Debates of April 10th, 2024

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation.

[Members sang the national anthem]

Green Bowl Foods

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

Mr. Speaker, last week, I visited Green Bowl Foods, a healthy, sustainably focused, trail-blazing company in Barrie, Ontario, that prepares plant-based ready-to-eat meals. The company is led by Max Jamshidian and Behnoush Maherani, two brilliant food scientists from my riding of Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill who share a passion for transforming our food landscape while caring for the planet.

Green Bowl Foods is paving the way for the future of sustainable diets while tackling major global problems, such as food waste. Their facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art, quality system, which was supported by a grant from our government, including revolutionizing thermal sterilization to enhance food preservation.

Tapping into the plant-based protein sector is a major economic growth opportunity for Canada, with an estimated contribution of $25 billion to our GDP by 2035. We have the plant-based protein supercluster, which has done a great job out west.

Congratulations to Green Bowl. I encourage everyone to look for their high-protein, high-fibre products online or in stores.

Jaber Ali Aboultaif

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, I was on an official visit to Scandinavia when my father died unexpectedly. It was not possible to return to Lebanon to mourn with my family.

My father taught me that humans are more alike than they are different. He taught me to respect those of different races and those who have different thoughts and viewpoints. It was not just words. That was the way he lived. He believed in bringing people together, not pushing them apart. He wanted to build people up, not tear them down. He taught me to put the needs of others first.

I remember his wisdom every day and try to follow his example. On the first anniversary of his death, I rise to remember and to pay tribute to Jaber Ali Aboultaif. He taught me compassion and service. Words of thanks do not seem to be enough.

First Responders Tax Credit

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has over 90,000 volunteer firefighters, who put their lives on the line for us every day. We depend on them as the first line of defence in many types of emergencies; they provide essential fire and emergency services to our communities. Their dedication deserves our continued support.

This is why I advocated for an increase in the tax credits for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers in the 2024 federal budget. I am proud of today's announcement of the increased tax credit and added supports to recognize volunteer firefighters' commitment to public service.

With my colleagues, the parliamentary secretaries from Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne and Cambridge, we hosted a round table discussion with rural fire chiefs from Waterloo region to learn how we can best support those who keep us safe. Such supports include helping with recruitment and retention, helping with equipment costs, providing health and wellness supports and increasing tax credits for volunteers.

I will continue to advocate on their behalf as they continue to protect us all.

To our firefighters, I say thanks.

Organisation Québécoise des Personnes Atteintes du Cancer

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

Mr. Speaker, for 40 years, the Organisation québécoise des personnes atteintes du cancer, or OQPAC, has been helping people in the Quebec City area and their loved ones cope with this terrible disease.

OQPAC is a welcoming place dedicated to supporting, listening to and providing emotional relief to people who are too often left to fend for themselves as they deal with cancer and the distress it causes. Very few organizations focus their activities and services on the specific needs of cancer patients and their loved ones. OQPAC does it magnificently.

In 2022 and 2023, OQPAC helped more than 3,000 people. Imagine how many people have received its help over the past 40 years through a range of activities and programs, as well as group and one-on-one therapy.

I would like to congratulate the dedicated members of the board of directors, the volunteers and executive director Francis Lemieux. Long live OQPAC.

Rwanda

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the 30th year since the genocide against the Tutsis in 1994, I reflect on the journey of reconciliation, which is a never-ending road. I cannot help but notice that those who have reconciled and live side by side did it because justice prevailed.

Today, on behalf of my constituents and survivors who are still grappling with what happened in April 1994, I ask for two things: one, that Canada, as a home to many survivors and families of survivors, designate the FDLR as a terrorist organization, as it continues to kill many Tutsis in the region, and two, that we commit to bringing the genocide participants to justice.

Roméo Dallaire recently pointed to the many who have made Canada their home and live free, without consequences. Last week, I saw first-hand how transformative it is when perpetrators ask for forgiveness and victims are able to provide it.

