44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 3, 2021 10:00AM
- Dec/3/21 11:06:15 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the entrepreneurs in Madawaska—Restigouche are passionate people who show their innovative spirt on a daily basis.
In addition, they have shown resilience and creativity since the pandemic. Our local businesses were able to stand out, making a difference in our communities, and we are very proud of them.
The businesses that have endured during this time of economic uncertainty continue to employ our neighbours, friends and loved ones. They continue to offer us their goods and services with the usual warm welcome we have come to expect.
The best way to show our appreciation is to buy local, to do our Christmas shopping at our local businesses this holiday season. This will help support the economic vitality of all of our communities.
When we buy local, the economic spinoff goes further than the business itself.
I encourage people of Madawaska—Restigouche to discover or rediscover what our local businesses have to offer.
Buy local.
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- Dec/3/21 11:07:16 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Riley's Bakery has been an institution and a must-stop spot in downtown Cornwall for over a century. For the past 32 years, Robin and Ana Curran have worked tirelessly to grow its legacy as an anchor along Pitt Street.
When we talk about the pride we as Canadians have, and the hard work and dedication of small businesses in Canada, the Currans are a quintessential example. The couple had no money left after they bought the bakery back in 1989. They worked so hard to grow the business. They did not take vacation for the first 10 years, and they lived in a small apartment above Riley's as they raised their young daughter.
Recently, the Currans announced their retirement and sale of the business to the next generation. They deserve a long and happy retirement.
On behalf of grateful customers, neighbouring businesses and friends in Cornwall, we thank Robin and Ana. We wish these great Canadians all the best in their next chapter of life.
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- Dec/3/21 11:08:18 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, as I rise for the first time in this Parliament, I want to thank the residents of Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam for putting their trust me to represent our community once again.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight Haley Hodgson, author of “O CANADA, How We Vote”, a children's book about the Canadian electoral process. This fantastic book showcases our Canadian diversity and encourages discussions with young people about equality, democracy and equity.
Haley is also one of my 2021 Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam Community Champions award recipients. The award recognizes unsung heroes such as Haley in our community.
I encourage everyone to read this great book with the little ones in their lives.
I thank Haley for all that she does to build and better our community.
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- Dec/3/21 11:09:24 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is indeed a privilege today to rise in the House to pay tribute to the life of Hugh Watt, a committed family man, town councillor, businessman, great mentor and a loyal friend to many.
Hugh moved to the town of La Ronge in 1977 and became a pillar of the community. Whether it was his involvement with his beloved Junior A Ice Wolves, his role as town councillor or his involvement in many community initiatives, Hugh brought a zest for life that influenced everyone he met. When confronted with a problem about which others would say, “We can't do this”, his response was always, “We can do this. We will get it done”, and he got it done.
This week Matt Klassen was elected to fill Hugh's seat on council. He texted me to say what an honour it was for him to take Hugh's seat. He shared the responsibility he feels and his desire to serve with the utmost of respect.
I ask all members to join me today in recognizing the life and the legacy of Mr. Hugh Watt.
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- Dec/3/21 11:10:32 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to speak about the new horizons for seniors program.
Seniors have been especially impacted by isolation and loneliness throughout the pandemic. The new horizons for seniors program has contributed much-needed support to community organizations that have helped seniors to stay connected, healthy and active during the pandemic.
I would like to highlight a few examples in my riding. There are organizations in Don Valley North, like the Xile Nianhua Senior Centre, the Armenian Community Centre and the Iranian Women's Organization of Ontario. They have helped seniors to learn and use technology to stay connected at home; offered virtual exercise classes to keep seniors active and socially involved; and hosted online painting workshops.
For anyone who wishes to apply, applications for funding close on December 21. I encourage all eligible community organizations to apply for this wonderful program.
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- Dec/3/21 11:11:29 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate you on your role today. I also want to take a moment today to extend my sincere thanks to the people of my riding, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, for placing their trust in me for a third time. I thank my family, my friends, our volunteers, and my children for supporting me since 2015.
