44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 15, 2022 10:00AM
- Feb/15/22 2:12:12 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, last week, my Conservative caucus colleagues and I had the distinct privilege of carrying through our motion to review and amend our Canadian Constitution.
By unanimously removing a long-standing tax provision that granted special treatment to a large corporation, all members of the House played a critical role in opening up and fixing that error in our Constitution. Although not necessarily a headline-grabbing initiative, removing red tape and unfair provisions of our Constitution is an important task, and part of the responsibility our constituents have entrusted us with in sending us all here.
Tensions have been running high in the House for weeks as we debate issues that are important and have a direct impact on the future of all Canadians. Given the fraught environment we currently find ourselves in, the rarity of finding unanimous consent on any issue is not lost on me. I thank members of the House, especially my 13 Saskatchewan Conservative colleagues, for the show of unity in getting this important work done.
We will always be on Saskatchewan’s side. After all, if we do not respect the Constitution, do we have respect for anything?
195 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:13:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, today I proudly salute the national flag of Canada. It was 57 years ago that our beloved flag was raised on Parliament Hill for the first time. This enduring symbol represents our core national values of democracy and justice.
In my life, and in my time in public service, I have seen the high regard Canadians and people around the globe have for our flag. I have had the honour of joining countless citizenship ceremonies over the years, where new and born Canadians took immense pride both in our flag and in being part of our broader Canadian family.
Today, I encourage all Canadians to proudly display the flag: the iconic and internationally recognizable maple leaf that symbolizes Canada, the land and its people.
Canada's national flag symbolizes hope and prosperity, as well as peace, tranquillity and neutrality.
I wish all Canadians a happy Flag Day.
149 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:14:15 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Nuu-chah-nulth people lost a hero last fall. Willard Gallic Sr. was a respected elder of the Tseshaht First Nation. He passed at the age of 81, following a life of joy and accomplishment.
He dedicated his life to standing up for Nuu-chah-nulth rights, treaty negotiations and language and culture. He worked on the docks and was an active member of Local 503 of the International Longshoremen's Union, becoming the first indigenous person to be elected as president of their local and eventually international vice-president.
I met Willard when he invited me to a reclaiming lost souls for residential school survivors ceremony in 2019. On that day, he told us the residential school was put on Tseshaht land without the permission of his people, but he called for a new beginning. “We want to set souls free. We want to send them home,” he said. The Indian agent had come for six-year-old Willard in 1946, but his dad stood firm and Willard was not taken. “ 'You are not taking him',” Willard said as he told the story of his dad confronting the agent, “and my mom backed him up.” It was an act of courage that shaped the life of qiiqiiqiy'a, a hero to his people. May he rest in peace.
228 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:15:30 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, today we mark a sad anniversary. On February 15, 1839, the last six of the 12 leaders of the Patriotes, a national liberation movement, were hanged at the Pied-du-Courant prison. The Patriotes were fighting for collective rights, democracy and equality of peoples.
I believe it is our duty to defend the legacy of the Patriotes, a legacy that also belongs to my political family and all Quebeckers, because their history is closely linked to the history of my riding, Terrebonne.
It was in Terrebonne that the first demonstration for the 92 resolutions was held. It was in Terrebonne that a peace treaty was signed in November 1838 between the Loyalists and the Frères Chasseurs, a peace treaty that was later broken by the British authorities. The Patriote flag that I am proudly wearing is not just a symbol of rebellion. It symbolizes the wish of a people to choose their own destiny. To be a Patriote is not just to be a rebel, but to believe in democracy.
174 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:16:34 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, last night, an Olympic record was broken at the Beijing Olympics when the Canadian long track speed skating team won the gold medal.
I would like to congratulate Valérie Maltais, Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin for this spectacular performance. This trio has great chemistry, and they are fun to watch.
In particular, I would like to congratulate Valérie Maltais, the pride of La Baie. Her Olympic career has been extraordinary: She has participated in four Olympics, won two medals in two different disciplines, and was the third athlete in the world to win Olympic medals in two speed skating disciplines.
That is impressive. This golden prize is the result of all the sacrifices she and her family have made over the past 15 years. Her perseverance and determination have made her the athlete she is today. She is a role model for youth across the country.
I again congratulate Valérie and her parents, Martine and Gérald. The entire region is proud of her. Long live the Saguenay speed skating tradition.
180 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:17:41 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Wendell Wigle, who sadly passed in January. He proudly hailed from Windsor, graduated from Osgoode Hall in 1959 and began a career in law that he dearly loved. I met him and had the honour of working with him at Hughes Amys.
The man, or “W”, as he was known, was a giant. He was an icon: intimidating and inspirational at the same time. Most of all, he was a true gentleman of the profession. He was a mentor to several generations of lawyers, myself included. A top litigation lawyer appointed Queen's Counsel in 1972, Wendell was respected by all. He generously shared his knowledge and wisdom both in teaching and serving as president of the Advocates' Society and many other organizations.
Wendell was kind and giving. He was a loving husband, stepfather, grandpa and friend. Wendell will be deeply missed, but not forgotten. Rest in peace, Mr. Wigle.
