House of Commons Hansard #387 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was policy.
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 Timmins—James Bay.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Patrick Weiler Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour a remarkable individual, Barry Janyk.
Barry served as mayor of the town of Gibsons for four terms, from 1999 to 2011. Known for his smile, humour and infectious spirit, he was beloved by those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a pioneer in advancing smart growth for Gibsons. He spearheaded the development of parks throughout the town, supported the creation of Tetrahedron Provincial Park and got Gibsons' drinking water recognized as the best in the world.
As a skilled pilot, environmental advocate who got stuff done and devoted father, Barry's impact was far-reaching. From being an extra in The Beachcombers to working to engage and lead the community, his story is part of the fabric of Gibsons. Barry's legacy lives on in every park, in every initiative and in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In this difficult time, our thoughts are with his loving wife, Jane; his three kids, Kohlby, Roen and Garnet; his many friends; and the entire community of Gibsons.
Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB
Mr. Speaker, after nine years, Canadians are paying the price for the NDP-Liberals' economic vandalism. The carbon tax and job-killing oil and gas cap hurt rural people and non-profits the most.
The Dewberry Agricultural Society paid over $5,000 in carbon taxes in just six months and cannot afford to heat its hockey rink much longer. The NDP-Liberals said small business owners are tax cheats. The reckless capital gains tax hike and shameless, temporary two-month tax trick prove it.
Sheryl, an accountant from Vegreville, says the tax hike will slash nearly 10% of savings when owners sell their life's work and the labours of love they rely on for their retirement. Ron from Glendon says the cost to switch his store's items to be GST-exempt and back could cripple his business at the most important time of year.
Canada's promise is that anyone from anywhere can work hard for a powerful paycheque and pension, living in safe and healthy communities, but the NDP-Liberals broke it. Common-sense Conservatives will restore it, axe the tax, spike the hike and turn hurt into hope for all.
Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, this Christmas season, our Catholic community here in Canada and around the world was blessed to begin this period of prayer and preparation for the arrival of Jesus Christ at the heart of St. Peter's Basilica, when Pope Francis inducted 21 new members into the College of Cardinals. Among them was one of our very own, His Eminence Cardinal Frank Leo of the Archdiocese of Toronto. It was a proud moment for Canadian Catholics and for our proud Italian Canadian community.
Born in Montreal to immigrant Italian parents, Cardinal Leo is one of the youngest cardinals serving the Holy Mother Church and courageously shepherding Christ's flock. As he witnesses the Church in today's world, Cardinal Leo finds strength in prayer; he anticipates that “the Lord wants to pour out generously into our hearts many graces”.
May this sacred moment inspire us to live with renewed purpose and generosity throughout the Christmas season and the upcoming Jubilee 2025, declared by Pope Francis. I send my congratulations to Cardinal Leo and our entire Catholic community. Buon Natale and merry Christmas to everyone.
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Speaker, “We are the offspring of modest French-Canadian families, working class or lower middle class”.
With those words, a small group of artists launched an artistic and social revolution in 1948, laying the foundations for what would become modern-day Quebec. The Refus global is perhaps one of the most fundamental texts when it comes to understanding today's Quebec. The manifesto, which was signed by Paul‑Émile Borduas and co-signed by the group of artists known as the “automatistes”, calls for an end to fear, freedom from the oppression of religion and the joyful fulfilment of our fierce desire for freedom. Under Borduas's name, we see the name of Madeleine Arbour, who has just left us at the venerable age of 101. Madeleine Arbour was an extraordinary painter, a brilliant visual and design artist, a set designer, notably for Duceppe, and a teacher, who spent her whole life helping to make Quebec a more beautiful and caring place. She was one of the last surviving signatories of the Refus global manifesto. We owe an immeasurable debt to these men and women. They are the builders of an identity, the liberators of a people and the founders of today's Quebec. The Quebec nation is grateful to this great woman.
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, I was speaking with Myles, a resident in my beautiful riding of Pierrefonds—Dollard. Myles is a young man of 33. He works in transport; he is also super-fit and in training for the Highland Games.
Myles and I were talking about how our Liberal government is making life more affordable and how people have been lifted out of poverty. Myles says he actually sees it. He sees it in his neighbourhood. He sees how our Liberal policies are making an impact and putting a dent in poverty. This is proved by the numbers.
