SoVote

Nov/25/21 1:48:41 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, the Westminster parliamentary system has survived for centuries. It has survived here with in-person sittings through pandemics, like the Spanish flu and SARS. Even if we have a situation where members of Parliament and cabinet ministers become ill, there is an age-old tradition called pairing that we could implement. We have parliamentary secretaries who can answer on behalf of ministers. We have ministers who can carry on with other portfolios in the short term for ministers who have to take a leave because of personal health reasons, which could include COVID. That is not a reason for shutting down the way democracy is supposed to work.

110 words

Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Nov/25/21 1:49:36 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I apologize to my colleague from Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman that so many people have made this point in the House, but I want to put it to him so that he can check with the hon. member for Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola. The Glasgow conference was not a hobnobbing event, nor did we rub shoulders. We were not only required to be double vaccinated, but were required to take a daily COVID test to provide proof to the National Health Service before being admitted to the building, where we had to remain masked and were not allowed to fill plenary sessions. We were kept to a minimum number of people and worked at a distance in very unpleasant working conditions. As I said, his hard-working colleague, the hon. member for Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, attended for the whole two weeks and I think will verify what I have said.

158 words

All Topics

Mr. James Bezan

Nov/25/21 1:50:28 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, we know for a fact that the people of Glasgow were quite concerned that not all countries required participants to be double vaccinated. They may have been testing daily with rapid tests, which is something we could do here quite easily, even for those of us who are vaccinated, but there is no reason we need to be doing things differently here. If people can show up in the thousands in Glasgow and people can show up at football stadiums and hockey arenas, why can we not be sitting in this chamber? It is completely baffling to most Canadians to see the Liberals and the NDP arguing against having in-person sessions.

114 words

All Topics

Mrs. Caroline Desbiens (Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d'Orléans—Charlevoix, BQ)

Nov/25/21 1:51:21 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I would like to engage with my colleague from the Conservative Party and insist that science must dominate all our considerations. There is a new wave on the horizon and a third dose of the vaccine may be necessary. In Parliament, I think we can come to an agreement on appropriate measures so we can meet in person. I would like to know if my colleague believes that a third dose could provide the ideal solution for this Parliament.

81 words

All Topics

Mr. James Bezan

Nov/25/21 1:52:05 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I can say that my wife, who is a nurse, is scheduled to have her third shot of Pfizer. In Manitoba, I will have the opportunity in the new year to get my third short of Moderna. There are great opportunities for all of us. We could administer some of those vaccinations here in Parliament. In the past, we have offered the flu shot in Parliament to all members. All we had to do was walk across the hall, go into one of the side rooms and one of the nurses would be there to give us a vaccination. There are advantages to being here and allowing us to be at the same level of protection. Many of us want to make sure that we are taking all the proper precautions to protect each and every one of us.

141 words

All Topics

Mr. Kody Blois (Kings—Hants, Lib.)

