44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 3, 2022 10:00AM
- Mar/3/22 2:46:44 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the critics of all parties for their spirit of collaboration and co-operation over the past number of days in advance of the announcement we made this morning.
That announcement is historic. This will remove many of the barriers that typically result in refusal so we can welcome as many Ukrainians fleeing this war as possible, as quickly as possible. However, I would also point out to the hon. member that we started preparing on January 19, and since the beginning of this year, more than 6,100 Ukrainians have already arrived in Canada, and we will continue to do more, because that is the very Canadian thing to do.
130 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:47:20 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canada has been home to a Ukrainian community for decades. In fact, we have some Ukrainians right here in the House.
The United Nations estimates that a million Ukrainians have already fled to neighbouring countries to escape the atrocities of war.
Can the government show some empathy and flexibility, as we have been calling for since January 27, and immediately allow Ukrainians to come to Canada without a visa?
73 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:47:53 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, President Putin's war on Ukraine is a war on freedom, democracy and the rights of all Ukrainians.
For the past month, we have been prioritizing applications for permanent or temporary residency from Ukrainians who wish to come to Canada. Those who are currently in Canada on a temporary basis can extend their stay.
Today we announced new measures that will make it easier, faster and safer for Ukrainians fleeing the war to come to Canada. This is good for Ukraine, and it is good for Canada.
91 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:48:30 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the cost of living is going through the roof, and yesterday the Bank of Canada raised interest rates. Paying rent, buying food and medicine is seriously concerning for seniors.
Some of the most vulnerable seniors have been anxiously waiting for months to get their GIS paid back. The government is doing the bare minimum to help people get by, and time is running out to fix the government's GIS mess. Will seniors be left out in the cold again because the Liberal government could not fix the problems it created?
93 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:49:05 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we know that seniors are hurting, and we have had the backs of Canadians throughout the pandemic. We know seniors who normally receive GIS payments are facing challenges today because they were supported by the CRB and CERB. In the economic and fiscal update, we presented our government's plan to alleviate financial hardship of GIS recipients who received CRB or CERB.
We will continue to investigate ways to respond to the needs of seniors.
77 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:49:34 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, sanctions are one of the strongest tools we have to support Ukraine and deter Russia. This government has said it intends to block Russian ships from docking at Canadian ports, and we support this.
While it is ironing out the details, at least four Russian-owned vessels are bound for ports on our east coast. Dock workers have said they will not unload the cargo if it arrives. Will the government take decisive action to implement the ban now before dock workers are forced to do it themselves?
90 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:50:09 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, our government stands with Ukraine and Ukrainian people. We will not let the Russian aggression go unpunished.
That is why our government took swift and decisive action to ban Russian flights from entering Canadian airspace. That is why our government took decisive and swift action to ban Russian ships from entering Canadian waters. Our government will do whatever it takes to stop the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine.
70 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:50:45 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, on December 16 and 17, super typhoon Rai, or typhoon Odette, hit the Philippines. The typhoon caused significant devastation to communities, destroying homes and infrastructure. It also took lives in the Philippines.
The impacts of this national disaster are still being felt in communities in the Philippines almost two months later. Can the Minister of International Development tell us what Canada is doing to support the people of the Philippines?
72 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:51:17 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Mississauga—Streetsville, who is also the first Filipina in this chamber.
Today, I am announcing that Canada will provide an additional $2 million in funding for life-saving humanitarian assistance to the Philippines to help the most vulnerable people affected by typhoon Rai. This funding builds on the $3 million of humanitarian assistance announced last year that Canada provided to the Philippines.
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this typhoon.
83 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:51:54 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, during the election, the Prime Minister was clear on his solutions to address out-of-control housing inflation. He said he was going to ban foreign ownership on homes in Canada, yet when the member of Parliament for Simcoe North proposed to do just that in finance committee, the Liberals voted that amendment down.
Is the Prime Minister only serious about giving young Canadian families a chance at home ownership when he needs their votes?
