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Dec/16/21 2:07:38 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today, on what would have been his 97th birthday, we commemorate the late Dr. Richard Goldbloom, a distinguished doctor, teacher and philanthropist in Halifax. Dr. Goldbloom passed away last month at the end of a purposeful life of service, excellence and compassion, and he was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, the indomitable Ruth Goldbloom. A renowned pediatrician who served as president of the Canadian Paediatric Society, Dr. Goldbloom touched the lives of thousands of families and students throughout his career. His contributions to the scientific community are phenomenal: He published 140 scientific papers related to medicine. He also served as president of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the board chair of the Waterfront Development Corporation and the founding chair of the Discovery Centre. Dr. Goldbloom received numerous honorary doctorate degrees and was an officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Order of Nova Scotia. I hope all members of this House will join me in a round of applause to commemorate the life of a man who gave so much to Canada.

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Mr. Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, Lib.)

Dec/16/21 2:08:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the non-profit organizations and their volunteers who are working hard to ensure that less fortunate families have a great holiday season. I am thinking especially of the volunteers who spend hours organizing holiday food drives. Whether they are at the grocery store raising money, putting together Christmas hampers at a food bank, or delivering those Christmas hampers, without them, the holiday season would not be the same for hundreds of families in Glengarry—Prescott—Russell. I also want to thank all the residents who contribute to this holiday food drive. On behalf of the people of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, I say a big thank you to them. As we say back home, your hearts are in the right place. I wish you a merry Christmas, happy holidays and the happiest of new years.

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Mr. Larry Brock (Brantford—Brant, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:09:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to rise in the House today to acknowledge the efforts of an incredibly dedicated and passionate woman who has been at the helm of a very special organization in my riding, known as the Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre, or CAB for short. For the past seven years, Paula Thomlison has been the executive director and the driving force behind the centre, which supports developmentally challenged adults. Paula joined the centre at a crucial time. The non-profit did not have a suitable place to provide programming for its students, and the organization's goal was to obtain a home of its own. Paula was instrumental in making that dream become a reality. In 2018, with the support of community leaders, organizations and individuals, CAB purchased a former school and now has a permanent location. Prior to the election, I had the pleasure of being the chair of the board of CAB, and I was able to witness Paula's undeniable commitment to persons with disabilities, so that they could truly live their best lives. With a stable and bright future ahead of CAB, Paula will now embark on a well-deserved retirement. I would like to thank Paula from the bottom of my heart for her endless contributions to my community and wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life. She will be missed.

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

Dec/16/21 2:10:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the holidays are a time for special family traditions, when we support one another so no one is left behind. This year my office started a new tradition by joining the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton’s holiday concert as steel pan drum performers, a joyous and wonderful way to start the holiday season. The need for help is greater than ever. I encourage Canadians to give if they can, to local food banks, charities and toy drives. Last week I joined the Oakville firefighters, who are continuing their long tradition of collecting donations so every child has a special holiday. Organizations like Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre are working overtime to ensure that every family can celebrate the holidays. While we are still in a pandemic, we head into the holidays with hope for the coming year. I wish everyone all the wonder and joy the season brings, and may the spirit of the holidays remain with members throughout 2022.

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Mr. Richard Martel (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:11:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, meteorologists are forecasting a cold and unpredictable winter. Will this be the winter that snowmobilers have been waiting for? We will see. One thing is certain: We need to plan our trips according to the weather. Jimmy Desbiens, better known as Météo Chicoutimi, knows a thing or two about this. Since 2008, his hobby has become a business, so he has stepped up efforts to provide citizens with quick access to local conditions. He has become the local weather expert for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. By sharing his forecasts gradually over time, he has built a reliable service and an excellent reputation. Mr. Desbiens's hard work finally paid off recently. Météo Chicoutimi now has a major contract with the City of Saguenay. Mr. Desbiens is a great example of how we can achieve our dreams with determination, hard work and perseverance. Being an entrepreneur is a way of life, and it is often only after thousands of hours of work that we see the results. I offer my congratulations on his 13 years of hard work and his well-deserved success.

