Debates of Oct. 22nd, 2024

Pharmacare

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, our government will always protect universal, publicly funded health care, as well as sexual and reproductive rights. These two principles underlie the Pharmacare Act, which received royal assent on October 10. The landmark legislation will establish a framework for a national, publicly funded system for universal drug coverage; very soon, it will ensure that all Canadians from coast to coast to coast have access to essential diabetes medications and contraception.

Pharmacare means that nine million women and gender-diverse Canadians will no longer need to bear the financial burden of accessing contraception. Additionally, more than three and a half million Canadians living with diabetes will gain access to the medications and supplies to manage their disease. We know that cost is one of the biggest barriers for Canadians to get access to the medication they need.

Our role as parliamentarians is to protect and better the lives of the Canadians we serve. The passing of the legislation will be of lasting benefit to Canadians.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years under the NDP-Liberals, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up.

Is the Speaker interested in a heat pump? The Liberals know a guy. He goes by the name of carbon tax Carney, conflict of interest Carney, heat pump hustle Carney and future leader of the Liberal Party Carney. He has as many nicknames as he does conflicts of interest.

For instance, he has been caught lobbying governments to scale back rules on heat pump qualifications, helping his firm earn a few quick bucks. With sleight of hand, he not only pitches the idea but also installs the product. He has been caught trying to enrich himself with Canadian tax dollars. Brookfield is the name; $10 million is the gain.

It is clear that carbon tax Carney has too many conflicts of interest to be advising the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister needs to fire him now or bring him under the umbrella of ethics rules.

Pharmacare

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the passage of our pharmacare legislation is a huge step forward for universal health care in Canada. Millions of Canadians and Albertans living with diabetes will be able to follow their treatment plans without having to make tough financial decisions.

I am so proud that we will be able to help over 3.5 million Canadians living with diabetes so that they can focus on their health and wellness instead of the amount of money it will cost to maintain their treatment plan.

Caring for our neighbours is what Canadians do. Every Conservative member in the House voted against pharmacare because they do not want to work on solutions that will put the health of Canadians first. On this side of the House, we will always stand up for Canadians and their right to universal health care.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, women and gender-diverse Canadians deserve to know their government has their back. With the recent passage of the Pharmacare Act on October 10, we will soon see nine million women and gender-diverse Canadians have access to free contraceptives if they need it. This will change millions of lives for generations to come, and we will look back at this critical moment for women and gender-diverse people across Canada and be proud that our government stepped up to make the Pharmacare Act a reality.

Having family values means valuing and supporting families. The latest policy, through the Pharmacare Act, gives access to free contraceptives; this joins universal child care, the Canada child benefit and many others in supporting families. Our Liberal government does not just talk about family values; we invest in them through progressive policies, such as access to free contraceptives.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years under the NDP-Liberals, taxes are up, costs are up and crime is up. It turns out that CBC bonuses are also up. Yesterday, at the heritage committee, Catherine Tait, the Liberals' hand-picked CEO of CBC, refused to rule out accepting a fat taxpayer-funded bonus and severance as her term comes to an end.

With its viewership down, ad revenue falling and less trust all the time, CBC responds by giving $18 million in bonuses, including an average of $73,000 for each of the broadcaster's 43 executives, as well as millions more for its hundreds of managers. It then pays for a $1,000-a-night hotel room in Paris so that Ms. Tait can attend luxury balls at the Louvre. All the while, CBC is asking for more money, firing hundreds of employees, cutting services and getting woke.

Even the Liberals admit CBC is making its own case for it to be defunded, which is something that Ms. Tait says is gaining momentum. The solution is simple: We should reject the bonuses, fire the Prime Minister and defund the CBC. That is common sense.

Pharmacare Act

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on October 10, An Act respecting pharmacare received royal assent. Among other things, this act will provide Canadian women with universal single-payer coverage for various contraceptives. Nine million women and gender-diverse people will benefit from that.

Over the past few months, many women in my riding of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne have told me how important this act is for them. Canadian women want to be able to choose if, when and how they start a family. Our government listened to them. Unfortunately, the Conservatives voted against this act every step of the way.

We know the cost of contraceptives is one of the many barriers to gender equity in Canada. Our government will always stand up for a woman's right to choose and make medical decisions about her own body. Our Pharmacare Act delivers on that commitment.

Firearms

[Jamil Jivani, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are sick and tired of the Prime Minister's misleading statements about gun violence. Yesterday, the Prime Minister had the audacity to pat himself on the back over his appalling handgun crime record.

