Damien Kurek

[Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1, May 25th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I have pointed out quite a number of concerns around accountability. There are some issues in terms of the budget itself. As I read through this bill for the budget implementation act, I have further concerns about transparency, accountability and contracts, and a few related issues in that regard.

The member mentioned the issue of the WE scandal and getting dollars to students. I wonder if he would have further comments on some of the challenges the Liberal government seems to have in terms of leveraging a global crisis for its own political advantage, which saw the Liberals' friends and associated businesses benefit.

[Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1, May 25th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, it was very interesting to listen my colleague from the Bloc. When I read through the budget document and the BIA we are debating today, it seems there is a continuation of a trend, this Ottawa-knows-best mentality of the federal government trying to interfere with provincial jurisdiction by laying out specific frameworks that may or may not represent the best interests of different regions of the country.

Could my colleague from the Bloc comment further on whether he agrees with the government's Ottawa-knows-best strategy and the further stretch of Ottawa regulations into provincial jurisdiction?

[Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1, May 25th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I spoke to a number of constituents over the weekend. One talked about how she is simply feeling hopeless during these times and even contemplated suicide because of the circumstances she finds herself in. Another constituent I spoke to had been denied funding, falling through the cracks because of the programs that the Liberal government has brought forward. Another constituent felt like she was not sure she could move on.

Certainly, Conservatives, I think, are realistic in asking for a plan to provide Canadians some hope. My colleague articulated that very well. Specifically, when it comes to the travel industry, I have spoken to some travel agents who said they have fallen through the cracks of the government's plan.

I wonder if my colleague could speak further to how there are sectors, including the travel industry, which have fallen through the cracks because of the Liberal government's mismanagement of the pandemic.

[Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, May 14th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for this bill and his hard work on this issue.

It is important for us to work together on issues like this to address some of the real challenges we are faced with on the environment. Could the member comment further on the need for all parties to get together to ensure we address practical issues like this that address some of the real concerns facing our environment both in our country and around the world?

[United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, May 14th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I would ask for a recorded division.

[Business of Supply, May 13th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, the member from the Bloc touched on a lot of very important things, including the fact that the Liberals seem to be quick to debate the elections bill they brought closure on earlier this week. Although they brought closure on the bill, it seems like today has been an extension of that, which the member talked about.

I would ask the member to comment on the incredible hypocrisy we have seen from the current government with its claim that opposition parties are somehow bent on trying to bring it down, when it has refused to be collaborative and work with them to bring forward a plan and a framework that could be supported by all parties in the House. Instead, the government plays politics time and again. Would the member comment on that?

[Business of Supply, May 13th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I would ask my colleague from the Bloc to comment on the absurd inconsistencies that the government is highlighting today. First, the government seemed to want to litigate Bill C-19 when it brought in closure, and now it claims not to want an election but refuses to work with opposition parties to find consensus in what is a minority Parliament.

I am curious if the member would agree with what I am increasingly hearing from pundits and many political observers, that the Liberals are refusing to accept that Canadians only gave them a mandate for a minority government, but they continue to drive down the path thinking they have a majority and trying to utilize a national, global crisis like a pandemic to further their political agenda.

[Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1, May 11th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I listened to the speech by my colleague from across the floor very intently and I have a specific question to ask.

In the budget there is what seems like a last-minute addition of carbon capture, utilization and sequestration. My constituents are largely employed in the oil and gas industry, which has a tremendous capacity for carbon capture, utilization and sequestration. What is very concerning to them is that the budget specifically excludes any reference to the energy industry being able to access these future government funds.

Would the member be willing to commit today to ensure that the energy industry is added to that important development to ensure that we can have a green future?

[Committees of the House, May 10th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, just to comment on the question asked by the member for Red Deer—Mountain View, I believe the government members on that committee voted against six of the nine recommendations in this report.

Specifically, I would ask the member this. During the time of COVID, we have seen significant disruptions in supply chains and in various industries and corporate interests across this country, leading to vulnerability in various sectors across our economy, and certainly that has exposed those vulnerabilities. In reading the report and seeing some of the possibilities that would lead to our economy being put at risk by foreign state interests that would invest in this country, I am wondering if the member has any further comments on how it is important during the pandemic that these protections be put into place.

[Committees of the House, May 10th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, as I was reading this report, I noted the tremendous amount of work the committee put into it. However, it was unusual to have a dissenting opinion from the government and the other two opposition parties.

I would ask the member to expand on some of the specific concerns that are raised about smaller companies, not necessarily the big companies that often make headlines. The report specifically mentioned, although I forget the quote exactly, a particular expert who said there is more concern about a company valued at around $10 million in a specific sector like health or technology than about a $100-million company in a more traditional sector.

I wonder if the member has further comments on that.