SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 297 - Apr/10/24

Mr. Michael Barrett (Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, CPC)

Apr/10/24 3:08:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after years of the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister, we know that he is not worth the cost or the corruption. We have seen that with the $60 million he spent on his failed arrive scam. Last year alone, he spent $21 billion on outside consultants, and his favourite, hand-picked consultants from GC Strategies are being hauled before the bar of the House to answer questions, under threat of imprisonment, for lying to parliamentarians in the inquiries about the Liberal scandal. It is a historic tool for historic levels of corruption. In the budget next week, will the Prime Minister cut the corruption in his government?

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Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs (Cybersecurity), Lib.)

Apr/10/24 3:09:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as we have said time and time again, when it comes to the procurement process, Canadians and all parliamentarians expect the process to be followed and expect laws to be followed. This is precisely why we have supported the work of the committee. CBSA has already initiated a number of measures to improve its procurement process. We will continue to make those improvements so Canadians have trust in our procurement systems.

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Mr. Michael Barrett (Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, CPC)

Apr/10/24 3:09:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the procurement system that the Liberals are presiding over is so broken that millions of dollars are being paid to firms who add no value and do no work on contracts. Just last year, $21 billion went to outside contracts. The NDP-Liberal government is not worth the cost or the corruption of its $60-million arrive scam, which saw GC Strategies paid $20 million when they did no work and added no value. For their failed arrive scam, Canadians got lies, fraud and forgery. Will the Liberals cut the corruption in their budget next Wednesday?

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Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs (Cybersecurity), Lib.)

Apr/10/24 3:10:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is ironic, coming from Conservatives, as these very same companies were also awarded contracts under Conservative leadership for millions of dollars, and Conservatives did nothing to fix the procurement process. However, rest assured, Canadians can know that our government takes this exceptionally seriously. It is precisely why we have already implemented changes, something that Conservatives ignored for years. We are not going to do that. We are going to build trust in the procurement system, which is something Conservatives failed to do.

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Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, CPC)

Apr/10/24 3:11:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the House will make history when one of the favourite contractors of this NDP-Liberal government is hauled before the bar. The parliamentary secretary just said that GC Strategies got contracts from Conservatives. Actually, do members know when GC Strategies was founded? It was in 2015. The company was founded in 2015 and did extensive business with the Liberal government to get sole-sourced for the arrive scam app. Can the government explain why this company got so much work after being founded in the same year that the Liberals took government, and will the government finally cancel its costly criminal corruption? Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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The Speaker

Apr/10/24 3:12:24 p.m.
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The hon. government House leader.

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Hon. Steven MacKinnon (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Apr/10/24 3:12:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the member across knows not to use such language, and he knows that there is no evidence for the kind of language he is using that supports that. The government and the opposition parties all voted to bring this gentleman before the bar of the House of Commons, expecting answers. Parliamentarians are entitled to answers. We voted to get the answers, just like they did.

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Mr. Ben Carr (Winnipeg South Centre, Lib.)

Apr/10/24 3:13:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government has been unwavering in its support for our ally, Ukraine. With the values of all democracies threatened by Russia's illegal invasion, we have been there every step of the way, doing our part to ensure a Ukrainian victory. My riding of Winnipeg South Centre is home to thousands of Canadians of Ukrainian descent, and in recent months we have welcomed thousands more who are fleeing the war back home. Earlier this year, the House passed the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. Unfortunately, the Conservative opposition prevented Parliament from signalling unanimous support. There is good news, however. Can the Minister of International Trade inform the House of important developments related to this critical and—

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The Speaker

Apr/10/24 3:13:39 p.m.
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The hon. Minister for International Trade.

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Hon. Mary Ng (Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Lib.)

Apr/10/24 3:13:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to inform Canadians and the House that, in Ukraine, Ukraine's Parliament has passed the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. Despite Conservative opposition, Ukraine's Parliament unanimously passed this agreement and has called this agreement one of the most modern, high-standard agreements in the world. I am looking forward to putting this Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement to use, because I want to take a business delegation to Ukraine so that we can work on its rebuilding.

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Ukraine

Mr. Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni, NDP)

Apr/10/24 3:14:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, first nations in B.C. have suffered enormous loss throughout their 200-year history of colonization, including the devastating loss of language and culture. Although nations continue to make tremendous progress revitalizing their languages, the Liberals' new formula on funding means a 60% cut to language programs in B.C. Preserving and revitalizing indigenous languages is an essential step to reconciliation. Will the government remember its most important relationship with first nations and act with urgency to ensure sustained and long-term funding for language programs in British Columbia?

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Hon. Patty Hajdu (Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Lib.)

Apr/10/24 3:15:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me first say that I fully agree with the member opposite about the need to preserve indigenous languages and restore them when they have been so cruelly ripped away from first nations communities for decades. Indeed, in my own riding, Matawa tribal council provides first nation language training and support for first nations communities all through northern Ontario, supported by the federal government. I am very proud of the work they are doing, and we will continue to work on this preservation with first nations across the country.

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Mr. Kevin Vuong (Spadina—Fort York, Ind.)

Apr/10/24 3:15:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the government's defence policy, “Our North, Strong and Free”, is the latest in Liberal smoke and mirrors. It rightfully abbreviates into “NSF”, which Canadians know means “not sufficient funds”. Spread out 20 years, it has insufficient funds, and by “insufficient”, I mean zero dollars this year. There is nothing for tactical helicopters, maritime sensors and military housing. With CAF members using food stamps and sleeping in tents, the Liberals provided nothing for housing in 2024 and 2025. Is the Prime Minister aware that his facade policy will keep CAF personnel and their families in tents for years?

