44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 21, 2022 11:00AM
- Mar/21/22 3:03:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the reason we are able to lift these mandates is that we have, in Canada, one of the highest rates of vaccination in the world. In Canada, about 85% of people have had a first dose, 81% two doses and almost 60% a third dose. That is the reason we are able to lift these restrictions. Four hundred thousand people would have been the number of people dying in Canada over 2021 in the absence of public health measures and vaccinations.
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- Mar/21/22 3:03:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I spoke to hundreds of constituents from Peterborough—Kawartha who are scared and afraid because they cannot afford to buy food, pay for rent or put gas in their car. People are suffering from anxiety, depression and addiction because they cannot manage the stress of making ends meet.
The carbon tax hike on April 1 could see an increase of 12¢ a litre at the pumps. Canadians cannot take any more.
How can the Liberal government say it has Canadians' backs? When will the government give my constituents and all Canadians hope and drop the carbon tax scheduled for April 1?
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- Mar/21/22 3:04:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government put a price on carbon pollution to ensure clean air, fewer emissions and more money in people's pockets. As the carbon price increases, payments also increase, leaving the majority of Canadians with more money in their pockets.
While the Conservatives want to take us backward to a time when it was free to pollute, our government will continue to move forward with practical and affordable solutions for Canadians to cut pollution and create good jobs.
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- Mar/21/22 3:05:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in northern Saskatchewan, every product on every shelf has a significant freight cost. Transport companies I met with last week have been forced to raise their fuel surcharges just to survive. That increase must be passed on, and the cycle of inflation spirals out of control. Life gets more expensive every single day. The government ignores this fact, but my constituents do not have that luxury.
Where is the Prime Minister's plan for rising fuel prices? Will he, at the very least, cancel the scheduled increase to the carbon tax on April 1?
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- Mar/21/22 3:05:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we absolutely understand that inflation and affordability are pressing challenges for Canadians. We also know that this is a global phenomenon and not a made-in-Canada problem.
I want to assure Canadians that we are working hard to make life more affordable and remind the opposition benches that eight dollars out of $10 that sustained Canadians during the global pandemic came from the federal government. We are committed to addressing housing affordability. We will continue to pursue child care. We will continue to increase the CCB. On this side of the House, we are focused on affordability.
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- Mar/21/22 3:06:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Liberal auto caucus, I am well aware that Canada has long been considered a global leader in the auto sector. As this sector transitions toward a greener and zero-emissions future, we know that Canada has every tool needed to be a world leader in EVs and electric batteries: skilled workers, critical minerals, clean and renewable energy, a strong innovation ecosystem and an integrated North American supply chain.
Could the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry kindly update the House on how the government is securing good, well-paying jobs in the auto sector by making major investments to support the transformation of Canada's automotive manufacturing sector toward electrification?
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- Mar/21/22 3:07:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge for his great leadership. We can see the passion even on the other side of the bench.
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
Hon. François-Philippe Champagne: It has been an exciting week, so I understand why they applaud for the auto sector, with our government securing a major investment that will see the auto industry in this country thrive for decades. Last week, we saw Honda make a $1.4-billion investment in the Alliston plant in Ontario. That builds on other investments from BASF, GM and POSCO, and there is more to come. Stay tuned.
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- Mar/21/22 3:07:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, over three million people have now fled the violence in Ukraine. Civilians are being bombed in their homes and even in hospitals. They are desperate for support. Economic sanctions are a strong tool we have to force Putin to stop committing war crimes. However, the sanctions announced by the government will not have the desired effect if they are not properly enforced.
Will the minister commit to the NDP ask for ownership of assets to be made public and tell Canadians how many Russian assets have been frozen since the most recent invasion of Ukraine?
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- Mar/21/22 3:08:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for that question, because the reality is that this is an egregious invasion by Russia into Ukraine and we are using every economic tool that we can to ensure that we punish and suffocate Russia. Over 500 individuals and entities have been sanctioned just in the last three weeks. We continue to do that. The systems are in place to make sure that we follow through on every one of those sanctions, and we will continue to do everything to ensure that Russia is suffocated while we continue to support Ukraine in all its efforts.
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- Mar/21/22 3:09:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I do not think the minister answered my colleague's question earlier, so I would like to try it again.
Following decades of underinvestment in Via Rail, last week the federal government began to solicit the private sector to not only co-develop, but operate and maintain high-frequency rail in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor. We know that privatization is short-sighted. We know it puts public money toward corporate profits and jeopardizes good jobs.
Will the Minister of Transport reconsider and assure the House that Via Rail is not on the verge of being privatized?
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- Mar/21/22 3:09:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. Our government is not privatizing Via. Let me also be very clear that this is the largest infrastructure project in Canada's history and we are inviting all potential partners to help us do it right. For generations, governments have talked about this type of project. Our government is delivering for Canadians. This is good news for passengers. This is good news for climate change. This is good news for jobs. This is the way we build nations.
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- Mar/21/22 3:10:43 p.m.
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I thank members for a great question period. It was very lively and very attentive. That is all the time we have left.
The hon. member for Barrie—Innisfil.
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- Mar/21/22 3:10:47 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been discussions among the party, and I hope if you ask, you will get unanimous consent for the following motion. I move that the House denounce foreign influence and Hollywood actors who unfairly target and misrepresent Canada's energy sector, including the position of many elected leaders from indigenous communities who support resource development projects, particularly at a time when efforts should be taken to displace Russian energy in Europe with clean Canadian energy.
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- Mar/21/22 3:11:17 p.m.
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All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.
Some hon. members: Nay.
The Deputy Speaker: We have a point of order from the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.
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- Mar/21/22 3:11:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, perhaps you can help me here. I would like to remind the hon. House leader for the Conservative Party of this, and he is not the first person to do it, I have to say. When a member of this place puts forward that there have been consultations among the parties, they have to at least have talked to the parties.
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- Mar/21/22 3:11:52 p.m.
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I am sure members can come up with a solution for that.
We have a point of order from the hon. member for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon.
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- Mar/21/22 3:12:02 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, earlier in question period the Minister of Housing said there was no mention of affordable housing in the Conservative platform. I would like to seek unanimous consent to table that platform and outline that we have a plan for indigenous housing—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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- Mar/21/22 3:12:18 p.m.
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Does the member have leave to table that document?
Some hon. members: No.
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- Mar/21/22 3:12:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on a point of order arising our of question period, the parliamentary secretary for Global Affairs was misleading the House regarding cuts, going back 60 years, by the Conservative government. I would like to table a Library of Parliament report on operation expenditures and authorities covering 2000 to 2021. It shows that the highest amount spent, adjusted for inflation, was during the Harper years and it is more than is being spent now.
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- Mar/21/22 3:13:05 p.m.
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Does the member have leave to table the document?
Some hon. members: No.
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