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Mr. Brad Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, CPC)

Feb/10/22 1:55:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I met with one of the largest sound companies in British Columbia. It was ranked the number one sound company in North America, Kian Sound and Universal Show Services. Two years ago, it had to lay off 280 people. It has lost 99% of its revenue. It has taken advantage of every single government program and said to me that our government is helping our private industries into oblivion. They asked me what the plan is. When will the government give them any indication that they can get shows happing again? For the hon. member for Vaughan—Woodbridge, when will the government release a plan to get private industries back to making money again?

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Mr. Francesco Sorbara

Feb/10/22 1:56:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the restrictions in place preventing that business from operating are actually provincial restrictions as they deal with capacity, whether it is going to a basketball game or seeing a concert. With regard to my hon. colleague's question, I would refer him to the Province of British Columbia, but at the same time, I would encourage all his residents and all Canadians to get vaccinated so we can again go to a concert or a basketball game with full capacity.

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

Feb/10/22 1:57:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, my question is simple. Why do we have to put so much pressure on the government to convince it to take action, get out of the shadows and come forward? That was the case for the borders in 2020. It is now 2022. When will the Prime Minister and the government make regular announcements about what we can expect and present a plan? I do not get it. The Liberals seem to be stuck in 2019. To hear them talk, it seems as though we will be under lockdown for a long time to come. What is the problem?

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Mr. Francesco Sorbara

Feb/10/22 1:58:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, of course, we continue to re-evaluate the scientific evidence as it comes in, working with our public health partners, and we continue to make adjustments. That is what governing is about. That is what making decisions and showing leadership is about. That is what we have done for the last two years and that is what we will continue to do.

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Mr. Mark Gerretsen (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate), Lib.)

Feb/10/22 1:58:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what we have seen throughout the course of the last two years in my opinion is continuous flip-flops from the Conservatives on various issues. We are never going to have enough vaccines and we are never getting vaccines, and then suddenly, where are all the vaccines and why do we not have the vaccines yet? The same thing goes for closing borders. Why are the borders not closed yet? Close the borders. Then suddenly, why are the borders not open? Open the borders. Conservatives do everything based on reactions and the emotions they happen to feel that day rather than actually following the science. What they cannot seem to wrap their heads around in my opinion is actually following the science. I am wondering if the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge could provide his input into the importance of following the science as opposed to the day-to-day political emotions one might have.

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Mr. Francesco Sorbara

Feb/10/22 1:59:25 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, very simply, Canadians want leadership, not flip-flopping. That is the first point I will make. On procuring vaccines, we have delivered. On rapid tests, we have delivered. On personal protective equipment, we have delivered for Canadians. We have assisted Canadian businesses and workers through the pandemic. We will continue to be there. We will get through this pandemic and we will get through this stronger than ever.

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Mrs. Jenica Atwin (Fredericton, Lib.)

Feb/10/22 2:00:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the pandemic has made it abundantly clear that the health of our communities must be at the centre of our work as parliamentarians. If there is one lesson that I hope we learn from this, it is that the pursuit of health must be a collective effort. We know that the worst of this storm has been weathered by low-income, marginalized communities and those who face the greatest health risks. To come out of these difficult times stronger, we must combat inequality, promote inclusivity and look to the social determinants of health for our answers. I often hear about amazing community health initiatives led by my constituents in Fredericton, and it is their voices and advocacy that shape my priorities and my understanding of what it means to truly take care of our neighbours. It means affordable housing and eliminating homelessness. It means adequate free mental health supports, pharmacare, fully accessible infrastructure and a universal basic income to lift people out of poverty and allow everyone to reach their full potential. By implementing policies that ensure we take care of each other, our government can lead by example and promote healthy resilient communities across Canada.

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Mr. Damien Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot, CPC)

Feb/10/22 2:01:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that today I rise to honour the memory of one of my constituents. Stephen Rayfield was a firefighter from Castor, Alberta, who tragically lost his life this last week while responding to a call. While many run from danger, firefighters run toward it, and Stephen was a shining example of the selflessness that defines those men and women who serve in our fire departments across Canada, departments both big and small. General Norman Schwarzkopf once described courage as being fearful of something and going ahead to do it anyway. Stephen made the choice to serve, even though the conditions that night were treacherous. He served his community, because his community needed a hero. Not only did Castor lose a firefighter, a loving wife also lost her husband and his kids lost their dad. We pray God's blessings and peace for his wife Cheryl and his children as they grieve and navigate this difficult time. Heaven may have gained a hero, but Castor lost a piece of its heart and soul. We will never forget.

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Mr. Irek Kusmierczyk (Windsor—Tecumseh, Lib.)

