44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 16, 2022 11:00AM
- May/16/22 2:12:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada faces tightening fiscal pressures, ballooning debt and inflation. Deficit and debt levels are so large that getting back to balance requires government not just to find efficiencies, but actually to do fewer things. The history of growth of government has not simply been one of government filling unmet needs; very often government has grown by displacing community, not-for-profit and other private organizations.
If we are going to reduce government expenditures while continuing to meet vital needs, Parliament needs to develop a strategy for revivifying strong communities and increasing the ability of extended families, charities, community organizations and the private sector to offer opportunity and support to people in vulnerable situations. We need to replace big government with strong community. Strong communities do not just meet individual needs; they also draw those involved into a sense of common endeavour and attach service provision to tangible, personal support.
Too often, the government measures success by how much it is spending in a particular area. This way of measuring accomplishment incentivizes government growth at the expense of community response and does not actually measure positive outcomes for individuals. The best way to reduce government spending is to replace government provision with something better.
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- May/16/22 2:13:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the current Liberal government’s recklessness has caused the price of everything to go up. People in my community are being forced to choose between buying nutritious groceries for their families and paying their utility bills.
For a lot of families, summer sports are now a pipe dream due to the high price of gas. Never before have we seen gas prices this high, and the government continues to raise gas taxes, with no end in sight. The Liberals seem to be pleased with the massive cost of fuel, because it has helped to achieve the end goal of their carbon tax: to continuously raise taxes and increase the price of fuel, so that Canadians are effectively beaten into submission and can no longer drive because they cannot afford it.
The cost of living crisis is desperately impacting Canadians, especially rural Canadians like those in my riding. They are looking to catch a break; they are looking for relief, and they are looking for someone to stand up for their best interests. Canada’s Conservatives will continue to hold the government to account for its recklessness and mismanagement. We will continue to fight to make life more affordable for all Canadians.
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- May/16/22 2:14:25 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I stand today to highlight an organization in the riding of Saint-Laurent that brightens the days of hundreds of seniors. Place à la Marche is a seniors organization that promotes healthy living by creating exercising and socializing opportunities at our local mall, Place Vertu. It caters to all seniors, but works primarily in English, being one of the only exercise groups that caters to the English-speaking community in the riding.
The group meets three mornings a week to exercise, but they know how to have fun as well, by celebrating their members' birthdays over lunch or dinner at least once a month. The group is successful at attracting new members and keeping Saint-Laurent seniors happy and healthy because of the passion and work of their fabulous volunteers, including the president, Dominic Santini; the treasurer, Bernie Weinstein; Joanne Morrison, Pressie Banequit and others. Today they have come to join us here in Ottawa, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish them a fantastic day on Parliament Hill and in Ottawa.
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- May/16/22 2:15:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada's two largest political parties are meeting the threat of climate change with a woeful lack of ambition, action and commitment.
One party has disguised itself, trying to fit in among the environmentalists, but it cannot hide the fact that it bought a pipeline with taxpayers' money, the costs of which have gone wildly over budget. It cannot hide the billions in loans it guaranteed or its subsidies to private oil companies as they profiteer off the backs of working families.
The other party has buried its head in the oil sands, trying its best to ignore all the evidence. It has all but given up trying to have a coherent plan on confronting the climate crisis, instead wanting to increase oil and gas production and build pipelines in all directions.
We must change our course, or Canada will be witness to larger and more powerful forest fires, extended droughts, flooding and killer heat waves. The time to act is now.
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- May/16/22 2:16:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, National Police Week goes until May 21. It is my privilege to work closely with people who represent police forces at all levels. I have tremendous respect and admiration for the people who do this job.
The women and men who protect us and keep us safe have to wear many different hats at once. In addition to being peace officers, they are often social workers and confidantes, and they are privy to the problems in our communities. Their courage and resilience, especially in their fight against crime, are remarkable.
On-the-ground police presence, investigations and operations such as Centaure have resulted in the seizure of hundreds of weapons. Police operations save lives every day. I salute the dedication of dozens of officers in the Lower St. Lawrence region last fall who searched day and night for a child who was kidnapped in Sainte-Paule, near where I live.
Together, let us honour the sacrifices they make and the risks they take every day to protect one of our most dearly held values: our democracy.
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- May/16/22 2:17:38 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 27-year-old Zachary Hartman of Exeter was tragically murdered this weekend in my hometown of Grand Bend. A friend described him as a calm, gentle person who never went looking for trouble, but someone who would call out anything that he knew to be wrong. This is not something that anyone expects to happen when they visit our small and friendly tourist town.
We know arrests have been made, and we look for justice to be served. Our community grieves for the victim, and our most sincere condolences go to his family. I would like to thank the OPP and Anishinabek police from Kettle Point, as well as the paramedics and volunteer firefighters for their swift action. I was close by that evening and witnessed their immediate response. My heart goes out to all who knew Zachary.
Losing a young Canadian to a sudden and senseless act of violence is not something any family or community wants. At times like this, we must remember the importance of mental health. We must also denounce the rise of violent crime, gang activities and illicit drugs, which ruin lives.
I would like to ask anyone with information about the incident to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
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- May/16/22 2:18:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that on May 15 of every year we observe International Day of Families. Families are the cornerstone of our society, shaping our country, our communities and our homes. As someone who comes from a family of 15, I always value family above anything else.
