Mike Morrice

[Business of Supply, February 16th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I am curious to hear the member for Windsor West's thoughts on mental health in particular. Of the new funds, we have seen $25 billion over 10 years committed. Mental health is now one of four items on that list, as opposed to a previous commitment of a dedicated $4.5-billion Canada mental health transfer. Can he talk about how important this would be for folks in Windsor West?

[Business of Supply, February 16th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I am not sure if this has been read out yet today in the debate on this motion, so I thought I would share it. These are the words of the PM:

I recognize we’re in a moment of crisis right now, but we need to build a stronger system for the future.... And that’s where my focus is, I’m not going to comment on what Doug’s trying to do on this one. And we’re supposed to say a certain amount of innovation should be good as long as they’re abiding by the Canada Health Act.

This puts me in a difficult position reading the words of the motion as well, a motion I fully agree with. The words of the motion are that he “dramatically changed his position”. How would the member for Kingston and the Islands characterize this?

[Business of Supply, February 16th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, the hon. member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, at the end of her speech, started to talk about the element of the new agreement with respect to foreign credentialing, which is a real priority in my community as well, but she was cut off toward the end. Could the member share more about how the federal government specifically will be compelling provinces and territories to do more to ensure that foreign credentials are recognized here?

[Business of Supply, February 16th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, the member for London West is a powerful advocate for mental health.

I wonder if she could clarify this. The governing party had previously committed to a $4.5-billion dedicated mental health fund. Is that still a commitment from the governing party, in light of the announcement we heard a few weeks ago?

[Business of Supply, February 16th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, the member for Vancouver Kingsway brought up a really important point with respect to a loophole that can be exploited in the Canada Health Act when it comes to provincial borders being manipulated for a person not to get access to public health care.

Could the parliamentary secretary directly answer the question that was just asked?

[Criminal Code, February 15th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I would like to follow up on the question from the member for Elmwood—Transcona, because there are many members in this place who are talking about people deserving a dignified life, and people with disabilities certainly deserve that. There is an important call for the governing party to fund the Canada disability benefit. Does the member for Haldimand—Norfolk join us in that call?

[Criminal Code, February 15th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary spoke about a mental health portal. While that is an important tool, organizations across the country, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, are calling for more than that. They are calling for the governing party to follow through on its commitment to the Canadian mental health transfer, $4.5 billion of dedicated mental health funding. I am quite concerned that we are in the midst of seeing the governing party walk back from this very important commitment from the 2021 election campaign.

Can the parliamentary secretary comment on whether the governing party continues to be committed to delivering dedicated mental health funds?

[Business of Supply, February 14th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the words that are said in this place matter for our democracy. In her speech the member mentioned paid-off media. She mentioned media allies. I think this leads Canadians to believe there is someone in the governing party who is paying the media to say certain things.

I wonder if the member could give examples of what so-called paid-off media is. If not, could she retract the statement?

[Criminal Code, February 13th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith because I know what a champion she has been in this place in pushing for people with disabilities to get the follow-through they have been promised and have advocated so strongly for over so many years. We could cut poverty by 40% in this country by providing a guaranteed income for every person with a disability, who are right now disproportionately living in legislated poverty. It is a national embarrassment, in my view, that we have not done more already.

Whether it is related to providing a guaranteed income for folks with disabilities and funding the Canada disability benefit or following through on the Canada mental health transfer, it is important for our democracy that political parties and leaders follow through on promises they have made. I am going to continue to push, alongside the member opposite and others in this place, in the lead-up to budget 2023 to see those important commitments followed through on.

[Criminal Code, February 13th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice is a person and member in this place whom I really enjoy working with. He is focused on working together to get things done for people as opposed to parties, and I really appreciate that.

I think this question is an important one, but to answer it honestly, I have not yet seen the result of the special committee in place, which is meant to report back to Parliament on the research it has been doing. I think it is important to rely on committees of this House to share the research and work they have been doing. I am looking forward to reading what it comes out with. I hope that we will have time over the coming year to look at what it recommends and that the governing party will take the recommendations seriously, move forward on them and ensure that sufficient changes are put in place.