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Ms. Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.)

May/13/22 11:01:47 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Sunday, May 1, marked First Responders Day, a day we reflect on the selfless contributions of countless women and men in the fulfillment of their duties. Today, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the often unsung heroes of Ottawa, the members of the Ottawa Fire Services, whose unrelenting work keeps us safe every day. In particular, I congratulate my constituent, John Sobey, a decorated fire captain, who just retired after over 42 years of service, 32 years with the Ottawa and Gloucester fire services and 10 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. John also served as a union leader and advocated for the recognition of fallen firefighters. John Sobey truly epitomizes what we mean when we call first responders “heroes”. With that, I ask the members of this House to join me in commending all first responders across the nation.

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The Deputy Speaker

May/13/22 11:02:46 a.m.
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We of course welcome all our guests in the gallery today. The hon. member for Windsor West.

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Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West, NDP)

May/13/22 11:02:53 a.m.
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Re: Bill C-248

Mr. Speaker, today I have the privilege of celebrating 20 years of service to my community as its MP. Through the years, I committed to working directly with my constituents to bring their collective voices and concerns to Ottawa. I am making this commitment again today. We have worked together for a decade now to save the Ojibway shorelands and establish an urban park for Canadians to enjoy and for species to be protected. This is a project that has endangered species and wildlife habitats and will fight the climate change that is right on the doorstep of Windsor, Ontario. Yesterday, we learned the government is finally taking action on the request from five years ago to transfer Ojibway lands to Parks Canada. It is finally happening, so today we celebrate 20 years of advocacy together. On behalf of the residents of Windsor West, I respectfully call on parliamentarians to support my bill, Bill C-248, and start making this park a reality. They can consider it an anniversary gift. I conclude by thanking my partner, Terry Chow, my son, Wade, and my daughter, Alex, who graduated yesterday, for 20 years of blessed support.

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The Deputy Speaker

May/13/22 11:03:56 a.m.
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Happy anniversary. The hon. member for Gatineau.

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Hon. Steven MacKinnon (Gatineau, Lib.)

May/13/22 11:04:05 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to share with the House that Gaston Cloutier, managing director of the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport was nominated for the Association québécoise du transport aérien's prestigious emeritus member prize. Drawing on a wealth of experience in aviation, Mr. Cloutier positioned our airport as an attractive site and an economic lever for Gatineau. Our government will be making major investments in the airport. When Mr. Cloutier retires on October 1 after 10 years heading up our regional airport and an impressive career with the Canadian Armed Forces, he can do so with a sense of mission accomplished. I thank Mr. Cloutier for his valuable contribution to our regional development. On behalf of the House, I wish him a very happy second retirement.

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Mr. Stephen Ellis (Cumberland—Colchester, CPC)

May/13/22 11:05:15 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the heart-wrenching opportunity to hear the story of Stephen MacDougall. Stephen was a 45-year-old man who was a proud father, a significant contributor to his community and a tremendous athlete. He was also a twin brother, a son, an uncle and a husband. Sadly, almost a year ago, Stephen MacDougall died after receiving a vaccine for COVID-19. Speaking as a parliamentarian, a physician who worked on a COVID-19 unit and a Canadian, I believe we have a responsibility to understand the adverse events related to this new group of vaccinations. We need to understand the data as it pertains to Canada, the world, and short- and long-term safety. Since over 11.5 billion doses have been given worldwide and the data has been collected, now is the time for all of us in the House to act. The data needs to be properly analyzed so we can present this scientific information to Canadians to enable them to make informed choices and give informed consent going forward.

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Ms. Lena Metlege Diab (Halifax West, Lib.)

May/13/22 11:07:17 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as a member of our inaugural Standing Committee on Science and Research, which just concluded its first-ever study on science in Canada, I have the privilege of hearing from many of our brilliant minds. On Tuesday, I hosted two such researchers, Dr. Lachlan MacKinnon and Dr. Stefanie Colombo, as part of Science Meets Parliament, a non-partisan initiative to strengthen the connections between Canada's scientific and political communities. These two scientists represent the breadth and depth of Canada's scientific talent. Both are tier II Canada research chairs, Stefanie in aquaculture nutrition at Dalhousie and Lachlan in post-industrial communities at Cape Breton University. I thank the Canadian Science Policy Centre and Canada's chief science advisor for bringing scientists and parliamentarians together to promote mutual understanding.

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Mr. Ali Ehsassi (Willowdale, Lib.)

