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Mr. Blaine Calkins (Red Deer—Lacombe, CPC)

Nov/29/21 2:14:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing an economic crisis and a unity crisis. It is time for government to stop dividing, stop picking winners and losers and be a unifying force. Canada has a wealth of oil and gas. Our energy sector contributes over 10% of our nominal GDP. We should all be proud that we provide clean, environmentally responsible energy that respects human rights. We should strive for Canadian energy independence and getting ethical Canadian oil in all our refineries. It can be done if we stop pulling against each other and start working together. One sector does not have to lose for another to win. As Canadians, we should be proud of all our industries: aerospace in Quebec, the auto sector in Ontario, fisheries in Atlantic Canada, agriculture in the Prairies and forestry in B.C. Elsewhere around the world, people are starved for opportunity, yet Canada is still the land of opportunity. We just need to stop tearing each other down and work together to get things done. The Conservatives are ready to unite Canada and foster pride in everything this country has to offer, so let us roll up our sleeves and get to work.

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Mr. Taylor Bachrach (Skeena—Bulkley Valley, NDP)

Nov/29/21 2:15:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, each fall, steelhead angling draws visitors from around the world to the Skeena River, supporting dozens of small businesses up and down our watershed. These are businesses like Babine Norlakes, owned by Carrie Collingwood and Billy Labonte, or the Kispiox Bear Claw Lodge, run by the Allen family. However, like so many wild salmon stocks, Skeena steelhead are in trouble. This year, only 5,300 steelhead made it up our river. That is the lowest return on record. Pandemic border closures killed the 2020 steelhead season. This year, the B.C. government had to close a fishery because of low returns. Skeena steelhead tourism businesses need financial help, but even more, they need concerted efforts to rebuild steelhead stocks. When Thompson River steelhead took a nosedive, the minister failed to act and now they are almost extinct. We cannot allow Skeena steelhead to go the same way. I hope our new fisheries minister travels soon to Skeena, sits down with those people who are affected and then acts swiftly to ensure that we do not lose our steelhead forever.

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Mr. René Villemure (Trois-Rivières, BQ)

Nov/29/21 2:16:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on Friday, an organization called Noël du Pauvre hosted its 63rd annual telethon at the beautiful J.-Antonio-Thompson hall. This year, it raised over $735,000 to help 4,800 of the neediest families in Trois‑Rivières and Mauricie. Noël du Pauvre, which has been broadcast every year since 1959, was the first telethon in Canada and is the oldest one in North America. It was Gilles Boulet who came up with the idea of fundraising on TV. He floated his idea by Henri Audet, the then CEO of CKTM-TV in Trois‑Rivières. The first telethon was broadcast from a church basement. Noël du Pauvre now has more than 2,000 volunteers and has been broadcast live since 1959. I remember nights in early winter when my father would make us watch Noël du Pauvre, and he would tell us that everyone is rich enough to be able to give to someone poorer than themselves. On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, myself and, I am sure, the member for Saint-Maurice—Champlain, I thank Noël du Pauvre for its unwavering commitment to helping the less fortunate.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Nov/29/21 2:17:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the cost of everything is increasing. The government's printing of cash is unceasing. Too many dollars chasing too few goods makes life more expensive in our neighbourhoods. Inflation in the throne speech had only one single mention. I will try this rhyme to get the government's attention: Families from coast to coast are struggling,The ballooning costs of everything they are barely juggling.Business groups are looking for the government to tap the brakes on spending,Our economic recovery is in jeopardy and the tab is never-ending.Maybe they do not know; maybe they do not care,For all of this, the government has no justification,After all, to them this is just inflation.

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Ms. Ya'ara Saks (York Centre, Lib.)

Nov/29/21 2:18:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in my riding of York Centre and in communities across Canada and around the world, Jewish families are celebrating the festival of lights. It is a story of resilience and triumph against oppression. This year I am reminded of the dedication of our community, which has given up so much to love and protect the vulnerable and the elderly during these challenging times. Hanukkah teaches us never to underestimate the power of a handful of dedicated people to change the world. Inspired by faith and perseverance then and so too today, the story of Hanukkah celebrates the faith and traditions of the Jewish people over centuries, a shining light of what freedom and diversity can and should look like in our society today. Diversity is a fact in our lives here in Canada. Inclusivity is a choice we make each and every day. It is a time to spread light and hope to everyone, and to keep the ruach, the spirit, of Hanukkah growing candle by candle each night. On behalf of all of my constituents, I would like to wish all members of the House and all Canadians Chag urim sameach. Happy Hanukkah.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, CPC)

Nov/29/21 2:19:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are watching the price of everything go up while the Liberals have been denying that their policies would cause inflation. However, by the end of last week, the finance minister was calling inflation a “crisis”. She does not think that the Liberals are responsible for it. It is almost like she is printing money so that she never runs out of bucks to pass. If the finance minister and the Prime Minister believe that this is a crisis, what is she prepared to do to deal with it?

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Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Nov/29/21 2:20:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite would have Canadians believe that inflation is a made-in-Canada problem, but experts agree that this is an international challenge that all of our peer countries are facing too. In fact, last week, even the Leader of the Opposition admitted that rising inflation is “a global phenomenon”. I therefore have a question to offer for the member opposite. Who is the real voice of economic policy for the Conservatives, the Leader of the Opposition or the deputy leader or maybe the member for Carleton?

