House of Commons Hansard #337 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was conservatives.
Toronto—St. Paul'sStatements by Members
The Speaker Greg Fergus
I ask all hon. members, while members are making their very special Standing Order 31 statements, to please not interrupt them. They use this opportunity to reach people in their homes, and I know everyone will want to extend this courtesy to others.
The hon. member for Scarborough—Agincourt.
Jean Yip Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Mr. Speaker, today, we join millions around the world in celebrating the mid-autumn festival, also known as the moon festival or moon-cake festival. Not only is it an important celebration in Chinese culture, but similar celebrations are held by Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and other Asian communities.
This special day brings together family and friends. Thousands of people in Scarborough—Agincourt will be celebrating by lighting beautiful lanterns and sharing delicious moon-cakes, which symbolize unity, gratitude and prosperity. I can confirm that our local retailers are always well stocked to meet the demand. Come and support our local businesses.
I wish everyone a joyful and peaceful mid-autumn festival.
[Member spoke in Cantonese and Mandarin and provided the following translation:]
Happy mid-autumn festival.
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers are still wondering what the Bloc Québécois is good for. The Bloc Québécois voted with the Liberal Prime Minister nearly 200 times, keeping Canada's most centralist government ever in power. Giving the Liberal Prime Minister a blank cheque does not benefit Quebeckers in the slightest. The Bloc Québécois's inconsistency is blatantly obvious here in Ottawa. It says one thing and does another. It says it wants to stop sending money to Ottawa, but it voted in favour of more than $500 billion in inflationary spending by this Liberal Prime Minister. The “Liberal Bloc” voted in favour of adding 100,000 new public servants to the payroll while bringing about no improvement in Canadians' day-to-day lives. There is more spending than ever, more public servants than ever, more scandals than ever, all being paid for with Quebec's money, our money.
Who is the Bloc Québécois good for? It is good for the Liberal Prime Minister. What is the Bloc Québécois good for? Unfortunately, it is not good for Quebeckers.
The only party that can stand up for Quebeckers is the Conservative Party of Canada, the party of common sense.
Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB
Mr. Speaker, after nine years under the NDP-Liberals, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up.
The NDP leader claimed he would be an opposition voice, but promptly hooked up to help the Liberal Prime Minister hike taxes and food costs, double housing costs, and unleash crime and chaos in once-safe Canadian streets. That is the definition of selling out workers, voters and communities everywhere. Their own policies make it so Canadians cannot afford to house, heat, feed and drive themselves. The truth is that the NDP sellout supported the Liberal Prime Minister every way and every day to hike carbon taxes by 300%, all the way up to 61¢ a litre.
The NDP-Liberal carbon tax vandalizes small businesses and charities. In Lakeland, the Two Hills Ag Society is just one example: a non-profit forced to pay over $18,000 in just six months on top of the cost of power. The choice is clear: There is the NDP-Liberal-Bloc coalition that taxes our food, punishes our work, takes our money, hikes our rent and risks our homes or the common-sense Conservative Party that will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime. Canadians need a carbon tax election now.
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and honour the life of Mathieu Miljours, a man who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him.
As the former president and CEO of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges chamber of commerce and industry, Mathieu worked tirelessly to support local businesses and foster growth, collaboration and opportunity. His warmth and sincerity made people feel seen and appreciated, in both his personal and professional lives. His love for our community was second only to his love for his friends and family, especially his children.
Although his time with us was too short, he had an enormous impact. Let us remember him for the joy, kindness and passion he brought to the world.
May our friend Mathieu rest in peace.
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, the people of Elmwood—Transcona have spoken. They saw right through the phony working-class cosplay of the Conservatives and elected Leila Dance, a strong New Democrat who stands up for workers and their families.
Conservatives are no friends of workers. Their leader can borrow a hard hat and pretend he is in it for the working class, but he has never spent a second on the picket lines when workers needed it most. In fact, Conservatives voted against anti-scab legislation eight times to help out the big bosses. They will always cut deep and back-stab fast, leaving workers behind. However, the people of Elmwood—Transcona chose hope, Leila Dance and the NDP over Conservative fears and cuts. The big bosses' and CEOs' time is up because it is the people's time.
