SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 170 - Mar/21/23

Mrs. Rechie Valdez (Mississauga—Streetsville, Lib.)

Mar/21/23 2:02:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today marks World Down Syndrome Day. The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome. Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always existed and is universal across all racial, gender and socio-economic lines. One in every 781 babies born in Canada has Down syndrome. I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible individuals with Down syndrome who make important contributions to our communities every day. Unfortunately, these individuals often face discrimination and are denied opportunities to fully participate in society. This year's theme is “with us not for us”. As we celebrate this day, let us commit to creating a more inclusive society that values diversity and supports those with Down syndrome and their families. Together, we can create a world where everyone can live fulfilling lives.

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Mr. Sébastien Lemire (Abitibi—Témiscamingue, BQ)

Mar/21/23 2:03:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, at the prestigious 2023 Bocuse d'Or culinary competition in Lyon, Signé Caméline's roasted camelina oil won first prize in the Bocuse d'Or SIRHA Innovation Awards, the highest international honour in the field of culinary products. It is the first time a product from Quebec has won this prize. I am proud to congratulate Oliméga, a family business that uses sustainable, environmentally responsible growing techniques. I knew the company when it was just starting out around 15 years ago. I am deeply moved to rise in the House to congratulate Chantal Van Winden, Raymond Durivage, Guillaume Cloutier, my dear friend Marc-Antoine Cloutier, and the entire team. Signé Caméline roasted camelina oil is a 100% Quebec-made, high-nutrient product that is grown and processed in Saint‑Édouard‑de‑Napierville, in Montérégie. This bright yellow plant is also grown in my neck of the woods, in Témiscamingue. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of Services Agritem, Ferme Alain Sarrazin and Ferme Mondou et Robert. I am proud to welcome Lorraine Mondou and Michel Robert, who are with us here today.

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Mr. Peter Schiefke (Vaudreuil—Soulanges, Lib.)

Mar/21/23 2:04:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this week, as I celebrate 11 years of remission from cancer, I had the honour of being chosen as the honorary president of the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life, being held in Pincourt on June 10. That night, I will be walking for Tarik, a young, bright man who went to Westwood High School and completed his first year at John Abbott College. He was passionate about history and politics. He loved to draw, paint, play video games and build Lego. Above all, he loved spending time with his best friends Bella, Aysha, Hailey, Maddy, Jazzy, Isabelle and Flanny. Sadly, Tarik lost his battle with cancer on January 26, taking his last breath in his mother’s arms, at the age of 19. Tarik was a warrior. During his treatments, his mother said he never complained. He just carried on. If he had a message to share with anyone else battling cancer it was “be brave, you got this”. To Tarik’s mother Donna, his sister Cerine and his great aunt Sharon, who join us in Ottawa today, I want to thank them for sharing his story with me. He truly was a special young man. It will be an honour for me to walk in his memory in June. I invite everyone from Vaudreuil—Soulanges to join me in paying tribute to those who are still battling this disease and those we have lost. Together, we can all help end cancer.

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Mr. Mel Arnold (North Okanagan—Shuswap, CPC)

Mar/21/23 2:06:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, elections in Canada are for Canadians to decide, not to be influenced or decided by foreign interference to suit foreign interests or agendas. If our elections have been interfered with by foreign entities, Canadians deserve to know who is responsible, what actions have been taken against them and what is being done to prevent it from happening again, and yet the Prime Minister and his Liberal-NDP government are blocking attempts to get to the bottom of how Beijing operated interference networks to affect our 2019 and 2021 elections. Canadians want and deserve a public inquiry into this election interference and they deserve to know why the Prime Minister and his NDP friends are doing everything they can to prevent this from happening. What does the Prime Minister know, when did he learn about it and what did he do or fail to do about Beijing's election interference? These are questions from Canadians and the people of North Okanagan—Shuswap. What does the Prime Minister have to hide?

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Mr. Taleeb Noormohamed (Vancouver Granville, Lib.)

Mar/21/23 2:07:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, across Canada, many communities celebrate Nowruz, the beginning of the Persian new year, the coming of spring. It is a time for sharing a meal, assembling the haft-seen table and, most important, it is a time for family and friends to come together. However, around the world, from Iran to Tajikistan, Turkey to Afghanistan, many communities that should be celebrating have been facing extreme difficulties. They are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers, and we wish them peace and happiness. This year, our family celebrated our son's first Nowruz, a moment of great joy for us and a chance to pass on traditions from one generation to the next. May this new year bring us all peace, prosperity, love and light. Nowruz Mubarak.Navroz Mubarak.

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Ms. Annie Koutrakis (Vimy, Lib.)

