44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 6, 2021 11:00AM
- Dec/6/21 2:24:59 p.m.
- Watch
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.
69 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:25:26 p.m.
- Watch
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?
101 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:26:03 p.m.
- Watch
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.
63 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:26:32 p.m.
- Watch
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?
83 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:27:13 p.m.
- Watch
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.
77 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:27:54 p.m.
- Watch
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?
102 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:28:42 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives continue with their irresponsible fearmongering and attempts to talk down the Canadian economy, Canadians are smart and know the facts.
Our GDP grew 5.4% in the third quarter, exceeding market expectations and the performance of the U.S., Japan, the U.K. and Australia. In addition, Canada has now recovered 106% of the jobs lost during the COVID-19 recession.
66 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:29:25 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, 32 years ago today, Quebec bore witness to a femicide that left 14 students dead at Polytechnique.
Against the background of the 18 femicides this year and the wave of shootings that have shaken Montreal, the lack of progress on gun control since this massacre took place is even more glaring.
One Polytechnique survivor, Nathalie Provost, said, “It is a disaster. We are less protected in 2021 than in 1989.”
When will the government finally assume its responsibilities on gun control?
85 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:30:06 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the question and her words on the anniversary of the Polytechnique tragedy.
Our government has taken meaningful action on gun violence. At the same time, we recognize that we have to do more and look for tangible solutions. We have to collaborate with the Government of Quebec and every member of the House to ensure that everyone can be safe in their community.
72 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:30:46 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, according to the coordinator at PolyRemembers, “There is a weakening of gun control while we are witnessing an increase in femicides and several shootings.”
Thirty-two years later, we are regressing instead of progressing. It is so discouraging. That is what the Polytechnique survivors are telling us today. We owe a debt to those women.
What strong action will the Deputy Prime Minister take today to give the victims a reason to believe the federal government will do something?
83 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:31:24 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, my colleague is right, and that is why we will continue to work with the victims' families and the Government of Quebec.
Last week, I held two virtual meetings with the leaders of PolyRemembers, as well as my Quebec counterpart, in order to improve our collaborative efforts and find tangible solutions to tackle this problem.
We will continue to work in close collaboration with everyone.
67 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:31:59 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, opioids are wreaking havoc in Quebec and everywhere. There has been an overdose crisis for years. Hundreds of people have died as a result of substance abuse.
According to just about everyone who has studied this issue, including police forces, public health agencies and the World Health Organization, the solution is simple: We must decriminalize the simple possession of drugs. The people affected do not need to go to jail; they need help.
Several major cities, including Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, are calling for the federal government to act. What are the Liberals waiting for? When will they get serious about addressing the overdose crisis?
107 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:32:40 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I am obviously very pleased and grateful to be able to answer this question.
Since we have spoken about this several times, my colleague knows very well how invested we are in taking action on several fronts, including harm reduction and the safe supply of medications and drugs. We naturally want to work with the community so that services are available for those who need them most.
My colleague, the first ever Minister of Mental Health and Addictions in Canada, is actively working with stakeholders across the country. She will be pleased to provide further details soon.
99 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:33:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported an 88% increase in opioid-related deaths last year. The Prime Minister has repeatedly said we need to listen to public health officials to get through the pandemic. However, when it comes to the overdose crisis, he is ignoring those same health officials who are clearly saying that decriminalizing personal possession of illicit drugs and providing a safe supply are essential first steps in ending stigma and saving lives.
The stigma starts with the Prime Minister. It has been six years, and over 20,000 people have died from a poisoned drug supply. When will he finally take action?
108 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:34:01 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes that substance use is a health issue. We are looking at ways to divert people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system and toward supportive and trusted relationships. We will carefully review any request to decriminalize the personal possession of drugs on a case-by-case basis, as well as new ways to address the toxic drug supply. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to end this national public health crisis.
82 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:34:29 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, do you know how many buildings the federal government owns? It owns 37,246. Do you know how much land the federal government owns? It owns almost 41 million hectares. Conservatives had a plan in the last election to tie infrastructure dollars to housing prices. The Liberals' plan creates more housing inflation.
Can the minister tell us how a 20% rise in housing prices is actually helping Canadians?
70 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:35:02 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. With respect to the hon. member's question, I would point out that is precisely why our government brought in the national housing strategy, which has seen more than $72 billion planned to help ensure Canadians get the housing they need. Since 2015, in just the past six years, our government supported the creation of nearly 100,000 new units and has repaired over 300,000 more across all housing programs, representing $27.4 billion.
There is no shortage of investments we have made to make sure Canadians have places they can afford and that are safe to call home.
113 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:35:38 p.m.
- Watch
That is unreal, Mr. Speaker. Does the member not realize that in downtown Toronto, the average price of a single detached family home is $1.8 million?
Let us compare Canada with the rest of the G7. Housing supply is the highest. It is the lowest, but housing inflation is the highest. New builds are up. They are down 5.2%, and house prices are up 20%. Under what metric in the world is this plan working?
77 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:36:13 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is hard to figure out what metric the member is pointing to when we are confused about which is higher and which is lower.
With great respect, what has not wavered is our commitment to ensuring that we are investing in building supply and investing in programs. There is a new rent-to-own program so people who are renting can afford a place to call home, which will have generational impacts. These are investments that are going to make homes more affordable for first-time buyers.
Whether it is housing affordability or building more affordable housing, our government has been committed, like no other government in the history of Canada from the moment we first formed government, and that is not going to cease. We know it is a problem and we are going to continue to address it.
143 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/21 2:36:54 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that Canada has the second-biggest housing bubble in the world, according to Bloomberg, and Vancouver and Toronto are the second and fifth most unaffordable housing markets on earth, according to Demographia, the Liberal media and the Liberal government want me to stop talking about housing inflation. Who does not want me to stop talking about it? Raj, who is an IT worker from Brampton. He has had to drive Uber in order to save up over 15 years to make a down payment on the average house in his community.
Will the minister tell Raj and other Canadians whether we have a housing bubble, yes or no?
113 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
