SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 235 - Oct/19/23

Mr. Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, BQ)

Oct/19/23 2:03:56 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the wonderful city of Saint‑Hyacinthe is blowing out 275 candles this year. This afternoon, I welcomed the mayor, André Beauregard, to my office and presented him with a commemorative plaque to mark this very happy anniversary. What is now a city was once a seigneury. Its first mayor was Louis-Antoine Dessaulles, Louis-Joseph Papineau's nephew. In the 19th century, it was home base for one of the most active wings of the Parti patriote. In the early 20th century, it was an important and dynamic industrial hub. Saint‑Hyacinthe is now an agri-food technopole, with its farms, processing plants and research centres making an unparalleled contribution to Quebec's foodscape. Saint‑Hyacinthe is also home to North America's only French-language school of veterinary medicine, as well as to the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec. There is always something going on there in sports, culture and journalism. The city has seen many important figures in Quebec's history rise to prominence. One thing is for sure: Saint‑Hyacinthe will continue to be an important part of our story. I wish my city, our city, Saint‑Hyacinthe, a happy 275th anniversary.

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Mrs. Élisabeth Brière (Sherbrooke, Lib.)

Oct/19/23 2:05:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a topic that I am very familiar with, and that is menopause. It is an important but often overlooked topic that affects many women in our society. Menopause is a normal occurrence in the life of a woman, but it can have a major impact on her mental and physical health. During menopause, women go through changes that can cause many symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, joint pain and genitourinary conditions. These symptoms can interfere with women's daily activities and cause problems with their work, relationships and overall well-being. It is essential to offer women support and raise public awareness by improving knowledge and encouraging an open and honest dialogue on menopause. Women work behind the scenes. We need to support them when they begin this new chapter in their life and ensure that they continue to prosper in our society.

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Mr. Terry Dowdall (Simcoe—Grey, CPC)

Oct/19/23 2:06:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight long years, many Canadians have reached their breaking point. Seniors struggle to buy healthy food and to heat their homes. Middle-class families are using credit cards just to make ends meet. Our youth have given up on the dream of ever owning their own home. The inflationary tax and spending policies of the NDP-Liberal government have destroyed small businesses in my community. They have gutted peoples' lives, yet the government still does not have a plan to balance the budget. In fact, Liberals will say things have never been better, but Canadians know that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Fortunately, hope is on the way. Conservatives have a common-sense plan to axe the carbon tax, lower costs, balance the budget and give people hope once again. It is time to get Canada back on track.

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Mr. Shafqat Ali (Brampton Centre, Lib.)

Oct/19/23 2:07:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, since its first recorded presence in the 1860s, the Muslim community in Canada has grown to 1.8 million people. October is celebrated as the Canadian Islamic History Month, in recognition of the significant contributions that Muslims have made in the arts, sports, academics, literature, sciences and in their communities. Canadian Islamic History Month is a time to learn about the history of Islam in Canada, and about the past and ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face. This month Canadians should explore the Muslim faith, culture and traditions with mosque tours, delicious food and refreshments, while learning about Islam by attending open houses throughout October. This month is a time to continue working towards a compassionate, inclusive and safer Canada for everyone. I wish everyone a happy Canadian Islamic History Month.

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Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Milton, Lib.)

Oct/19/23 2:08:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I often wear running shoes around the Hill and today is no different. Today, I'm sporting my kicks with ParticipACTION for their “sneak it in” campaign. Everyone knows that being physically active is important for our physical, mental and social well-being, but for some people it can be more challenging to access some of those opportunities. I am thrilled that our government is supporting organizations like ParticipACTION that strive to motivate all Canadians to find ways to be physically active and encourage us to make physical activity a part of our day, and a Canadian cultural trademark. Our government's funding through the community sport for all initiative has allowed ParticipACTION, the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, KidSport, JumpStart and many other committed Canadian physical activity stakeholders to provide grants to community groups and teams that deliver organized sports to Canadians who might need a little support in trying out some new activities or adopting a more active lifestyle. Whether it is through our support for ParticipACTION's ParticiPARKS initiative or their national community challenge, JumpStart's champions of community or champions of play initiative, KidSport's mission to ensure that all kids can play or the CPRA's community sport intervention of reaching each and every one, our government is proud to accept the challenge to help Canadians be more physically active. I will do a jumping jack because I have one more second left.

