Debates of Nov. 25th, 2024

Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Madam Speaker, the member referred to broader economic and social changes. He also referred to rents. With inflation falling to 2% and interest rates getting cut four times, the rents in places like Toronto and Vancouver are falling by over 9%, year over year. The member also talked about affordable housing. I would like to get his comments on the housing accelerator fund and whether he is in support of it even now.

[Rob Morrison, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Madam Speaker, I can say that, when I go back to Kootenay—Columbia, when I talk to the people of Kootenay—Columbia, they cannot afford to buy groceries. I am not too sure where that member is shopping or where they are getting their prices. Prices have gone up so much that they cannot afford to buy everything they need. We need to start to do something about that. Right now, we are not doing anything other than spending money that we do not have.

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Madam Speaker, if anything, this scandal has taught us that “the players gonna play, play, play, play, play...the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake”, and the government cannot shake this scandal off.

There is a reason why this scandal is so profoundly scandalous, and that is that Canadians are impoverished. They are finding it hard to afford their groceries, yet Liberal-connected insiders and cronies are benefiting to the tune, in this case, of $400 million, and there was more in the past. Would the hon. member not agree that this just cannot be the case and that we have to get to the bottom of this?

[Rob Morrison, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Madam Speaker, yes, that is absolutely correct. What we are talking about here is $400 million and 186 ethical violations, yet, from across the road, we are talking about historical issues and things that are not even relevant to the $400 million. If that $400 million was sent to Kootenay—Columbia, we can imagine what we could do with that money, how we could help people.

We need to find out where that money went and to ensure that all of the ethical violations are followed up through an investigation, so that we do not have this happen again.

[Robert Gordon Kitchen, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Madam Speaker, one of the words my hon. colleague hit on quite extensively was the word “trust”. He spoke about it quite extensively throughout his 20-minute speech. The reality is that Canadians across the country have lost trust in the government. Part of what the government is trying to do is to distract people from truly understanding what it is, because $400 million is not chump change. It is a lot of money, and it affects Canadians all across this country, especially in his riding.

I am wondering if the member would mind commenting again on how, through calling people out on this trust issue, it will bring that trust, faith and consistency back to Canadians.

[Rob Morrison, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Madam Speaker, trust is something that has to be earned, and that is not happening in the government today.

Trust has to be earned by one's actions. When the government is not accountable and is not giving the unredacted documents that have been asked for regarding the $400 million, that tells Canadians the government does not care.

Where are they? Why are they not unredacted? What has happened to our government that it is not producing those documents?

Attack in Pakistan

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Madam Speaker, on behalf of Shia Muslims across Canada, I condemn the recent deadly attack in Pakistan. On November 21, gunmen ambushed convoys of Shia Muslims in Kurram district, killing at least 38 individuals, including women and children.

Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims generally coexist peacefully in Pakistan. However, militant groups like Deobandi militant groups, Salafi extremist groups affiliated with the Islamic State, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, and the Barelvi group's Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan indulge in the killing of Shia Muslims in Pakistan. Motivated by sectarian ideologies, these groups are responsible for numerous brutal incidents in recent years. They operate almost freely due to the absence of a political will to prosecute them.

I call on Canada to condemn the killings and to convey to Pakistan the deep concerns of Shia Muslims across Canada.

Community Leaders in Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the incredible and ongoing contributions of Ken and Christine Waddell.

Ken and Christine Waddell have spent their entire career working to promote local journalism. Fifty-seven years ago, they began a publishing career together at the University of Manitoba. They would go on to spend their personal and professional lives owning and operating many local publishing companies, providing a valuable local lens for their communities. This includes 35 years with the Neepawa Banner and Press, 32 years with the Rivers Banner and, as of this year, being the new owners of the Virden Empire-Advance.

However, their contributions do not stop with their publishing business. They are both actively engaged in their community of Neepawa. Ken has volunteered much of his time with the Neepawa Titans hockey team, and Christine has volunteered much of her time with the Tangled Threads Quilt Club and the Neepawa Rotary Club.

