Debates of April 11th, 2024

Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act

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

Not that I am supposed to comment on the debate that is happening, but it is coming from all sides at the moment.

The hon. member for Regina—Lewvan.

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I will take no lessons in honour from the NDP House leader, who has no lessons to give.

I would ask the member for Timmins—James Bay if he could put it on the record today and talk about some of the oil workers he has talked to in his riding and share their comments on the unjust transition bill. Has the member had conversations with some of the people who work hard? He talked about the Alberta Federation of Labour. I am sure the members of the natural resources committee talked to them as well.

I believe our natural resources committee members on the Conservative side have canvassed far and wide to hear how people feel about the unjust transition act. Has the member? If he is so confident, maybe he should decide to re-offer and run again in Timmins—James Bay.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, who have I spoken to? I have spoken with the carpenters union. I met with them in Edmonton. I have spoken with operating engineers. I visited the IBEW in western Canada multiple times. I have worked with Unifor in western Canada. I have worked with the Canadian Labour Congress. I have worked with United Steelworkers District 6, who represent the mining communities, and United Steelworkers District 3.

Does the member know what they all said to me? They all asked why the Conservatives were running this relentless gong show to try to stop their members from being heard on issues related to their futures and their jobs. That is who I hear from. I do not hear from Alex Jones. I do not hear from the far-right extremists. I hear from people who work and who have a right to be heard and who are being denied their right by the constant interference and undermining of basic legislation by the Conservatives.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the majority of members inside this chamber recognize the importance of Bill C-50 to Canadians as a whole.

What we have witnessed, once again, is the obstructive, destructive behaviour coming from the official opposition. We can highlight what took place in committee, where AI was used to generate 20,000-plus amendments. I am wondering if my colleague could share with me what he thinks about AI being used to generate a filibuster for the official opposition.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that is a very unfair question because if the member asks me what I think of having to bring in artificial intelligence to deal with the Conservatives, they might light their hair on fire even more.

The fact is that the Conservatives can only get away with the kind of junk talk that they get away with if they shut down people who actually have facts. That is why they intimidate, shout, have the hate machine, and get up and scream every time I speak. That is why they tried to shut down all the proper witnesses at committee, and then screamed and shouted in the most deplorable, ignorant manner I had ever seen during votes. While the democratic work of Parliament was attempting to go ahead, they were trying to stop Parliament from doing its job.

They are trying to stop it today. I will be here until midnight. I hope the member who lives in Stornoway will be here to represent his people.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I always appreciate hearing from the member for Timmins—James Bay. He speaks the real truth, and this is something I know Conservative members object to because facts are something they oppose. However, the reality is that the sustainable jobs act would lead to thousands and thousands of jobs, including new jobs in the energy sector. Coming from the energy sector, as a former refinery worker, I can say how important that is for Canadians.

The member for Timmins—James Bay has been a champion for sustainable jobs. He has met with a wide variety of workers right across the energy sector. At any point in all those meetings, did my colleague ever see a single Conservative MP actually consulting energy workers or actually speaking with energy workers? I know the Conservatives love to hobnob with oil and gas CEO's, but were they ever there with the workers?

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that is a really interesting question because certainly every time people who were workers from the energy sector came to speak, the Conservatives shut them down and refused to speak. When we went out to Alberta to meet with and to learn from the coal workers who had been damaged in the transition, the Conservatives were not there, and the Conservatives did not let them speak at our committee.

The Conservatives also do not want people speaking to the facts that clean energy jobs are taking place and that we have 209,000 clean energy jobs now in Canada, and we are looking at another 190,000. In fact, Alberta alone would have been the world centre for new jobs if it had not been for Danielle Smith and the disinformation team, like the Tucker Carlsons, who believe in the globalist agenda; the Alex Joneses, who believe in the globalist agenda; and the member for Lakeland, who believes that standing up for workers is somehow part of a globalist conspiracy. That is false. That needs to be called out as false. That is disinformation. It is conspiracy, and Canadian workers deserve a lot better than that.

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Labour and Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to a common‑sense piece of legislation, the Canadian sustainable jobs act. This is legislation that will enable Canadian workers to succeed. That is what it is all about.

I will be honest, and I think I am just going to riff a bit here. Honestly, I could not stay in the House for very long. I needed to find a wall to bang my head against while I heard what I heard from the other side of the House, or what little we could hear with their heads in the sand.