There is no healing for the many grieving hearts who relive the genocide over and over again every April. In addition, there is no justice if we leave room for denialism, revisionism and debates that perpetrate anti-Tutsi hate.

Jim Flaherty

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of the late Jim Flaherty, former finance minister of Canada. At the time, the news of his passing was a shock to many colleagues in this place. Sometimes the stark recognition of our own mortality puts our minor differences in perspective.

His career was dedicated to public service. In fact, his favourite speech was entitled “Public service is good for you”. In it, he challenged young people to enter careers in public service for its rewarding and fulfilling nature. Many of his accomplishments will withstand the test of time: the registered disability savings plan, the working income tax benefit, and the start of the ready, willing and able program.

While Jim would have strong opinions on the challenges facing the country today and the budget, I suspect what would matter most are the many accomplishments of Christine and the pride he would have in his three boys. Quinn recently welcomed a child, Galen will marry this summer, and John works at the Abilities Centre.

Let us remember Jim fondly and let us extol the virtues of public service and encourage others to rise to the challenge to serve the public good.

Anne Innis Dagg

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, the woman who loved giraffes, was a pioneering zoologist, groundbreaking biologist, animal rights activist, feminist and professor. She earned worldwide recognition for her studies of giraffes in the wild in 1956, wrote the bible of giraffes still used by scientists to this day and authored dozens of articles and books, on giraffes of course, as well as on gender equality in academia. Anne was appointed to the Order of Canada by the Governor General in 2019, and I do not have the time to list off her many well-earned awards and honours.

On a personal note, let me say that she was also very kind with her time. If people have not seen Ali Reid’s documentary about Anne, The Woman Who Loves Giraffes, they should. Anne took the time to join us and patiently answer questions at a screening of the film some five years ago. She left an impression on all of us that night, just as she now leaves a legacy for all of us in the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting the harmonious coexistence of humans and wildlife and is built on Anne’s belief that we should treat people, animals and their surroundings with the same respect.

Oral Health Month

[Majid Jowhari, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that April is Oral Health Month, featuring National Dental Hygienists Week from April 4 to April 10. This annual event is sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and focuses on the importance of maintaining good oral health practices and helping Canadians understand the role of the dental hygiene profession in preventing and addressing oral health issues. Over 31,000 dental hygienists nationwide celebrate this week under the theme “Oral Health for Total Health”, highlighting that taking care of our mouths, teeth and gums has a positive impact on other aspects of our lives.

As the federal government rolls out the new Canadian dental care plan, which has a focus on preventative care, dental hygienists will play a front and centre role to help improve oral health outcomes for all Canadians. This April, let us help everyone in Canada learn about oral health for total health.

Finance

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has added more to the national debt than all previous prime ministers combined. The costly coalition's out-of-control spending has resulted in Canada spending $46 billion just to service its debt. That is more money than the federal government sends to the provinces for health care. The deficits are fuelling inflation and have driven up interest rates.

It is not just Conservatives pointing this out. Both the Bank of Canada and former Liberal finance minister John Manley told the Prime Minister that he was pressing on the inflationary gas pedal. Now, a leading economist says interest rate cuts may be delayed because of high government spending.

However, Conservatives have a plan to fix the budget. In next week's budget, the Liberals need to cap the spending with a dollar-for-dollar rule to bring down interest rates and inflation. They must find a dollar in savings for every new dollar in spending. It is just common sense. My three-month-old daughter Maeve and her generation should not be shackled to paying the bill for the costly coalition's reckless spending.

Taiwan

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I stand in the House today with a heavy heart as we mourn for those affected by one of the worst earthquakes to strike Taiwan in the last 25 years, with at least 16 dead and more than 1,000 people injured. Many homes and businesses have been destroyed, and communities have been shattered.

In the face of this tragedy, we witness the remarkable resilience of the Taiwanese people. As we extend our thoughts and prayers to those affected, let us also recognize the unwavering determination of the Taiwanese people. It is important to acknowledge that Taiwan has been an ally to so many nations in their times of need. Its generosity and compassion have touched lives around the world.

