44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 3, 2023 10:00AM
- Feb/3/23 11:00:50 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we often hear things like “one person cannot make a difference”, but today I would like to share a story about someone who proves otherwise.
Yvonne Hazeldean, an immigrant to Canada who ran analytical labs by day and raced cars by night, is a trailblazer who is quietly one of the most influential women in Calgary. Yvonne's persistence has elected dozens of candidates, and then that same persistence has held them all to task when it comes to doing what they said they would do. Yvonne's legacy proves that one woman can change the world. I know that I would not be standing here without her support. When I speak in this place, I often catch myself using mannerisms and the passion that she exudes.
Recently, she has experienced some very severe health challenges, so now it is my turn to lift her up, as she has done so many times for me and my team. On behalf of the entire Calgary community, we love Yvonne. She proved that one woman can change the world.
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- Feb/3/23 11:01:56 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the long-term care standards were released this week. We will have many opportunities to discuss this document. We must, however, hold fast to the unwavering belief that every senior deserves the right to live in dignity, safety and comfort, regardless of which province or territory they call home.
I am pleased that this government has made the largest investment in home and community care in Canada's history, an unprecedented $6 billion. As chair of the national Liberal seniors' caucus, I ask that all governments work together to recognize that the unique and often diverse needs of aging persons is a critical pillar of all health care programs and decisions. This is our moment to place partisan politics aside and work collaboratively to support aging Canadians.
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- Feb/3/23 11:02:57 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, six years ago, on January 29, a gun man entered the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City and murdered six Canadians. Two years ago, a Canadian Muslim family of four were killed in a premeditated hit and run in London, Ontario. These cowardly crimes have terrorized Canadians. Hate is growing from the far-right across Canada.
Police reported that hate crimes have increased 72% over the last two years. The Liberal government has been dragging its feet in fighting Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and all forms of racism and bigotry. New Democrats have been calling for concrete measures to protect all Canadians. Canadians expect their political leaders to fight against hatred and to work with people and communities who are at the forefront of this fight.
New Democrats stand and mourn with the families of the victims of that horrific night. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand up to Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia, racism and, indeed, hate in all its toxic forms.
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- Feb/3/23 11:04:09 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, in 2016 the House officially recognized the first day of the lunar new year as the beginning of the 15-day spring festival celebration among the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese and other Asian communities across our country. This past Tuesday, together with 30-plus caucus colleagues and the right hon. Prime Minister, we held our a lunar new year celebration on Parliament Hill.
For the first time in many years, over 500 guests attended the event, where we enjoyed authentic Chinese cuisine, traditional Korean dance and the lion dance, and exchanged best wishes. As a Chinese Canadian, I am so proud to have participated in such an important celebration on the hill, which showcased Canada's diversity and inclusiveness.
To all members of the House, xin nian kuai le. Gong xi fa cai.
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- Feb/3/23 11:05:13 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years of the Prime Minister's inflationary policies driving up prices and interest rates, the cost of living is crippling for many Canadians, especially those looking for a home. Rent has doubled, if one can find a place to rent. After eight years of the Prime Minister, mortgages have doubled as well. Nine out of 10 young people in this country who do not own a home believe they never will.
After eight years of a Prime Minister whose fiscal policy could best be described as “borrow lots, think later”, a lot of Canadians going to the bank this year to renew their mortgages are not sure if they will be able to afford their homes anymore. Even Liberal MPs are complaining about the cost of their mortgages to me.
These are dark days, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The City of Victoria is adding the missing middle. Ontario is pushing out NIMBY local politicians, and the City of Saskatoon guarantees a building permit in five days. The best news of all is that a Conservative government is just around the corner.
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- Feb/3/23 11:06:20 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, over the last year, the conservation authority in my riding, Conservation Halton, has planted close to 80,000 trees. It has restored stream habitat; managed 11,000 acres of land; hired over 800 young people to work in nature; maintained 116 kilometres of trails; and monitored aquatic and terrestrial habitat, as well as water quality, at 325 monitoring stations.
It has carried out 45 major environmental restoration projects and also protects Crawford Lake, which has rich indigenous history and one of the coolest meromictic lakes in the world. The over 1.3 million visitors to its eight parks last year spent three million hours in nature and walked over six million kilometres on its trails. It also taught more people ever to ski and camp, including programs for new Canadians. It donated over 400 annual park passes to local libraries, so anyone can borrow a pass and access its parks for free, and it also held its third annual Pride in Nature event to show solidarity with LGBTQ2+ community members, and so much more.
Despite all that, conservation authorities in our greenbelt are being threatened by the notion that we just cannot build homes without destroying nature. I reject that notion. The integrity of our greenbelt must be protected. Green spaces are our greatest asset, and I am proud to recommit myself to being a strong and effective voice for conservation and the greenbelt in Milton and across Canada.