When the Conservatives left office in 2015, 13.5% of Quebeckers were living in poverty, whereas, today, the poverty rate is only 6.6%.
We have dental care, pharmacare and the child benefit. We kept the age of retirement at 65.
These are Liberal policies. We are working for Myles and all Canadians.
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Mr. Speaker, Taylor and Melody from my riding are national champion sports shooters who compete internationally. They are supposed to represent team Canada on the world stage in Czechia. They put years of hard work into training and competing, but the latest Liberal-NDP gun grab has put their training and competition in jeopardy.
The Liberals are weak on crime, yet sports shooters, hunters, farmers and first nations people across Canada are punished for this incompetence. After nine years, gun crime has skyrocketed 116% across Canada. The weak Prime Minister's catch-and-release bail policy lets repeat violent offenders out on the street.
Instead of this ridiculous gun grab, the Liberal-NDP government needs to step back so that a common-sense Conservative government can restore law and order, secure the border and ensure repeat offenders get jail, not bail. We will respect the traditions and livelihoods of our hunters, farmers, first nations people and sports shooters and bring home safe communities once again.
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, my riding of Winnipeg South Centre is home to thousands of older adults. Upon being elected, one of my first steps was to establish an older adult advisory council. The council comprises nearly a dozen constituents over the age of 65, and we meet regularly to discuss issues that are pertinent to them.
One topic that we have visited on several occasions is the heartbreaking damage caused to individuals and families as a result of dementia. Tragically, many Winnipeggers, including Earl Moberg, have gone missing or been put in harm's way because of this awful condition.
Fortunately, Earl and his family have had many champions, such as my constituent Ashleigh Mitchell, who is working hard to draw awareness to this important cause. The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba and other organizations, alongside individuals such as Ashleigh, continue to serve as wonderful advocates and resources. I rise today in honour of their work to draw attention to this plight facing tens of thousands of Canadians across the country and to encourage all of us to elevate the conversation so that, together, we can support families, individuals and our communities alike in the face of these challenges.
Scott Aitchison Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON
Mr. Speaker, all across Canada, government charges account for more than 30% of the cost of a new home. These taxes block homebuilding and drive up prices for all Canadians.
Conservatives offered a plan right here in the House to axe the federal sales tax on new homes under $1 million. This would have saved Canadians up to $50,000 on the price of a new home and would ignite the construction of more than 30,000 new units every single year.
The Liberal government's own top housing official confirmed at committee yesterday that this policy would inspire more homebuilding if the cost of homebuilding could be reduced. The Liberals and the Bloc, of course, voted against it.
While the Prime Minister continues to borrow money to buy support from the bureaucracy-building mayors this week, common-sense Conservatives will fight to axe the federal sales tax on new homes under $1 million, saving Canadians thousands of dollars. Let us bring it home.
Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB
Mr. Speaker, now, more than ever, the Canadian Armed Forces need women. Not only do we need to recruit more talented, dedicated women to serve our country, but we also need to retain those we already have.
Unfortunately, thousands of CAF members experience sexual assault in the military each year, and women are at the highest risk. Of the sexual assaults in our military, 80% go unreported because the survivors do not believe speaking up will make a difference.
We must call out the underlying rape culture and act urgently to change it. Bill C-66 introduces changes to the National Defence Act and places investigations of sexual misconduct outside the chain of command and into the public system. It is a start, but it is not enough. Survivors have felt invisible for far too long. I will keep fighting for their voices to be heard.
I will end with an excerpt of a poem written by my constituent, a survivor and a veteran, describing her experience of living with this trauma. It reads:
It was only one night. Move on, let it go. Forgive and heal is what you say, but for me it has been 10,220 days
10,220 days of losing my career, my ability to hold a job, my health, my self-esteem, my hope
10,220 days stolen
But yes, you're right, it was only one night.
This has to stop.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Mr. Speaker, yet again, the leader of the NDP has sold out Canadians, who are being pummelled by the economic vandalism of the Prime Minister.
The leader of the NDP said, “the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests”. It turns out his words mean absolutely nothing, because this week the NDP had an opportunity to support a Conservative motion of non-confidence that incorporated those very words but did not, because the leader of the NDP selfishly wants his $2.3-million pension.