Now it is our turn to offer our unwavering support to the people of Taiwan. In this time of devastation, Canada extends our hand in friendship and assistance to Taiwan as it recovers from this earthquake.

Northern Economy

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, northern Canadians cannot afford the Prime Minister anymore. Housing starts are at historic lows, according to a recent RBC report, and the trend is only going to get worse under the NDP-Liberals.

Nunavut is deep in this housing crisis, with over 3,000 homes desperately needed, and the number is climbing, with little being done by the Prime Minister. The NDP-Liberal Prime Minister has no plan to fix the housing crisis, according to his own housing department CEO. Making life far worse is the Liberal carbon tax being applied to farmers. A package of hotdogs in Nunavut is $19. One gallon of ice cream is $29, and one kilogram of bacon is $42.

Canadians are tired of being told they are better off under the Prime Minister, because it simply is not true. When will the Prime Minister make life better in the north, axe the tax on farmers and build the homes?

Housing

[Michelle Ferreri, Conservative, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Liberal-NDP Prime Minister, Canadians require 64% of their pre-tax income to afford housing, if they can even find housing. Michelle from Kawartha Lakes found work in Toronto but is couch surfing because she, like nine in 10 Canadians in this country, believes she will never own a home.

We are a G7 country, and it costs over $1,900 for a one-bedroom apartment. Rent has doubled. Mortgage defaults are on the rise. Housing starts are down. Tent cities across this country look like scenes from the Great Depression, and the Prime Minister has the audacity to say that he is doing a great job. He is a failure. His solution is to increase the carbon tax by 23%, which will drive up housing prices even more.

Canadians know better, and so do Conservatives. We will incentivize municipalities to build houses people can afford, and we will axe the tax to make the materials needed to build houses affordably. We will bring it home.

Bessborough School Anniversary

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate the community at Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School on its 100th anniversary. With its opening in December 1923, Bessborough became the first public school in Leaside, and even served as the community’s town hall.

For a century, Bessborough public school has been a place of academic excellence, committed to nurturing the minds of generations past, present and future. Through my regular conversations with students, parents and faculty, it is abundantly clear that Bessborough is more than an institution. It holds a special place in the hearts of many, with a legacy of familial ties spanning generations, from grandparents and parents to today’s students, all proudly waving the Bessborough flag.

On this great occasion, I extend my deep appreciation to the dedicated faculty, volunteers and students who have contributed to the enduring legacy of Bessborough public school. May this milestone inspire continued excellence for generations to come.

Nunavut

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]

Mr. Speaker, I do not always have celebratory statements in this place, but although many people are still struggling, there are some things worth sharing.

Nunavut reached a milestone because Tagak Curley's vision became a reality. I thank him for retaining Inuit laws, values and principles taught to him by our ancestors. I thank him for helping to modernize Inuit society by leading the way for Inuit to govern.

Through his vision, community negotiators worked with elders and community members on what terms to include in what would later become the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. I thank the community negotiators.

French Integration Initiative

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

Mr. Speaker, to promote the French language in Quebec, we need to share it with all new Quebeckers, but, of course, learning our national language takes time. That is why I want to talk about an inspiring initiative that is being taken by the Provigo in Boucherville. The grocery store gave all of its new employees who are learning French a button that says “I am learning French. Thank you for speaking slowly”. What an extraordinary way to encourage employees as they learn and to encourage customers to take part in this learning process by being understanding, patient and kind.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I want to thank the owner of Provigo, Mona Turbide, and the person in charge of the French language training, Martine Coulombe. I also want to commend the workers who are learning French for their perseverance. I hope that this initiative will snowball and be implemented all over Quebec.

The Economy

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadian families and business owners are paying the price with an NDP-Liberal government that is addicted to debt and deficits. Record-high deficits and carbon taxes driving up inflation are increasing the costs on everything, including the necessities of life. Interest rate increases fuelled by NDP-Liberal spending and increased debt are punishing Canadian families and business owners. We are just now starting to see the full impact that increases on mortgage rates are having on mortgage renewals, and it is a crisis.