My wife, my children and my grandchildren are the greatest treasures in my life. They support me through my happiest times and pick me up when I am down. I would like to thank my family for the strength and support they have always provided.
To my friends and my colleagues in the House, let us spend today and every day celebrating, supporting and protecting the family unit. Treasures of the heart cannot be stolen.
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- May/16/22 2:20:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, masks came off in Quebec this weekend, but instead of seeing smiles on people's faces, I saw worry.
The cost of living is unbelievable. It spares absolutely no one. Everything costs more. Experts say that the worst is yet to come. On top of that, gas prices have reached record highs across Canada. The worst part is that the NDP‑Liberal government is happy about it.
When will the Prime Minister give Canadians some breathing room during this major inflationary crisis?
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- May/16/22 2:20:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we absolutely understand that the cost of living is an important issue for Canadians. We also understand that Canadians, including Quebeckers, understand the importance of climate action.
Our budget includes a range of measures that will help reduce the cost of living, such as dental care, doubling the assistance provided by the first‑time home buyers' tax credit and a one‑time payment of $500 to people facing housing affordability challenges.
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- May/16/22 2:21:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, people are tired of hearing those kinds of answers.
Do my colleagues really want to know what the Liberals think of higher gas prices? The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and member for Halifax could not have been more clear when he said, and I quote, “There needs to be a bit of pain there. That's the point of it.”
The more expensive gas is, the better for the Prime Minister and his cabinet, and too bad if it hurts Canadians. That is the reality.
Is the Deputy Prime Minister prepared to come with me to a gas station and say that to the worker who has to pay $100 to fill his tank, because gas is no longer affordable?
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- May/16/22 2:22:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know that Canadians are smart. Canadians know perfectly well that inflation, including high gas prices, is a global phenomenon caused by the pandemic, Putin's illegal war in Ukraine and China's zero-COVID policy.
We understand that this is making life difficult for Canadian families, and that is why our government has taken action. Our response includes, for example, increasing old age security.
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- May/16/22 2:22:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on Friday, the Supreme Court suggested that Parliament adopt legislation to prevent anyone who commits a violent crime while extremely intoxicated from using that state as a defence.
The majority of victims of this type of crime are women. The Supreme Court's ruling has serious consequences for victims. We are prepared to work with the government on this.
Will the Minister of Justice commit to introducing a bill in the next few days to remedy this situation?
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- May/16/22 2:23:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that our criminal justice system keeps our communities safe, respects victims and holds offenders to account, all the while upholding Charter rights. We are carefully reviewing this decision to determine its effects on victims and on criminal law.
It is critically important to emphasize that Friday's decision does not apply to the vast majority of cases involving a person who commits a criminal offence while intoxicated.
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- May/16/22 2:24:02 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that defendants accused of violent crimes such as homicide and sexual assault can use self-induced extreme intoxication as a defence, striking down a federal law supported by women's advocacy groups. Sexual assaults remains one of most under-reported crimes, according to the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics. This ruling is taking us backwards.
When is the government going to respond and put the needs of victims first?
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- May/16/22 2:24:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I just said in French, our government is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that our criminal justice system keeps communities safe, respects victims and holds offenders to account, all the while upholding charter rights. We are carefully reviewing this decision to determine its effect on victims, as well as on the criminal law. It is critically important, though, to emphasize that Friday's decision does not apply to the vast majority of cases involving a person who commits a criminal offence while intoxicated.
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- May/16/22 2:25:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the government continues to provide inadequate answers to the real questions facing Canadians. We know that the current system is not set up to protect victims. The lack of self-reporting, victim fear and psychological stress are only a few of the reasons why this system is failing. Women's advocacy groups, legal experts and many others are concerned with the Supreme Court ruling. Our job is to protect victims, not add to their burdens. When will the government introduce legislation to close the loophole?
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- May/16/22 2:25:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I have said a number of times publicly, we are investing in victims and protecting victims within our system. They are always at the forefront. This decision came out on Friday. It does propose a few ways forward. We are studying those ways forward in a responsible manner to get to a response that protects victims and eliminates gaps in our criminal law.
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- May/16/22 2:26:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there were so many Liberals at the Bill 96 demonstration on Saturday that it was like being at their convention.
In attendance were the members for Mount Royal, Saint‑Laurent, Vimy, Saint‑Léonard—Saint‑Michel, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, Lac‑Saint‑Louis, Pierrefonds—Dollard and Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle. It was quite the party.
This raises questions. Is the federal government now going to wage war on Quebec's Bill 96? If not, will the Deputy Prime Minister tell her merry band of superstars to mind their own business?
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- May/16/22 2:26:47 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the government has introduced Bill C‑13 to strengthen French not only in Quebec, but throughout Canada. That is exactly what we will do, while respecting the rights of all minorities.
Unlike the Bloc Québécois, our MPs are not locked up, they are not handcuffed and they are not chained to posts. They have the right to demonstrate to defend their point of view, unlike the Bloc Québécois.
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- May/16/22 2:27:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the federal Liberals are currently fighting two battles with respect to French. There are the superstars who are trying to fight Quebec's Bill 96 and a group of ministers, with their own bill, Bill C-13, who want to block one of the key measures of Bill 96, which would impose the Charter of the French Language on federally regulated businesses.
Both groups want to thwart Bill 96 or lessen its impact by promoting English as the language of work.
Do the Liberals want to defend French or further anglicize Quebec?
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