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Mrs. Alexandra Mendès (Brossard—Saint-Lambert, Lib.)

Dec/6/21 2:09:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today is the 32nd anniversary of the massacre at École Polytechnique. I do not think there are many Canadians who do not understand what this event represented for the country, but I think this is particularly true for the 50% of Canadians who are born female. Femicide is now recognized for what it is: the intentional killing of a person because of their gender. There are many murders in Canada, a large number of which are connected to organized crime. However, what remains particularly worrisome about the event that took the lives of 14 young women who wanted to become engineers is that their only crime was that they were women. The primary motivation behind femicide is the fact that the victim is a woman. I find this incomprehensible and deeply troubling. I am a grandmother to two boys. My dream for them is a growing awareness of the intrinsic equality of all individuals and a society that recognizes that every single one of us is responsible for promoting equality.

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Ms. Michelle Ferreri (Peterborough—Kawartha, CPC)

Dec/6/21 2:10:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today I am very proud to share the story of #CoachCal, a six-year-old from my riding of Peterborough—Kawartha. Cal was selected after auditioning for the next gen program. He was granted a single-game contract with our OHL team, the Peterborough Petes, to give the pre-game pep talk. His pep talk went viral on social media and has been trending across North American media. It has over three millions view on the NHL’s TikTok. I cannot deliver the speech as well as Cal, but I want to share some of my favourite words from his passionate speech: “Everyone in this room has a dream, but those dreams don’t just come to you, you have to earn it. This is a team and each one of us brings something to the team.” Cal's words are a powerful reminder of what we should be focusing on, both on and off the ice. As his MP, I am very proud of his hard work, and I will do whatever it takes to get the “W” for Peterborough—Kawartha.

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Mr. Bryan May (Cambridge, Lib.)

Dec/6/21 2:11:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise to speak to the recent accomplishments by the Canadian nuclear industry. Ontario Power Generation has announced that Darlington will construct a small modular reactor, SMR, in partnership with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. This is a significant step in the development of SMRs. It delivers jobs and helps us meet the climate crisis. In addition, the Canadian Nuclear Association recently signed MOUs with Romania and the French nuclear energy society to promote the growth of civil nuclear energy. These are decades-long relationships that will continue to grow as Canada works to address climate change with its international partners. These announcements demonstrate the leadership of OPG, CNA and the nuclear industry's creation of jobs and economic, environmental and technological benefits for all Canadians. Please join me in helping welcome them and congratulating them on their incredible work.

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Mr. Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland, CPC)

Dec/6/21 2:12:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, since the flooding began in British Columbia, Canadians have stepped up. The heroic efforts of first responders, members of the Canadian Forces and just regular people have helped save lives and protect property. Faith groups and civic organizations have also stepped up in a big way to provide food and shelter to evacuees. As we work to rebuild the Fraser Valley, Canadians want to know what is going to be done to ensure something like this never happens again. They want to know why critical infrastructure that could have prevented this disaster was not built. They want to know that the government will have their back and will act proactively to mitigate these disasters in the future. Whenever trouble arises, Canadians never fail to live up to our reputation. We are a generous people, always ready to help those in need, even when it means putting our own lives at risk. Conservatives are committed to a team Canada approach. We will work hard to rebuild and to protect British Columbians for generations to come. It is time to get the job done.

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Mr. Eric Melillo (Kenora, CPC)

Dec/6/21 2:13:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in Canada 50% of women have been victims of sexual or physical violence. Last year, on average, a woman or girl was killed every two and a half days, with indigenous women being disproportionately targeted. The vast majority of identified perpetrators are men, and in many cases are current or former intimate partners. As we mourn the losses, we must direct our efforts into preventing future tragedies. We must ensure abusers face real consequences while providing vulnerable women and girls with access to safe housing and other support services. In our personal lives, we must stand against domestic violence, abuse and coercion. We must hold ourselves and our friends accountable, listen to the survivors in our lives and offer support to women looking to leave abusive partners. We all have a role to play in ending violence against women.