May/13/22 11:08:21 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, two months after Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, estimates suggest that over 2,100 Russian missiles have rained down on Ukraine, displacing 12 million, damaging over 200 health care facilities, and destroying 200 heritage sites throughout the country. While visiting Irpin, Bucha and Borodyanka last week, I witnessed first-hand the mass atrocities and unspeakable crimes Russia has visited upon Ukraine. Despite such unconscionable brutality, every Ukrainian I encountered represented an awe-inspiring profile in courage and fortitude. That is why the surprise visit by our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to Kyiv was crucial, a testament to our country's unwavering commitment to support Ukraine and hold Putin to account. Proud Ukrainians will never relent, and neither should we in our assistance.

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Mrs. Stephanie Kusie (Calgary Midnapore, CPC)

May/13/22 11:09:25 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge one of the many amazing constituents of Calgary Midnapore. Lorna Hamm recently received a national award from the Canadian Real Estate Association to recognize her more than 50 years of volunteer work. In 1986, she helped establish the first Children's Cottage Society crisis nursery in Canada, which has provided refuge to over 40,000 Calgary children, ensuring their safety when a family is in crisis. She also raised an incredible half a million dollars in just two years to fund life-saving treatment at the Alberta Children's Hospital. Last year, she led a grassroots initiative to provide over 600 ICU workers with “thank you” packages for their work on the pandemic front lines. It is an honour to congratulate and sincerely thank Lorna Hamm for all she has done to change the lives of so many Calgary children and members of our community.

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Ms. Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington, Lib.)

May/13/22 11:10:31 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, my dad developed age-related macular degeneration, and I saw what a life-changing development that was. Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an incurable disease that affects close to 2.5 million Canadians over the age of 50. It causes damage to the central part of the retina responsible for central vision, robbing Canadian seniors of their expected quality of life. However, there is hope that a new, non-invasive treatment currently awaiting Health Canada approval could positively impact the millions of Canadians who live with AMD and could result in Canada playing an important role in managing the disease globally. Please join me in raising awareness of AMD and supporting the close to 2.5 million Canadian seniors living with this cruel disease.

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Mr. Brad Redekopp (Saskatoon West, CPC)

May/13/22 11:11:28 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today is Friday the 13th, a very scary day for Saskatchewan agriculture. Here in this House the environment minister and the agriculture minister are creating their own horror movie. Like Freddy and Jason before them, they are slashers. This time they want to slash two key industries in Saskatchewan, farming and fertilizer production. In Saskatoon West, Nutrien, the largest fertilizer producer on the planet, employs over 3,000 people. If the government slashers have their way, Nutrien will be forced to sell its potash to someone else, and our farmers will pay the price. We have seen this NDP-Liberal pattern before, attacking Canadian industries in the name of climate change and allowing other countries to take jobs and economic growth away from Canadians. In this case, we are seeing the NDP-Liberals diminish the capacity of wheat fields in Saskatchewan while getting the Americans to pick up the slack. However, we should not fear; every nightmare ends eventually. Once Canadians give this government the boot, Conservatives will be ready to get to work and promote our resources around the globe.

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Mr. John Nater (Perth—Wellington, CPC)

May/13/22 11:12:30 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there are those in our country who measure their days in acres rather than hours. With the spring planting season upon us, farmers in Perth—Wellington and across Canada are on the land, growing the food that will quite literally feed our country. Agriculture is always an unpredictable business, with so many variables that all impact a farmer’s bottom line and their hopes to be in the black when the last field is harvested in the fall. While farmers are prepared for these uncertainties that come with the business, what they are not prepared for are the uncertainties placed upon them by the government. For over 10 weeks now, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has refused to clarify whether fertilizer orders placed prior to March 2 would be subject to the 35% tariff. Since those orders were placed prior to sanctions being in place, the tariffs impact only Canadian farmers and agri-businesses; they have zero impact on Vladimir Putin and his thugs. I implore the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to finally stand up for farmers and farm families.

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Mrs. Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, Lib.)

May/13/22 11:13:37 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is Nursing Week in Canada, and I would like to recognize one of the many outstanding nurses in my riding. Sandra Ricketts-Fusca has been a nurse with the Scarborough Health Network for 33 years, including 26 years as a perioperative nurse. As a young girl, she was inspired by an aunt and a cousin who were nurses in England. She decided to make it her career when she began caring for her ill grandmother. While she has had many different roles at the Scarborough Health Network, Sandra says she always felt destined to work in the operating room. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandra said she enjoyed the camaraderie, professionalism and quality of care provided by the staff. During the pandemic, she said she saw what true teamwork is. We thank Sandra for being part of the Scarborough Health Network team, and for her dedication to her patients and our community. Happy Nursing Week.

