House of Commons Hansard #372 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
It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to John Horgan, British Columbia's former premier and Canada's ambassador to Germany, who passed away far too soon, on November 12.
John from Langford, as he was affectionately known, was a great Canadian and fierce fighter for our province. He believed and lived the belief that we can build a strong economy and do the best for the most vulnerable, and that the two are inextricably linked. That is what we loved about John. Even as a federal Liberal I admired his pragmatism, his passion and his ability to cross traditional boundaries of politics to build a coalition of British Columbians that dared to build a better future. Our province is better off having had John Horgan as our premier.
To his wife, Ellie, and his children, I send on behalf of all of us in the House our sincere condolences. I thank them for sharing John with us.
May John rest in peace. May his memory live long and prosper.
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Mr. Speaker, I really fear for our forestry workers, who are dedicated to their profession.
Many have already lost their jobs, and now another 1,400 forestry workers in Lac‑Saint‑Jean and on the north shore are directly threatened because of a federal decree that the Minister of Environment wants to impose. What is the member forJonquière doing about this? Nothing. He has not asked a single question in the House to defend workers, nor has he taken any concrete action. All he has done is take part in round table discussions that lead nowhere. Worse still, he voted twice to keep this government in place, clearing the way for it to impose this destructive decree.
It is clear that the Bloc Québécois and the Liberals are forming a coalition against the regions and against the forestry sector. The Bloc Québécois is no longer a party of the regions. We must say no to this hypocrisy and bring back common sense.
It is time for an election.
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
Mr. Speaker, on July 24, Sherbrooke lost one of its bright lights with the passing of a beloved resident at the age of 94.
Lilianne Poulin was extremely active on Sherbrooke's political scene. As a seasoned volunteer, Ms. Poulin followed wherever her convictions and deep faith in democracy led her. She cared about the well-being of her community and worked tirelessly to convince people to get involved in politics if they wanted to effect change. Her interest in politics led her to take on a wide range of duties during numerous election campaigns.
At age 90, she was forced to curb her political involvement due to health issues, but she remained passionate about politics to the end.
I want to express my deepest condolences to Ms. Poulin's loved ones and thank them for sharing this extraordinary woman with the Sherbrooke community.
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Centre communautaire de loisirs Jean-Noël Trudel, a community recreation centre in Bas‑du‑Cap, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The centre welcomes more than 2,500 people a week, offering a multitude of services to the community, including sponsorship programs, activities for disadvantaged youth, day camps, sports and cultural activities, and the list goes on.
The centre owes its popularity and success to its passionate and dedicated staff. The centre's heart and soul is its executive director, Gaétan Laperrière. Since first being hired in 1989, he has worked as a group leader, an usher and a volleyball manager, and later served as program manager and general manager in 2008.
It is largely thanks to the dedication of Gaétan and his team that the Centre Jean-Noël Trudel can provide so many quality services to the people in the area.
Congratulations to Gaétan and his team. I wish everyone at the Centre Jean-Noël Trudel a happy 40th anniversary and continued success.
Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Canada's Sri Lankan diaspora, including both Sinhalese Canadians and Tamil Canadians, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sri Lanka's President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and his progressive party, the National People's Power, on their historic majority in the parliamentary elections. This victory represents a mandate to implement the promised economic and constitutional reforms, including addressing long-standing demands, such as returning state-acquired lands in the north to their rightful owners.
The Sinhalese in the south, the Tamils in Jaffna in the north and all ethnic minorities, including Muslims and Malaiyaha Tamils, have expressed new-found trust in the government. I urge Canada to seize this opportunity to reset its approach, shifting away from influence of diaspora groups and a divisive agenda and focusing instead on fostering respectful and strengthened bilateral relations.
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
Mr. Speaker, after nine years of NDP-Liberals, Canadian children have never been worse off. Yesterday, Campaign 2000 published its national report card, and under the Prime Minister, child poverty jumped 2.5% between 2021 and 2022, the largest annual increase on record for the second straight year in a row. With the cost of food up 35% since the government took office, it is no wonder nearly one in five children, totalling 1.4 million, is living in poverty.
Here is some breaking news: Canada has failed to improve its ranking on the climate change performance index. Sadly, Canada still ranks 62 out of 67, as other countries boast a better environmental record without punishing their people with the carbon tax.
A Conservative government will bring fiscal responsibility and accountability back to Ottawa, scrap the tax and put affordable food on the tables of middle-class Canadians. Let us bring it home.
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. Speaker, here is an epic story to inspire us all. It is about compassion, passion and integrity immortalized in the movie Chariots of Fire, with an important Canadian connection. One hundred years ago at the 1924 Paris Olympics, Scottish sprinter Eric Liddell, son of missionaries, refused to run on a Sunday to compete in his signature race, the 100-metre sprint. Instead he ran the 200-metre and 400-metre events, winning bronze and gold, the gold in world record time. Liddell exemplified the very best of athletics, and his faith and sport gave him a platform to help others.
