44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 7, 2022 11:00AM
- Feb/7/22 3:04:02 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Immigration Canada faces an unprecedented backlog under the Liberal government. Nearly two million applications are in the queue. My office receives dozens of calls every week. During a time of catastrophic labour shortages, thousands of foreign workers and Canadian employers are waiting years to get their applications processed.
When will the Liberal government fix this Liberal-made immigration system and clear its historic backlog?
66 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:04:37 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's outrage is manufactured at best. The reality of the situation is that the pandemic caused unprecedented pressures on our immigration system because we were trying to welcome a record number of newcomers at a time when our border was closed to protect the public's health and well-being against the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
By pivoting to an internal strategy to process more people, we were able to resettle more than 400,000 new permanent residents, an all-time record in Canada. Going forward, we are going to continue to make the investments necessary so that newcomers can arrive in Canada and make the kinds of contributions they have been making to our economy and our communities for generations.
129 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:05:24 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we want to welcome tourists from around the world back to Canada once it is safe to do so.
Tourists seeking incredible destinations and experiences and world-class events will find what they are looking for in Canada and my fantastic riding, Acadie—Bathurst. Furthermore, Canada has the highest vaccination rate of all countries.
Can the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance tell members about the measures we are taking to welcome tourists back to Canada?
81 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:05:58 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the member for Acadie—Bathurst is quite right. Canada has what tourists want right now: safe places to visit that offer unrivalled experiences and landscapes.
Destination Canada is promoting Canada to the world. To that end, our government gave Destination Canada $100,000 over three years to expand its marketing campaigns and encourage more people to explore our magnificent country and everything it has to offer.
We are supporting the tourism sector, and we will continue to do so.
82 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:06:35 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, white-collar criminals from around the globe love to launder their money in Canada. Experts say it is a billion-dollar-a-year industry and growing, and much of it ends up in our real estate, which drives up the cost of housing. In 2021, government agencies, including FINTRAC, reduced their real estate money laundering audits by 64%.
Does the government take money laundering seriously or are we telling global criminals that Canada is open for business?
79 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:07:14 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, our government absolutely takes money laundering in Canada and foreign money in our real estate market very seriously. That is why in the budget that I tabled last April, we took action to put in place a beneficial ownership registry. That is a strong and firm commitment of our government.
I also want to point out that in legislation currently being debated in the House, we are imposing a tax on vacant property owned by non-residents. We are acting. I would like the Conservatives to support us.
90 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:07:57 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, John, a constituent in my riding, has been a firearm owner for over 50 years. He served in the military and never had an issue related to the firearms he has owned. Many criminals in Canada purchase illegal handguns and commit crimes anywhere from armed robbery to murder and the government does nothing to stop them.
When will the Liberal government start punishing criminals instead of law-abiding citizens and remove the order in council so that John can sell his firearms?
84 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:08:34 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we have consistently introduced responsible legislation on firearms to make sure that the laws in place protect Canadians and that lawful firearms ownership is also protected, but that, like all forms of rights and freedoms in our society, comes with reasonable restrictions. Just as in any other element of life, that is what we do with firearms because our priority is the safety of Canadians and making sure that we do not let ideology get in the way of making decisions for public safety.
86 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:09:15 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is time for the divisive Liberals to heal the wounds they have inflicted upon Canadians. The Prime Minister has led a campaign of hatred against those who do not agree with his edicts. He has called them unacceptable, misogynists and racist. It is his government that just last week, during Black History Month, refused to condemn the use of blackface.
Will the Prime Minister end his cruelty to Canadians who simply do not trust him? I ask him to end the mandates.
85 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:09:49 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, again, we should reflect on “end the mandates” because, federally, the mandates that exist mean that, when people get onto an airplane, they have to be vaccinated to protect those around them. That is rooted in irrefutable science. When we look at our ICUs and how full they are with the unvaccinated, I am confused why the member opposite would be against mandates and against making sure that people are protected in public safety.
