Debates of Nov. 28th, 2024

Motion That Debate Be Not Further Adjourned

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Speaker, obviously, the NDP-Liberal coalition, which is alive and well, is keen to talk about its tax trickery, but we know it is not a tax cut because, of course, it is not permanent.

The other interesting thing is this. We know that two million Canadians are going to a food bank every month. We know that one in four parents are giving up meals to feed their children. We know there are cases of scurvy in this country. However, what is it that we will have the GST removed from? It is candies, confectioneries classed as candies or goods sold as candies, candy floss, chewing gum, chocolate, popcorn coated or treated with candy, chocolate, sugars or artificial sweeteners, chips, crisps, puffs, curls, sticks, popcorn, brittle pretzels, salted nuts, seeds, fruit bars, roll-ups or similar fruit-based snacks.

This is ridiculous. We have people starving in this country because of the bad policies of the NDP-Liberal government and it wants to give people chips and crisps. It is nonsense.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Madam Speaker, there is nothing we can do to make the Conservatives want to support a measure that could help Canadians. Helping Canadians is against their religion. We saw that with the school food programs. They feel they can talk about food banks, but they do not support the programs we put in place.

These products that will not be taxed over a two-month period also include diapers, baby seats, and children's clothing and shoes. There are also prepared meals, which are still taxed at the grocery store. There is a wide range of products that are essential. We are talking about diapers, children's clothing and a host of other products that Canadians use, especially during the Holidays.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to ask a question about businesses. I wonder whether businesses were also consulted before this measure was adopted. It will be expensive for small businesses to change how they do things for two months. We are talking about businesses and people in our ridings and, at some point, some may decide to close their doors because they will not be able to manage. Consider Christmas markets, for example. These businesses will decide to shut down because it is not worth keeping them open for those two months.

What are we telling these businesses? In the end, we are telling them that it does not matter. Also, might this not cause a kind of inflation down the line? After all, we will have to make up for all that missing tax revenue at some point.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Madam Speaker, that is the best overreaction I have heard all day. I am pleased to say that there are a lot of Christmas markets in the 35 municipalities I represent.

The tax holiday applies mainly to products for children, such as car seats, diapers, clothing and shoes. What we really want is to give Canadians some respite over the Holidays and during the weeks and months that follow. That is when they need a bit of a breather. There is a lot of pressure on parents and grandparents. They want to give gifts and take the kids out for a meal at a restaurant, for example. That is why we are trying to give Canadians a bit of a breather.

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am glad to speak to this important motion. This tax break for Canadians during the holiday season through Christmas will make a world of a difference. I sympathize with the Conservatives, who are being shackled and told they cannot vote for this measure for their constituents. They should stand up and support their constituents. They should support this important tax measure, this important bill.

How will this measure positively affect the residents of Mississauga East—Cooksville?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Madam Speaker, I totally agree with my colleague. The aim of this measure is to help Canadians. We should not expect the Conservatives to support it. It is against everything they believe in. They are against anything we want to do to help Canadians, whether giving benefits to people with disabilities or funding school food programs. We cannot count on them.

Now we want to pause the GST and the HST in the provinces to help make the Holidays more affordable, to help people do a bit more for their children. That is what we want. We also want to give parents, workers and grandparents a break during the period following the Holidays.

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

Madam Speaker, what we have here is the Liberal Minister of National Revenue, the person responsible for collecting all of our taxes in Canada, defending the two-month tax trick of the Liberals that reduces taxes on Cheezies, chips and beer. However, for most of today, the minister has been bragging about the lower-cost restaurant meals this measure will allow people to get.

The Minister of National Revenue has access to all the tax data in Canada. How many of the two million people a month who line up at the food bank will benefit from lower-cost restaurant food?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Madam Speaker, this tax holiday we want to give Canadians in the coming months applies to children's clothing, diapers, children's shoes and car seats, as well as books, games, puzzles, board games, prepared foods and take-home meals. All of that is in the spirit of our government.

Since we have been in power, we have sought to help the neediest people when they need it most. We did it with the Canada child benefit. Let us recall that, when the Conservatives were in power, everyone got the same cheque, regardless of household income or children's age. We changed things. Now money is distributed in inverse proportion to income. That allowed us to lift half a million children out of poverty.

What we want to do is to continue giving Canadians a bit of a breather during the Holiday period.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Madam Speaker, we are facing a very scary situation in Canada, with Canadians really struggling. As we know, one in five children is living in poverty, two million people are at food banks and homeless encampments are popping up all over our cities all over the country. What is really interesting about this measure is that it almost seems like the Liberals are finally admitting that Canadians are struggling after nine years of their governance. What makes it a trick is that they are selling it as some big, grandiose gesture to bring relief when really it is for relatively few items for only a few weeks.

How can they possibly justify expecting all this praise when all it amounts to is a few bread crumbs for Canadians? What they need is large-scale permanent tax breaks, like axing the carbon tax. That is what Canadians need, not a few bread crumbs from the Liberal government for a few measly weeks.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Madam Speaker, such disdain for Canadians is mind-boggling. It shows nothing but contempt.

Right now, it is about a two-month tax holiday. My colleague talked about breadcrumbs. What does she have to say about the dental care plan, which is helping people and especially seniors? What about the new disability benefit, the Canada child benefit, or our many investments in housing, for example?

We are there to help people and to help Canadians. The Conservatives, on the other hand, certainly can never be counted on. They will be there to make cuts, if by some misfortune they end up coming back.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, the issue under debate at the moment concerns the closure motion, not the bill or the effort to reduce the GST.

