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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 43

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 22, 2022 10:00AM
  • Mar/22/22 2:48:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me talk about some facts about affordability that this side of the aisle is putting into place. A single mom with two kids will receive $13,600 from the Canada child benefit. The average family in Saskatchewan will get almost $1,000 in their carbon price rebate. Seniors received an extra $500 this summer. A student will save $3,000 through our changes to student loans. These are real facts on affordability, not political gimmicks.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:49:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Governor of the Bank of Canada revealed that the carbon tax contributed to inflation by nearly half a per cent. While the Liberals claim this is not their fault and that it is a global phenomenon, those who think and understand monetary policy know otherwise. This is costing the Canadians I hear from who are paying more for their home heating and more at the pumps. Will the NDP-Liberal government commit today to scrapping its carbon tax increase to come into effect on April 1?
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  • Mar/22/22 2:50:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know that a price on pollution is the best way to fight climate change and that inflation is a global phenomenon. The data the member opposite is citing from the governor does not factor in the rebates that are putting more money in the pockets of Canadians, now with quarterly payments. While it is not surprising to see Conservatives campaigning for less climate action and against the climate action incentive that puts more money in the pockets of eight out of 10 Canadian families, it is still disappointing. While they decide on climate change, we are going to fight climate change.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:50:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the government said supporting women fleeing violence is its top priority. Gender-based violence has been rising at an alarming rate. In my city of London it has increased by 53%, but organizations, like Anova in London, that support women are being told they will not get the necessary funding to run their life-saving programs. Without action, women in Canada will continue to experience devastating violence. In the upcoming budget, the government must provide core stable funding. When will the Liberals keep their promise and stand up for women?
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  • Mar/22/22 2:51:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to let the hon. member know that we on this side of the House have been standing up for women. When COVID-19 hit we were there with $100 million in shelter funding that helped 1,200 organizations. We knew, when the pandemic hit, that home was not safe for everyone, and we made sure that we provided the funding to help women. We will continue to do so.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:51:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 34% of people who menstruate had to sacrifice other needs to afford menstrual hygiene products. It costs an individual an average of $6,000 over a lifetime for these products. Menstrual hygiene products are essential health necessities, not luxuries, yet the current government makes us beg for a pad. When will the Liberal government acknowledge the reality of period poverty in this country and ensure equitable access to free menstrual hygiene products for all?
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  • Mar/22/22 2:52:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her advocacy. It is good to work with her. I will say this. My team and I are working on that. It is part of my mandate letter. We take it very seriously. We are also consulting with organizations on the ground that will inform us on the path ahead.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:52:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day reminds us that, while progress is being made to fight systemic racism, hate and injustice, there is much more work to do. That work is really important, because uplifting vulnerable communities improves the health and prosperity of all Canadians, including our economy. Can the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion please tell us what our government is doing to combat racism so that communities like mine, in Mississauga—Erin Mills, can continue to flourish and prosper?
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  • Mar/22/22 2:53:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for her advocacy on an important matter. Our government has taken the issue of tackling racism as a top priority. That is why we have invested over $100 million in the anti-racism strategy, including investing $70 million in community organizations fighting racism on the ground. However, we know there is more work to be done. That is why we are committed to fighting systemic racism in our institutions. We are committed to renewing our anti-racism strategy and supporting racialized Canadians every step of the way.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:54:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs a question, but the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence was the one who answered by reading something that had nothing to do with my question. I will therefore ask the question again today because it is a very important one. The Liberals finally recognized the importance of sending lethal weapons to Ukraine, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated in a televised interview yesterday that all the weapons were already on Ukrainian soil. My question is this. Have all the weapons sent by Canada made their way to the battlefield in Ukraine, yes or no?
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  • Mar/22/22 2:54:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am of course working with my colleague, the Minister of National Defence, on this issue. We are coordinating our efforts. It goes without saying that Ukraine must have the means to defend itself against the Russian attackers. My colleagues know that we are supplying equipment and weapons to Ukraine. That is important in that it will help people defend themselves on the ground, but it is also important from a diplomatic perspective because it will also put them in a position of strength in negotiations.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:55:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister. We now see that her answer to Mario Dumont yesterday was wrong, because she did not clearly answer the question: Our weapons have not reached Ukraine. It is like last week, when the Prime Minister travelled to Europe with his ministers. They went all over the place, but we do not know why, if not for pointless photo ops. Tonight, the Prime Minister is heading off for a G7 meeting. Will he be bringing the leader of the NDP along to make sure he asks that we scale back our involvement in Ukraine?
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  • Mar/22/22 2:55:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, first, I want to reassure my colleague that Canada is supporting Ukrainians. I know that my colleague and his party asked for that, and that the entire House is united on this issue. That was my first point. My second point is that, of course, Canadians expect the lethal and non-lethal aid to reach Ukraine. However, Canadians and our allies also know that it is important not to disclose details on this matter for security reasons. I would be happy to work with my colleague on this issue, but he can rest assured that whenever we make statements as a government, they are truthful.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:56:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I and many other combat veterans were disappointed to hear the Minister of Foreign Affairs state that Canada “is not a military power.” I have led some of Canada's finest warriors in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. I would like to educate the minister that Canada's success in “making sure that diplomacy is happening” during global conflicts is predicated by our ability to back it up militarily. I am doubtful the minister will apologize, but will she acknowledge that Canadian Armed Forces personnel are among the best in the world and that Canada is a military power?
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  • Mar/22/22 2:57:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, obviously we support our men and women in uniform. That is exactly why I had the chance to go to Ukraine to meet with them through Operation Unifier, as well as in Latvia. At the same time, I find it a bit rich coming from the Conservatives, as they reduced their military spending below 1%— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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  • Mar/22/22 2:57:36 p.m.
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Order. Order. The hon. minister.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:57:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, I find it a bit rich on the part of the Conservatives, as they reduced their military spending below 1% when they were in government, which was the lowest in 60 years. Of course, it will be a pleasure to work with my colleague, because the question of Ukraine is not a partisan question. It is a question that should unite us while people are—
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  • Mar/22/22 2:58:21 p.m.
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The hon. member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound.
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  • Mar/22/22 2:58:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom, their democracy and even their lives. They have asked for more help from Canada. The Canadian Armed Forces are in the process of divesting many armoured vehicle fleets, such as the Coyote, M113 and Bison armoured vehicles, as they are replaced by the armoured combat support vehicle project. Could these vehicles be donated to Ukraine? If so, when?
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  • Mar/22/22 2:58:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Canadian Armed Forces for its ongoing and historic work to protect our country and contribute to our world. I would like to say in addition that we have contributed lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank missiles, grenades and fragmentation vests, and we will continue to provide millions and millions of dollars' worth of aid to Ukraine. In terms of the suggestion, I look forward to working with my hon. colleague to get more details on his suggestion so that we can take it forward. We will continue to leave no stone unturned to assist Ukraine.
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