SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 159 - Feb/13/23

Mr. Jaime Battiste (Sydney—Victoria, Lib.)

Feb/13/23 2:06:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Heritage Day in Nova Scotia, where next week we will honour the beautiful words and life of the late Mi’kmaq Poet Laureate Rita Joe. Rita Joe’s work narrated the challenges of indigeneity through her lived experience told through magnificent and heartfelt poetry. A survivor of the Indian residential school, Rita Joe began writing in the mid-1970s and is well known for her poem I Lost My Talk, where she asked readers, “Let me find my talk / So I can teach you about me.” She wrote seven books, including Poems of Rita Joe and The Mi'kmaq Anthology. I was honoured and inspired to live close by Rita Joe, a treasured elder from the Eskasoni, who showed that it was possible for a Mi’kmaq speaker to soar to great heights. In 1989, Rita Joe was inducted into the Order of Canada, and next week her resilience will be celebrated as part of Heritage Day. Wela’liek Rita. Mekitelmulnek lapju.

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Hon. Judy A. Sgro (Humber River—Black Creek, Lib.)

Feb/13/23 2:07:38 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-284

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge February as Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month. Macular degeneration is among the top five eye conditions leading to serious vision loss. It affects individuals' ability to read, to drive, to socialize, to recognize people. It largely impacts individuals’ independence and quality of life. In fact, many of us in this room may also develop age-related macular degeneration. There are over eight million Canadians, one in every five, living with a blinding eye disease that could be prevented. Research has shown that if it is diagnosed early and people have access to treatment, blindness truly can be prevented. In June 2022, I introduced Bill C-284, establishing a national eye strategy to help stop blindness. I would like to thank my colleagues for supporting the bill and I cannot wait to work with all of them to help move the bill forward. Together, we can deliver long-awaited eye health care solutions for all Canadians.

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All Topics

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

Feb/13/23 2:08:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, the Central Okanagan Food Bank has had 350 more seniors seeking help in the last 60 days. After eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, local animal shelters are so full as people can no longer afford to care for their pets. After eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, many of my residents can no longer afford their mortgage payments. After eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, citizens in my riding can no longer afford their monthly gas and propane heating bills. After eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, my constituents can no longer afford his runaway deficits and inflation, and most certainly we cannot afford for them to lose hope. After eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, more and more Canadians are lining up to hear the Conservative leader's message for turning all this hurt into hope. Under his leadership, Canadians will have a prime minister who will put their paycheques, their savings, their homes and their country first.

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Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Ottawa Centre, Lib.)

Feb/13/23 2:09:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today is Wear Red Day, an annual reminder of the persistent challenges that one in three women across our country faces when it comes to cardiovascular health. I am wearing red today because it is critical that we as Canadians raise awareness of the risk factors that disproportionately affect women. Women are often under-studied, under-diagnosed and under-treated for heart disease. To help combat negative health outcomes for women, I was thrilled to visit the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre in my community of Ottawa Centre to announce $568,000 in federal funding, matched by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, for the creation of a cardiovascular prevention and care network. This network will further prevent, screen and treat heart disease in women. I am grateful for the passion and care that the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute have shown to improve heart health in women. That is why I am pleased, on this year’s Wear Red Day, to see our federal government investing in better health funding for women across our community and country.

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Mr. Jeremy Patzer (Cypress Hills—Grasslands, CPC)

Feb/13/23 2:10:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years, Canadians are out of money and struggling to eat or to heat and house themselves. After eight years, we see a record of environmental failure. After eight years, we see our national unity crumbling. After eight years, we see discrimination against seniors and single mothers. After eight years, we see farmers struggling to stay in business and keep working to produce the food that feeds the world. After eight years, we see rural communities losing their industry and their way of life because it is now nearly impossible to develop our natural resources. One might think that I am just talking about the Prime Minister generally, but I am not. These are the results from only one of his signature policies: the carbon tax. Canadians know that it does not have to be like this. Hope is on the horizon and help is on the way. Conservatives will keep the heat on and take the tax off. If the Prime Minister will not do what is right, then I suggest he step aside, because Conservatives will focus on the priorities of Canadians and make sure that we have a country that everyone can succeed in.

