House of Commons Hansard #342 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was leader.
Opposition Motion—Confidence in the Prime Minister and the GovernmentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
The Deputy Speaker Conservative Chris d'Entremont
That is not a point of order. I keep reminding folks to start quoting things from the Standing Orders so they are actual points of order.
The hon. member for Calgary Forest Lawn.
Opposition Motion—Confidence in the Prime Minister and the GovernmentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Mr. Speaker, why does that member not walk across the aisle to his out-of-touch leader and tell him to put his $2.2-million pension aside and let us take this to an election today? Let us go to the polls and let Canadians decide, so we can have a full-blown inquiry and figure out who those members are in the House who are working in the interest of foreign governments and not in the best interests of Canadians.
Common-sense Conservatives will always work in the best interests of Canadians, unlike the out-of-touch and costly coalition.
Opposition Motion—Confidence in the Prime Minister and the GovernmentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Calgary Forest Lawn for the great work he does in his riding. I have family members there and they speak very highly of him, as do many of his constituents when I am out there visiting.
Has the hon. member heard the same thing I have heard over and over again in my riding of North Okanagan—Shuswap about how people have just had enough? They have had enough of the carbon tax. They have had enough of the government, which simply sees Canadians as a tax source for its out-of-control spending. Has he heard the same issues in his riding?
Opposition Motion—Confidence in the Prime Minister and the GovernmentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank the member for helping flip thousands of pancakes over the years at my breakfast. I am grateful to his daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law for all the great work they do.
I am hearing the exact same thing. The simple message I am getting, whether someone has lived here their whole life or moved here, is that Canada is not Canada anymore. It is not the Canada we used to know. After nine years of the government punishing our paycheques, punishing us for success and punishing us for our hard work, Canada has become a place where nobody wants to live anymore.
However, we are going to turn that around. We are going to give Canadians hope. It is time for the government to call a carbon tax election so we can give Canadians the leadership they deserve, which is going to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, stop the crime and bring home the Canadian dream again.
Opposition Motion—Confidence in the Prime Minister and the GovernmentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and a privilege to be here today to speak on behalf of the people who sent me to represent them in the House of Commons, the people of London West.
This morning, the leader of the official opposition said that if the Conservatives formed government, they would run things the way they did before, specifically referring to when Harper's Conservatives were in power. That is a big shame. After all, this Conservative Party has promised to create barbaric cultural practices such as hotlines that encourage Canadians to spy on one another. It was this Conservative Party that kept families apart through limited family reunification targets, only because it did not want to let many seniors into this country.
Yesterday, the member for Calgary Forest Lawn spent time filibustering a bill that was first moved by the member for Brandon—Souris, who was the sponsor of the bill. He said the Conservatives would make sure they did not oppose the motion, yet they spent three hours filibustering it, misleading Canadians and not following the promises they made.
It was this Conservative Party that introduced significant cuts to the interim federal health program in 2012, which provided health care to refugees and asylum seekers. These cuts led to limited access to central health services for many refugees, including children and pregnant women. The Federal Court eventually ruled that these cuts were cruel and unusual.
It was this Conservative Party that voted against funding the interim housing assistance program ahead of the cold winter months, playing political games, as they have done since we came back to Parliament, with the lives of vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, again misleading Canadians that they are here to serve. They are here to cut programs that are vital and essential to Canadians.
It was this Conservative Party that shut down the family reunification program for two years, separating families. In fact, a statement made by the former immigration minister under the Harper Conservatives said, “If you think your parents may need to go on welfare in Canada, please don't sponsor them.” This was from a minister in Harper's government. It was the same Conservative Party that accused vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees of abusing Canada's generosity.
The Conservatives are doing what they know best, and that is dividing and misleading Canadians. Shame on them. We will not stand for it, nor will we dignify their shameful tactics to divide Canadians.
Let us talk about what the Conservative Party is doing right now at the citizenship and immigration committee. I want to remind the House what the Conservatives said about Bill C-71, an act to amend the Citizenship Act, during second reading debate. There has been a six-hour filibuster on a motion at the immigration committee regarding Bill C-71.
I will take this opportunity to share that I will be splitting my time with the member for Davenport. I got carried away.
I would like to share some of the context on Bill C-71. Given the recent legal changes to the first-generation limit that Harper's Conservatives introduced, it was clear that changes were needed to the Citizenship Act to address cohorts of excluded citizens. This is especially relevant for those born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent.
