Debates of Sept. 29th, 2023

Housing

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

Madam Speaker, the OECD says that, in the G7, Canada has the biggest gap between housing prices and wages.

The finance minister said that her plan to bring down inflation is working, yet it has soared to 4%. Mortgage interest costs have also soared now to 31%. It is no wonder Mortgage Professionals Canada's recent survey showed that 48% of young people say they have given up on ever owning a home. The NDP-Liberal government's spending is driving up inflation, which is driving up interest rates, which is driving up mortgage interest costs.

Will the Prime Minister finally stop his inflationary spending so Canadians can keep a roof over their head?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Madam Speaker, here we go again. The contradictions just speak for themselves, but I will highlight them for members.

In July 2022, we had inflation at over 8%, which is now down to 4%. It is certainly not low enough, but we see progress on that front.

I also hear all sorts of ideas from the other side that would not have a tangible impact in terms of affordability. Let us take pensions, by the way. I have heard nothing from that side at all with respect to Premier Smith's pension plan that would deplete the fund by 53%. Combine that with their lack of focus on EI. They voted against all these measures that would—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Manicouagan.

Indigenous Affairs

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Madam Speaker, let us talk about Chalk River and the proposal to build a radioactive waste disposal facility on the shores of the Ottawa River. The chiefs of the Kebaowek, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and Mitchikanibikok Inik First Nations are adding their voices to the widespread grassroots opposition campaign in Quebec.

They are obviously worried about the impact on the river. They are worried about having a nuclear waste dump near their sacred lands. They are worried, but no one consulted them, and that failure to consult is a direct violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

When will this government listen to them and call off the Chalk River project?

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

Madam Speaker, the health and safety of Canadians, reconciliation, and protecting the environment are our top priorities when it comes to nuclear energy. The project proposal is currently being reviewed by the commission, and a hearing just wrapped up. All radioactive waste in Canada is managed safely in accordance with international standards at licensed facilities overseen by our world-class regulatory agency, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Madam Speaker, the first step would be to show some basic respect for the concerns of first nations. Chief Haymond of the Kebaowek First Nation wrote to the Prime Minister to share the concerns of his people. He never got a response. The federal government must at the very least put the Chalk River project on hold and ensure that first nations are heard.

Could Ottawa start by showing the bare minimum of respect in a nation-to-nation relationship and respond to the Kebaowek First Nation's letter?

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Madam Speaker, I acknowledge that we have work to do on this file. I know this is something that might be coming before the INAN committee. We look forward to hearing from the chiefs and from the member opposite, and to working with them to ensure that we are fulfilling our obligations under UNDRIP and our duty to consult.

National Defence

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

Madam Speaker, we learned yesterday that the Liberals are cutting another $1 billion from our armed forces. This is in addition to the $2.5 billion they already let lapse last year.

The Prime Minister has no problem wasting taxpayer money and running up massive deficits on things like the $116 million for McKinsey, $54 million on the ArriveCAN app or $20-million bonuses for the Bank of Canada executives. Let us not forget that the Liberals allowed $4.6 billion of abuse under their COVID programs. The Liberals waste money on just about everything but do not spend it on our military.

Why does the Prime Minister cut spending only when it hurts our troops?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Madam Speaker, I think we all remember when the Conservatives set back defence capability by years when they reduced defence expenditures to below 1% of our GDP.

We are committed to the significant and strategic long-term investments that will ensure that the CAF continues to function as an agile combat-ready force capable of making tangible contributions and delivering on our commitments. At the same time, we must ensure that all expenditures are carefully controlled so each dollar produces real value for Canadians.

Health

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister is failing our vulnerable Canadians. Our country is gripped in the worst drug and crime crisis in generations. Last night, we learned that the Prime Minister and the B.C. NDP are using taxpayer dollars to fund a group that buys drugs on the black market and then hands them out on the streets of Vancouver. We cannot get people into recovery, but we can perpetuate their addiction and support organized crime?

When will the Prime Minister put a stop to his failed drug policy, finally take real action and end this crisis?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I do not think there is a single member of the House who does not mourn the tragic loss of anyone in this overdose crisis. However, I have to say to the member across the way that spreading misinformation about harm reduction, and conflating harm reduction and treatment, loses lives rather than saves them.

The provinces are responsible for providing safe supply prescriptions to clients who need help as they go through recovery. On this side of the House, we will continue to save lives. They should get on board with us with that.

