Debates of Sept. 27th, 2023

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

It being Wednesday, we will now sing O Canada, led by the member for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Roger Thibault

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this summer we lost a kind man, or as his partner of 50 years would say, the kindest man. Roger Thibault left us and husband Theo Wouters after a long battle with Parkinson's.

Roger and Theo were trailblazers. They became the first same-sex couple legally joined by civil union in Quebec, two years before same-sex marriage came into being. Sadly, they faced acute intolerance for over a decade, something that ultimately spurred a march outside their Pointe-Claire home that drew thousands of supporters. This would eventually lead to the creation of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

In May of this year, Roger Thibault and Theo Wouters were named honorary citizens of Montreal in recognition of the decades they spent struggling to promote the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

We offer our deepest condolences to Theo and Roger's entire family and friends in this time of mourning.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Mr. Speaker, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time for us to recognize and support the importance of childhood cancer research while remembering those young lives that have been taken away from us far too soon. One of these new angels was Jordy Pepperall, a beautiful six-year-old little girl who recently passed, leaving behind her older brother Jack and loving parents Lindsay and Colin.

According to Childhood Cancer Canada, over 80% of children with cancer will now have a cure. However, many will continue to experience serious health issues later in life. Research on the development of future treatments is critically important, as is the need for funds to assist this essential work.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who participated in the recent Terry Fox runs in both Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. I also want to recognize Niagara Falls councillors Mike Strange and Victor Pietrangelo for raising over $60,000 for childhood cancer research and in support of the Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton.

No child should have to endure cancer, and families should not have to go through this alone. I thank the residents of Niagara for coming together to show that we are all in this battle together.

Government Priorities

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, over the summer, I had the pleasure of connecting with the hard-working residents of Brampton, whether through round tables, community events, my annual barbeque attended by hundreds of residents, or simply knocking on doors and listening to their concerns. They told me that we need to take strong action to address affordability and build more housing, which is exactly what we would be doing with Bill C-56, the affordable housing and groceries act.

Tangible measures like these, with respectful debate, are exactly what Canadians expect from their parliamentarians, not daily shouting and heckling, and not polarization. As we start the fall session, I encourage all members to work collaboratively and set aside the partisan games.

National Seniors Day

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, October 1, we will celebrate the International Day of Older Persons and National Seniors Day.

The purpose of this day is to raise public awareness about issues related to seniors, such as aging and abuse. It is an important day on the calendar to appreciate the contributions that seniors make to society.

This year in particular, it is also an opportunity to take an important step toward helping seniors by eliminating age discrimination. Next week, we will debate the Bloc Québécois's Bill C‑319.

The bill will correct an inequity between people aged 65 to 74 and those aged 75 and over by increasing old age security for all seniors. In the context of inflation, people living on a fixed income, such as seniors, are among those who pay the highest price. Ottawa needs to correct its error.

Let us not miss this opportunity. Let us set partisanship aside and vote for Bill C‑319.

Rigaud Fall Festival

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for anyone interested in enjoying the colours of fall, Rigaud is the place to be.

Next October 7, 8 and 9, the Festival des couleurs de Rigaud is celebrating its 25th anniversary with more music, more activities and more fun than ever. All residents of Vaudreuil-Soulanges are invited to come and enjoy this outstanding event, made possible through the fantastic work of Christiane Lévesque and her team of incredible volunteers, as well as support from Canadian Heritage, Mayor Marie-Claude Frigault and the entire City of Rigaud team.

I invite all members of our beautiful community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges to show up in droves to admire the magnificent scenery of Mont Rigaud and enjoy a line-up of activities sure to please the whole family at the 25th annual Festival des couleurs de Rigaud.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

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

Mr. Speaker, B'nai Brith, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and the Jewish community are all demanding an apology from the Prime Minister for allowing a Nazi veteran of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS to be honoured on the floor of the House of Commons.

This was an appalling error in judgment on the part of the Prime Minister, whose diplomatic protocol office has massive resources for vetting all guests invited to this place. Only Liberals had the opportunity to vet this individual's past. Allowing a Waffen-SS Nazi to be honoured in this place has embarrassed Canada on the international stage, embarrassed President Zelenskyy, caused a diplomatic disaster and handed the Kremlin and its illegal invasion a propaganda win.

