SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 305

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 30, 2024 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 305 - Apr/30/24
Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)
  • Apr/30/24 11:00:02 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have much to say about the budget. I am going to focus on one area, the issue around lifting people out of poverty, more particularly for people with disabilities. I am absolutely disappointed with the budget. For people with disabilities, the budget includes only a $6-a-day level of support. That is what the disability benefit amounts to. It would not lift people with disabilities out of poverty; it would make them marginally less poor. Meanwhile, the government does not take on big corporations and put forward an excess windfall tax so that it could take those resources and ensure that the people who are most vulnerable in our community are supported. Will the member tell his own government to step up for people with disabilities and make sure that they are indeed lifted out of poverty, and not just with the $6-a-day support in budget 2024?
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Context: House Hansard - 305 - Apr/30/24
Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)
  • Apr/30/24 1:06:14 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, Canada is faced with a housing crisis. The NDP forced the Liberal government to take some action with respect to that in budget 2024. However, that is not good enough. As the government gives with one hand, it is taking with the other. The rent-geared-to-income subsidies funded by CMHC to provinces and territories will end for many of those programs. That means we will lose thousands of homes because of the ending of these rent-geared-to-income subsidies. Will the member call on the government to renew the rent-geared-to-income subsidies from CMHC for all non-profits?
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Context: House Hansard - 305 - Apr/30/24
Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)
  • Apr/30/24 1:36:16 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the member spoke about taxation and the issue around taxes. What I do not see in budget 2024 is a windfall tax, an excessive profit tax, for example. We know there is a high rate of inflation and people are struggling with food prices. We also see a free pass being given to the corporate sector. In fact, the Conservatives and Liberals have aided and abetted this practice and refused to increase the corporate tax rate. If the government increased it to 15% to 20%, that would bring $16 billion a year into the treasury to support a variety of different measures. Would the member call for the government to do what is right for all Canadians, which is to put forward an excessive profit tax?
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Context: House Hansard - 305 - Apr/30/24
Ms. Jenny Kwan
  • Apr/30/24 1:38:48 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I do find it offensive for the member to suggest that I do not know about the Constitution. I am a Canadian. I have read the Constitution, and I am proud of the Constitution, and to suggest that I do not know about it—
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Context: House Hansard - 305 - Apr/30/24
Ms. Jenny Kwan
  • Apr/30/24 1:41:06 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, no, because I do find it offensive for someone to suggest that I do not know anything about the Constitution. I think it is patronizing to suggest that. I think that in suggesting that, it is also disgusting to me.
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Context: House Hansard - 305 - Apr/30/24
Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)
  • Apr/30/24 2:47:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the priority processing for the lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers has gone from six months to 21 months. Processing delays for their PR applications means that work permits and study permits are going to expire, medical coverage will end, and dependent children will no longer be able to access education. Hong Kongers will be sent back to face an escalation of arbitrary detentions and arrests because of the draconian safeguarding national security bill. Will the minister resume the six-month priority processing average for Hong Kongers and automatically renew their work and study permits as they wait?
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