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Hon. Hedy Fry (Vancouver Centre, Lib.)

May/17/22 2:02:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the memory of John Halani, a friend, a businessman and a benefactor who helped immigrants settle in Canada. John came to Canada in 1972 as part of the Ismaili exodus from Uganda, expelled by dictator Idi Amin. He worked as a salesman, but was an entrepreneur at heart and later became a hotelier and head of the Ethno Business Council of British Columbia. John was a community activist and, in 2007, received the title of “Rai”, the respected one, from the Aga Khan. He was named one of Canada's top immigrants in 2009, and he served for many years as the honorary consul for Uganda. To his wife, Anar, I send my love and condolences. John's kindness, generosity and passion for politics and the Liberal Party earned him an enduring place in our hearts. We will miss him.

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Mr. René Villemure (Trois-Rivières, BQ)

May/17/22 2:03:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to mark the 140th anniversary of the Port of Trois-Rivières. On this date in 1882, the newly formed Chamber of Commerce convinced the federal government to set up the Trois-Rivières Harbour Commission with the mission of modernizing the harbour facilities and integrating them into the rail network to stimulate the region's economy. A number of significant events in the first half of the 20th century contributed to the port's development, such as the arrival of major paper mills and the two world wars, which meant increased demand for grain transportation. The opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the late 1950s also gave the port a considerable boost. Growth continued during the 2000s as our urban port continued to develop and increase its socio-economic influence while reducing its environmental footprint. For all these reasons, we are proud of the Port of Trois-Rivières. Today, I would like to congratulate Danielle St-Amand and Gaétan Boivin who lead the board of directors and wish them a year of festivities worthy of their institution.

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Mr. Stéphane Lauzon (Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, Lib.)

May/17/22 2:04:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, while millions of Ukrainians have had to flee their homeland, people, associations and organizations from across the country are coming together to provide support. In Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, we have done our part. Paul Hénault made a $10,000 donation on behalf of the 84 members of the Lachute Lions Club, which then raised an additional $18,250 in record time for projects that will help Ukrainian refugees. The director of the Séminaire du Sacré‑Cœur, Christian Lavergne, along with his colleagues and friends, gave of their time to renovate a floor of the former student dormitory at the seminary in Grenville‑sur‑la‑Rouge. Eight of the 11 rooms were updated. Diane Gagné from Thurso went directly to the airport to pick up Ukrainian families she is housing for the next few months. It is acts like these that help Canada to have a strong presence on the international stage. Slava Ukraini. Glory to Ukraine.

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Mr. Dean Allison (Niagara West, CPC)

May/17/22 2:05:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the last two years have been a traumatizing time for many Canadians, and the NDP-Liberal coalition continues to make the situation much worse. It supported draconian rolling lockdowns, which contributed to a mental health disaster. It supported and is still keeping unscientific and now notorious vaccine mandates, which angered and divided Canadians more than any other policy we have ever seen. By keeping these vindictive mandates, the government continues to punish more than six million Canadians who choose to remain unvaccinated. The Liberals are also supporting the pointless ArriveCAN app, which does nothing to protect Canadians. This app is just another overreach by a government obsessed with surveilling Canadians. ArriveCAN must be scrapped immediately: not tomorrow, not next month, but today. Rather than try to save face, the NDP-Liberal coalition must finally face reality. Its ArriveCAN app and notorious vaccine mandates must be done away with immediately.

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Ms. Lisa Hepfner (Hamilton Mountain, Lib.)

May/17/22 2:06:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it was an honour to host the Prime Minister once again in my riding of Hamilton Mountain, where we greeted two families who recently settled in Hamilton after escaping Afghanistan. Last year, Ahmad and Marghana fled their home country, clutching their newborn daughter. They now have a home and work in their chosen fields, and their daughter, Harir, who is not yet two years old, will go to school and have opportunities that sadly will not be afforded to many of her peers in Afghanistan. Eight-year-old Atresa, six-year-old Zoya and their little brother Haris, who also recently fled Kabul with their parents, Mirwais and Zuhal, are thriving academically and making lots of friends. These families were overwhelmed with emotion to thank the Prime Minister for helping them get here and start new lives as Canadians, but as the Prime Minister so rightly noted, we are the lucky ones to have them join our community.

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

May/17/22 2:07:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I have always stated, the entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude that exist in the city of Vaughan are second to none and are inspiring. Driven by the decade-long leadership of His Worship Maurizio Bevilacqua, and based on the three core values of readiness, resilience and resourcefulness, the city of Vaughan exits the global pandemic as an economic powerhouse. Vaughan is the largest economy and employment centre in York Region, accounting for nearly 39% of all jobs and an annual economic output estimated at $25 billion. Critical investments in Vaughan’s infrastructure, including the Yonge North subway extension, the development of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, the Highway 427 extension and the opening of the YMCA’s flagship site, are examples of the city’s transformation and key partnerships. Vaughan’s growth is remarkable and the future for its residents is bright. We are making the city of Vaughan the city of choice to work in, to invest in and to live in.

