Debates of Feb. 13th, 2024

Government Business No. 34—Proceedings on Bill C-62

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

We are out of time.

The member can resume his question after oral question period.

Health Care

[Jenica Atwin, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, the only clinic offering surgical abortions in New Brunswick closed its doors. Clinic 554 was the only place to access the procedure in the capital region, as well as the only place offering gender-affirming health care.

Patients seeking abortions are now forced to drive to hospitals in Moncton or Bathurst. Not everyone has the luxury of time or transportation to travel cross-province. This creates disproportionate barriers for the most vulnerable people in our communities to accessing the essential care they need.

The right to reproductive choice is legally protected for all Canadians, but the Government of New Brunswick refuses to cover clinic-based abortions by medicare. Clinic 554 was also one of the few places where trans and gender-diverse New Brunswickers were able to access the information and health care they need. They now have nowhere left to turn.

This is unacceptable, especially since Fredericton is one of the most gender-diverse communities in Canada. Premier Higgs has demonstrated blatant disregard for trans and gender-diverse New Brunswickers, and now he has succeeded in removing their lifeline to gender-affirming care. This is unacceptable.

I am calling on the provincial government to take the necessary steps to protect reproductive choice and ensure everyone in New Brunswick has the health care they need.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Scott Aitchison, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP-Liberal government has turned its back on rural Canadians and northern Ontario. Hard-working folks from Thunder Bay to Kapuskasing, to North Bay, Sudbury and the Soo want to own a home. They want the dignity of a good-paying job and affordable gas and food, but after eight years of the Prime Minister, we know he is not worth the cost because the results are worse than ever.

Housing costs have doubled, and the NDP-Liberal coalition is planning to quadruple the carbon tax on gas, groceries and home heating. The government has continually gone after hunters and sport shooters in Timmins instead of gun smugglers and gangsters in Toronto.

There is good news. Common-sense Conservatives will axe the tax. Conservatives will build homes, not bureaucracy. Conservatives will end inflationary deficits to lower interest rates and fix the budget. Conservatives will stop crime by bringing home jail, not bail, for violent offenders.

Cleaning up the Liberal-NDP mess will take a lot of work, but a new Conservative government will work just as hard as the good people of northern Ontario and we will bring it home.

Women and Gender Equality

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, under our government, women have options. They have more options, in fact. That is essential. Thanks to the Liberals' strategies, women like the ones in my riding, Hamilton Mountain, can choose to grow their family because they know they have access to our support measures such as maternity leave. They can also choose to return to work thanks to our affordable child care benefit policy.

Under the Conservatives, they would no longer have these options. The Conservatives want to abolish the Canada child benefit, a measure that has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. The Conservatives also want to reopen the abortion debate and attack the rights of gender-diverse people. They want to take away women's rights at every turn, whereas we are giving women options.

Agriculture and Agri‑Food

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is agriculture and agri-food day, so let us give a hearty thanks to those who work in the sector. Our farmers get up every single day of the week to care for their animals and crops. They rarely take vacation and, when they do, they make sure it has as little impact as possible on the business and that someone is looking after the farm for them.

Faced with a chronic labour shortage, our processors are holding down the fort. Despite demanding requirements and endless paperwork, they continue to provide high-quality products. The federal government refuses to extend the deadline for repaying CEBA loans, so our producers are being forced to use support from the Quebec government to pay back the money, which means they end up with no assistance at all. At a time when our processors could use a hand to modernize their operations, the federal government is nowhere to be found.

Let us celebrate agriculture and agri-food, and let us create the conditions these people need to live with dignity every day while pursuing their noble calling of feeding us all.

Mental Health

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about perinatal mental health. The perinatal period begins at conception and ends a year after childbirth. Twenty per cent of women will experience depression during this period. Children of perinatally depressed mothers are at increased risk of anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism.

Longitudinal studies have found a 70% increase in the odds of depression among adolescent and adult offspring of mothers who had perinatal depression. In 2022, more than five million Canadians 15 and up met the diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety or substance use disorder. Imagine how much lower this number would be if we could ensure timely access to perinatal mental health services.

I am proud to be part of a government that began the work last year by investing $857,000 to develop national clinician guidelines for perinatal mood disorders, and I look forward to seeing what more we can do.

Canada's Agriculture Day

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today is Canada's Agriculture Day. It is a time to celebrate our farmers, ranchers and producers. Canadian agriculture and agri-food play a critical role in Canada's economic prosperity, producing local quality food for families in Canada and around the world.

It is also important to note the fact that Canadian farmers set the world standard in sustainability and stewardship. In fact, a tonne of Canadian wheat can travel around the world 3.5 times before it has the same carbon footprint as wheat grown in Europe. This is an incredible achievement, one which should be applauded, and our farmers should be rewarded for their innovation. Instead, farmers are being punished with higher carbon taxes and regulations that are based on activism and not science.

As Conservatives know now more than ever, our farm families need advocates, people who will celebrate their accomplishments. I encourage everyone to learn more about where their food comes from and thank those farmers who put quality local food on our tables every day. I wish everyone a happy Canada's Agriculture Day.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week, it is important to remember that, in recent years, and in many countries, women's right to make their own choices has been threatened, ground down or taken away entirely.

