The Environment  Mr. Speaker, from the fracking wellhead, through processing and transportation, to end consumption, fracking gas releases fugitive methane emissions every step of the way. Methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas in the first 20 years after it is released. This means right now, during this short window, we have to avert catastrophic climate change.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I am talking about the 20 billionaires who made $37 billion during the six months of the most catastrophic economic problem in the history of this country. What does Jim Pattison need $8 billion for? What do these people need to hoard all this wealth for when in this country their workers are working for minimum wage?

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I believe we need to get health transfers to the provinces to make sure the citizens of this country are taken care of properly. We need to expand our health services, with mental health services that are included in the Canada Health Act and with universal pharmacare and universal dental care.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I agree with the Hoskins report, which also calls for a universal single-payer pharmacare system. We need to get that implemented. There are people in this country dealing with rare diseases and very expensive drugs who need help. There are seniors and families dealing with the high cost of drugs.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, it is an honour to stand here today on the territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people to represent constituents in Nanaimo—Ladysmith, and Greens across Canada. There are a number of things in the Speech from the Throne that I am pleased to hear. In fact, there are some sections that sound a lot like the Green Party platform I ran on in 2015 and 2019.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to present petition e-2565, which has 2,686 signatures. It calls upon the Government of Canada to request that Israel immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, in order to enable medical and humanitarian aid during the COVID-19 pandemic; insist that Israel permanently end its blockade of Gaza; and vote at the UN General Assembly in alignment with the majority of the international community taking a stance in line with international law and human rights for Palestinians.

Taxation  Madam Speaker, as a society, we can no longer afford the growing inequality in Canada. Extreme wealth inequality has proven to have a corrosive effect on our society, as well as on democracy. Inequality harms our economy, damages health and well-being, decreases disposable income and entices middle-class individuals to incur debts they cannot pay.

Taxation  Madam Speaker, Canadian billionaires hold nearly four and a half thousand times the wealth of the average Canadian family. By 10 a.m. on January 2 this year, top CEOs in Canada made as much money as the average Canadian worker would earn in the entire year. Unlike those average workers who pay their taxes and contribute to all the infrastructure and services we depend on, Canada's wealthiest citizens are not paying their fair share.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her advocacy on these issues. I am really concerned about affordable housing and the effect that the pandemic is having on small business, but my question is about disability. Three months into the pandemic, there was finally a one-time payment promised to people on disability.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to present e-petition 2759. It has 2,278 signatures and has been put forward by Annamie Paul, from Toronto, who is the new leader of the Green Party. The petition calls for the Government of Canada to proclaim August 1 as emancipation day, and to celebrate it on that day each year.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I have a question about the amendment we are voting on this evening that was put forward by the Conservative Party, specifically the new policy toward China and what we are going to do about the Canada-China FIPA. This is no ordinary FIPA, like many of the FIPAs we have signed with other countries.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, my question is simple. During the six months of the pandemic, 20 of the richest people in this country increased their wealth by $37 billion. Two of those people own most of the grocery stores in this country: Galen Weston and Jim Pattison. They earned $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion respectively during that six months.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present e-petition 2534. Almost 15,000 Canadians have signed this petition calling for the decriminalization of psychoactive plants and fungi that have traditionally been used for medicinal and ceremonial purposes by indigenous people since time immemorial.

Orange Shirt Day  Mr. Speaker, I am seeking the unanimous consent of the House to say a few words on behalf of the Green Party.

Orange Shirt Day  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of the speakers who came before me today for sharing their powerful words and to recognize this day. I recognize that we are on the traditional territory of the Algonquin first peoples. I stand here before the House as the descendant of white settlers who are, in part, responsible for the actions of our government and our churches.