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Mr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Calgary Forest Lawn, CPC)

May/17/22 2:09:02 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Dashmesh Culture Centre, including its president, Amanpreet Singh Gill, the entire executive committee, and the whole Calgary Sangat for a very successful and well organized Nagar Kirtan. More than 100,000 people attended, and this was the first Nagar Kirtan since 2019. I commend the City of Calgary, Calgary Police Service, the EMS, Calgary Fire Department, Parks and recreation and Alberta Health Services for all their efforts in planning this very successful event. Special thanks to Calgary Transit for providing free transit to anyone in Calgary for the day. It was a great honour to meet Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, the wife of human rights activist, the late Jaswant Singh Khalra. She was recognized by the Gurdwara Sahib for all of her advocacy. Kanwar Grewal also took time to attend the Nagar Kirtan. This event would not have been possible without the seva of hard-working volunteers like the United Hawks Sports Club and others, who ensured the grounds were kept clean. I thank everyone who made the Calgary Nagar Kirtan a massive success.

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Ms. Sonia Sidhu (Brampton South, Lib.)

May/17/22 2:10:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today I am wearing my green ribbon for Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Celiac disease affects more than 400,000 Canadians. Yesterday, I met with Melissa Secord from the Canadian Celiac Association to speak about the importance of early detection of celiac in our community. Some people with celiac do not have symptoms at all, which makes diagnosis difficult. This is why getting screened is so important. Untreated celiac can lead to symptoms of autoimmune disorders, like type 1 diabetes and other chronic conditions. As well, those living with celiac need to follow a gluten-free diet for their whole lives. Researchers are working to advance the science, but more needs to be done. I encourage everyone to learn more about this disease and get screened to reduce the long-term effects.

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Mr. Mark Strahl (Chilliwack—Hope, CPC)

May/17/22 2:11:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in an interview with Reuters last year, the Prime Minister said that his government had no plans to implement vaccine mandates because they could have knock-on, undesirable effects in our communities. He also said that bringing in vaccine passports could have real, divisive impacts on Canada. Even though he knew the harms they would cause to our country, the Prime Minister went ahead with his political choice to divide Canadians with his vaccine mandates, and we have all seen the results of his decision to divide. It will take years for our country to heal from the divisions that the Prime Minister has created, but that process cannot begin until his discrimination ends. Federal workers who have been fired because of their personal medical choices should get their jobs back immediately. All Canadians, regardless of vaccine status, should be allowed to travel freely within their own country again. It is time to stop the division, get back to prepandemic normal and let the healing begin.

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Mr. Dan Albas (Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, CPC)

May/17/22 2:12:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in many parts of my riding and across beautiful British Columbia, we are blessed with truly pristine forests. Sadly, many of our forests are increasingly being violated by illegal dumping and other unauthorized uses of Crown land. The garbage and filth left behind is simply alarming. Today I would like to recognize a man named Kane Blake, who decided to do something about it. Mr. Blake founded the Okanagan Forest Task Force. He gathered like-minded volunteers and sponsors to work together to remove this illegal garbage and scrap metal and to restore our forests. I ask members to please listen to this next part very carefully. The Okanagan Forest Task Force has now removed closed to 200,000 pounds of garbage and a further 230,000 pounds of metal waste from our forests. Combined, that is over 430,000 pounds of garbage from our Okanagan forests. I am sure there are members in this place who can speak of similar initiatives that do much in their areas. I would ask this chamber to please join me in thanking Kane Blake and the many volunteers and sponsors for all the work they do on behalf of our forests.

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Mrs. Élisabeth Brière (Sherbrooke, Lib.)

May/17/22 2:13:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, although alcohol consumption is legal and socially acceptable in Canada, it can have significant health and safety implications for Canadians and can exacerbate a number of social problems, such as homelessness. That is why our government is committed to supporting researchers in Sherbrooke and all across the country who are leading the way when it comes to addictions prevention and treatment research. On Friday, I had the pleasure of announcing federal funding of nearly $200,000 for Dr. Ouimet and Dr. Wagner, who are both affiliated with Université de Sherbrooke. I am very proud to have seen how much their two projects will help prevent impaired driving and make it easier for the people of Sherbrooke and all Canadians to access the support they need. I wish them much success in their research endeavours.

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Mr. Blake Desjarlais (Edmonton Griesbach, NDP)

May/17/22 2:14:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today, on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, I want to recognize the courageous work of the 2SLGBTQ community in my city of Edmonton. The corner of Whyte Avenue is notorious for its hateful street preachers, who spew homophobic and transphobic messages, making our community unsafe. However, our Edmonton 2LSGBTQ community pushed back, organizing counter-protests weekly, whenever the preachers showed up. Just this weekend, hundreds of members of our community gathered at the very same corner of Whyte Avenue for the official proclamation of “Pride Corner” in recognition of our community's continued fight for dignity and safety and to simply remain ourselves. Although we celebrate this achievement, many in Canada and around the globe continue to face overt hatred, injustice and discriminations for who they are and who they love. This must change. Let us commit to ending homophobia, transphobia and biphobia here in Canada and across the globe.