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Mr. Joël Godin (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, CPC)

Feb/13/23 2:12:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are in a most fragile economic situation. All indicators confirm that the next few months will be very difficult financially. In this economic context, after eight years of poor environmental results, the Prime Minister and his Liberal government want to increase the carbon tax next April. I would like to remind my colleagues that this government's use of its magic bullet, the carbon tax, has given us the poorest record on greenhouse gas reduction. In the past eight years, this government has never managed to reduce GHGs. This government should follow the lead of many countries and give Canadians some breathing room. If he were responsible, he would cancel the planned increase and work on new ways to really tackle climate change. We have talent and know-how that could develop green technologies and make our country an environmental leader. It is time for a Conservative government that will develop concrete environmental measures and stop pitting the environment against economic development.

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

Feb/13/23 2:13:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the 57th Canadian Ski Marathon, North America's longest and oldest cross-country ski tour, wrapped up yesterday. This year's edition marked a comeback to the traditional westward route. The 160-kilometre trail began in the Mont-Tremblant region and ended in Buckingham in the Outaouais, traversing much of my riding. The Canadian Ski Marathon is more than just an athletic competition. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to athletic excellence and our desire to celebrate our athletes' achievements. The event brought together over 1,000 athletes from around the world and close to home, including my neighbour and friend, Josée, all of whom celebrated their love of cross-country skiing and their determination to achieve their goal. I want to thank the organizers and all our athletes for putting this sport in the spotlight, and putting my wonderful riding and our wonderful country on the map.

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Mr. Randall Garrison (Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, NDP)

Feb/13/23 2:14:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express solidarity with all those hard hit by the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey and to draw attention to the plight of Syrian refugees stuck in the region despite already approved sponsorship applications. Many Canadians, like my constituent Bishr Bakro, have worked hard to get friends and family to safety, and now their circumstances are even more dire. Bishr contacted me about Abdullah, his wife, and his daughter, who were in Turkey when the earthquake hit. They escaped the collapse of the building they were staying in but lost all of their possessions. This family has been approved as refugees, but they are awaiting approval of their permanent residence applications so they can travel to Canada. I salute the many refugee sponsorship groups working so hard to provide support to those at risk. We echo their concern that the earthquakes have made urgent action on these applications even more necessary. I know that the member for Vancouver East has raised these delays with the Minister of Immigration but, given this new humanitarian crisis, Canadians are calling on the government to take action now.

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Mrs. Marilène Gill (Manicouagan, BQ)

Feb/13/23 2:15:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today is International Epilepsy Day, which is observed by more than 140 nations around the world, including Quebec. I rise to speak to this issue as an MP, of course, but also because this day has special meaning for me, like others here, because my youngest son Ulysse was born with epilepsy. Although epilepsy affects 50 million people around the world and is one of the most widespread neurological diseases, people still do not know a lot about it. That is why it is important to talk about it and to raise awareness so that people with this disease can live better and live well. To all those with epilepsy, to all the parents and loved ones who take care of them day after day, and to all the caring professionals who support them, thank you. You can count on my support. I encourage all my colleagues to do the same. This international day is not just about raising awareness. It is about showing love and solidarity.

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Mrs. Rachael Thomas (Lethbridge, CPC)

Feb/13/23 2:16:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years under the current Prime Minister, we live in a country where parents are actually watering down their baby formula in order to make ends meet and seniors are turning down their thermostats or choosing to skip meals in order to be able to pay their bills. The Liberals continue to shrug their shoulders and say they are not responsible. When asked about the carbon tax, a Liberal MP quipped, “There needs to be a bit of pain there. That's the point”. I guess the Liberals are achieving their goal. Canadians are definitely feeling the pain. A young mother recently came into my office and shared with me that when she opens her home heating bill, it feels like a gut punch. She has to choose between properly feeding her family and paying the bill. Canadians are out of money and cannot afford to eat, heat or house themselves. They are without hope and living in a broken Canada. Canadians deserve a brand new government that will put control back in their hands. Conservatives will keep the heat on and take the tax off.

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Mr. Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre, Lib.)

