Debates of June 14th, 2024

Boxing Champion

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Madam Speaker, Surrey is home to high-level athletes from across the country. Last month, 26-year-old Buneet Bisla was crowned as the Canadian light-heavyweight champion in a first-round knockout, making it his first professional title.

Turning pro in 2019, Bisla has amassed a record of 10 wins and is now the undisputed number-one ranked fighter in Canada for the light-heavyweight category. Bisla was also the first Sikh Punjabi fighter to fight at Madison Square Garden in 2023 against a top-ranked American in his class.

I have seen this kid work tirelessly at his dad's gym, Bisla Martial Arts in Surrey, to win fight after fight. Buneet Bisla serves as a role model to young Canadians across the country who hope to pursue their dreams of fighting professionally one day.

Congratulations to Buneet Bisla.

Taxation

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

Madam Speaker, the NDP-Liberal government is at it again. Its job-killing economic vandalism knows no bounds. The government is sabotaging our economy by taxing farmers during a food crisis.

Sylvain Charlebois, Canada's “Food Professor”, said, “to suggest that this change only affects a minimal number of Canadians I think is misleading. I think it actually affects a lot of businesses, including in the agri-food sector, and I would start with farmers.”

He is right. The Liberals are jacking up taxes on farm families by 30% to pay for the Liberals' out-of-control spending. By targeting farmers' retirement plans, the Prime Minister is jeopardizing the transfer of the operation to the next generation, and for what? Is it to pretend he is Robin Hood and that farmers are the villains? In reality, he is the Sheriff of Nottingham, roaming around the countryside to pillage what is left of people's bank accounts. He is undermining Canadian values and diminishing the rewards that a life of hard work deserves.

It is time to bring home the Canada we remember, the Canada we recognize and the Canada we need.

Carbon Tax

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Madam Speaker, over two years ago, the Liberal MP for Whitby committed candour. He accidentally told Canadians the truth, that the radical Liberal net-zero plan would intentionally cause Canadians pain. Now Canadians know what the Liberals have been hiding all along.

For weeks now, the Liberals have been refusing to provide their secret report on the cost of the carbon tax to Canadian families. This is a desperate and malicious attempt to hide their own data that shows that Canadians are worse off under the disastrous, inflationary carbon tax. The carbon tax pain will cost nearly $2,000 per household in lost GDP, a $30.5-billion hit to our economy.

For years now, the radical environment minister has told Canadians that the carbon tax was making them richer, while the exact opposite was true, and they knew it all along. When will the radical environment minister resign and the government release its secret carbon tax report?

Mayor of Mississauga

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Madam Speaker, on Monday, Mississauga voters went to the polls across the city to elect a mayor, and I want to congratulate my dear friend, Carolyn Parrish, the new mayor-elect of Mississauga, on her victory.

Mississauga is a city of a vibrant mosaic of people from different religions, ethnicities, languages and experiences, who had their say on the priorities that matter most to them, like housing, the cost of living, transportation and safety in our community. They exercised their vote for an experienced leader with a proven track record serving Mississauga at multiple levels of government, who has dedicated her career to the city that I call home.

I want to congratulate and thank all candidates who put their name forward, including sitting councillors Alvin Tedjo, Dipika Damerla and Stephen Dasko, who ran respectable campaigns, articulated their vision for Mississauga and took part in the democratic process.

Congratulations to Carolyn.

Sunfest

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Madam Speaker, in 1985, the city of London welcomed the Caxaj family, political refugees from Guatemala. It was not easy for them; they had to learn a new language while facing racism and discrimination. However, they persevered, and for the past 40 years have created an incredible space in London through the universal language of music.

This year is the 30th anniversary of Sunfest, a free music festival that brings together music from across Canada and the world to London. We will also be celebrating Alfredo Caxaj's appointment to the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian music and culture.

From July 4 to 7, Londoners will come together in Victoria Park to celebrate our diversity and our designation as Canada's first UNESCO City of Music. Almost 50 artists will be performing everything from Afro-Latin punk to hip-hop to Spanish folk music.

I thank Alfredo, Paty, Alfie and Mercedes for everything they have given to our city.

I hope all Canadians take a moment to reflect on the rich diversity that makes Canada better.