Nov/25/21 1:53:06 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, this morning I will be sharing my time with my hon. colleague from Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook. I will begin by taking a moment to congratulate you on your appointment to the chair, Mr. Speaker. It is good to see a fellow Nova Scotian in the chair. I wish you good luck for the day ahead. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and people involved who allowed parliamentarians to participate in the 43rd Parliament. I want to thank the interpreters in particular, especially now, as I know my French is far from perfect. Today we are here to talk about government Motion No. 1 to create a hybrid Parliament. I had the privilege of sitting in the House for the first time after the 2019 election. I had roughly 12 weeks of parliamentary sittings before the world changed completely. I remember taking the plane home on March 12, 2020, and we were thinking this might last two weeks. Of course the situation was far more serious than we thought. The Atlantic provinces restricted travel and ended up creating the Atlantic bubble. I had to quarantine for two weeks to come back and take my seat in the House of Commons. The hybrid Parliament system allowed me to do my job when I otherwise would not have been able to. Would I rather have been in Ottawa in person? Absolutely, but the circumstances forced us to work remotely. Although it sometimes felt isolating, I think we all need to remember that we were privileged to have been able to work remotely. When I look at this motion, I truly believe that it is reasonable. Let us identify some of the realities of where we are today. COVID is still prevalent. We are still in the midst of a global pandemic. The United Kingdom, just three days ago, reported over 40,000 cases on that day alone. We see in Europe that in some situations there is truly a fifth wave occurring right now and variants remain a challenge. While we are in a different situation than we were over a year ago and members of the House are able to gather, the reality is that provincial and territorial health protocols still dictate that if an individual is exposed to COVID or contracts COVID, they are required to isolate for two weeks. This motion at its fundamental core is about allowing individual parliamentary privilege. I have had the opportunity to be here all morning to talk about this motion, and I stress this point to my colleagues: I want to be here in person in Ottawa. I will commit publicly that I will be here in Ottawa. However, what if something arises, like my fiancée is exposed? I mentioned to my colleagues that she is a lawyer in Halifax. She works with her colleagues. What if one of them is exposed and she is required to self-isolate? Do I want to potentially bring COVID back to my colleagues as we sit shoulder to shoulder in the House? I would like for my colleagues not to be exposed to COVID-19, although my preference, of course, is to be here. Today, the Conservatives seem to be talking a lot about accountability. I just asked a member opposite about those in our front bench, such as the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I want to hear from them. If members have questions, I want to hear the ministers respond. They will have the opportunity, if God forbid they are exposed to COVID, to be able to do so virtually. Otherwise they would not be able to participate. Right now the member for Beauce has been exposed to COVID-19 and is unable to join us. That is a sin. He should have that opportunity, and that is exactly what this motion seeks to do. There has also been a lot of talk about the work of members of Parliament. As I mentioned earlier in my speech, I had 12 weeks before the world changed and the parliamentary precinct as we knew it had become fundamentally different. If members look at the Hansard record or the committee evidence, they will see that I was absolutely working, as were all of my colleagues on this side of the House and indeed, I presume, on the other side of the House. However, it was done in a virtual manner. Do I take the point raised by some of my colleagues in the debate here that there is a benefit to being together? Absolutely; I do not disagree. However, why is there such a restraint on the other side of the House to allow flexibility, given the fact that we are still in the midst of a pandemic? I look around and see masks everywhere, which is a sign that we still have to protect one another against COVID-19, so I have real difficulty in understanding why there is such hesitation on the side opposite. I am proud to be the chair of the Liberal rural caucus. There is one very important part of this motion about holding votes at specific times in the week, but I have not heard much talk about it. Many of our colleagues from rural regions do not have transportation options to travel to Ottawa. Not only are these provisions fair and equitable for them, but they are also reasonable for all members. I had the opportunity to speak to the Minister of National Revenue this week, who is also the member of Parliament for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine. It is quite a struggle for the hon. member to get to Ottawa. She is dedicated and will be here, but she does not have the ability get here by plane the same way. She has to go from her riding to Quebec City to Montreal and then to Ottawa. Members like her need to have the ability to participate. I see I am coming to the end of my time. I look forward to continuing this after members' statements.

1037 words

All Topics

The Speaker

Nov/25/21 2:00:48 p.m.
Watch

Before we continue, it is my duty to lay upon the table, pursuant to subsection 23(5) of the Auditor General Act, the fall 2021 reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), these reports are deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

56 words

Ms. Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington, Lib.)

Nov/25/21 2:01:36 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, every Remembrance Day, we honour those who fought for our freedom at home and abroad in times of war, military conflict and peace. However, many veterans of the Cold War, which dominated global relations from the end of World War II to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, often feel their vital role in national security is overlooked. That is why this November I want to thank my constituent, Cape Bretoner-turned-Burlingtonian Patrick Ryan, and others like him who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Cold War. During the Cold War, the former Soviet Union was a global threat. Canadian Armed Forces members constantly guarded against Soviet bombers and submarines that carried nuclear weapons and probed our defences. Cold War vets protected our nation from imminent threats that many of us never even knew existed. I thank them for their service. Lest we forget.

152 words

Mr. Mel Arnold (North Okanagan—Shuswap, CPC)

Nov/25/21 2:02:40 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to return to the House as the member for North Okanagan—Shuswap, and I thank the voters, volunteers, family and friends who supported me here as their voice. Like so many British Columbians, my constituents have persevered through the pandemic, wildfires and flooding that have ravaged our province. Now more than ever, they need action and results and I am here to be their voice. Seniors are struggling with grocery and home heating costs while the current government claws back their OAS benefits. Indigenous communities need clean water and housing. We need resources for mental health and overcoming addiction. Hard-working families continue to face housing insecurity and mounting inflation. Workers need training opportunities, and employers need a government that will work with them, not against them. I am here to be the voice of all constituents of the North Okanagan—Shuswap, and I will pressure the government to listen.

157 words

Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Ottawa Centre, Lib.)

