SoVote

Apr/7/22 2:03:43 p.m.
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I believe we have the same hairdo. The hon. member for Brampton North.

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Ms. Ruby Sahota (Brampton North, Lib.)

Apr/7/22 2:03:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, April is Sikh Heritage Month and April 14 marks the day of Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is a special day for Sikh people, as it signifies the beginning of the Khalsa Panth created by the 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who initiated the Khalsa as warriors designated to be the protectors of the innocent. Sikhi teaches us the importance of justice, equality and service to others. On this occasion, I would like to recognize the outstanding work of Khalsa Aid Canada, an organization that highlights and practises these important teachings. Khalsa Aid responded rapidly to the crisis in Ukraine and established relief teams in five countries bordering Ukraine. Recently, at the Ukraine-Poland border, my friend Gurpartap Singh Toor and a team of young volunteers from Canada provided langar seva. They provided up to 5,000 free meals a day, along with emotional support, to escaping Ukrainians in one of the largest refugee camps in Europe today. I want to thank these volunteers and the Sikh Canadians who are living up to their Sikh values and making contributions. Happy Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi diyan lakh lakh Vadhaiyan.

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Mrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Salaberry—Suroît, BQ)

Apr/7/22 2:05:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am excited to rise today to congratulate Nicole Thauvette on winning the “Don Quichotte” award, which recognizes individuals who are working hard to build a better, fairer and more humane world. Nicole Thauvette, an amazing woman from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, embodies those goals. Nicole is a smart woman with an intrinsic drive to improve our community, one heart at a time. This award reflects the kindness she shows everyone around her and her commitment to helping those who are often forgotten. She is being overwhelmed by a huge wave of love today, but it is well deserved, given the laughter she spreads to everyone around her, the bursts of creativity and freedom she inspires, and the many times she has offered people a shoulder to cry on. I admire Nicole Thauvette tremendously and sincerely appreciate her friendship, so I have decided to celebrate her myself and award her the very first Lys de Salaberry—Suroît. Thank you, Nicole. She is such an inspiration.

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The Deputy Speaker

Apr/7/22 2:06:19 p.m.
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I just have a little suggestion to keep the conversations outside. There are some great S.O. 31s, Statements by Members, going on today. I think everybody wants to get a good clip and make sure we hear everything that is going on. Let us keep those conversations outside.

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Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lib.)

Apr/7/22 2:06:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 4, I had the privilege of participating in a local fundraiser in support of Ukraine. Thanks to Mayor Jim Watson and local elected officials, Councillors Matt Luloff, Laura Dudas and Catherine Kitts, for joining us. The community of Orleans was invited to visit the drive-thru set up at Soul Stone Restaurant to pick up delicious, traditional Ukrainian delicacies, perogies and borscht. This amazing event was organized by the Knights of Columbus in partnership with Sam and Emily Hee, owners of Soul Stone Sushi Bar and Grill, who graciously provided their indoor space to the many volunteers to help set up the distribution of food. I want to recognize John Sanko and his family for his effort and his leadership in making this such a great success. Orleans residents naturally responded to the call, as 609 dozen perogies were sold within two hours. With a fundraising goal of $20,000 between this event and the GoFundMe page, today we have reached close to $19,000. All of the proceeds are going to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. Again, I thank Orleans for its generosity and support.

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The Deputy Speaker

Apr/7/22 2:07:56 p.m.
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Again, I would remind members that S.O. 31s are actually 60 seconds long.

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Mr. Larry Maguire (Brandon—Souris, CPC)

Apr/7/22 2:08:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this past week, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair opened its doors to thousands of enthusiastic visitors after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Held annually in Brandon, the fair is one of western Canada’s largest agricultural events and one of only two fairs in Canada to receive royal designation from Queen Elizabeth II. We could feel the energy in the Keystone Centre as visitors took in the world-class show jumping and heavy horse competitions. Show jumper Piet Van Genugten and his horse Haido performed impressively and won the Wawanesa Insurance Grand Prix as the finale to the week. Livestock displays, live entertainers and hundreds of exhibits engaged folks of all ages and all walks of life. The hands-on agricultural education program and petting zoo put smiles on plenty of kids’ faces. Thousands of people, myself included, were incredibly happy to get back to this time-honoured tradition in our community. Congratulations to Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba president Kathy Cleaver and her board on another great fair, and thanks to all the volunteers who invested their time in the fair’s success.

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Hon. John McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood, Lib.)

Apr/7/22 2:09:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday our friend, former MP and cabinet minister David Kilgour, died. Everything in David's life was animated by his deep Christian faith. The anti-politician's politician, David ran for the Conservatives and won. He ran for the Liberals and won, and ultimately sat as an independent. He had little or no time for the compromises of politics, or prime ministers or party leaders. If a government hung in the balance over Darfur, so what? If he was banned by the Government of China for advocating on behalf of the Falun Gong or the Uighurs, so what? David's passion was so strong and his advocacy so effective that it was ultimately taken up by many others. While David could be described as a maverick with a cause, he also knew how to work a room. He put people together to move agendas, and David always had an agenda. David lived by Matthew 22: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind,” and “love your neighbour as yourself.” David had a diverse set of neighbours, and he loved them all. I thank Laura for sharing him with us.