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Mr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC)

Oct/19/23 2:09:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight long years of the Prime Minister people are struggling. Tyler bought a home a couple of years ago. Since then his mortgage has shot up from $1,600 to $4,000 a month. He said that he can no longer afford it, and is going to have sell it and downgrade to make his life livable. Then there is Candis who has also seen her payments double. She can no longer afford new clothes for her kids and has to take her kids out of sports in order to make ends meet. Shaffy is a welder at Seaspan Shipyards. His mortgage is $7,528. He told me that he has no freedom because he is forced to work seven days a week, 10-hour shifts. He cannot give his body a rest because he will lose his home. The Liberal-NDP government's out of-control spending has led to spiralling interest rates. Tyler, Candis and Shaffy are the ones suffering from their incompetency. Canadians cannot afford the Prime Minister.

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Ms. Yvonne Jones (Labrador, Lib.)

Oct/19/23 2:10:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer, celebrate the progress made against the disease and support those who are impacted by it. Every year nearly 28,000 Canadians are diagnosed with breast cancer and thousands more are living with the disease. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women. I am so fortunate to be a two-time survivor of breast cancer. First diagnosed at the age of 42, I know the importance for Canadian women to have the opportunity to be tested at the age of 40 and not have to wait until 50. I have advocated for the age reduction in Canada many times over the years. I am so pleased that this past June, the Government of Canada announced up to $500,000 in additional funding for the Canadian task force to help update the breast cancer screening guidelines in Canada. I encourage all women to get regular mammography testing. It can save their lives.

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Mrs. Cathay Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville, CPC)

Oct/19/23 2:12:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the tired Liberal-NDP government, ideology matters more than helping Canadians with the crippling cost of living. Thankfully, some Liberals are beginning to break ranks with the government over its punitive carbon taxes that will see Canadians pay an extra 61¢ for every litre of gas. The member for Avalon has warned his party that it cannot make life more expensive for people than they can handle, but all of his colleagues do not care. The member for Cloverdale—Langley City was quick to dismiss the concerns of struggling Canadians and double down on the carbon tax as a tool to force change in consumer behaviours. These Liberals just do not get it. The people of Newfoundland and of Saskatchewan cannot turn their lives around on a dime. Farmers and producers do more than their fair share to control carbon emissions in a way that the current government just does not comprehend. They know that this Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Only a common-sense Conservative government would axe the tax and bring home lower prices for all Canadians.

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Mr. Randy Hoback (Prince Albert, CPC)

Oct/19/23 2:13:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, over the last eight years, the current government has borrowed, borrowed and borrowed some more. When questioned about its borrowing and the future impact it would have on Canadians, its answer was not to worry; interest rates were low. The chickens have come home to roost. The current NDP-Liberal government has leveraged the future of Canadians with deficits and inflation that are most certainly not in control. The impact this is having on Canadians is unreal. By continuing to borrow like this, the NDP-Liberal government is mandating unaffordability. People cannot afford their grocery bills, rent or mortgage payments. Walking into a grocery store should not be the cause of stress and anxiety. The reality is that the current Liberal-NDP government does not understand budgeting. When will the government realize that this Prime Minister is out of touch with Canadians and not worth the cost?

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

Oct/19/23 2:14:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honour the passing of a resident of Orléans, Jean Belanger, who dedicated his life to championing sustainability and responsible practices in Canada's chemistry sector, earning the prestigious Order of Canada for his pivotal role in founding Responsible Care. Locally, Jean was also a community builder, serving as a board member on the Shepherds of Good Hope. Internationally, he was recognized on the Global 500 Roll of Honour for environmental achievement, at the UN. A highlight of his legacy is the development of Responsible Care, a made-in-Canada initiative that has evolved into a global standard for environmental, social and governance practices within the chemistry sector. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Jean Belanger and the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, this year we mark four decades of Responsible Care. Let us reaffirm our dedication to safe and responsible industrial practices for a cleaner and more prosperous Canada.

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Mrs. Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, NDP)

Oct/19/23 2:15:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, recently, the city of Elliot Lake lost a giant of a man who helped steer the city through some of its hardest challenges. George Farkouh was a legendary community leader. Born in Palestine and having spent his early years in Beirut and Lebanon, he and his family moved to Canada in 1959, settling in Elliot Lake. While George and his wife Louise started their careers in Toronto, they eventually returned to Elliot Lake, where George became a pillar of the business community as owner of Algoma Chrysler. George was elected mayor of Elliot Lake in 1988 and led the city for a remarkable 17 years. His days as mayor were not easy. The closing of the uranium mines in the early 1990s had a major impact on the local economy, but George saw a path to pivot the city from mining to retirement community. He created an economic model transition that allowed it not only to survive but to thrive. It is a model that other cities going through a major economic shift can look to for guidance. I, along with all Elliot Lakers, owe George a debt of gratitude. May he rest in peace.

