44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 17, 2022 11:00AM
- Oct/17/22 2:13:33 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, while governments are grappling with many challenges such as war and inflation, I want to make the House of Commons aware of yet another crisis facing the people of Haiti.
Haiti is in the midst of a multidimensional crisis, specifically a political crisis in which the lack of credible authority and democratic institutions has given rise to heavily armed gangs that have been raping women and terrorizing the Haitian people, even before former president Jovenel Moïse was assassinated; a humanitarian crisis fraught with even more misery and the resurgence of cholera; and an economic crisis spurred by oligarchs who continue to squander Haiti's resources. Corruption in Haiti is unprecedented.
The diaspora is very concerned about the situation. As an MP of Haitian origin, I urge all members of the House to show their support for the people of Haiti.
145 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:14:47 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
I want to remind all members of the House that poverty is a political choice. It is the choice of governments not to fund and support people. It is a choice not to ask corporations and the ultrarich to pay their fair share. It is a choice not to prioritize the crisis of poverty that is putting people on the streets, fuelling a mental health crisis and forcing people to use food banks to survive.
We must make different choices, including by implementing a guaranteed livable basic income that ensures everyone can live with dignity. Poverty is a violent human rights violation, and it is time to stop picking and choosing which human rights we uphold.
Nelson Mandela said, “overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity...While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.” Let us remember his words and work to end poverty once and for all.
163 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:15:56 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the inflation we are currently experiencing is hard to deal with, but it is worse for those who were already in a precarious situation. As we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let us remember poor seniors, seniors who were already finding it difficult to pay for groceries before prices skyrocketed, seniors for whom every rent increase means they will have another basic need they cannot meet. Those people must receive support.
As we speak, there are three million seniors who have been abandoned by the federal government as prices increase. There are three million people who are not entitled to even the smallest increase in their pension because they are unfortunate enough to be between the ages of 65 and 74. On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Ottawa should finally realize that this king of age discrimination has the opposite effect: It does not eradicate poverty, it exacerbates it.
On this day, let us push for the government to finally address this profound lack of compassion.
175 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:17:01 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, this weekend, residents of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland cast their ballots in municipal elections and the results are in. British Columbians rejected and repudiated left-wing politicians for the mess they have made of our cities, including kicking NDP mayor Kennedy Stewart and all his city councillors out of office in Vancouver. Voters sent a clear message that there is too much violence on our streets and the cost of living is too high. Vancouver, Surrey and White Rock residents elected new mayors who will get serious about violence in our communities and remove gatekeepers to build more homes.
Congratulations to B.C. voters. They are taking back control of their lives. In the next federal election, they can count on the Conservative leader and our team to put people first, restore safe streets, build more homes and make life more affordable in British Columbia.
148 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:18:06 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as part of Small Business Week, I want to welcome our Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce delegation: Rory Ring, CEO; his wife Michelle, who is also a small business owner; and Randy Schuran, secretary.
Let us take a moment to reflect on the obstacles small businesses had to face during the pandemic and how we were able to adapt together. We promised to do whatever it took to support them and we did. Now we are going to continue to work with and support small businesses by cutting taxes for growing businesses and by helping them move their services online and improve their e-commerce. We are investing in strengthening supply chains are are making it easier and better to export. We are also increasing immigration levels to help fill the worker shortage.
I give a special shout-out to all Canadian small businesses. They are the lifeblood of our economy. They create jobs, grow our communities and make us a better country. Welcome to all Canadian delegates.
171 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:19:32 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the cost of government is increasing the cost of living. The $500‑billion inflationary deficit is driving up the cost of the goods we purchase and the interest we pay. Inflationary taxes are increasing costs even more. The Royal Bank of Canada reported last week that inflation and higher interest rates will cost every Canadian family $3,000 next year.
Will the costly coalition finally realize that Canadians cannot pay any more? Will it cancel its plan to raise taxes?
83 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:20:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that we are well aware that Canadians are dealing with a major increase in the cost of living. That is why we put measures in place to support Canadians, but the Conservatives decided to vote against them.
A few days ago, the Conservatives did a U-turn and finally decided to support our tax relief proposal to double the GST credit for 11 million Canadian families. Will they do it again and support Bill C‑31, which we are studying today?
92 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:20:50 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the radical policies of the Prime Minister and the NDP mayor in Vancouver led that city to more violence, to be on track for a record number of overdose deaths and to be among the most overpriced housing markets on planet earth. However, voters in Vancouver have said “enough”. They have fired the NDP mayor, rejected the radical policies and instead voted to remove the gatekeepers, build more affordable homes and bring in common-sense laws to restore safe streets.