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

Apr/7/22 2:10:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have heard it said that stories create communities. For decades, my community has been home to three of the best storytellers in Canada. They are journalists representing print, radio and television who have signed off on their last assignments. Jim Crichton anchored CTV News Windsor for 21 years. Anne Jarvis was an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Windsor Star for 32 years, and Tony Doucette spent 38 years at CBC, including 16 years as the host of Windsor Morning. Together, they were the pen, the voice and the trusted source for tens of thousands who tuned in or turned the page to make sense of our world. Anne said it best: This job was an adventure every day. I’ve covered prime ministers and premiers,... But often, those who inspired me most were ordinary people who enriched the community in all kinds of ways. I thank Anne, Jim and Tony for sharing their talents and enriching our community by helping us to tell our stories.

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Mr. Stephen Ellis (Cumberland—Colchester, CPC)

Apr/7/22 2:11:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an incident that sadly will live in infamy, and in the minds of the citizens of Portapique, Nova Scotia, and indeed of all Canadians. I refer to the incidents of April 18 and 19, 2020. Over this less than 24-hour time span, 23 lives, including that of an unborn baby, were senselessly taken. The families, community members and all of us continue to mourn. This unfathomable act of violence occurred in small-town Canada. All of us continue to question the whys and the hows of this mass tragedy. Our feelings continue to be raw. The questions continue to be great. The sorrow experienced continues to be, at times, overwhelming. My comments today will not provide great relief to those who are suffering; however, they will know that their loved ones and their terrible grief have not gone unrecognized. They are remembered and shared by those of us in the House of Commons today and, as the anniversary of the tragedy looms ever closer, by all Canadians. Let us forever remember those families and all of those affected in our thoughts and in our prayers.

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Mr. Francesco Sorbara (Vaughan—Woodbridge, Lib.)

Apr/7/22 2:13:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Christians in Canada and around the world have been preparing through Lent for the joyous arrival of Easter: the feast of all feasts that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ in both our communities and our hearts. As engraved over the windows of the Peace Tower, here on Parliament Hill, “Where there is no vision, the people perish”. That is from Proverbs 29:18. This year, we enter Easter at a challenging time that calls for peace, healing and hope, as well as a worldwide vision that invites all of us, regardless of faith, to seek unity. Easter is a time of new beginnings when we are reminded of God's providence and unconditional love, for Jesus bore our sins on the cross and made intercession for our transgressions. As we let go and let God, this Holy Week we lift our eyes to the cross to receive the grace of amazement. I wish everyone celebrating in Vaughan—Woodbridge and around the world a blessed Holy Week and a happy Easter. Buona Pasqua a tutti.

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Mr. Richard Martel (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, CPC)

Apr/7/22 2:14:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there was a performance on the well-known show, Canada's Got Talent, two days ago that is worth mentioning here in the House. Jeanick Fournier, from Chicoutimi, was the recipient of the famed golden buzzer for her outstanding performance of Céline Dion's I Surrender. Jeanick's background is quite remarkable. She started singing in her church choir and now she is on the big stage. Her performance was impressive and very inspiring for all the young singers who saw it. I had the chance to see her on the regional circuit, and here she is on the national stage. With her talent, she is on her way to international fame. Jeanick deserves every success. Her involvement in the community and her professional career make her an incredible asset to our region. She is, quite simply, impressive and inspiring. Congratulations and good luck.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Apr/7/22 2:15:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on April 12, thousands will visit the Ohel: the resting place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, for the 120th anniversary of his birth. The Rebbe’s teaching has imparted to the Jewish people a sense of responsibility to God and to one another. He was a leader who exemplified true selflessness, and whose altruism grew in others exponentially and continues through the unparalleled success of the Chabad movement. He took a people decimated by the Holocaust and inspired them to believe in God’s providence again. This great modern Jewish sage was born in Ukraine, which is a country that today is an example of moral clarity and strength in the world. It is a country where Chabad’s humanitarian effort is nothing short of heroic. The Rebbe would go on to engineer the global Jewish renaissance committed to caring for the spiritual needs of all Jews, wherever they could be found. He turned Judaism outward instead of inward. Today, Jews and non-Jews around world are influenced by the Rebbe through his thousands of emissaries, through his teachings and through his actions. It is not only the Rebbe's birthday, but it is a day of virtue for Chabad in our communities and for the entire Jewish people.

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Ms. Lisa Hepfner (Hamilton Mountain, Lib.)