Public Safety

[Dane Lloyd, Conservative, Sturgeon River—Parkland, AB]

Madam Speaker, after eight years under the Liberal government, it is clear that the rights of victims and their families are not a priority. Correctional Service Canada, with the full knowledge of the government, transferred Canada's most notorious killer to a medium-security prison. Public safety officials even wanted to keep it quiet, and victims' families were notified only after the fact. At committee, Conservatives are calling for the government to let victims' voices be heard, but the Liberals are refusing to allow it.

Why is the Liberal government trying to cover up this outrageous affair, and why is it shamefully blocking the voices of victims from being heard?

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Madam Speaker, it is clear that the member opposite is distancing himself from the truth once again. In fact, all members of the committee came together to bring forward—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Order, please.

I think members on all sides actually have used these things, so I want to ask members to please be careful with their words. One cannot do indirectly what one cannot do directly.

The hon. parliamentary secretary has the floor.

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

Madam Speaker, let me clarify the facts for the member opposite. What happened at the public safety committee was that all members of the committee came together to move forward to do a study on putting forward the rights of victims of crime and to look into how reclassifications and transfers are handled. Do members know what happened? The Conservatives voted against it. They talk tough in front of the cameras, but when it comes time to act, they do nothing.

Carbon Pricing

[Richard Lehoux, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Madam Speaker, after eight years, the Liberals still do not understand how to help our farmers, who are a fundamental part of our ability to eat.

They, along with their Bloc Québécois partners, would rather send families out on the street than cancel the carbon tax. What is worse, they want to see it drastically increased. They are stoking the inflationary fire and want to further increase the cost of living. It is costly to vote for the Bloc Québécois.

When will the Bloc-Liberal coalition put an end to its infamous carbon tax and listen to common-sense Conservatives?

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

Madam Speaker, I would like to remind my hon. colleague that federal carbon pricing does not apply in Quebec. For many, many years, Quebec has had its own system, a cap-and-trade system, for greenhouse gas emissions

I would also like to remind him that it is certainly not common sense to ignore the impact climate change is having on our farmers across the country, especially in Quebec. I meet farmers who are experiencing the repercussions of climate change: too much water, not enough water, too much heat, not enough heat, pests. However, the Conservatives have not said a single word about what they are going to do to help our farmers deal with the consequences of climate change.

Housing

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, Hamilton Community Foundation's Vital Signs report says that for every new unit of affordable housing built, Hamilton is losing 23 units. It also confirms what tenants have always known: Corporate landlords are evicting tenants to jack up rents at a record rate while leaving Hamiltonians out in the cold. The Liberal government is leaving people to fend for themselves while big developers are cashing in on what is left of our city's rental apartment buildings.

Will the government adopt our NDP affordable housing plan to create an acquisition fund to save the affordable rentals left in Hamilton?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Madam Speaker, I know the member has a passion for dealing with homelessness and addressing issues of affordability more generally. This government has put substantial investment forward through the national housing strategy to combat homelessness. It is a difficult challenge for sure, but one that we are getting results on.

It is not over. That fight continues and is combined with efforts to build more by lifting GST from rental construction, for example, and to make changes to the Canada mortgage bond borrowing limit. All of these things combine, and the bottom line is that we are going to see more homes built. Affordability is the result from that.

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, maybe the hon. member heard my question, but clearly he was not listening, because if he was, he would know that the winter months are approaching and it is going to be life or death for the increasing number of people who are being left on the streets to live in tent encampments. Cities like Hamilton are facing double digit property tax increases in order to fill the crucial gaps in funding for social housing. In Hamilton, there is a seven-year wait-list. This is life or death.

Will the government immediately respond to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' demand for direct funding in order to repair existing social housing units in order to address our seven-year wait-list?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing]

Madam Speaker, we have been there for cities like Hamilton and other Canadian cities and towns through programs like Reaching Home and the rapid housing initiative, and in other ways, to help not-for-profits that are on the ground doing the very hard work.

I know the member cares very much about this issue. I am happy to have further discussions with him, but I go back to the point that we are going to advance issues around this through collaboration with the private sector, the not-for-profit sector and municipalities as well.

Indigenous Affairs

[Michael McLeod, Liberal, Northwest Territories, NT]

Madam Speaker, tomorrow is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day that recognizes first nations, Inuit and Métis children who were separated from their families, their culture and their communities. While the Leader of the Opposition fails to advance on indigenous issues such as UNDRIP, which he voted against, our government will be there to work with indigenous peoples.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations update the House on our government's record on reconciliation?

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Madam Speaker, when it comes to indigenous issues, the record of the Leader of the Opposition is almost as shameful as his comments—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!