Let me be very clear about the context in which we are discussing this proposed legislation. Green energy is happening. Renewables are happening. Biofuels are happening. Hydrogen is happening. Lowering emissions in the oil and gas industry in Alberta, in British Columbia, in Saskatchewan and in Newfoundland and Labrador is happening.

One thing I learned as minister of natural resources is that workers want to know, want to understand and want to have a say in what is happening. If members were to blame anybody for the shenanigans of what we have heard over these past few months, I guess they will have to blame me because I am the one who thought maybe it was a good idea to set up a committee that would involve workers so that we could take their advice on the big issues facing the fourth biggest producer of oil and gas in the world, which is Canada. We are very good at doing what we do, but all these things that I am talking about and all the investments, prosperity and the jobs that come with those things are happening, and we have to make the most of them.

When we came up with this legislation, we did get a reaction from workers. We got a reaction from the International Union of Operating Engineers who said that the act “puts the interests of energy workers at the forefront of a low-carbon economy.” We heard from the president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers who said that this act shows the government's “commitment to protecting good-paying, highly skilled jobs.” Canada's Building Trades Unions welcomed the bill, saying that the consultation built into this process would “ensure workers are front and centre during this transition”.

Just to be clear for the Leader of the Opposition, these are the workers who actually wear steel-toed boots every day.

I could go on, but I know that the party opposite does not put much stock in what workers want. Why would they, when their leader has spent his entire career trying to bust unions and the workers who were in them? If they will not listen to workers, maybe they will listen to industry.

The president of the Business Council of Alberta said, “The Sustainable Jobs Act represents an important opportunity for Canada: to shape our future and create jobs by providing the resources that the world needs”. He also said that the act would help “equip [Canada] with the skills for the jobs of our future economy”.

From Clean Energy Canada: “deliverables and measurements for success while coordinating across the many federal departments...[a] commitment to centring indigenous voices”.

I could quote more leaders from industry, but then the Leader of the Opposition also has no respect for the people spearheading our resource industries after he said, “I meet with resource companies when they come to Ottawa, and all they do is suck up to the [Liberal] government. They have no backbone and no courage”.

I could list a slew of support that this legislation has from leaders in the climate and environmental sector, but I think I will go out on a limb and say that the party opposite probably does not hold much for them either, which begs the questions then: Who are they listening to? If it is not unions, if it is not workers, if it is not industry, if it is not business, Lord knows it is not science, and it is not environmentalists, then who are they listening to?

I will commend their efforts though. When the opposition decides to fight for something for no good reason, they will do it with so much conviction and creativity that we might think they have an actual cause.

After question period, I look forward to getting into the 14 pages of this piece of legislation, which, in effect, says that workers should be heard. What are the opposition members afraid of? Workers in the oil and gas sector in my riding, in my province, have told me time and time again that they will no longer be left out. They will not longer be marginalized. They will no longer be rage farms. On my watch, they will be included.

George Garrett

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, metro Vancouver has lost yet another media legend, George Garrett. Known far and wide as the intrepid reporter, George passed away on March 18 at the age of 89.

George was legendary for many reasons, not the least of which was his incredible Rolodex of contacts with personal phone numbers for police, prosecutors and politicians, including mine.

He was legendary for his disarmingly friendly and gentlemanly demeanour. George could charm his way into gathering new scoops that kept CKNW, his radio home for 43 years, way out in front of the pack of press and broadcast reporters. He had a unique balance. He was tough, but as I experienced personally, one could always trust that one would get a fair shake from George, which is why people would answer when he called.

George received many awards, but I think the biggest one was the respect and admiration of his peers and of his community leaders alike. Now, when news reporting is more important than ever, we should all hope to see more like him.

Cost of Living

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, I was out door knocking in my riding of Niagara West, and next door, in the riding of Hamilton East—Stoney Creek was our Conservative candidate Ned Kuruc.

The topic that came up most was the cost of living. Folks at the doors said that the basics are getting too expensive and that things are getting worse. Many cannot pay their monthly bills. They are getting further and further behind. It is difficult to pay the mortgage. It is difficult to pay the rent. Grocery prices are through the roof. Gas prices continue to go up. Utility bills for home heating are getting ridiculous. When all is said and done, paycheques do not cover the bills at the end of the month.

