44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 3, 2023 10:00AM
- Feb/3/23 11:14:24 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would like to shine a light on the incredible contributions made by a constituent in my riding of Nanaimo—Ladysmith, Shalema Gantt, and the organization she founded, the Nanaimo African Heritage Society, or NAHS.
For over 20 years, Shalema and those in the NAHS have created opportunities to celebrate and learn African heritage and the history and culture of Black people in Canada and on Vancouver Island. The society welcomes people of all ethnicities to experience, learn about and honour African culture, both local and worldwide. From the NAHS magazine to a variety of workshops, performances, rallies and other activities, NAHS strives to inspire and inform the public on issues of social justice, community stewardship and anti-racism.
February is Black History Month. This month and every month, I am grateful for the work of the Nanaimo African Heritage Society and all they do to share the rich heritage of African culture in Nanaimo.
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- Feb/3/23 11:15:28 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am feeling festive today because the Club bouliste de Baie‑Comeau is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Perhaps people are wondering exactly what “boulisme” is. Quite simply, it is also known as “pétanque” or “bocce”.
What is remarkable about the Club bouliste de Baie‑Comeau is that it brings together all generations. For instance, of the 200 regular players, 90 are young people. Last year, during the family tournament, one of the teams competing was made up of four generations of the same family. Let us face it, that is a rare occurrence in football or hockey.
That said, this is a memorable moment because it illustrates the unifying and intergenerational spirit that the club is trying to create. Under the guidance of its president, Francine Bélair, the Club bouliste de Baie‑Comeau is the envy of many. Other clubs throughout Quebec and even internationally, by which I mean Canada, regard it as a model for its vitality.
I wish a happy 60th anniversary to all members of the club. As a gift, I promise them a game, but unlike my last three elections, I can already assure them that I will lose.
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- Feb/3/23 11:16:45 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, in its eight years in power, the Liberal government could hardly have done worse.
Inflation is at a 40-year high, and interest rates have gone up nine times in the past year even though, just six months ago, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance said rates would stay low.
As a result, young people cannot afford to buy a house, rents have skyrocketed, and steadily rising food prices are hurting families.
By doubling the national debt, which will cost twice as much interest, this government has made it abundantly clear that it is not to be trusted.
Then there is the justice system, which is broken all across Canada. Repeat offenders can serve their time in the community rather than in jail. Violence has gone up 32% since 2015, and street gang violence has jumped 90% in that time.
It is time the NDP-Liberal coalition handed things over to a team that is qualified to lead the country: the Conservatives.
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- Feb/3/23 11:17:48 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as the member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso, I rise today to pay tribute to Leon Dubinsky, an extraordinary Cape Bretoner who we lost just a few weeks ago.
Leon Dubinsky was a pillar in the realm of arts and culture across Cape Breton Island. As an actor, theatre director and composer, he spent his entire life entertaining Canadians, and in particular Atlantic Canadians.
Leon is probably best known for his unofficial Cape Breton anthem Rise Again, a song of resilience and hope for those at home. It rose to the top of various charts, won multiple awards and went on to be recorded by the likes of the Rankin Family, Rita MacNeil and Anne Murray.
Taking inspiration from Leon’s own lyrics, I know he will rise again in the face of his child, and I know he will rise again in the voices of his song.
My thoughts and prayers remain with Leon's loved ones at this time. May he rest peace and may he rise again.
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- Feb/3/23 11:18:54 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years of failed Liberal policies driving up inflation, Canadians are faced with high interest rates and higher mortgage payments and are seeing home prices double across the country. An average monthly mortgage under the Liberal government has more than doubled, going from $1,500 to more than $3,000. Home ownership is impossible and a pipe dream for nine out of 10 young people, as 35-year-olds are forced to continue to live in their parents’ basements.
Let us be clear: Liberal inflation caused this mess. Will the Liberals apologize and take responsibility for pricing young Canadians out of homes?
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- Feb/3/23 11:19:34 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, our plan not only makes life more affordable for Canadians but is also fiscally responsible.
We have confirmed our AAA credit rating. We have recovered 121% of jobs lost during the pandemic, while the United States has only recovered 106%. We have maintained the lowest deficit and the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. That positions us very well to get inflation under control, improve affordability and make sure that we create good, sustainable jobs for Canadians.
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- Feb/3/23 11:20:00 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years of failed Liberal policies, Canadians have never had it so bad.
As the Liberals continue to fist bump each other for spending hundreds of billions of dollars of other people's money, the results are absolutely horrific. One in five Canadians is completely out of money. One in five Canadians is skipping meals. Not only did Liberal inflation drive up the price of everything, but they pile-drived Canadians by raising taxes on them.
Why are the Liberals so intent on taking more money from Canadians, leaving hard-working people and their families with less money and empty stomachs?
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- Feb/3/23 11:20:37 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am getting tired of listening to the Conservatives talk down Canadians and the Canadian economy. They should be getting to work to support Canadians in their time of need.
We made efforts throughout this pandemic to make sure that families could continue to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. We made efforts to make sure businesses could keep their doors open and the lights on. Every step of the way, the Conservatives have opposed these measures.
We are going to be there for Canadians in their time of need because it is the right thing to do. The Conservative strategy to combat inflation is to take more money away from families. We will be there for them in their time of need no matter what it takes.
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- Feb/3/23 11:21:09 a.m.