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Mr. Rick Perkins (South Shore—St. Margarets, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:13:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotia is the balsam fir Christmas tree capital of the world. Family farms across my province prepare every year for the busy Christmas season. Christmas tree farmers like former MP Gerald Keddy, former Senator Don Oliver and Kevin Veinotte, who I buy my trees from, ship their trees around the world and open their farms to families for picking out the right tree. Christmas tree farming is an economic driver in my community and supports rural communities and families across Nova Scotia. The province of Nova Scotia exports more than seven million dollars' worth of Christmas trees every year. If people care about the environment, they should not buy a plastic tree from China. Instead, they should buy a renewable, sustainable and natural balsam fir tree from Nova Scotia. If they want to save the planet, they should buy a tree from Lunenburg or Queens County. As we approach the holiday break, I hope everyone in my riding, all members present and their families have a very merry Christmas, and that all the tree farmers have a successful Christmas season.

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Mr. Lloyd Longfield (Guelph, Lib.)

Dec/16/21 2:14:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are familiar with nuclear power and its role in getting us to net zero, but what may be less well known is that Canada is also a world leader in producing life-saving medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. In addition to their role in sanitizing billions of pieces of personal protective equipment during the pandemic, advanced medical isotopes are also used to diagnose and treat millions of patients each year, while also supporting cutting-edge research into cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. With demand expected to double by 2023, I am proud to highlight the work being done by the Canadian medical isotope innovation ecosystem in partnership with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which will help Canada deliver on goals related to economic reconciliation, inclusion and rural economic development. This work ensures that Canadians continue to have access to cutting-edge therapies while providing over 8,500 jobs across Canada.

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Mr. Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre, NDP)

Dec/16/21 2:15:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to end 2021 on a high note by sharing my gratitude for the people of Hamilton Centre, who put their trust in me to return to this 44th Parliament and ensure that our working-class values continue to be well represented here in the House of Commons. I thank, from the “Hamilton Centre” of my heart, my riding association and the hundreds of campaign volunteers who mobilized to go door to door, street to street and neighbourhood to neighbourhood. I say to my family, both blood and chosen, who act as my deep roots of grounding, that with their strength I may, from time to time, be forced to bend, but I will never break. Finally, I offer my deepest and uttermost gratitude to my incredible spouse Jade and our dear son Langston, for whom I will never stop fighting to build a better world. I thank them for the sacrifices they have made throughout this work. Although it bears my name, it continues to be a burden they both have to carry. I love them all dearly. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and happy new year.

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Ms. Louise Chabot (Thérèse-De Blainville, BQ)

Dec/16/21 2:16:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, with the holidays approaching, here is my wish list for the coming year. For workers who do not have access to employment insurance because of outdated eligibility rules, I wish for rapid and comprehensive reforms. For workers who are sick, I wish for 50 weeks of benefits now so they can take care of themselves with dignity. For federally regulated workers whose employers bring in scabs during strikes, I wish for anti-scab legislation right away. For workers on the verge of bankruptcy, I wish for the means to protect their nest egg immediately. For health care workers, I wish for the immediate and unconditional increase of health transfers to 35% of health care costs. Lastly, for Quebeckers, who have the right to make all their own decisions themselves, I wish for our own country once and for all.

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Mr. Scott Reid (Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:17:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 'Twas the week before Christmas, from the House floor,MPs rewriting the verses of Clement Moore,whose Night Before Christmas we all know so well,yet spoofing it just right can be hard as hell.When writing my version last year at this time,it was hard to make AstraZeneca rhyme.The task poets now face on the path we are onis finding a word that rhymes with omicron.In the year when the best gift under the tree is likely to be booster dose number three,it is hard to remember the joy of the season, when nature and governments give us no reason.The nation's debt load is now half a trillion, but hope springs eternal so thanks a million.To those who bring joy into all of our lives, caregivers, friends, children, husbands and wives,whether your home is Whoville, Perth or Timbuktu,Merry Christmas to all, merry Christmas to you.

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Mr. Majid Jowhari (Richmond Hill, Lib.)

Dec/16/21 2:18:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, [Member spoke in Farsi] [English] These lines are from noble Hafiz, a Persian poet whose renowned work, The Divan of Hafiz, is engaged for telling fortunes during the celebratory occasion of Yalda. On December 21, I will join fellow Persians within Richmond Hill and around the globe in Yalda festivities when we mark the winter solstice by enjoying good company, the delight of traditional foods and the divinity of poetry. Please join me in wishing all who celebrate Shabe Yalda a happy and safe celebration, and thanks to all for their continued support. [Member spoke in Farsi] [English] I wish everyone merry Christmas, happy holidays and happy new year.