Most people said that the policies of the Liberal government and the Prime Minister have put them in the financial position they are in. Higher carbon taxes, inflation caused by reckless spending and high interest rates all create the perfect storm to drain the family budget. However, if we were to ask those guys across the aisle, they would deny causing any of it. It is mind-boggling. They have been in government for more than eight years, and they are responsible for all of it.

For my constituents of Niagara West, the Liberals are just not worth the cost.

Oral Health Month

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week, for Oral Health Month, I went to the Gleam Smile Centre in my riding of Hamilton Mountain. I met with owner Julie DiNardo and her daughter Victoria, who operate the clinic as independent dental hygienists.

Treatments at Gleam help patients manage mouth bacteria and avoid trips to the dentist for expensive fillings, replacement crowns, implants and gum surgery. Less harmful bacteria in the mouth means better outcomes and lower health care costs.

Perhaps, even more importantly, healthy mouths improve general health. Good dental hygiene means lower risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes, unstable diabetes, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers, just to name a few. Our Canada dental care plan is making it easier for people of Hamilton Mountain and people across the country to get access to this life-changing care.

I send a huge shout-out, massive props and effusive thanks to all oral health professionals across the country.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this year, Canada will be chairing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.

Among the goals it has set for its mandate is the development of a path forward on accession that involves considering whether applicant economies meet the standards set out in the agreement, comply with their trade commitments and have the consensus of all signatory nations.

Taiwan, which applied in September 2021, clearly meets the criteria for becoming a member of the CPTPP. Taiwan is a reliable trade partner with which Canada has signed an investment promotion and protection arrangement, and it is a robust democracy that shares many of our values.

In our opinion, Taiwan deserves a place in the CPTPP as well as in other international organizations, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Organization, and adding it as a member would benefit these organizations and the world in general.

Canada must insist that accession to the CPTPP be approved based on the established criteria, not on pressure exerted by some applicant economies, such as the People's Republic of China, on certain member nations.

Organ and Tissue Donation

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, April is Be a Donor Month. Communities and advocates across Ontario are encouraging people to register for organ and tissue donation.

There are more than four million people across the province who have already registered, starting in my riding of Nickel Belt. One organ donor can save eight lives, enhancing the lives of up to 75 people through tissue donation. Currently, about 1,300 people in Ontario are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

On April 7, we marked Green Shirt Day in order to pay tribute to Logan Boulet, who became an organ donor following the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus accident in 2018.

I would like to thank Logan and all those who have given the gift of life. I would also like to thank the volunteers and staff at the Trillium Gift of Life Network for their work, as well as Canadian Blood Services of Greater Sudbury for its ongoing awareness activities.

Sikh Heritage Month

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of common-sense Conservatives, we wish all Sikhs across Canada a happy Sikh Heritage Month and a very happy Vaisakhi.

To be a Sikh is to always courageously stand up for justice and humbly serve society's most vulnerable. It is to be a beacon of hope and to be uplifting, like a lighthouse, to help others to safety. It is to selflessly serve others above all else by the grace of God. Canada hosts the largest Sikh diaspora in the world, and we recognize the immense contributions of Sikhs to Canada through their seva.

Organizations such as the Dashmesh Culture Centre in Calgary, the Guru Nanak Food Bank in Surrey and Khalsa Aid truly embody the teachings of the Khalsa. For generations, Sikhs have added the wealth of their history and traditions to our communities, strengthening the bonds of freedom and prosperity that have made Canada so great. Conservatives share the deep-rooted values of faith, family and freedom with the Sikh community.

I wish all members a happy Sikh Heritage Month.

Vaisakhi diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan.

Jay Williams

[Jean Yip, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, recently, Scarborough faced the loss of a beloved educator and community leader. The news of Jay Williams' death at the age of 40 is a tragic loss for the community.

Jay Williams was an educator with the Toronto District School Board, most recently working with the TDSB's Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement to develop strategies to dismantle anti-Black racism in schools. He grew up in the Malvern area and will be remembered as a beloved teacher at several middle schools across Scarborough. As a teacher, he focused on making the classroom experience more culturally relevant to Black students. He started clubs, coached sports and served as a role model to thousands of teenagers in Scarborough.

My condolences go out to Jay's family, including his mother, Senator Paulette Senior, and his father, Ron Williams. He will truly be missed.

