44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 16, 2023 10:00AM
- Jun/16/23 11:05:18 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, this Sunday we will be celebrating our fathers and the sacrifices they made for all of us.
I dedicate this statement to my 91-year-old father, Elias, who survived the war and who, in 1957, left his very poor village in Greece to move to the modern city of Montreal, without an education or money and without being able to speak anything other than Greek.
He immediately started working at a factory and spent time earning extra income by playing the bouzouki and entertaining others like him in the diaspora at Greek nightclubs. Many years later, in 1977, he started a successful business and did not take a day off for three years.
He achieved the Canadian dream in one generation and taught me the value of hard work, a love for Canada and also about real love, openness and faith. I thank my dad.
[Member spoke in Greek]
[English]
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- Jun/16/23 11:06:31 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, over the past 16 months, Baba's Closet has assisted over 1,900 newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Saskatoon. Nettie Cherniatenski and over 30 volunteers worked seven days a week providing free and donated clothing, housewares and toys to newly arriving Ukrainians in Saskatoon fleeing Putin's war of aggression.
While many can feel helpless when watching the news about what is happening in eastern Europe, those in Saskatoon always had a place to volunteer and make the lives of others easier. This meaningful act of service and generosity gave the necessary helping hand that changed the lives of the newly arriving Ukrainians for the better.
Sadly, Baba’s Closet recently closed, but happily the work done there will last a lifetime through those who benefited through these most difficult times. They will never forget the generosity that they received.
I thank Nettie and all the volunteers at Baba’s Closet for all their hard work and hope she enjoys her well-deserved retirement.
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- Jun/16/23 11:07:37 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Vi Roden as she marks the remarkable milestone of turning 100. Vi has dedicated the majority of her life to helping others, perhaps most notably by establishing Act 2, which has been supporting those who have suffered sexual abuse, violence and trauma. Forty-three years after she founded it, it is now a $2.2-million non-profit agency with 25 staff.
Vi compassionately pushed for improvements in the treatment of female prisoners, resulting in a royal commission on women's prisons in 1979 that made sweeping improvements to the issues she highlighted. After retiring from Act 2 at 65, she became a star volunteer, fundraising for buses and services that improved the lives of seniors in her community, and was awarded the West Vancouver community commitment award for her dedication.
Vi has spent 70 years in political activities and campaigned at all three levels of government. This is not an exhaustive list by any means of Vi's accomplishments. A community powerhouse and a dedicated wife and mother, she is admired by all those around her. As she celebrates turning 100 years young, I look forward to seeing her continue to live by the motto, “Rest and you will rust”.
I wish Vi a happy 100th birthday.
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- Jun/16/23 11:08:47 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I rise today to share some exciting events that are happening this summer in Cloverdale—Langley City. First, the Surrey Pride festival will be taking place on June 24 for a celebration of diversity, inclusion and equality. I look forward to celebrating Pride Month in our community.
On June 29, my office will be hosting our first summer barbecue at Langley City Park. This barbecue is a great opportunity for us to come together for music, fun and delicious food. On July 15, we have the Al Anderson pool party, a chance to beat the summer heat with freezies and other cooling-off activities. During the second weekend of August, we can look forward to a warm movie night in the park, complete with popcorn and a starry sky. As we embrace the spirit of summer activities, let us connect and celebrate the season of summer with our constituents.
Lastly, I would like to wish all dads, including my own dad, Don, a happy Father's Day.
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- Jun/16/23 11:09:39 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, this is the first Father's Day without my dad, William James Perkins, who we lost three months ago, just eight months after we lost our mother.
The son of immigrants, he was born in the Depression and raised in Halifax during World War II. After high school, he worked his way up from office boy to financial services executive and board member. The proud father of four, my dad taught me to think independently and to always ask questions. He loved writing and poetry. He was passionate about Shakespeare and live theatre.
A winning sprinter in his youth, he was an exceptional golfer into his ninth decade. He was a “student of the human condition” he would say, always trying to figure out what made people tick so he could understand himself better. He lived by Hamlet's words, “To thine own self be true”.
We are all busy. We think our parents will live forever. When they are gone, the hole is immense. On Father's Day, let us celebrate dad. Most importantly, let us love our parents completely, daily, and tell them so.
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- Jun/16/23 11:11:01 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, June is Men's Health Month. This week has been International Men's Health Week, and we also recognized June 15 as Men's Mental Health Awareness Day.
