SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 161 - Feb/15/23

Mr. Stéphane Bergeron (Montarville, BQ)

Feb/15/23 2:17:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, by welcoming Jackie Robinson to the Montreal Royals in 1946, Quebec opened the way for Black athletes to play in North American professional sports leagues. This Black History Month, let us acknowledge that we have come a long way since then, so much so that a young man from Saint‑Bruno‑de‑Montarville, Andreï Délinois, is now setting his sights on the National Football League. This 19-year-old athlete, who was born in Chicoutimi to a Quebecois mother and a Haitian father, signed a contract with the Buccaneers on February 1 through the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA. At six foot one and 210 pounds, he patiently rose through the ranks all the way to East Tennessee State University. He got his start at age five playing with the Barons of Saint‑Bruno‑de‑Montarville, and then joined the Dynamiques at Collège Charles‑Lemoyne, followed by the Blue Tornado at Tennessee's McCallie High School, which took home the state championship in 2021. Talented, versatile and determined, Andreï is an inspiring young man both on and off the field, including at school. We hope he finds the success he seeks to achieve his dreams and continue to make us proud.

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Mr. John Barlow (Foothills, CPC)

Feb/15/23 2:19:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to wish our farmers, our ranchers, our processors and our producers a happy Canada's Agriculture Day. It is so important that we understand the role Canadian agribusinesses and agriculture play in bringing together farmers and consumers as “agvocates” in this important industry. We all have a role to play in educating Canadians about where their food comes from, why we do it, how we do it and the fact that we do it better than anyone else in the world. Whether they wear coveralls or lab coats, the people who work in this industry are world leaders in innovation, sustainability and efficiency. On this Canada's Agriculture Day, now more than ever, our Canadian farm families need a partner, an advocate. As Conservatives we understand that to unleash the full potential of Canadian agriculture it must be environmentally and economically sustainable. No matter where one is in the world tonight, when we sit down with friends and family and have a meal, thank those who work so hard to put that quality food on our tables. I wish all my colleagues a happy Canada's Agriculture Day.

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Mr. Tony Van Bynen (Newmarket—Aurora, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:20:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in honour of Black History Month, I am proud to rise today to speak on three inspirational and influential groups in my community of Newmarket—Aurora. Throughout my time as a member of Parliament, I have witnessed the courage, the resilience and the empowerment the Aurora Black Community Association, the Aurora Black Caucus and the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association have demonstrated to create an inclusive and a safe community. This month is a time to learn, to reflect, to honour and to celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians and organizations who make our communities a safer place to live. I want to thank them for their ongoing contributions to our community and for enacting real and permanent change in Newmarket—Aurora.

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The Speaker

Feb/15/23 2:21:54 p.m.
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While I have members' attention, the Chair would like to make a statement regarding decorum in the House. I would like to thank the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry for having raised his concerns on Friday, February 10. His point of order, and the subsequent intervention from the member for New Westminster—Burnaby, provides the Chair with an opportunity to reiterate our rules in regard to members standing while another member has the floor to speak. Proceedings in the House are to be conducted in a respectful and civil manner. This includes members addressing their remarks to the Chair and resuming their seats when the Chair rises. The long-standing wording of Standing Order 17 states that, “every member desiring to speak is to rise in his or her place....” If the requirement to speak from one’s seat is currently suspended, members remain bound by the principle that they must stand to be recognized. Accordingly, members must briefly rise from their seat to indicate they want to take part in debate, make statements or ask questions. While there is the practice of party whips submitting speaking lists to assist the Chair, the final authority on who is recognized to speak in the House is determined by the Chair. As stated in House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, at page 330, “Various conventions and informal arrangements exist to encourage the participation of all parties in debate; nevertheless, the decision as to who may speak is ultimately the Speaker's.” Therefore, it is still expected that members rise to indicate that they wish to take the floor. Standing too soon to be recognized or at the same moment as another member, or not standing at all to be recognized, may create practical challenges, including delays and confusion. To this end, it is the view of the Chair that rising in their place for a few seconds is all that is needed for a member to, as the expression states, “catch the Speaker’s eye”. Finally, when the Chair has then recognized a particular member, all other members should take their seats. I thank the members for their attention and co-operation.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Feb/15/23 2:25:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, “It is hard not to feel disappointed in one's government when every day there is a new scandal”. Those are the words of the Prime Minister in 2013. However, after eight years of his own leadership, we have a Canada that feels broken according to most Canadians. The Liberals have broken family budgets, they have broken the bail system and, again, they have broken the law. This time it is the Prime Minister's parliamentary secretary. This is the sixth consecutive ethics breach from the Liberals, with no accountability for any of these cases. Why does nobody over there get fired?

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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:25:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary has apologized. The parliamentary secretary wrote a note in support of a business in his constituency, a business that supports Black and multi-ethnic communities across Canada. While it is admirable that all of us want to support local enterprises or businesses in our constituencies, the parliamentary secretary recognizes that it was inappropriate for him to write a letter supporting that agency and business in his riding. He has apologized.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Feb/15/23 2:26:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we see zero accountability, zero consequences and a zero on ethics. We hope the Prime Minister's upcoming trip to the Carribean is more productive than the last one, which resulted in his own law-breaking. That, of course, was not the only time. He stepped in on SNC-Lavalin, and the only person who was fired in that case was the first female indigenous Attorney General. The trade minister refuses to pay back taxpayers for giving tens of thousands of dollars to her best friend in an illegal contract. Will anyone over there who broke the law get fired?

