44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 5, 2023 10:00AM
- Oct/5/23 3:13:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years, the NDP-Liberal government is not worth the cost.
Statistics Canada reports that the number of businesses closing shop in Canada is greater than the number of businesses opening. In August, there was a 37% increase in business insolvencies year over year. This is the highest it has been in recent history. Canadians are losing confidence at an alarming rate in their ability to do business in our country.
Why has the government turned a blind eye to the looming crisis of declining entrepreneurship in our country?
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- Oct/5/23 3:14:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want the small business owners of Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon to know that their Conservative member of Parliament has voted against cutting taxes for growing small businesses, voted against lowering credit card transaction fees by up to a quarter, voted against supports for diverse and under-represented entrepreneurs. Common sense does not mean voting against supports for small businesses.
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- Oct/5/23 3:14:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal minister knows as well as I do that many of the problems facing small businesses in our country are a direct result of that party's governance and negligence: higher inflation, higher payroll taxes, higher carbon taxes, higher commercial rents, a labour crisis, more red tape and a botched CEBA repayment plan that confused thousands of entrepreneurs across our country. All of these factors hurt our job creators and business confidence in our country.
When will the government begin taking these problems seriously?
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- Oct/5/23 3:15:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition called the supports we provided small businesses “big fat government” supports. He is literally mocking the idea that we stood up for small businesses in a time of their need.
In the middle of the pandemic, small businesses were worried about keeping their doors open, keeping the lights on and keeping their teams employed. Our government stepped in during their darkest hour and delivered supports like the Canada emergency rent and wage subsidy for the hardest hit business, the tourism and hospitality recovery program and the CEBA loans.
I am proud of the fact that we are there for them. While the Leader of the Opposition mocks the support we provided small businesses, we will continue to have their backs.
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- Oct/5/23 3:16:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, every week Canadians are having to spend more and more on groceries just to feed their families. They are having to put off savings and even other essentials in order to keep putting food on the table. We recognize the global supply chain challenges and global inflation, but we need to acknowledge Canadian families are having a hard time right now.
Could the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry tell us about his meeting with the grocery executives and what we are doing to address affordability at the grocery stores?
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- Oct/5/23 3:16:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, my voice was used to express the frustration of millions of Canadians when I met the CEOs of the grocery stores.
The good news is that today we presented a five-point action plan. First of all, we have a commitment from the grocery stores. We are going to create an office of consumer affairs to help consumers. We are going to make sure the grocery code of conduct is going forward. We are going to collect more data on food prices in Canada. We are also going to fight for more competition.
Every day is a good day to fight for Canadians. The Conservatives should join us to make sure we bring stabilization to prices in Canada for the benefit of all.
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- Oct/5/23 3:17:38 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this summer, 11 emergency rooms in Alberta closed due to the shortage of health care workers, and today we learned that some Canadians are being forced to leave overcrowded emergency rooms without treatment due to no staff.
The Liberals and the Conservatives have failed to protect Canadians from Conservative leaders like Danielle Smith and Scott Moe, who want U.S.-style health care that will poach nurses and doctors from our public system. When will the federal government stand up for Canada's public health care and ensure that our hospitals have the staff they need to care for Canadians?
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- Oct/5/23 3:18:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, standing up for public health care is what we have done over the last eight years. It is certainly what we are going to do going forward.
We made an investment of $200 billion in our health system, and we are making sure not only that this money flows but that there are indicators so Canadians can see how health outcomes are improving for them in every corner of this country. We are going to make sure these dollars reduce wait times, increase doctors and increase nurses, and we will make sure that, overall, Canadians get better health.
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- Oct/5/23 3:18:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on the 112th National Day of the Republic of China, Taiwan, I reflected on a few facts. Taiwan has never held two of our citizens as hostages for 1,019 days. It has not intimidated Chinese Canadians, interfered in our elections or tried to buy off MPs or political parties. Taiwan is a democracy. It does not have a president for life who will not hesitate to destabilize world peace or threaten Canada's bilateral trade as a cowered Liberal government looks on.
Can the government enlighten this House about whether there has been any new “credible” evidence for it to stand up for Canadians and combat foreign interference by the Chinese Community Party, or is its new strategy to engage in a diversionary war with India?