77 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:52:24 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear on our commitment to implement a temporary ban on foreign buyers for non-recreational, residential property. The member opposite knows very well that the amendment he is referring to was ruled out of order in the committee and would not have been enforceable, even if it passed.
We are committed to moving forward on this issue. If the member opposite and his party are serious about it, let them bring forward an amendment that can actually work.
84 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:52:58 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the committee heard the amendment. We voted on it, and that party voted it down. We are only trying to get the Prime Minister to keep his promises. Home prices have increased a gobsmacking 43% since 2019, and the Liberals only seem to pursue new ways to increase the price of housing and push people out of the market.
Their latest scheme of mandatory energy labelling at the time of sale has been described as “a crazy thing to do in the middle of a historic housing-affordability crisis” by the Ontario Real Estate Association. When will the Liberals get serious about housing affordability for young Canadians and ditch this crazy new scheme of theirs?
119 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:53:39 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.
Who is not serious about housing affordability? That party is not serious about housing affordability. They voted against the foreign vacancy tax. They voted against the first-time homebuyer incentive. They voted against investments in affordable housing. They voted against the rapid housing initiative. They voted against the top-up to the Canada housing benefit. They voted against the national housing co-investment fund. They voted against Canadians.
79 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:54:13 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Marly came into my constituency office last week with tears in her eyes and her heating bill in her hand. She was worried because the price of living has skyrocketed but her payment at work has not increased at all. She will pay part of the bill but she cannot pay all of it. She will have to make up for it next month, hopefully. The problem is that she is doing this with every single one of her home bills.
To make matters worse, the carbon tax is increasing by 25% on April 1. My question is simple, while those across the aisle boo me for my question, and it is this. On behalf of Canadians, when will the punitive tax hikes be stopped?
127 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:55:07 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the opposition is raising the issue of affordability, so let us review what we have done since taking office.
We lowered taxes for the middle class twice and raised them on the wealthiest 1%, and the Conservatives voted against. We created the CCB, indexed to inflation, and the Conservatives voted against. We provided seniors over 75 years old with a one-time payment of $500 and guess what. The Conservatives voted against.
This side will focus on affordability. That side should get on board.
86 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:55:44 p.m.
- Watch
It is nice to see some enthusiasm over there, Mr. Speaker.
Canada's duty-free access to the U.S. market, our largest and most important trading partner, is under threat like never before. Tariffs on softwood lumber, punishing buy-American provisions and now the possibility of highly integrated auto supply chains will be disrupted by more U.S. tariffs.
In Tuesday's state of the union address, President Biden stated, “instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it in America.” That is code for protectionism. What is the minister doing to protect our lumber, auto and manufacturing workers from more U.S. trade restrictions?
111 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:56:23 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, let me start with a fact. We have seen the highest trade between Canada and the U.S. that we have seen in the history of our trading relationship. That demonstrates that trade is working between our two countries. Of course, in a relationship as large as the one between Canada and the U.S., we have to continue to cultivate this relationship to the benefit of our workers and of our businesses.
I was just there on Monday, just a few days ago, meeting with the USTR and with congressional leaders to continue to defend Canada in this really important market that we have access to.
109 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:57:04 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, even now, in 2022, new mothers who lose their jobs when their parental leave is up cannot collect EI.
Even though six brave women fought the federal government in court to end this injustice, even though they won, Ottawa is appealing. Imagine. The government is appealing a court ruling because it wants to leave young mothers who have lost their jobs out in the cold. Will the government cancel the appeal?
73 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:57:45 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the pandemic exposed major disparities in our EI system. That is why the government is working on modernizing it.
We have met with many partners across the country to gain an understanding of how we can reform EI so that it better meets the needs of workers, including mothers.
The Social Security Tribunal is an independent tribunal, and it made a decision. The Canada Employment Insurance Commission, which is also independent, opted to appeal the decision.
None of that changes our government's commitment, and we will keep working to adapt the EI system—
97 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Mar/3/22 2:58:23 p.m.
- Watch
Order. The member for Shefford.
5 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
