44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 12, 2024 11:00AM
- Feb/12/24 2:08:59 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's arrive scam app is not worth the cost and is absolutely not worth the corruption. The arrive scam app was supposed to cost $80,000, but it ended up costing at least $60 million. We say “at least” as no one knows for sure because of the complex web of corruption that was engaged in.
Wait, it gets worse. There was $12 million that went to well-connected Liberal insiders who did no work. Speaking of no work, it actually did not work. In one month alone, 10,000 people were sent to quarantine who did not have to be quarantined. Today, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said that there was a glaring disregard of basic management. The Liberals cannot even manage their corruption properly.
What we know for sure is this. The arrive scam app is not worth the cost and not worth the Prime Minister's corruption.
156 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:10:04 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, February 19 is Heritage Day in Nova Scotia, a day I am proud to have played a role in, creating in law, in 2013.
This year, we honour Petty Officer William Hall, the first Black person, first Nova Scotian and third Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross for valour and bravery. His heroic actions as a crew member of the HMS Shannon are well documented. I am looking forward to attending the commissioning ceremony for the new HMCS William Hall, named in his honour, this spring.
To mark Heritage Day, I am distributing family activity packs, joining Friends of Clayton Park's event at the Canada Games Centre and supporting two free community skates at the St. Margaret's Centre in Upper Tantallon and at the BMO Centre on Gary Martin Drive.
May they enjoy this time with their loved ones. I wish them a happy Nova Scotia Heritage Day.
152 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:11:11 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the arrive scam has officially arrived as the next big Liberal scandal. In a damning report, the Auditor General stated that this Prime Minister's ArriveCAN app wasted millions of dollars because of corruption and incompetency. Here are a few highlights from the report.
The government had a massive multi-million dollar contract based on a missing and potentially fictional proposal. The app cost at least $60 million or, at least, we think so. It could be way more. It does not know. What we do know is that it lost track of $12 million. If that does not paint the picture for us, imagine a contract being signed while shady contractors and lobbyists are lobbying government officials.
It is incredible. The Liberals have a complete disrespect for our taxpayers and taxpayer dollars. This app should have cost 80 grand; instead, it cost $60 million. These Liberals are not worth the cost, and they are definitely not worth the corruption.
162 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:12:10 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, after eight years, this Liberal Prime Minister is not worth the cost or corruption of his arrive scam app, which we did not need and which did not work. The Auditor General found that this app was the worst NDP-Liberal mismanagement she has ever seen. The $80,000 app turned into a $60 million scandal, at least. It is impossible to determine the actual cost, thanks to this Prime Minister's complex corruption. At least $12 million went to Liberal insiders who did no work.
This Prime Minister continues to demonstrate that he and his arrive scam app are not worth the cost or the corruption. The SNC-Lavalin scandal saw strong women getting kicked out of the caucus for standing up to his corruption. The WE scandal saw another minister take the fall for the Prime Minister's family getting paid off.
As the RCMP continues its criminal investigation, another cabinet minister could get thrown under the bus to cover up the Prime Minister's crime, chaos and corruption. After eight years, Canadians cannot afford any more of this costly, corrupt Prime Minister.
187 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, I want to outline my support for Bill C-49, amendments to the Atlantic accord, which has many opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and Nova Scotians. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has led offshore oil and gas in this country for decades. It is now looking to lead offshore wind energy in North America.
We might be a small province, but we are an innovative province, one that is ready to move forward with good, environmentally sustainable energy projects. This is the opportunity of a generation to lead in offshore energy in Canada, creating nearly 30,000 skilled trade jobs and a stable economy at home.
I am disappointed that the Conservatives are against this bill. The last time Conservatives tried to axe the Atlantic accord, royalties, benefits and jobs for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians was under Stephen Harper in 2006. It is quite obvious that the Conservatives do not support Atlantic Canada.
155 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:14:17 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the city of Timmins has lost a political icon. Mayor Victor M. Power has gone to the angels. Nobody loved Timmins more than Vic. He started out as a high school guidance counsellor. Vic brought those skills and concern for people in public life.
The thing about Vic was that he knew everybody. He knew one's family history and the name of every cousin and nephew. Of course, Vic could not have done it without his loving wife, Clarice. They were the ultimate power couple. She knocked on every door during the election. She was the hostess who made one feel welcome. Clarice brought class, culture and pride to our northern city.
Vic first ran for council in 1966. He gave the city four decades of public service and oversaw the transition from a roughneck mining town to a regional centre of business, health and education. He set a standard that politicians at every level should want to emulate.
On behalf of Canada's Parliament, we mourn the loss of Vic and thank him and Clarice for their dedication to the north and to the people of Timmins.
191 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:15:23 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to welcome to the Hill guests who are particularly important to my riding. I am talking about young members of 953 Saint‑Hyacinthe Squadron. Their involvement and constant presence in the Saint‑Hyacinthe community is unmatched.
The squadron was founded in 1995 by Robert Ledoux, and 70 cadets answered the call from day one. Although its then president, Serge Roy, left us far too soon, he did take part in the squadron's first flight. His legacy will remain eternally engraved in the collective memory of its members.
The members of 953 Squadron stand out in many ways. From sports and sharpshooting to summer camps, excellence is not optional, it is always guaranteed. Its members are also extremely proactive in the community.
I am honoured to be able to count on such a dynamic squadron in my region. I wish its members a very enriching visit on Parliament Hill.
156 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:16:25 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, death, taxes and Liberal corruption are three things that are certain in Canada after eight years under the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister wasted $60 million on an app that was supposed to cost $80,000. It did not work, did not keep anyone safe and erroneously forced 10,000 people into quarantine. It cost 750 times more than they said it would.