On behalf of the House of Commons, I want to thank them for being pillars in their community and for giving a voice to rural Canadians for so many years. Our country is a much better place because of them.

Syndrome of Unknown Cause in New Brunswick

[Jenica Atwin, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the cluster of progressive neurological symptoms of unknown etiology in New Brunswick. The people of my beautiful province need our help, and it is long past time we acknowledge the patients and their families, who have been fighting this battle for years. They deserve answers. They deserve action. They deserve a diagnosis so we can begin to treat them, improve their quality of life and save lives.

To all the heroes who have been shouting from the rooftops when no one was listening, all of New Brunswick owes them a debt of gratitude. We must come together now to get to the bottom of this unsettling situation. When the first cases began and the alarm was raised, too often those in a position of power chose to look away and chose to avoid drawing attention to the matter by downplaying and detracting.

New Brunswick matters. Our health matters. We do not yet know what is causing the devastating and rapid onset of symptoms that patients are experiencing. We do not know why those living in the Acadian Peninsula and indigenous and young people under 45 are among the most afflicted, but we owe it to them to find out.

I call on our government to be there and to work with experts and provincial partners to finally end the suffering and silence.

Anti-Semitism

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, d'Adil Charkaoui is exhorting crowds to pray for Israel to be wiped off the map at protests where people are setting cars on fire and breaking shop windows. Protests in Montreal are becoming more and more violent, and the target of this violence is increasingly clear: Quebec's Jewish community. It is beyond intolerable that a human rights defender like Irwin Cotler has been threatened and placed under police protection in Quebec, that synagogues are being fired upon and that people are being intimidated, assaulted and threatened because they are Jewish.

People are entitled to demonstrate, people are entitled to support Gaza in the conflict with Israel. We cannot remain insensitive to the fate of the people of Gaza. We have seen the suffering of women and children in the Gaza Strip and we too want this war to come to an end, but nothing justifies this emerging antisemitism. These antisemitic acts are a stain on pro-Palestinians and on Quebec. It is high time they ended.

Trees of Hope

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizens' Services]

Mr. Speaker, for the past 11 years, the Fairmont Château Montebello has organized a major Christmas tree-decorating celebration known as Trees of Hope. The majestic Château is filled with trees sponsored and decorated by generous local businesses, and all the money raised is donated to the Petite-Nation food bank.

I had the pleasure of decorating my Tree of Hope this year with my daughters Jade and Jana, and it is adorned with the colours and symbols that represent our beautiful country. I invite everyone to go and admire the Trees of Hope, which will be on display throughout the holiday season. Visitors can choose their favourite. More importantly, I invite people to give generously to food banks and the Petite-Nation food bank. These organizations are on the front lines when it comes to offering help to the most needy in our communities.

I would like to thank the Fairmont Château Montebello for this wonderful initiative.

Lobster Fishing in Nova Scotia

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is dumping day. No, it is not another Liberal cabinet shuffle. Tomorrow, in Lobster fishing areas 33 and 34, almost 2,000 fishing boats from Prospect Bay, New Harbour, Lunenburg, Liverpool, Cape Sable Island, Shag Harbour, St. Mary's Bay and Digby will set out before dawn to dump up to 400 lobster traps per boat into the deep, briny sea. Tomorrow, legal fishermen will be fishing the best lobster in the world in the most important fishery in Nova Scotia, from the edge of the shore to 80 miles out in the North Atlantic from now until May. With waves crashing over them in storms and sunny days to catch the food we eat, it is the most dangerous fishery in the world.

My wish for these lobster harvesters is that the seas be calm and that the lobsters be crawling. May the fishing grounds be prosperous, making long days seem short. May the shore prices and markets be steady, and may the thoughts of loved ones and family guide them safely back to port each day of the season.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This is a scourge that continues to afflict my community of London and communities across the country. It is, of course, incumbent on all governments to lead the charge against it, but alongside us and on the ground, we have outstanding not-for-profit organizations carrying out the work.

