44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 23, 2022 10:00AM
- Sep/23/22 11:54:01 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we all understand that Canada's public servants deserve to be paid properly and on time for the important work they do. We recognize that these pay problems create stress and hardship for employees and their families, and we are committed to fixing it. We are prioritizing cases that could have a significant impact on an employee's pay. We will continue to work to improve the system.
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- Sep/23/22 11:54:24 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is unable to pay its own employees properly. That is not normal. Why are we surprised that they cannot manage Roxham Road, issue passports and process immigration applications? Everything this government touches is turning into a disaster. We need to reboot. Time for “Ctr+Alt+Del”.
Let us start with the basics. When will Ottawa start paying its employees properly and on time and compensate all the new victims of the Phoenix system since 2020?
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- Sep/23/22 11:55:07 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, workers absolutely deserve to be paid properly and on time. We have hired more people. Our team has been working on Phoenix 24/7. I am well aware that we have to fix this. We also have a plan to implement the NextGen system, which will definitely improve the system.
At this point, all I can say is that we are aware of the issues and we are working on them.
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- Sep/23/22 11:55:33 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know that this Prime Minister is out of touch. Recent records show that he spent $12,000 in a single month for groceries, so how could he possibly know what ordinary Canadians are facing?
With taxes up and consumer confidence down, Canadians know that making ends meet is almost impossible. Not only are Canadians cutting back on groceries, they worry about heating their homes this winter, if they can afford a house in the first place.
Do the bohemians across the way know that theirs is a rhapsody of tax misery, and will they cut their planned tax increases on gas, home heating and groceries?
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- Sep/23/22 11:56:10 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, just two weeks ago I announced a program, a $250-million program, to help tens of thousands of Canadians get off home heating oil and get access to cheaper, cleaner electricity to heat their homes and use in their houses. This is yet another example of how we can tackle the crisis of climate change and help Canadians with affordability. Unfortunately, on these two fronts, the Conservatives have nothing to offer Canadians.
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- Sep/23/22 11:56:40 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, once again, it is an out-of-touch answer.
According to a recent survey of my constituents, 94% of families are feeling the pain associated with the increases to the carbon tax. Food prices are at 40-year highs, and these Liberals are making the problem worse by tripling the carbon tax, a policy that increases costs for farmers, the entire supply chain and ultimately drives up the price of food. It is basic economics.
My question is simple. Will the Liberals abandon their massive planned tax hikes on farmers and all Canadians?
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- Sep/23/22 11:57:19 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let us talk about carbon pricing for a second. In 2007, the Harper government proposed a $15 carbon tax. In 2008, the same government pledged to introduce a cap-and-trade system. In 2011, it was no longer pursuing any of these systems, yet last year the opposition proposed in their election campaign that they supporting carbon pricing again.
Canadians want real, serious climate actions to ensure a healthier environment and a cleaner economy, not Conservative flip-flops.
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- Sep/23/22 11:57:54 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, inflation is affecting Canadians every day. Home heating costs more, housing costs more, and groceries cost more.
The government is trying to pull the wool over our eyes. It gives us a dollar and takes two back. The way I see it, that means family budgets come up short. Canada is the only G7 country not to have lowered taxes.
Will the government listen to reason? Will it cancel the tax hikes?
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- Sep/23/22 11:58:31 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the global economic context is very difficult. We know full well that Canadians are having trouble making ends meet. The Canadian economy is also very resilient.
My colleague referred to where we are compared to other G7 countries. We should keep in mind that Canada has the lowest deficit and the strongest economic growth in the G7.
On this side of the House, we know how to manage the economy, and we will continue to support Canadians who need it most while being fiscally responsible.
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- Sep/23/22 11:59:17 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, across Canada and around the world today, young people are taking to the streets to demand climate justice. These leaders of tomorrow are clearly expressing their hopes for the future, a future in which we all take responsibility for the damage we have done to our natural world and the climate costs we have imposed on future generations.
Can the minister talk about what our government is doing to tackle climate change?
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- Sep/23/22 11:59:45 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Sudbury for her question. In my younger days, I would have been on the front lines of today's climate protests, carrying a banner or a megaphone. I actually organized many such protests myself.