Feb/13/23 2:17:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, February 24 will mark one year since Russia began its further invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have been outnumbered and severely outgunned, but they have shown tremendous courage in defending their homeland. I believe that courage has inspired Canadians and people around the world. Nevertheless, the situation is dire. Russia is committing genocide every day. There are millions of refugees. Hundreds of millions of people are facing food shortages and famine, primarily in the global south. This is the primary cause of food and energy inflation around the world; it is not only a threat to Ukraine’s security but also to global security and Canada’s security. Canada's support for Ukraine has been unwavering. However, if we want to stop genocide, inflation and starvation and secure our own sovereignty, then we must do everything we possibly can to ensure Ukraine achieves a decisive victory that includes all its territory. The Ukrainian people are fighting for us. We need to keep fighting for them, not for a day, a week or a year, but as long as it takes until they win, until we all win. Slava Ukraini.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Feb/13/23 2:19:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals keep saying everything is just fine and Canadians should be thankful. How out of touch could they be? A new report from Stats Canada says that over one-third of Canadians are experiencing financial difficulties, over a quarter could not cover an unexpected expense and nearly half are worried about their ability to pay rent. This is the Liberals' legacy after eight years, and there is no one left to blame. Canadians are struggling and the PMO is covering up the Prime Minister's charging $6,000 a night for a hotel room. Are they kidding?

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Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Feb/13/23 2:19:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know that many Canadians are facing real challenges. This is why our government has a plan that is both compassionate and responsible. Here is what we are doing: We have doubled the GST credit; we have provided a $500 top-up to Canadian renters; we are providing dental care to Canadian children; and we are permanently eliminating the interest on student loans. Do you know what, Mr. Speaker? The Conservatives voted against each one of these compassionate and necessary measures.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Feb/13/23 2:20:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Liberal Prime Minister, Canada feels broken. It is not just because we say so; it is because Canadians know so. According to a Leger poll, two out of three Canadians say that. Eight years of this Prime Minister has given Canadians record prices for rent and housing, home heating, gas and groceries. These are not the right records to be breaking. Will the Liberals take some responsibility for the pain that they have caused millions of Canadians, or will they just keep pretending nothing is wrong?

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Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Feb/13/23 2:20:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is the Conservatives who need to take responsibility for their reckless and irresponsible plan for the economy. They are saying to Canadians that crypto is a way to opt out of inflation. They want to eviscerate the EI system that so many Canadians depend on. They want to jeopardize seniors' pensions. They voted against early learning and child care for all Canadian children and families.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Feb/13/23 2:21:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, if the Liberals do not want to listen to Canadians whom they do not know, perhaps they will listen to Liberals they do know. Random Liberal Bill Morneau said the federal government lost the agenda; Mark Carney, who is about to be a random Liberal, called inflation homegrown. The call is coming from inside the House. Will the Prime Minister finally admit what everybody knows and take some responsibility for the affordability crisis that the Liberals have created, or will he get out of the way so we can fix what they broke?

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Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Feb/13/23 2:22:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government absolutely understands that many Canadians today are struggling with the cost of living. We also know that the best way to pay the rent and put groceries on the table is by having a job. That is why our government has focused relentlessly on jobs and why the job data for January, when 150,000 jobs were added, is so important. It is important for all of us to recognize that we have recovered 126% of the jobs lost to COVID compared with just 112% in the United—

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The Speaker

Feb/13/23 2:22:48 p.m.
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The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

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Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC)

Feb/13/23 2:22:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Liberal Prime Minister, Canadians are worse off than ever. Food inflation is at a 40-year high. People are being forced to eat less meat and fewer vegetables, foods that are essential to our health. According to the major grocery chains, it is not over. Prices will continue to rise in 2023. Why is the Prime Minister looking down on the middle class and ignoring their pain and misery, rather than taking responsibility and helping them?

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Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Feb/13/23 2:23:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we understand that many Canadians are facing real challenges when it comes to affordability. That is why our government has an approach that is both compassionate and responsible. This is our plan: We have doubled the GST credit, we have provided a $500 top-up to renters, and we have provided dental care to Canadian children. The Conservatives voted against all of these measures.

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