44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 18, 2022 10:00AM
- Nov/18/22 11:22:12 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would like to again remind my colleague what we did when the German chancellor was in Canada. Not only did we talk about hydrogen, which Canadians have seen on the east coast and across Canada, but we also signed two important things. We signed an MOU with Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to look at the future and how we can work more closely together with our German friends when it comes to industry. In about two weeks I will be at the boards of both Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to make the case for Canada. We should all work together to make the case for Canada.
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- Nov/18/22 11:22:49 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, there is still nothing about liquefied natural gas.
More and more people in Quebec are skipping meals or hardly eating because they can no longer afford food, which is becoming increasingly expensive. This week, the Institut national de santé publique du Québec reported that “the proportion of the population experiencing food insecurity has grown from 8% to 15%”. It almost doubled from May 2020 to September 2022.
Why do the Liberals want to raise taxes when Canadians are already going hungry?
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- Nov/18/22 11:23:22 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
I am very aware of the difficulties that many Canadians are currently facing in terms of affordability. That is why I am so pleased to be able to share some good news today. Yesterday evening, Bill C-31 received royal assent. That will have specific and important effects for Canadians and the less fortunate.
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- Nov/18/22 11:24:03 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am talking about pregnant mothers who are finding it increasingly difficult to buy basic food items for themselves and their children.
The Fondation Olo has seen an increase in demand of 32% for eggs, 20% for milk, and 27% for vegetables. One-third of the 671,000 people supported by food banks every month are children. One in two people who experience food insecurity earn employment income. What the Liberals will continue to do, despite what they say, is take more money out of Canadians' pockets.
What will it take for them to finally understand what is happening and cancel—
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- Nov/18/22 11:24:39 a.m.
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The hon. Deputy Prime Minister.
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- Nov/18/22 11:24:45 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we understand that Canadian families and Canadian mothers are struggling right now. That is why we decided to send $500 to vulnerable families having difficulty paying their rent. That is why we decided to pay for Canadian children's dental care.
What I do not understand is why the Conservatives were against these measures, which are so important for Canadians today.
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- Nov/18/22 11:25:25 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the federal government is threatening to steal $2.7 billion in infrastructure money meant for our municipalities. It is moving up Quebec's deadline to submit proposals from 2025 to next March. Miss the deadline, miss out on the cash.
The Liberals changed the date unilaterally. Then they had the nerve to accuse Quebec of dragging their feet and leaving federal money on the table.
For starters, it is not their money. It is Quebeckers' money. Also, Quebeckers are not dragging their feet. The Liberals are the ones changing deadlines and acting like bullies.
Why not honour the deadline and work together instead of jeopardizing projects that are important to our cities?
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- Nov/18/22 11:26:02 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, one thing that needs to be recognized is that never before in the history of Canada have we seen a government that has invested so much in infrastructure in every region of our country. We want to continue to work with the different stakeholders, provinces and municipalities in order to get shovels in the ground.
With regard to the specifics, I will ensure that the minister is very aware of the situation.
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- Nov/18/22 11:26:33 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, if the minister is so very aware of the situation, he should cancel his decision.
The federal government does not understand the implications of moving up the deadline by two years. Its job is to announce funding and show up at the ribbon-cutting when the work is done.
The fact is, there is a labour shortage in the construction industry, contractors are fully booked, and most municipalities do not have people to write specs. That all has an impact on planning infrastructure projects for the people who build them, and that is why the Union des municipalités du Québec is asking the government to honour the agreed-upon 2025 deadline.
Will the government tune in and listen to our cities? Hello?
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- Nov/18/22 11:27:11 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for asking a very important question.
I think that my colleague would agree that if there is a government that works well with the municipalities, including the Union des municipalités du Québec, it is the Liberal government.
As the former minister of infrastructure, I can say that we have always been attuned to the needs and we understand the construction season. That is why we have always worked hand in hand with the municipalities. That is how this government does things, and that is how we will continue to work.