I am proud to represent our beautiful riding and to contribute to its advancement in collaboration with the municipal officials in the four RCMs in my riding, with my colleagues in the Quebec government, and with the entrepreneurs and citizens of my riding. I am committed to continuing the work that we started together in 2015 with a wonderful, experienced and diverse team.
I thank Danielle, Jean, Timmy and our newest recruit Martin, who just joined the team.
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- Dec/3/21 11:12:35 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, 18 months ago I congratulated the former member of Parliament for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo as she gained a new resident, Brynnley Lisette Huby, my granddaughter. Today I wish to congratulate the new member of Parliament for the same riding for the same reason. Brynnley's sister, Hannah Laurelin Huby, was born yesterday to parents, Adam and Carina. All are healthy, and I thank God for her safe arrival.
I also, 18 months ago, questioned the Minister of Finance as to the level of debt my first granddaughter, Brynnley, was to inherit and asked this question before the massive overspending of the past 18 months. Today, Hannah, her parents and all Canadians are facing rising monthly inflation rates and a housing affordability crisis. I implore the government to address our country's financial mess.
Many of us began our business careers amid the rampant inflation and the interest rates that rose dramatically during the early 1980s. Surely, this is not the future we wish for our children and grandchildren. Let us fix it.
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- Dec/3/21 11:13:44 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the lobster season in southwest Nova Scotia, Canada’s most lucrative fishing season, opened on Wednesday morning.
Fishermen set out on the harsh North Atlantic in the early hours to set their traps, with great anticipation of what the new season may bring, while families at home pray for the safe return of their loved ones. The work is gruelling and dangerous. Howling winds, frigid temperatures and unpredictable waves at sea create working conditions that many of us could only imagine.
In coastal communities along the South Shore, the lobster industry is the main economic driver. Families depend on a thriving lobster season to pay the bills and to put food on the table. I hope everyone in the House will join me in wishing all the fishermen in LFAs 33 and 34 a safe, successful and prosperous lobster-fishing season.
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- Dec/3/21 11:14:50 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, COVID-19 has been devastating. Getting people vaccinated continues to be our best line of defence against this deadly virus. However, while wealthy countries have enough doses, most lower-income countries cannot protect their frontline workers, their elderly or their most vulnerable. This mean countless unnecessary deaths, but it also means variants like omicron arise.
Vaccine inequity impacts us all. We must waive patents, so vaccines can be produced around the world, but his vital measure, called the TRIPS waiver, has been continually blocked or delayed by wealthy countries like Canada. This is not only morally reprehensible; it is unbelievably short-sighted. It means more variants. It puts us all at risk. I call on the government to openly support the TRIPS waiver, to stop protecting big pharma and to start protecting human health.
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- Dec/3/21 11:15:49 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, today the world is marking the International Day of Disabled Persons. The theme for this day is always equity, accessibility and inclusion. On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I want to commend the many contributions of persons with disabilities to Quebec society, despite the very real obstacles in their way.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than one billion people in the world live with some form of disability. Their talents and bright minds deserve the best efforts of governments, businesses and organizations in ensuring that people with disabilities can achieve their full potential. On this day, we should reflect on what we can do collectively in Quebec and abroad to ensure greater equality of opportunity. This is a time to reflect on the prejudice that still exists.
For us as legislators, it is an opportunity to ask ourselves whether we are doing enough to consider the impact of our public policies on persons living with a disability. It is an opportunity to commend our family members, our friends, our colleagues and our constituents, because they are the ones we are talking about today.
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- Dec/3/21 11:16:57 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a special day for wonderful people in our lives who carry an extra burden and through whom we can experience and see the innate worth and dignity of their lives.