Caroline Desbiens Bloc Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, actor Marilyn Castonguay made us proud at the Gémeaux awards gala on Sunday.
She was already known for her talented performances alongside the biggest stars in theatre, film and in countless television shows. She has now joined the ranks of Quebec's great artists by winning the award for best lead actress in a drama series for her iconic portrayal of housewife-turned-crime boss Huguette Delisle in the hit Quebec TV show C'est comme ça que je t'aime, known as Happily Married in English.
What a superb actress. What a natural talent. What a woman.
Congratulations to Marilyn, a true “Marsouine”. A Marsouin is what we call people from L'Isle‑aux‑Coudres. Forgive my bias, but us Marsouins, and all Quebeckers, are pretty proud of our Marilyn Castonguay.
I am thrilled for Marilyn, who happens to be my distant cousin on the Garcette side, descended from the famous Grand Louis of Cap à Labranche. We are all so proud of her.
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Mr. Speaker, “conflict of interest, carbon tax” Carney has officially joined the corrupt Liberal government as the de facto finance minister, here to ram the Davos agenda down the throats of Canadians. This global elite jet-sets around the world, claiming the carbon tax scam is a global example that no one should be exempt from, including Atlantic Canadians. Carbon tax Carney sits on boards of multinational corporations with interests in foreign oil and foreign governments, opposing Canada's good, clean, responsible oil and gas. The Prime Minister has shielded him from Canadian disclosure laws by making him an adviser instead of replacing the lame-duck finance minister.
Carbon tax Carney is here for carbon tax Carney, here for all the power and money and none of the accountability. He could not care less about Canadians who cannot afford to feed, heat or house themselves.
Common-sense Conservatives are calling on the Prime Minister to force carbon tax Carney to be sworn in as a public office holder so that he has to follow Canada's conflict of interest laws. It is time for “conflict of interest, carbon tax” Carney to come clean.
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Mr. Speaker, on September 17, 1999, Donald Marshall Jr. stood victorious in his case, which affirmed that the Mi'kmaq had a treaty right to sell fish according to the terms of the Peace and Friendship Treaties. This historic case changed the economic future for the Mi'kmaq. Not only could treaties be used to survive, but now people were also able to thrive. Thousands of Mi'kmaq jobs have been created within the fisheries, allowing Mi'kmaq to become major players within the Atlantic fisheries.
As a government, we have a long way to go in full implementation of the Mi'kmaq treaties, but we continue to work with Mi'kmaq communities to ensure that they can exercise their right to a living while balancing conservation and safety.
We remember the Marshall case as a turning point for the Mi'kmaq and how it cemented the legacy of Donald Marshall Jr. as a hero for our people. Today, I remember my late friend Junior and honour all those who continue to advocate for their treaty rights moving forward.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, voters in the former Liberal strongholds of Toronto and Montreal have given their verdict. After nine years, this Prime Minister is not worth the cost. During the nine years of this Bloc-Liberal government's reign, we have seen the largest expansion of the federal government in history and the most expensive and centralizing government that is inflating the cost of housing and groceries for Quebec.
How can the Bloc Québécois keep a government and a Prime Minister that are so bad for Quebec in office?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I am so glad I get to answer a question about Canada's economy because it gives me the chance to celebrate the good news that we got this morning. Inflation was at 2% in August. It is back down to where it was before the pandemic. That is real progress for our country, and the Conservatives should be celebrating that.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that people wait-listed for food banks or living in tents and homeless camps will be celebrating today. However, the government is trying to take credit for the fact that, after inflation reached a 40-year high, prices are still going up, not down.
My question is this. Why is the Bloc Québécois supporting the most centralizing and costly government ever, which has no respect for Quebec's jurisdictions or Quebeckers?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservative leader is displaying his incompetence as far as the economy is concerned. In reality, 2% is where Canada was before the pandemic. In reality, inflation has been within the Bank of Canada's target range since the start of this year. In reality, wages have been rising faster than inflation for 19 months now.
