulnerable among us. Its commitment to the fight against homelessness and poverty has transformed lives and inspired a wave of positive change.

Thanks to the dedication of its staff and volunteers, Le Gîte Ami has built a legacy of compassion, unity and resilience. It has fostered a sense of belonging and restored dignity to people facing unimaginable challenges.

On this milestone anniversary, let us pay tribute to Le Gîte Ami for its outstanding contributions to the people of Outaouais. May its light continue to shine, lighting the way to a more inclusive and compassionate society. Congratulations for 40 amazing years.

Canadian Environment Week

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, during Canadian Environment Week, to honour all the work of indigenous land guardians and the movement of indigenous land protection, a hopeful, inspiring movement that is integral to protecting the lands and waters of this special place we call home.

It is based on the premise that the people best positioned to protect the land are the people of the land. I think of the Haida, whose modern land guardians have been patrolling the lands and waters of Gwaii Haanas since 1981. I think of the Kaska, whose bold vision for land protection in northern B.C. is called Dene K’éh Kusān in Kaska, translating to “Always will be there.” I think of the late Jarett Quock, whose work with the Tahltan land guardian program was so important and whose leadership is so dearly missed.

There are over 120 land guardian programs in Canada; I do not have enough time to speak of all of them. Suffice to say that, at a time when we are bombarded with bleak environmental news, indigenous land protection and land guardians are a source of hope. I am very proud that the NDP stands with indigenous land guardians and indigenous nations in this important work.

Forest Fires in Quebec

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, forest fires are currently burning across Quebec on a terrifying scale. The fires cover an area roughly equivalent to the Island of Montreal. People have had to be evacuated from Abitibi—Témiscamingue and northern Quebec, as well as the north shore. The smog filling the sky is a reminder that this situation is not normal.

Once again, at a time of crisis, we can count on the solidarity of the men and women who have been evacuated and who are co-operating with public safety authorities. We can count on the solidarity of the SOPFEU, the firefighters have come from all over Quebec, as well as the rest of Canada, France, Portugal and the United States, to battle the blaze. They are all working together tirelessly to fight this devastating fire. We can also count on the solidarity of members of the armed forces who are providing operational support in many ways, starting with aid for evacuees. Lastly, we can count on solidarity between levels of government, because we can and must work hand in hand when dealing with a disaster of this magnitude.

These forest fires will be put out. We will face them together, and we will defeat them together.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I wish everyone good luck.

Carbon Pricing

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals want to blame emissions on the senior who simply wishes to visit her grandchildren or the farmer who takes the bounty off his field and turns it into finished goods to go on grocery store shelves. The Liberals would rather penalize the single mother who has to drive long hours to provide for her family than face the fact that it is neither making a difference for the environment nor, certainly, for Canadians. Adding insult to injury, the government is planning to up the tax by adding a second one on July 1. The Liberals sure know how to party, do they not?

Canadians cannot at all afford this, and they are calling for change. Seniors are delaying their retirement, students are using food banks at astronomical rates and half of all Canadians are reporting that they are close to bankruptcy. The answer to climate change is not more taxation but, rather, more technology. This means that Canadians are the solution rather than the problem. They are the way forward. They are the problem solvers; they are the innovators that this nation needs. It is time for the government to celebrate them as such.

On this side of the House, we are calling on the government to axe the tax.

Retirement Congratulations

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

Mr. Speaker, on May 12, the Hon. George Furey retired as the 45th speaker of the Senate. He was appointed in 1999, and at the time of his retirement, he was its longest-standing member. He is, however, much more than this. George was born in 1948, a year before Newfoundland joined Canada. He knew loss and challenges from a young age, as well as the importance of family, hard work and resilience. These guiding principles served him well as a teacher, principal, lawyer and politician.

I am pleased to join Canadians and Newfoundland and Labradorians from all political stripes in celebrating of George's retirement. I would like to thank Karen, George's wife and best friend, his four children and their families for sharing him with this country and my home province.

I look forward to watching how George shapes a traditional retirement. He has served his country and province as a statesman and courageous leader while maintaining humility and decency.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, six months ago, the Minister of Finance promised a balanced budget by the year 2027. She said that deficits fuel inflation by throwing fuel on the inflationary fire. She was right. Her budget has added $60 billion of inflationary fuel. That amounts to $4,200 per family.

Will the Minister of Finance finally recognize that Canadians can pay no more and put before the House a plan to balance the budget in order to bring down inflation and interest rates?

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

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservatives are demonstrating that they are completely irresponsible and that the only thing that matters to them is partisan parliamentary bickering.

Today, the Conservatives are attempting to prevent Canadians from receiving the assistance that the budget will give them. For example, in this budget we will enhance the Canada workers benefit. It will provide assistance for workers most—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. leader of the official opposition.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, what is irresponsible are policies that drive up inflation and interest rates at a time when Canadian consumers are carrying the highest debt load in the G7. The fact is, consumers have the highest levels of debt. The total debt of all consumers in Canada is greater than the Canadian economy.

The inflation the minister is causing and admits to causing with her inflationary spending will drive up interest rates on the backs of these same indebted consumers, potentially leading to a crisis.

Will the Minister of Finance balance the budget in order to reduce inflation and interest rates before there is a crisis?

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

Mr. Speaker, what is truly astonishing is the Conservative Party's entirely irresponsible and immature position. They would rather engage in partisan bickering than do something to help Canadians.

I will explain what is in the budget and what Canadians need. The measures include automatic advance payments of the Canada workers benefit and doubling of the tradespeople's tools deduction. There are many other things, and I will list them—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. leader of the official opposition.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it was just six months ago that the minister promised a balanced budget by the year 2027. She said that deficits fuel inflation. The former finance minister John Manley, a Liberal, said that while the Bank of Canada was slamming on the brakes of inflation with higher rates, the government was slamming the gas with higher spending. This could cause the whole engine to blow when all that mortgage debt Canadians hold comes up for renewal unless the rates come down.

Therefore, will she act now to put in place a plan to balance the budget to bring down inflation and interest rates?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am truly appalled by the reckless and irresponsible behaviour we are seeing from the Conservatives today. They are showing that they prefer adolescent partisan games over actually delivering support to Canadians.

Therefore, let us talk about what they are preventing Canadians from getting with their parliamentary childishness. They are preventing Canadians from getting the doubling of the tradespersons tool deduction. They are preventing us from putting in place an anti-flipping tax that is going to stop speculation in—