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Caf
Tents

Hon. Bill Blair (Minister of National Defence, Lib.)

Apr/10/24 3:16:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, perhaps I should send a copy of our new policy update for defence to the member opposite because it is quite clear he has not read it. What I can tell the House is that this is a historic investment in new capabilities, in maintaining the equipment and in ensuring that we can not only support the members of the Canadian Armed Forces but also grow our numbers. There is money for housing. There is money for other supports. There is a new focus for the Canadian Armed Forces in the defence of Canada that will make us strong at home to help us be strong around the world.

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Mr. Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly, BQ)

Apr/10/24 3:17:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion: That the House: (a) recognize that the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel became, on April 3, 2024, the longest-serving and undefeated elected representative in the history of the Canadian Parliament on his 14,457th day in office, for a total of 39 years, 6 months and 29 days; (b) salute the dedication that he must have shown to the constituents of Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel in order to be worthy of their trust since 1984 in twelve federal elections; (c) thank the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, the dean of the House, for his record-setting length of public service over four historic decades devoted to standing up for the people of Quebec; and (d) pay tribute to the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel immediately following the adoption of this order to allow members to make brief statements, in the following order: a member of the Bloc Québécois, followed by a member of each recognized party, a member of the Green Party, and the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel.

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The Speaker

Apr/10/24 3:18:50 p.m.
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I cannot presume to know the decision of the House, so I am going to ask the question. All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay. It is agreed. The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay. The Speaker: Accordingly, the House will now hear tributes to the hon. member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel. The honourable member for Beloeil—Chambly.

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Nay
Tributes

Mr. Yves-François Blanchet

Apr/10/24 3:21:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we could, very carefully, despite his sense of humour, touch a little on the member's age. Now, we are mainly talking about the length of his reign as MP for this wonderful constituency. In theory, we should be talking about wisdom. We should be talking about the great wisdom of the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, but no. The member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel has not acquired, after all these years, what one might call wisdom. He is still quite a rascal. He is a man of consummate humour. He is an inexhaustible source of anecdotes. He is generous and deeply endearing. When I started thinking about trying to fill the position I now hold, one of the first people I consulted was the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel. I took his advice. I think I did the right thing. Although I will need to bend the rules a bit, I speak for everyone when I say: Thank you, Louis.

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Hon. Steven MacKinnon (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Apr/10/24 3:22:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is my turn to recognize the dean of the House, the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, for his impressive public service longevity record. Over the past four decades, day after day, my Bloc Québécois colleague has done an excellent job of promoting, defending and representing his constituents. I have to quickly mention our former colleague, Herb Gray, who held that record until now. However, on April 3, the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel became the longest continuously serving elected member in the history of the Parliament of Canada. Clearly, my colleague should be extremely proud of that achievement. His constituents have placed their trust in him since 1984, making him the envy of us all. He has been consecutively re-elected since 1984. That is what I call a great batting average. He has also shown us that we can politely agree to disagree in the House. The fact that he has been a member for 44 years should inspire us all to emulate his qualities and perhaps be here for as many years as he has. I must also point out how important institutions, even federal institutions, are to him. He and I are working together on the restoration of Centre Block, our crown jewel, the seat of our democracy in Canada. I also appreciate the great commitment the member has shown to our institutions and to what is perhaps the ultimate federal democratic institution. I thank him for that. Once again, I would like to congratulate our dean, the dean of the House, a member who is present, proactive and greatly appreciated, not only by his colleagues, but also by his constituents, as his record shows.

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Mrs. Dominique Vien (Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, CPC)

Apr/10/24 3:24:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, of course, our party joins our colleagues in saluting the longevity of our colleague from Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel. I would also like to point out that our colleague started out as a Conservative. All joking aside, I think we need to emphasize what a demanding job it is to be a member of Parliament, to hold public office and serve the public, in terms of time, self-sacrifice and selflessness. I will have been doing this for 20 years in about two years' time, and I know how difficult and how time-consuming it can be. Our colleague has been doing it twice as long, for nearly 40 years. That is a lot of self-sacrifice. That is a lot of sacrifice on his part, of course, but also on the part of his family. That is why we also need to acknowledge his family today, including everyone who has stood by him and supported him over the years. Obviously, we are all taking notes, because we would all like to achieve such a record of longevity. However, it does not happen as often as we would like. In the Quebec National Assembly, which is where I came from and where I sat for nearly 15 years, it was said at the time that the average lifespan of a member was about six years. That just goes to show how much the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel has defied the statistics. I congratulate him on behalf of all my colleagues. I will close with this: After all these years, I bet the Bloc Québécois member knows Canada's national anthem by heart.

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Mr. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NDP)

Apr/10/24 3:27:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House to pay tribute to the longevity and hard work of the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, who has been elected 12 consecutive times without ever losing his riding. It is absolutely amazing. He was first elected in 1984 as part of the same Progressive Conservative wave as the late Mr. Mulroney. I wonder where I was in 1984. I was 11 years old, finishing elementary school, and I was younger than my youngest child is now. That gives members some idea. The hon. member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel has a great sense of humour. He is always witty and sometimes has a tendency to tease us. I cannot resist pointing out that Wikipedia says he acted as interim Speaker of the House of Commons for six days last fall. For six days, the Bloc Québécois member was theoretically reporting directly to Charles III, King of England. He served him conscientiously for those six days. More importantly, he has served his constituents conscientiously for over 14,000 consecutive days. That shows the depth of his local roots, his on-the-ground knowledge, and his grassroots connections. It also shows the power of local democracy. On behalf of the NDP, I congratulate the member.

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