44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 19, 2024 10:00AM
- Apr/19/24 11:01:28 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, after nine Liberal Pinocchio budgets and nine straight deficits on which every Liberal projection has been wrong, the NDP-Liberal government is still not worth the cost.
After nine years, we have a new Liberal double-double. NDP-Liberals have doubled the cost of government, doubled Canada's debt, doubled the taxes Canadians pay, doubled the interest on Canada's debt and doubled the cost of rent and mortgages.
Are government services twice as good? Is our health care twice as good? Are defence and national security twice as good? The answer, of course, is that all are worse.
Liberals have added more debt to Canada than all other governments combined in our history, and now Canadians are paying $44 billion in interest on the Canadian credit card. The Liberal budget plan will drive this number to $60 billion in five years. Today that is more money than we spend on health care.
After nine years, the Prime Minister is not worth the cost, but there is good news. Common-sense Conservatives will replace Liberal hurt with Conservative hope. We will axe the tax, build the homes—
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- Apr/19/24 11:02:25 a.m.
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The hon. member for Oakville North—Burlington has the floor.
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- Apr/19/24 11:02:29 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, organ donation saves lives. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. However, less than 25% of people living in Canada are registered donors, even though 90% of Canadians say they support organ donation.
In Ontario, 1,400 people on average are waiting for a life-saving organ, with thousands more needing transformative tissue donation. Sadly, every three days someone will die waiting.
Thanks to a private member's bill put forward by my colleague from Calgary Confederation, becoming an organ donor in Canada is easier than ever. Ontario residents like me are able to tick a box on our tax return, indicating whether or not we would like to become an organ and tissue donor.
Since 2022, 2.5 million Canadians in Ontario and Nunavut have indicated their intention. I encourage all provinces and territories to sign up for this life-saving initiative.
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Madam Speaker, more than 165,000 new cases of traumatic brain injury occur annually in Canada. In fact, this current number is likely underestimated because of under-reporting of cases stemming from concussions, intimate partner violence, combat injuries and survival of toxic substance poisoning.
Beyond the significant physical damage people experience from traumatic brain injury, we know there is a link between brain injury and further challenges with mental health, substance misuse, homelessness and incarceration.
It is necessary to support education and prevention measures and interventions. My hon. colleague from Cowichan—Malahat—Langford has brought forward Bill C-277 to establish a national strategy on brain injuries act.
The legislation is driven by the support of so many living with brain injuries and organizations like the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society, which provides tremendous support and advocacy.
I urge all hon. members to add their support to the voices calling for a national strategy on brain injuries.
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- Apr/19/24 11:04:36 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, what do metallurgical mushrooms, decomposition and capturing wind energy on cars have in common? Those are just some of the Sudbury Regional Science Fair projects heading to the national science fair competition.
Sixty-three students participated in this year's annual Sudbury Regional Science Fair. Seven students from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School in my riding of Sudbury will be heading to Ottawa for the Canada-Wide Science Fair to showcase their projects.
For over 55 years, Sudbury students in grades 7 to 12 have been showcasing science experiments, studies and innovative endeavours that have taken weeks and sometimes even months of effort to pull together.
I want to congratulate all participants of the 2024 Sudbury Regional Science Fair. I also want to extend a big congratulations to this year's winners: Benjamin Kawa, Felix Naghi, Eden Abols, Jack O'Connell, Violet Simon, Camille Landry and Zavier Simard.
I am wishing all of them the best of luck at the national competition. Go team Lo-Ellen.
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- Apr/19/24 11:05:42 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the science is in: What is terrible for one's pocketbook, for one's health and for the economy is paper straws. They suck, yet the radical Liberal government wants to force everyone to use them.
After nine long years of the Liberal government, it and the paper straws are not worth the cost. Everything is getting more expensive, while the Liberals focus on banning things that science shows are better for the environment, better for us and better for the economy.
Canada should be a superpower in plastics recycling, and we will be, just not under the current Prime Minister. Limp, wet and utterly useless, paper straws and Liberal governments are not worth the cost.
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- Apr/19/24 11:06:29 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the Nepean Nighthawks Field Hockey Club is dedicated to fostering a love for field hockey among youth.
Field hockey in Ottawa stretches back to the 1950s. A recent explosion of participation in the Ottawa region began in 2007. Interestingly, unlike globally, 70% of Ottawa members are female.
The Nepean Nighthawks’ vision includes fostering sport participation for life. Their goals include reaching out to underserved communities in Ottawa and building a world-class field hockey complex to serve the local field hockey community. The club is particularly noted for its inclusive Stick Together program, which emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship and the development of field hockey skills for all ages and skill levels.
The Nighthawks are committed to reconciliation, and they actively promote the participation of indigenous youth.