In 2009, several amendments to the Citizenship Act remedied the majority of the older lost Canadian cases by providing and restoring citizenship and removing the need for anyone to file to retain their citizenship by their 28th birthday. However, the Harper Conservatives introduced the first-generation limit, which the Supreme Court of Ontario has now deemed unconstitutional based on equality and mobility rights.
The leader of the official opposition has suggested that he would use the notwithstanding clause if given the chance, and that the Conservatives are considering taking away people's rights when it suits them. What the Conservatives did here is a concrete example of taking away the rights of Canadians, and I think they will do it again if given the opportunity. When Conservatives say that Canadians have nothing to fear, Canadians need to take note of what they have done in the past, as they have repeatedly said they would run the system exactly how they did before.
Bill S-245, a Senate public bill on the lost Canadians issue, was sponsored by a Conservative senator. However, during the study on this bill, the Conservative Party filibustered for over 30 hours. During that time, the member of Parliament for Calgary Forest Lawn, who is the sponsor for Bill S-245 and the former Conservative immigration critic, recommended the introduction of a private member's bill or government bill to address the remaining cohort of lost Canadians. I want to point out that the Conservative Party continues to trade down this bill, even though it corresponds with its leader, who has assured us that the Conservatives will continue to support and advocate for this legislation.
As I said earlier, the member for Calgary Forest Lawn was quoted as saying that they will make sure there is no opposition to it, yet yesterday, the Conservatives spent hours filibustering, with different colleagues in rotation coming to filibuster. It was very misleading that they told Canadians there would be no opposition and it would be passed quickly. These Canadians came to our committee. The Conservatives listened to witnesses and heard them, yet they still misled them and moved into a filibuster.
We have a government bill in front of us that we want to pass. It is wrong that the Harper Conservatives created this division in the first place. However, once again, the Conservative Party is playing political games with the lives of Canadians. Nothing about that is new. They have done it before and are doing it again. I hope Canadians are watching.
The Conservatives are delaying Bill C-71 from going to committee so it can be debated. They are also filibustering at the immigration committee regarding the motion on Bill C-71. I am so disappointed that the Conservatives have been sharing misinformation and attempting to stoke division and drive fear into the hearts of Canadians, but I cannot say that I am surprised.
The Conservatives constantly talk about people's pensions. They talk about the NDP leader's pension, yet they do not talk about the fact that their own leader has a pension of $230,000. The Conservatives also do not want to address why their leader does not have a security clearance right now. These are all questions that Canadians need answers to, and Conservatives should be asking them themselves.
On this side of the House, we remain committed to righting the wrongs of the unconstitutional first-generation limit on families. We continue to support newcomers. We will continue to provide a safe haven for vulnerable asylum seekers, all the while ensuring that our growth is sustainable and that we continue to build more homes and grow our economy. We have prioritized family reunification by expanding the spousal, parents and grandparents sponsorship program, increasing our annual levels and lowering financial requirements.
We are taking action to restore the integrity of the international student program, protecting students from instances of abuse and exploitation. We have made it easier for foreign national physicians with job opportunities to remain here in Canada and seek permanent residency. We have also launched a health-specific category under express entry to help address labour shortages in the health care sector so that Canadians can receive the quality health care they deserve.
We introduced the home child care provider pilot and home support worker pilot to provide pathways to PR for caregivers. We are also the first country to introduce a special humanitarian stream for women leaders, human rights defenders, LGBTQI+ individuals, persecuted minorities and journalists.
On this side of the House, we will always support newcomers, asylum seekers, refugees and citizens, and we will always stand shoulder to shoulder with them every step of the way.
Opposition Motion—Confidence in the Prime Minister and the GovernmentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Lianne Rood Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, contrary to what I heard in my colleague's speech today, I happen to spend a lot of time in London. My riding neighbour is in London and my new riding will include London.
I am not hearing those things from the people in London. What I am hearing from people in London and all the surrounding areas is that they want a carbon tax election. They have lost confidence in the government. They have lost confidence in the Prime Minister. I wonder why the member will not vote non-confidence in the government.
Opposition Motion—Confidence in the Prime Minister and the GovernmentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to hear my hon. colleague on the other side talk about London. It is very important to talk about London. My mother, who is a voter, is going to be a new voter in my colleague's riding and I have not heard her mention the member's name once.