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Mr. Kody Blois (Kings—Hants, Lib.)

Dec/6/21 2:14:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional Maritimer, someone who has had a lasting impact on journalism in Canada. Earlier this week, Steve Murphy delivered his last sign-off as anchor CTV Atlantic News at Six after a broadcasting career that spanned four decades. He has taken us through many historic moments during his time, tragedies like the crash of Swissair Flight 111, massive storms and weather events like hurricane Juan and White Juan, historic visits from the Queen and American presidents, and milestones like the opening of the Confederation Bridge. Steve has also reported on many elections. His interviews were known for being tough but fair. Indeed, he has held the feet of many prime ministers and MPs to the fire on the issues of the day. In fact, Steve's interviews were seen as a rite of passage for elected officials. One of my own regrets as a young MP was to not have had one of those interviews and to not have been questioned by Steve. I would like to ask that all members of this House wish Steve Murphy all the best in his retirement and the days ahead.

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Mr. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NDP)

Dec/6/21 2:15:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte, 14 young women with bright futures, had their lives taken from them just because they were women. Thirty-two years ago, they were shot and killed by a man who hated women, particularly those who could hold their own. That was 32 years ago, but have we made any real progress as a society? It is hard to tell. This year, there have already been 18 femicides in Quebec alone. Eighteen women died at the hands of their violent partners. We need to do more. We need to continue to focus on education, putting resources on the ground and limiting access to guns in our communities. We owe it to our sisters, our friends, our daughters and those 14 young women who left us far too soon 32 years ago.

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Mrs. Marilène Gill (Manicouagan, BQ)

Dec/6/21 2:17:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on December 4, Quebec lost one of its literary giants. François Hébert co-founded the publishing house Les Herbes rouges in 1968. When we think about Quebec literature and poetry, we cannot help but think about the almost mythical Hébert brothers: Marcel, who died in 2007, and François. With François' death, we have suddenly lost over half a century of literary memory. He gave up his role as CEO in the spring but continued to work as an editor until this past Saturday, just as he wanted to. Les Herbes rouges started out as a literary magazine before becoming a publishing house with 600 titles. It promotes avant-garde literature and serves as a forum for discussion and renewal, where anything is possible. Les Herbes rouges is one big family. François, my editor, boss, mentor and friend, I thank you on behalf of the Bloc Québécois. I love you.

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

Dec/6/21 2:18:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on this day 32 years ago, 14 women were murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal. The lives of 14 bright, young women were senselessly cut short. These women were explicitly targeted because of their sex. They were murdered for no reason other than the fact that they were women. The blatant sexism that motivated the attack continues to haunt Canadians and the women who still face unacceptable high volumes of violence. Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Canadians must unite against sexism, remember the victims of the dark day in 1989 and resolve to do better. We need to work together to create a Canada that is free from violence against women. We owe it to the victims and it is time we make it a reality.

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Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Outremont, Lib.)

Dec/6/21 2:19:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this year, like every year, I will be at this afternoon's vigil, surrounded by my grieving community. Thirty-two years ago to the day, 14 female students at Montreal's École Polytechnique lost their lives. I want to pay tribute to those 14 brilliant young women whose whole lives lay ahead of them and to the survivors, such as Nathalie Provost, who was shot that evening and who works with PolyRemembers to advocate for better gun control here in Canada. On this very solemn day, I commit, in this House of Commons, to the survivors of Polytechnique, to the families of Meriem and Thomas, and all those who have been impacted by gun violence to continue to fight for stronger gun control measures. Whether it is a mandatory buyback for assault weapons or a national ban on handguns, the mandate my community sent me to Ottawa with will guide my every step. On December 6, 1989, 14 exceptional young women were brutally gunned down. May we never forget.

