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Mrs. Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:08:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month and this year we are focused on recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. I would like to recognize one of my constituents who is making a difference in Scarborough. Reverend Denise Gillard is a powerhouse. She is the force behind the HopeWorks Connection, which brings arts to local youth through the Toronto Children's Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company. She is also the senior pastor at Kingdom City Church and an important part of our faith community. She is proud of her history. Her father came to Canada from Jamaica and her mother's family came to Canada through the Black refugee and loyalist movements in Nova Scotia. She has devoted herself to empowering children and the people who love them to work toward fulfilling their full potential in the light of faith, service and transformational living. Denise's story is Canada's story. I am proud to celebrate her and everyone who is making a difference in our community.

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Mr. Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon—Grasswood, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:09:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today I would like to salute those involved in the Pegasus project, led by a group of Saskatchewan automotive enthusiasts. It raised over $1 million at the recent Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona to support the STARS air ambulance in my province of Saskatchewan. A custom-built, one-of-a-kind 1968 Ford Mustang 427 Fastback was auctioned off in hopes of raising much-needed funds for the STARS' fleet renewal. This initiative was led by co-chairs Vaughn Wyant and Wayne Halabura, who brought Saskatoon actor Kim Coates and Humboldt Bronco bus crash survivor Kaleb Dahlgren on board. I want to thank Barb and Gord Broda of Prince Albert for their passion in supporting STARS ambulance. May they enjoy the ride in their 1968 Ford Mustang.

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Mr. Mike Kelloway (Cape Breton—Canso, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:10:25 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to address the protests that have spread across the country. Just last week, my constituency office received a suspicious package in the mail, as did many other Nova Scotia politicians from all levels of government and all different political stripes. Members of Parliament and their staff work hard in the service of their communities. Of course, we will take criticism from time to time. It is part of our job, and that is democracy. From a package with an irritant to border blockades and the occupation of our nation's capital, these are not acceptable means of protest, but rather a disrespect of Canadian democracy that puts safety in jeopardy. Through you, I call on every member of the House to stand in solidarity against these unlawful acts. I stress that, as parliamentarians, these actions will not intimidate us or our staff from doing our jobs. All Canadians are frustrated, but as my father would have said if he were here, the point has been made and now it is time for them to go back to their homes.

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Mr. Ryan Williams (Bay of Quinte, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:11:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, happy Valentine's Day. In addition to Valentine's Day, today is another day relating to matters of the heart: congenital heart awareness day. Every year, over 260,000 Canadians are born with congenital heart disease. It is the leading birth defect in Canada, affecting one in every 100 births. In 2015, my son Teddy was born with a congenital heart defect. We lost him to heart failure just 22 minutes after his birth. There are not many days that go by when we do not think of what could have been. My wife Allyson has been a tireless advocate for women who experience the terror of infant loss and miscarriage. Her motto is always to choose love, and she has a blog by the same name. We could all choose love a little more. Please join me in bringing awareness and love to the hundreds and thousands of Canadians suffering each year from congenital heart disease as we work on a cure.

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Mrs. Kelly Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:12:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Premier Scott Moe for being the first Canadian leader to announce the end of vaccine mandates. Today in Saskatchewan, anyone who wants to will be able to go to a restaurant and celebrate Valentine's Day with their loved ones, with no proof of vaccination required. When making the announcement, Premier Moe stated, “The benefits no longer outweigh the costs.” ... “It's time for proof of vaccination requirements to end.” I am pleased to see other premiers following suit. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister is refusing to do the same. Canada was founded on the principles of peace, order and good government. When we do not have good government, peace and order become harder to maintain. I call on the Prime Minister to stop using the pandemic to divide Canadians for political purposes. I call on the federal government to follow Saskatchewan's lead and end all federal mandates.