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Ms. Andréanne Larouche (Shefford, BQ)

Oct/19/23 2:16:37 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-319

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, a majority of members in the House voted to support Bill C‑319 in principle. The bill endeavours to end the two-tiered approach to old age security benefits. All seniors who are 65 years of age or more require more help from the federal government to cope with runaway inflation and their drastically reduced purchasing power. The outstanding contributions that seniors have made to developing Quebec and Canada cannot be overstated. At a time when they need the federal government's support, they are separated into two classes: the one that we help and the other that we turn our backs on. The lack of acknowledgement and compassion this shows is appalling. The battle for Bill C‑319 is not over, but a first step has been taken. If the government pays attention to the work ahead, it will hear what seniors have to say, their complaints and their calls for help, and it may finally see reason. We hope so. We are heading in the right direction. The only thing missing is support from the Liberals.

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Mr. Larry Brock (Brantford—Brant, CPC)

Oct/19/23 2:17:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this NDP-Liberal government favours insiders and friends rather than transparency. The current international trade minister helped her friend receive government contracts with no oversight. The current public safety minister granted a licence worth $24 million to a company linked to his wife's cousin. The former finance minister and this Prime Minister pushed through an untendered contract worth more than $540 million with their good friends at the WE Charity. The list goes on and on, and now there is the $54-million ArriveCAN App, which is under police investigation for criminal activity in the highest offices of this government. After eight years of this Prime Minister, corruption has reached outrageous levels. What is his response? Covering up the mess by hiding documents and making it impossible for the RCMP to properly investigate. He is not worth the cost, he is not above the law and he must co-operate with the RCMP.

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Mr. Irek Kusmierczyk (Windsor—Tecumseh, Lib.)

Oct/19/23 2:18:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today I had the honour of hosting a Polish youth summit on Parliament Hill. Over 30 young leaders from across Canada gathered to talk about issues important to Polish Canadians and to discuss strategies for getting more young people engaged in politics. There are one million Polish Canadians in Canada working hard to build communities that are vibrant, generous and prosperous. For our Polonia, the torch is being passed to a new generation, and I am excited for what the future holds. Let us remember that it was young people who peacefully drove the solidarity movement that brought democratic change to Europe. This week, 70% of Poland's young people turned out and voted in the national election. Young people have the power to change the world. I want to thank the Canadian Polish Congress, the Polish Canadian Business and Professional Association of Windsor, and the Embassy of Poland for working together to organize the summit and to empower Canada's young eagles.

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

Oct/19/23 2:20:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, he is not worth the cost. The cost of housing has doubled since he came to power. The situation is out of control. A middle-class couple in Ontario was able to sell their 2,000-square-foot home to buy a 6,000-square-foot chateau in France on 37 acres. Now the couple is saying that they could not sell their chateau to buy a house in Ontario. Why does it cost more to be a member of Canada's middle class than to be an aristocrat in France?

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Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Lib.)

Oct/19/23 2:20:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. There is one thing the Leader of the Opposition can do. There are not many, but there is one thing he can do to help Canadians. He can vote to support our bill on affordability. Why? First, because we want to reform competition, and second, because we want to reduce the GST on new housing construction. Will the opposition finally vote in favour of Canadians for once, yes or no?

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

Oct/19/23 2:21:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is clear that after eight years, this Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Another bill will not change that. For example, yesterday, the Conservatives asked a question of the Minister of Environment's director general. It was a simple yes or no question. We asked whether the department had warned the government that the so-called clean fuels regulations would raise prices and disproportionately impact low- and middle-income Canadians. The answer was yes, and yet the Bloc Québécois wants to drastically increase this regulation, which is a tax. Will the government finally eliminate this tax so Canadians can buy food and afford housing?

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Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Oct/19/23 2:22:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the Leader of the Opposition that, in its platform for the 2021 election campaign, his party proposed implementing a clean fuels standard. The difference between the Conservative Party and us is that they just talk about these issues while we act. Thanks to this standard, billions of dollars are being invested in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Newfoundland to help Canadians reduce their ecological footprint when they use their cars.

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

Oct/19/23 2:22:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know that after eight years, the Prime Minister is not worth the cost of housing, which has doubled since he took office. It has gotten so crazy for the cost of a house in Ontario that one couple sold their 2,000 square-foot home in that province and was able to buy a 6,000 square-foot castle on 37 acres of land in France. They have now said that they could never sell the castle and afford to move back to Canada. Why does it cost more to be a member of the middle class in Canada than it does to be an aristocrat in France?

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Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Lib.)

Oct/19/23 2:23:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives, and Canadians will take no lessons from the Conservatives. There is one thing, and there are not many, I agree, but there is one thing the Leader of the Opposition can do for the Canadians watching at home, and it is to vote for the affordability bill, which would empower more competition in this country and reduce GST in new housing. Once and for all, will they vote for Canadians, yes or no?

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