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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:26:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that, every single day, we show up and do our utmost to serve Canadians. The reality is that this government has done that in all of its actions. The reality, as I have said on many occasions, is that there are almost two million Canadians today who have jobs who did not have jobs when the Conservatives were in government. There are 2.7 million fewer people in poverty today than when they were in office. I know they are focused on us. I know they are focused on politics. We are focused on delivering results for Canadians and improving their lives.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Feb/15/23 2:27:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are focused on the Liberals who broke the law. There is one set of rules for the Liberals and another set of rules for everyone else. Do not take it from me. This is what the outgoing Ethics Commissioner said yesterday: “Over the last five years and on several occasions, I have observed senior officials being unaware of their obligations and mistakenly making assumptions.” For insiders, it is cushy contracts, special access and special treatment to get ahead, while Canadians get record inflation, record home prices and record despair. I will ask this for the third time: Is anyone over there going to take responsibility for breaking the law?

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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:28:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let us be clear, hyperbole aside. The reality is that this side of the House is focused on helping shepherd the country through some of the most difficult times it has faced since World War II. While it is true that we have a lower inflation rate than Europe, the G7 average, the G20 average, the U.S., the U.K. or elsewhere, leading in difficult times is not enough. That is why we have concrete measures to actually help on issues like housing, as the member talked about, which the Conservatives voted against. We will help in areas like child care, which they voted against, and help vulnerable people. Unfortunately, those are actions they did not take when they had the opportunity.

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

Feb/15/23 2:28:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let us look at the facts. After eight years of this Liberal Prime Minister, Canadians have never been in worse financial shape. After eight years of this Liberal government, 44% of Canadians say they could not afford an unexpected $500 expense. After eight years of Liberal promises, nearly half of 35- to 44-year-olds are worried and struggling to pay their bills. Will the Prime Minister understand that he and his inflationary policies are responsible for this crisis? When will he stop hurting Canadians?

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Hon. Pascale St-Onge (Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:29:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, since this government took office in 2015, we have lifted over 2.7 million people out of poverty by implementing measures that support those who need it most. That is what we continue to do. We know that times are tough right now. That is why we are providing support so that families can take their children to the dentist and so that there is cheaper child care across the country. We are here to support Canadians. The Conservatives vote against these measures every single time.

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

Feb/15/23 2:29:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, does this Prime Minister understand, after eight years of not answering questions in the House, that blaming the Conservatives is not the way to help Canadians? Inflation is at an all-time high. Food is so expensive that some Canadians are going without meals. Middle-class workers are being forced to turn to food banks because they cannot afford to pay their bills. That is all to say nothing of the rising cost of gas and housing, including rent and mortgage rates. Will the government assume its responsibilities rather than spending its time blaming everyone else?

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Hon. Randy Boissonnault (Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:30:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservative opposition has had many opportunities in the House to vote with Canadians. When we lowered taxes for the middle class, what did the Conservatives do three times? They voted against it. What did the Conservatives do when we introduced a $500 top-up to the housing benefit for Canadians? They voted against it. What did the Conservatives do when we gave more money to Canadian workers from coast to coast to coast? They voted against it. We are taking action to ensure the well-being of Canadians, and they are voting against that.

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Mr. Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly, BQ)

Feb/15/23 2:31:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the territories, the provinces and Quebec asked for $28 billion a year for health care, but they got $4.6 billion. I fully understand that they did not have a choice. It was that or nothing. To rebuild a decent health care system, reduce emergency room and surgical wait times, and help people grappling with mental health issues, the provinces asked for $28 billion. My question is simple: Is $4.6 billion enough?

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Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:31:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Under our plan, the premiers of the provinces and territories must agree to three key commitments to obtain funding through tailored bilateral agreements, in addition to an immediate top-up to the Canada health transfer, or CHT. These commitments include collecting, sharing and using vital information on health to guarantee the CHT top-up and entering into tailored bilateral agreements that strengthen the Canada Health Act.

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Mr. Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly, BQ)

Feb/15/23 2:32:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the member is quite welcome for the question, and just to show that there are no hard feelings, here is another. We were talking about $28 billion in new money, but I want to know this. If $4.6 billion is not enough, why give only that much? If $28 billion is too much, someone needs to explain why it is too much. If it is not enough, someone needs to explain why it will remain not enough for 10 years. Is the legacy of the fiscal imbalance that, over time, Ottawa will run surpluses and, over time, the provinces will financially suffocate?

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Hon. Pablo Rodriguez (Minister of Canadian Heritage, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:33:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the worst thing that can happen to the Bloc Québécois is for the provinces and Quebec to agree with the federal government. That is what happened. We have an agreement with Quebec and all of the provinces to help the pediatric hospitals, to reduce waiting lists and to cut wait times for mental health services. This is a good deal for Quebec and Quebeckers. It is bad for the Bloc Québécois.

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Mr. Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby South, NDP)

Feb/15/23 2:33:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, under the government's watch, people across this country are spending money out of pocket for surgeries. It costs $30,000 for hip surgery and $70 to see a family doctor. In fact, one of the corporations making this happen, Maple, is owned by Loblaws, so Loblaws is not only ripping off Canadians when it comes to their groceries, but is also exploiting the desperation of Canadians who need to see a family doctor. On top of all this, it is actually against the law. According to the former minister of health under the Liberal government, it is clearly against the law. When will the government finally stop American-style health care from entering our country?

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Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport, Lib.)

Feb/15/23 2:34:25 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we believe that all one should need to get health care is a health card, not a credit card. Canadians are proud of this system, and they should be. Our discussions with the premiers included the importance of upholding the Canada Health Act, which means making sure services are based on need and not someone's ability to pay. We will always protect Canadians' equitable access to universal public health care services, because the role of Canada's Minister of Health is to ensure the Canada Health Act is respected.

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