The corruption runs deep beyond just the wasteful, self-righteous Big Brother policies of the Prime Minister. Here is what the auditors had to say: “a glaring disregard for basic management”, “Insiders setting the terms” and “$12 million on well connected consultants who did no work on this app.”
At a time when Canadians are struggling because of the Prime Minister's costly incompetence, arrive scam should have been dead on arrival. With the Prime Minister's app, there is no one left to blame. He should look in the mirror or face Canadians, who know he is not worth the cost or the corruption.
176 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:17:28 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today as my riding of Cape Breton—Canso recovers from one of the heaviest snowfalls in recorded history. I remain very concerned for those in my riding who still require assistance, in particular, our seniors and other populations in need.
I want to be clear on this: The snowfall is an ongoing challenge for Cape Breton and northeastern Nova Scotia, and our government is acting on it. We provided boots on the ground to dig out homes, helicopters to transport evacuees and supplies, and heavy equipment to clear the snow from our communities. Now, we continue to support the province and municipalities as they lead recovery operations.
I also wish to thank the many people who volunteered their time toward helping their communities, from sports teams to heavy equipment operators, Team Rubicon and our own Canadian Coast Guard cadets. We thank them for everything they have done. In times of crisis, our people are truly stronger together.
165 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:18:36 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister could have followed our common-sense plan to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime.
Instead, while Canadians are struggling to put food on the table and a roof over their heads, he decided to waste $60 million on arrive scam, an app that we did not need, that erroneously sent 10,000 people into quarantine and that lined the pockets of Liberal cronies.
Is it not true that, just like him, this app is not worth the cost or the corruption?
95 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:19:18 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we obviously read the Auditor General's report. We accept her recommendations.
Perhaps the only part of the question on which I agree with my colleague opposite is that all those who are responsible for managing taxpayers' money must follow strict rules.
In this case, the rules were not followed. We accept the recommendations so that we can ensure that this never happens again. We will always be responsible with taxpayers' money.
74 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:19:55 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, he is going to punish those responsible for the scandal. He should start with the Prime Minister himself. He should have had the courage to stand up and defend himself instead of hiding under a rock.
The ArriveCAN app, which was not needed, erroneously forced 10,000 people into quarantine, and 75% of the contractors selected did no work but bought whiskey for members of the Liberal government. Just like him, it is not worth the cost.
81 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:20:53 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we thank the Auditor General of Canada and welcome her recommendations as part of the audit of the ArriveCAN app.
Some of the report's recommendations have already been implemented. Others will be implemented soon, including the introduction of new measures to ensure that tasks and deliverables are clearly defined in future professional services contracts.
We are committed to continuing to ensure that our government awards contracts openly, transparently and responsibly.
74 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:21:29 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, to deal with the crisis of doubling housing costs and two million people forced to go to food banks, the Prime Minister could have followed our common-sense plan to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime. Instead, he blew over $60 million on an arrive scam app that we did not need, that did not work and that erroneously sent 10,000 people into quarantine, so that they lost income. All the while, the thing cost 750 times more than the Prime Minister promised.
Will he not stand up today and admit that the app is just like him? It is not worth the cost. It is not worth the corruption.
120 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:22:12 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition knows very well that the moment there were allegations around cost overruns or inappropriate contracting practices, the Canada Border Services Agency immediately began an internal audit and made the appropriate referrals to the appropriate authorities. We take the obligation of managing taxpayers' money very seriously. Under no circumstances would we condone what the Auditor General determined to be contracting practices that did not follow the rules, and anybody who did not follow them will be held to account.
85 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:22:50 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, if the minister wants to hold someone to account for the arrive scam, why not the one person who had the authority to create and stop the arrive scam? That is the Prime Minister of Canada. He is the government.
This was a government program we warned was not needed and would not work, and now we know it went 750 times over budget. Of the contractors, 75% did no work at all, but they did buy whiskey and other treats for the top Liberal government officials.
Again, will the Prime Minister not admit the app is just like him, not worth the cost and not worth the corruption?
111 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:23:31 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague from public safety said earlier, we would like to thank the Auditor General and welcome her recommendations on the ArriveCAN application. Some of the report's recommendations have already been implemented. Some will be implemented soon, including the introduction of new measures to ensure that tasks and deliverables are clearly defined in future professional services contracts. We are committed to continuing to ensure that contracts are delivered in a fair, efficient and transparent manner.
79 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:24:07 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, again, the Prime Minister is hiding under a rock, refusing to stand up and explain himself after he blew $60 million on this arrive scam, while Canadians cannot afford to eat, heat or house themselves. This scam involved taking money that could have been used for border security, such as for scanning the 99% of shipping containers that go without any inspection and go out of our ports with stolen cars, not to mention other things that Canadians could have done with that money. Instead, it stuffed the pockets of 75% of the contractors who did no work.
Again, will the Prime Minister admit that the arrive scam is not worth the cost and not worth the corruption?
120 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:24:48 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition would mention investing in border security, when his government cut 1,000 officers who did the exact kind of work that he is now pretending he wants to invest in. It eliminated 50% of the intelligence capacity in the Border Services Agency to work with local provincial police and the RCMP. We have no lessons to take in investing in border security from somebody who gutted the Border Services Agency.
81 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/12/24 2:25:31 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, not everything was perfect when Quebec introduced MAID. However, because people were suffering, we focused on the elements on which there was consensus. We wanted to move forward. That was the compassionate approach, and that is the approach that is missing today in Ottawa.
There is consensus in both Quebec and Canada. People suffering from diseases like Alzheimer's should be able to make advance requests. Why not move forward on that front, where there is consensus, instead of punting the issue of medical assistance in dying down the road until at least 2027?
Do patients deserve to be abandoned until 2027?
104 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