The Prime Minister has brought shame on the House, emboldened the Russians and deeply offended the Jewish community. Will he stand in the House today, finally take responsibility, get up on his feet, do the right thing and apologize?

Raymond Moriyama

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, over the summer we lost one of Canada's greatest architects, Raymond Moriyama, a proud Japanese Canadian who built his first structure in a B.C. internment camp during the Second World War. He would go on to design some of the most iconic buildings in Canada. These include the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa City Hall, the Bata Shoe Museum, the Toronto Reference Library and the Ontario Science Centre. In Scarborough, we can thank him for his work on our most iconic local structure, the Scarborough Civic Centre. This Sunday, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of this landmark and visible symbol of Scarborough. Moriyama's designs are iconic and will continue to delight Canadians young and old for many years to come. I hope this includes the Ontario Science Centre.

My thanks to Raymond Moriyama for his contributions to Canada. May his legacy long endure.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

[Terry Sheehan, Liberal, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on September 30, indigenous peoples and Canadians from across Turtle Island will commemorate the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day came about because of years of advocacy by Phyllis Webstad. Indigenous peoples from coast to coast to coast, elders, knowledge-keepers, residential school survivors and their families are to be thanked for their work in holding settlers accountable for our actions.

I will be spending the day educating myself further to understand more about how I can better walk the path of reconciliation and to understand how the actions that I myself put forward impact indigenous peoples. I invite all residents of the Soo, Algoma and all of Canada to take part in this day to educate themselves on how they also can support our efforts in reconciliation.

I would like to say chi-meegwetch to the members and elders of Batchewana First Nation, the Métis Nation, Garden River First Nation, the surrounding first nations and urban indigenous peoples for their advice and knowledge on my journey. Through my journey of education, I have been taught that reconciliation is not a checked box or a list of accomplishments. It is a continuation of concrete actions to address concerns and issues and to create positive change and relations with indigenous peoples. Every day is a good day to educate oneself on reconciliation and the history of indigenous peoples.

Foreign Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada's reputation is sullied. Our country is the topic of disparaging comments around the world. Worse, Putin's Russia is using our situation as an opportunity to spread disinformation. It is shameful for us. Far worse, it is revolting for millions of people, starting with Ukrainians themselves who are fighting the Russian monster, the Jewish community both here and around the world, and those who actually fought the Nazis.

My late father fought the Waffen-SS in Italy, Provence and the Vosges. He was wounded twice, and had shrapnel from Nazi grenades buried near his skill his whole life. He was awarded a French mention in dispatches and given a medal. France awarded him the Legion of Honour.

In these moments of great turmoil that we are experiencing, the head of government must fully assume the responsibilities of the state with great dignity and respect. At a time when our country is experiencing its worst diplomatic crisis, the silence of the past four days is intolerable. That is why, for the good of the country, we ask that the Prime Minister apologize.

Housing

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, affordability remains a top priority for Canadians. It remains at the top of Canadians' minds, and it is important that Canadians know that, as a government, we continue not only to listen but to take incremental steps to address their most pressing needs.

This summer, I heard from folks in London West that housing remains a top priority. I am happy to say that the Prime Minister was in London West a few weeks ago announcing a historic investment between a municipal government and the federal government, one that will see $74 million in the city of London, adding an extra 2,000 units in the city of London. An extra 2,000 units will go a long way. It will ensure that families and all Londoners can have a place to call home, a place that meets all of their needs. That is the real change that we want to bring for Canadians and that this government has committed to bring to Canadians.

I am a proud member of this government, representing London West in this session. I am happy to be back to continue to be the voice of people in London West.

Guests in the House of Commons

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, last week, President Zelenskyy came to Canada looking for more support to defeat the Russian invaders. He should have left here reassured that his visit was a huge success, but instead the Liberals created a diplomatic nightmare that completely overshadowed President Zelenskyy’s visit.

The Prime Minister’s negligence has fuelled the Russian propaganda machine. The hurt this caused to Ukrainian and Jewish communities is unimaginable. Ukraine has already survived multiple genocides: the Holocaust, the Holodomor and the Sürgünlik of the Crimean Tatars. This incident is deeply personal. President Zelenskyy himself is Jewish and lost family in the Holocaust. His defence minister, Rustem Umerov, is a Muslim Crimean Tatar born in the gulag.