I sat down with representatives from both the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Centre for Suicide Prevention to talk about men's health, because unfortunately men do not prioritize or talk about their physical or mental health enough. The CMHA and the Centre for Suicide Prevention told me that men aged 40 to 60 die by suicide more than anyone else. We discussed Buddy Up, a campaign that encourages dialogue and meaningful conversations between men: man to man, in the car, at the game or watching TV. Talking about our health is so important. I also want to commend the Canadian Men's Health Foundation for recognizing the value of physical activity and sport, and for making sure that men are taking care of themselves, both physically and mentally.
This weekend is also Father's Day, so I wish my dad, Joe, a happy Father's Day. I will see him on Sunday. Happy Father's Day to all the dads of Milton, and I want to express sympathies to everyone who is missing their father this weekend.
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- Jun/16/23 11:12:15 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, no matter how much the Liberals like to pretend, things are not easy for Canadians right now. Buying a home has never been so unaffordable. Food bank usage has doubled for the unemployed and for the employed. Over the last ten years, Canada has experienced the worst economic growth since the Great Depression.
The cause of these problems is no great mystery. Liberal deficits have led to Liberal inflation, which has driven a cost of living crisis and is now driving up interest rates, making the housing market a ticking time bomb. The government's low-growth, high-spend agenda has imposed austerity on Canadians.
It is time to change that austerity into prosperity, and the path to that prosperity is clear; it is the common sense of the common people for your home, my home, our home. Let us bring it home.
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- Jun/16/23 11:13:15 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, there is nothing I love to hear about more than a newcomer who is looking for a work permit.
This is, now more than ever, relevant, particularly to the 700 plus newcomers to Canada who arrived but were defrauded by the shady consultants who gave them fake admission letters. We intervened to fight for those students to have the ability to stay here, complete their studies and stay in their jobs. The government, we are pleased, has backed down to our demands and allowed these students to stay and work lawfully in this country. The problem is that they do not yet have work permits. They want the ability to keep their jobs and contribute to our economy while they wait for their applications for permanent residency to go ahead.
This is exactly what we want from newcomers: creating more powerful paycheques, contributing to our economy and building a better country for all of us.
Will the government get out of the way and grant work permits to these hard-working people as they work towards being part of our country?
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- Jun/16/23 11:14:21 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, today I am honoured to rise to speak to the valour, dedication and ongoing service of the Queen's York Rangers. The regiment and the regimental family are proud to be a part of and contribute to the vibrant communities of Toronto and of Aurora, in my riding.
The regimental council is also a registered charity that does phenomenal work, and I attended their York County Day last week. The Rangers trace their roots back through some of the most notable events in our history, such as the First World War and the founding of York, where they built many of the original city streets. More recently, the regiment has deployed members on many Canadian Armed Forces overseas missions, including Afghanistan and Iraq.
This week, one of my constituents of whom I am very proud, a member of the Rangers, Sergeant Josh Ballard CD, was in Ottawa to receive a commendation from the chief of staff of the Department of National Defence for his quick thinking during a live-fire exercise, which saved the lives of his comrades. He exemplified the motto of the Queen's York Rangers, which is “Swift and Bold”.
I want to congratulate him for his heroic—
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- Jun/16/23 11:15:26 a.m.
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The hon. member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay.
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- Jun/16/23 11:15:30 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I may be a little late to this party, but this is the first opportunity I have had to stand in this place to congratulate the Penticton Vees, who won the Fred Page Cup last month, for the second year in a row.
The Vees were carrying on the tradition of the Vees of 1955, who won the world hockey championship by defeating the Soviet Union five to nothing. The Vees won 50 games this year, losing only three, and they have won 43 straight games at home. Their last home defeat was at the hands of the Trail Smoke Eaters, a team I have to say is in my riding as well, and is also a team that defeated the Soviet Union to win the 1961 world championships.
The B.C. Hockey League pulled out of the Canadian Junior Hockey League last year, so the Vees have not been able to go on to win the Centennial Cup, but I think, in both years, they would have given the Brooks Bandits a run for their money.
I would like to congratulate coach Fred Harbinson for his incredible leadership, and the entire team, but especially brothers Bradly and Josh Nadeau, who led the team and the league in scoring.
Go, Vees, go.
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- Jun/16/23 11:16:37 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am immensely pleased today to extend a warm invitation to my colleagues and to all Quebeckers and Canadians to come visit my riding, Manicouagan, this summer.
To the people back home, Manicouagan really means the north shore, a true country within a country, its 350,000 square kilometres teeming with so many wonders that the north shore tourism bureau aptly describes it as “nature beyond measure”.