Feeling safe, free to choose and self-fulfilled should be a given. In 2024, women and girls continue to be victims of sexual and other forms of violence, and they are judged and discouraged from speaking out.

Our government continues to work very hard in Canada and in many other countries to ensure gender equality, which is based on respect for and the promotion of human sexual and reproductive rights.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House to recognize Sexual and Reproductive Health Week. Under our Liberal government's leadership, a woman now has more opportunities to chart her own path in life.

We have improved access to family planning services and contraception. We have extended parental leave to 18 months, providing families with income supports and improving flexibility. We have delivered on a $10-a-day child care plan, allowing women to not have to make the difficult choice between career and family.

We have also increased the amount families receive in the Canada child benefit and have indexed it to inflation so that families can be well supported into the future. We have been at the forefront of advocating for gender equality and reproductive rights around the world, while the Conservative Party of Canada has spent the last several years bringing forward bills that would limit the choices that women have.

As we recognize this week, let us celebrate the progress that we have made but let us be vigilant and remind each other not to let our guard down because what is happening in the U.S. could happen here too. I vow to all Canadians that we will not let it happen on—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Souris—Moose Mountain.

Carbon Tax

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have had it with the NDP-Liberal government that continues to bankrupt this country with each passing day. After eight years of irresponsible leadership, the Prime Minister, who wasted over $60 billion on his arrive scam app, is now asking Canadians for even more of their hard-earned money through the carbon tax, which is set to increase a whopping 23% this coming April.

This quadrupling of the carbon tax will increase prices on everything from food to fuel to home heating, and Canadians are tired of being left out in the cold. Due to the current cost of living crisis, many Canadians have been left wondering how they are going to put food on the table, especially given that the average family of four will pay $700 more for groceries in 2024 than they did last year. It is simple: when we tax the farmer who grows the food and we tax the trucker who ships the food, we are taxing the Canadian who buys the food.

The Liberals need to pass Bill C-234 in its original form, and support the farmers and families who deserve better than a Prime Minister who is simply not worth the cost.

Child Care

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, women across Canada inspire us all. They know what is best for them and their families. That is why, because of our Liberal policy, women in Brampton and across Canada have the choice to raise a family, go back to work or start a new business knowing they have the affordable child care support they need.

It is essential for parents to have access to well-funded and accessible day care centres. However, the other side of the House called the national child care plan a “slush fund” and would cut investment in child care, taking this choice away from women and placing a financial strain on Canadian families from coast to coast to coast.

Women in Canada should not have to choose between a family and a career. I am proud of the investments our government has made to allow women to have a choice. Let us continue to break barriers for women in Canada and around the world. When we empower women, we empower everyone.

Liberal Party of Canada

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this NDP-Liberal government, Canadians are struggling to make ends meet, yet somehow the Prime Minister found over $60 million for his arrive scam app. With inflation eating away at earnings and with families having to cut back on gas, heat and groceries, the Prime Minister wants to increase the carbon tax by another 23% on April 1. It is all part of the Liberal-NDP plan to quadruple the tax on the backs of hard-working Canadians.

In my riding, the Lacombe Legion paid an extra $2,000 last year just for the carbon tax. This money, which should have been used to improve the lives of veterans and honour the memory of our fallen, has instead been funnelled to the government so it can pay off its friends at arrive scam. It is time to admit that the Prime Minister is just not worth the cost. Conservatives would axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime.

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Auditor General released her report on the arrive scam scandal. This damning report shows that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost or the corruption. This app should have only cost $80,000, but it ended up costing taxpayers $60 million. To make matters worse, $12 million went to Liberal consultants who did not even work on the app. In addition, this app sent more than 10,000 Canadians unjustifiably into quarantine. Arrive scam reeks of corruption that goes straight to the top, but in the ethics committee today, it was verified that even emails that were deleted to cover up corruption can be accessed with authorization.

It is time for answers. That is why Conservatives are calling on the RCMP to expand its investigation into arrive scam so that those involved can face charges. The question is now this: Will the Prime Minister comply, or is he implicated?

Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week, I would like to raise awareness among Canadians of the importance of understanding that their sexual health is merely an aspect of their general health.

We must also continue to defend women's family planning and reproductive rights. As a mother, I can tell you that having a child is the greatest miracle in the world. However, every family should be able to choose when to make these precious additions to their family, and we want every child to be born into a family that is prepared to cherish them.

Sexual and reproductive health also requires that we educate our youth. Awareness of sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy and the notion of consent is essential if they are to be responsible and careful.

I would like to thank the organizations that fight the stigmatization and discrimination that often surround sexual and reproductive health, and that come to the aid of those who need help.

Canada's Agriculture Day

[Alistair MacGregor, NDP, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, there are some incredible challenges facing Canadian farmers: changing markets and price fluctuations in commodities; rising debt levels; and climate change-driven extreme weather events. Despite these challenges, farmers in Canada continue to confront and to overcome adversity while showcasing the innovative ways they are leading us into the 21st century with advances in food production.