It is time for the Prime Minister to stand in his place and publicly apologize to President Zelenskyy, the people of Ukraine and, indeed, all Canadians.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister had all the tools at his fingertips to ensure President Zelenskyy's visit at a time of war was successful. The RCMP, CSIS and the Parliamentary Protective Service all had massive resources to vet the guest list. Global Affairs, the Privy Council Office and the diplomatic protocol office, on top of the PMO, had an obligation to vet any individual recognized at a globally significant event. All of these departments and offices ultimately report to the Prime Minister.

He has tried to shift all the blame to the Speaker, but the Prime Minister personally invited President Zelenskyy, on short notice, so he is personally responsible. It is the Prime Minister, and he alone, who is accountable for the success of all state visits. He tries to avoid it, but the buck stops with him. He must apologize to Canadians and to our allies and stop crippling Canada's reputation on the world stage.

Jim Morrison

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Vancouver radio is mourning the loss of a big voice backed by an even bigger heart. We have lost Jim Morrison, a mainstay on CKWX radio back in the days when radio was delivered on 50,000-watt AM signals by real people with real talent. To Elaine and Jim's WX family, I send deepest condolences.

Many more of us knew Jim through video and record productions, and especially the UBC Amateur Radio Society, where that big voice of his was coupled with warmth, kindness and encouragement for those of us trying with our squeaky young voices to learn the moves. Jim personified the pure joy of being in a craft that we all dreamed to join. Inspired by him, many of us did, learning lessons in our radio days that we have carried forward into other places, including this place.

Now Jim Morrison is riding his mighty 1130 signal out into the stars, where that big voice will forever travel.

Retirement Congratulations

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my constituent Florence Douglas on her retirement and long service to air force veterans at 427 Wing in London.

Twenty-six years ago, Flo was hired as a temporary bar steward at the wing, but after only a few months, the directors made her a full-time manager, after realizing how invaluable she was. Flo quickly became an integral part of the wing. She worked many hours beyond what she was paid for and was the go-to person for everything. She knew all the names of every member and their guests. She ensured that whoever walked through the doors of the wing felt welcome and valued. Flo continues to be a cherished member of the wing and continues to serve veterans in the London East community even in her retirement.

Congratulations to Flo. We thank her so much.

Dean Lavallée, Yves Jones and Damon Etheridge

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during the night of Sunday to Monday, the unspeakable happened in my community, off the coast of La Tabatière on the Lower North Shore.

The Silver Condor sank in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, taking the lives of three fishermen. Dean Lavallée, Yves Jones and Damon Etheridge worked in one of the most noble, but also the most dangerous, professions. The sea gives, but it can also take away, and that is what it did on September 25.

These three men were our men. They were husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, cousins and friends. Coasters are one big family, and their hearts beat as one.

On behalf of everyone on the north shore, the members of the Bloc Québécois and everyone in the House, I would like to send a message of solace to all coasters. We all feel devastated in this difficult time, but we still have love to sustain us.

Damon, Yves and Dean, today we salute you from down here with gratitude and admiration. Thanks to you, the star that twinkles above us in the night sky to guide fishers and sailors now shines a little brighter.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, who speaks for Canada?

Today our nation’s reputation on the world stage is clouded by the story of a tribute to a Nazi instead of support for our allies. When people think of Canada, when they open a newspaper, when they go on social media, when they hear about what happened here, that is all they know.

There is silence from a Prime Minister in hiding. This is his shame to bear, not ours. He failed to do even his most basic duty. He has shrunk from the occasion. He has refused to take responsibility and he has refused to take accountability. He laid blame on someone else and asked others to debase themselves to clean up the mess. Worse yet, he asked his MPs to try to strike it from the parliamentary record.

The Prime Minister has hurt our country. He has left our allies in the cold. He has humiliated Jews, Poles, veterans and all Canadians. If he does not speak for Canada, it is time Canadians had a Prime Minister who will.

World Tourism Day

[Patrick Weiler, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today is World Tourism Day.