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- Apr/19/24 11:07:37 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, April is Oral Health Month in Canada, an opportunity to highlight good oral health as an essential component of overall health.
In Scarborough North, the Filipino-Canadian Dental Hygienists’ Society has offered no-cost dental hygiene services to residents in need. Most recently, it partnered with the Filipino Centre Toronto and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto to provide drop-in checkups and cleanings. When I visited its mobile dental clinic last Sunday, I was met by bright smiles, and I thanked the volunteer dentist and dental hygienists for their tireless efforts.
This month, the Canadian Dental Association reminds everyone to brush twice a day, floss daily, check for signs of gum disease and visit their dentist regularly. Now, with the new Canadian dental care plan, up to nine million people without coverage will soon have access to the dental care services they need.
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- Apr/19/24 11:08:35 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise today and to recognize the work of my friend Barb Ward-Burkitt, who is the executive director of the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. I also recognize an incredible program that started in my riding of Cariboo—Prince George. What started as a small grassroots movement, a movement to end violence against women and children, has grown into an international inspiration supported by millions, spurred on by the incredible loss and sorrow of families of over 20 women and girls who have disappeared or who have been murdered on the infamous Highway 16, the Highway of Tears.
Raven Lacerte and her father, Paul, have taken one single moose hide and turned it into an international movement, a movement that has spurred thousands of conversations, workshops, marches and meetings. Today I am extremely proud to honour Barb and the Moose Hide Campaign for their boundless efforts to end violence against indigenous women and girls. On April 30, Barb will be presented with the five millionth moose hide pin, in recognition of her tireless work.
I thank Barb and the Moose Hide Campaign.
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- Apr/19/24 11:09:43 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, as this week has been National Volunteer Week, I would like to take a moment today to speak about the importance of volunteer work.
Each year, the Canada Revenue Agency congratulates and thanks volunteers from across the country, particularly because thousands of them actively help support free tax clinics under the community volunteer income tax program. Last year, these free tax clinics made it possible for almost 650,000 Canadians with a modest income to file their taxes and receive more than $1.75 billion in benefits, credits and refunds. More than 3,400 community organizations, composed of more than 14,700 volunteers, contributed to achieving these results.
I would encourage all members to take a moment to thank all of the phenomenal volunteers and the program.
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- Apr/19/24 11:10:45 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Yud Alef Nissan is approaching, marking 122 years since the Lubavitcher Rebbe's light began to illuminate the world. The spiritual giant of the Jewish people, the Rebbe's teaching transcends borders and touches all of humanity. He was one of the most prolific thinkers in the recent history of Judaism, whose deep interpretation of Torah, Talmud, Halacha, Kabbalah, philosophy and Chassidus guides Jews and non-Jews everywhere.
In his teachings and his letters, every verse and story eternal to the Torah is as relevant today as it was when it was given at Sinai, and we find the answers to our most profound questions in them. Those teachings, with the daily help of Rabbi Kaplan of Thornhill, inspire me throughout my private and public life.
In the face of darkness, and there is a lot of darkness, we should remember the Rebbe's wisdom and his love for every Jew and every person. On this day, we are reminded to strengthen his call to bring light into the world, to participate, to share, to invest in education and to deepen the moral foundations through clarity and the existence of Jews everywhere.
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Madam Speaker, after nine years of this NDP-Liberal government, Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. The Liberal April Fool's Day joke was a 23% carbon tax increase. April Fool's Day jokes are supposed to last one day, but this one continues, fuelling high inflation.
In Ottawa, the Prime Minister's policies made the price of gas at the pumps jump by nearly 20¢ a litre, reaching its highest level since 2022. Still, the Liberals pretend their tax-and-spend policies are helping Canadians.
When will the government start helping people instead of hurting them? When will it do the right thing and pass Bill C-234 to axe the tax on farmers and food?
One thing we know for sure is that, as prices on everything continue to go up, driven by the costly carbon tax, the Prime Minister is not worth the cost.
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- Apr/19/24 11:12:44 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to make a solemn declaration about our duty to remember one of the darkest chapters in modern history, the Ottoman Empire's systematic destruction of a people during the Armenian genocide.
Let us take this moment to honour the memory of the 1.5 million innocent lives lost or destroyed just over a century ago. Let us remember that this happened to people who had been living in Anatolia for 1,500 years.
However, again, just a few months ago, after two millennia of existence, the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan basically ceased to exist. With Turkish military support and Russia's inaction as peacekeepers, Azerbaijan's military offensive ended with the region's 100,000 Armenians fleeing as refugees to Armenia.
Let us recognize the pain and suffering endured by the Armenian people and commit to never forgetting the Armenian genocide.
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- Apr/19/24 11:13:56 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, today I recognize the accomplishments of esteemed historian and Black Canadian heritage expert, Elise Harding-Davis.
