SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 293 - Mar/21/24

Mrs. Kelly Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:09:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 17 months of investigating arrive scam and the Liberals have been forced to face the mess of corruption they have created. First, they said that there was nothing to see here and voted against the Auditor General's investigation. Then they said that it was a one-off and would never happen again. Yesterday revealed that three subcontractors have fraudulently billed 36 government departments $5 million from 2018 to 2022, and this is just the first wave. Without the scrutiny brought on by Conservatives, the Liberals would have happily kept Canadians in the dark. With even more companies being investigated, it is obvious that this is a government-wide issue, and the rot starts at the top. The merry-go-round of incompetent ministers has led to untold millions of stolen taxpayers' dollars. The Prime Minister is not worth the cost or the corruption. It is time for a government that respects Canadians. It is time to call an election.

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

Mar/21/24 2:10:18 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-66

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that this morning, the Minister of National Defence introduced Bill C-66, the military justice system modernization act. This legislation is designed to implement nine recommendations from Justice Arbour's and Justice Fish's reports. More specifically, it aims to remove the military justice system's jurisdiction over criminal sexual offences committed in Canada. This legislation also proposes to increase the independence of key players in the justice system and create the position of victim's liaison officer in order to better support victims and survivors. This is an important step towards lasting culture change in the Canadian Armed Forces. I hope the House recognizes the importance of this bill so we can pass it as quickly as possible.

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Mr. Greg McLean (Calgary Centre, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:11:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this costly Liberal government, Canadians are suffering. The carbon tax has driven up the cost of everything, forcing millions of people to line up outside food banks. Families have to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families. The Prime Minister's own Parliamentary Budget Officer says the average Alberta family will pay $2,943 in carbon taxes. The rebates only equal $2,302. That means that the Prime Minister's carbon tax scheme costs Alberta families $911 per year. Seven premiers and 70% of Canadians are opposed to the Prime Minister's carbon tax hike on April 1. It is not too late for the Liberal and NDP members in the House to listen to their constituents and join us in telling the Prime Minister that this carbon tax does not work. The common-sense Conservative promise is straightforward: Axe this inflationary carbon tax and bring home lower prices.

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Alberta

Mr. Frank Caputo (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:12:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this NDP-Liberal government, people are suffering from a cost of living crisis and are fearful of the pending carbon tax hike. I recently met with two seniors from my community who told me how difficult it is to buy food, clothing and shelter. They are on the brink of financial disaster. They must eliminate necessities from their diets. They must shop at dollar and second-hand stores. They can no longer afford the luxury of going out for a coffee with a friend. People like them, seniors, are the biggest group facing homelessness because everything has gotten so much more expensive. As a cruel April Fool's Day joke, the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister wants to make things even more expensive by forcing another carbon tax on British Columbians. The NDP Premier of B.C. has no choice but to hike this tax because of the Prime Minister's carbon tax obsession. The Prime Minister callously refuses to listen to reason and spike the hike and axe the tax.

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Mr. Charles Sousa (Mississauga—Lakeshore, Lib.)

Mar/21/24 2:13:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the one-year anniversary of Alpha's Discovery Kids's grand opening on Liruma Road. With locations in Mississauga and Oakville, Alpha's Discovery Kids is a staple of early years education in the GTA. With a focus on children's development, they offer a unique curriculum based on four pillars: language and literacy, STEAM, physical activity and nutrition, and mindful awareness. Alpha's Discovery Kids does this while also ensuring affordability for families. That is because they participate in Canada's national child care plan, which lowers overall costs and supports working parents while helping to develop the next generation of community leaders who will build up our economy. I was pleased to join teachers, parents and children to celebrate this milestone. I say congratulations to Alpha's Discovery Kids.

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Mr. Blake Desjarlais (Edmonton Griesbach, NDP)

Mar/21/24 2:14:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a day marked by the United Nations General Assembly to honour the 69 people killed by apartheid South African police at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. Today the legacy of colonialism, imperialism and systemic racism continues to plague the globe, particularly for those of African descent. From Sudan to Congo to Somalia, millions of Africans are still bearing the consequences. Here in Canada, Black Canadians continue to experience anti-Black racism, hatred and discrimination. A coalition of Black and indigenous federal public service employees have sued this government for rampant systemic racism, pay inequality and mental suffering. On this important day, I urge the government to move beyond lip service and give our Black federal public service employees what they deserve.

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

Mar/21/24 2:15:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Quebec has lost one of its greats and I have lost a friend. Born in Saint‑Hyacinthe in 1930, Yves Michaud has taken his last breath. Whether as a journalist and editorial writer, activist, MNA, diplomat, CEO of the Palais des congrès de Montréal, or “Robin Hood of the banks”, Yves Michaud was a man of unshakable convictions who lived his life free and proud. He was a larger-than-life figure, a generous man whom everybody liked. He was an impressive scholar who could recite the classics by heart. The French language was his home and Quebec his country. Whenever I was in Paris, a city he adored, I always used to phone him as I was crossing his beloved Place du Québec, the square named for the nation to which he was so devoted. I have lasting memories of the hospitality offered by this bon vivant and notable wine connoisseur. On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I offer my condolences to his family, to his loved ones and to all separatists. Quebec will remember. Thank you for everything, Mr. Michaud.

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Ms. Leslyn Lewis (Haldimand—Norfolk, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:16:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our country is at a crossroads. On April 1, the Liberal government will raise the carbon tax by 23%. This tax increase is opposed by 70% of Canadians and 70% of Canada's premiers. Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. People are choosing between heating their homes and putting gas in their cars. Millions of Canadians are relying on food banks. People are going through garbage dumpsters in search of food. Mothers are diluting their babies' milk to stretch the formula. Canadians need a government that understands the struggles of daily living and commits to making life more affordable. Today, Conservatives are calling for a carbon tax election. It is time that the House joins Conservatives, puts the people first, votes no confidence and brings home an election.

