44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 3, 2023 10:00AM
- Feb/3/23 11:48:05 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, today was a great day for one of our Canadian champions. OpenText, one of the largest software companies in the world, made its debut on the NASDAQ today. Not only that, but for the first time in Canadian history, the bell of the NASDAQ was rung from Canada, from here in Ottawa.
I would say to all Canadians and all members that if they know people who are employees of OpenText, it is thanks to their talent, know-how and expertise that we can celebrate, so send them a letter, send them a text message or give them a phone call. They have made all Canadians proud today.
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- Feb/3/23 11:48:48 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight long years of the current government, crime has surged to a level not seen in decades. Not only are communities subjected to daily shootings and stabbings, but now they worry about random attacks in their subways. Rapists are let out on bail the same day the police take them down to the courthouse.
Public safety is not some graduate project for a criminologist; its implementation has deadly consequences if we do not get it right. Instead of creating repeat victims, why does the current government not listen to the provinces and deal with repeat offenders?
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- Feb/3/23 11:49:17 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, as someone who lives close to the city of Toronto and uses the TTC, I am deeply concerned about the spike in violence on the TTC. The minister has spoken with Mayor Tory to express our support for him and the City of Toronto.
Our government has taken action on supporting law enforcement, on violence prevention and on mental health supports. Most recently, the minister was in Toronto to announce $12 million in support, along with the mayor, to address many of the social determinants that can lead to violence, through the building safer communities fund.
We will continue to work with the City of Toronto and all communities to keep communities safe.
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- Feb/3/23 11:50:03 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, in 2022, five Canadian police officers were killed in a deadly 37-day stretch. The president of the Police Association of Ontario has called this “unprecedented”. All the while, shootings continue in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Drugs, guns and contraband continue to flow across the border, and repeat offenders are out on bail, allowed to continue harming society unmitigated.
We know that the Prime Minister has been convicted of two ethics offences on separate occasions in the last eight years. Is that why the government is so afraid to deal with repeat offenders?
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- Feb/3/23 11:50:43 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am proud of the record that we have on this side of the House when it comes to keeping communities safe. Whether that be investing in the border or replacing the money that was taken away by the Conservative government when it was in power, we are giving the tools to the Canada Border Services Agency to keep the borders safe to ensure that guns are not being smuggled across the border.
There is always more to do, and we will support law enforcement. We will support communities and we will do everything we can to ensure that Canadians are safe.
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- Feb/3/23 11:51:23 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years with this Prime Minister, our cities are becoming less and less safe. The crime rate has increased by 32%. Murders committed by street gangs have almost doubled. This is all due to the soft-on-crime approach of this government, which has made it easier for violent criminals to be released on bail and has eliminated mandatory prison sentences for crimes committed with firearms.
When will this government take the violence in our streets seriously?
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- Feb/3/23 11:51:56 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, my colleague has pointed out an extremely important problem that exists in Montreal, Quebec and across the country.
I would like to understand one thing. If my colleague is concerned about violence linked to firearms, why do the Conservatives systematically block measures that would make it easier to control firearms in Canada?
Our government introduced Bill C‑21 to put a stop to handgun sales across the country, but the Conservatives are against it.
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- Feb/3/23 11:52:35 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, this government is acting as though there is no problem. However, Canadians have been dealing with the direct impacts of this government's bad policies for eight years. Nearly half of the shooting-related homicides in Toronto last year were committed by one or more individuals who were out on bail. The last thing people want is for this phenomenon to spread across the country. The bail system needs to be reformed.
Will this government have the courage to do that? If so, will it vote in favour of our motion?
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- Feb/3/23 11:53:12 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to answer a second question about gun violence. I am surprised that the Conservatives are asking this question.
The rates of violence against women and children have been on the rise for many years.
Why are the Conservatives against better gun control measures in this country?
