John Nater

[Queen's Platinum Jubilee, February 3rd, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, on her 21st birthday, Princess Elizabeth declared, “my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service”, and what a record of service that has been, through 12 Canadian Prime Ministers and 14 Governors General, including the first Canadian-born Governor General and, today, the first indigenous person to serve as Governor General. During her reign, the Queen has visited Canada more often than any other country, endearing herself to generations of Canadians.

February 6 marks the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne as head of the Commonwealth and Queen of Canada following the death of her father, King George VI. As she enters her platinum jubilee year, Her Majesty's loyal opposition extends our best wishes for continued health and happiness. God save the Queen.

[Simon Edgar Dickert, February 2nd, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, Simon Edgar Dickert loved dinosaurs and sharks, the Kratt brothers and Wild Kratts, and he was always smiling. Even while battling brain cancer for four years, he smiled through everything. He fought hard, and he stayed true to his beautiful personality and his sense of humour.

When it came time for him to make a wish to the Make-a-Wish foundation, he thought of everyone else first. He thought of his younger siblings, Sadie, Sean and Emily, and his parents, Samantha and Tyler. While he was thinking of everyone else, the community of Mount Forest was thinking of him. Through their Gold Bikes for Simon campaign, he became their superhero, raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer.

Mount Forest lost its superhero on Christmas Eve. Simon was only seven years old. May we all work for the day when kids can be kids, and childhood cancer is no more.

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, February 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I am seeking the guidance of the Chair. My understanding of Bosc and Gagnon is that a member may only speak to a motion once. My understanding is that the member has spoken three times now to the same motion. I am seeking clarity from the Chair on whether or not this is an oversight, or whether there are so few Liberals willing to defend their record that the member has to get up for a third time on the Speech from the Throne. I am just seeking clarity.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Return, January 31st, 2022]

With regard to the caretaker convention: (a) is the government, as of the date of the notice of this question, observing the caretaker convention; (b) if the answer to (a) is negative (i) when did the government cease observing the caretaker convention, (ii) what prompted this change, (iii) was that consistent with section 1 of the Privy Council Office's "Guidelines on the conduct of Ministers, Ministers of State, exempt staff and public servants during an election" publication which provides that the caretaker period "ends when a new government is sworn-in, or when an election result returning an incumbent government is clear"; (c) what is the government's definition of "when an election result returning an incumbent government is clear" in cases where the government party represents fewer than a majority of seats in the House of Commons; (d) did the government consider the November 25, 2021, House of Commons vote on Government Motion No. 1 (business of the House and its committees) to be a confidence vote; and (e) if the answer to (d) is negative, were Governor in Council appointments (i) P.C. 2021-0969 through P.C. 2021-0985 (November 29, 2021), (ii) P.C. 2021-0988 through P.C. 2021-0991 (December 1, 2021), each consistent with the caretaker convention and, if so, why?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Return, January 31st, 2022]

With regard to renovations made by the government at the residences used by the Prime Minister, including Harrington Lake, Rideau Cottage, and 24 Sussex Drive: (a) what are the details of all renovations completed since July 1, 2020, including, for each project, the (i) name of the property, (ii) detailed description of renovations or work completed, (iii) items or features added to the property or renovated at the property, (iv) date of completion, (v) total cost of the project, (vi) itemized breakdown of costs; and (b) what are the details of all renovations which started after July 1, 2020, and are still ongoing, including, for each, the (i) name of the property, (ii) detailed description of renovations or work completed, (iii) items or features added to the property or renovated at the property, (iv) anticipated date of completion, (v) total cost of the project, (vi) itemized breakdown of costs?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Return, January 31st, 2022]

With regard to all contracts signed by the government for the Centre Block rehabilitation project: (a) how many contracts have been awarded; and (b) what are the details of each contract, including the (i) date, (ii) description of the goods or services, including the volume, (iii) final amount, (iv) vendor, (v) country of the vendor?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Return, January 31st, 2022]

With regard to federal government statistics on labour shortages in Ontario: (a) what are the government's estimates on the percentage and number of businesses in Ontario that encountered a labour shortage in (i) 2019, (ii) 2020, (iii) 2021; (b) what is the breakdown of (a) by sector and industry; (c) what is the projected labour shortage in Ontario for (i) 2022, (ii) 2023; and (d) what is the breakdown of (c) by sector and industry?

[Personal Protective Equipment, December 16th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Kingston and the Islands owes an apology to this House. It has long been the practice in the House that decisions of the Chair are not challenged. Members cannot challenge the decisions of the Speaker and that is exactly what the member for Kingston and the Islands was doing. He should apologize.

[Points of Order, December 10th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, on a point of order. I think all members in the House ought to have respect for the rules and traditions of this place. What we just saw was the member for Niagara Centre ask a question during question period as a parliamentary secretary. Precedents in this place state that parliamentary secretaries cannot ask questions of their own government.

I would draw the Speaker's attention to Hansard, page 3,103, February 4, 2005, when the Speaker ruled, “Order, please. I am afraid this is my mistake, but of course a parliamentary secretary cannot ask a question of his own cabinet.”

I expect that the Liberal government will have more respect for this place in the future.

[Canadian Heritage, December 10th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, "in due time”? Unless their calendar was broken, the Liberals have known 2022 has been coming for some time. Whether they are truck drivers, first responders, health care workers, those working in the food supply chain, the military or veterans, all of these Canadians stepped up over the last 20 months during the fight against COVID-19 and are so deserving of recognition through a platinum jubilee medal.

Will the minister do the right thing and take this platinum opportunity to recognize Canadians?