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, CPC)

Nov/29/21 2:21:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me take the finance minister back to a meeting that she had just this Friday with Canada's most senior economist, and maybe she would want to ask them some questions and take their advice. Most of them agreed that the government is making the inflation problem worse. In fact, BMO chief economist Doug Porter said, “I think at the margin there are some things fiscal policy can do,” which is the federal government's responsibility, “and that's basically to take the foot off the accelerator.” What that economist was saying is that the government is contributing to the crisis, so take responsibility. What are the Liberals going to do?

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Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Nov/29/21 2:21:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote another economist I respect very much, and I think Stephen Harper respected him too because Prime Minister Harper appointed him to be Governor of the Bank of Canada. Stephen Poloz was asked in a weekend TV show whether he thought Canadian government spending was the cause of inflation. He was unequivocal. His answer was “I think that's not right.” He is right; the Conservatives are wrong.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, CPC)

Nov/29/21 2:22:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what the finance minister is saying, then, is that the government has absolutely no control and has no ability to deal with inflation in this country. That is a big F right off the start; it is a fail for the government. I believe the chief economists and experts in this country. What is the government going to do? Will the Liberals at least admit that they are in government and should have an answer for inflation? Are they going to do anything or just throw up their hands and say, “Not our problem. Too bad everybody. Keep paying high costs because the Liberals don't care.”

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Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Nov/29/21 2:22:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me further quote Governor Poloz, an economist respected by all Canadians. He was asked whether the support we offered at the height of the COVID recession was the right thing to do. He said, “what the stimulus did was to keep the economy from going into a deep hole in which we would have experienced persistent deflation.... Read a book or two about the Great Depression in the 1930s and realize what was averted when we went through this.” We know we did the right thing. Let me quote the Governor and urge the Conservatives to read a book or two and understand that.

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Mr. Alain Rayes (Richmond—Arthabaska, CPC)

Nov/29/21 2:23:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our entrepreneurs, our job creators, are on their last legs. In April and June, I personally wrote to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship with ideas for solutions to help our businesses, which are hurting because of the severe labour shortage. It has been seven months, and nothing has been done to fix this problem. When will the Prime Minister get to work and put forward concrete solutions to the labour shortage problem affecting every business across the country?

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Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)

Nov/29/21 2:24:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Those of us on this side of the House believe that immigration creates long-term jobs and prosperity. That is why we are working with the Government of Quebec. We have already kept our promises. This year, we set an unprecedented target for temporary foreign workers. This is the right approach, so we will keep going in this direction with the Government of Quebec.

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Mr. Alain Rayes (Richmond—Arthabaska, CPC)

Nov/29/21 2:24:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the minister can say whatever he wants, but on the official Immigration Canada website, it says that they are behind. It says in black and white that they are now processing 2019 applications. In one month it will be 2022. Businesses need help now, they need the means to address the labour shortage problem now. When will the government get to work and offer real solutions?

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Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)

Nov/29/21 2:25:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this is not just about words, it is about action. As I have said before, we have historic levels of immigration, not just in Quebec but across Canada. It is good for the economy and it is good for the long-term prosperity of our country, and we are going to continue to work closely with all the provinces, even Quebec, to follow the course.

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Mr. Alain Therrien (La Prairie, BQ)

Nov/29/21 2:25:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the commissioner of the environment slammed the Liberals' record on climate change. Since they took office, the commissioner said, and I quote, “Canada...has become the worst performer of all G7 nations”. Nevertheless, the government is still subsidizing oil companies so that they can increase production—but in the hopes that they will do so in a cleaner way. What a smart bunch. They are still trying to put out the fire with a flame-thrower. Will the government finally figure out that we need to put a cap on fossil energy?

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Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Nov/29/21 2:27:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague for his question. However, I would invite him to read very carefully the report from the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development, which clearly shows that his analysis pertains to the years before our government took office. The commissioner himself acknowledged that he did not look at the some 100 measures we put in place in our 2016 and 2020 action plans, namely, the $100 billion or so that we invested in recent years. I look forward to seeing the environment commissioner's next report, which we hope will focus on the measures that we have implemented to reduce pollution in Canada.

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Mr. Alain Therrien (La Prairie, BQ)

Nov/29/21 2:27:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this is the only government that has increased its greenhouse gas emissions since 2015, so it is in no position to lecture anyone. If the government's plan were as good as my colleague claims, fossil fuel companies would not be celebrating. The Canadian Association of Energy Contractors was happy to announce last Tuesday that no fewer than 1,363 new wells would be drilled in 2022. That is an increase of 25% over this year. They are literally popping the champagne, and all this comes barely two weeks after COP26. Can the government at least warn the industry that 1,363 new wells is a very bad idea?

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Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Nov/29/21 2:28:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would remind my colleague that we already have one of the highest carbon prices in the world. In terms of carbon pricing, we have surpassed Quebec, California and British Columbia, and we will surpass Europe in 2022. Of all the countries in the world, especially oil- and gas-producing countries, Canada has the highest target for reducing emissions of methane, a very potent greenhouse gas. We have also decided to cap greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector, which no other oil-producing country has done so far.

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Mr. Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway, NDP)

Nov/29/21 2:29:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, no one is protected from COVID-19 until everyone is protected. The omicron variant makes this clear. For months, health experts, the WHO and New Democrats urged the government to ensure vaccines are available around the world. This is not just for equity reasons, but because it is essential to keep Canadians safe from new COVID variants. Not only did Liberals ignore this advice, but also they opposed developing countries manufacturing vaccines for their own citizens. Will the Liberals stop defending big pharma and start protecting Canadians?

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