The Conservatives are not happy, however. They wish we had bad news for Canadians.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, Canadians in the former Liberal strongholds of Toronto and Montreal have now given their verdict. After nine years, the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Taxes are up, costs are up, crimes are up, and time is up. Is it not time for Canadians to have a chance to render their verdict right across the country and elect a common-sense Conservative government that will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime?
FinanceOral Questions
The Speaker Greg Fergus
I would ask members, especially members on the far side of the House, to please not take their microphone until they are recognized by the Speaker.
The hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I am so glad to have the chance to talk about the economy. That is because today we had good news for Canadians. Inflation is back down to where it was before COVID hit. Inflation has been within the Bank of Canada's target range this whole year. Wages have outpaced inflation for 19 months in a row. However, Conservatives do not want to talk about it. They are so weak and spiteful that, for them, good news for Canadians is bad news they want to ignore.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the incompetent finance minister would tell us that we should celebrate that, after prices have been rising faster than at any time in 40 years, they continue to rise, just not as quickly. I am sure the people living in tent encampments, the record-smashing two million people lined up at food banks or the one in four kids going to school hungry after nine years of the current government will be celebrating.
What we now find out is that it is worse than we thought. According to a document that was just released, the government's second carbon tax will cost $9 billion in lost GDP. Why would we not have a carbon tax election to decide—
FinanceOral Questions
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I think we all know why the Conservatives are so panicked about an election; it is because they can see that the economic news is good. They can see that we are now back to exactly where we were before COVID hit. They can see that the Bank of Canada has lowered interest rates three times in a row. Wages have been ahead of inflation for 19 months. That is good news for Canadians. It is bad news for Conservatives.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the bad news is that there are now 1,800 homeless encampments in Ontario. There are 35 in Halifax alone. Two million Canadians are lined up at food banks after nine years of the NDP-Liberal government. We now learn that, on top of the $25-billion annual hit of the first carbon tax to our GDP, the second carbon tax will subtract another $9 billion a year, over $35 billion in lost GDP. That is almost $2,000 per family.
Why will the costly NDP-Liberal government not allow Canadians to vote on the carbon tax?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I am so glad to have the chance to talk about housing, because there is more good news Canadians should know about, and that is that we have extended to 30-year amortizations for all first-time homebuyers. That means more young Canadians can buy a first home and afford a mortgage. We have extended to 30-year amortizations for all new homes. That is to encourage what we know we all need: more homes built faster. However, the weak and spiteful Conservatives cannot celebrate good news for Canadians, because it is bad news for their partisan interests.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would have liked to answer the leader of the official opposition's questions, but I will answer them with this. His party came fourth in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, with 12% of the vote.
That said, nothing has changed, except that we will have to make room for one more seat. We continue to work on the seniors file. Will the government follow through on its vote in favour of Bill C-319 and implement this legislation, which everyone in the House voted for?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Our government understands the importance of supporting seniors. That is what we have been doing all along. That is what we did after 10 years of the Conservatives punishing seniors. That is why we added measures to support our seniors, especially the most vulnerable. We will continue to do just that.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, Bill C‑319 is a Bloc Québécois bill that eliminates discrimination in the retirement benefits granted to seniors 65 to 74 and those 75 and over. It allows them to earn $6,500 instead of $5,000 without losing the guaranteed income supplement.
In committee, the Liberals voted in favour of the bill, the Conservatives voted in favour of the bill and the NDP voted in favour of the bill. Now we need to ensure that the bill is implemented with something called a royal recommendation. Will the Liberals secure the royal recommendation and help seniors?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, we obviously recognize that older seniors, people 75 and up, face higher costs. They are more vulnerable and that is why we added measures to support them. I share the Bloc Québécois' concern for our seniors. That is why I am calling on the Bloc Québécois to support us on dental care. It is an important program for all Quebeckers, especially vulnerable seniors.