If we are talking about division, it seems playing games with science and not giving people clear information about public health is where the games are at. I would encourage the member to instead advise everybody to get vaccinated and help get us out of this pandemic.
125 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:10:33 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canadians with disabilities living in Ottawa are being disproportionately impacted by those occupying the downtown. Para Transpo is unable to reach residents. Individuals with mobility issues have been unable to leave their homes, and some are now are fearing they will not be able to receive home care. People's lives and well-being are at stake, but instead of trying to help resolve the situation, the Conservatives are emboldening demonstrators. Leaked emails show their new leader does not want them to leave, as they want to continue making it a problem for political gain.
Could the Minister of Disability Inclusion please inform the House about what needs to be done to ensure persons with disabilities living in Ottawa are no longer held hostage in their own homes?
130 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:11:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek has a really important question. These demonstrations have had a serious impact on the health and safety of Ottawa citizens with disabilities. Whether it is access to home care, other supports, food delivery or Para Transpo, this is serious. People are homebound and do not have food or access to their much needed supports.
I urge all members in the House from all parties to support our most vulnerable citizens and tell the demonstrators that it is time to go home.
91 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:11:51 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, my NDP colleagues and I wrote a letter to the Minister of Environment about the Roberts Bank terminal 2 project on the Fraser River delta. We pointed out that critical information gathered by the minister's own scientists has been hidden from the public in the assessment process. The information showed that this project would result in irremediable damage to the local environment and endanger the species living there.
Would the minister stop muzzling scientists, make this information public and extend the consultation process?
89 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:12:28 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague knows, this process has been an ongoing environmental assessment for the past number of years. It has proceeded through a whole range of different phases. It is now in the process of coming toward a decision.
Certainly we will be considering all of the science, including science with respect to migratory birds, the impacts of noise and other issues that have arisen throughout the course of the process and on which the panel has provided information.
82 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:12:59 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Performing artists have contacted me about the seriousness of their situation during COVID. There is no fallback plan. This is their livelihoods. The arts community is an integral part of the economy and the additional funding is a positive step for sector resilience, but we are far from the end of this crisis.
Is the minister considering holding a national conference on the performing arts to ascertain the best course of action moving forward?
85 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:13:35 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we have said it, and I will say it once again. We will not leave anyone behind, especially our artists, creators or our arts and culture sector. Supporting them is my biggest priority. Last week we launched the Canada performing arts workers resilience fund. It is a $60-million program tailor-made for the arts and culture sector. We have different programs for them, and we will always—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
76 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:13:54 p.m.
- Watch
I am having a hard time hearing the minister. I will have to ask him to start over so we can get the full answer.
25 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:14:04 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as I said before, we will not leave anyone behind, especially not our artists, creators or arts and culture workers. Supporting them, as I have said many times, is my biggest priority. We have launched the Canada performing arts workers resilience fund, a special fund that, coupled with others, is there to support artists. We will never leave anyone behind.
62 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/7/22 3:14:32 p.m.
- Watch
I have the honour to inform the House that the following members, representatives of the Conservative caucus, have been appointed as members of the Board of Internal Economy for the purposes and under the provisions of section 50 of the Parliament of Canada Act: Mr. John Brassard, replacing Mr. Gérard Deltell; and Mr. Blaine Calkins, replacing Mr. Blake Richards.
64 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-232, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month.
He said: Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honour and a privilege to rise in the House of Commons to introduce my private member's bill, which would establish the month of April in Canada as Arab heritage month.
The first persons of Arab origin arrived in Canada in 1882 in the early years after Confederation some 140 years ago. Since then, the population of Arab Canadians has grown to well over one million and continues to flourish.
Arab Canadians from all walks of life have made important contributions to Canada's social, economic and political life and to the cultural fabric of Canada, including through literature, music, food and fashion.
This bill would recognize and celebrate the historic mark Arab Canadians have made and continue to make in building our wonderful Canadian society.
148 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
