House of Commons Hansard #352 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was documents.
Liberal
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
The singing of the national anthem will be led today by the member for Sarnia—Lambton.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Mr. Speaker, October 6 marks the electrical injury day of recognition, an initiative led by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association, the National Electrical Trade Council and other industry groups. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of electric shock injuries, which can have long-term health effects with no cure.
Proper awareness and safe work practices are essential to preventing these injuries and ensuring the safety of tradespeople. Key safety practices include establishing electrical-safe work conditions by isolating electrical equipment, testing for the absence of voltage and using lockout and tag out protocols.
I want to thank the organizations behind the electrical injury day of recognition for their ongoing commitment to promoting health and safety in the industry.
Terry Dowdall Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Small Halls Festival, a unique eight-week festival with events across the communities of Clearview Township. Community centres, outdoor stages and churches in Creemore, Singhampton, Duntroon, Nottawa, Sunnidale Corners, Brentwood, Dunedin and Stayner will each host different events.
Whether it is whisky or wine tasting, beer or food pairing, chicken races, craft fairs, car shows, a do-it-yourself marble run competition, music or art shows of any style and variety, there really is something for everyone at the Small Halls Festival.
I congratulate Mayor Doug Measures, Deputy Mayor Paul Van Staveren, Clearview Township council and the more than 250 community volunteers and sponsors who make the festival possible.
Come to Clearview Township to celebrate the best of rural living and see why the award-winning festival is one of the greatest in Ontario.
Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, Women's History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Canadian women, and since this year's theme is about women at work, I want to highlight the integral role that women play in shaping our economy.
I regularly meet with women entrepreneurs in my riding of Hamilton Mountain, like Brigitte Soares of Apostrophe Accounting, Julie Bobiak of the Lukaya Café, Julie DiNardo of Gleam Smile Centre and the Montague sisters, who founded BLK Owned, which helps uplift and promote other local businesses.
Because of these conversations, I know how important the government's initiatives have been. Our national child care strategy has helped more women enter the workforce than ever before. Our women's entrepreneurship strategy is providing loans, investments and a critical knowledge hub. I believe that measures like these are due to the fact that we have gender parity in cabinet and Canada's first-ever woman finance minister.
While Conservatives just keep hurling meaningless slogans, on this side of the House we are actually getting things done.
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. Protesting for peace in the Middle East and mourning the civilian death toll is legitimate, but shouting, “We are Hamas, we are Hezbollah” or “Death to Canada” in protest on October 7, as we saw in Vancouver, is despicable.
This echoes the problems we are also hearing about in Quebec. The Bloc Québécois unreservedly condemns such statements. There is a difference, a gulf, between freedom of expression and claiming to be part of a known terrorist entity. There is a wide gap between wishing for the Palestinians' safety and freedom and calling for the death of Canada. That is coming from a separatist.
I have a message for those who really want a ceasefire. They should ask their federal government why it is doing absolutely nothing rather than intimidating their Jewish neighbours in Quebec and Canada. They have nothing to do with this. That is the difference between a pro-Palestinian protest for peace and an anti-Semitic rally to incite violence.
Paul Chiang Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Bill C-71, a vital piece of legislation that would address the long-standing injustice faced by lost Canadians, individuals who, due to the Harper Conservatives' first-generation limit, have been unfairly excluded from Canadian citizenship. These individuals have lived in, worked in and contributed to Canada. Bill C-71 would grant citizenship to those people who were unfairly impacted by the previous Conservative government, while establishing a substantial connection-to-Canada test moving forward.
I look forward to working with parliamentarians from all parties to get the work done. It is time to right this historical wrong and ensure that all who should rightfully be Canadians are recognized as such.
Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer—Mountain View, AB
Mr. Speaker, one of the great local heroes of Markerville, Alberta, is renowned Icelandic poet Stephan G. Stephansson. Born into poverty in northern Iceland in 1853, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1873 and then in 1889 to his Markerville home.
Farmer by day and prolific poet by night, he composed verse, not in English but in his native Icelandic. He has been called the greatest poet of the western world, having published more than 2,000 pages of high-standard poetry. The local Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society, formed 50 years ago, restored the original home site, which is now an Alberta provincial historical site. The Writers' Guild of Alberta annually presents the Stephan G. Stephansson award in Stephansson's honour as it celebrates this amazing poet and playwright.
Recently, Donna Nelson, volunteer extraordinaire, was recognized for her exemplary contribution to the preservation and presentation of Alberta's heritage. Congratulations to Donna.
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Women's History Month this October, we are reminded of the incredible impact women have made and continue to make in our economy and our communities. The theme, “Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future”, beautifully highlights this ongoing journey.
Today we celebrate incredible local leaders in my riding, like Monique Dennison from the Richmond Hill Board of Trade and Sandra Ferri from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, who are working every day to support businesses. We celebrate entrepreneurs like Tanya Lindsay, small business owners like Deborah Clarke and Jaclyn Zhang, women in real estate like Heidi Kreiner-Ley, young women like Paris Johnson, and many other women who are so vital to the small- and medium-sized businesses in our communities.