Mar/21/23 2:08:25 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today, as a proud Canadian of Greek origin, I rise in the House to commemorate Greek Independence Day and the struggle of the Greek people to break free from the Ottoman Empire. March 25, 1821, symbolizes the courage and fortitude of the Greek people who fought a formidable power to gain their independence. On this day, we honour all the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the re-establishment of Greece, Greek civilization, democracy, and the Orthodox faith. We also recognize the cultural and political impact of the Greek Revolution and its influence on the modern world. The Greeks have inspired us with their courage, resilience and love of freedom and democracy then and, as reliable allies against tyranny, more recently. [Member spoke in Greek]

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All Topics

The Speaker

Mar/21/23 2:09:34 p.m.
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I want to remind hon. members that statements are being made, and they are very important to the individuals and very important to us. For those who are talking, I would ask that they talk much lower or wait until statements are over and come back in the chamber, so that we can all enjoy and hear what hon. members have to say. The hon. member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound.

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Mr. Alex Ruff (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, CPC)

Mar/21/23 2:09:56 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest issues small businesses and industries are facing across Canada is labour shortages. However, even businesses that find qualified workers, there is no affordable place for them to live. It is not just workers who cannot find a place to live. I have not-for-profit affordable housing projects for seniors that have been impacted by the Liberal’s record inflation that has more than doubled construction costs from $3 million to $7 million dollars. Inflation is not the only problem. I am hearing from affordable, sustainable housing projects that are running into a wall of bureaucratic red tape with respect to re-zoning and permitting that delay construction while costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. During a public housing meeting that I hosted, the frustration from Canadians, developers, municipalities and not-for-profits was palatable over the lack of affordable housing. Addressing the housing crisis ultimately comes down to a simple question of supply and demand along with urgent action. I recommend the Liberals start adopting the policies we have put forth on housing, accreditation and getting rid of the gate keepers or get out of the road and let a Conservative government do it.

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Mr. Jaime Battiste (Sydney—Victoria, Lib.)

Mar/21/23 2:11:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2023 winners of the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic and the School Sport Nova Scotia Division 2 boys' basketball provincial champions, the Breton Education Centre Bears. Known for their relentless full-court press defence, that defence led them to multiple-point victories in each of their wins. This year’s Coal Bowl felt for many like a return to form as the first tournament held since the pandemic began to impact our communities in 2020. The first-ever Coal Bowl was held in 1982, but this is the first year that both contenders for the top spot came from Cape Breton. The Bears played fellow Cape Bretoner’s, the Riverview Ravens, in the championship game to take the title. However, it is no surprise that two of the top spots were from Cape Breton, because Cape Breton creates champions. I congratulate the Bears on their well-earned victory. Go Bears. I am glad they could be in Ottawa to celebrate that today.

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Mrs. Cathay Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville, CPC)

Mar/21/23 2:12:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, with continuing inflation, skyrocketing food prices, rising interest rates, unaffordable housing, labour shortages, foreign interference, daily reports of violent crime and ethics violations, no wonder the anxiety level of Canadians has continued to escalate. Every day brings new revelations of overreach and failures by the Liberal-NDP coalition. As April 1 approaches, Canadians brace for the tripling of the Liberal carbon tax and the cost of everything will rise again as a result of their mismanagement. What the government is underestimating is the resolve of the people of Canada. Canadians refuse to yield. The day is coming soon when they will exercise their power. Canadian men, women, young and old will exercise their right to bring about change. Then, together, with a majority Conservative government, we will fix what they have broken.

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Mr. Gerald Soroka (Yellowhead, CPC)

Mar/21/23 2:13:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, repeatedly the Liberal government proves that it does not care about Canadians. If it did, then inflation would not be at a record-breaking 40-year high. The Liberals' solution: an automatic escalator on the alcohol excise tax, increasing taxes on beer, wine and spirits by 6.3% on April 1, alongside the carbon tax like a sick April fools joke. This tax increase will devastate consumers; beer, wine and spirit producers, 95% of which are small businesses; and other Canadian entrepreneurs who can barely make ends meet as it is. This tax hike will also have sweeping negative impacts on industries like tourism, food and hospitality, among many others. Enough is enough already. Taxpayers should not have to pay for the Liberal government's chronic fiscal mismanagement. They should not have to struggle under this cost-of-living crisis. Will the Liberal government axe the planned excise tax, yes or no?

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The Speaker

Mar/21/23 2:14:22 p.m.
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Once again, I want to remind everyone that S.O. 31s are taking place and we all want to hear what the hon. members have to say. I want to encourage them not to speak very loudly or just whisper among themselves rather than talking loudly and interfering with the hon. members and their messages from back home. The hon. member for Orléans.

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Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Orléans, Lib.)

Mar/21/23 2:14:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the month of March symbolizes our francophone pride and our linguistic duality. Yesterday, on March 20, francophones in my community of Orleans, across Canada and throughout the world celebrated the International Day of La Francophonie. My colleague, the Minister of Official Languages came to my community, to the Collège catholique Mer bleue, under the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-est, and we met with students to talk with them about the importance of speaking, studying and living in French. March 8 was also International Women's Day. I had the privilege of hosting over 115 women in my community at my ninth annual breakfast where I presented the 2023 Orléans Leading Women and Girls Recognition Award to 49 women and girls for their leadership and community involvement. Finally, I want to thank everyone for continuing to promote our beautiful French language, in all its diversity.

