SoVote

Apr/7/22 1:32:43 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-14

Madam Speaker, I would not pretend to speak for the minister of intergovernmental affairs in terms of the work that was undertaken. We had the opportunity in this House to debate an opposition day motion, and I know a number of Conservative colleagues and, indeed, everyone has had the chance to speak to it. The member raised an important point about how we balance representation. I would submit to this House that there has never been a true representation by population, and that has always been because Canada was a compromise from day one in 1867. Even as we added provinces during Confederation, and as the member opposite's province joined, which I believe was in 1870, there was a negotiation about what was fair and equitable at the time. I do not think there has ever been pure representation by population. Certainly, sitting as a member of Parliament with 11 seats in Nova Scotia, I think we would be closer to 8 or 9 without it. I really want to make sure that all regions of the country have a voice with representation. I think today's legislation and where we are is fair and equitable at this time.

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Context: House Hansard - 55 - Apr/7/22

Mr. Denis Trudel (Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, BQ)

Apr/7/22 1:33:46 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-14

Madam Speaker, we often hear the argument that Quebec is well represented because we have the Prime Minister and ministers. I would simply like to point out to my colleague that the Island of Montreal is experiencing a serious housing crisis, with 25,000 people waiting for low-income housing. However, the Island of Montreal is represented by the Prime Minister and six senior ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Canadian Heritage. This is significant, but despite this, the crisis has continued for seven years, so having ministers is not the answer to everything. I want to talk about the French language. My colleague must be sensitive to this in Nova Scotia. According to the numbers, the status of French in Quebec is so precarious that the percentage of people whose mother tongue is French may drop to just 69% by 2036, which might as well be tomorrow. If we do not use this bill as an opportunity to protect our political weight, if we do not stand up for ourselves, we will never be able to protect the French language. I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on this.

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Context: House Hansard - 55 - Apr/7/22

Mr. Kody Blois

Apr/7/22 1:36:18 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-14

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question and for using French in the House. Of course the legislation is neutral in the sense that all of the provinces and territories are reflected in the Constitution. To me the question that remains is this. How many members will be added to the House? For Nova Scotia, 11 members are protected by the Constitution, but having just 11 members out of 500 in the House would reduce the proportion of representation we have in the House. I think that in future we will have to determine the number of MPs in the House of Commons both from a parliamentary privilege perspective and a logistics perspective.

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Context: House Hansard - 55 - Apr/7/22

Mr. Stephen Ellis (Cumberland—Colchester, CPC)

Apr/7/22 2:11:44 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an incident that sadly will live in infamy, and in the minds of the citizens of Portapique, Nova Scotia, and indeed of all Canadians. I refer to the incidents of April 18 and 19, 2020. Over this less than 24-hour time span, 23 lives, including that of an unborn baby, were senselessly taken. The families, community members and all of us continue to mourn. This unfathomable act of violence occurred in small-town Canada. All of us continue to question the whys and the hows of this mass tragedy. Our feelings continue to be raw. The questions continue to be great. The sorrow experienced continues to be, at times, overwhelming. My comments today will not provide great relief to those who are suffering; however, they will know that their loved ones and their terrible grief have not gone unrecognized. They are remembered and shared by those of us in the House of Commons today and, as the anniversary of the tragedy looms ever closer, by all Canadians. Let us forever remember those families and all of those affected in our thoughts and in our prayers.

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