Stephen Ellis

[Public Safety, June 22nd, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, many in Nova Scotia are already concerned about the proceedings of the Mass Casualty Commission. Superintendent Campbell testified, “The commissioner said she had promised the Minister of Public Safety and the Prime Minister's Office that the RCMP would release this information.” The commissioner then said that the RCMP did not understand this was tied to pending gun control legislation.

Twenty-two individuals and an unborn baby died in my riding during this tragedy. We believe Superintendent Campbell. Does the minister?

[Criminal Code, June 21st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, coming from a rural riding, I feel like I am probably a bit more well versed in what rural people think about guns than someone who comes from an urban riding.

That being said, I would like to update the House on what the CMA policy says around the prevention of firearm violence. What it says is that they recommend guidance on the prevention of firearm violence, education for the safe handling of firearms and the regulation of firearms, while also identifying areas for further research. Recommendations include creating evidence-based education programs to prevent firearm violence, improving access to publicly funded mental health services and requiring strong record-keeping for firearms retailers, distributors and private sellers to help prevent the illegal acquisition and use of firearms.

[Criminal Code, June 21st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I think there are some really germane facts about the Mass Casualty Commission that people need to understand, since the member brought it up. Certainly, that action was perpetrated by illegal guns, not by a legal gun owner, so I think that is important to point out.

The other important thing to point out here is that what we need to talk about in this House is so important that we should all get a chance to do it. The time allocation that the government has brought with respect to this bill is absolutely ridiculous. When we continuously see ministers misleading the House with information, it is very clear. We now know that we cannot trust anything they say, so how can we expect to move these bills forward? That is the point of debating this at the current time.

[Public Safety, June 21st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear from recent news reports that the Mass Casualty Commission confirms that the Prime Minister and the then public safety minister interfered with the release of numbers of casualties. We know that what the quote says is that, in reference to victim numbers, it was 100% Minister Blair and the Prime Minister.

Is that not true?

[Public Safety, June 21st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the government continues to interfere with democratic process. There was the SNC-Lavalin scandal, and now we see, based on the Mass Casualty Commission, that the then public safety minister and the Prime Minister put pressure on Commissioner Lucki.

Why did the Prime Minister and the public safety minister use the death of Canadians to advance their political agenda?

[Health, June 20th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, recent studies suggest that one in five Canadians does not have access to primary care. In Nova Scotia, there are 95,000 people without primary care. The president of the Canadian Medical Association has stated that what is clearly coming is the collapse of the current health care system.

The Prime Minister continues to talk about 7,500 health care providers. None have materialized. When is the government of inaction going to give Canadians the health care system they so deserve?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, June 17th, 2022]

With regard to the procurement of COVID-19 rapid test kits: (a) how many kits have been procured since April 1, 2021, and what is the value of those kits, broken down by (i) month acquired, (ii) supplier from which they were acquired, (iii) provincial or territorial government, federal department or other entity to which they were provided; (b) what are the responses to (a), broken down by those procured under the authority of each of (i) section 1 of An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19 (S.C. 2022, c. 2), (ii) Vote 1c under the Department of Health and Vote 1c under the Public Health Agency of Canada of the Supplementary Estimates (C), 2021-22, enacted through the Appropriations Act No. 5, 2021-22 (S.C. 2022, c. 3), (iii) clause 46 of Bill C-8, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic and fiscal update tabled in Parliament on December 14, 2021 and other measures, (iv) any other statutory or proposed retroactive statutory authority; (c) what are the details of the statutory or proposed retroactive statutory authorities referred to in (b)(iv); and (d) what is the balance outstanding on funds appropriated for the procurement of rapid tests, broken down by each authority referred to in (b)?

[The Economy, June 10th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to read an e-mail from one of my constituents.

It says,

Hello, Dr. Ellis... I am writing to you about being a senior and being cold and hungry...and do not know where to turn.

I have gotten myself into a problem using credit to pay for groceries....because there is not enough money, after paying bills with old age and the supplement, to feed myself. Yesterday it was declined in the grocery store and I am hungry. My mortgage is low, but my power bill is high as is the cable/phone, which one has to have, especially in the case of emergency.

I also have a line of credit and another credit card and put payments on every month, but that leaves me in overdraft, after paying bills on the first.... I am not understanding how seniors can live these days with the cost of everything and it is not only me, that is hungry and cold.

I could try to find work, but then my income supplement would cease, sooooo, how would that equate...hmmm...I still have a mortgage... but am living in a trailer, which I could sell...but where would I go????? It is insane after working my whole life, to be in a position of not being able to feed myself or keep warm...I have no answer....Thank you for listening....Catherine.

Sadly, the current Liberal government refuses to address the cost-of-living crisis facing all Canadians.

[Criminal Code, June 9th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I would like to hear my colleague's opinion on human trafficking with material benefit.

Is it right for such a serious issue to be buried in the bill? Is this crime, which overwhelmingly affects women and girls, not important?

[Criminal Code, June 9th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I have already mentioned this here today, but I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts about human trafficking and the material benefit of eliminating minimum sentences.