I can assure the House today that my department and this government are fully committed to taking action on all fronts in the fight against climate change. This includes $109 billion in investments and over 100 initiatives in electrification, climate change adaptation and conservation led by indigenous peoples across the country.
Yes, pollution is decreasing in Canada, contrary to what the Conservative Party would have us believe. We are taking action on climate change, and we will continue to do so for the good of all Canadians.
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- Sep/23/22 12:00:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, are members surprised that the cost of living in northern Saskatchewan is skyrocketing? Record high gas prices and an ever-increasing carbon tax have led to unprecedented freight costs. Everything, and I mean everything, costs more under this coalition government. In some communities, four litres of milk is nearly $14, a dozen eggs is nine dollars and a kilogram of apples is $12.
The people in northern communities cannot afford more taxes. Will the government cancel today its planned increases on northerners' gas, groceries and heating fuel?
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- Sep/23/22 12:01:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we appreciate that the cost of living has become an issue for many Canadians, especially in the north of our country. Yesterday, we learned that the newly appointed deputy leader of the Conservatives, the member for Thornhill, is going to support GST tax relief for 11 million Canadian households. It is another day and another Conservative who supports our plan to make life more affordable. Perhaps, since the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes may support the bill, they can get together and convince the Conservative leader to support the bill as well.
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- Sep/23/22 12:01:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's ineffective carbon tax is increasing the cost of everything. Canadians are paying more to drive to work, feed their families and heat their homes, but the Prime Minister does not care because he is actually planning to triple the carbon tax.
Canadians should not have to choose between eating and heating, so when will the government cancel its planned tax hikes on Canadians?
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- Sep/23/22 12:02:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, with climate change, the cost of inaction is enormous. In fact, it is in the billions of dollars, and we have a practical and affordable way to lower pollution.
Let us look at the facts. The revenue from pricing pollution in Canada will go back to the provinces where the money was raised, with 90% for families directly and 10% for businesses, municipalities, schools, hospitals and indigenous communities to help them become more energy efficient and save money.
Under our plan, eight out of 10 families will have more money in their pockets, and all the revenue from pricing pollution will stay in the province where it came from.
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- Sep/23/22 12:02:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the government's tax-and-spend policies have created an affordability crisis in our country. According to recent inflation numbers, food is increasing by the unbelievable amount of over 10%, which will leave many Canadians deciding this winter whether it will be eating or heating each month.
When will the government stop fuelling inflation and start helping Canadians by reversing its planned tax increases on gas, groceries, home heating and paycheques?
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- Sep/23/22 12:03:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are helping Canadians by making life more affordable. We are doing that in many ways. It is why we have increased the Canada workers benefit, which now helps three million Canadians. We have reduced the retirement age from 67 to 65, putting thousands of dollars back into the pockets of our seniors. We have saved students $3,000 by getting rid of interest rates on student loans.
We will continue to build an economy that works for everyone, and I look forward to working with the member to do the same.
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- Sep/23/22 12:03:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Russia has announced plans for sham referendums in the Ukrainian territories it has invaded. It is clear that Russia's war is only about Vladimir Putin's desire to redraw the map using force. This is also an admission of Russia's failure, as Ukrainians are bravely retaking territory with the help of the aid provided by Canada and our allies. Ukraine's territory must remain Ukraine's.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs inform this House of the government's position on these latest Russian escalations?
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- Sep/23/22 12:04:38 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Whitby for his continued support and commitment to the people of Ukraine, like every member of this House.
Canada strongly condemns the sham so-called referendums that Russia has planned in the occupied regions of Ukraine. They are completely illegitimate. Canada will never recognize them, and we are urging other countries to join with us in rejecting Russia's attempts to steal Ukrainian territory through deceit, violence and terror.
Canada has always stood with Ukraine, and this House has always stood with Ukraine. We will continue to do that and do it well and passionately.
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- Sep/23/22 12:05:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, every day 10 Canadians die by suicide and 21 more to overdose. Canada was already facing a mental health crisis. Now, with rising costs, everyday Canadians cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for the help they need. Wait-lists for public services are months or years long. The Liberals promised to spend $4.5 billion over five years to expand mental health services, yet this funding was not even in this year's budget.
When will the government deliver on its promise to help Canadians who are struggling?
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