After claiming to have ripped up his coalition agreement with the Prime Minister, the leader of the NDP has taped it back together under new terms whereby the leader of the NDP gets his pension, the Prime Minister gets his power and Canadians get the bill. It is time for a carbon tax election.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, the housing crisis is hitting Canadians across the country. That is why we, the Conservatives, are proposing an effective, concrete and costed measure that will directly help young Canadian families. We want to get rid of the GST on new housing. In practical terms, this measure will save prospective buyers up to $50,000 or $2,250 per year in mortgage payments. That is a concrete, effective measure that will directly help young families. That is why the Corporation des propriétaires immobiliers du Québec, the Quebec landlords' association, has described the Conservative leader's proposal as a step in the right direction.
Unfortunately, the leader of the Bloc Québécois and his members voted against this common-sense plan. That is what the “Liberal Bloc” is all about, specifically, voting with the Liberal government and blocking help for young families. However, the CMHC boss said that if the cost to build new housing units could be brought down, that would certainly encourage more construction. Despite that, the leader of the Bloc Québécois and the Liberals oppose our plan. A good Conservative government cannot come soon enough.
Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT
Mr. Speaker, Yukon University has officially become the 97th member of Universities Canada. Over the past 60 years, this progressive institution has grown from a vocational training centre to a college, and finally in 2020, it is Canada's first university north of the 60th parallel. Universities Canada is the voice of universities in this country. Yukon U's membership enriches this voice with valuable northern and indigenous perspectives.
This news is more than a recognition of academic excellence; it also highlights the university's role in empowering northern communities through innovative education and research driven by local priorities such as climate change and health. The achievement will open new doors for collaboration, reconciliation and knowledge sharing, positioning Yukon University to better serve its students and its community.
Congratulations to President Brown, Chancellor Geddes and all the dedicated staff and students at Yukon University. Here is to their continued success and to the unique impact they will make as a university in the years to come.
Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC
Mr. Speaker, as we get ready for the holidays, as always, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the residents of Vancouver Granville. We are all made better by their ideas, engagement and solutions, and I am so grateful to serve them.
The holidays are a time to take care of one another, and that is why the two-month GST holiday that starts this Saturday will make the holidays a little bit brighter. Together we are delivering on things that matter to most every Canadian. In Vancouver Granville there are four institutions, the Hellenic Community of Vancouver, the Vancouver Fringe Festival, the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the planetarium, that will all receive change-making funding to expand and improve their services and buildings.
As we head into the holidays, let us be kind to one another, reach out to those in need and be grateful for the fact that we live in the best country on earth. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Khushali Mubarak.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, a recent report issued by Women's Shelters Canada has found that the crisis in affordable housing is impacting women's shelters across Canada and putting women's lives at risk. As the executive director of Women's Shelters Canada explained, “Since there's no affordable housing, women are staying in shelters longer...new women can't move in if women already in shelter have nowhere to go.”
The lack of affordable housing is so acute that half the women who are needing shelter are having to return to live with their abusers because they will otherwise become homeless. Access to affordable housing is a matter of life or death. Women's shelters are at capacity. There is nowhere to go. It does not have to be this way.
In Alberta, the Canada housing benefit for survivors of gender-based violence was announced in mid-April and ran out of funds in August. The federal government must step up and provide more funding to women's shelters, to the housing benefit program, to the building of transitional housing and to non-market and co-operative housing initiatives, in order to create real options for women who are at risk.
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to Amélie Duceppe. That last name may ring a bell for some of my colleagues. They probably know about the Duceppe theatre company, which she heads, and its long tradition of excellence in Quebec theatre.
The newspaper Les Affaires has honoured Amélie Duceppe as president and CEO of the year for 2024 in the social economy category. After her aunt Louise passed the torch to her in 2018, Amélie Duceppe has transformed the theatre's administration into a collaborative, agile and creative team effort. Under her guidance, together with artistic co-directors David Laurin and Jean-Simon Traversy, the doors of the Duceppe theatre are opening to a growing number of new audience members discovering, or rediscovering, homegrown theatre.
On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I congratulate Amélie Duceppe, and I thank her for perpetuating a name of seminal importance to Quebec culture.
Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, in a very disappointing move yesterday, the Bloc Québécois saved this government yet again.
Since the leader of the Bloc Québécois arrived in Ottawa, his party has voted in favour of more than $520 billion in Liberal spending. They have voted to support this government nearly 200 times. To achieve what? One has to wonder.
The public service has practically doubled in size, consulting firms have been hired, and yet services have deteriorated. Meanwhile, the Bloc Québécois, which claims to defend Quebec's interests, supports spending that is only feeding an increasingly large and centralized federal government. How can the Bloc claim, with their hands on their hearts, to want Quebec independence while actively collaborating with the federal Liberals?
That is not the way to serve the interests of Quebec. Quebeckers deserve better than this Bloc-Liberal coalition that is turning its back on their true aspirations and hitting them in their wallets. They deserve better.
They deserve a Conservative government.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, education is the key to an individual's success and to the progress of society, whether economic, social, scientific or cultural. The quality of a student's educational experience is dependent upon the passion and creativity of their teachers.
I would like to draw the attention of the House to Rosemary Hill, who teaches grade 7 English at Beaconsfield High School and who is a recipient of the 2024 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. Through the use of literature, Ms. Hill turns her classroom into a doorway of discussion of global issues and community involvement. She challenges her students to find and tell stories from and about the world around them, and she shows them that language and literature are tools for communicating narratives essential to personal growth and collective progress.
I thank Ms. Hill for being an inspiration both to her students and to her fellow educators, and for helping to build a better Canada.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, this weak Prime Minister has lost control of immigration, the border, spending, inflation, the debt and even his ministers.
According to The Globe and Mail, relations between the Prime Minister and the finance minister “have chilled as tensions grow over the push for politically strategic spending measures such as the GST holiday... risking the minister missing her pledge to keep the deficit at or below $40.1-billion.”
Why is the Prime Minister pushing his Minister of Finance to break her promise on the inflationary deficit?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader likes to sensationalize things to try to distract Canadians from the fact that he voted against a tax holiday for Canadians, against dental care that is now being provided to to 1.2 million Canadians, and against investments in the school food program.
He continues to try to muzzle his MPs to prevent them from speaking in the best interest of their community. He refuses to get his security clearance to be able to protect our democracy. That is what he wants to distract Canadians from.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, it is the Prime Minister who is trying to muzzle his own Minister of Finance. She promised to keep the deficit to $40 billion to prevent higher inflation, which is very expensive for Canadians who cannot feed their children. Now, he has forced his minister to break that promise and he is attacking her in the papers.
Why is the Prime Minister forcing his minister to break her promise and undermine her credibility?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we just saw why the Conservative leader keeps playing his petty high-drama games. Inflation is now at the Bank of Canada's target rate, which allowed it to lower the key interest rate by 0.5%.
We are there to help Canadians. We have reduced inflation. The Conservative leader talks about young people who are hungry. Then why did he vote against the school food program, which will help young people right across the country? He is blocking access to dental care. He is not there to help Canadians.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
The weak Prime Minister has lost control; he has lost control of the borders, lost control of immigration and lost control of spending, debt and inflation. Now he has lost control of his own cabinet.
Yesterday The Globe and Mail reported that there is a big fiscal feud that has broken out between the Prime Minister and his finance minister. At stake is that the finance minister wanted to run a gigantic $40-billion deficit, but that was her guardrail, and now the Prime Minister is pushing her through that guardrail and pushing all Canadians off the fiscal cliff. Why?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader likes to make up little dramas to try to distract Canadians from the fact that he voted against a tax break for all Canadians. He is trying to hide from the fact that he continues to muzzle his own MPs so they cannot be their communities' voices in Ottawa but are instead his voice in forcing them to face billions of dollars in cuts to housing programs. He continues to refuse to get his security clearance because he does not want to keep his own MPs safe from foreign interference. That is why he is trying to distract Canadians from what is going on.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's Liberal MPs are not speaking out against him, not because he is allowing so much liberty but because he is so weak, and there is nothing worse than a weak bully. He is now cracking down on his own finance minister. Some feminist he is.
On this side of the House, I lead by inspiration, while the Prime Minister leads by intimidation.
Once again, why will the Prime Minister not follow my inspiration and stand up for the promise that he made to keep the deficit under $40 billion?