A year after winning Olympic glory, he returned to China as a missionary, teacher and mentor. When war approached, he sent his wife, Florence, and daughters back to Canada. He never saw them again. Liddell died in a Japanese internment camp, aged 43. We join his family in Canada to celebrate his life. His legacy endures.
Viviane LaPointe Liberal Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, if we want to know what the future of Canada's clean-energy economy looks like, we need look no further than my riding of Sudbury. Sudbury is a success story in combining environmental stewardship with economic development. Canada's mining industry creates close to 700,000 direct and indirect jobs, and we are just getting started. Mining contributes $161 billion to Canada's economy. That is close to 8% of the country's GDP.
At this time of global uncertainty, developing a reliable supply chain for critical minerals is vital to Canada's economic growth, peace and security. Critical minerals and mining are at the centre of the clean-energy transition. With over 300 mining supply, technology and innovation businesses, Sudbury, I am proud to say, is at the heart of this effort.
Rob Morrison Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC
Mr. Speaker, today is National Child Day and also Day on the Hill for Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. Ronald McDonald House helps families struggling with life's toughest and most unexpected moments: caring for a sick child. Last year its 16 houses and 19 family homes provided comfort and care to over 18,000 families across Canada when their child received treatment.
Ronald McDonald House is joined today by Lindsay Williamson, a dedicated mother and advocate for her son, Mason, who was born with a rare genetic disease. It has been a lifeline for their family that has provided a place of comfort, rest and normalcy amidst the chaos of multiple hospital visits. As Lindsay has said, “Strong families are essential building blocks for strong communities.” I could not agree more.
Let us welcome Ronald McDonald Houses from across Canada and help them to deliver the care and comfort so families can also heal.
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians know foreign interference poses a grave threat to our democracy. That is why many are concerned about the Leader of the Opposition's refusal to obtain his security clearance. While the RCMP has uncovered foreign criminal activity in Canada, the Conservative leader prefers to close his eyes and repeat empty slogans in the House. We should all be concerned about such blatant disregard for the safety of Canadians. Every other party leader of the House has acted with vigilance by obtaining their security clearance to stay fully informed.
I would like to suggest that rather than obsess about maintaining tight control over his caucus, as reported in today's Globe and Mail, the Leader of the Opposition expend his energy on immediately applying for a security clearance. National security has to remain every member's priority.
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, the government is putting Paul Bernardo ahead of victims. First, there was the transfer to medium security, in the dead of night, to a jail with cushy conditions, including a hockey rink that doubles as a tennis court. No advance notice was given to victims. The latest issue is that the victims, including the French family and the Mahaffy family, are now being told that they cannot attend Bernardo's hearing next week in person.
To present their victim impact statement in person is a right that every victim should have. The Parole Board's reason is security, but it will not say what security is at issue. Correctional Service Canada has an army of officers available to assist, but it chose to hide and to obfuscate. Why is that? I believe it is because they want to hide the truly lax conditions of Bernardo's incarceration. They bend over backward for Paul Bernardo while ignoring the basic rights of the victims' families.
The French and Mahaffy families and all victims have been through enough. Why is the government revictimizing them?
Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canadian political news right now makes binge-worthy political dramas on Netflix look tame. Here is the plot: There are allegations of fraud, arson, destruction of records, grounded private jets, missing witnesses and unfulfilled contracts.
The scandals with the just recently former minister of employment are stacking up. He claimed to be indigenous, even though he was not, but he certainly wanted to be because he netted millions in contracts that were supposed to go to indigenous-owned businesses. It has been revealed that there were connections between that former minister and an international drug-smuggling ring, and claims that the so-called Randy, who he kept denying he was, netted millions in government contracts.
That minister may be out, but here are the brass tacks of the situation: It is time for Canadians to put the morally questionable and corrupt government on notice. It is time for a carbon tax election, so Canadians can elect a common-sense Conservative government to restore order and accountability and bring home a country that does the work Canadians expect.
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians elect MPs to represent their communities in Ottawa, not to serve the party leaders' interests, but the Conservative leader does not seem to care. After more than 18 Conservative MPs advocated for the housing accelerator fund to support their communities, the opposition leader imposed gag orders, silencing his MPs from pushing for federal funding because he wants to slash housing initiatives across the country.
Surrey residents cannot afford the Conservative leader's reckless plan to cut our $95-million agreement, which would unlock 16,500 new homes over the next decade. It is time for Conservative MPs to stand up to their leader and fight his cuts to their communities so we can solve the housing crisis.
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Speaker, the B.C. provincial cabinet has been announced, and the vast majority of its leadership is made up of women. In fact, more than half of B.C. MLAs overall are women, which is a first.
Research shows that, when groups come together with a broad amount of diversity, decisions are more effective and a better fit for everyone. As my friend Karen reminds me, when something is more accessible, it is more accessible for everyone.
Research tells us that women are asked less than half as often as men to run for politics and that they need to be asked multiple times to consider it. I hope all of us in the House remember to get out there and ask many times for the amazing women of our communities to run for all political roles. With more inclusive leadership, we can create better solutions, better communities and a better Canada.