Stéphane Racicot

[Sylvie Bérubé, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Madam Speaker, I want to talk about a local man whose courage and determination are inspiring. His name is Stéphane Racicot.

For several years now, Stéphane has been involved in the Abitibi music scene as a DJ and event organizer. In August 2022, following a simple fall in his hotel room, he became a quadriplegic. His rehabilitation took nine months. Unsurprisingly, music was part of his journey to recovery.

On June 8, Stéphane was back on stage for the first time since his accident as a DJ at the fifth annual Val-d'Or Pride festivities. Thanks to new technology, Stéphane can control everything with his eyes. Stéphane has been heavily involved with Fierté Val-d'Or as a coordinator, organizer and board member.

In 2023, his involvement was recognized at the Rayon C Gala, where he received the volunteer of the year award, notably for his involvement with Fierté Val-d'Or, FRIMAT and the Prospecteur shows. I am very happy to hear Stéphane is back, and I wish him nothing but the best for the future.

Carbon Tax

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the ministry of truth has assured Canadians that they are better off because of the carbon tax. It costs them nothing, and in fact, they are getting richer because of it.

However, a few weeks ago, we learned from the Parliamentary Budget Officer that the government has a secret report on the carbon tax. After seeing some of the government's data, we understand why it is trying to hide it. The government's own data shows that the carbon tax costs every Canadian household nearly $2,000, and that Canadians are losing about $30 billion in economic activity because of the carbon tax.

Canadians are exhausted by the Liberal government's doublespeak. They know what we know; that the carbon tax costs Canadians billions of dollars. Why does the Prime Minister continue to stand by his radical environment minister instead of standing up for Canadians?

Father's Day

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Madam Speaker, as we prepare to celebrate Father's Day this Sunday, I would like to take this opportunity to salute all the fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers in my riding of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne and across the country.

Father's Day is an opportunity for all of us to express our appreciation to the incredible dads and father figures in our lives, those who offer guidance, support and love in immeasurable ways.

As I get older, I reflect on all the countless ways my father always put my brothers and me first, from volunteering for my Girl Guide troop, to showing me how to put a worm on a hook, to making the best campfires and letting me hang out at the fire station.

While I was running for the nomination as candidate 10 years ago, my dad was undergoing treatment for throat cancer, yet he still ran around collecting support for me. I do not get to spend as much time with my dad as I wish I could, but he should know that he will always be my hero.

To the dads in my life, my father, Dave; my father-in-law, Gary; my husband, Chris; my son, Patrick; and any day now, my son, Jonathan, I wish a happy Father's Day.

Carbon Pricing

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Speaker, an employee responsible for causing $30,000 in economic vandalism to his or her company would be fired on the spot.

In this case, it is even worse. The radical Minister of Environment knew that the carbon tax would cause $30.5 billion in economic damage to Canada. That is nearly $2,000 per family. He covered up the report. He ridiculed the Parliamentary Budget Officer and tried to muzzle him. Basically, he was trying to hide the truth from Canadians.

When will he be fired?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Madam Speaker, this side of the House will take no lessons from people who are incapable of doing even basic math.

This is the party that told us a few weeks ago—although it never mentions it now—that if we were to remove all federal taxes on gas over the summer, people in Alberta, for example, could save $1,000.

I tried using math, and that failed. I tried using culture, and that failed too. Now I am going to try astronomy. In order to save $1,000, if all federal gas taxes were removed this summer, a person would have to travel 10% of the distance between the earth and the moon—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Speaker, this minister may not be lost in space, but he is definitely way out in left field.

There is a reason he kept trying to cover up the secret report. It is because the report reveals the true cost of the carbon tax for Quebeckers.

According to that report, Quebeckers will pay $5 billion a year in economic damage because of his carbon tax. The worst part is that the Liberal Bloc wants to go even further and radically increase the tax on gas and diesel.

The minister hid the truth. Quebeckers are paying the price. When will he resign?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Madam Speaker, that is so ridiculous.

First, the data sent to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, at his request, confirms that where the federal price on pollution applies, eight out of 10 families receive more than they pay.