Over the last 40 years, women have powered one-third of Canada's economic growth, and there is still so much potential ahead. Our government not only celebrates women's history but also believes in their future. We will always support women and protect their rights, unlike the official opposition and its leader.
Emmanuella Lambropoulos Liberal Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness and raise funds for research into breast cancer's cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.
Our government funded the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care to expedite updates to breast cancer screening guidelines as more and more women, particularly indigenous, Asian and Black women, are developing breast cancer in their forties, not their fifties. However, it is currently recommended that screening begin at age 50.
The task force determined that there is not enough Canadian research to justify making a change. That in itself is unacceptable and indicates that we need more relevant and recent research done on women's health, which must include Black, Asian and indigenous women.
Unfortunately, in some provinces, the recommendation is to begin screening at age 50. That means that many women are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease, which reduces their chances of survival.
On another note, I would like to give a shout-out to all the awesome organizations and businesses, including Pink in the City and Alphabet Café, that have campaigns of their own for this very worthy cause. Their contributions are saving lives, and we want to thank them very much.
John Williamson Conservative New Brunswick Southwest, NB
Mr. Speaker, DFO officials, in writing, told me 10 months ago that they would work with the harbour authority at Seeleys Cove on critical wharf repairs. Yesterday, DFO announced that this federal wharf would be condemned, and I have discovered that no discussions about repairs at Seeleys Cove happened with the harbour authority. In other words, I was misled by a public servant.
This was after the Liberals cut small-craft harbour funding in my New Brunswick riding, as well as in the neighbouring riding of Fundy Royal, this year to support Liberal ridings. The fisheries minister even allocated $45 million to wharves in her Quebec riding this summer to save her neck in the next election. It is no wonder Canadians believe that the Liberal government is corrupt.
It is inexcusable for DFO officials to lie to a member of Parliament. It is unforgivable for public servants to operate like partisan Liberals.
What the hell is going on at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans?
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
Before we continue, I am going to ask the hon. member for New Brunswick Southwest to please withdraw that language, which is not considered parliamentary.
John Williamson Conservative New Brunswick Southwest, NB
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the unparliamentary language; the rest stands.
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
This is the second time in two days this has happened. I would ask members to please avoid using language which is clearly not parliamentary.
The hon. member for Vimy.
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Mr. Speaker, tourism brings people together and fosters a sense of national pride. This week, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada is holding its Hill days events to showcase our tourism industry and to highlight the importance of the visitor economy. I want to thank them for their work and advocacy for Canadian tourism businesses.
Our government supports the tourism sector with programs like the tourism growth program, which is offered in all regional development agencies. The Conservatives' policy of fiscal restraint would jeopardize programs that support tourism operators.
Investing in tourism leads to economic growth, job creation and environmental protection while supporting the flourishing of local culture, including indigenous heritage.
Corey Tochor Conservative Saskatoon—University, SK
Mr. Speaker, here is more proof that the NDP-Liberals are not worth the cost, crime or corruption. The Attorney General found that Liberal appointees to the green slush fund gave nearly 400 million taxpayer dollars to their own companies, with over 186 conflicts of interest alone, at a time when Canadians cannot afford to eat, heat and house themselves.
The Speaker has ruled that the costly NDP-Liberal coalition violated the House order to turn over evidence to the police for a criminal investigation into the latest scandal. Does anybody see that this is obstruction of justice? Instead of coming clean, the NDP-Liberals have chosen to paralyze Parliament, pushing aside all work that we are doing to address the doubling of housing costs, food inflation and the crime and chaos on our streets.
Will the NDP-Liberals end the cover-up and give evidence to the police so we can finally get accountability for the corruption and Parliament can get back to work?
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned for our regional forestry worker . The Liberals, with the support of the Bloc Québécois, are threatening the regions with an order that will kill 1,400 jobs, at the very least.
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change's decision will seriously jeopardize the survival of our regions, and yet the minister could not even be bothered to go and meet with them. What we know now is that the Bloc Québécois is no longer a party that defends the regions. It is always looking out for the areas around Montreal. The proof is that the new Bloc candidate in Repentigny, Patrick Bonin, has taken a clear stand in favour of the order and is asking the federal government to intervene. This is really a Liberal-Bloc coalition.
The Bloc Québécois no longer understands what is happening in the regions. Ignoring these realities is not just irresponsible. It also demonstrates that there is a clear disconnect between Montreal's concerns and those of the regions. It is time to take action to protect jobs and the future in our regions.
Let us put an end to this hypocrisy and make room for common sense.
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Mr. Speaker, on the eve of the Spanish national holiday, I rise today to pay tribute to Canadians of Spanish descent who have contributed to building this beautiful country. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians of Spanish descent have made Canada stronger by generously and proudly sharing their history, their language and their culture.