I am a Canadian who lost a friend three years ago to gun violence, and I take the Prime Minister's deception personally. Handgun crime is up 116% since the Liberals came into power. Families are grieving, and the Toronto Police Association is calling out the Prime Minister for being out of touch and offensive to victims.

Canadians simply deserve better. Canadians deserve a prime minister and a government that will stop the crime, not this Prime Minister, who is focused on celebrating his own failures.

Public Services and Procurement

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

Mr. Speaker, after nine years, the NDP-Liberal government is not worth the cost or the corruption.

Today, the Auditor General confirmed a full investigation into the Liberal government deals awarded to arrive scam contractor GC Strategies. This shady two-person firm that did absolutely no IT work charged taxpayers $2,600 per hour for over $100 million in government contracts, sole-source deals that froze out hard-working Canadian companies. In the arrive scam scandal alone, the Liberals' preferred contractor, GC Strategies, pocketed $20 million of a $60-million price tag for an app that should have cost a fraction of that price.

Why has the Prime Minister given these arrive scam middlemen $100 million since he took office? When will the Prime Minister stop robbing Canadians of their hard-earned money and doling it out to well-connected Liberal elites?

After nine years of the NDP-Liberals, tax are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up for these corrupt Liberals and their well-connected friends. Common-sense Conservatives are going to end the corruption and bring home a carbon tax election.

Government Accomplishments

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Mr. Speaker, for Islanders who live in my riding, this government's commitment to lowering costs has resulted in real benefits. Whether it was keeping the retirement age at 65 or making the Canada child benefit tax-free, the decisions we have taken have been a real help to thousands in my riding. The Pharmacare Act is another important chapter in the journey toward a fairer society.

On Prince Edward Island, we are already seeing the results. Millions have been saved, and more importantly, Islanders know they have the affordable access they need to keep themselves healthy. What I am hearing from constituents in my riding is to keep going and, more importantly, make sure we protect the gains we have made. They say their lives are better than they were under the former government and that they need us to protect the gains we have all made together.

Dyslexia

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, in line with Dyslexia Canada's campaign “Mark it Read”. This year's theme is “Breaking the Silence”, shedding light on the 10% to 20% of Canadians living with this often overlooked learning disability.

Dyslexia affects reading, writing and spelling, but with early identification and the right support, its impact can be reduced and individuals can thrive. As a nation, we must commit to raising awareness and supporting those with dyslexia by lighting up our buildings and monuments in red this October. Together, let us break the silence and advocate for the needs of children and adults with dyslexia across Canada.

250th Anniversary of the Municipality of Saint-Jacques

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to mark the 250th anniversary of Saint-Jacques, a wonderful municipality in my riding. This great little town is considered the cradle of New Acadia.

Founded in 1774, Saint-Jacques was a refuge for many Acadian families, who found there a welcoming and peaceful place after they were shamefully deported by the British Crown during the Great Upheaval. Nestled in the heart of Lanaudière region, Saint-Jacques is a lively community known for both its culinary delights and its rich history. It has an impressive built heritage and is also home to gems like Parc des Cultures, where one can admire an Acadian commemorative monument; various sculptures, each more beautiful than the last; and a bust of one of my mentors, a great Jacobin and former premier of Quebec, Bernard Landry.

I have a secret to share: Saint-Jacques's greatest asset is its people.

I want to wish all residents of Saint-Jacques a very happy 250th anniversary.

10th Anniversary of Attack on Parliament Hill

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

Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago, our country witnessed a horrific attack on the heart of our democracy. Corporal Nathan Cirillo, standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, was senselessly murdered.

That was 12 days after Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was murdered at the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu military base.

Both were targeted for wearing the uniform of our country, defending our freedom.

In the midst of this darkness, we also saw examples of extraordinary courage. Civilians rushed to aid Corporal Cirillo, showing the compassion and resilience that define our nation.

Inside Parliament, heroes emerged as well. A parliamentary security constable, Samearn Son, saw the attacker armed with a rifle and acted without hesitation. In a struggle that cost him a bullet to the leg, Constable Son showed unparalleled courage when he attempted to disarm the terrorist. His brave actions bought crucial moments for the rest of the security personnel to react and ultimately stop the terrorist before he could take any more innocent lives.

Today, we honour the memory of those who were taken from us, and we marvel at the courage of those who acted with such self-sacrifice.

Remembrance alone is not enough. Unfortunately, there are people today in Canada glorifying terrorist attacks and celebrating those who commit these evil acts. That is why on days like today, we should not only honour the lives lost and celebrate the heroes of the day, but clearly and unequivocally condemn those who advocate violence to achieve political goals.