Second, it seems like the only thing the Conservatives can calculate is the cost of implementing measures. Of course there are costs, but the Conservatives never talk about the benefits, which are estimated at between $15 billion and $25 billion a year right now. I do not mean only in 2030, but each and every year, and that is not counting the $23 billion less in climate change impacts that Canada will see as a result of our measures.

If anyone in the House ought to resign, it is those—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Speaker, after nine years, the Liberals decided to wipe out of the middle class.

Again this week, the Prime Minister refused to include in the bill on the job-killing tax a provision guaranteeing that 99.27% of Canadians would be spared from the Liberal Bloc tax hikes. We asked that carpenters, plumbers, small businesses, seniors all be excluded. They said no to all of that.

We now have the proof. When will the Liberal Bloc stop picking the pockets of the middle class to pay for the centralizing wasteful spending of the massive federal Liberal government?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, that is quite the question. I am not sure who first wrote it, but the member added quite the word salad.

What Quebeckers understand is that tax fairness is what counts. What we are doing is sparing everyone who earns a paycheque. Imagine: Everyone who earns a paycheque is not affected. Those who earn over $250,000 in one year will be required to pay a little bit more.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Madam Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal government, the truth is out about its punishing carbon tax. A partial government report leaked by the Liberals to the marketing arm of the Liberal Party of Canada, the CBC, revealed that, when factoring for inflation, the Liberal carbon tax will leave a $30-billion hole in our economic activity. The carbon tax will cost every Canadian household almost $2,000. The Liberals' activist environment minister tried to silence the Parliamentary Budget Officer from exposing this report. This is unbelievable.

The environment minister is not worth the cost. When will he resign?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Madam Speaker, the member opposite is fighting action against climate change, at the very moment that houses in her own community are threatened by wildfires. We are trying to make sure that we save people's homes. We are protecting Canadian communities. She is busy letting the planet burn.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Madam Speaker, that is absolutely ridiculous. The Liberals have been hiding the truth from Canadians. At the finance committee, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said, “we've been told explicitly not to disclose it and reference it.” The Liberals have been trying to muzzle the Parliamentary Budget Officer and the government is still holding much of this report from the public. The entire report must be released to expose the economic vandalism of the carbon tax. The environment minister is not worth the cost. Will he resign?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, the member sure represents a beautiful part of Canada. The last time I was there, one could almost choke on the forest fire smoke. People in Kelowna and the Okanagan expect action on climate change. They also know that eight out of 10 of them pay less in the price on pollution than they get back in rebates. That is the case across the country where the tax applies.

We are acting on the environment. We are acting on affordability. The people of the Okanagan support that—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Salaberry—Suroît.

Democratic Institutions

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Madam Speaker, I want to talk about foreign interference.

One leader says it is nothing serious. Another leader says it is very serious. Both want us to take their word for it, so we are no further ahead.

On Monday, the Minister of Public Safety said he would not breach secrecy because RCMP Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn warned him he would face criminal prosecution.

Does the government think that all elected officials who read the documents should face the same charges?

Does the government deem that we are further ahead today with elected representatives playing with legal limits?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, let me begin by thanking the Bloc Québécois. Yesterday, we passed a very important bill on foreign interference at third reading. This is one more measure in a long series of solutions and initiatives that our government has put in place to counter foreign interference.

We know that every country in the world is facing this challenge. Canada stands out for the series of initiatives it has undertaken and the work it has done to strengthen its institutions in order to counter foreign interference.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Madam Speaker, there are two opposing narratives: One is the optimists' version and advocates moving on because there is nothing to see here, while the other is the version of the alarmists, who want to call 911. We do no know whether either of the two camps, or any of them at all, is telling the truth. We do no know whether one of them or both of them caved to the lure of the spotlight. That has done nothing but breed mistrust.

Now, thanks to them, when the Hogue commission tables its report, there is a chance that one of the two camps, the optimists or the alarmists, will cast doubt over the ruling.

Is it too much to ask that elected members be responsible and law-abiding and allow the judge to do her job?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, we certainly want to allow Justice Hogue to do her job. That is why the House and the House leaders negotiated a very clear and very broad mandate. Obviously we are eagerly awaiting for Justice Hogue to show us her work.

I do not know if this happened, but I note that the Bloc Québécois leader offered to consult the confidential documents. The NDP leader did the same. The Green Party leader did too, but—