Feb/10/22 2:02:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, four hundred million dollars' worth of goods and services travel across the Ambassador Bridge each and every day: auto parts, fruits and vegetables, medicine. It is the largest border crossing in North America, facilitating 25% of all trade between Canada and the United States. The blockade is putting thousands of jobs at risk. Auto workers are on shutdown. Parts manufactures are closing down. Farmers cannot get their goods to market. More than goods, the blockade impacts cross-border nurses and truckers who do not get paid if they do not deliver. This is hitting jobs, workers and our supply chains that stock grocery stores from Windsor to Quebec. My community's message to the protesters is to end this blockade today. My question to the Leader of the Opposition is this: When will the Conservatives stop pandering to the protesters and start standing up for the workers of this country?

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Ms. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Laurentides—Labelle, BQ)

Feb/10/22 2:03:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Film Laurentides, also known as the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision des Laurentides, was created in 1997 to serve film producers from Quebec and abroad seeking to shoot a film in the region. It has since become a leading authority in the industry. The agency is in its 25th year of providing film support and promotion services. Over the course of the year, this success will be acknowledged with the broadcast of a retrospective of the key highlights that helped make the Laurentians region shine. Film Laurentides generates enviable economic, tourist and cultural benefits in all three of the RCMs in my riding of Laurentides—Labelle. We wish Film Laurentides and its team many more years of showcasing our region and providing artists and technicians with a workplace that is worthy of their creations.

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Ms. Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Hochelaga, Lib.)

Feb/10/22 2:04:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Black History Month is an important opportunity for us to recognize the diverse history of Black communities across the country and the contributions they have made. I would like to acknowledge the contributions of some inspiring Black women and men in my riding of Hochelaga and throughout Montreal. I am thinking of people like Dominique Ollivier, the first black woman to chair an executive committee in the city of Montreal, and Yvette Bonny, a pediatrician-hematologist at Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital and the first doctor to perform a bone marrow transplant in Quebec in 1972. I am thinking of Steve Joseph from the Fondation des aveugles du Québec. I want to recognize Cyrille, Doro and Willy at SmartLab, a community hub and studio space located on St. Catherine Street in Montreal, in Hochelaga. I could go on and on. These people of colour have broken glass ceilings and are always contributing to the fight against systemic discrimination. Today they are models of resilience. I wish all members of the Black community in Hochelaga and across the country a wonderful Black History Month.

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Mr. Fraser Tolmie (Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, CPC)

Feb/10/22 2:05:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is known as the land of the living skies. This is especially true for the riding of Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, home of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. On July 11th, 2021, the Snowbirds celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first public air show. Still fresh in my mind and on our hearts is the tragic loss of Captain Jennifer Casey in 2020 while she was on a mission to raise the spirits of Canadians enduring this pandemic. Undeterred by this tragic loss, the Snowbirds persevered to complete the mission in honour of their fallen comrade in their 50th year. This iconic team represents true Canadian values. The Snowbirds inspire Canadians who have been isolated and alone. They reached out to those who have been shut out. They lifted up the spirits of Canadians while leaving their own families at home. On behalf of my colleagues here, I salute the Snowbirds and wish them the best in the next 50 years.

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Mr. James Maloney (Etobicoke—Lakeshore, Lib.)

Feb/10/22 2:06:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Ralph Chiodo of Etobicoke—Lakeshore on his recent appointment to the Order of Canada. Honoured for his community engagement, generous philanthropy and leadership in the automotive industry, Mr. Chiodo came to Canada as a teenage immigrant from Italy, landing in Halifax at Pier 21. Through hard work and dedication, he became a successful entrepreneur, fulfilling a childhood dream to work with cars. He has done that in spades. He is the president of a top Chrysler dealership in Canada and is CEO of Active Green + Ross auto centres. Mr. Chiodo's business success is eclipsed only by his big heart. He is past president of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke, served as chair of the ever popular rotary club ribfest in Toronto and sits on the board of many other organizations, including Trillium Health Partners Foundation. Thanks in part to his endless generosity, Pier 21 has become the Canadian Museum of Immigration. I thank Mr. Chiodo for all he does and congratulate him for this well-deserved recognition.

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Ms. Ruby Sahota (Brampton North, Lib.)

Feb/10/22 2:07:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as the mother of a young child in the Peel District School Board system, I know how much teachers have stepped up to make sure our children receive a quality education despite the challenges of the pandemic. All of our teachers deserve to be commended for their incredible work. I want to give a special congratulations to Jason Bradshaw, a Brampton North resident and teacher at Castlebrooke Secondary School. Jason received the 2021 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, the highest award a teacher can receive in Canada. These teachers are chosen for their remarkable achievements in education and their commitment to preparing their students for a digital and innovation-based economy. Jason has been a teacher for over 14 years and strives to empower modern learners through innovative and unique approaches to learning. He encourages his students through discussion and debate, while also running an after-school program called Counting on You to provide science support and programming to students in need. I thank Jason for everything he does for our students and thank all of our teachers helping the next generation develop.