Let us honour the memory of Corporal Cirillo and Patrice Vincent and grieve with their families. May perpetual light shine upon them.

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the loss of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was gunned down 10 years ago today while standing guard on sentry duty at the Canadian National War Memorial.

On October 22, 2014, we lost a son, brother, father, friend and national hero. When we lost Nathan, a 24-year-old reservist from Hamilton, we all mourned as one Canadian family. My prayers continue to include his family and his loved ones, as well as the wonderful people who came to Nathan's aid.

I want all men and women in uniform to know that they are valued and we appreciate their work. I want our Parliamentary Protective Service members who continue to serve and those who have since left to know that their efforts will forever be remembered. Today is a devastating memory in our history, and I hope all members in this place will continue to work together to ensure that PPS members are given the resources and regard they deserve.

As we honour the courageous Canadians in uniform who defend our values and freedom at home and around the world, we are reminded of the responsibility we all share to denounce hatred and to promote inclusion in our communities and in Canada.

Government Priorities

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, there are now about 40 Liberal MPs who agree with what Canadians already know: This Prime Minister is not worth the cost, crime or corruption.

Those MPs are telling us that they need the Prime Minister's permission to speak at tomorrow's caucus meeting. He will be able to prevent them from talking about how housing costs have doubled and how the debt, inflation and corruption have doubled.

Will he allow freedom of expression so those MPs can say what they think?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it is once again very clear that the Leader of the Opposition's main focus is on his political priorities, not the priorities of Canadians.

We are delivering results for Canadians on dental care, pharmacare and $10-a-day child care. The Conservative leader is offering nothing but budget cuts, austerity and political games. On this side of the House, we will stay focused on Canadians and their well-being.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is the one who is distracted by political games because 40 or so of his own members see that he is not worth the cost, crime or corruption. In fact, they have lost confidence in this Prime Minister. It is odd that the Bloc Québécois still has confidence in this Prime Minister when even the Liberal members do not.

Again, members have to be able to express themselves freely. Will the Prime Minister stop preventing them from speaking so that they can say that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost or the crime?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, again, we see how preoccupied the opposition leader is with his own partisan political priorities and not the well-being of Canadians. We are here to invest in pharmacare, which will give free insulin to those who need it and will give prescription contraceptives to women across this country.

The Conservative leader prefers to talk about politics. He prefers to talk about the cuts he is going to make to the programs that Canadians rely on. We will be there for Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we have now learned that about 40 Liberal MPs believe the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister is not worth the cost, crime and corruption. However, there is a strange rule in the Liberal caucus that they need to have permission from the Prime Minister to speak at the microphone. If a Liberal MP wanted to get up and say that quadrupling the carbon tax is a bad idea or that doubling housing costs is making people homeless, they could not do that.

Will the Prime Minister lift the gag so that his Liberal MPs can say to his face that he is not worth the crime, the cost and the corruption?

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

None of these questions have to deal with the administration of government, but I see that the Prime Minister is rising to his feet.

The right hon. Prime Minister.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it seems the Conservative leader is confusing rules that apply in the Conservative caucus with the rules we have in the Liberal Party. The reality is, we can see the point to which the Conservative leader is simply focused on playing politics and gaining power. That is why he wants to talk about things that do not have to do with delivering for Canadians. He does not want to talk about the fact that close to a million Canadians will be receiving dental care because of our Canadian dental program, which he says does not even exist and which he has voted against every step of the way.

[An hon. member]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

I would ask the hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot to please not take the microphone when the Speaker is on his feet or when other speakers who have been recognized by the Speaker are taking the floor.

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry to have to bring up this terrible rule. It is just that Liberal backbench MPs are coming and talking to all of us to say that they are not allowed to speak to him. They are wondering if I could perhaps pose some questions on their behalf. I guess they cannot get anywhere with the current Prime Minister, so they would rather talk to the future common-sense Conservative prime minister.

Instead of silencing his own MPs, will the Prime Minister let them get up to the mic tomorrow to tell him that he is not worth the cost, crime and corruption?

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that he cannot administer the government because he is too busy fighting for his job after nine years. Even his MPs know it.

He broke immigration. He doubled the debt, doubled housing costs, doubled crime and doubled the cost of living in a home. He wants to quadruple the carbon tax that has already forced two million people to a food bank, one in four kids to hunger and 25% of Canadians to poverty. Canadian food prices are up 36% faster than in the States. Statistics Canada officials say that we have the biggest gap between rich and poor in our recorded history. His MPs know that he has broken the country.

Will the Liberals call a carbon tax election so we can fix it?