Debates of Nov. 21st, 2024

Francine Lalonde

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to Francine Lalonde, after whom the Pointe‑aux‑Trembles lookout was recently named. Francine Lalonde was the first female vice-president of the CSN trade union federation and served as minister of the status of women under René Lévesque. From 1993 to 2011, she was the Bloc Québécois MP for La Pointe‑de‑l'Île. As the foreign affairs critic, she advocated for Quebec and independence on the international stage. She also fought for Nathalie Morin, who is being held in Saudi Arabia by her husband against her will, and for Omar Khadr.

Her dedication to fighting for causes such as the right to die with dignity reflects her deeply humanist nature. I am grateful to the City of Montreal for making the Francine Lalonde lookout a symbol of her legacy to Quebec and La Pointe‑de‑l'Île. I am grateful to Francine Lalonde. We will never forget her.

NDP-Liberal Coalition

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I have an announcement. The NDP-Liberal coalition is renewing its vows after a brief two-and-a-half-month breakup. The irreconcilable differences of the NDP and the Liberals have been reconciled by their shared love of pensions and power. We all may love the warm, happily ever after, Hallmark homecoming feel that a reconciled relationship can bring, but while the coalition's renewal of vows may be restoring its fanciful hopes of retaining power, it is leaving Canadians feeling cold and rejected. While the NDP and Liberals are rekindling their old flame and catching up, Canadians are fed up and will not be fooled again.

At what is soon to be a renewal of vows ceremony, when the proverbial question is asked if anyone can show any just cause why the members of the coalition should not be lawfully reunited in marriage, we will all join with Canadians to say yes and to demand an immediate carbon tax election. Then Canadians will get to choose between a hypocritical, high-carbon, high-flying, honeymooning coalition government on the far left and a common-sense Conservative government that will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime.

Housing Accelerator Fund

[Bryan May, Liberal, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is committed to building more homes faster through the housing accelerator fund. We have signed over 175 agreements to fast-track the construction of over 750,000 new homes across Canada. In my riding of Cambridge, we are receiving $13.3 million to implement nine local initiatives, including the fast-tracking of municipal lands programs, which will spur over 3,600 new homes. These initiatives will also increase affordable housing by removing the barriers and streamlining the zoning process.

Unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition's plan to cut the fund is a disaster. He must stop muzzling Conservative MPs who are simply doing their job, advocating for their communities. Mayors, housing experts and even 18 of his own members of Parliament oppose this plan to cut the fund. I urge him to support our Liberal plan. We need to continue to build homes faster across Canada for all Canadians.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Before we continue with question period, I would like to point out to members that the Chair was generous today with many members from all parties who had gone over their 60 seconds. So that we can start on time, I ask all members to be mindful and to try to get their statements within 60 seconds.

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

Public Safety

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

Mr. Speaker, violent criminals are first, victims second. That is the Prime Minister's motto. Sexual psychopaths like Paul Bernardo and Terri-Lynne McClintic get to play tennis and live comfortably in lower-security prisons while victims serve psychological life sentences. This happens because of Bill C-83. The Prime Minister says that everybody in jail should be at the lowest level of security possible.

That begs this question: Why does the Prime Minister prefer criminals over victims?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, our colleague knows very well that is not the case. He knows that all members of the House should properly be concerned about victims of crime. I think all members of the House should also be judicious with respect to continually repeating in the House the names of Canada's most heinous criminals. We think, on this side, that is also disrespectful to victims.

Heinous criminals remain in federal prisons where they belong, and our government will always stand up for victims, including by not repeating over and over again in the House the names of heinous criminals.

Taxation

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

Mr. Speaker, I will say a name: Tori Stafford. One of her relatives wrote to me about what the minister said just yesterday. He said something similarly insensitive. If he were to read the note I got, I think he would be on his feet withdrawing.

The NDP-Liberals want to give a temporary tax trick, while permanently raising the carbon tax to 61¢ a litre. Here is the choice: The NDP-Liberals want to remove the GST on a few things and Conservatives want to axe the carbon tax on everything permanently.

Will the Prime Minister call a carbon tax election so we can axe the tax?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, today is a tremendous day in the House of Commons. Why is it? It is because we are giving a tax break to Canadians so they can buy essential things like groceries, snacks, kids' clothing, kids' boots and diapers, all tax-free. It means the same, starting on December 14, for buying beer or wine to enjoy with one's friends or family. Going to a restaurant and grabbing some takeout will also be tax-free for the holidays.

The best question that the Conservative member can ask his leader is whether this time he will be unmuzzled and unleashed to actually vote for an affordability measure in the chamber.

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

Mr. Speaker, this is nothing more than the arsonist pouring more inflationary fuel on the fire. Just this past May, the Prime Minister said that if we send out more cash, “inflation goes up by exactly that amount”.

Here is our common-sense solution: Axe the tax for everyone forever, which means cheaper gas, groceries, home heating and everything that is shipped. That is a Christmas present everybody wants.

Will the NDP-Liberals call an election so we can axe the tax?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to hear the member opposite talking about Christmas, because that is what we should be talking about: having a festive season. His leader, unfortunately, was talking about trickery. I thought he was still stuck in Halloween mode.

Here we are talking about the festive season and what we are going to do to make it better for Canadians. We are going to ensure that the toys they buy their children are GST-free. We are going to ensure that the Christmas tree they put up in their home to gather around is also tax-free. That is something I think every member of the chamber should get behind.