I invite my colleague to continue raising these questions. For our part, we will continue to work with the Union des municipalités du Québec.
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- Nov/18/22 11:27:50 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the Liberals have been failing veterans for years. The minister refused to hire staff and now he is delegating the task to a private company to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. It is not even clear that they will be able to provide adequate services in French.
Veterans want capable people to help them get better services, not a company whose primary goal is to make a profit.
When will the minister do the right thing? When will he help veterans and their families, not the CEOs of wealthy companies?
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- Nov/18/22 11:28:27 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am surprised to get that question from my hon. colleague.
The fact is that we have a new contract that will go into effect at the end of November. There will be 9,000 health professionals in 600 locations across the country. What we are doing as a government is providing the services for veterans where veterans need the services. It would be totally irresponsible to cancel that contract.
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- Nov/18/22 11:29:00 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, our nation's veterans deserve respect and that answer was anything but.
Suspension of services is happening now. There is no transition plan and the government is outsourcing contracts to a company owned by none other than Loblaws. This boondoggle will cost 25% more than just adequately funding the department. Liberals want to spend more money for fewer services.
Why is the minister putting Loblaws' profits ahead of veterans and their families? Will he halt moving forward on this badly botched plan?
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- Nov/18/22 11:29:34 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, again, I am surprised to receive the question from my hon. colleague.
In fact, what we are doing is taking two contracts and putting them into one. We are making sure that we have 9,000 health professionals across the country in 600 different areas to ensure veterans can receive rehab and health services in towns, cities and rural areas across the country. We are not opposed to that. We want to provide the services for our veterans and we will.
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- Nov/18/22 11:30:13 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the Liberal government offers Canadians more debt, more taxes, more spending, more inflation and higher interest rates.
Its out-of-control spending added $100 billion in debt before COVID, plus $205 billion in non-COVID debt that triggered an inflation crisis, which leaves Canadians unable to afford basic necessities.
When will the Liberals end their inflationary spending and cancel their plan to triple the tax on gas, groceries and home heating?
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- Nov/18/22 11:30:50 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, our government absolutely believes in compassion, and that is why I was happy to share, at the beginning of this question period, the good news that Bill C-31 has received royal assent. Struggling families will get $500 to pay their rent, and kids under 12 across the country will be able to go to the dentist.
However, I also want to underscore for Canadians listening that our approach is fiscally responsible. Our AAA rating has been reaffirmed by Moody's with a stable outlook. We have the lowest deficit and the lowest debt-to-GDP—
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- Nov/18/22 11:31:27 a.m.
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The hon. member for Calgary Rocky Ridge.
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- Nov/18/22 11:31:30 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, that answer is cold comfort to the millions of Canadian families that are going to struggle to heat their homes this winter.
The Liberals said that inflation was transitory and that interest rates would never go up. Now interest rates and mortgage payments are through the roof, and millions of Canadians are going to struggle to make their payments. The Liberals are also going to raise the payroll tax. Canadians cannot pay higher mortgage payments and a higher carbon tax with a smaller paycheque.
When will the Liberals cancel these tax increases and the inflationary spending?
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- Nov/18/22 11:32:07 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I think the Conservatives should be a little cautious about purporting to offer advice on handling inflation to Canadians. After all, it was their leader who advised Canadians to invest in crypto as a way of opting out of inflation. Had Canadians done that, they would have lost 65% of their savings or been totally wiped out. I hope the Conservatives will apologize to Canadians for that reckless advice.
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- Nov/18/22 11:32:45 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, this is from the woman who said that we would have deflation and interest rates would remain low for decades. The highest inflation in 40 years means Canadians cannot pay their bills, yet this costly coalition continues their out-of-control tax-and-spend agenda.
Will the Liberals have some compassion, end their inflationary spending and cut their plan to triple taxes on gas, home heating and groceries?
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