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Hon. Erin O'Toole (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:19:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, a year ago, the Minister of Finance said there would be deflation in Canada. She promised prices would go down for Canadian families. Instead, we have seen grocery prices go up 15% to 20%. We have seen gas go up 40%. We have seen housing, rent and mortgage prices go up 20% to 30%. She misled Canadians with the deflation promise. Today, in the mandate letter for the Minister of Finance, why is there is no mention of the inflation crisis?

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

Dec/16/21 2:20:38 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the person who is misleading Canadians when it comes to the economy is the Leader of the Opposition. Here are the facts. Our GDP grew by 5.4% in the third quarter. We have recovered 106% of the jobs lost to the pandemic. As Stephen Poloz, the central banker appointed by Mr. Harper, put it over the weekend, “Aren't we lucky that the policies worked well to prevent the second Great Depression, which is what economists worried about when we first encountered COVID.” That is the reality.

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Hon. Erin O'Toole (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:21:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the reality is the Minister of Finance was the first Canadian politician ever to be flagged for misleading Canadians online. It is quite rich for that minister to suggest other people are misleading Canadians, when she has been flagged just as Donald Trump was. It is almost the end of the year. I will give the minister the opportunity to apologize to Canadians for misleading them during the federal election.

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

Dec/16/21 2:21:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to allow the Leader of the Opposition to stop flip-flopping and to choose an economic lane. It is something his caucus might appreciate, too. Today, the Conservatives are complaining about government spending, but on the campaign trail they proposed a deficit of $168 billion for 2021-22. In the fall economic update, we showed a deficit for that year of $144.5 billion, which was $23.5 billion lower than what the Conservatives proposed. Could the leader of flip-flops please let Canadians know what he really stands for?

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Hon. Erin O'Toole (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:22:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would note Donald Trump does not apologize either. The cost of living crisis is worse than it has been in decades. It is a disaster. This winter, some families will have to choose between heating their house and buying groceries because wages are not going up. That is unacceptable. Do the Liberals understand the choices Canadians have to make because of their inflation?

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

Dec/16/21 2:23:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, here are the facts: Our GDP went up 5.4% in the third quarter, and we have recovered 106% of the jobs that were lost. Stephen Poloz, who was appointed by Mr. Harper, said we are lucky to have policies that worked to prevent a second Great Depression. Many economists were worried about that when the COVID‑19 crisis hit. That is a fact.

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Mr. John Barlow (Foothills, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:23:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal member for Malpeque could have asked the Prime Minister a question on the potato crisis in P.E.I. yesterday, but he did not do it. The Liberal member for Cardigan had the message for Prince Edward Island farmers that no matter what happens, the government can help, but farmers will lose. He is right. Under the Liberals, farmers always lose. The P.E.I. premier is questioning why the agriculture minister is not in Washington. Maybe it is because resolving this dispute is not even in her mandate letter. Why is the agriculture minister not in Washington, putting all her potato chips on the table and resolving this dispute?

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

Dec/16/21 2:24:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me assure all farmers across our amazing country, very much including the farmers in P.E.I., that our government is extremely focused on supporting farmers in general and on supporting farmers when it comes to this trade issue. I was sitting next to the Prime Minister when he raised this issue directly with the President of the United States. We will take no lessons from the Conservatives when it comes to standing up to the U.S. Canadians know they back down from the Americans in a fight.

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Mr. John Barlow (Foothills, CPC)

Dec/16/21 2:25:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, farmers are very thankful the Liberals will take no lessons from the Conservatives when it comes to Canadian agriculture. I spoke to P.E.I. farmers this morning and this is what one of them had to say: “With the stroke of a pen, the Liberals have destroyed everything I have worked for for six generations.” The agriculture minister is now saying this dispute will not be resolved until the new year, but CFIA is telling island farm families this half-baked ban will likely last until 2023. How many harvests will be lost? How many businesses will be bankrupt? How many farmers will lose before the minister lifts the political ban on potato exports?

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