With breathtaking natural landscapes and outdoor activities, vibrant cities and delicious food, or indigenous tourism experiences, Canada stands out for all we have to offer the world as hosts.

West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country is a microcosm of what Canada has to offer, with world-class skiing in Whistler, outdoor activities throughout Sea to Sky, the UNESCO biosphere region in Atl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound, and an extensive collection of artists, culinary experiences and nature adventures on the Sunshine Coast.

In Canada, tourism contributes significantly to the Canadian economy and has extraordinary growth potential. However, it is the people who welcome the world to Canada who make the tourism sector so special.

Earlier this summer, our government launched a new federal tourism growth strategy to ensure that tourism truly expands in Canada. I look forward to working with all members of the House and with everyone who works in the tourism sector to achieve this vision.

Oral Questions—Speaker's Ruling

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

I am now ready to rule on the point of order raised yesterday by the member for Oakville North—Burlington concerning unparliamentary language.

In her intervention, the member alleged that the member for Thornhill used unparliamentary language in her characterization of the government House leader. She also asked for an apology to the minister. The parliamentary secretary to the government House leader reiterated he had also heard the use of the term “disgrace”, and that it was unparliamentary. He asked that the member apologize.

Without denying that the words had been used, the member for Thornhill, in her response, instead repeated the word, in reference to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

In judging unparliamentary language, the tone, intentions and effects on proceedings must be taken into consideration. I will point out that the term did create a series of heated back-and-forth exchanges between members. This event is of concern to the Chair given the risk it may create for disorder.

In a ruling on another point of order about unparliamentary language, the Chair stated on March 29, 2022, at page 3739 of Debates:

The use of inflammatory and provocative statements is contrary to the respect owed to all members. Accordingly, the Chair reminds members to be mindful of the language they use in debate, with respect to their colleagues, in order to maintain proper civility and respect in our proceedings.

The events from last Friday have deeply upset all members. There have been tense and even emotional exchanges on how this situation came to pass. In this context, I would suggest to the House that it is incumbent upon all members to bolster their efforts in being respectful and courteous in their interventions. Without qualifying the words used by the member for Thornhill as being unparliamentary, they certainly did not serve to support and promote the essential civility and respect owed by one honourable member to another. I therefore encourage members to refrain from using such words again in the future.

Foreign Affairs

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it is the Prime Minister's personal responsibility to invite a head of state to the House of Commons. It was the Prime Minister's responsibility to invite President Zelenskyy here. It is the Prime Minister's responsibility to lead the government, which has security, diplomatic and intelligence agencies that could have and should have vetted the list of all people who were present and recognized during their visit.

Will the Prime Minister finally come out of hiding and take personal responsibility for the embarrassment he caused, for the monumental global shame he caused?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of everyone in the House, I would like to present unreserved apologies for what took place on Friday and for the position that President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation were put in. For all of us who were present to have unknowingly recognized this individual was a terrible mistake and a violation of the memory of those who suffered grievously at the hands of the Nazi regime.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it was the personal responsibility of the Prime Minister to invite President Zelenskyy to the floor of this House of Commons. It was his personal responsibility to make sure it was a diplomatic success. It was his personal responsibility to continue to lead the government, which has the security, intelligence and diplomatic agencies that could have and should have vetted all individuals who were present and recognized. However, the Prime Minister allowed for a monumental, unprecedented and global shame to unfold in this chamber.

Will he take personal responsibility for this shame and personally apologize on his own behalf?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all of us in this House, I would like to present unreserved apologies for what took place on Friday, including to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation for the position they were put in.

For all of us who were present to have unknowingly recognized this individual was a terrible mistake and a violation of the memory of those who suffered grievously at the hands of the Nazi regime.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, did the Prime Minister's national security, intelligence or diplomatic officials vet the names of the people the Prime Minister allowed within mere feet of President Zelenskyy?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the privilege, responsibilities and rights of parliamentarians are sacrosanct, and that the Leader of the Opposition would be suggesting that any visitor to this House should be vetted by the government of the day is actually a grievous attack on the rights and privileges of parliamentarians.

However, if the Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker or anyone wants our intelligence agencies to vet any of their guests, we would be more than happy to do that in respect of parliamentary rights.