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Ms. Andréanne Larouche (Shefford, BQ)

May/17/22 2:15:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the couple was on their way home from a breakfast out: croissants, yogourt and lattes. Smiling, the first woman said to the other, “I love you, my darling.” Her girlfriend smiled while taking a sip of coffee and responded, “I love you too.” They left the small café. The sun was shining as they walked along happily, hand in hand. Behind them someone yelled, “Hey lesbians, aren't you ashamed to be seen in public?” They turned around in surprise, and one of them felt a gob of spit land on her face. The evening before, coming out of a bar, a gay couple had been kicked, punched and beaten while insults rained down on them. This casual violence happens every day, involving words, baseball bats and boots. It happens everywhere, all the time. It needs to be brought to light. On this International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, I want to tell all members of the LGBTQ community, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, that they are not alone. We are with them, and we will never let them down. Say no to homophobia and transphobia.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

May/17/22 2:17:15 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-5

Mr. Speaker, last night, Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner became the latest victim of violent crime in the GTA. According to reports, Marner was the victim of a carjacking near Queensway and Islington in Etobicoke. At almost the exact location, just two days ago, a woman was a victim of an attempted carjacking, so we know this is not an isolated incident. Instead of preventing these violent attacks and cracking down on thugs and gangs, the Liberals' soft-on-crime Bill C-5 rewards violent perpetrators and reduces the penalties for these very types of crimes. It is time for the Liberal members in the GTA to speak out against the dangers of their kid glove approach. We should remember that the bill they support eliminates mandatory jail time for major violent and firearms offences. They should be behind bars. Maybe Mitch Marner will get their attention and convince them to stand up for victims instead of criminals.

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Ms. Arielle Kayabaga (London West, Lib.)

May/17/22 2:18:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Pearl, Ruth, Margus, Andre, Geraldine, Katherine, Roberta, Aaron, Celestine and Heyward, these are the names of the sons and daughters of a strong community who were senselessly gunned down while getting groceries this Saturday. Next week, a community in Central Park will not receive the food that Pearl Young fed them every Saturday for the last 25 years. No one is born hating; people learn how to. Ideas are powerful. Words matter. When we feed into conspiracy theories and legitimize hate to score a few political points, it creates irrational fears that breed racial hate and discrimination. Racism and white supremacy have once again robbed us of brilliant people. This happened in Buffalo, but it happens here too. I know this because it happened in my riding of London West when last year three generations of people in one family were taken from us. We still remember. We are still mourning and we are still very traumatized. I mourn today with the community in Buffalo, but I also mourn with the Black communities across the world. I have to ask this question: When is enough enough? Where do we draw the line? When do we get tired of counting dead bodies? When do we stop saying that it does not happen here in Canada? Thoughts and prayers are no longer enough.

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Mr. Blaine Calkins (Red Deer—Lacombe, CPC)

May/17/22 2:19:54 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-5

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government's approach to justice reform has been an abject failure. It prioritized the wants of offenders over the needs of victims. There has been a consistent increase in the amount and severity of crime since the government took office, especially in Liberal ridings. Bill C-5 continues to gut our justice system by removing minimum penalties for criminals who commit serious gun crimes. When will the Prime Minister finally admit his plan is not working, change course and stand up for victims instead of criminals?

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Mr. Gary Anandasangaree (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Lib.)

May/17/22 2:20:40 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-5

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to a criminal justice reform. It is a promise we made to Canadians, and we intend to keep it. This is about criminal justice policy that actually keeps our communities safe. A justice system that targets, unfairly, indigenous peoples and Black and marginalized communities is not effective, does not keep us safe and must be changed.

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Mr. Blaine Calkins (Red Deer—Lacombe, CPC)

May/17/22 2:20:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is mind-boggling that the Prime Minister thinks that gangsters who use guns on our streets do not deserve jail time. Conservatives know for a fact that law-abiding firearms owners are among the least likely people to commit an offence with a firearm. The original long-gun registry was a $1-billion boondoggle that did nothing to enhance public safety. This new Liberal backdoor registry will not either. Why will the government not focus on criminals and smugglers and leave law-abiding Canadians alone?

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Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety, Lib.)

May/17/22 2:21:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, coming out of the events last weekend in Buffalo and seeing this country suffer from numerous tragedies involving gun violence, we took the extraordinary step of banning AR-15s, because they are designed to do one thing and that is to kill people. We have banned those assault rifles, and now we are committed to buying them back. Our plan was backed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. What is the Conservatives' plan? It is to make those AR-15s legal again. It is shocking. On this side, we will continue to make sure that we take the steps necessary to keep Canadians safe.

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Mr. Blaine Calkins (Red Deer—Lacombe, CPC)

May/17/22 2:22:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, a database with Canadians' personal information attached to a unique identifying number attached to the serial number of a firearm and administered by the firearms registrar is a gun registry. We know the Prime Minister does not think much about Canadians who support legal firearms ownership, but we are not fools. What is foolish is gutting penalties for criminals who steal firearms, possess stolen firearms, traffic in firearms or smuggle firearms. Could the Prime Minister explain why he has such a vendetta against target shooters in Estevan while he lets gun-wielding criminals run free in ridings his backbenchers represent?

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