Nov/25/21 2:03:54 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I want to use my first statement in the House to acknowledge that my children and I have the honour to live on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. It is our collective responsibility to work closely with indigenous peoples in our communities and advance reconciliation. We have a responsibility to work with indigenous partners toward reconciliation. Whether their family came to this land six generations ago or they are a recent immigrant, this is every person's responsibility as a citizen. As someone who has lived in Canada for 32 years and as a father, I recognize my duty every single day to seek out the truth, and as a settler to learn from elders and work with indigenous leaders and communities toward reconciliation. Here in my riding of Ottawa Centre, there are local organizations like the Tewegan youth housing, Gignul housing and Tungasuvvingat Inuit that are serving indigenous communities through access to housing, vital resources and support. We have a lot more to do, but I believe that Canadians are determined to walk the path toward reconciliation. In the words of Algonquin grandfather, the late Chief William Commanda, “We must come together with one heart, one mind, one love and one determination.”

210 words

Mr. Yves Perron (Berthier—Maskinongé, BQ)

Nov/25/21 2:05:01 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, on November 16, we learned that Martin Caron, a dairy farmer from Louiseville who has been involved in the union for 35 years, will officially become the new president of the Union des producteurs agricoles on December 2. I am therefore extremely proud to tell you today that the next president of the UPA is a resident of Berthier—Maskinongé and that his land is very close to my riding office. Mr. Caron is a man of conviction. I am sure that he will make a difference. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to him. I also want to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of Marcel Groleau, who served as the president of the UPA for 10 years. During that time, Mr. Groleau was able to make agricultural information more accessible to the general public and promote the interests of farmers and, by extension, the interests of all citizens, since we must always remember that we are nothing without agriculture. Congratulations to both of you and long live the agricultural community.

183 words

Ms. Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Hochelaga, Lib.)

Nov/25/21 2:06:11 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate all the members on being elected or re-elected. It is an honour and a huge privilege to be back in the House. I would like to thank the people of Hochelaga for their renewed confidence. I am very proud to be representing them in the House for the second time, a responsibility I take very seriously. My riding is made up of several neighbourhoods: Hochelaga, Maisonneuve, Longue-Pointe, Mercier-Ouest and Rosemont east. These neighbourhoods have repeatedly asked us for more affordable housing, more green spaces, support for people experiencing homelessness, a strong social and economic safety net and a collaborative approach to sustainable, inclusive development. I would like to conclude by thanking my children, Keyla and Ianko, my family, my friends and my entire campaign team. Alex, Rose, Rime, Arnaud, Ariane, Victor, Malia, Camille, Laurence, Sébastien, Béatrice and Maxime, I would not be here without you. I thank you for your support, engagement and dedication. We certainly have our work cut out for us. Let us do it together.

182 words

Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, CPC)

Nov/25/21 2:07:18 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, Canadian doctor David Card was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics last month for his pioneering empirical approach. He shares the prize with two other economists. David, the son of Yvonne and the late Ted Card, grew up on a dairy farm in Wellington County, just down the road from where I grew up. In fact, we both worked at different times for the same farmers long ago. He is now a professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley. We are proud of the contributions this great Canadian has made to the field of human knowledge. This is the third Nobel Prize awarded to a Canadian from southwestern Ontario in the last 10 years. Alice Munro of Wingham was awarded the prize in 2013 and Donna Strickland, formerly of Guelph and now of Waterloo, was awarded the prize in 2018. These three Nobel prize winners are a reflection of the industriousness, hard work and creativity of the people of southwestern Ontario.

165 words

Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis, Lib.)

Nov/25/21 2:08:24 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share the news with members of the House that one of my constituents, Rachel Watts, a fourth-year journalism student at Carleton University, is the recipient of this year's Fraser MacDougall Prize for best new Canadian voice in human rights reporting. This prestigious prize is awarded to an exceptional piece of student journalism with a human rights focus. Rachel's winning entry, entitled “Pandemic intensifies silent sorrow of Canada's asylum seekers”, was a truly compelling and insightful piece on a vital and timely issue. Rachel possesses a rare gift for the written word and an ability to capture a subject in a way that is capable of engaging public opinion and influencing public policy decisions. Indeed, this is the role and power of great journalism. Rachel Watts is clearly on the cusp of a promising and exciting career as a journalist. I just want to be clear that this statement is very much meant to be on the record.

169 words

Mrs. Rechie Valdez (Mississauga—Streetsville, Lib.)

Nov/25/21 2:09:45 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to say congratulations on your re-election as Speaker of the House and also to thank my husband, kids, family, campaign team and volunteers for their support, as well as all the residents of the beautiful riding of Mississauga—Streetsville for giving me the honour to serve them. There are many who heed the call to serve a greater purpose in life. For some, it happens because of great loss. Adam Hoerdt, from Mississauga—Streetsville, is biking across Canada to raise awareness for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. He built a family support network in Canada and supports research into ARVC. It is a disease of the heart muscles that can lead to life-threatening heart rhythms that cause sudden cardiac arrest in young, otherwise healthy Canadians, often without warning. I had the chance to meet him and his team, where I learned his story. His wife died suddenly at the age of 31, and his son, 23, has been left in critical condition by the disease. Adam's stoicism and activism are inspiring, and I encourage everyone to learn more and support the foundations of a future where this disease is beaten.