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Mr. Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre, NDP)

Mar/21/23 2:15:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with those honouring March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It was on this day, in 1960, that the Sharpeville massacre claimed the lives of 69 Black people murdered by the police during a peaceful demonstration against the pass system in apartheid South Africa. In Hamilton, we have a long legacy of community-wide human rights activism. I am especially proud to congratulate my sister and MPP elect Sarah Jama, who as an ardent anti-racism organizer and who won a decisive victory in the by-election in Hamilton Centre. Today, I would also like to recognize the tireless efforts led by my brother Darren Green and the USW Hamilton Steelworkers Council, alongside the HCCI, HARRC, ACCA, CCAR, the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, the Hamilton Black History Council and dozens of other local organizations over the past decade. They continue to come together on this day to honour the victims of racial discrimination and continue our pledge to fight to see it eliminated.

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The Speaker

Mar/21/23 2:17:10 p.m.
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Once again, I want to remind everyone that S. O. 31s are taking place and we all want to hear the messages that are coming across. The hon. member for Drummond.

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Mr. Martin Champoux (Drummond, BQ)

Mar/21/23 2:17:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, filmmaker Claude Fournier passed away last week at the age of 91. An icon of our culture and a pioneer of our film and television industry is gone. He was a member of the generation of filmmakers who created direct cinema, a distinctly Quebec contribution to the history of the seventh art. He directed the classic Quebec film Two Women in Gold, the first of a series of erotic comedies with such suggestive titles as Hot Dogs and The Apple, the Stem and the Seeds. They were all big box office hits. He worked in other genres as well, producing the wonderful film The Mills of Power and several television series, including Juliette Pomerleau and Félix Leclerc, which showcase his impressive versatility. He even flirted with English-language film by producing Alien Thunder, which starred Donald Sutherland. Mr. Fournier leaves behind his wife and collaborator on many projects, Marie‑Josée Raymond, and his twin brother and well-known television personality, Guy Fournier. We extend our sincere condolences to them and to all his family and friends. I thank Claude Fournier for everything.

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Mr. Terry Dowdall (Simcoe—Grey, CPC)

Mar/21/23 2:18:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, no matter what our diet is, we all want tasty, fresh and sustainable food at prices that we can afford and that ensure a fair living to those who produce it. As parliamentarians, the least we should be doing is to make growing our food more affordable. However, not all parties seem to be that way. In fact, the Liberals are slapping the punitive carbon tax on farmers to make it harder to farm and to make our food more expensive. When the Liberals are done, a 5,000-acre farm will pay $150,000 per year in carbon taxes alone. Those costs will be passed on to regular Canadians. However, we do not have to worry. The NDP leader will blame it all on the grocery stores. At a time of food insecurity and food inflation at a 40-year high, the family farm is increasingly unsustainable, but the high-tax Liberal-NDP coalition will keep increasing taxes because that is what those parties do. Only Conservatives would cancel the tax and help farmers to keep growing.

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Ms. Emmanuella Lambropoulos (Saint-Laurent, Lib.)

Mar/21/23 2:19:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on March 25, Greeks across Canada and around the world will celebrate Greek Independence Day. It is the day that marks the beginning of the Greek War of Independence, the start of the revolution which would allow the people of Greece to regain their freedom after 400 years of Ottoman occupation. On this day in 1821, the words “eleftheria i thanatos”, meaning “freedom or death”, became the slogan of the nation and brave men and women fought courageously for a better future for their country, for a liberated Greece. There were heroic revolutionaries like Theodoros Kolokotronis, Laskarina Bouboulina and Rigas Feraios, who wrote: “It is finer to live one hour as a free man than 40 years as a slave and prisoner”. It is thanks to the heroes of 1821 that Greeks are still around today to thrive in communities around the world. We remember them, we march in their honour, and tonight the Canada–Greece Parliamentary Friendship Group will host a reception on Parliament Hill to celebrate the occasion. [Member spoke in Greek]

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Mar/21/23 2:20:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has backed down and flip-flopped after weeks of pressure from the Conservative Party to allow just one of his aides to testify about how Beijing helped the Liberal Party in multiple elections. He is delaying the truth. He has appointed a friend, neighbour from the cottage and member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation to produce a report that will take months. Will he finally end the cover-up and launch a public inquiry today?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Mar/21/23 2:21:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious issue. It should not be a partisan issue, and it never should be. That is why we have appointed David Johnston as an independent expert to identify any gaps in the system. The special rapporteur will make public recommendations, which could include a formal inquiry or some other type of independent review. We will abide by those recommendations. Two national security bodies will undertake separate reviews of foreign interference in our elections, because we take this issue very seriously.

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