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

Feb/14/22 2:13:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of a young athlete from my riding. Valérie Grenier, who hails from Saint‑Isidore, is a member of the Olympic alpine ski team. The people of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell are proud to stand behind her. Valérie Grenier is an inspiration to all Canadians. During these unpredictable and unprecedented times, she has shown courage and resilience. Her journey will inspire a new generation of athletes in our region. We are proud to see her at the Olympic Games and we will continue to cheer her on. She has dedicated herself to her sport for a long time now, and her hard work certainly points to her success. I encourage all athletes proudly representing the maple leaf to savour every second of this unique experience. Canada is so proud of them. Congratulations, Valérie Grenier.

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Ms. Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, NDP)

Feb/14/22 2:14:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today, February 14, marks the annual memorial march in honour of missing and murdered indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA people. Every single first nation, Métis and urban community in our region has been devastated by the loss of a loved one who was brutally murdered or forcibly disappeared. As the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women pointed out, this is genocide. Two hundred and thirty-one calls to justice must be realized, from ending poverty to providing housing. These are actions rooted in the absolute need for decolonization. At a time when much attention has been given to the illegal occupation of our capital, we are clear that the systems of settler colonialism, including policing, are part of the problem when it comes to violence against indigenous women. Today we remember and honour them, and we recommit to pushing for action now. We cannot rest until no indigenous woman, girl or two-spirited person goes missing or is murdered again. There must be justice now.

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Mr. Maxime Blanchette-Joncas (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, BQ)

Feb/14/22 2:15:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in honour of the 100th anniversary of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski. On February 13, 1922, a section of Haut‑Pays‑de‑la‑Neigette split from Sainte‑Blandine, giving rise to the municipality of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski. At the time, the first residents of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski were determined to live on and work the hinterland, clearing the land, working with their hands, and raising their families. One hundred years later, the community of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski is proud of its roots but firmly focused on the future. The central importance of agriculture and forestry to this community is a testament to the legacy of these builders, while the municipality's tourism sector and many cultural activities help it thrive and showcase its festive spirit all year long. Both the Festival de la fenaison agricultural festival and the popular snow blowing races at the Carnaval d'hiver winter festival attest to the life and energy of this community, making it clear that Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski is a great place to live. I wish the people of Saint‑Narcisse‑de‑Rimouski a happy 100th anniversary.

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Mr. Eric Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:17:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today Canadians are awaiting the vote on our Conservative motion calling for a plan and timeline to end all federal mandates and restrictions in Canada. For over two years, Canadians have done what is asked of them. They followed the rules. They did what it took to get us to a point where we can finally see the end of this pandemic. Other similar countries around the world have given hope and provided leadership by releasing their plans. Canada is one of the most vaccinated countries in the entire world. That should be celebrated, and we should be celebrating where the science and data by medical experts is headed. Instead, our country has never been more divided, angry and pessimistic. The Prime Minister created this mess by his tone and unacceptable language when attacking those who disagree with him. Today Parliament has a choice: to provide hope and optimism with a clear plan and timeline to end federal mandates or to plunge us into further chaos and division at a time when the opposite is needed. The country is watching. Will the Liberals join us and answer the call for a plan today?

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Ms. Iqra Khalid (Mississauga—Erin Mills, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:18:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, “I am Canadian and I am triple vaxxed. For my family, my neighbours, my co-workers, our healthcare workers, for my country. I will not be bullied.” These words, written by Ms. Jean Yoon and countless Canadians over the past few days, have become a rallying cry. Make no mistake: After two years, we are all tired of this pandemic. We are tired of not being with our loved ones, tired of seeing small businesses and communities struggle, tired of this illegal blockade that has terrorized Canadians and attacked our supply chains. We have sacrificed so much to be where we are today, and we will not back down. It is our obligation to one another to do what is necessary to protect Canadians. It is time for the members of this House to start putting first their obligations to the citizens who elected us to serve, to put petty politics aside and to work together. Together let us show an effective plan to see us through to the end of this pandemic. Let us show what Canadians have proven: that we are united.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:19:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it has been reported that the Prime Minister is planning to invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the current protests in Ottawa and in some parts of the country. We know the protests continue here in Ottawa. We know the Windsor border has been reopened. We know that last night there were arrests in Coutts. Section 16 of the Emergencies Act refers to “threats to the security of Canada”. Given this context, does the Prime Minister think that these protests constitute threats to the security of Canada, and if not, does he think that with this news he could be escalating rather than de-escalating an already inflamed situation?