It is important to talk about the things that Canadians care about. The questions that we are—
Opposition Motion—Confidence in the Prime Minister and the GovernmentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Mike Morrice Green Kitchener Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, Alby was a light to all who knew him. He loved to sing and dance, and he brought joy across our community with his performances. He was deeply loved and had a bright future ahead.
Alby wanted to live, but in June of this year, his parents, Lisa and Albert, lost Alby, who was just 23 years old, to the poison drug crisis. In his mom’s words, she shared, “Close your eyes and imagine losing your child to this. We are losing children left and right. We have to do something.”
In fact, experts tell us that we have to do more of everything: more treatment, more mental health supports, more housing and more harm reduction. In the meantime, I send my thanks to frontline workers who are saving lives, such as those at Sanguen, The Working Centre, Community Healthcaring and Thresholds in my community. I encourage all of my colleagues to support expanding the resources frontline workers provide so parents do not have to lose their children this way.
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. It is an occasion for all Canadians to honour survivors and the children who never returned home.
This day is also an opportunity to remember and recognize the centennial and invaluable solidarity between indigenous peoples and Chinese Canadians in British Columbia. The Musqueam people stood with the early Chinese immigrants at a time when support was most needed. Both communities co-created the Chinese market gardens on the Musqueam reserve.
As we reflect on this important history, we must remember the kindness, selflessness and courage of our indigenous peoples. Truth needs to come forward before reconciliation. Let us continue on the path toward reconciliation and move toward healing.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour today to recognize Captain William H. Wilson, a man who has served his country and his community more in his 100 years than any of us could possibly dream of doing in 100 lifetimes.
Captain Wilson served with the Royal Canadian Navy on the HMCS Ottawa on D-Day and was honoured with the Atlantic Star for his bravery. The Royal Canadian Navy named him the first honorary captain of Canada's first submarine squadron in honour of his tireless efforts to raise awareness of Canada's deep navy history.
Known as “The Rabbit”, he has this uncanny ability to find amazing artifacts for the Naval Museum in Calgary, a facility many believe would not even exist were it not for his tireless efforts. Whether it was during his time as the manager for the transportation of the 1988 Olympics, during his long career at CP Rail or when he was honoured with the Alberta Order of Excellence, his commitment to community is unparalleled.
I ask members to please join me in the House to wish Captain Bill a happy 100th birthday. Foothills thanks him for his service.
Joanne Thompson Liberal St. John's East, NL
Mr. Speaker, across St. John’s East this summer, what I heard was clear. We need to protect our progress. Parents want more $10-a-day child care spaces. Ten thousand Newfoundland and Labradorians went to the dentist, many for the first time in many years. Kids go to school now with full bellies because of the food school program investment. People want to see more climate action, not less, and health care remains a top priority, which is why we have made significant investments.
I have heard from the people of St. John's East that they want this progress to continue, not to be cancelled and not to be cut.
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Stéphane Grenier's 20 years of dedicated service on La Piaule's board of directors, as well as his unwavering commitment to helping the less fortunate in Val‑d’Or.
Thanks to him, La Piaule has been able to expand and provide vital support to many people in need. His leadership, kindness and determination have helped our community become more united and inclusive. Through his actions, Stéphane has shown that it is possible to really make a difference. He has listened to, supported and defended the rights of the most vulnerable members of society, while putting in place the resources necessary to meet the challenges facing our community. He has always been present on the ground, where needs are most keenly felt, whether it was to provide a meal, comfort a person in distress or simply lend an listening ear. Thanks to him, many major projects have seen the light of day in Val‑d’Or, including the Château de Marie‑Ève.
Stéphane is an example to us all. What he has accomplished reminds us of the importance of acting out of love and working together. I thank him for everything.
Ken McDonald Liberal Avalon, NL
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding young athletes in Avalon who took part in the 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games this past August, hosted by the town of Bay Roberts. Thousands of young athletes aged 13 to 15 from across the province showed exemplary sportsmanship, athleticism, teamwork and skill. It was an honour to witness such a remarkable celebration of sport and community.
A special thanks goes out to Walter Yetman, mayor of the town of Bay Roberts; the members of the organizing committee; and especially Judy Morrow and Neil Kearley, the co-chairs of the Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games, who have been a part of this initiative since 2018. A sincere thanks also goes out to each coach, parent, family member, volunteer, spectator, driver and sponsor for their support. It would not have happened without them.
