44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 17, 2023 11:00AM
- Apr/17/23 3:00:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the suggestion that the hon. member is making is absolutely preposterous. The Conservatives want to protect the status quo. They do not think foreign tech giants should stand up for our culture and pay into Canadian culture, but we disagree. We believe tech giants should do more for artists, more for creators, more for our local media and more to protect our children online. We are open to criticism and we are open to changes, but we are not open to doing nothing, which is what the Conservative Party of Canada suggests.
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- Apr/17/23 3:01:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as a result of a written question tabled by the member for Niagara West, we learned from documents tabled here in the House that, over the course of two years, the government asked web giants on 214 occasions to take down content posted by Canadians. That is direct action by the government to censor Canadians.
My question for the government is very simple: Why were Canadians censored 214 times online?
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- Apr/17/23 3:01:56 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is completely irresponsible to suggest that the government censors Canadians' questions and comments. What is true is that we will be there to defend families, protect children online and ensure that web giants pay their fair share into the Canada Media Fund. We are there for creators and Canadians, but not for this so-called Conservative mantra of freedom of speech, which is unacceptable.
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- Apr/17/23 3:02:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, like other people around the world, Canadians are feeling the pinch from the global rise in inflation. Although Canada's inflation rate has continued to fall in the past eight months, it is still too high.
Can the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance tell the House how budget 2023 is going to help Canadian families make ends meet?
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- Apr/17/23 3:03:02 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Halifax West for her question and for all her hard work on behalf of Canadian families.
The new grocery rebate is going to help 11 million Canadians cover the rise in costs by putting hundreds of dollars in their pockets. It will help make sure they have a little extra money to meet their family's needs.
As disappointing as it is to see that the Conservatives will be voting against the budget and this important support, we will keep on fighting for Canadians.
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- Apr/17/23 3:03:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, “Years of restraint, cost cutting, downsizing and deferred investments, have meant that Canada’s defence capabilities have atrophied.” That is a direct quote from a letter from over 50 of Canada's former cabinet ministers, defence experts and military leaders. They are calling on the government to live up to our responsibility of “protecting Canadians against all threats—foreign and domestic”. However, due to the government's lack of investment and demoralizing policies, we are short 10,000 troops today and over 4,200 military procurement staff.
Enough is enough. Why are the Liberals not supporting our military heroes?
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- Apr/17/23 3:04:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, unlike the Conservatives, who let defence spending dip below 1%, our government will continue to make investments in our military and in defence spending. For example, we increased defence spending by 70% beginning in 2017. We also invested over $8 billion in defence spending in budget 2022 and almost $40 billion in continental defence and NORAD modernization.
We will always be there for the Canadian Armed Forces and the security of Canada.
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- Apr/17/23 3:04:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is dodge, dither and delay. That is the Liberal way.
This is a call for action from former Liberal and Conservative politicians, as well as non-partisan defence experts. They say, “Russia's brutal war...in Ukraine...as well as the continuing expansion of the military arsenals of authoritarian regimes...should have prompted a re-assessment of our defence posture.” Sadly, well-connected consultants, big bankers and wealthy bondholders get more from the government than our troops do.
When will the Prime Minister take our defence and national security seriously and safeguard our peace, prosperity and way of life?
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- Apr/17/23 3:05:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if my hon. colleague heard the billions of dollars I just mentioned, including almost $40 billion in NORAD modernization and defence spending. However, let me assure this House that our government is undertaking a defence policy update. We are consulting broadly with stakeholders, and we will be back with additional plans to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces and the defence of Canada are undertaken with the utmost integrity and stability.
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- Apr/17/23 3:06:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, elver poachers are still fishing on the rivers in Nova Scotia, even though the minister shut the fishery down on the weekend. DFO enforcement, for two years, has been told not to arrest, just to observe. Shockingly, the government was surprised that thousands of poachers showed up instead. It is beyond ridiculous that the minister shut down the fishery because the poachers caught the quota, not the licence-holders, while DFO stood by and did not enforce the law.
Why are the Liberals supporting criminals continuing to fish elvers while stopping legal harvesters?
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- Apr/17/23 3:06:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I think the member has his facts backwards. In fact, this year we more than doubled enforcement capacity. We worked collaboratively with the RCMP to ensure that it was even stronger enforcement.
My primary responsibility is the safety of people and conservation of the species, and that is why I shut the fisheries down.
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- Apr/17/23 3:07:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, many Canadians are having a tough time with the cost of living, and that is why it was so important to see measures in this year's budget to support families. I have heard from constituents about the high cost of food and the strain it is putting on family household finances.
Could the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development please update this House on what is being done to make life more affordable for these families?
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- Apr/17/23 3:07:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Mississauga East—Cooksville for the important question.
All members in the House are aware, because we have heard from constituents right across this country, how challenging these times are. That is why our government has acted yet again in budget 2023. In addition to several measures that have been in place this year, as well as previously, we brought forward the grocery rebate, which could provide up to $460 for a family of four or $220 for seniors or single individuals. We know that for the 11 million Canadians who are going to receive the grocery rebate, it will go a long way.
We are continuing to be there to support Canadians through these tough economic times. We understand that the high cost of food is having an impact, and we will continue to be there for them.
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- Apr/17/23 3:08:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there was a devastating fire in Webequie First Nation last week, and now eight people are homeless. Like in the tragic fire and death last month in Peawanuck, the community had no fire truck, no fire hall and no equipment.
Now, Webequie just happens to be in the heart of the Ring of Fire, and Doug Ford has promised to personally drive a bulldozer across their lands to dig up their wealth for investors. Meanwhile, people in Webequie have no safe drinking water, they live in substandard homes and they have no fire protection to keep their children safe.
Will the minister commit today to a proper fire hall, life-saving equipment and proper homes for people in Webequie First Nation?
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- Apr/17/23 3:09:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his constant advocacy for equity for first nations people.
The member is absolutely right: We all have to do better to make sure that every single person across this country has a fair chance at success. That is why my department and the Government of Canada are investing historic amounts into first nations housing, child welfare, education and all the infrastructure that is significantly lacking, like it is in Webequie.
Yes, I will commit to the member to work with Webequie to make sure that it can better protect its citizens.
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- Apr/17/23 3:09:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I asked the Prime Minister whether he approved of the expenses incurred by the Governor General during her four-day trip to Germany, which cost more than $700,000, and another to the Middle East where she spent, believe it or not, more than $2,600 on in-flight meals for each of the 30 people in her delegation. The response from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister was disconcerting. His justification was that these expenses were similar to those of past governors general.
I repeat my question to the Prime Minister. Is he okay with this outrageous spending, yes or no?
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- Apr/17/23 3:10:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and my colleagues have been very clear. We believe that Rideau Hall, like all federal government institutions, should manage taxpayers' money properly. We know that Rideau Hall has reviewed this type of spending with its partners, whether it be with the armed forces or Global Affairs Canada. We will continue to ensure that all these expenses are reasonable and necessary.
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- Apr/17/23 3:10:58 p.m.
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That is all the time we have today for Oral Questions.
I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the Right Honourable Alison Johnstone, presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament.
Some hon. members: Hear, hear!
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Pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-34, under Government Orders.
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I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology.
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