202 words

Mr. John Barlow (Foothills, CPC)

Nov/25/21 2:10:56 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I thank the constituents of Foothills for once again showing their trust and confidence in me to be their member of Parliament and their voice in Ottawa. It is an honour. It is these same constituents who faced the BSE crisis and the 2013 flood. The road to recovery was long and arduous. It is heartbreaking now to see farm families in B.C. facing their own crisis. Dairy, pork and poultry producers have lost thousands of animals. Fruit growers have been decimated, and B.C. farm families face a challenging and long road to recovery. I thank the service clubs, the volunteers and the military for doing all they can to help, and groups like the Do More Agriculture Foundation for offering their services. I am asking the agriculture minister to announce a comprehensive and accessible assistance package for these farmers as soon as possible. The impact on the financial and mental health of B.C. farm families would be profound. This is no time for them to be alone, and they are not. Canada stands with them.

181 words

Mr. Angelo Iacono (Alfred-Pellan, Lib.)

Nov/25/21 2:12:03 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate you on your re-election. It is so nice to be back in the House, surrounded by the dark green of our workplace, after so long in virtual mode. For my first statement in the House during this 44th Parliament, I want to say thank you 24,516 times to the people of Alfred‑Pellan. The confidence they have placed in me for a third time fills me with pride, humility and a sharpened sense of responsibility. Since October 19, 2015, I have been a trusted partner for my community and I am committed to continue being so. I am committed to working with local people, community organizations and businesses. It is for them, first and foremost, that I continue my work in my community of Alfred‑Pellan. I am confident that together, we are moving Canada forward.

147 words

Mrs. Karen Vecchio (Elgin—Middlesex—London, CPC)

Nov/25/21 2:13:08 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, internationally one in three women is subjected to physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. That is roughly 736 million women around the world. Nationally our numbers are not much better. In Canada, three out of 10 women aged 15 years or older have experienced sexual assault. That is 30%. That is one-third of all women in Canada. These numbers should deeply upset Canadians, and especially us as parliamentarians. They should motivate us for real, tangible action. Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. This year's theme is “Orange the world: End violence against women now”. Orange is the colour used to represent a brighter future free of violence against women and girls. If we work together, we can make this future a reality. We all have a part to play in ending violence against women. We need to come up with a concrete plan that provides the necessary resources, funding and support for women and young girls facing violence. To ensure safer communities and a safer Canada, we need to do better.

199 words

Mr. James Bezan (Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, CPC)

Nov/25/21 2:14:29 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, this Saturday marks the 88th anniversary of the Holodomor genocide. In 1932-33, Joseph Stalin's brutal Soviet regime used food as a weapon to exterminate upwards of 10 million Ukrainian men, women and children. At its height, Stalin's starvation edict killed 28,000 Ukrainians per day in 1933. To illustrate the extent of the Holodomor genocide in modern times, imagine if in Western Canada all the food was forcibly removed from all homes, produce, crops and livestock were seized from farms and all the grocery shelves were stripped bare. Then let every man, woman and child slowly starve to death in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. That would be the equivalent of the evil perpetrated on the Ukrainian people by Stalin and his communist thugs. The Ukrainians' only crime was being patriotic. Ukrainians wanted to keep their language, culture and traditions. Today, Ukraine's very survival is threatened by Putin's kleptocratic regime, which is amassing Russian tanks and troops on Ukraine's border. This Saturday evening, I invite every Canadian to light a candle in remembrance of the millions of lives lost and honour those who survived. [Member spoke in Ukrainian and provided the following text:] Vichna yim pamyat. May their memories be eternal.

210 words

All Topics

Ms. Lori Idlout (Nunavut, NDP)

Nov/25/21 2:16:05 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, Uqaqtittiji, qujannamiik. I speak today on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Indigenous women experience significantly more violence in Canada. On September 1, 2016, the national inquiry on missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people began its work. Three years later, on June 3, 2019, after many testimonies across Canada, the commission published its calls to justice. Two Inuit women in Montreal and in Nunavik were recently lost to violence. These deaths were preventable. These deaths are evidence of incremental justice, a practice that is unjustly a norm in Canada. To my colleagues in the House, I ask that we make implementing the calls to justice a priority. Indigenous girls, women and two-spirit people are loved. They must be strong, use their voice and keep defending their rights. Qujannamiik.

139 words

SoVote

House Hansard - 4