However, to date we have no idea whether Conservatives will actually support an affordability measure that helps Canadians for Christmas. Will they?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers are not naive. After nine years with this Prime Minister in power, supported by the Bloc Québécois, food prices have risen by 35%. Gas prices are up 50%. Rents have increased by 33%. Mortgage interest rates are up 73%.

The Prime Minister knows full well that this tiny, temporary GST holiday will do nothing to address the affordability crisis. Quebeckers want permanent relief, and that starts with a new Conservative government.

When will he call an election to make life more affordable for all Canadians forever?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, it is a great day for Quebeckers and Canadians.

Today, Canadians realized that the Liberal government has their backs. The number one thing that Canadians talk to us about is affordability. Today, our government is stepping up with a GST holiday that will apply to everyday items to help families in a tangible way. In the spring, we will be there to help workers.

The people watching at home today just want to know one thing. Will the Conservative leader allow his MPs to help Canadians, yes or no?

That is the question on Canadians' minds.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this Prime Minister, who is supported by the Bloc Québécois and kept alive by the NDP, is an expert schemer. In May, the Prime Minister asked if we could send people more benefits, an additional $1,000 a month. As soon as we do that, inflation rises by exactly the same amount.

What is going to happen after two months is that the Prime Minister's discounts are going to disappear, and inflation is going to take everything out of Canadians' pockets. When will the Prime Minister call an election to permanently axe the tax?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, we do not need an election for that; we have already done it for Canadians. The answer is clear. On one side of the House, the Conservatives are filibustering. Canadians will see whether the Conservatives have the gumption to stand up for them. What we are proposing today is an affordability measure. It is a measure to help people when they need it, this Christmas, and to help workers in the spring.

Do the Conservatives have the gumption to help Canadians once and for all?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Before I recognize the hon. member for La Prairie, I would like to remind the hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby not to speak unless he has been recognized by the Chair.

Official Languages

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's commissioner of the French language released his latest report yesterday.

French is still in decline and, not surprisingly, the commissioner is accusing Ottawa of contributing to that decline. Anyone who goes to any federal department in Quebec can tell right away that the language of work for the federal government is not French. Ottawa is giving bilingual jobs to unilingual anglophones. Ottawa is ignoring its obligation to translate documents into French. Obviously, Ottawa could not care less about French.

The problem is, by disrespecting French, Ottawa is disrespecting Quebec as a whole. Does the government understand that?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. I will say that, as the new Minister of Official Languages, I am eager to work with my Quebec counterpart. Protecting and promoting our two official languages, including French, is a top priority for our government. That is why we implemented Bill C‑13. We have also made historic investments in our action plan to the tune of $4.1 billion over five years. Our priority will always be official languages, and I repeat that I am eager to work with my counterparts.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's French language commissioner recommends that the Government of Quebec question the Government of Canada about the effects of its activities on French language situation in the Gatineau region.

That means that Quebec has to step in and tell Ottawa to stop anglicizing Gatineau and to stop anglicizing Quebec. This government is harming the French language. It is harming its future. It is harming the Quebec nation and its identity. It is harming Quebec. When will it stop walking all over us, all over the French language, and start showing some respect for French, the only common language of Quebec?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I have to be honest. I am a bit offended to hear my hon. colleague say that a woman from New Brunswick, from an official language minority community, is harming the advancement of French in this country. It is quite the opposite. I am very proud to be part of a government that has made historic investments in official languages, and I will continue to work with Quebec to ensure that the necessary investments are made.

Taxation

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for weeks, the NDP has been calling on the government to give a break to those struggling to pay their bills. We proposed a plan to cut the GST on essentials. The Liberals bowed to pressure, but, as usual, they are only working in half measures. We won on groceries and children's clothing, but for only two months. Those needs will not go away in February.

Do the Liberals understand that this help needs to be expanded and made permanent for families who are struggling?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP is waking up. It is Christmas time, and the NDP is waking up. We have long understood that the number one issue for Canadians is affordability. That is why, today, we are introducing a flagship measure, one that will help families. We are doing this because, at Christmas time, people need a helping hand. They need a little extra for the kids, for groceries and for eating out.

On this side of the House, Liberal MPs will always fight for affordability, will always fight for families, and will always be there to say yes to Canadians in their time of need.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians need relief. While CEOs are raking in billions of dollars in profits, families are getting gouged on things like their heating and cellphone bills, and at the grocery store.

The NDP has called on the Liberals to remove the GST on life's essentials to give Canadians a break. Instead the government responded with a partial version of what the NDP proposed. Liberals let people down and Conservatives want cuts.

Why will the Liberals not give Canadians a real break by permanently removing the GST on life's essentials?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, it is tax-free on essential goods for the holidays. That is great news for Canadians. There are also supports for Canadian workers, 18 million of whom will get cash back, which is more good news for Canadians. On this side of the House, we are fighting for affordability measures. On the other side of the House, what do we have? We have partisan games.

How can members opposite claim to speak for Canadians when they cannot even speak for themselves?

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians should hide their wallet. The Liberal-NDP costly coalition is back to break the bank. After doubling housing costs, doubling the national debt and doubling food bank usage, it wants to quadruple the carbon tax scam. The leader of the NDP is too weak, too selfish and too beholden to Liberal interests to fight for the people. That is why he is willing to keep the corrupt Liberal government in power; he has pension tension.

Why not give Canadians real relief by calling a carbon tax election now so common-sense Conservatives can axe the tax for good?