159 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:18:49 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister invoked the Emergencies Act. Twenty-four hours in, and there are more questions than answers. There are questions about whether this is justified, questions around if the criteria has been met, and questions around what this means to Canadians' rights and freedoms.
Parliamentary approval is required in order for the Prime Minister to use this unprecedented sledgehammer. Can the Prime Minister tell us when Parliament will be debating this? Will it be coming to us on Friday? Does he expect that we will look at it Friday, but then rise, take a week off and not actually deal with this until March?
108 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:19:27 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, after discussions with cabinet and caucus, consultations with the premiers of all provinces and territories, and conversations with opposition leaders, we decided to invoke the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockades and occupations.
I want to be very clear. The scope of these measures are time-limited and geographically targeted. They are reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address. They are to be fully compliant with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to reassure all Canadians that this is the right thing to move forward with.
98 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:20:11 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I had a very simple question for the Prime Minister, and he was not able to answer it.
It would appear this could be more political drama for the Prime Minister. He name-calls people he disagrees with. He wedges; he divides; he stigmatizes. In spite of all of his failures, Coutts border has cleared. Windsor has opened up. Provinces and police are doing their jobs, and blockades are starting to come down.
However, the Prime Minister thinks that now is the time to use this extreme measure and invoke the Emergencies Act. Is it not true that the Prime Minister's actions could serve to actually make things worse and not make things better?
117 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:20:55 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, this is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting their communities and neighbourhoods, and ensuring jobs and our economy—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
25 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:21:04 p.m.
- Watch
I am afraid I am going to have to interrupt the Right Hon. Prime Minister. I am trying to hear the answer, and I am having a very difficult time. There is some shouting going on.
I am going to have to ask hon. members to keep it down. If you hear something you do not agree with, talk amongst yourselves, with someone next to you. You do not have to shout it out to the person across the floor.
The Right Hon. Prime Minister.
85 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:21:27 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, you are absolutely right, this is a time for responsible leadership, not crass partisanship.
The situation requires additional tools not held by other federal, provincial or territorial law. It is what responsible leadership requires. These measures must be, and will be, compliant with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We will always defend the rights of Canadians to peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression, but these blockades need to end. Unfortunately Conservative politicians continue to encourage the leaders of these blockades.
85 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:22:04 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, let us get down to the basics of what this is really about.
This is about the Prime Minister's ideological attachment to keeping COVID restrictions and mandates. Sixty-three percent of Canadians want the restrictions and mandates to end. Conservatives presented a motion yesterday simply asking for a plan, but the Prime Minister is in denial and is ignoring the science. He might as well be back at the cottage, because he is doing nothing productive or constructive to help this situation.
Can the Prime Minister tell Canadians when he will end the divisive, outdated and unscientific mandates and restrictions?
103 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:22:47 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, like I said, this is a time for responsible leadership to end these blockades. Unfortunately, the Conservatives continue to play partisan games.
The Conservative member for Provencher, just yesterday—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
37 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:23:01 p.m.
- Watch
I am sorry, but I am going to have to interrupt the Prime Minister for a second. Heckling is usually throwing one comment out, and hopefully it is a clever one, although not necessarily. However, what I am hearing is someone bullying and trying to drown someone out. That is not heckling. I would like everyone to take a deep breath.
I will let the Prime Minister start from the top, please.
72 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:23:25 p.m.
- Watch
The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent.
7 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:23:25 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, we see that even in a moment of extremely challenging times, when people are moving forward with responsible leadership and responsible tools, the Conservatives themselves cannot help but play crass political games and divide.
The Conservative member for Provencher, just yesterday, embraced the leaders of this blockade and amplified their cause. The Conservative member for Yorkton—Melville said this weekend that the blockaders who ripped down the fencing around our National War Memorial are patriots. The Conservative leadership contender from Carleton continues to say he is proud—
92 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:24:13 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, for 17 days, the Prime Minister did not lift a finger to help with what was happening here in Ottawa. At one point, he insulted those who were not listening to him and who did not share his point of view. As a result, yesterday, the Prime Minister invoked a law that has not been used in 50 years.
He said that he consulted the premiers. That is not true. He actually just informed the premiers of what was going to happen, because half of them are against this course of action. Premier François Legault made that very clear when he said that the Prime Minister of Canada was adding fuel to the fire.
Why does the Prime Minister always try to cover up his inaction?
133 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:24:56 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, from the start, we have been working responsibly with local authorities and the various levels of government to deal with these illegal blockades.
We will continue to ensure that local police have all the tools they need. That is exactly what we did yesterday, by providing additional tools that the police can use to deal with blockades and barricades.
Unfortunately, I know that Conservative politicians tend to support those who are blocking our economy and communities. We do not.
84 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/15/22 2:25:39 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, over the past few days, Canadians have all seen situations improve without the need for the Emergencies Act.
It happened in Ontario and in Alberta, and it could have happened here in Ottawa. Instead, the Prime Minister chose to invoke an act that has not been used in 50 years. He continues to stigmatize, divide and insult people who disagree with him, instead of trying to find a compromise.
Why does the Prime Minister refuse to listen to the Canadians who agree with his Liberal MP from Louis-Hébert and want a prime minister who can bring people together?
103 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