I think of Shailynn, who despite her wheelchair and SMA diagnosis is an advocate, podcaster, YouTuber and, judging from her Instagram, a beach bum too. I think of Calgary mom, Janelle, and her daughter, Ryah, who was born with Trisomy 13 like my late daughter, Lucy-Rose. Ryah is a fighter, having defied the odds many times over. I think of my oldest daughter, Jolie, who despite her dyslexia is working through her 14-volume Dork Diaries set with gusto.
If we focus on someone's disability, we will overlook their abilities, their beauty and their uniqueness. They and all Canadians with disabilities can count on my colleagues and me to fight for them each and every day. Conservatives are the voice of Canadians left behind by the Liberal government.
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- Dec/3/21 11:17:57 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and to celebrate the strength, resilience and important contributions of persons with disabilities.
I am proud that we are creating Canada's first disability inclusion action plan, which includes the Canada disability benefit, a robust employment strategy, and improved processes for eligibility in disability programs. Engagement on this plan with the disability community and with provinces and territories is ongoing.
In the spirit of “nothing without us”, let us work together to realize an inclusive recovery and a more equitable society for all.
I invite all Canadians to celebrate this day by highlighting the incredible contributions of persons with disabilities in their communities. These are people like my good friend, Erin Callon, in Kitchener—Conestoga, whose smile is infectious. Together we can build a truly inclusive and accessible Canada.
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- Dec/3/21 11:18:58 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Conservatives have repeatedly warned the government its reckless spending would fuel inflation. It said it would not, yet here we are. The cost of everything has gone up.
When will the government take real action to help Canadian families who are struggling to afford the most basic things, like groceries?
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- Dec/3/21 11:19:23 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is a real pleasure to see you today in this session, and I want to congratulate you.
I am very happy, and I hope there are a lot of questions about the economy today, because we have very good news to share with Canadians who are watching at home today. Thanks to the hard work of Canadians, in November Canada added 154,000 jobs, which is five times more than some had forecasted, to our economy. Our plan is working; our economy is growing.
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- Dec/3/21 11:20:01 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, as they say, small businesses are the backbone of an economy, and we need to help them thrive to help get our economy back on track. However, because of Liberal inflation, labour shortages and rising shipping costs, many businesses are struggling just to stay open.
Why does the government continue to ignore the needs of Canadian small businesses?
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- Dec/3/21 11:20:25 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we all appreciate and understand in this House that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy, and that is why, during this pandemic, as members will recall, this government was there to support them every step of the way.
One thing we said to small businesses is that we have their backs as long as it takes to make sure we get through this pandemic together. We will continue to support them.
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- Dec/3/21 11:20:55 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, just this morning analysis from National Bank Financial revealed that, for the first time in decades, private sector investment in Canada has actually shrunk. Canadian factories are currently operating with the lowest capital stock in 35 years.
The Liberals have made it harder to open and operate a business in Canada. When are they going to realize the “Justinflation” economy is slowly destroying Canadian jobs?
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- Dec/3/21 11:21:25 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am very, very happy to talk about the economy this morning, because I have other good news. In fact, 106% of jobs have been recovered since the pandemic. This is astonishing, and it is thanks to Canadian workers and Canadian businesses. That compares to 83% south of our border.
We will continue to invest in workers. We will continue to invest in our economy. One thing Canadians watching at home understand is that our plan is working.
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- Dec/3/21 11:22:04 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, over the past six years, and in particular in more recent months and years, the Liberal government has been spending a lot of money, printing a lot of money, and borrowing a lot of money. As a result, Canada is now dealing with 4.7% inflation, the worst inflation crisis we have seen since 2003. Canadian families are the ones footing the bill, given that the cost of living keeps rising under this Liberal government.
Could the government commit to doing one very simple and very responsible thing and control its spending?
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- Dec/3/21 11:22:44 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent. He knows that I truly respect him, and I am happy that he has given me the opportunity today to share some good news with the House and with Canadians.
As a result of Canadians' hard work, Canada added 154,000 jobs in November, which is five times higher than what had been forecast for our economy. Canadians can clearly see that our plan is working, because our economy is growing.
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