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Ms. Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo—Ladysmith, NDP)

May/13/22 11:14:46 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, many constituents in Nanaimo—Ladysmith are gravely concerned about the increasing number of freighters polluting ecologically sensitive waters off the coast of B.C.'s southern Gulf Islands. Our coasts are being used as overflow industrial parking lots for the port of Vancouver, and marine life is suffering. Orcas, salmon and sea lions do not mix with freighters. These eyesores impact local businesses, tourism, the fishing industry and much more. To make matters worse, these anchorages were established without free, prior or informed consent of the Coast Salish first nations. Constituents and grassroots organizations such as Gabriolans Against Freighter Anchorages have brought concerns to the Liberal government, but the response has been dismal. The NDP has been pushing for real solutions for over a decade. Enough is enough. Liberals must put words into action and prohibit freighters from anchoring in these waters.

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Mr. Yves Perron (Berthier—Maskinongé, BQ)

May/13/22 11:15:55 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, disgraceful incidents of intimidation, both of elected representatives and of journalists, have become all too frequent in the last while. Allusions, disagreements, heated tones and often-inappropriate innuendo are all part of politics, and sometimes these get taken too far. That is normal. Many issues evoke passionate feelings. Threats and intimidation, on the other hand, have no place in democratic debate. Humiliating or defaming journalists on social media is completely unacceptable. Shoving elected representatives, threatening them or throwing rocks at them is also completely unacceptable. Obviously, we are going to make some people angry. Obviously, not everyone will agree with us. We disagree here in the House every day, but verbal and physical violence, intimidation of journalists who report the facts, of analysts who give their opinion or of elected officials who take an opposing position do not serve democracy and must stop.

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Mr. John Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest, CPC)

May/13/22 11:17:14 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Campobello is the unique Canadian island in my riding without direct access to mainland New Brunswick. Instead, islanders must drive one hour to the State of Maine and check in at two border points to access their country. A ferry is needed to end Campobello's second-class status so its residents have a domestic route to other parts of Canada, just like every other Canadian citizen. I researched the public accounts and discovered the federal government provides $30 million annually to fund ferry service to remote communities within British Columbia. For the past two years, Ottawa has rightly labelled Campobello a remote community. It is past time that the federal government's ferry support program was extended to New Brunswick so travel mobility rights on Campobello are recognized and supported by the Government of Canada. It is a matter of fairness.

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Mr. Sven Spengemann (Mississauga—Lakeshore, Lib.)

May/13/22 11:18:16 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Patricia and Wayne Anderson and the team behind the Mississauga Waterfront Festival for their extraordinary contributions to the beautiful community of Port Credit in our riding of Mississauga—Lakeshore. For over 25 years, the Mississauga Waterfront Festival has been one of the city's largest and most popular outdoor festivals. Attracting thousands of people each year, it gave our community a reason to look forward to the beginning of summer and it became a destination for families, neighbours and visitors alike, offering something memorable to everyone. Through the “sponsor a child” program, the organizers helped to support families in the community by making the festival accessible. Over the years, this amazing team had an impact well beyond the event itself. This year, as we bid goodbye to the Mississauga Waterfront Festival, we celebrate the wonderful memories they created for us. My heartfelt appreciation goes to Pat, Wayne and everyone who helped make the Mississauga Waterfront Festival the best summer event in Port Credit.

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Mr. Gérard Deltell (Louis-Saint-Laurent, CPC)

May/13/22 11:19:24 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this week in Laval there were three shootings in three days. That happened in residential neighbourhoods, and it could have ended badly for the families. Unfortunately, according to the police, we know that this involves street gangs going after each other with illegal guns. We know that in a few days, this government will impose new measures dealing with firearms. Can the government tell us how these new measures will directly address the current crimes involving street gangs and illegal guns?

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Ms. Pam Damoff (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)

May/13/22 11:20:03 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are always disturbed when we hear of people who have lost their lives to gun violence. In fact, the burden of injury from gun violence is something that is of a concern. It is a public health concern to all Canadians. Our approach to firearms is one of common-sense safety measures, and these measures that were introduced this week would keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, codify businesses' due diligence practices and support law enforcement in tracing efforts. It is another tool in our arsenal to keep communities safe.

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Mr. Gérard Deltell (Louis-Saint-Laurent, CPC)

May/13/22 11:20:43 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, everything we just heard is false. The new measures coming into force on May 18 directly affect honest business owners and honest Canadians who own guns. Yes, they exist. Unfortunately, this government is not even considering doing the right thing and directing its attacks at the real criminals: the street gangs and those who use illegal guns. Again, why, on May 18, is the government hassling honest people instead of going after the real criminals?

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