Blake Desjarlais

[Petitions, October 21st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present on behalf of Canadians.

The first petition is with regard to ensuring that we acknowledge the Indian government's discriminatory anti-minority laws, the rising threat of genocide against Muslims and the prosecution of Christians, Dalits and other minorities in India.

Additionally, the petitioners want to include human rights experts in all trade and bilateral agreements with India to safeguard the freedom, justice and human rights of prosecuted minorities there.

[Housing, October 21st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I hosted a housing town hall in my community of Edmonton Griesbach last week, and my constituents told me that big real estate companies are buying up their homes and treating the housing market like a stock market, all while evicting regular working Canadians.

The Liberal government has done nothing to close tax loopholes. These investors have saved a combined $1.5 billion, taking money from taxpayers, while in my community, Edmontonians are losing their homes. On the other hand, we have the Conservatives, who continue to buddy up with big corporations with no end in sight.

When will the government act to stop renovictions and—

[Business of Supply, October 20th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I know the member quite well, and I know the member really cares about the cost of living crisis that is facing Albertans. I do too.

The community members I know in Edmonton Griesbach are being hurt by expensive goods. In order to get the “real, tangible” help to Canadians the member mentioned in her speech, would the Conservatives agree to amend the motion to ensure we can actually get something to Canadians? Would they agree to remove the GST from home heating and get that help to Canadians?

[Business of Supply, October 20th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, what I believe is an important piece to this, which was mentioned by the Conservative bench and I want to give it credit for that, is the fact that the current Liberal government has increased the production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases with its plan. However, what we are also seeing on the other end is that its budgets are continuing to pad the pockets of rich big oil and making sure they can continue to increase production. These two are connected.

When will the current government come clean and actually do the work?

[Business of Supply, October 20th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague, the environment critic on the Conservative bench.

I want to frame this question with a very important context. When we are taking a solution from one emergency, which is the climate emergency, to try to address another emergency, my recommendation to the member is that we can actually do both.

The New Democratic Party has tabled an amendment to the Conservative motion that would take GST off home heating, something the New Democrats have fought for for a long time. If the member truly wants to ensure that a lower cost of living for Canadians is achieved and we actually get a result for Canadians, would he accept our amendment to ensure we get GST off home heating?

[Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2, October 18th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, they are heckling right now. That is how badly they want to block this legislation and how badly they do not want those children to get that support. The Conservatives do not want that to happen.

I was raised 20 kilometres south of the member's riding. I had to enlist in that program and did not get the care I needed from that program. That is why this program is needed. Why will she not agree?

[Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2, October 18th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I know the Alberta program she is talking about. I have, unfortunately, had to use that program. The Conservatives are upset with the fact that we are going to be delivering care to over 500,000 children.

[Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2, October 18th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, that was a very important intervention at a time when the cost of living issue is so critical for Canadians. I just want to give a word of advice, or make a comment, related to the fact that we can do multiple things at once.

The member speaks about the need to make sure we tackle the real estate investment trusts that are ravaging low-income communities, including my own in Edmonton Griesbach, but I want to mention dental care and getting support to young Canadians, 500,000 of them. Would the member please elaborate on the fact that this benefit is going to be of such immense benefit to the people in his community and to children in particular? Would he talk about how dental care is going to change the lives of so many children in his riding?

[Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2, October 18th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his hard work on this file, and particularly on making sure we get this passed.

I want to make a quick mention about what health care is and what it should be in Canada.

Right now, health care stops at one's tonsils, as the member mentioned, and it also stops at one's eyelids. We still have work to do to make sure we have a universally accessible, universally administered public health care system in Canada. We are not there yet, but we are going to keep fighting to make sure that happens.

[Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2, October 18th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his advice to seek provincial office. I would encourage the member to do the same. It is no secret that the Bloc Québécois's interests are narrow and for the purpose of Quebec only.

I will address the question fully and invite the member to read the national health care act. We have passed it in the House, and we are going to do it again.