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Ms. Emmanuella Lambropoulos (Saint-Laurent, Lib.)

Mar/21/24 2:17:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on March 25, Greeks around the world will celebrate Greek Independence Day to honour the women and men who fought with courage, pride and determination for the freedom of their people, for future generations of Greeks and for a liberated Greece. On March 25, 1821, the Greek War of Independence began with an insurrection led by such revolutionaries as the heroic Theodoros Kolokotronis, Laskarina Bouboulina, and Rigas Feraios, who said, “It's finer to live one hour as a free man than 40 years as a slave and prisoner”. It is thanks to their victory in 1821 that Greeks around the world, including Greeks who make up our strong Greek Canadian community, are able to thrive and contribute so much to the countries in which they live. This year's celebrations will be special because Greeks in Toronto and Montreal will be celebrating the Greek national day alongside two prime ministers: our very own Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. [Member spoke in Greek]

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Hon. Andrew Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:19:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years, it is clear that the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister is not worth the cost. It is not just grocery prices that have skyrocketed in the last year; it is Jamaican vacations too. The tab for the Prime Minister's trip this year came in at over $230,000, an increase of 42%. Of course while Canadians have to pay higher prices themselves, he gets to pass his bill on to taxpayers, so now they have to pay the bill for his high-carbon hypocrisy and the 23% carbon tax hike that is coming. An hon. member Oh, oh! Hon. Andrew Scheer: He has refused to cancel the hike. Will he at least let Canadians decide for themselves and call a carbon tax election?

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Cost

The Speaker

Mar/21/24 2:19:47 p.m.
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Before we continue question period, I am going to ask the member for Timmins—James Bay to please keep his comments to himself until the moment that he has the floor. The hon. Minister of Innovation.

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

Mar/21/24 2:20:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Conservative Party has become the CEO of Canada, the chief electoral officer. What he is advocating on that side of the House is inaction on climate change. It is inaction on clean growth. It is inaction on green jobs. On this side of the House, along with millions of Canadians, we believe in action: action against climate change, action to build the economy of tomorrow and action to build the jobs of tomorrow. We are going to fight climate change and make sure that we put more money into the pockets of Canadians. That is our plan.

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Climate

The Speaker

Mar/21/24 2:20:37 p.m.
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Again, I am going to ask members to be very careful about ascribing acronyms or titles to other hon. members. The hon. member from Regina—Qu'Appelle.

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Hon. Andrew Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:20:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the action they have taken is forcing Canadians to food banks for the first time in their lives. It is forcing Canadians to turn down thermostats and put food back on the shelf because they cannot afford it. Meanwhile, their environment plan has been revealed to be just a tax plan, because they have fallen four spots in the climate change ranking after raising the carbon tax. Their own environment commissioner has said they have stacked failure on top of failure, but they have succeeded in driving up prices. Will the Liberals do the right thing and let Canadians decide for themselves, and call a carbon tax election?

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Hon. Gudie Hutchings (Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Lib.)

Mar/21/24 2:21:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the carbon rebate puts more money in the hands of eight out of 10 Canadians. Just this morning, I had a call from Keith in my riding. He is retired and has been keeping track of all of his invoices since January 1. He was delighted to tell me that even with adding a little extra, because he might not have known the impact on his morning orange, he is ahead $68 with every single climate action rebate cheque.

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Hon. Andrew Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:22:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, that is just false. Their own budget watchdog, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, whom they appointed, testified at committee, saying that “once you factor in the rebate and also the economic impacts...the majority of households will see a negative impact as a result of the carbon tax.” In Newfoundland, hard-working middle-income families will be $377 poorer after the carbon tax and the rebate are factored in. Will the Liberals show courage and put their plan to quadruple the tax in front of Canadians so Canadians can have the choice between that and our plan to axe the tax?

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Hon. Gudie Hutchings (Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Lib.)

Mar/21/24 2:22:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I love to get up to talk about my province of Newfoundland and Labrador and how the carbon rebate is putting more money back into pockets. With the rural top-up on April 15, the average family of four in my riding all throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and part of St. John's, will be getting $1,430 a year to offset prices. We have another benefit. Another lady in my riding, Katie, applied for the oil to heat pump program, which is going to save her $800 a year as well.

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Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:23:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years, this Prime Minister is not worth the cost of the support he is getting from the Bloc Québécois. How can the Bloc Québécois support a Prime Minister who has doubled our national debt? How can the Bloc Québécois support a Prime Minister who is sending hundreds of thousands of Quebeckers to food banks? My question is for the Prime Minister. What promise did the Prime Minister make to the Bloc Québécois to save his career and his government?

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

Mar/21/24 2:23:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is clear to the thousands of Canadians watching us on television today that that is the party of inaction. Inaction is the Conservatives' approach to fighting climate change, to economic growth and to creating the jobs of tomorrow. The thousands of Canadians watching at home believe in climate action. They want action to create the jobs of tomorrow. They want economic growth. That is what we believe, that is what Canadians believe and that is what we are going to do for this country.

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Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC)

Mar/21/24 2:24:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the thousands of Quebeckers who are watching at home would have liked to hear an answer to my question. Here is the question that the members of the Bloc Québécois should be asking themselves today: Will they set their ideology aside for once and vote for the Quebeckers they represent, who cannot take any more of this government's arrogance? This Prime Minister broke our immigration system. He is raising taxes and allowing dangerous criminals to serve their sentences at home. This Prime Minister interferes in all of Quebec's jurisdictions. I will ask my question again. What did the Prime Minister promise the Bloc Québécois to save his career and his government?

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