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- Oct/5/23 3:19:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to reassure all members in this House of the importance for us to counter any form of foreign interference. That is why the Minister of Public Safety and I have been working on this over the past months. Of course, we all know that Justice Hogue has been appointed to be in charge of the inquiry. That being said, we will continue to work within our Indo-Pacific strategy, and we have a China framework as part of it.
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- Oct/5/23 3:20:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, during question period today, the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells used his public social media platform to compare questions from this side of the House, from Conservatives, to one of the most prolific Nazis in the history of the world, one of the most virulent anti-Semites in the history of the world.
I am happy to provide you, Mr. Speaker, with screenshots of all of that. I think the least the member could do, after the week we have had in this House and the pain that has been caused to Canadians of every community right across the country, is stand up right now in this House and apologize.
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- Oct/5/23 3:21:54 p.m.
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I recognize the hon. member for Fleetwood—Port Kells.
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- Oct/5/23 3:22:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I did go elbows up on Twitter and I apologize for that. I did attempt to raise the issue the other day of the frequent misrepresentation coming from the Conservative side, but elbows up was a little too much in this case and I apologize.
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- Oct/5/23 3:22:43 p.m.
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I am going to ask the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells to please provide a clear apology to the House.
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- Oct/5/23 3:22:52 p.m.
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Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. I apologize to the House.
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- Oct/5/23 3:22:57 p.m.
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I thank the hon. member for Fleetwood—Port Kells for unreservedly apologizing to the House.
The member for La Prairie on a point of order.
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- Oct/5/23 3:23:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when you became Speaker, you insisted that we must all respect one another. We agree on that.
The member for Hamilton Centre asked the Minister of Justice a question earlier. Following the Minister of Justice's response, many of us heard the member say a few words.
Bloc members rarely speak English, so listen carefully.
Here is what he said:
“The options? Just release it, fascist.”
That is what he said, and I think he should apologize.
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- Oct/5/23 3:23:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, history will tell us quite clearly that the Nazis were indeed fascists. That is why when I referenced Nazis, I referenced them as fascists. I think you will find the comment stands.
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- Oct/5/23 3:24:22 p.m.
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This issue is sounding closer to debate.
I will take that into consideration and come back to the House with a ruling.
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- Oct/5/23 3:25:37 p.m.
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Colleagues, before we move to the vote, I would like to recognize a special situation. Today, after over 30 years of service to the House of Commons, we have the retirement of one of our table officers, Michel Patrice.
This week, Michel Patrice, deputy clerk of the administration, is retiring after 30 years of service to the Parliament of Canada.
Michel was appointed deputy clerk of administration in August 2017.
As deputy clerk of the administration, he played a crucial role in ensuring excellent service to members, including at the Board of Internal Economy, where he provided valuable advice to the Speaker and board members.
Thanks to his leadership in this position, members of Parliament have benefited from smooth and efficient operations and services from the House of Commons. I understand that he managed meetings exceptionally well, being that I am new here, and made sure they never ran over time. I am sure that this had nothing to do with him wanting to stretch his long legs and enjoy the great outdoors of Sparks Street while lighting up a smoke.
He skilfully oversaw the start of Centre Block renovations and the successful relocation of MPs to temporary quarters in the West Block.
In his long career on Parliament Hill, Michel served both Houses: the House of Commons and of course the other place. He served them with diligence, intelligence, professionalism, calm and his trademark smile.
Many members will remember how quickly this House was able to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that Parliament was able to work on behalf of Canadians in a time of crisis. The accomplishments of this place under Michel's leadership were many and they were significant.
With his training as a lawyer, everyone here, as well as in the other place, has benefited from his legal experience and his excellent understanding of complex procedural and administrative issues.
These are qualities that made him an invaluable, trusted resource for countless parliamentarians over his career.
Michel, on behalf of the members and employees of the House of Commons administration, I would like to thank you most sincerely for your long and valuable contribution to the service of our institution.
As a colleague and leader, you have always acted with dignity, humanity and an inspiring sense of duty, and no one will forget your great sense of humour, a vital asset for any workplace.
I wish you health and happiness. As you embark on this new chapter of your life, I wish you a happy retirement. Thank you for everything.
Michel, please know that you leave this place better for your service, and you take with you the deepest thanks of all members and the entire Parliament Hill family.
I wish you all the best.
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