44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 2, 2022 02:00PM
- Mar/2/22 2:48:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, like many Canadians, I have family in Ukraine. They have fled Kyiv, but they are not fully out of danger yet. Their future remains uncertain. Canada's government has expressed support for the Ukrainian people, but actions are more important than words. The Liberal government waits for sanctions to have an impact, but refugees cannot wait.
My constituents feel helpless and want to bring their fleeing family members to Canada.
We will ask it again: When will Canada make visa-free travel possible for Ukrainians?
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- Mar/2/22 2:48:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, over the past many weeks, we have been working with our immigration department to ensure that we accelerate and simplify all the different processes to ensure that if there were, as there unfortunately looks like there is now, a refugee crisis, we would be able to help.
We have put in place and are putting in place measures that will make it as quick as possible, and as seamless and as safe as possible and that will ensure, as Ukrainians arrive in Canada, they are able to work, to study and to get the kinds of supports to contribute to their families back home who are fighting an extraordinary fight against the Russians.
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- Mar/2/22 2:49:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Bank of Canada has announced an increase in interest rates to deal with inflation. That is not going to help people who are struggling to buy groceries or help families who are struggling to find a home to call their own.
When will the Prime Minister put forward a plan to help families who are struggling with the rising costs of living and to help families who are struggling to find a home or put food on the table?
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- Mar/2/22 2:49:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, inflation caused by this pandemic is happening around the world, but just like we did through this pandemic, we will keep having Canadians' backs. We have and we will continue to make life more affordable for families, seniors and the middle class with increases to the Canada child benefit that match the cost of living; with $10-a-day child care for families, which Conservative politicians voted against; with boosts to the GIS for vulnerable seniors; with more supports for students; and with investments in affordable housing. These are the things that we will continue to do to have Canadians' backs.
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- Mar/2/22 2:50:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Bank of Canada announced an interest rate hike to address inflation, but this will not help families who are struggling to make ends meet or families who are struggling to find affordable housing. Will the Prime Minister present a real plan to help families who are struggling to make ends meet?
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- Mar/2/22 2:50:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we made a promise to be there for Canadians, and that is exactly what we are doing and what we have done.
We have done this by increasing the Canada child benefit in line with the cost of living, creating $10-a-day child care across the country, increasing the guaranteed income supplement for the most vulnerable seniors and providing more assistance to students through affordable housing.
We also made a commitment to reduce cellphone bills by 25%, and we have done that. We committed to working with the provinces and territories to reduce child care costs, and we are doing that. We committed to increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, and the list goes on. We will continue to be there for families.
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- Mar/2/22 2:51:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the situation in Ukraine is alarming and heartbreaking. This illegal attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine has caused thousands of Ukrainian families to flee their homes in fear of Russian missile attacks.
Could the Prime Minister tell us more about Canada's efforts to support innocent bystanders and victims of this unprovoked invasion?
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- Mar/2/22 2:51:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Mississauga—Lakeshore for his hard work. Yesterday, our government announced an additional $100 million in funding for humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine and for those who have been forced to flee the country. This funding will help provide emergency health services, including trauma care, support to displaced populations and essential, life-saving services such as shelter, water, sanitation and food. We will always be there for our Ukrainian friends and continue to work with partners to see what more we can do to help those impacted by this conflict.
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- Mar/2/22 2:52:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have had much debate on the government's use of the Emergencies Act. The story of the illegal blockades is one of the failure of leaders to acknowledge and respond to the frustrations of the public. It is also a policing failure and a desire to weaponize critical issues for political gain. We are now left with a weary public who are weary with Canada's institutions and its politicians.
What is the Prime Minister's plan to lower the temperature in political rhetoric and restore faith in democratic institutions?
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- Mar/2/22 2:53:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it has been a long two years. People are exhausted by COVID, and people are exhausted by what is happening in international events. It is really important that we look back over these two years and remember what was best about Canadians.
Canadians stepped up for each other during those darkest times. We were there to support each other. We were there to believe in each other. We actually got vaccinated to a higher degree than just about any other country in the world, all the while supporting our frontline health workers and others. Canadians showed what they are made of during this pandemic. We are going to continue to demonstrate that we remain there for each other.