Throughout her career, Elise elevated positive Black history in Canada, earning many accolades including the Order of Ontario designation, being named among the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women, and receiving the Ontario Black History Society's Daniel Hill Award, the Ontario Museum Association's Award of Excellence, Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Ontario Historical Society's Carnochan Award.
For over 60 years, Elise has highlighted how African Canadians were essential to Canada's development and was the first Black female curator at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum.
Elise comes from a family of strong character. Her late sister, Shelley Harding-Smith, was Canada's first Black female master electrician and an activist, and was a friend and a mentor to me, personally. Their great-grandfather was a slave, and both Elise and Shelley progressed in a challenging world, where they let nothing stand in their way.
August 1 this year will mark the 190th anniversary of Emancipation Day, marking the day Canada's Slavery Abolition Act came into effect. Canada still needs to apologize for the enslavement of Black Canadians. An official apology would mean a lifetime of work recognized.
Elise exemplifies the true meaning of preserving Black history in Canada. Her legacy will no doubt inspire future generations.
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- Apr/19/24 11:15:05 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, next Monday is Earth Day, the world's largest environmental event. It is a day to raise awareness of environmental and climate issues. Let us remember a few facts. July 2023 was the hottest month in human history. Last month was the 18th consecutive month to set a heat record. Here in Quebec and Canada, unprecedented wildfires ravaged our forests and made the air in our cities the most polluted in the world last summer.
We are in the midst of a climate emergency and Canada's slowness in moving away from oil is a millstone around our neck. In that sense, anyone who calls themselves an environmentalist should support Quebec's independence. With our clean energy, we would finally be free to become an example to follow. We might even inspire our neighbour, Canada. As a woman who cares about our climate security and as a sovereignist, I am convinced that Quebec becoming a country would be good for everyone.
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Madam Speaker, especially in British Columbia and the North Okanagan-Shuswap, Canadians are seeing that, after nine years, the Prime Minister and his NDP-Liberal government are simply not worth the cost.
Their April 1 carbon tax increase of 23% has seen gas prices push past $1.75 per litre in the interior and over the $2 mark in other parts of B.C. The carbon tax only adds to the costs for farmers, who have no choice but to pay if they are to produce food for Canadian families. One chicken farmer in the Shuswap paid over $100,000 last year alone, just for his carbon tax bill. Because of the NDP-Liberal government that carbon tax bill will increase another 23% this year, making it even more difficult for Canadian families to afford food.
Will the Prime Minister take the step to axe the tax on farmers and food by immediately passing Bill C-234 in its original form, or will he continue to prove that he and his NDP partners are simply not worth the cost?
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- Apr/19/24 11:17:25 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, today, I rise to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a significant moment in Canadian queer women's history, that of the Brunswick Four.
In 1974, Adrienne, Pat, Sue and Lamar were arrested for refusing to leave the Brunswick House, a popular Toronto bar, after they had taken to the stage to sing the song I Enjoy Being a Dyke during an amateur performance night. They returned as an act of defiance but were met with violence at the hands of police and charged. They were dubbed the “Brunswick Four”, and a legal defence fund was set up in their name. At trial, all charges were dismissed except one for disturbing the peace.
Long subjected to police harassment, the Brunswick Four became a symbol of resistance for the gay and lesbian community. Their determination to combat systemic prejudice serves as an inspiration, especially in the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
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- Apr/19/24 11:18:33 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, another day and there is more evidence to show the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister is just not worth the cost.
Former bank governor and proud Liberal, David Dodge, says the new federal budget is certainly not helpful in dealing with the inflationary fire, making it harder for Canadian families to afford anything. Young people are saddled with the Prime Minister's addiction to spending. The call is coming from inside the Liberal house.
Will the Prime Minister listen to experts, to business leaders, to his own party and millions of Canadians struggling to get by, and just stop the spending?
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- Apr/19/24 11:19:08 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we have the lowest debt and deficit in the G7, a AAA credit rating and a budget that presents a message of fairness for this country, for current and future generations. It is a vision the Conservatives would cut. Before even reading the budget, they already said they would not support it. It is a budget that supports child care and pharmacare and the understanding that Canadians have to have dental care in this country. Canadians who cannot otherwise afford it will have the support of the government. More homes will be built. These things are vital in this country, and the Conservatives are standing against every single one of them.
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- Apr/19/24 11:19:46 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the problem is that nobody believes the Liberals anymore, and the budget is the opposite of fair. It is unfair to saddle our kids with billions of dollars of debt that they will be paying for years. It is unfair to force the inflationary spending on to the grocery bills of every single family. It is unfair to keep interest rates high, while millions struggle to pay their mortgages. The number of Canadians who cannot afford to pay their bills has more than doubled over the last month.
Will the Liberals finally fix the budget so Canadians can keep their homes, put gas in their cars and put food on their tables?
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