Will the government in Ottawa finally get the message?
93 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:21:33 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the leader's interest in the mayoralty campaign in Vancouver, but here in Ottawa, I have a very specific question for the member across. We have an opportunity in Bill C-31, and I ask him whether the Conservatives are going to agree to provide dental care for Canadian children across the country. It is bad enough that they will not support it. Why will they not just let members of this House, the majority of whom support it, be there for Canadians and be there for children who need dental care?
96 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:22:42 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is true that Vancouver already has its own provincial carbon tax, but now the costly coalition of the NDP and the Prime Minister wants to force B.C. to triple that tax. We already have gas prices nearing two dollars a litre in British Columbia. People voted in the Vancouver elections to reject these inflationary policies.
Why will the costly coalition not get the message from British Columbia that people cannot afford these taxes, and cancel its plan to triple the tax?
85 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:23:15 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, just last Friday, thanks to the climate action incentive payments, a family of four received $208 in Manitoba, $275 in Saskatchewan, $269 in Alberta and $186 in the member opposite's province. This will happen four times a year.
We can fight climate change and support Canadians, and that is exactly what we are doing. The Conservatives have no plan to fight climate change and no plan to help Canadians.
72 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:23:17 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have no plan to fight climate change. What they have is a tax plan, and the Parliamentary Budget Officer has concluded that the majority of people who receive these rebates, which is not even all Canadians, get less in rebates than they pay in taxes. For example, 40% of east coast Canadians are living in energy poverty. The Liberal Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador has said that the Liberal government in Ottawa should not triple the tax on home heating. Home heating prices are expected to double this winter.
Will the government get the message that heating a home in Canada is not a luxury and cancel the plan to triple the tax?
117 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:24:03 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, in fact, we are helping households transition away from dirty and expensive home heating oil to more affordable and greener heating sources. We are doing that, and have committed to doing that, with our partners in Atlantic Canada. We are working with every single province in Atlantic Canada to support programs that they have put in place, with $250 million to help tens of thousands of Canadians have access to cheaper and greener energy.
We can fight climate change and help Canadians. On those two fronts, the Conservatives have nothing to say.
94 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:24:39 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, here we go with the trickle-down government. It scoops up the money from hard-working people who are just trying to heat their homes, doubles home heating bills, brings the money to Ottawa and then expects us to believe the money is going to trickle all the way back down to the people who paid for it in the first place. Allow us to doubt that.
We already know that the vast majority of Canadians are paying far more in taxes than they are getting back in any rebates. Many provinces do not get any rebate at all, yet the government wants to target seniors for the crime of heating their homes.
Why does it not cancel this crazy plan to triple the tax?
127 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:25:22 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, trickle-down economics is a policy that gives advantages to the most wealthy, with the idea that those at the bottom will benefit. This party opposite is a party that voted against the Canada child benefit. This party opposite voted against raising taxes on those who have the most and giving to those who have less.
I have a question for the member right now. There is an opportunity. The member opposite has an opportunity—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
83 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:25:52 p.m.
- Watch
Order.
We can continue. I believe the hon. member was asking a question. He can start from there.
18 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:26:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I simply want to know this. If they do not support trickle-down economics, why do they not support dental care for children? Why do they not support those who are struggling right now with rent? They could do that. It is bad enough that they are not supporting this. At least let the House pass it.
59 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:26:36 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, last week in Washington, the Deputy Prime Minister announced Canada's new foreign policy on energy to the world.
What is Canada's new policy? Well, it is the same as the old one: sell more oil and gas. Sorry, planet, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that Canada will fast-track energy projects to export more fossil fuel. Drill, baby, drill. This confirms what many already thought.
In essence, what Canada did in Washington was drive the final nail into the coffin of its fight against climate change. Is that accurate?
93 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:27:15 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, last week, the Deputy Prime Minister said exactly the same thing I said and that my colleagues have said over the past few months: We need good projects with legs. We have to make sure we look at environmental impacts; we also need to have discussions with indigenous groups.
Of course we want to have good projects that will move forward.
63 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Oct/17/22 2:27:50 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Natural Resources is answering my question, and that really says it all.
The policy that the Deputy Prime Minister announced in Washington reveals that Canada was basically just looking for a pretext to sell even more oil and gas. It found one. So much for fighting climate change. Canada is back to exploiting fossil fuels in a big way. The Liberals are going full steam ahead. The government is trying to use the war in Ukraine to sell more oil despite the climate crisis.
Who wrote the Deputy Prime Minister's speech? Was it the leader of the Conservative Party?
105 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
