Earl Dreeshen

[Ken Graham, April 20th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, last Saturday in my home town of Innisfail, we celebrated the amazing life of a long-time beloved family physician, Dr. Ken Graham.

Born in Monaghan, Ireland, into a farming family, he attended Trinity College in Dublin for his medical training. Dr. Graham and his wife, Phyllis, immigrated to Canada in 1958. He started his career in Calgary at the Holy Cross Hospital before coming to Innisfail in 1959. During his short time in Calgary, he worked alongside orthopaedic surgeon and Calgary Stampeder, Dr. Vince Murphy. Years later, together, they saved my shattered leg and healed my crippled body. Many other patients speak of similar touching experiences.

Dr. Ken loved rural life and incorporated that passion into his 40-year practice. He was renowned for his diagnostic excellence and compassionate care. His farming roots, and his love of Charolais cattle, pheasant hunting, curling and fishing, further endeared him to our community and truly made him a man of the people.

We are so fortunate that he and his family made Innisfail their home. May Dr. Graham rest in peace.

[Online Streaming Act, March 27th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, it was interesting a short time ago when we had an opportunity to listen to one of the answers from the Bloc. The member for Shefford said that if violating freedom of expression means ensuring Quebec content is well represented online, then it is worth it. They may not vote against this particular bill, but they are certainly saying what the member is saying about the fact that there are violations.

Can the member comment on our colleague from the Bloc's assessment of the bill?

[Telecommunications Act, March 23rd, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, it has been reported that small and medium-sized businesses could face immense financial pressure from increased red tape and reporting measures. The Business Council of Canada, in an open letter, indicated that businesses were concerned with the added red tape and the impact it would have on small and medium-sized businesses.

We realize, at least on this side of the House, that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the economy. Is this the time to be adding more financial pressures to these businesses? Can the member think of alternative ways of being able to satisfy that?

[Committees of the House, March 23rd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, it is always interesting to listen to my colleague. There are two things. One thing he just mentioned was interest rates and inflation. Right now, Alberta has a 3.2% inflation rate, whereas we are at 5.2% for the rest of the country. Part of the reason for this is that the province is cutting taxes and making sure people have money in their pockets so they can invest in things that are important. This is something different than what we see in the government, and we start to worry about whether the taxes are going to be increased and make it more difficult.

The last point I want to make is about health care, which the member talked about. Could he explain what the Liberal government did in the 1990s, when it slashed the money that was going toward health care?

[Online Streaming Act, March 9th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I think back to many years ago when, in Red Deer, we used to have a CBC station and a CTV station. Quite frankly, they abandoned us, they left, and we now have to depend on some great people who do broadcasting and so on, but they are using online platforms. When we look at the bill we are presenting now, how it is going to affect them, I think, is a critical part. That is why we look at it and say it is time that we completely throw this bill out and recognize the true people who are producing content here for Canadians.

[Business of Supply, February 9th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly enjoyed the speech from the hon. member. I remember going on international trade missions with the Bloc Québécois back in 2008. Their theory then was one of “I love Canada, I love Quebec; two great countries. Let's move forward”. At that point in time it was made up of the full spectrum from Marxist–Leninists to entrepreneurs.

Now those in the Bloc Québécois look at what is happening with the Liberal Party and how it has torn apart the fabric of this country. Their mantra is simply “See, Canada is broken. There's no way that we can be here”. That is why they want to be away from this country.

I know that the member had spoken about the spectrum of the Bloc Québécois over a number of years. Could he comment on this?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, January 30th, 2023]

With regard to Governor in Council (GIC) appointments: (a) what is the total number of existing positions, including those filled and unfilled, broken down by year, since 2015; (b) what is the breakdown of (a) by portfolio; (c) what specific GIC positions have been added since November 4, 2015, and how many of each position have been added, broken down by year; and (d) what GIC positions have been eliminated since November 4, 2015, broken down by year?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, January 30th, 2023]

With regard to government purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE) abroad using cash, including those made through a third party or intermediary, since January 1, 2020: what are the details of all cash purchases, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) currency used, (iii) amount, in Canadian dollars and cash currency used to make the purchase, (iv) reason cash was used, (v) vendor, (vi) description of PPE purchased, including volume, (vii) name of third party of intermediary used, if applicable?

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 30th, 2023]

With regard to exemptions from Treasury Board guidelines in relation to the ArriveCAN application: (a) which exemptions did the Canada Border Services Agency or any other entity apply for; and (b) for each application in (a), was the exemption granted or denied?

[Carbon Pricing, December 9th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, war, food scarcity and energy insecurity is devastating our European partners who are now cutting back production, turning down the heat and going back to high-polluting energy sources. However, the Liberal government, whose environmental record is abysmal, shows no recognition of this global disaster that awaits, nor its effect on our own citizens as we have seen with skyrocketing home heating costs.

When will the Liberal government do the prudent thing and stop forcing its failed carbon tax on Canadians?