Farmers are certainly not fans of the “Ottawa knows best” approach. Instead, as New Democrats, we want to partner with our farmers to help them build their resilience against climate change and confront the corporate greed that is driving up their input costs to unsustainable levels. To help our farmers, we need a government that is ready for action on a sustainable agriculture strategy, a critical input strategy and a mandatory grocery code of conduct.

Today is Canada's Agriculture Day. On behalf of the NDP caucus, I hope we can all take a moment to celebrate both the hard-working Canadian farmers who grow the food we love and the essential contributions of agriculture to our nation's prosperity and well-being.

Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament

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

Mr. Speaker, in hockey, there is an event that shines so brightly, a tournament where young hopefuls take to the ice with all their hopes and dreams: the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.

Every year, this emblematic competition brings together teams from around the world, offering young players a unique opportunity to see how they measure up to elite players in their age group.

Behind every pass and every shot are the unsung heroes: volunteers, parents and organizers. Their invaluable dedication is what drives this tournament year after year. Let us thank them for their invaluable contribution.

I would also like to thank the organizing committee and its general manager, Patrick Dom, and I hope the players will have fun and create friendships and lifelong memories.

Public Services and Procurement

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Hope, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal-NDP government's arrive scam app is not worth the cost or the corruption. The Auditor General has now confirmed that what should have cost taxpayers $80,000 ended up costing at least $60 million, with $12 million of that going to well-connected consultants who did no work on the app.

The final true cost may never be known because the government's record-keeping was so outrageously poor that the Auditor General said it was impossible to calculate all the costs associated with this boondoggle. What did this colossal waste of tax dollars result in? At least 10,000 Canadians were erroneously sent into quarantine. The Prime Minister's arrive scam app is not worth the cost or the corruption.

Conservatives are calling on the RCMP to expand its investigation into this scandal based on the revelations in the Auditor General's report. Will the Prime Minister join us, or will the costly coalition continue to cover up this corruption?

Canada's Agriculture Day

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is Canada's Agriculture Day. Today and every day, we recognize our farmers and farm families' invaluable contributions and the resilience of our agricultural sector from coast to coast to coast.

Our Liberal government is committed to supporting the hard-working Canadians who feed our country, strengthen our rural communities and drive our local economies. Since 2015, we have made critical investments to help farmers adapt to climate change and adopt sustainable practices. While Conservatives were cutting the agricultural budget, we increased it by 25%. Business risk management programs are more attractive and foster resilience and innovation in the face of environmental challenges. At the same time, agricultural exports have surged from $56 billion to over $92 billion, showcasing Canada's reputation as a trusted global supplier.

Today, I invite my colleagues to celebrate our farmers' contributions and their dedication to feeding our country. From the potato farmer on Prince Edward Island to the blueberry farmer in British Columbia, we thank them.

Public Services and Procurement

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and his arrive scam app are not worth the cost or the corruption. Following the Auditor General's revelations yesterday about corruption and waste, I wrote to the RCMP and asked it to expand the criminal investigation into the arrive scam scandal.

The Prime Minister has a history of blocking criminal investigations. Will he allow the RCMP to investigate him and his arrive scam?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the COVID‑19 pandemic was a once-in-a-generation, even once-in-a-century occurrence. Everything we did and every decision we made was designed to protect Canadians. Of course, we all expect public servants and others to follow the rules. We expect the RCMP and the authorities to do their job.

However, it is worth remembering that our government is the one concerned about security at our borders. The Conservative Party continues to vote against help for the CBSA, against help to secure our borders.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, corruption will not protect our borders.

Yesterday's revelations are as follows: first, the business that benefited wrote the contract; second, two people working from their home basement got a $20‑million contract for an app that should have cost $80,000; and lastly, top Liberal government officials got whisky in exchange for giving out those contracts.

Will the Prime Minister respect the independence of the criminal investigation?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, of course, we will always encourage the authorities and let them do their job, and they will do it. We also know that the public service must follow certain rules and, if those rules were not followed, then there will be consequences.

We welcome the Auditor General's report with open arms. It is important for us to ensure that we are managing investments properly, even at a time when we were investing to protect Canadians from the pandemic of the century. We must ensure that all of the rules were followed.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and his arrive scam are not worth the cost or the corruption. After yesterday's Auditor General's revelations of corruption, waste and mismanagement, I have written to the RCMP, asking it to expand its criminal investigation into the Prime Minister's arrive scam. He has a track record of blocking criminal investigations. He tried to protect SNC-Lavalin from prosecution. He blocked the RCMP from investigating his illegal vacation to billionaire island. Will he stay out of the way, or will he again try to block the RCMP's criminal investigation into arrive scam?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic was a once-in-a-generation or even a once-in-a-century occurrence in which every decision we took was designed to protect Canadians' lives. At the same time, even in a situation like that, there are rules that need to be followed, and we expect, and all Canadians expect, public servants to follow those rules. We will, of course, encourage the RCMP to do its work, but it does not take politicians, not even leaders of the opposition, to tell the RCMP to do its job. It does its job, and it does it well.