House of Commons Hansard #382 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was health.
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, Canada has always had a generous but responsible immigration system. The integrity of our immigration system has always been essential. This has created very strong growth for our economy over the past few decades, and we will continue to ensure the integrity of our system.
We have put measures in place to ensure that people return home when their visitor, work or study visas have ended, and we will continue to ensure the rigour and integrity of our system.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is the head of the government, responsible for monitoring who comes in our borders and who leaves our borders. Surely he will be able to answer a very simple question.
How many are in Canada illegally?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, one of the things that have distinguished Canada from many countries around the world is that our immigration system has always been supported by Canadians, by our citizens from coast to coast to coast, because it is a strong and robust system that adjusts according to the needs of our population, of our economy, of our growth path and of our housing starts. That is exactly what we continue to do.
Where the Conservative leader is once again seeking to divide Canadians, seeking to import right-wing rhetoric from south of the border, we are going to continue to stay true to our Canadian values and deliver a strong and robust immigration system that meets Canadian values and expectations.
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
I am going to ask the hon. member for Abbotsford to please not take the mic. He is an experienced and well-respected member.
The hon. member for Kings—Hants.
Kody Blois Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Mr. Speaker, this summer, Canadians across the country were filled with immense pride watching team Canada athletes represent us so well in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In Kennetcook, we gathered at Findley Park to celebrate Wyatt Sanford's Olympic bronze. In Rimouski, they cheered for Maude Charron and, in Victoria, for the big man, Greg Stewart. That same story can be repeated for every single athlete who proudly wore the maple leaf in Paris.
Can the Prime Minister explain how we are supporting our world-class athletes and why it is important to support team Canada?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my voice to those on this side of the House who are very excited that we have Olympians and Paralympians in Parliament today, here on Parliament Hill. Canadians celebrated them throughout this exciting summer, watching our Olympians and Paralympians succeed and inspire Canadians, and this is something we can continue to celebrate right now.
We will always support our athletes and work to make sure they can represent their country their very best. That is why we are giving more money for our athletes and supporting pregnant athletes, so they do not have to give up their careers to start a family.
These are all initiatives we are working to move forward. Unfortunately, the Conservatives continue to obstruct the House and make it more difficult.
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB
Mr. Speaker, today we recognize the incredible hard work and dedication of our Olympic athletes. We have so much to be proud of. That is why it was so unfair that the soccer drone scandal distracted from the fact that Canada's athletes earned the podium. Many Canadians, including former athletes, have been calling on the government to do the right thing and bring about full accountability with respect to the drone scandal and the culture surrounding it so it never happens again.
Why are the Liberals blocking efforts at accountability at the heritage committee? Why is the minister refusing to be accountable?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, this summer we celebrated our Canadian athletes with everything we had, from coast to coast to coast. It was very exciting.
Yes, the incident with drones and Canada Soccer was extremely unfortunate. That is why there have been consequences. That is why we continue to ensure there are follow-ups on that.
As the member well knows, committees in Parliament are independent and do their work independently. However, we will continue to make sure that the extraordinary support that all Canadians, not just governments but community members and volunteers, give to our athletes every single day to make sure they shine continues unabated.
Alain Rayes Independent Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, with over 135,000 passports stuck in Canada Post warehouses or held back by Service Canada because of the strike, many Canadians and Quebeckers are feeling anxious as they struggle to get their documents before going on vacation or to visit loved ones in other countries.
Can the Prime Minister tell us whether he has a plan B and whether his government has contingency measures ready to ensure that these Canadian citizens will get their passports in time to travel?
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we are working with both sides to try to end the strike at Canada Post.
The minister is holding regular meetings with Canada Post and the union. We want the parties to have every reason to settle this dispute quickly. We know that a lot of people are feeling the pain, including small businesses.
As far as passports go, we have opened more Service Canada outlets. We know that this situation poses a big challenge for many Canadians. We are going to keep working to make sure that people get their passports in time for their winter vacation.
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
Before we go to points of order, I wish to draw attention to a presence in the gallery.
I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Tracy-Anne McPhee, Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister of Justice for Yukon.
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
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 for the following motion: That the House affirm that no hate speech is tolerated—
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
Unfortunately, I have already heard “no”s from several members.
I have a list of people who wish to speak.
I will recognize the hon. member in a moment.
The person next on my list is the hon. member for Don Valley West.
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, it is rare for me to rise on a point of order in the House. However, as I try to keep my head down and attempt to focus on the issues being raised, I feel the need to draw your attention to the increase in name-calling during question period.
Earlier today, the Leader of the Opposition referred to the member for Burnaby South by what I would consider to be an unparliamentary moniker: two words beginning with M that I will not repeat here.
We are about to welcome athletes who have represented our country with excellence and with appropriate maturity and who are truly honourable. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you continue to be vigilant and ensure the decorum in the House is maintained, and that you ask members to apologize for using ridiculous monikers with hon. members.
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
Order, please.
I appreciate the intervention from the hon. member for Don Valley West. I did notice as well a number of monikers being used by various folks in the House. This is something to consider and to review, and I will take a careful note of the hon. member's intervention and come back to the House.
I see the hon. member for Nunavut is rising on a point of order.
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
Uqaqtittiji, my point of order is according to House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, and is to address repeatedly putting on the record information that is not accurate.
I would like to ask the leader of the Conservative Party to withdraw and apologize for claiming that indigenous peoples, again, belong to the Conservatives. He needs to stop using terms that are possessive when it comes to indigenous peoples, especially when he has met regularly with residential school deniers. I do hope he stands up to apologize to indigenous peoples.
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
I thank the hon. member for Nunavut for raising this issue. I will take a look at the record and come back to the House, if necessary.
Pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 7, the House will now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to welcome Canada's 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes.
(House in committee of the whole to recognize the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games athletes, Mr. Greg Fergus in the chair)
[And Canada's 2024 Olympic and Paralympic athletes being present in the chamber:]
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
On November 7, the following motion was adopted by unanimous consent of the House:
That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order, or usual practice of the House, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole in order to welcome Canada's 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes, provided that:
(a) the Speaker make welcoming remarks on behalf of the House;
(b) the names of the athletes present be deemed read and printed in the House of Commons Debates for that day;
(c) when the proceedings of the committee have concluded, the committee shall rise; and
(d) only authorized photographers be permitted to take photos during the proceedings of the committee.
I know my hon. colleagues are as excited as I am to welcome these extraordinary Canadians. We have many athletes to celebrate, too many actually to fit all together in the chamber, so we will be welcoming them in two waves.
This means we have to be patient and disciplined to ensure the event runs smoothly.
I draw the attention of colleagues to the last item of the motion and ask members not to take photos during the proceedings.
Now it is my pleasure to welcome onto the floor of the House of Commons our Canadian athletes who competed in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Paris last July, August and September.
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
Dear athletes, I see that a few tears have been shed here in the House. You are simply extraordinary.
Extraordinary is a word that literally describes each one of you.
You have shown that you are extraordinary through years of training, sacrifice and the determination it takes to become the best. You are all champions, and an inspiration to all of us, but especially to the children and youth of Canada.
We also want to recognize coaches, families, mission staff and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees for their hard work and dedication. Through all of your efforts, team Canada won 27 medals, including nine golds, during the Olympic Games and 29 medals, including 10 golds, at the Paralympic Games.
On behalf of all parliamentarians, thank you for representing our country and our people so well. You made us all proud.
I want to thank everyone for coming today.
On behalf of all Canadians, thank you very much.
We will now welcome the next group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.