House of Commons Hansard #343 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was conservative.
Liberal
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem, led by the hon. member for Toronto—St. Paul's.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Maskwa Aquatic Club on celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Nestled in the waters of Kearney Lake in Halifax West, Maskwa is one of Canada's largest, and most committed and accomplished paddling clubs. It is where many in my community learned to swim, took out their first canoe or kayak, got summer work experience or first hiked through Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes.
After an incredibly well-decorated 2023, Maskwa has done the unthinkable and, for a second year in a row, was victorious in the Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships.
I send a special shout-out to my constituents, Maskwa athletes Emilee Vaters and Matthew Brown who just represented Canada in the 2024 Olympic Hopes Regatta in Hungary. Congratulations to head coach Christian Hall, commodore Peter Giles, the board, coaches, athletes, parents and supporters.
We are all proud of their accomplishments and here is to the next 50 years.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON
Mr. Speaker, September 23 to 29 marks Rail Safety Week. This week serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping our railways and our train yards safe. As we acknowledge the tragedies of the past, we must recommit to the safety of our railways going forward.
Our railway workers keep our economy moving. They keep Canadians moving. More importantly, they keep Canadians safe. The work they do every day does not go unnoticed. Every year, 375 million tonnes of freight move across our rails. Millions of passengers are taken safely to their destination.
Conservatives will always be there to stand up for our rail workers because they are always there to protect the safety of Canadians. I thank them for keeping Canadians moving safely.
Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an organization close to my heart, Asthma Canada, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
In 1974, patients, parents, community members and leading physicians created an organization dedicated to helping Canadians with asthma lead healthy lives. Since then, its mission has been to ensure Canadians living with asthma enjoy a symptom-free life.
There are 4.6 million Canadians who live with asthma; I am one of them. Asthma attacks lead to approximately 70,000 hospitalizations and 250 deaths every year. It is serious.
As the former president and CEO of Asthma Canada, I saw the hard work done by physicians, nurses, researchers, educators, administrators and volunteers striving to engage, advocate, inform and treat people living with asthma in a patient-centred health charity.
Congratulations, Asthma Canada, on 50 years of excellent work. We look forward to 50 more years.
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
Mr. Speaker, this year, the Association des libraires du Québec, the Quebec booksellers association, presented its award of excellence to my bookseller, Philippe Fortin-Villeneuve, from Librairie Marie-Laura.
Philippe is a real bookworm. If someone asks him about the great classics of Quebec literature, philosophy or sociology, he can make recommendations without even batting an eye. This champion of publishing, this knowledge-sharing literary scholar, has been a breath of fresh air for all readers in Saguenay with his great recommendations.
I would urge everyone to go and meet him. His overwhelming enthusiasm is enough to turn anyone into an avid reader.
This is the third time that Librairie Marie-Laura has won this prestigious award. Once again, my region is showing that, when it comes to literature, we are no dummies.
As Dany Laferrière said, “Reading is not necessary for the body, only oxygen is, but a good book oxygenates the mind.” I hope Philippe will help us oxygenate our minds for a long time to come.
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Mr. Speaker, this weekend, I had the great pleasure of attending La Festa Degli Anziani with a group from the Giuseppe Garibaldi Seniors Club. This event, to mark National Seniors Day, which will be celebrated on October 1, was an opportunity to highlight and be grateful for the contributions of our seniors in our communities.
Whether it was bringing the retirement age back down to 65 after the Conservatives raised it to 67, creating the Canadian dental care plan, which has helped thousands of seniors get the health care they need, or increasing the guaranteed income supplement by 10%, our government has demonstrated its commitment to seniors time and time again.
We have reduced, by 11%, the number of seniors living in poverty. That means thousands of lives have been improved by our measures.
For such things as their words of wisdom and ongoing community involvement, we think our seniors are worth it.
Dean Allison Conservative Niagara West, ON
Mr. Speaker, as always, I want to thank the constituents of my beautiful riding of Niagara West for the honour of choosing me to represent their voices in Parliament.
I would also like to recognize the parents, teachers and students from Heritage Christian School who are in Ottawa today.
I spoke with many of my constituents over the summer and the overwhelming message for the Liberal government was to call an election. Why? These are some of the issues they brought up. There are skyrocketing prices for basic items like food and other groceries. Folks mentioned the price of gas, which keeps going up and up. In my riding, a car is a necessity, not a luxury. They said that taxes were making it impossible to pay the bills. With respect to the carbon tax, everyone wanted the horrible tax scheme scrapped. People were worried about paying for housing, which has doubled over the last nine years. They mentioned the rising levels of crime, car thefts and drug addictions.