One example is the London Abused Women's Centre. This organization tirelessly devotes itself to the cause. In fact, in 2010, it began the Shine the Light campaign, which every night sees businesses and other organizations in our community put on a purple light. It illuminates this campaign so we can see more action against the scourge that is violence against women. The effort has continued and has gone beyond that. Tonight, the Peace Tower will be lit in purple. It is international as well.

There is much more to do, but because of organizations like LAWC, we have hope.

Gender-Based Violence

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, I am thinking about all the women suffering from abuse I met during my journalism career and all the families I got to know covering criminal cases caused by femicide.

Gender-based violence does not stop at physical harm. It includes psychological and economic manipulation, which also have devastating effects that perpetuate cycles of violence and endure for generations. All of us have a responsibility to reflect on this, particularly men and boys.

We heard this recently at a status of women committee hearing. Attitudes and behaviours that objectify and belittle women create a culture of violence. Hashtags like “men going their own way”, used by the Leader of the Opposition in his videos, further entrench violent attitudes in our society.

These are not new issues, but for the first time we have a government actually doing something about them with a national action plan to end gender-based violence. It is not everything we have to do, but it is a strong start, and on this side of the House we will not relent until every woman is safe.

Rouge et Or Football Team

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Université Laval's Rouge et Or football team on winning the 59th Vanier Cup. Once again, after taking home the prestigious Vanier Cup for the 12th time, this team has proven to be a powerhouse of Canadian university football.

The Rouge et Or has shown that success is a matter of strategy, teamwork, and unfailing resilience. Its performance was nothing short of jaw-dropping. To seize victory at the national finals with six field goals is one for the record books.

Every player, coach, and staff member should be proud of this accomplishment. The Rouge et Or's inspiring example reaches far beyond the football field. It is the pride of Université Laval, of Quebec and of everyone who believes in the power of hard work and team spirit.

May the Rouge et Or, a university sport dynasty, continue to aim higher and higher, to exceed expectations, and to embody the values of excellence. Congratulations to the entire team for its outstanding victory.

Gender-Based Violence

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

Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the first day of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Violence against women is one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world and disproportionately impacts women from minority groups. I am proud of our government's work to fight gender-based violence at home and abroad, which includes the 10-year action plan to end gender-based violence here in Canada, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and standing up for women internationally, as with the zan, zendegi, azadi movement in Iran and the women of Afghanistan.

Our government has supported women's groups across Canada, including the York Region Women's Foundation in my riding. On this side, we support frontline organizations that protect women and educate young people, including young men, about the need to have healthy relationships. These are all programs that Conservatives cut under Harper and will cut again if they get the chance.

Violence against women is not only a women's issue; it is a societal issue that we should all come together and act now to end. Let us eliminate gender-based violence, not the programs that fight against it.

New Democratic Party of Canada

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP members are a bunch of sellouts. Despite the leader of the NDP's media stunt where he ripped up the coalition deal and said, “the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for people,” he continues to prop up the Prime Minister and his failed caucus. The leader of the NDP voted for the carbon tax over 24 times, pushing Canadians to food banks in record-smashing numbers with over two million visits in a single month. The leader of the NDP supports soft-on-crime policies and hard drug legalization that have led to a 50% increase in violent crime, causing chaos, death and destruction.

The NDP has supported housing and fiscal policies that have driven an entire generation out of home ownership, leaving young people hopeless about their future. Every day the Prime Minister remains in power, it is because the NDP keeps him there. Let us call a carbon tax election now. Let us bring some common sense back to Canada.

The Economy

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the Prime Minister, life has never been more expensive for Canadians. Grocery prices have skyrocketed and Canadians are struggling to feed their families. Record numbers of Canadians are being forced to rely on food banks to survive and many food banks are running out of food. Food insecurity has reached such alarming levels that 27 cases of scurvy have been identified in northern Saskatchewan. The patients all had one thing in common: a lack of nutritious food. This should not be happening in Canada.

This is the shameful record of the Prime Minister. Unfortunately, the worst is yet to come. This costly NDP-Liberal coalition is hell-bent on quadrupling the carbon tax, which will only make everything more expensive. Canadians deserve access to safe, nutritious and affordable food. Only common-sense Conservatives will bring home lower prices by axing the tax on groceries permanently.