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- Feb/3/23 11:53:40 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, yesterday Australia announced that it was removing the British monarchy from its banknotes. Charles III will be replaced by indigenous art. That is a modern and democratic example that Canada should follow. Banknotes are a subtle way for countries to present themselves to the world. Australia has chosen to honour its own culture and its own people. Canada continues to honour a foreign monarch and the authoritarian legacy he represents.
It is now 2023. Is it not time for change?
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- Feb/3/23 11:54:18 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I took note of Australia's decision. It is definitely time to consider the future of the monarchy in Canada. People have very different opinions about this. The monarchy has served Canada very well to date. That said, it is always interesting to hear my colleague's position.
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- Feb/3/23 11:54:41 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I was talking about banknotes. I really think it is time for a change. Canada is going to have to replace its currency in any case. When the time comes to get new bills, does anyone really want to see King Charles on the banknotes?
It is not up to the Bloc Québécois to choose Canada's symbols, but we find it hard to believe that Canada cannot come up with something better after 150 years. Canada is a democratic country.
Why would Canada continue to choose a foreign monarch with a legacy of racism and violence against indigenous people, francophones and many other groups?
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- Feb/3/23 11:55:25 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I appreciate my hon. colleague's question.
As members know, in 2018, the Canadian government launched a contest to put a woman on Canadian currency for the first time in our history. I am very proud that Viola Desmond was chosen and is now featured on the $10 bill.
The government is currently considering options to replace the image on the $5 bill. We are always looking to revitalize our Canadian institutions.
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- Feb/3/23 11:56:15 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years of the Prime Minister, inflation is at record levels. Grocery prices were up 11% last year. The Liberals' tax hikes make things worse, and they are planning more of them. The wind chill in Ottawa today is -40°C, but this is not as cold as the government's heart.
The Liberals caused this problem. When will they cancel the tax hikes?
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- Feb/3/23 11:56:38 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, first of all, we have lowered taxes for middle-class Canadians twice. We have lowered taxes for small businesses twice, and it is important that the opposition understands that inflation is—
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- Feb/3/23 11:56:47 a.m.
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We do not have interpretation.
It is working now. The hon. parliamentary secretary can restart his answer.
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- Feb/3/23 11:57:01 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would love to restart my answer because it gives me a second opportunity to talk about how we have lowered taxes for middle-class Canadians twice. We have lowered taxes for small businesses twice.
When it comes to global inflation, it is, in fact, global. It is too high in Canada, at 6.3%, but it is higher for our economic peers. It is 6.5% in the United States. It is over 9% in Europe. It is over 10% in the OECD. We should be encouraged that inflation is actually coming down in Canada. We have a strong fiscal framework that allows us to invest in affordability, in good, clean jobs and in making sure that we build an economy that works for everyone.
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- Feb/3/23 11:57:50 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the Liberals have put B.C. families in an impossible position with their inflationary spending. After eight years of the Prime Minister, the prices of gas, rent and groceries have all sky-rocketed. Half of Canadians are now worried they cannot properly feed their families. Meanwhile, the Liberals are dishing out multi-million dollar contracts to friendly friends.
When will the Liberal government stop lining the pockets of their friendly friends and start focusing on everyday Canadians?
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- Feb/3/23 11:58:22 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I always hope that we can certainly be friendly with our colleagues across the way.
I really find it difficult and challenging that the Conservatives seem to have this tactic of saying one thing but doing something else. They say they are really concerned about Canadians, but they vote against our measures for rental and dental assistance, or measures in terms of protecting workers. They voted against our measures in terms of cutting taxes for the middle class. They even wanted, in their campaign proposal, to cut the child care agreements in this country. They are not really there for Canadians. That is not so friendly.
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- Feb/3/23 11:59:05 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years of the Prime Minister, Canadians are having a hard time paying for everything, including imported vegetables. Life has never been so expensive. An innovative and environmentally safe agribusiness is ready to open in my community, but it is concerned about upcoming Liberal restrictions.
Why does the Liberal government have no problem spending billions of dollars on friendly consultants, but seems determined to make life more difficult and expensive for hard-working Canadians?
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