44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 26, 2022 11:00AM
- Sep/26/22 2:55:57 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of collaboration in this moment of emergency, I want to assure my colleague that I reached out to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and I reached out to the Premier of Nova Scotia to be sure that he had all the support that we could provide from the federal government to help Nova Scotians at this difficult time.
That is what we are laser-like focused on: making sure that the Canadian Armed Forces are deployed, that we are matching contributions based on the generosity of Canadians and doing everything possible to help Nova Scotians and all Canadians so they can get over this difficult period, and we will continue to do that.
118 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 2:56:38 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Roxham Road is all about human smugglers exploiting poor families and ripping them off. Having skirted the issue for years, the Minister of Public Safety finally acknowledged it on Saturday, but when Radio-Canada asked him what he planned to do to shut the racket down, he dodged the question again.
There is a solution: suspend the safe third country agreement. The minister can do that without asking the Americans. It is in the agreement, and he knows it.
Why is he refusing to take action to put an end to human smuggling at Roxham Road?
98 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 2:57:15 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we have an asylum system that protects the rights of refugees and strengthens the integrity of our borders. Under our agreement with the Government of Quebec, we transfer hundreds of millions of dollars to accommodate refugees. That has helped the situation.
We have an agreement with the United States that protects a process and includes consequences if the system is abused. We will continue to invest in making sure the rights of refugees and the integrity of our borders are protected.
83 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 2:57:53 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, come on, that answer will make the smugglers happy, since their business model is 100% based on the federal government's inaction.
If the minister suspended the safe third country agreement, migrants could cross at any border crossing in Canada to claim refugee status instead of crossing at Roxham Road. With the snap of a finger, the minister could put an end to this racket led by criminals who are exploiting desperate families. He could unilaterally make this change and could do it right now.
I therefore have to ask: How much longer will the federal government put up with this inhumane trafficking at Roxham Road?
108 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 2:58:35 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we have a strategy to tackle human trafficking, and this strategy includes investments to help the police better enforce the law. As I have already said, we have an agreement with the United States. We are now modernizing the process to better protect human rights.
We will continue to work together, in close co-operation with the Government of Quebec, because this is important for everyone.
68 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 2:59:09 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, farmers in Prince Edward Island have been sending me photos of collapsed buildings, livestock without shelter and acres of crops under water.
P.E.I. farmers are still reeling from the Liberals' self-imposed export ban on potatoes from last year and now, with harvest set to begin this week, another potato crop is in jeopardy. Their financial and mental health is deteriorating and many of them have said that if they do not receive support, they are done.
What concrete steps is the agriculture minister taking to help Atlantic Canadian and Quebec farmers who have been impacted by the hurricane?
103 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 2:59:46 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, since it is the first time I am rising in the House, my heart is with all the families and especially farming families. I have had the opportunity to speak with the chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board and we know that it is an issue in P.E.I..
We are working with provinces. Officials have been in contact. I have also been in contact with many boards, which are going to be reporting back and assessing the damages.
The federal government will always be there. As it has been there for B.C. farmers, we will be there for Atlantic Canadian farmers.
108 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:00:19 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, conversations are not enough, and they cannot be the fallback position of agristability and advance payment programs, because we know that the impact of this hurricane has been profound.
Farmers in Annapolis Valley have significant losses in the apple orchards. They cannot meet the threshold of many of these programs. Even if they did meet the threshold, they do not get payments for months and years down the road, and that is much too late. Farmers in Atlantic Canada and Quebec need support now.
Again, what concrete and specific steps is the agriculture minister taking to ensure that those farm families get their crop off and survive this disaster?
111 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:01:00 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the member very well knows that there is the business risk management already in place, and if that does not respond to the needs of the farmers, the agrirecovery can be triggered.
We are currently having conversations with provincial officials to assess the damage. I will be meeting with many stakeholders in the Atlantic region, and receiving phone calls later on this week, as they are still receiving the assessment of damages.
74 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:01:32 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, when asked, farmers have stated that their number one worry is not the market, it is not the weather, it is not international trade; it is the policies of the federal government.
The delivery of seeds and plants to the farm incurs the carbon tax. The manufacture and delivery of fertilizer incurs the carbon tax. The delivery of farm products to market incurs the carbon tax. The government's plan for the carbon tax is to triple it.