Affordability Measures

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week, our government delivered on its promise to put more money back in the pockets of Nickel Belt residents and all Canadians.

With a tax break for everyone and a new rebate for working Canadians, we are ensuring that families can save and workers can succeed. The Conservative leader's response is to muzzle his MPs. The Conservatives are ready to cut essential services that Canadians rely on every day, such as child care and health care.

Canadians deserve better than what the Conservatives are offering. The announcement is an example of how our government is ensuring that workers and families can afford what they need and save on some of the things they want. I hope all members of the House will support our efforts to reduce costs for Nickel Belt residents and all Canadians.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the NDP stands in solidarity with women, girls and gender-diverse people facing violence in our communities and around the world. Globally, nearly one in three women have faced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and every day 140 women and girls are killed by family members. From Afghanistan to Ukraine, from Gaza to Sudan, the realities of war disproportionately devastate women, robbing them of safety, dignity and opportunity.

Canada must do more. A feminist foreign policy means committing to peacekeeping, supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and ensuring women are at the forefront of conflict resolution and recovery. Violence against women is not inevitable. It is a choice that we can work to end together. We must act boldly and compassionately for a world where everyone is free from violence and fear.

Rouge et Or Football Team

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec City is a city of champions. Université Laval's Rouge et Or won the Vanier Cup for the 12th time. This victory makes it the most successful team in Canada.

The kicker and player of the game, Felipe Forteza, gave an extraordinary performance. His golden foot scored 18 of the 22 winning points. Then there is the work of head coach Glen Constantin, a true legend of Quebec football. His players were shut out of the league's individual awards ceremony, but they made up for it by winning, as the coach says, the only trophy that no one votes on.

Since 1995, the entire organization has had the best program in Quebec and Canada. Congratulations to the entire Rouge et Or organization, the players, the parents and the fans. They are unbeatable champions.

Public Safety

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister dances while Montreal burns. Over the weekend, Montreal was attacked by a vicious anti-Semitic mob. It attacked police, lit vehicles on fire and bashed in windows while the Prime Minister was busy dancing at a Taylor Swift concert.

This is what we get from a Prime Minister who, for nine years, has divided Canadians. He divided us by race, religion, region, age and wealth. He has opened our borders to criminals and terrorists who attack law-abiding Canadian citizens. What is the result? It is firebombings of synagogues, extremists attacking mandirs and gurdwaras, over 100 churches burned and vandalized, and hate crime up 251%. When it comes to fighting anti-Semitism, Second Cup has more chutzpah than this weak Prime Minister.

Canadians need an election now so that Conservatives can restore our values, our freedoms, and law and order in this country.

Affordability Measures

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Speaker, let me take the opportunity today to talk about something that will make a real difference in the lives of my constituents.

Starting December 14, we are giving a tax break to all Canadians along with a new working Canadians rebate, which will be delivered starting in early spring 2025. With new tax relief on groceries and seasonal expenses, and a rebate for working Canadians, we are reducing costs when they are the highest for Canadians. These measures will build on the government's work to ensure that Canadians keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.

From introducing $10-a-day day care to tax breaks to the middle class and small businesses, we have consistently targeted solutions that put money into Canadians' pockets. However, let us not forget one thing. The Conservatives want to cut these programs and they want to make Canadians pay for more out of their own pocket. Instead of offering solutions to Canadians, like we are doing on this side, they continue to focus on empty slogans.

Public Safety

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the violent protests in Montreal are the result of a Prime Minister who has spent nine years promoting woke, toxic identity politics, diving people by race, gender, vaccination status and on and on.

On top of dividing people, he is erasing our history and allowing terrorists and criminals into our country. The result? A 251% increase in hate crimes.

When will he call an election so we can repair what he has broken?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear, what was on display in Montreal just this past weekend was criminality. The violence, the hatred and the anti-Semitism that took place in Montreal is completely unacceptable, and everyone in this House must condemn it in the strongest possible terms.