Madam Speaker, could the member for Edmonton Griesbach, as an indigenous leader in this place, elaborate on how differently we would be approaching wildfires and the climate crisis if we were to centre indigenous knowledge and wisdom in doing so?
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2025, with 34% of the vote.
Wildfires in Canada June 5th, 2023
Madam Speaker, could the member for Edmonton Griesbach, as an indigenous leader in this place, elaborate on how differently we would be approaching wildfires and the climate crisis if we were to centre indigenous knowledge and wisdom in doing so?
Wildfires in Canada June 5th, 2023
Madam Speaker, I will start by thanking the member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay for his part in making sure that this debate on these climate-fuelled wildfires came to the floor of the House.
As a biologist, I want to ask the member about peatlands specifically. These are bogs, fens and swamps. I ask about them, because this is one of the feedback loops we need to be mindful of in this climate crisis. Peatlands are only 3% of the world's mass, but they have one-third of the stored carbon.
Could the member talk about the impacts of drained peatlands and wildfires, and how wildfires in peatlands could exacerbate exponentially the climate crisis that we are in?
Persons with Disabilities June 2nd, 2023
Madam Speaker, it has been two weeks now since the Senate strengthened and passed Bill C-22, the Canada disability benefit act, yet the governing party has prioritized six or seven government bills ahead of it. Canadians with disabilities continue to disproportionately live in poverty across the country. They need to see action.
When will the Liberals bring Bill C-22 back to the floor of the House so it can be urgently passed into law?
Business of Supply June 1st, 2023
Madam Speaker, I know the member for Milton would agree with me that we cannot let motions like this one distract us from the real goal, which is acting on the climate crisis with the urgency it requires.
One way that the governing party is slowing us down in this effort, though, is by directly funding the oil and gas industry, which is the very industry most responsible for the crisis we are in. In last year's budget alone, we added $3 billion more in subsidies to that industry.
Could the member for Milton talk about what he can do to move the governing party away from subsidizing the oil and gas industry and toward investing in the real climate solutions we need?
Business of Supply June 1st, 2023
Madam Speaker, I think the member for Edmonton Manning knows there is no second carbon tax.
I want to ask specifically about what he has been talking about, which is the economics of the climate crisis. We used to talk about the future costs of inaction. Right now in this country, we have 179 wildfires in multiple provinces across the country. Does the member know the cost of climate-induced wildfires and floods from just the last year alone?
Business of Supply June 1st, 2023
Madam Speaker, something I find infuriating about the motion, and we see have seen this every time in the various versions of the same motion coming to the floor of the House from the Conservative Party, is that it never mentions the profits of oil and gas companies. The price on pollution went up 2¢ a litre in the last year. Wholesale margins, profits of the largest oil and gas companies across the country, went up 18¢ a litre.
Why is it that the Conservative Party is not talking about this? To go further, does the member support a windfall profit tax? We could use those funds to invest in the climate solutions we need.
Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act May 29th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking the member for Winnipeg North for recognizing the more than three decades of work that the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands has put into environmental protection, such as what is in this bill.
He spoke about working in a collaborative fashion. The member for Saanich—Gulf Islands put forward two dozen amendments, amendments that, for example, would have ensured that the so-called right to a healthy environment is not just considered. We need rights protected. That is what her amendment would have ensured. However, as with every single amendment she presented, the same thing happened. They were all voted down.
If the member for Winnipeg North believes in a collaborative approach and in the right to a healthy environment, could he speak to why the governing party did not support ensuring that the right is actually in this bill?
Petitions May 29th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise this afternoon to present a petition signed by over 160,000 Canadians across the country and initiated by Caitlin Glasson, a strong trans activist in my community.
The petition recognizes that the world is becoming increasingly hostile to transgender and non-binary folks. It also recognizes that transgender and non-binary people's right to live as themselves is being restricted and removed in many places, including places that have historically been presumed safe. This includes, they point out, more than a dozen U.S. states that have enacted or are considering legislation to eliminate or criminalize gender-affirming care. They also point out that Canada has prided itself on being an inclusive, tolerant and welcoming society for everyone, regardless of gender identity or gender expression.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to extend to transgender and non-binary people the right to successfully claim asylum in Canada, regardless of where they may be applying from.
Business of Supply May 18th, 2023
Madam Speaker, recovery does not work if the person is dead before they get there.
The member spoke about working collaboratively and in a less partisan way. Less than a year ago, the member for Courtenay—Alberni put forward a bill that would have at least moved forward with what Health Canada's expert task force on substance use has been calling for. It was not partisan, and the member opposite, the Conservative Party and most Liberals voted against it. Why is that?
The Environment May 18th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, Ontario's Greenbelt is a crown jewel, protecting nearly two million acres of environmentally sensitive land, yet Doug Ford calls the Greenbelt a “scam”. It is clear he is working to parcel it off to his developer friends. We cannot let him do that.
What does the Minister of Environment think of Premier Ford calling the Greenbelt a scam, and will he stand up for the Greenbelt with every tool available?