44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 16, 2023 10:00AM
- Feb/16/23 2:46:00 p.m.
- Watch
I just want to ask all the members, including the ministers, to be very judicious with their words when they are in the House.
The hon. member for Northumberland—Peterborough South.
32 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:46:30 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we heard today from the Governor of the Bank of Canada that after eight years of the Liberal Prime Minister, inflation continues to be a concern and interest rates will stay high for the foreseeable future. Despite the fact that Canadians are continuing to struggle just to heat their homes and to feed their families, on April 1, the Liberal government will increase the inflationary carbon tax.
Will the Prime Minister finally axe this tax or at least get out of the way so that Conservatives can?
89 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:47:04 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times in this House, it would be enormously important for Canada if we actually had an official opposition that believed in the reality of climate change and understood that we actually had to have a plan to address climate change. Like our American, British, German and French friends, we plan to address it in a manner that will promote economic growth and opportunity in every region of this country.
We are working to do exactly that to ensure we leave a planet that is sustainable and prosperous for our kids.
97 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:47:36 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, when someone is losing an argument, they distract and deflect. The truth of the matter is that the Liberals are as incompetent at fighting climate change as they are the affordability crisis. The Liberals do not have an environmental plan; they have a tax plan. I was there at public accounts when the environmental commissioner scolded the Liberals for not hitting a single target.
Will the Liberals finally get out of the way so the Conservatives can fight climate change and bring prosperity back to our country?
89 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:48:09 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, when this government came to power in 2015, we inherited a target from the Harper Conservatives, which was 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. The problem with the Harper approach was that there was no plan to achieve that target.
We put together the most comprehensive climate plan Canada has ever had. We built a plan that would not only meet but actually exceed that target. After that, we raised the target by 50% to make it science-aligned to ensure we are actually fighting climate change and doing so in a manner that will leave a prosperous and healthy environment for our children.
106 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:48:45 p.m.
- Watch
Uqaqtittiji, rural and remote indigenous communities are in dire need of housing. Nunavummiut are living in canvas tents in the winter, sleeping in shifts in overcrowded rooms and waiting years for adequate housing. Together, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik have asked for $500 million over three years, starting in the upcoming budget.
Will the government properly invest in Nunavut housing so northerners can sleep in safe, comfortable homes?
70 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:49:20 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the lack of safe, quality housing across the north is unacceptable. This is why our government, in collaboration with partners, is making historic investments. Our government has been clear that we will not impose solutions on northerners. Instead, we will work with them to support their priorities. Through Northern Affairs alone, we are investing $200 million to support housing and related infrastructure in the north. This flexible funding allows territorial partners to continue to advance their most pressing housing needs.
82 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:49:57 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, that answer was not the one expected by the member for Nunavut.
The member asked for $500 million, and $200 million is not even close. In my riding, it is no better. It is Edmonton Griesbach's worst problem. We have indigenous people who are living on the streets and enduring the housing crisis; they have been let down by the Prime Minister and the premier of Alberta. Too many are paying more than they can afford. They are living in overcrowded homes or have no homes at all.
Will the government stop the rhetoric and start investing in indigenous housing, for indigenous and by indigenous, now?
109 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:50:36 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we believe in a “for indigenous, by indigenous”-led urban, rural and northern indigenous housing strategy. That is why budget 2022 included over $4 billion more to close the gap in indigenous housing. It included $300 million as an initial investment in a dedicated urban, rural and northern indigenous housing strategy informed by a for indigenous, by indigenous approach, and that is the beginning of the process. We will continue to invest to close that gap.
80 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:51:11 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, since the murder of George Floyd, our government has announced several measures to combat systemic racism.
We know that Black people are overrepresented in prisons. Yesterday, the Minister of Justice announced the establishment of the steering group for Canada's Black justice strategy. Can he tell us more?
50 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:51:35 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the member for Bourassa, for his question and for participating in our announcement yesterday. The reality is that Black people are overrepresented in our justice system, both as victims and accused persons.
We therefore established a steering committee consisting of nine Black experts who understand and live the current reality. The discrimination they face is systemic, and our response must be ambitious, comprehensive and fair.
71 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, for over 10 months now, the alliance between the Bloc Québécois and the centralizing Liberal Party of Canada has scorned Quebec with respect to the bill on the CRTC.
Ten months ago, the Quebec government asked to be heard. The Bloc-Liberal alliance refused to respond to that. The Quebec National Assembly voted unanimously on a motion to that effect just this week. There was even one a year ago, but with the complicity of the members of the Bloc-Liberal alliance, nothing was done.
Time is running out. It is imperative that Quebec be heard. Will the Bloc-Liberal alliance agree to hear Quebec in a parliamentary committee, to hear what Quebec has to say and—
124 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/16/23 2:52:55 p.m.
- Watch
The hon. Minister of Canadian Heritage.
6 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, the bill was introduced over a year ago. On the House side, 12 meetings were held, 80 witnesses were heard and 52 briefs were tabled. On the Senate side, 31 meetings were held, 138 witnesses were heard, and there were 675 hours of study.
Is it only now that my colleague is waking up, a whole year later? Even Sleeping Beauty did not sleep that long.
68 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, if the leader of the Bloc Québécois and Liberal Party alliance thinks it is taking too long, perhaps he needs a reminder that it was his own government that called an unnecessary election, which delayed the bill.
Even back then, the Bloc Québécois was not interested.
I will ask my question again: Can the Bloc Québécois and Liberal Party minister stand in the House and give assurances that Quebec will be heard at the parliamentary committee, as it should be?
95 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, everyone knows the expression “to fall asleep at the switch”. Well, my colleague is taking it to a new level, to the point that there will be a photo of the Conservative caucus next to the definition in the dictionary.
The bill has been the subject of debate in the House and Senate for a year now. It is a good bill. The music, film and television industries have been asking for this bill.
I am happy that the Conservatives are taking an interest in it today, but it is a bit late. They have been asleep for a year.
105 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, if the member, or rather the leader of the Liberal-Bloc Québécois party, wants to talk about a caucus, he should maybe look in his own backyard.
I am not sure everyone is going to be in the photo of his caucus. I am just throwing it out there. There might be more Bloc Québécois members than Liberals.
The reality is that the minister likes to bicker with the Bloc Québécois. The Bloc is not complaining because Quebec's interests must be defended.
Will the minister agree to meet with the Government of Quebec in committee so that it can express its views on this bill that it does not like?
125 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party, the Bloc Québécois and the NDP are certainly working in Quebec's interests.
It is like we are dealing with a groundhog that has just woken up from its winter slumber and is telling us how well it slept, now that it has finally woken up.
However, things were moving while the groundhog was hibernating. There were meetings in the House. There were meetings in the Senate. This is a good bill. We are going to move forward, even if the Conservatives do not want to.
95 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, the National Assembly of Quebec is calling for changes to Bill C‑11 and Bill C‑5.
This involves the ministers of Canadian heritage and justice. These two bills have the support of the Bloc-Liberal alliance and go against the direction the Government of Quebec wants to take.
Will our two ministers, who are Quebeckers, shamefully supported by the Bloc Québécois, refuse to provide Quebec the help it is looking for and thereby deny the existence of the Quebec nation?
89 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, I am glad that my colleague did not yell too loudly or he might have woken up his gang that has been asleep for the past year.
We have been debating this bill for a year. The Conservatives in the House are asleep. The Conservatives in the Senate are asleep.
In the meantime, we are working for the music, movie and television industry. We are working for Quebec and for all Canadians.
74 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