To mark the occasion, the Spanish flag was raised on Parliament Hill today for the first time. This was done in the presence of the Spanish ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano; his wife, Rosa; State Secretary Olmedo; members of the House; and prominent members of Canada's Spanish community.
The ceremony served to reinforce the strong ties between Canada and Spain and honour those, like my own grandparents and great-grandparents, who came to our shores following a long journey across the Atlantic. May the strong ties between Canada and Spain only continue to grow. May Spain and Canada see peace and prosperity in our time.
Gracias.
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, as the catastrophic war rages on in Sudan, thousands of children are facing imminent death from malnutrition. Gender-based violence targeting women and girls, including sexual assault, is being used as a weapon of war. To date, not one single person has been brought to safety, and the minister is not expecting any arrivals this year. Lives are being lost as people wait for their applications to be processed.
The NDP is once again calling for the government to expedite processing; allow trusted organizations, such as the IOM, to help with biometrics; remove the arbitrary application cap of 3,250; and expand the program to include vulnerable children and those who were outside Sudan prior to April 15, 2023, and cannot get back home because of the war.
Over 286,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada under the CUAET program. Sudanese Canadians deserve equitable treatment in the world's largest displacement crisis.
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Speaker, large parts of our history have been scrubbed from the history books and erased, left to fade into oblivion. History cannot be fully explained without these pivotal moments that are far too often forgotten.
Fortunately, we have documentary filmmakers in Quebec who provide a unique perspective on our society and go beyond the official canon to help us rediscover ourselves. We owe so much to these women and men who uncover the truth: Pierre Perrault, Denys Arcand, Michel Brault, Pierre Falardeau, Manon Barbeau, Will Prosper, to name a few.
Félix Rose, who is in Ottawa today, is one of these giants of storytelling. He reminds us of important events that have been left out of the national story, whether Le dernier felquiste, Les Rose, or now La bataille de Saint‑Léonard, which he is showing in Gatineau this evening.
Through Mr. Rose, we commend the exceptional work of the documentary filmmaker. I invite my colleagues to come watch these thought-provoking films.
Jamil Jivani Conservative Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, after nine years, the NDP-Liberals are making Canada unsafe. Violent crime is up 50%, and, under the Prime Minister, hate crimes are up 251%.
To make matters worse, the NDP-Liberals are allowing a terrorist organization to operate freely within our borders, refusing to list Samidoun as a terrorist organization under the Anti-terrorism Act. Israel and Germany have already listed Samidoun as a terrorist organization. The EU deported the leadership of Samidoun. What exactly are the NDP-Liberals waiting for?
Common-sense Conservatives would ban Samidoun under the Anti-terrorism Act and make sure that it does not operate within our borders. We would protect Canadians of all faiths and all cultures, bring home safe streets and ensure that Canadians can live in peace within our communities.
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, in Canada and around the world, we have seen the emergence of radical far-right movements. These movements have had a profound impact on the types of governments that have been elected and on the lives of millions of people around the world, including here in Canada. They have organized disinformation campaigns designed to divide people and undermine confidence in reliable sources of information. They have impacted how some people treat others. They have impacted how some politicians treat others, including here in Canada.
Far-right movements have led to some politicians acting against the best interests of Canadians by opposing sound economic policies; by opposing sound social policies, such as dental care, child care or better long-term care; by undermining fundamental rights, such as those protected in our charter, including women's rights like a woman's right to choose; and by standing against measures to stand up to aggressors, such as Russia, that pose a threat to us all.
I urge us all to work together to stop the growth and influence of these far-right movements. It is essential to Canada's security, to our economy and to our freedom.
Innovation, Science and IndustryOral Questions
Carleton Ontario
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, Conservatives would have liked to be working in Parliament today to counter real estate inflation, which has doubled the cost of housing over the past nine years under this Liberal government, or to counter food inflation, which is 36% higher than in the U.S.
Unfortunately, we are instead focusing on the fact that Parliament has been paralyzed by the Prime Minister. He has paralyzed Parliament by refusing to hand over the documents that you, Mr. Speaker, ordered the government to send to the RCMP in relation to a $400-million scandal.
What does he have to hide?
Karina Gould LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, what the Leader of the Opposition is saying is absolutely false.
Here is what the RCMP said about this motion: “There is significant risk that the motion could be interpreted as a circumvention of normal investigative processes and Charter protections.”
Let us follow your directive, refer this motion to committee and get back to the important work of the House.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about a $400-million scandal, eight times the magnitude of the sponsorship scandal in monetary terms, which led the Auditor General to identify 186 conflicts of interest. The green fund chair has already been found guilty of breaking the law.
When someone steals money, do we call the police or do we call a committee?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that Canadians are fed up with the Conservative Party's games. Canadians are tired of the Conservatives' slogans too, and they have had it with the Conservatives' obstruction.
On this side of the House, as we have said repeatedly, we will always stand up to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals in Canada. We will always be here to defend democracy. We will continue to fight for Canada.