44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 19, 2023 10:00AM
- Oct/19/23 2:12:03 p.m.
- Watch
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.
189 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:13:12 p.m.
- Watch
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?
149 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:14:13 p.m.
- Watch
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.
157 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:15:20 p.m.
- Watch
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.
197 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
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.
183 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:17:49 p.m.
- Watch
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.
156 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:18:53 p.m.
- Watch
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.
165 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:20:05 p.m.
- Watch
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?
100 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:20:49 p.m.
- Watch
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?
82 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:21:22 p.m.
- Watch
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?
112 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:22:13 p.m.
- Watch
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.
75 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:22:46 p.m.
- Watch
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?
111 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:23:27 p.m.
- Watch
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?
83 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:24:14 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, none of the bills are affordable after eight years of the government. I asked why it is that one can buy a castle in France for a lower cost than a middle-class home in Ontario, and his response was basically “let them eat cake”. The fact is that people cannot even afford bread after eight years of inflationary policies.
Will the Liberals reverse their inflationary deficits and their tax hikes so Canadians can eat, heat and house themselves?
83 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:24:59 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, again, the Leader of the Opposition refuses to explain to Canadians why he will not support legislation that would make housing more affordable, build more rental units for Canadians and make groceries more affordable. It has been clear that, over the past eight years they have been opposition, the Conservatives have not done anything to support Canadians. We do know they have constantly voted against measures that support Canadians, such as child care, the Canada child benefit and this legislation. They have an opportunity to do the right thing and vote for Canadians.
95 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:25:37 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have been promising for eight years that their bills would lower the cost, but since that time housing costs have doubled. They promised their carbon tax would make people better off, and then they brought in a second carbon tax.
We asked the government's own officials at committee yesterday if their analysis showed that the cost would rise for energy and if these costs would be borne disproportionately by the poor and middle class, and a government official confirmed they would.
Why is the government taxing the people who can least afford it? Will the Liberals admit that after eight years, they are simply not worth the cost?
113 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:26:25 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, according to a study that came out two days, in Canada, 60% of small and medium-sized businesses across the country have been affected by extreme weather events this year alone, and 44% of them say that it has had a direct hit on their revenue.
What is the response from the Conservative Party? They want to make pollution free again, have more climate change, more air pollution and more water pollution. Canadians cannot take any of the propositions that the Conservative Party has for them.
88 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:27:01 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, on day 13 of the war between Israel and Hamas, humanitarian needs are more urgent than ever. The United States announced $100 million in humanitarian aid, while Canada announced too little. Even more important than money is assurance that the aid will reach the civilians who so desperately need it.
As we speak, only 20 trucks have been permitted to enter Gaza. According to the UN, 100 trucks a day is the minimum required. The current number does not even come close. Has the Prime Minister spoken with Israel and with Egypt to urge better access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance?
106 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:27:41 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, in fact, the Prime Minister has spoken with the President of Israel and the President of Egypt. At every opportunity, we have called for humanitarian access to Gaza. Right now, Gaza is one of the worst places to live on Earth, which makes it all the more important for humanitarian aid to reach it. We will continue to engage with different countries in the region to make that happen.
71 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/19/23 2:28:14 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, there is one thing that Canada can do on the world stage: show some humanitarian leadership. I know that it is a lot to ask Egypt to open its border even more to a territory occupied by Hamas and I know that it is a lot to ask Israel when Hamas is holding 203 hostages, but humanity can only come from them. It cannot come from the monsters of Hamas.
Humanitarian aid needs to be directed to the civilians. What is the Prime Minister doing to ensure that this is done quickly?
94 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