In a time of 10% food inflation, will this government finally give Canadian families a break and cancel this planned tax increase?
102 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:02:11 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I find it quite difficult to listen to the member opposite speak about this, as many of his members, including the leader of his party, have risen in the House to talk about the impacts of Fiona.
We know that it is linked to climate change, and we know that we have to do more to fight climate change. We know that, because of climate change, there are more hurricanes on our east and west coasts, which are more and more severe. Therefore, I am having a really hard time to find an answer to this question.
99 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:02:56 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, last weekend, hurricane Fiona hit eastern Canada hard. It also slammed into the Magdalen Islands, causing considerable damage. I happen to know that the Minister of National Revenue is working very hard to ensure that people in the Magdalen Islands receive the help they need.
Can the minister give us an update on the situation in the Magdalen Islands?
61 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:03:23 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Alfred-Pellan for his question and his support.
My colleagues and I are working with our local and provincial partners to meet the needs of the communities and people affected. I am in constant communication with the people in the Magdalen Islands, and the cleanup phase has already begun.
I want to take a moment to thank all the volunteers and first responders who have played a vital role, not only in the Magdalen Islands, but throughout Atlantic Canada.
86 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:03:58 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, no one can afford the Liberals' tax-and-spend agenda, but their cost of living crisis and tax hikes hurt low and fixed-income Canadians the most.
Pioneer Lodge in Lloydminster has housed low-income seniors since the 1960s, but last year, the Liberal carbon tax added over $26,000 to its expenses, which is going to quadruple under the Liberals' plan. The lodge is now forced to increase rent on the very people who can least afford it.
Therefore, will the NDP-Liberals cancel their tax hikes on homes, heating and eating?
95 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:04:36 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to flip-flop when it comes to the economy. Exactly one week ago, the Conservative House leader described our inflation relief plan as “It's a little bit like pouring water on a grease fire. It looks like it's going to help and just makes the root problem even worse.” However, just yesterday, he did a U-turn, saying “putting tax dollars back in the pockets of Canadians is something that Conservatives have always supported.”
I am glad the Conservatives have seen the light on the GST tax credit. Now it is time to get on board with housing and dental.
111 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:05:22 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canada is number one. Unfortunately, it is number one in the world for a lack of affordable housing, a shortage of acute care beds and the priciest cellphone bills, and now we are number one in taxes to farmers, planned tax increases to paycheques and a triple increase to the carbon tax, all when Canadians pay more for taxes than for food, shelter and clothing combined.
When the Prime Minister said that Canada is back, Canada did not know that meant it was at the back of the line. Conservatives understand that number one is the front of the line, not the back. Why does the government not understand this?
112 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:05:56 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, if the Conservative House leader is to be believed, the Conservatives have now seen the light when it comes to supporting Canadians with the GST tax credit. It is better late than never. The Conservatives claim to care about housing too, so may I suggest the next Conservative flip-flop? It is time for them to also support our $500 one-time payment to help vulnerable Canadians who are struggling to pay their rent.
It is never too late to do the right thing, even for Conservatives.
89 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:06:35 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, with Fiona top of mind, people in my communities and across Canada are crying out for compassion from the Liberal government. Increased payroll taxes are hitting at a time when a lot of our small businesses are struggling to recover and maintain their employees. Those same workers are struggling to put food on their families' tables, put gas in their family vehicles and keep a roof over their families' heads.
Will the government restore Canadians' hope and cancel its planned tax increase for Canadians' paycheques?
87 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:07:12 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the EI contribution rate today is $1.58. Next year, it will go up to $1.63. Both of those rates are lower than the EI contribution rate was every single year Stephen Harper was prime minister, yet the new Conservative leader, who was actually employment minister under Prime Minister Harper, now wants to slash our contributions.
Who do Conservatives think is the better economic manager: Prime Minister Harper or the new Conservative leader?
76 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/26/22 3:07:54 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canada's overdose crisis continues to have a tragic toll in the community of Guelph and in communities across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened this crisis due to increased feelings of isolation, stress and anxiety, as well as the changes in the availability of support services. Recently, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions visited my riding to announce over $2.9 million in funding for five innovative community-led projects across Guelph.
Could the minister please speak to the importance of utilizing local expertise and working across multiple community organizations to help those who use substances to get the support they need?
109 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