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Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:20:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, these illegal blockades are hurting Canadians. We have seen borders closed, our economy crippled and Canadians losing their jobs. That is why, since the beginning, this federal government has provided law enforcement with all of the resources that they have needed. In Windsor, the RCMP and Windsor police have reopened the Ambassador Bridge; in Alberta, the RCMP made 11 arrests and seized guns at the Coutts border crossing; and in Ottawa, the RCMP and the OPP have established an integrated command centre with the Ottawa Police Service. Our number one priority is to end the illegal blockades, uphold the law and allow Canadians to get their lives back.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:20:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have been asking the Prime Minister to stop dividing, stigmatizing and name-calling people he disagrees with and let them know that he listens and that he hears them, but he refuses to do that. Today we are voting on a Conservative motion, a reasonable motion that asks the government to present a plan for a reopening by the end of the month. This should be a time of optimism and joy for Canadians, not division and fear. Can Canadians count on the Prime Minister to do the right thing and today stand up with us, support our motion and give Canadians the hope that they deserve so much?

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Hon. Bill Blair (President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:21:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it does not really matter whether members of the opposition have been merely irresponsible or recklessly complicit, but what this country is facing is a largely foreign-funded, targeted and coordinated attack on critical infrastructure and our democratic institutions. The illegal border closings are clearly intended to harm Canada and hurt Canadians, and our government is prepared to do whatever is necessary to restore order and to protect Canadian interests.

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Hon. Candice Bergen (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:22:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is clear the Prime Minister and these Liberals are still big fans of polarization, division and negativity. Two years into the pandemic, Canadians deserve, in this moment, some optimism and some hope for the future, and they deserve leadership from their government. They need to know when the federal mandates and the restrictions will be lifted. That is not an unreasonable ask. Again, will the Liberals, will their Prime Minister, will their ministers, will their backbenchers stand up for their constituents, and vote with us to present some optimism and some hope for Canadians?

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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:22:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, at every turn in this crisis, the Conservatives had an opportunity to de-escalate and talk to those who were outside about dispersing and moving on. Instead we saw the interim leader of the Conservatives come out saying that they should continue this for political purposes. The member for Carleton, who is currently a leadership candidate, came out saying that he is proud and stands with the illegal activity that is happening outside. The member for Yorkton—Melville was saying that ripping down barricades protecting the war memorial was an act of profound patriotism. This is their failing leadership here. What this—

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The Speaker

Feb/14/22 2:23:35 p.m.
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The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

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Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC)

Feb/14/22 2:23:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not fooled. They understand the Prime Minister’s political games. First, according to his own MPs, he wilfully chose to wedge, to divide and to stigmatize in order to win an election. We are not the ones saying that. It is people from his own team and caucus. He then chose to politicize the pandemic, and that is what he is still doing today. Section 16 of the Emergencies Act states that there must be a threat to the security of Canada in order for the act to be invoked. How does the Prime Minister justify using emergency powers in a different way, once again—

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The Speaker

Feb/14/22 2:24:18 p.m.
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Order. The hon. Minister of Public Safety.

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Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)

Feb/14/22 2:24:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, these blockades are hurting Canadians and they must stop. We are acting responsibly. In Windsor, the RCMP and Windsor Police Service have reopened the Ambassador Bridge. In Alberta, the RCMP have made 11 arrests. In Ottawa, the RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police have established an integrated command centre with the Ottawa Police Service. Our top priority is to end the illegal blockades, enforce the law, and make it possible for Canadians to get to where they need to go.

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