Today, these young people are our athletes. Tomorrow, they will be our leaders. I invite all members to join me in applauding everyone involved with the 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games.
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Mr. Speaker, after years of the Prime Minister, life has never been more expensive for Canadians. He has doubled the debt, doubled housing costs, caused the worst inflation in 40 years, sent two million people to the food bank and unleashed crime and chaos in our communities.
The Liberals' NDP coalition partners have been there to support them every turn of the way. The NDP leader claimed he ripped up their coalition agreement in a desperate attempt to distance himself from their disastrous record, but now, with a motion of confidence on the table, he is putting himself and his pension ahead of Canadians.
Canadians are desperate for change. It is time for the Bloc and the NDP to stop protecting the costly Prime Minister. We need a carbon tax election now so Canadians can vote to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime.
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, we had a very busy summer in Brampton and today I would like to highlight the incredible achievements of our residents in sports.
Bramptonians played in Copa America and represented Canada at the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Brampton is Canada's cricket capital, and we hosted a world-famous G20 tournament, where global stars played at the highest level, inspiring us all. While a record-breaking ice hockey game, organized by the City of Brampton, raised over $1 million for our local hospital, all-age field hockey and kabaddi tournaments continue to grow in popularity. I was especially pleased to present awards to our youngest players at the children’s soccer tournament in Brampton South.
Sports are key to good health and well-being. Let us continue to celebrate our athletes and promote active living in Brampton and across Canada.
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, over the summer, I had the privilege of engaging with the vibrant, 55-plus, older adult community across my riding of Winnipeg South Centre. From visits to the Parkway, Riverbend Plaza, Fred Tipping Place, Riverwood Square, Villa Cabrini and the Thorvaldson Care Center, I witnessed first-hand the contributions of older adults to our community. One highlight was meeting the residents' council at Riverbend Plaza, where we discussed the safe long-term care act, a national strategy on aging and the importance of aging close to home.
We also celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Thorvaldson Care Center, Manitoba’s only intermediate care facility, where three generations of the Thorvaldson family have provided compassionate care to older adults. This anniversary is a powerful reminder of the importance of establishing strong standards in long-term care to ensure dignity and quality for all Canadians as they age.
A special thanks goes out to Moira Jones and everyone on my Winnipeg South Centre older adults council for enriching the fabric of our community.
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Speaker, today we are moving a non-confidence motion to stop Canada from being destroyed by this Liberal minority government that has been in place for far too long.
First, the NDP kept this government on life support, and now it is the Bloc Québécois' turn. That party goes around telling everyone that they are the defenders of Quebec, yet François Legault, the Premier of Quebec, the person who speaks on behalf of Quebeckers, is asking the Bloc to bring down this incompetent government.
Why say one thing and do the opposite? Instead of aiding and abetting the Liberals, the Bloc Québécois should be defending Quebeckers. For example, the Bloc Québécois is a very bad negotiator. It could not even get the caribou order revoked.
The Bloc Québécois is selling its soul to this Liberal government without getting anything for Quebeckers in return. What is the Bloc Québécois good for, anyway? The Bloc Québécois voted to spend more money and double the size of the government. All this was done in the midst of multiple scandals and paid for with Quebeckers' money, our money.
What is the Bloc Québécois good for? One thing is for sure: It is not good for Quebeckers.
Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember my dear friend Gayle Christie, former mayor of the borough of York, who passed away on August 14 and was laid to rest on September 8.
Gayle's journey began in Toronto, where she first stepped into public service as a trustee on the Board of Education. Her dedication propelled her to become the alderman, and ultimately she became the mayor of York from 1978 to 1982, representing her community on Metro Toronto Council.
Gayle's legacy is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. As a mother and a woman who was active in politics, she inspired countless others to break barriers and pursue their dreams in leadership roles, myself included. Her unwavering commitment serves as a reminder that women can, and women should, be at the forefront of decision-making. As we reflect on her contributions, let us honour Gayle's memory by continuing her fight for equality in her communities.
I send my deepest condolences to the family.
Doug Shipley Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
Mr. Speaker, after nine years of NDP-Liberals, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up.
Under this soft-on-crime Liberal government, car theft is up 34%, including being up by over 300% in Toronto. We know that in Ontario, 68% of those convicted for an auto theft-related offence serve a sentence of six months or less. Just recently, we learned that Ontario's carjacking task force made 124 arrests between September 2023 and March 2024. Shockingly, nearly half of the people arrested by the task force were out on bail at the time of their arrest, and 61% of those offenders were subsequently released on bail yet again.