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The Speaker

Dec/6/21 2:20:24 p.m.
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Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand that there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence. I invite the members to rise and observe one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tragedy that occurred 32 years ago at Montreal's École Polytechnique. [A moment of silence observed]

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, CPC)

Dec/6/21 2:22:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the number of women who are victims of violence simply because they are women should be decreasing, but the evidence shows that it is just going up. Since the beginning of the pandemic, incidents of domestic violence have drastically increased. Many women have been victims of violence and abuse. Many have suffered at the hands of intimate partners. Violence against women, in all of its forms, tears families apart and the impact goes beyond the victims to hurt children and our society. Today, as we mark the 32nd anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre, one of the most horrific examples of gender-based violence, can the Deputy Prime Minister please update the House on what the government is doing to combat violence against women?

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

Dec/6/21 2:23:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me thank the deputy leader of the Conservative Party for that very important question, and while we disagree about many things in the House I hope that on this very sombre anniversary we can all agree that violence against women is simply unacceptable. Today, it is very important that we remember the 14 young women from Montreal's École Polytechnique who were killed just because they were women. Our budget made unprecedented investments in fighting violence against women. We have just had a moment of silence in the House, but I wonder if people would think it appropriate, and if you, Mr. Speaker, would think it appropriate, for all the women MPs to rise for one moment now to remember them. [A moment of silence observed]

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, CPC)

Dec/6/21 2:24:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for that answer. Inflation is out of control and, with Christmas just around the corner, Canadians are really feeling it. All it seems the members of the Liberal government can do is throw up their hands and say, “There is nothing that we can do.” I want to remind the Minister of Finance that the government does have a say in setting the inflation-control target. Will the Liberals do the bare minimum to address inflation and stick to the 2% target of the Bank of Canada? If they will not do that, why not?

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

Dec/6/21 2:24:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the renewal of the mandate of the Bank of Canada, which happens every five years, is indeed a serious and important moment for our economy. The Bank of Canada has undertaken an extensive process to consider this decision, and there have been very good discussions between the government and the bank. We look forward to announcing our agreement with the bank on the mandate in due course.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, CPC)

Dec/6/21 2:25:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we hope “due course” is soon, as even the Governor of the Bank of Canada said Canadians can be confident we can control inflation. It seems it is only the finance minister who either does not understand that part of her job or does not care. There are things the government can do to get inflation under control. We have been asking this question for a week now, and we are going to keep asking it: What is the government going to do to stop out-of-control prices that are affecting Canadians right across the country?

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

Dec/6/21 2:26:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government has every confidence in the Bank of Canada and we respect its independence. We also happen to know, on this side of the House, the difference between fiscal and monetary policy. We would never cast aspersions on the Bank of Canada such as those we have heard from the Conservatives, who have described it, for example, as an ATM.

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Mr. Alain Rayes (Richmond—Arthabaska, CPC)

Dec/6/21 2:26:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, since 2015, the government has been borrowing money and spending it recklessly, telling us repeatedly that nothing can be done about the inflation problem. In reality, because of Liberal mismanagement, we are stuck with skyrocketing gas, food and housing prices. The cost of living is now a concern for the vast majority of Quebeckers and Canadians, but not for our Prime Minister. When will he present a real plan to tackle inflation, which is hitting all Canadian families so hard?

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

Dec/6/21 2:27:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we understand quite well that affordability is an important issue for Canadian families. We also understand, as does Stephen Poloz, the former governor of the Bank of Canada appointed by Stephen Harper, that inflation is a global phenomenon. Here are some numbers to back that up: In October, the inflation rate was 4.7% in Canada and 6.2% in the U.S. Germany, in turn, just announced a 6% inflation rate.

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Mr. Alain Rayes (Richmond—Arthabaska, CPC)

Dec/6/21 2:27:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, here is the reality, based on the numbers. In Quebec alone, the inflation rate is 5.1%. Prices have skyrocketed. Gas prices have gone up 35% and housing prices have increased by 20%. According to the latest calculations, Canadian families will have to spend an additional $695 on groceries next year, in 2022. As the holiday season approaches, requests for food bank assistance are exploding. I repeat my question to the Prime Minister. When will he introduce a real plan, with concrete measures, to tackle the rising cost of living that is affecting families, seniors and especially those less fortunate?

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