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Mr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Calgary Forest Lawn, CPC)

Feb/10/22 2:09:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, last week, I joined in recognizing the Aisokinakio'p's partnership with the Dashmesh Culture Centre to provide vaccines to our northeast Calgary communities. In the spirit of reconciliation, these clinics have been a huge success and have created a unique partnership between the indigenous and the Sikh communities to serve the community at large. At the heart of these communities is a common goal and the values of seva, sharing and taking care of others. I would like to recognize this extremely successful initiative by the Dashmesh Culture Centre under the leadership of Amanpreet Singh Gill and the entire executive committee, in partnership with the Siksika Nation, Siksika Health Services, Calgary Homeless Foundation, Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary and Okaki Health Intelligence. I thank all the frontline health workers for all their hard work. We are stronger together. God bless these communities so that they may continue serving and God bless a united, free Canada.

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Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Milton, Lib.)

Feb/10/22 2:10:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a sense of sadness but also profound gratitude. Last month, we lost a political giant. Julian Reed, a long-time Liberal MPP and MP for Halton, passed away at Georgetown Hospital on January 6 at the age of 85. With a career in politics that spanned nearly three decades, Reed was a larger-than-life personality and a hard-working, dedicated public servant. Although most knew him as a politician, he was much more. He was a salesman and a pig farmer and even worked in show business as an actor. Mr. Reed was a pioneer. He was talking about renewable energy, cannabis decriminalization and greenhouse gas emissions over 20 years ago. His fierce advocacy for environmental protection has certainly been an inspiration to me, and I will continue his work and honour his legacy by fighting to protect the green spaces here in my riding of Milton. Like my dad, Julian lived with Parkinson's disease. His life and legacy strengthens my resolve to be a better advocate for Canadians fighting Parkinson's disease. Reed is survived by his wife Deanna, his children Chris, Rob and Melanie, his four grandchildren and his brother and my friend Laurie. I thank Julian for his service. May he rest in peace.

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Hon. Tim Uppal (Edmonton Mill Woods, CPC)

Feb/10/22 2:11:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, for two years Canadians have been living with COVID‑19 restrictions: restrictions on travel, restrictions on visiting loved ones and restrictions on worshipping. Children have been restricted from playing with other children or taking part in sports and other activities. These two years of isolation have inflamed Canada's mental health crisis and hurt our most vulnerable populations. Canadians just want their lives back. The Prime Minister needs to stop using the pandemic to wedge, divide and stigmatize Canadians for his own political gain. It needs to stop. The Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to follow the evidence and science, and table a plan to quickly end all federal mandates and restrictions. Canadians deserve a plan on how they are going to get their lives back. It is time the Prime Minister delivers that plan.

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Mr. Glen Motz (Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, CPC)

Feb/10/22 2:12:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what started with a message from truckers has turned into a cry from Canadians from across this country. They have had enough of lockdowns and restrictions, enough of mandates and job losses, and enough of the government's overreach. Canadians want their lives and freedoms back. The Conservatives have heard the message. We will take up that fight and will continue standing up until all the federal mandates and lockdowns have ended. The time has come for the blockades, like those in Coutts, in my riding, to come to an end. The Liberals have damaged our lives and economy enough. Let us not cause further harm. It is time for the Liberals to stop politicizing this pandemic and stop wedging, dividing and stigmatizing Canadians. They need to follow the science, follow the current advice from experts, follow the many other countries and the leadership of some provinces and end the mandates and restrictions. Today, the government has an opportunity to provide a clear plan for reopening our country, as Canadians deserve. The only question is, will the Prime Minister and his government give them one?

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Ms. Annie Koutrakis (Vimy, Lib.)

Feb/10/22 2:13:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month. As the member for Vimy, I am fortunate to represent a riding committed to racial equality in our community and across Canada. This commitment will be showcased this month as the city of Laval is hosting a wide range of activities and events that honour the Black Canadians who have shaped our city. From art exhibitions to musical performances, short films and guest speakers, there will be something for everyone, so we can all learn about and reflect on the contributions of Black communities throughout our history. I encourage my constituents and the people of Laval to join me in taking in these incredible events. I look forward to enjoying Black History Month celebrations throughout the month of February.

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Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP)

Feb/10/22 2:14:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the cost of the TMX jumped from $4.5 billion to $12.6 billion, based on cost updates from two years ago. In the last two years, there have been significant delays in construction because of COVID‑19, forest fires and floods, failed HDD river crossings in the Thompson and Fraser rivers, and numerous environmental law violations. The commercial viability of TMX was on shaky ground before, and now things could not be worse. Using the 2018 construction costs, the Parliamentary Budget Officer noted that a 10% increase in construction costs would reduce the net present value of the TMX by $453 million to over $1 billion, and a one-year delay would reduce its value by $693 million to $888 million. There is no sugar-coating this. The white elephant is staring us in the eye. I am calling on the Liberals to come clean and provide Canadians an updated cost estimate and schedule. Full transparency and accountability are required for this boondoggle.

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