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I want to remind members that when someone has the floor, they should be listening to the answer. They may not like the answer, but they should listen to it. The hon. member for Calgary Forest Lawn was not interrupted during his question, and I would ask for the same respect when the answer is given.
The hon. member for Calgary Forest Lawn.
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- Feb/3/23 11:21:29 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we will not take advice from the guy who broke the immigration system.
After eight years, the Liberals continue to deny any responsibility for the Liberal inflation they caused, causing pain to Canadians. However, there is a list of random Liberals who prove they are responsible. Tiff Macklem said inflation is homegrown. Mark Carney said inflation is a domestic issue. Bill Morneau admitted that the Liberals overspent. Even former Liberal finance minister John Manley said that Liberal spending is fuelling inflation.
Should we believe these random Liberals who continue to say that everything is rosy and fine, or should we believe the other random Liberals who say it is their fault for causing inflation?
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- Feb/3/23 11:22:09 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would point out to the hon. member, who I had the pleasure of serving on the immigration portfolio with, that during the next year, we expect to welcome more than the double the number of newcomers to this country than we did the last year the Conservatives formed government.
At the same time, our strategy to support Canadians over the course of the pandemic, a once-in-a-century disaster, was successful in making sure that nine million Canadians received CERB so they could keep food on the table. The Conservatives opposed those measures. We introduced the wage subsidy that kept 4.5 million workers on payrolls so they could feed their families. The Conservatives opposed those measures. They did not just oppose them. Their leader held a press conference to say that these were “big, fat government programs” and that Conservatives would never support that. Canadians deserve better.
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- Feb/3/23 11:22:56 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is quite ironic to hear the Liberals claim, day after day, that everything is fine thanks to their astronomical spending, because of which we are facing the worst inflation in 40 years.
The cost of food has skyrocketed, but it is not their fault. The cost of rent has doubled, but it is not their fault. Interest rates are keeping families from achieving their dream of a first home, but it is not their fault.
Why, after eight years, does this Prime Minister have such a reckless attitude towards people who have needs?
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- Feb/3/23 11:23:32 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I understand why the Conservatives are having a hard time connecting with Quebeckers. It is because their economic policy is all about austerity and cuts.
On this side of the House, we have implemented several measures to support Canadians and Quebeckers. We have increased benefits for our seniors. We introduced a new benefit to help families pay rent. We introduced our dental subsidy program for children. The Conservatives voted against these measures at every turn.
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- Feb/3/23 11:24:06 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we need to listen to the minister.
After eight years of listening to this government toot its own horn, we see just how out of touch it is with the lives of families.
Middle-class families are increasingly turning to food banks. We saw in the newspapers this morning that more and more Quebeckers are taking on second jobs to put food on the table. After working hard all their lives, seniors no longer have enough food to eat. Meanwhile, the minister keeps talking about everything this government has done to help.
The real question she should be asking is this: Why are so many people suffering after eight years under this Prime Minister?
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- Feb/3/23 11:24:49 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is true that the global economic situation is very unstable right now. That is why we need to be there to support Canadians and Quebeckers. I do not understand how my colleague can claim to have compassion for Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet while voting against measures that will help them.
We will always be there to support Canadians.
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- Feb/3/23 11:25:19 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Quebec schools are feeling the full effects of what is happening at Roxham Road.
Since the beginning of the school year last September, the Quebec government has had to create 224 new classes just to accommodate the children of asylum seekers. That is 224 new classes, while we are in the midst of a shortage of teachers and specialists. That is 224 new classes, the vast majority in the Montreal area where schools are already filled well beyond their capacity.
There is a huge human cost to all this, which I will come back to, but first, will Ottawa commit to at least footing the bill?
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- Feb/3/23 11:25:56 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is essential for us to meet our national and international obligation to protect asylum seekers. I had a meeting today with my counterpart from the Province of Quebec, Minister Fréchette, to talk about ways to collaborate in order to continue supporting asylum seekers and meet our national and international obligation on this issue.
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- Feb/3/23 11:26:23 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, let us talk about the human cost.
There is a labour shortage in our classrooms. We cannot just ask our teachers to take in even more children who do not speak French and who are more likely to have special needs. The elastic is stretched thin and stretching it further would cut the quality of education offered to all children. Quebec does not have the resources to take care of all the asylum seekers from Roxham Road on its own. That is the reality.
When will the government finally suspend the safe third country agreement so that asylum seekers can be welcomed across Canada?
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- Feb/3/23 11:27:01 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, my colleague is proposing a solution that simply shifts the problem somewhere else. It is not a good solution. It is essential to have an international strategy that is established in collaboration with the Province of Quebec.
We are going to continue to work with our provincial counterparts in Quebec, as we have done to support efforts to provide housing for asylum seekers and as we have done to support health care for asylum seekers. I have a meeting this afternoon with Minister Fréchette to discuss some of these issues, and I look forward to continuing our partnership to collaborate as we move toward a long-term solution with a modernized safe third country agreement with the United States.
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- Feb/3/23 11:27:38 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Canadians cannot get their sick children care because our hospitals are struggling with staffing shortages. Nursing vacancies are up by 494% since the Liberals took office. That is almost 29,000 unfilled nursing positions in hospitals and clinics across the country.
In the last election, the Liberals promised to hire thousands of health care workers. Incredulously, they have done the opposite. Why is the Prime Minister letting staffing shortages get worse and failing to protect Canada's universal public health care, which is so important to Canadians?
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