No prime minister has added more to the national debt than the current Prime Minister. Through it all, he has been aided and abetted by his NDP coalition partners. Anyone who has any sense at all knows that one does not put more fuel on an already out-of-control debt-and-deficit fire. It is time for a return to fiscal common sense in this country that sees a government cap spending to bring down interest rates and inflation with a dollar-for-dollar rule that finds a dollar in savings for every new dollar spent.

Common-sense Conservatives will not support the budget unless it axes the tax, builds homes not photo ops, and caps spending.

Sikh Heritage Month

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, April is Sikh Heritage Month, and no matter where we go in Canada, we will find an immense amount of pride in Sikh heritage and its many contributions in every aspect of our society. It is a great pleasure for me to be able to stand in my place to recognize the month as a significant time for us to appreciate, love and better understand Sikhism and how it contributes to the very fabric of Canadian society.

I would encourage members to visit a gurdwara, talk to members of our Punjabi heritage community and get a better understanding of how Sikhism affects our Canadian heritage. It is something all of us should embrace no matter what our faith is, so let us encourage our constituents to get a better understanding of Sikhism.

Finance

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, this Prime Minister's incompetence is not worth the cost. His actions and overspending at the federal level have made a mess of inflation, interest rates, the military, immigration and the list goes on. Instead of cleaning up his own mess at the federal level, he is creating other problems with costly announcements and meddling in provincial jurisdictions.

Why is the Prime Minister imposing his incompetence on Quebec's jurisdictions?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite amusing to hear the word “incompetence” coming from the Conservative leader. When he was the minister responsible for housing, he created six affordable housing units across the country during his entire mandate.

A few weeks ago, he accused Quebec municipalities of being incompetent. On March 15, alongside Quebec City leadership, we announced 324 affordable housing units.

Who is incompetent, the Conservative leader with his six units or Quebec municipalities with hundreds of affordable housing units?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, when I was minister, the cost of housing was half of what it is today, and hundreds of thousands of housing units were being built with low interest rates. Today we learned that the Bank of Canada will not be lowering interest rates. Why is that? The Bank of Canada Governor said that if the government spends too much, the bank will be forced to keep interest rates high, which will force people into bankruptcy.

Will the Prime Minister accept my common-sense plan to fix the budget with a dollar-for-dollar rule to bring down interest rates?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader spoke a moment ago about the Government of Quebec. I was speaking about the municipalities. With the leadership of the Quebec government, we signed an agreement to build 8,000 affordable housing units in the coming months. During his term as minister responsible for housing, the Conservative leader created six affordable housing units, and yet he called Quebec’s municipalities, including Quebec City, incompetent.

When will he agree to come with me and meet Quebec City municipal officials to apologize in person?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I will never apologize for keeping housing costs low when I was the minister of housing, but if someone was hoping for some interest rate relief today, as a mortgage holder or as someone with a small business loan or a line of credit, they got some bad news: The Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Rates are staying high long because, as the Governor of the Bank of Canada said, if government spending grows, then interest rates will have to stay high to combat the resulting inflation.

Why will the Prime Minister not accept my common-sense plan to fix the budget with a dollar-for-dollar law to bring down rates?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, it is possible to be prudent fiscally and have strong social programs as well. That is exactly what the government does with its AAA credit rating, the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 and historically low unemployment.

At the same time, we have a national school food program on the table of $1 billion and supports for child care and early learning, as well as for renters and homeowners. That is what we do on this side of the House. Every day is a great day to fight for Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, every day is not a great day when someone is living in a tent city or has had their mortgage double, or when they are part of a family for whom one in four children cannot get enough food, and the Liberals put forward a food program that does not have any food.

Instead, what they have done is doubled the national debt and driven up interest rates. Today we learned that the Bank of Canada is unable to bring rates down because the Prime Minister continues to make massive multi-billion-dollar inflationary spending.

Why will the Prime Minister not follow my common-sense plan to bring down the deficit and the rates?