I would like to ask a question of my friend, the minister. I am always against closure motions, but now that the House has been brought to a standstill for nearly two months, I am going to vote in favour of this motion. However, I would like the minister to tell us whether changes will be made in future bills to protect the very poor in this country.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Madam Speaker, yes, for now we are debating this tax break, but as we have shown over the past few years, our government is there to help the most vulnerable. We have proved it in a number of ways, with the Canada child benefit, the Canadian dental care plan, the school food program, and the list goes on.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings at this time and put forthwith the question on the motion now before the House.

The question is on the motion.

If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

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

Madam Speaker, because this is such an important issue for democracy, Conservatives ask for a recorded vote.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #901

Government Business No. 43—Proceedings on Bill C‑78

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I declare the motion carried.

Business of the House

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been discussions among the parties, and, if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House, the House do now proceed to Statements by Members followed by Oral Questions, and that the usual allotment of time be afforded for each rubric.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

It is agreed.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)

Pakistan

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Surrey—Newton, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of concerned Pakistani-Canadian community members, including Dr. Babra Rana, Mr. Saif Pannu and Mr. Muhammad Akmal Gundhra, to address the alleged recent killings of unarmed protesters in Islamabad who were supporting Imran Khan.

A symbol of justice and democracy, Imran Khan inspires millions who are striving for transparent governance. Despite political persecution, his leadership has fuelled a movement for unity, accountability and electoral fairness. His supporters continue to advocate for human rights and democracy.

Canada must stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan, who continue to stand up for their rights and freedoms. Ongoing human rights violations cannot be ignored. We must act now to demand justice and accountability, and to prevent the further loss of innocent lives.

Bruce Oake Recovery Centre

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important work of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre in my riding. The centre is a non-profit residential treatment facility located in Winnipeg, founded by Scott and Anne Oake. It provides addiction treatment and recovery services to individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders, and with a 57% success rate, the centre works.

I recently spoke with Shane Sturby-Highfield. Shane struggled with addiction since his youth, but thanks to the centre and to his own determination, he will be three years sober in December. He has his son back, and he has a good job working for Manitoba Hydro.

Success breeds success, so Scott Oake has now broken ground on a second centre in Winnipeg, the Anne Oake Recovery Centre, named for his late wife.

Treatment saves lives. Conservatives will not give up on those who are struggling with addictions. Common-sense Conservatives will stop taxpayer-funded drugs and will put that money into treatment and recovery to bring our loved ones home drug-free.

Lebanese Heritage Month

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Lebanese Heritage Month, a time to honour Lebanese culture and its incredible contributions to Canada through its varied traditions, delicious food, remarkable economic contribution and so much more.

Lebanese Canadians began enriching our society over 140 years ago. It all started in Montreal. Canada is now home to over 200,000 Lebanese Canadians, including 8,000 in my riding of Vimy.

We remember the difficult circumstances and journeys of many Lebanese families who sought new beginnings in Canada, including the challenges of conflict in their homeland. Their courage, determination and success in Canada inspires us all, and we are grateful for them.

Together, let us honour this heritage and our Lebanese Canadian fellow citizens, but also let us all wish and pray that a permanent peace takes a firm hold in Lebanon.

La Ressource Convenience Store

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the convenience store La Ressource. Founded in 1974 by André Desroches, who also founded the Association des gens d’affaires de Boucherville, this family business has become a true institution in Boucherville.

La Ressource is much more than a simple corner store where people go to buy a quart of milk, a bag of chips or a case of beer. Over 25 years ago, in fact, these entrepreneurs were veritable pioneers when they made the switch to homegrown products from Quebec, in particular microbrewery beers. Entering the store is like entering Ali Baba's cave. There, patrons choose their beer the way they might sort through bottles at the SAQ. After some wise tips from their beerologist, they can chat with members of the family about the latest goings-on in the neighbourhood. Frédéric Desroches, part of the third generation at the helm of the family business, is every bit as involved and engaged in the community as his grandfather.

Congratulations to the family on their 50th anniversary, and long live La Ressource.

Charter City Toronto

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the most galling thing I have read in recent memory is a post by a Ford MPP celebrating tearing out bike lanes in my home city of Toronto by saying it will make roads safer for people on bikes. Where is the data?

Let us be clear. Bike lanes save lives. If someone has a problem with their design or location, they should take it to our mayor or to city councillors. That is why we elect them. It is time that we look at charter cities and look at how to better protect our cities from this kind of overreach.

I ran to make sure that our federal government was a strong partner to the city of Toronto, and we are. Strong partners do not roll over each other's toes.

The Ford decision is going to cost lives. It is going to cost taxpayers. It is going to take away an affordable way to get around our city, and it is going to add to traffic. How is that for a lump of coal for the holidays? Bah humbug.

Let us stand up for the city of Toronto. Let us stand up for charter cities.

Anthony “Tony” Sturgeon

[Jake Stewart, Conservative, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am the proud nephew of Tony Sturgeon. Tony's recent passing brings a deep sadness to our family, along with major change. Tony leaves behind the love of his life, Aunt Christy, and daughters Mandy and Kyla. Our family will be forever grateful that Tony found someone as wonderful as Christy to share his life with.

Tony's love for Christy and his daughters was always evident in our family. He was deeply proud of both daughters and was always excited to spend time with his grandchildren. Toronto Maple Leafs fans are loyal for obvious reasons. We are all long-suffering, but few were as loyal as my Uncle Tony. We shared this passion, and it returned every fall, along with the common sorrow in the spring.

Tony leaves behind a great legacy of two beautiful daughters, their children and families, a lifetime of good humour and memories we will hold close forever. We will always miss Uncle Tony.