Canadians want an election where they can choose a strong, majority Conservative government that will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, at heart Dennis Smith was a storyteller. He applied this gift as a teacher to impart knowledge and insights to his students about the world around them.
Following a career in education, Dennis made the leap to politics. He was a campaign volunteer and then a constituency assistant to both my predecessor Clifford Lincoln and me.
Dennis worked for the “no” side in the 1995 Quebec referendum and was a leader in Pointe-Claire's successful bid to regain its independent city status in Quebec's municipal demerger referendums in 2004. He then served three terms as a highly regarded Pointe-Claire city councillor.
After retiring from politics, Dennis remained active in community affairs, including, among other things, acting as a sounding board and wise counsel to public office holders like me.
Dennis Smith believed in education and the politics of reason as fundamental to society's progress. To his wife Karen and son Adam, we extend our deepest condolences.
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I join all francophones and francophiles across Ontario in celebrating Franco‑Ontarian Day. On this day we proudly celebrate our francophone heritage. We are a strong community united by our love for our language and our desire to see it thrive for generations to come.
In my beautiful riding of Orléans, we are fortunate to have the MIFO community centre, a vital organization that supports the francophone community in Ottawa and to the east. The announcement of a federal investment to build the new MIFO is a step forward in solidifying its reach.
I would also like to take a moment to pay tribute to a notable francophone from Orléans, Denis Gagnon, who passed away on September 12. He was a key pillar in the francophone community, and he inspired us with his monthly columns in L'Orléanais.
I would like to thank Denis and wish all Franco-Ontarians a great day.
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives, like millions of Canadians and Quebeckers, no longer have confidence in this Prime Minister and this government. The NDP has kept this government on life support for months, and now the Bloc Québécois wants to do the same thing when we vote on the motion of non-confidence in this Prime Minister.
For the Bloc to want to save this costly, centralizing Prime Minister and keep him in power even though he constantly encroaches on provincial jurisdictions, they must be truly desperate or completely indifferent to the fate of Quebeckers. The Liberals are going to put 1,400 jobs at risk with the Liberal woodland caribou order, and the Bloc Québécois has not even managed to negotiate the order's removal. The only party working to save the forestry sector is the Conservative Party. The Bloc is the worst negotiator in history, and it is ready to sell its soul instead of offering Quebeckers the country they deserve.
Will the Bloc Québécois vote to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime?
Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the important work of Genwell, a grassroots movement tackling one of today's biggest challenges, which is loneliness.
As social beings, we thrive on human connection. In a world where much of our interaction has moved online, in-person connections are more crucial than ever. Genwell's efforts highlight the alarming reality that 50% of Canadians report feeling lonely. The World Health Organization even recognizes loneliness as a global public health concern, with impacts as harmful as smoking.
I commend Genwell for its work. I invite everyone to join tonight's non-partisan event to support its mission of fostering human connection. I hope to see all members there.
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Mr. Speaker, after nine years under the NDP-Liberals, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up.
Under the Liberal government, repeat violent offenders are getting bail and parole; justice for victims is being ignored. In fact, 256 people were killed in 2022 by criminals out on bail or another form of release. These 256 people could still be alive today if not for the broken Liberal bail system. Just last month, a serial rapist was granted day parole only four years after he was convicted of sexually assaulting five women while working as a nightclub promoter. Is it any wonder that sexual assaults are up 75% over the past nine years? However, the NDP continues to prop up the Liberals and their soft-on-crime agenda. The Liberal government continues to enable putting criminals before victims.
However, today, members can do the right thing and vote non-confidence in the Liberal government. Only a Conservative government would deliver justice for Canadians and bring home safe streets.
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal government, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up.
Canadians want an election to decide the direction of this country and the future of the carbon tax. It seems that the NDP leader's pension is worth more to him than the hundreds of thousands of jobs that would be lost because of the quadrupling of the carbon tax. Even the radical NDP premier from B.C. has flip-flopped on the carbon tax, but the leader of the federal NDP has not. He would rather be frenemies with the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Canadians line up at food banks.
The NDP can pull out of its costly coalition with the Prime Minister, vote in favour of our non-confidence motion and trigger a carbon tax election. Today, on behalf of all Canadians, there is a chance to bring down the costly government. Will the NDP leader have the guts to give Canadians the election they deserve?
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I was excited to welcome 56 members of the Southlake Seniors Club from Brampton; they are visiting Ottawa to attend question period today.