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- Mar/2/22 2:53:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this is also about taking personal responsibility, and the Prime Minister needs to do that. Democracy and the freedoms we enjoy in Canada as a result of concepts like rule of law and bipartisanship are fragile. What concerns me about the government's use of the Emergencies Act during a time of heightened political rhetoric and lack of trust from the public is that it is an admission of failure of our institution's ability to respond to the pressure of the times we are living in. We all need to do better.
What is the Prime Minister's personal commitment to restore confidence in Canada's democratic institutions?
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- Mar/2/22 2:54:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, these blockades were hurting our communities, our economy and our trust in our institutions. We needed to create new tools to bring them to an end. Canadians were tired. Canadians were rattled, not just by COVID, but by the intensity of the occupations, which were hurting their jobs, their communities and their neighbours. We demonstrated an ability to stand together, follow the rule of law and uphold the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to restore order so people can continue to protest peacefully and express their opinions. That is the foundation of this country.
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- Mar/2/22 2:55:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Conservatives strongly support every effort to aid Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion. That being said, Putin has warned those who defend Ukraine, saying, “Whoever would try to stop us...should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and lead you to such consequences [as] you have never faced in your history.”
Is Canada prepared if Putin follows through on his threat?
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- Mar/2/22 2:55:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Vladimir Putin obviously vastly underestimated the resilience and the resolve of the Ukrainian people. He also underestimated the resolve and unity of countries standing together to uphold the rule of law, to uphold the international order that has caused unprecedented peace and stability through the past 75-plus years and has delivered prosperity and growth for all of our countries. We will continue to demonstrate that someone such as Vladimir Putin, who breaks the rules-based order, does not get to profit from the economic benefits that come from it.
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- Mar/2/22 2:56:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I asked about Canada's emergency preparedness. This is a very serious matter. Putin has publicly directed an alert of Russia's nuclear forces. Canada's national security and public safety must be the paramount priority for the Prime Minister. Canadians have every right to know what our emergency preparedness plan is should Russia launch, for example, a major cyber-attack or move in on our Arctic territory or, God forbid, launch a military response on Canada.
Are we prepared?
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- Mar/2/22 2:57:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as one of the founding members of NATO, as a strong partner in North American continental defence, Canada is prepared for any and all eventualities. However, the best way is not to hunker down and wait for it. The best way is to be leaning forward, as we are with all of our NATO allies, reinforcing the eastern flank of NATO and being present with troops and investments that demonstrate that the world stands together, that NATO stands together, and we will not tolerate this kind of Russian aggression.
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- Mar/2/22 2:57:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the solution to Ukraine and Europe's energy dependence on Russia is not Canadian fossil fuels, but the green transition. That is what Ukraine and the UN are saying.
However, in Canada, we might say that depends a bit on who is talking. Yesterday, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change said, “we have to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels...to reduce our dependence on countries like Russia”.
Today, the Prime Minister is doing everything in his power not to close the door on the idea of sending resources to Europe, but he has to make a choice. Is he right, or is his minister right?
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- Mar/2/22 2:58:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I said very clearly, we know that we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. We will always work to protect the environment and transform our economy and our energy sources.
On the other hand, I am sure that the hon. member is not suggesting that we should not help our friends in Ukraine and our friends in Europe because we want to be greener than green.
We will be there to give them what they need, because they are in need and are in a terrible situation because of Russia. We will be there to help them, and we will also be there for the green transition.
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- Mar/2/22 2:59:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, just this week, despite everything it is going through, Ukraine stated that the world must not give up the fight against climate change. We are going to help continue the fight.
The UN is asking Canada to accelerate the energy transition, and the IPCC is telling us that the world is on fire and that half the world's population will suffer as a result.
In this context, let us be very specific. The Prime Minister must make a decision on the Bay du Nord project and the 300 million or so barrels of additional oil involved. Will the Prime Minister approve Bay du Nord, yes or no?
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- Mar/2/22 2:59:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is conducting an assessment of the Bay du Nord project.
It is an important decision, and we will deal with it accordingly. These assessments are done at arm's length from the government and are science based. Once the assessment has been completed, the Minister of the Environment will make a decision and announce it.
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