World Parkinson's Day

[Ben Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today marks World Parkinson's Day. In Canada alone, more than 100,000 people live with the disease, and there are hundreds of thousands more Canadians who are friends, family and caregivers of those living with Parkinson's. They are deeply impacted, too.

Recently, my own family suffered a great loss with the passing of my uncle Robert, my dad's brother, following a 20-year courageous battle with Parkinson's.

Last week, my colleague, the member for Milton, and I joined his dad Joe, my cousin David, Tim Hague of U-Turn Parkinson's, Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets and others to raise awareness as the Jets played in front of a sold-out home crowd. Thanks in large part to the leadership of Kevin Donnelly and Mark Chipman from the Jets' organization, nearly $100,000 was raised at that game to help U-Turn Parkinson's deliver services with a focus on physical activity to support those impacted.

I am proud that U-Turn Parkinson's operates in my riding of Winnipeg South Centre. I am incredibly grateful to the Winnipeg Jets, and people such as the member for Milton's dad, Joe, and my uncle Robert, for their courage and commitment to ensuring more Canadians learn about this debilitating disease.

Malcolm Montgomery

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as members of the House, we are all given the remarkable gift of having our words etched in time. I believe the highest honour we can bestow upon someone is to say their name in the House.

I rise today to speak of my dear friend and longest-serving staff member Malcolm Montgomery, who passed away in November after 31 years of service to Parliament. He was my first campaign chair and a big reason a riding held by Liberals for over 80 years fell to the upstart of the Canadian Alliance.

Malcolm put in long hours and put up with a demanding boss because he was filled with passion. He was passionate about politics, policy and Parliament. He was passionate about Canada, Canadians and our history. He was passionate about his community, his friends and above all his family: his wife Debbie and his children, Gord, Cameron and Neil.

To meet Malcolm was to experience the full force of his enthusiasm for life. While Malcolm is no longer with us, the House will remember him eternally.

World Parkinson's Day

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, ever since my dad Joe's Parkinson's diagnosis, he has made it his personal mission to improve the lives of Canadians living with Parkinson's disease.

When he moved to Winnipeg, he met the legendary Tim Hague from U-Turn Parkinson's. It uses physical activity programs to improve the daily lives of people living with Parkinson's disease. My dad is also a huge Winnipeg Jets fan, and it turns out that the Jets' top scorer, Kyle Connor, also has a family connection to Parkinson's disease.

Through the leadership of Kyle, Kevin Donnelly, Mark Chipman and everyone at True North Sports and Entertainment, the Winnipeg Jets supported U-Turn Parkinson's with its fifty-fifty raffle draw last week. I was able to join with my colleague, the MP for Winnipeg South Centre, to watch the Jets clinch their playoff spot. My buddy even leant me his favourite Teemu Selanne jersey, and we participated in the cheque presentation of almost $100,000 to U-Turn Parkinson's.

Today, I am wishing everybody in the PD community a productive and happy World Parkinson's Day, and I hope the advocacy continues throughout April. I thank Tim Hague and U-Turn Parkinson's for everything they do for people living with Parkinson's, and I thank the Jets for being awesome corporate sport citizens. I wish them luck in the playoffs.

Carbon Tax

[Richard Lehoux, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, the costly Bloc-Liberal coalition is not worth the cost. This coalition continues to display contempt for farmers by radically increasing the carbon tax and voting to amend our common-sense Bill C-234.

From the outset, this government has shown Canadians that it simply does not see farming as a priority. In my opinion, it is simple: no farmers, no food.

Farmers are being ignored in favour of a higher and higher carbon tax on heating their buildings, drying their grain and feeding our cities. I am talking about government regulations and taxes. As the Journal de Montréal reported this morning, carbon pricing in Quebec is adding to the cost burden faced by farmers. Unfortunately, the carbon tax is not the only thing that is crushing our farmers. The government's failure to enhance support programs for farmers is also taking a toll.

The Conservatives will continue to fight and support farmers, starting with passing Bill C‑234 in its original form in order to lower the cost of food and help our farmers stay afloat.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the government just slapped Canadians with a 23% carbon tax increase on April 1. It did this while food banks are servicing a record number of hungry Canadians and farmers are struggling to keep up with crippling taxes. The government needs to pass Bill C-234 in its original form to remove the carbon tax on farmers and help bring down the cost of food for all Canadians.