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- Feb/3/23 11:07:38 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Valentine’s Day is almost here. It is a time to celebrate love and affection and a time to lend a hand.
Today I am grateful to represent a community full of incredible volunteers with big hearts. I want to give a special shout-out today to Square Roots Fairview-Clayton Park, Santa's for Seniors and Chebucto Links, which have come together to launch the Valentine’s Day veggies for seniors program.
One might have caught this on CTV, but here is how the program works. One sponsors a valentine by sending five dollars to info@chebuctolinks.ca. Then its team identifies a local senior who could use food support and delivers a gift of fresh veggies and fruits to their door.
How thoughtful is that? For those who want to be a sponsor or refer a senior, they have until February 5 at midnight. Many thanks go out to the selfless folks who brought this wonderful initiative. This is community love and affection at its best.
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- Feb/3/23 11:08:47 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years of the Prime Minister, Canada is facing a crime wave. Since the Prime Minister was elected, violent crime is up 32%. Violent gang crime is up a staggering 92%, and in 2021 there were 124,000 more violent criminal incidents compared to 2015 when the Prime Minister was elected.
This is not a coincidence. Whether it is the Liberals' catch-and-release bail policies, eliminating mandatory jail time for serious gun crime or drastically expanding house arrest for such serious offences as sexual assault and kidnapping, the crime wave is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime Liberal policies.
The only way to defeat this violent crime wave is to defeat this soft-on-crime Liberal government and elect a Conservative government committed to standing up for victims and holding violent criminals to account to the fullest extent of the law.
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- Feb/3/23 11:09:55 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is the wintertime, and Bon Soo Winter Carnival is here.
This year, Bon Soo is celebrating its 60th anniversary, making it one of the oldest and best winter carnivals in all of Canada. For the next nine days, there will be daytime and evening events, some timeless and some brand new, but all packed with fun and excitement for all families of all ages.
Come and participate in the Soo in some of the timeless favourites such as the polar bear dip, and if one can do it this year in this weather, one will get a special award. There are also new events such as the polar rush urban winter obstacle challenge and the coldest Canuck challenge, and there are many more to add to this. Plus there is the pancake breakfast, which everyone looks forward to.
There is no shortage of snow in my riding, so I invite each and every member of the House and everyone across Canada to come to the Soo and enjoy the best, and one of the oldest, winter carnivals. A special thanks to all the volunteers who make this winter carnival what it is today. I know the people in our area are really going to enjoy this year's winter carnival.
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- Feb/3/23 11:11:04 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years of incompetence and corruption, Canada is broken. The trust in government is broken, and ministerial responsibility is broken.
After eight years, our military has been decimated. Military procurement is broken, and military recruitment is broken.
After eight years, violent crime is rampant. The bail system is broken, and the overwhelmed court system is broken.
After eight years, overdoses are killing thousands. Addiction support is broken, and safe supply ideology is broken.
After eight years of the Prime Minister and his cronies, Canada is broken. Canadians are being killed in random attacks. Canadians are being killed by dangerous drugs. Canadians are dying deaths of despair.
After eight years, we have gone from sunny ways to dark days. It does not have to be this way. Conservatives have a plan to turn the hurt Canadians are feeling into the hope they need. After eight years of division and wedge politics, we will bring Canadians together, united, strong and free.
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- Feb/3/23 11:12:11 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after eight years of the government's inflationary spending, Canadians are barely getting by, while Liberal insiders and high-priced consultants have never had it so good. After eight years, Canadians have been struggling to cope with 40-year high inflation.
After eight years, 1.5 million Canadians are visiting food banks in a single month, but after eight years, the government does not care.
Instead of helping Canadians, the government decided to hand out over $100 million in contracts to its friends at McKinsey & Company, and that number keeps climbing. In fact, we still do not know the full amount awarded to McKinsey over eight years because the Liberal government refuses to say. However, we do know that, of the 23 contracts awarded, 20 of them were granted in a non-competitive environment and hand-picked by the government.
We need to know how much has been handed out to McKinsey and the influence it has on our government. Canadians deserve answers, and we will not back down.
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- Feb/3/23 11:13:14 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, for many families in Canada the tradition is to have multi-generational homes. How wonderful it is to visit a home where one not only sees the child and the parent but also the grandparent. This benefits not only the family, but also our communities. An elderly grandparent with their daughter’s family, or a son with a disability with their parents, are arrangements that can be an important way for them to take care of each other.
Our government supports multi-generational homes, and this year the multi-generational home renovation tax credit will be well under way. It provides up to $7,500 in support for constructing a secondary suite for a senior or an adult with a disability. This refundable credit would allow families to claim 15% of up to $50,000 in eligible renovation and construction costs incurred to construct a secondary suite. This is a great way to support families here in Canada.
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- 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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