Southlake Seniors Club is a non-profit organization serving seniors in Brampton. Its aim is to stimulate thinking and encourage interest and participation in healthy activities. The club holds regular gatherings, providing opportunities to socialize and participate in cultural and physical activities. The club also organizes health-related seminars and yoga sessions, as well as bus tours, such as today's visit. We thank Southlake Seniors Club for making a difference in our community. I would also like to thank all the hard-working parliamentary staff who have been so helpful in accommodating this visit.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, today, members of Parliament will vote on Bill C-223 for a guaranteed livable basic income in Canada. While the affordability crisis is hurting all people, those who depend on a deteriorating social safety net are hit the hardest. That includes women and gender-diverse people fleeing violence, who may be stuck in abuse because they lack the financial resources to leave. The reason for call for justice 4.5 of the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls is the need to put in place a guaranteed livable basic income, which is something that every single member of Parliament in the House committed to implement.
There are also senior women who do not have pensions because they spent their lives caring for families; many of them live in poverty. In addition, many people in the disability community are subjected to legislated poverty because of insufficient programs, such as the Canada disability benefit.
MPs need to ensure that our constituents' charter rights are upheld by providing them with a level of financial support. I urge all my colleagues to do this by voting in favour of the bill and stop—
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
I must interrupt the hon. member.
The hon. member for Salaberry—Suroît.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Salaberry—Suroît, QC
Mr. Speaker, on July 17, Quebec lost a great unionist, feminist, sovereignist, and progressive with the passing of Réjean Parent.
On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would like to offer his loved ones my condolences, starting with his wife Pauline and their children Marie-Hélène, Claudia, and Olivier.
As a unionist, Réjean Parent served the cause of education, which led him from the Syndicat de Champlain to the presidency of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec, a position he held from 2003 to 2012. As a feminist, he was an ally to women determined to take their rightful place, some of whom are sitting here in this very chamber today. As a progressive and sovereignist, he joined every battle to bring about a Quebec nation founded on social justice.
Just last June 25, he ended his column by saying, “Now that the time for making choices has come, I choose a French Quebec as my nation...Vive le Québec libre!”
We in the Bloc Québécois thank Réjean Parent from the bottom of our hearts.
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Mr. Speaker, after nine years of NDP-Liberal-imposed misery, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up. Two years ago, the NDP leader sold workers out. He signed on to a costly coalition with the Liberal Prime Minister, which hiked taxes, made food costs balloon, doubled housing costs and unleashed crime and chaos in our streets. The sellout NDP leader voted to quadruple the carbon tax, a plan that will grind our—
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
I am going to invite the hon. member to start his S. O. 31 again. I know members' statements are important to all members, but I would remind the hon. member to ensure that the language used is not directed to a particular member in a way that would not be parliamentary.
The hon. member for Miramichi—Grand Lake has the floor.
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Mr. Speaker, after nine years of NDP-Liberal-imposed misery, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up. Two years ago, the NDP leader sold workers out. He signed on to a costly coalition with the Liberal Prime Minister, which hiked taxes, made food costs balloon, doubled housing costs and unleashed crime and chaos in our streets. The sellout NDP leader voted to quadruple the carbon tax—
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
I am going to ask the hon. member to continue his statement following that. If he could just start at another paragraph, I will offer him time to finish his statement.
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Mr. Speaker, Canadians need a carbon tax election now to decide between the costly NDP-Liberal coalition and common-sense Conservatives, who will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime. It is time for the NDP leader to support our non-confidence motion today or admit that he sold out, threw in the towel and caved once again.
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
I want to make sure all members understand that it is important for us to be judicious in our use of words, especially in regard to each one who serves here. It is important. We may have our disagreements, but regarding a specific person, we need to be very judicious in our comments because we are all colleagues.
The hon. member from Ottawa West—Nepean has the floor.
Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I am wearing a forget-me-not pin to recognize World Alzheimer's Month and to stand with the more than 700,000 Canadians living with dementia, a number projected to rise to 1.7 million by 2050.
Dementia costs Canadians over $10 billion annually, but the personal toll on individuals and their families is immeasurable. In 2017, the House unanimously supported the national dementia strategy, and it remains vital that we continue to work to address this growing challenge.
I want to thank the Alzheimer Society of Canada for the essential work they do in helping families in our communities and funding research for a cure. I am joined today by colleagues from all parties wearing forget-me-not pins. I wear mine for my oma.
Together, we can work toward a future where Alzheimer's and dementia are diseases of the past.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois is voting in favour of keeping the most centralizing and costly government in the history of Canada in power. This government is bad for Quebec. It has hired an additional 100,000 public servants. It has doubled its exorbitant spending on consultants. It has doubled the debt and the cost of housing.
Is it not time to let Quebeckers vote to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime with a common-sense government?