This crime wave is a direct result of this government's soft-on-crime, catch-and-release policies, which repealed mandatory minimum sentences and made bail more accessible to criminals. Tomorrow, on behalf of all Canadians, there is a chance to bring down this costly government and stop the crime. Will the NDP-Liberal government let Canadians decide in a carbon tax election?
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
Mr. Speaker, after nine years of NDP-Liberals, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up.
Two years ago, the sellout leader of the NDP sold out workers and signed on to a costly coalition with the Liberal Prime Minister, who hiked taxes, ballooned food costs, doubled housing costs and unleashed record crime and chaos on our once-safe streets. On top of all that, he voted in favour of quadrupling the carbon tax to 61¢ a litre.
Tomorrow, on behalf of all Canadians, there is a chance to break down this costly government. Canadians need a carbon tax election now to decide between the costly coalition of the NDP-Liberals, who tax our food, punish our work, take our money, double our housing cost, and unleash crime and drugs in our communities, or Conservatives, who will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime.
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
Mr. Speaker, last week we marked the sixth annual Military Family Appreciation Day.
This year, the day held special meaning for my family. My husband, who was an honorary colonel in the Sherbrooke Hussars, and I are very proud of our son, who is currently on a mission in Latvia. Along with many other Canadian military personnel, he is taking part in Operation Reassurance, our contribution to NATO's deterrence and defence measures in central and eastern Europe.
Today, my thoughts are with all the families like ours who make the sacrifice of sharing one of their own so that Canada can carry out its role as a peacekeeper in the world. As we know, the current global context requires us to strengthen our presence in different regions of the world to prevent conflicts from spreading.
Let us be proud of Canada's contribution on the international stage, let us be proud of our military personnel, but let us also be proud of their families who offer them unwavering support.
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Mr. Speaker, the opioid nightmare is devastating small and medium-sized towns, which simply do not have the resources to address the overwhelming nature of the crisis. People are dying from poisoned drugs, a lack of treatment opportunities, a housing crisis and predatory gangs that are making our neighbourhoods unsafe.
The city of Timmins recently held the first-ever municipal summit on addressing the opioid crisis. The message is clear: Municipalities cannot do this on their own. The federal government needs to be at the table with increased mental health supports, a credible housing strategy that smaller communities can take advantage of, funding for treatment and recovery, and empowering police with a credible gang strategy to shut down the violence. In Timmins, the Fire Keepers, indigenous teams working the streets to keep people safe and alive, could be a national model.
What we do not need are Conservative MPs pouring gasoline on the crisis, which has led to serious death threats against doctors and nurses who are keeping people safe and alive. In the end, our job is keeping people safe on our streets and keeping our loved ones alive.
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, on August 8, a great woman became the pride of Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer and of all Quebeckers.
Maude Charron won the silver medal in the 59‑kilogram event at the Paris Olympics after lifting a total weight of 236 kilos. With her family on hand to support her, this weightlifter from La Mitis achieved a second victory after her gold medal win at the 2021 Tokyo Games. This made her the second Canadian weightlifter to ever win an Olympic gold medal.
Her efforts and her journey are an inspiration to all of eastern Quebec, which watched her feat of strength in awe. She certainly captured the hearts of people in the regions when she took a swig of Quebec maple syrup just before her performance. Some people provide daily inspiration with their resilience and audacity. Maude Charron is one of them.
I congratulate Maude and thank her for everything. The people of Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia are proud of her.
Michael Kram Conservative Regina—Wascana, SK
Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberals, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up.
Nearly every day, Canadians are waking up to the news of a new conflict of interest scandal involving carbon tax Carney. Just days after he became the special adviser to the Prime Minister, his first piece of advice was for the Prime Minister to give him $10 billion in taxpayers' money to be used in a new investment fund. Next, it was $2 billion in taxpayers' loans to his friends at Telesat for work that other companies could have done at half the cost. As if that were not enough, he is also advocating for mortgage rule changes that would directly benefit his mortgage insurer.
Fortunately, tomorrow there will be a vote of non-confidence in the NDP-Liberal coalition so Canadians can have a carbon tax election. Canadians should be the ones who decide between four more years of corruption and carbon taxes or a new Conservative government to clean up the mess.