Conservatives have sent a letter to the Prime Minister with three demands to fix the budget. Common-sense Conservatives will not agree to support the budget unless Liberals axe the tax, build homes and cap spending with a dollar-for-dollar rule to bring down interest rates and inflation. The government must find a dollar of savings for every dollar of spending.

The Prime Minister is not worth the cost.

Labrador

[Yvonne Jones, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Mr. Speaker, as members know, I am a proud Labradorian and Canadian. This year marks a significant milestone as we pay tribute to the Labrador flag and its 50-year legacy, a testament to our shared identity and resilience as Labradorians.

It is with deep appreciation that we commend Michael and Patricia Martin of Cartwright, Labrador, who, 50 years ago, had the innovation and foresight to create the enduring symbol of Labrador pride. Since its inception, the Labrador flag has transcended boundaries, embodying unity, remembrance and celebration of Labradorians across the globe. Its iconic design and vibrant colours serve as a constant reminder of our collective heritage and the unwavering spirit of Labradorians.

Today, we rejoice in 50 years of the Labrador flag. Labradorians join me in thanking Pat and Mike Martin for this wonderful gift and to say: fly the Labrador flag with pride.

Foreign Affairs

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the nightmare in Gaza continues.

Over 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 14,500 children. Families have gathered for Eid. They have gathered in the rubble, hungry, and mourning their loved ones who have been killed.

Just last week, we were horrified by Israel's killing of seven workers with World Central Kitchen, including one Canadian. More than 200 aid workers have been killed by Israel. It is clear that the Netanyahu far right government will continue the killing, in large part because of the complicity and the empty words of countries like ours.

We are witnessing a dystopian nightmare that is all too real, with AI drones and cold-blooded calculations of how many innocent civilians it is okay to kill at one time. We now hear that former prime minister Stephen Harper heads up one of the AI firms used by Israel.

We are also hearing about Canadian tax-deductible charities that are fuelling the war on Gaza. Canada must end its complicity on all fronts. It starts with recognizing Palestine as a state, including full membership at the UN, bringing in a real two-way arms embargo. It means taking a stand against genocide and standing up for peace and justice.

Taiwan

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec cares about its relations with Taiwan.

We announced last December the opening of an office in Montreal, which will undoubtedly facilitate exchanges between this fascinating, technologically advanced nation—particularly in the field of semiconductors—and our city, which a great sovereignist premier, Bernard Landry, once saw as a leader in this same field.

The Bloc Québécois unreservedly supports Taiwan's entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership. While we had and continue to have reservations about the substance of this massive trade deal, any nation wishing to take part in such a pact should be able to do so as long as it meets the admission criteria.

Another of Quebec's great sovereignist premiers, Jacques Parizeau, was fond of saying that a country's size mattered little as long as the country belonged to a large marketplace. This small island will prove an invaluable asset in the global supply chain, and the entire world will be the better for it.

Finance

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, the Prime Minister has shamelessly delivered record high deficits, driving up inflation and causing sky-high interest rates. His government has doubled rent, mortgage payments and down payments. Food banks received a record 2 million visits in a single month last year, and a million more are expected to use food banks this year. He has added more to the national debt than all previous prime ministers combined.

While life has gotten worse for Canadians, the PM is spending more than ever. Now, a leading economist says that rate cuts may be delayed because of high government spending. We saw that this week, when the Bank of Canada held its rate in efforts to maintain its policy of quantitative tightening.

Canadians are seeing that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Will the Prime Minister cap his spending with a dollar-for-dollar rule and bring down interest rates and inflation, or will he continue to make Canadians pay for his failures?

Two Lebanese Philanthropists

[Fayçal El-Khoury, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim and Abou Fayssal, a Lebanese businessman who helms an association industrialists from Zahlé and the Beqaa, are leading humanitarians in their country. These men care about the environment. They have planted 128,000 trees for the sole purpose of protecting the environment, and they will continue to do so.

Philanthropists dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim and Mr. Fayssal offer support to widows and orphans. They pay hospital bills for the poor and offer medical equipment to their regional hospital that treats people in need free of charge. They are recognized for their creativity.

As I am a chair for the Canada-Lebanon Friendship Group, I thank both of them.