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Mr. Speaker, today is National Child Day. This is an important opportunity to remember that children are the future of our society and deserve the utmost care and protection. Unfortunately, too many children still live in precarious conditions with unequal access to education, quality health care, nutritious food and a healthy environment. Poverty, abuse and a lack of resources are an everyday reality for many children in Quebec and Canada. It is our duty to ensure that they have a better future.
The Bloc Québécois wants to take this opportunity to remind the federal government that it promised to invest $1 billion in the school food program but has yet to transfer even one penny to Quebec. On this day, let us recommit to defending the rights of children and creating a fairer environment for them.
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
Mr. Speaker, let us play a little game of true or false regarding the former minister of employment, the member for Edmonton Centre.
True or false, the former minister deceived Canadians and his caucus colleagues about his indigenous heritage. That is true.
True or false, the former minister from Edmonton's business deceptively advertised itself as indigenous-owned. That is true.
True or false, the former minister's ethically challenged business fraudulently applied for and received government contracts meant for actual indigenous businesses. That is true.
True or false, the former minister from Edmonton's firm shares a mailing address with persons named in several cocaine busts. That is true.
True or false, despite claims of multiple Randys, there is only one Randy at the former minister's business firm. That is true.
True or false, the former minister from Edmonton breached ethics rules by contacting his business while sitting at the cabinet table. That is true.
True or false, the Prime Minister has one set of rules for actually indigenous MPs in his cabinet and a different set of rules for non-indigenous but indigenous-claiming multiple Randy personality disorder MPs in his cabinet. That is true.
True or false, the Prime Minister should have fired that guy a long time ago. That is true.
Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, thanks to some excellent work by Radio-Canada reporter Christian Noel, we learned this week that Conservative MPs are being muzzled by their leader. The article states, “The man who promised during his leadership run to make Canada ‘the freest country in the world’ maintains tight control over the actions of his caucus members.” One Conservative told CBC, “Everybody is being watched. What we say, what we do, who we talk to. We're told not to fraternize with MPs from the other parties. And that's not normal.”
The Conservative leader will not even let his members advocate for the housing accelerator fund in their ridings, which is money for housing for the people who voted them into office. I know that in my riding of Hamilton Mountain, the housing accelerator fund means $93 million for 9,000 new homes over the next decade. Affordable housing providers, such as Indwell, Victoria Park Community Homes and Good Shepherd, say the fund is critical to their work.
It is time for the Conservatives to stop parroting their leader's slogans and start standing up for their constituents.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has doubled the debt, doubled housing costs, doubled gun crime, doubled food bank use and, up until a few moments ago, had a minister with a double identity.
The Prime Minister knew that the minister in question was directing his business from inside cabinet and that he had falsely claimed to be indigenous, yet the Prime Minister stood by him and kept him in cabinet.
Why is the Prime Minister so determined to protect his former minister's corruption?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the member for Edmonton Centre has stepped down from cabinet to focus on clearing these allegations.
Meanwhile, when the Leader of the Opposition talks about the challenges facing Canadians, he does not offer any solutions besides cuts and austerity. He wants to cut the dental care program. He wants to cut the pharmacare program for medication and contraception. He wants to cut day care spaces. He is offering cuts when Canadians need investments and growth.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the former Liberal attorney general, who was appointed by this Prime Minister and was the first indigenous person to hold the position, said it was shameful for a Liberal minister to claim to be indigenous when he is not.
Let us look how differently these two individuals were treated. Why did the Prime Minister fire a real indigenous woman for telling the truth, but support a fake indigenous minister who told falsehoods?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, for a leader who claims to be concerned about people who tell the truth, it is interesting to see that he is muzzling his caucus and not letting members express their concerns about investments in their communities. We found out today that he is not allowing his own members to speak freely.
We are here in the House to be strong voices for our communities, but he wants his members to be his voice in their communities. That is not how it works. Conservative members should say what they really think.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, in nine years, has doubled housing costs, doubled the debt, doubled gun crime, doubled food bank use and, up until a minute ago, had a minister with a double identity.
The Prime Minister knew the former minister was directing his business illegally from inside cabinet. He knew the former minister had claimed there was another Randy when there was no other Randy. He knew the former minister had falsely claimed to be indigenous in order to take money away from real indigenous people, yet he stood by him up until yesterday.
Why is it that he always stands up for corruption on his own side?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the member for Edmonton Centre has stepped down from cabinet to focus on clearing these allegations.
The Leader of the Opposition talks about the importance of speaking up. The reality is that his MPs are no longer voices for their communities; they are his voice in their communities. That is not how this place is supposed to work.
We are focused on making sure that we are investing in Canadians and supporting them with the kinds of supports for housing, dental care and child care they need, while all he offers are cuts and austerity.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, on muzzling caucus members, this is the guy who fired the first indigenous attorney general because she refused to defend his corruption.
She said, “A Prime Minister committed to true reconciliation would have removed Randy (and the other Randy) from Cabinet long ago. Instead we get to watch white people play ancestry wheel of fortune. So shameful and extremely destructive!”
Why is it that he fired a real indigenous minister for telling the truth while trying to keep in place a fake indigenous minister who told falsehoods?