I may be biased, but I cannot help but boast that Manicougan has 1,300 kilometres of beaches, 60% of the salmon rivers in Quebec, Anticosti Island, which is the size of Corsica, 168 dams, including the Daniel Johnson dam, the largest arch-and-buttress dam in the world, the Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve, numerous outfitters and controlled harvesting zones, and thousands of lakes, not to mention whales and caribou. In short, the north shore is a veritable feast for the senses.
In closing, I invite everyone on the north shore to become ambassadors for our region and show the entire world that our passion for wide open spaces is equal only to our love for people.
We look forward to welcoming visitors.
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- Jun/16/23 11:18:03 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, today is a heartbreaking day. I rise in Parliament, from my home province, with a loss of words to acknowledge the lives taken near Carberry, Manitoba.
Yesterday, nearly 25 individuals departed the Dauphin Active Living Centre. They were on their way to southern Manitoba for what was supposed to be an enjoyable day trip. Today, at least 15 of those Canadians did not return to their loved ones, after a deadly vehicle accident took their lives on the Trans-Canada Highway.
I represent this rural region, and I know rural Canadians are strong and resilient. I know this tragic news has touched the hearts of Canadians across this country, but I also know this will leave a wound on many communities and families, a wound that may never heal.
I thank the first responders for being there in this time of need.
On behalf of all parliamentarians, I extend my sincere thoughts and prayers to the victims of this devastating accident. Canadians are here for them at this time.
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- Jun/16/23 11:19:18 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I rise today to honour a sterling citizen and community stalwart.
On June 24, Graeme Maag will be celebrating 50 years of community service, including 34 years with the Pointe-Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit. Graeme has helped structure and transform the rescue unit into a pillar of emergency response in Montreal’s West Island. In addition to responding personally to hundreds of calls in Pointe-Claire and neighbouring municipalities, Graeme has created a solid governance framework for the rescue unit. He authored the unit’s first constitution, standing orders, annual training program and inventory system, and was instrumental in the acquisition of vital rescue equipment.
A man for others knows no boundaries. Despite his responsibilities with the Pointe-Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit, Graeme has still found time to sit on the boards of directors of various community and charitable organizations.
I thank Graeme for all he does. I thank him for having our back.
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- Jun/16/23 11:20:21 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, at three o'clock this afternoon, Canada's population will hit 40 million. At the same time, we have learned that the number of houses built in Canada will drop by 19% this year.
Where are we going to put everyone?
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- Jun/16/23 11:20:46 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
However, I would like to remind him that members of his own party say one thing but think another. I think that, before they even talk to Canadians, they should agree within the party on what they want to do about housing.
On our side of the House, we have a national housing strategy. We want to work with the provinces and the municipalities, certainly not insult them.
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- Jun/16/23 11:21:13 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, today at 3 p.m., we will see Canada's population hit 40 million people, while the number of houses built is dropping 19%.
Where are we going to put everyone?
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- Jun/16/23 11:21:34 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I think it is very important that we do not start to believe that the solution to our housing challenges is to close the door to more newcomers. We need to use our immigration policies to help bring in the people who have the skills we need to help build more homes.
I think that all members of the House, hopefully, support continuing to integrate newcomers into our society. We need to adopt policies to allow us to build more homes to ensure that people do not just arrive here but that they are also set up for success. This is something we have been working towards over the last number of years with the national housing strategy, and with new policies, we will have dedicated draws for skilled workers who have the talents we need to build more homes for Canadians who have been here for generations and for those who arrive in the future.
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- Jun/16/23 11:22:13 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the solution is to build more homes, yet since the Prime Minister took office, the number of houses per capita in this country has dropped. The average mortgage payment is up 122%. The average rent is up over 100% and the average down payment is up over 100%. That is his record of doubling housing costs, after eight years of running deficits that drive interest rates up and of funding local gatekeepers that block construction.
Will the Liberals balance the budget to bring down interest rates and inflation, and link dollars for cities to the number of houses completed?
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- Jun/16/23 11:22:56 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to hear my colleague talk about working with the municipalities. I am happy that the tone has changed and that the municipalities are no longer the target of insults.
As a former Montreal city councillor, I think we want to make sure that the municipalities build more housing. This is exactly what the housing accelerator fund is doing for municipalities.
What the leader of the official opposition is proposing is exactly what we said we would do last year. I am very pleased to see that we were able to inspire his party's messaging today.
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