Apr/7/22 2:16:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Boris Brott, an icon of Canadian culture, was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Tuesday. Hamilton Spectator columnist Susan Clairmont wrote: Among the steel mills and hardscrabble neighbourhoods, for richer and for poorer, from school halls to concert halls, the maestro believed our lunch-bucket town could love classical music. He was right. But even more, we loved Boris Brott. His accomplishments are legion; too many to mention. He was an Officer of the Order of Canada and a passionate conductor internationally renowned for making classical music relatable. He was the artistic director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra for more than 20 years. He performed at Carnegie Hall, Covent Garden and even a blast furnace at the Dofasco steel mill. In 1988, he launched the Brott Music Festival. It is Canada's largest orchestra festival, and brings classical music to the streets of Hamilton. Our shocked city has been stunned silent. My deepest condolences to his wife Ardyth, his children and grandchildren.

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Mr. Blake Desjarlais (Edmonton Griesbach, NDP)

Apr/7/22 2:17:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, working families in my district of Edmonton Griesbach cannot afford to keep waiting to get the basic dental care and medicine they need. Working people who are struggling to get a roof over their heads cannot afford to keep waiting while house prices skyrocket and rents keep going up. Métis, Inuit and first nations people across Turtle Island cannot afford to keep waiting for the federal government to finally honour its obligations. The planet cannot afford to wait for real climate action, and none of us can afford to keep waiting while billionaires and big corporations dodge their taxes and leave the rest of us footing the bill. New Democrats are done waiting. We are done waiting for real action from the government. Now is the time for results. Make no mistake: New Democrats will get results. We will keep holding the government accountable, we will keep winning victories that make life more affordable and we will keep working for people across the country. Today's budget is a floor, not a ceiling. Kinanaskomtinawaw.

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Mr. Luc Thériault (Montcalm, BQ)

Apr/7/22 2:18:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today is World Health Day and the theme this year is “Our planet, our health”. Since the environment is one of the primary determinants of health and, unfortunately, of disease, it is more important than ever to rethink the world and our society so our children and grandchildren will have the opportunity to grow up in a healthy environment with the best possible living conditions. Talking will not get us there, only action will. The government must decide, once and for all, to be consistent, take action, and assume its responsibilities by protecting the environment and funding health care. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those in the health sector who are doing all the heavy lifting and who can no longer wait for ongoing, significant and unconditional funding. Health is a collective responsibility. We must decide to make it a priority.

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Hon. Mike Lake (Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, CPC)

Apr/7/22 2:20:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, last Saturday was World Autism Awareness Day and 24 years since my son, Jaden, was diagnosed. Jaden would normally be in Ottawa with me, but last week, he tested positive for COVID. He has bounced back quickly, but sadly is not able to travel. As the years go by, we learn more about autism and both the strengths and challenges that come with the label; still, so much remains unknown. Thankfully, more and more autistic Canadians are sharing their stories, and mysteries that we once only viewed as problems to be solved we are learning to embrace, as diversity that enriches our entire human experience. Some of my favourite moments are spent sitting beside Jaden and just being with him, looking into each other's eyes with smiles on both of our faces. We are content with the part of each other that remains unknown. There is so much I do not know in those moments, but I am intensely aware that Jaden loves me. Through a connection I could never begin to explain, I know that he knows I love him. There is no knowledge more important to me than that.

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Ms. Arielle Kayabaga (London West, Lib.)

Apr/7/22 2:21:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 28 years ago today, more than one million people died in the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, and to this the world said “never again”. “Never again”, but yet again the world is dealing with the consequences of not seeing each other's humanity. I want Rwandans watching this today from my riding of London West and across Canada to know that the world sees them and the world recognizes their resilience and willingness to rebuild and to walk the path of reconciliation no matter how hard it is and how hard it has been. They have chosen healing and rebuilding. As I stand before the House today, 82 million people have been forcibly displaced across the world. The Ukrainian and Afghanistan crises alone have created respectively 6.3 million refugees. I want all of us to reflect on these numbers. It is our job as leaders to carry out the “never again” words in our actions to ensure that the next generation of Rwandans, of Tutsis across the world, do not have to face another moment to invoke these words. On behalf of all Rwandans who are no longer with us today, on behalf of the children of families, including my own, who have been forever changed by what happened during the cold nights of April 1994, I say to them “never again”. I ask members of the House to stand with me in a moment of silence for the voices that will never speak again. Let us commit to never sit in silence and always use our voices and actions to fight against hatred and discrimination of all kinds. Twibuke twiyubaka.

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The Deputy Speaker

Apr/7/22 2:23:29 p.m.
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I know there is a request for another moment of silence, and maybe we will do them together. There has been a request for a moment of silence for the people lost in Portapique, and we just had a request for the people of Rwanda, so let us stand in a moment of silence for them. [A moment of silence observed]

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

Apr/7/22 2:24:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know this NDP-Liberal government is not big on transparency. Recently Canada witnessed a kind of justice more closely associated with the Middle Ages. Nobody knows where or when this phantom trial took place. We also do not know the judge, the accused or the lawyers, and there is no transcription. RCMP investigators and federal prosecutors participated in this North Korea-style travesty of justice. What role did the Liberal Minister of Justice play in this trial that violated every basic principle of our country's judicial system?

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