SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 180 - Apr/19/23

Mr. Gérard Deltell (Louis-Saint-Laurent, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:12:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, L'Ancienne‑Lorette's figure skating club is celebrating its 50th anniversary. As we celebrate this milestone, I would like to thank, and especially congratulate, the thousands of parents who volunteer for charitable activities to help our youth reach their full potential. I am thinking in particular of people who lead sports clubs such as skating, hockey, baseball, soccer, and even karate, which allow children to explore and live out their passions. I am also thinking of organizations like Cercles des Fermières du Québec, which teach young people the valuable traditions of arts and crafts, optimist clubs, which support and celebrate young people, and rotary clubs, which provide memorable international exchange experiences for teens. We must not forget the Knights of Columbus, which has chapters in Loretteville, L'Ancienne‑Lorette and Val‑Bélair, to name just a few. They provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our society. There is also a group of indigenous veterans who meet up every month under the leadership of Francine Beaudry. I love joining them for a chat. I also want to recognize Quebec City's biggest social group, the Club des aînés La belle époque, a seniors' group that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. I have a long list of other organizations I would like to mention, but most of all I want to thank and congratulate all the volunteers who make Louis-Saint-Laurent the best riding in Canada.

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North, Lib.)

Apr/19/23 2:14:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the month of April is Sikh Heritage Month. In Canada, from coast to coast to coast, members of the Sikh faith and others are celebrating Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is such an important time of the year. It celebrates the creation of the Khalsa. The Khalsa is so important to all members of the Sikh community and others. In 1999, we passed a resolution in the Manitoba legislature, which I was pleased to be the sponsor of, recognizing the importance of the Khalsa. At this time of year, the month of April, we appreciate Sikh Heritage Month and all the valuable contributions that this community does for us. It is a part of our Canadian heritage itself. To each and every one of the members here today, I say happy Vaisakhi and do appreciate the Khalsa.

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Mr. Scot Davidson (York—Simcoe, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:14:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, buying a house used to be a milestone moment, like getting one's driver's licence, starting one's career, getting married and becoming a parent, or becoming Speaker, but the Liberals' failure to cut red tape and get houses built has made housing unaffordable for most people. In Ontario, the gap between house prices and incomes has become a chasm. Over eight years, the Liberals have seen house prices grow by 180% while incomes have grown only 38%. As inflation and the cost of living go up, an entire generation of young people is left behind, as is the ability to settle down and pursue their dreams. The Prime Minister is sending a clear message to young Canadians: It does not matter how hard they work or what sacrifices they make; with the Liberals in charge, they will never own homes and never get to enjoy the same quality of life their parents and grandparents did. This is unacceptable.

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Mr. Brad Redekopp (Saskatoon West, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:16:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the NDP really earned its keep in the coalition government. Conservative MPs put forward a common-sense motion to have a parliamentary committee investigate allegations of interference at the Trudeau Foundation. This is a foundation that received $125 million in taxpayer money, and the government appoints much of the board. Beijing’s influence in the Trudeau Foundation is an issue Canadians are talking about, yet the NDP refused to let people know the truth. What happened? Well, its Liberal masters told the NDP to jump, and the subservient NDP asked, “How high?” The Liberals said, “Do not let Canadians know the truth.” The NDP said, “Yes, sir!” The NDP is not even pretending to be separate from the Prime Minister. It is happy be his lapdog. Who is the NDP really protecting, the Trudeau Foundation or the Prime Minister, or is there something more sinister at play? The NDP had a choice between standing for principles or selling its soul. Now Canadians know which choice the NDP made.

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Mr. Peter Schiefke (Vaudreuil—Soulanges, Lib.)

Apr/19/23 2:17:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincerest gratitude to the outstanding firefighters, hydro crews, mayors, city workers, and countless dedicated volunteers who worked relentlessly during the recent ice storm that battered my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges and affected over a million Quebeckers. Throughout this challenging time, they put their lives on the line, working day and night to restore electricity, open community centres, provide warm meals, share generators and secure the basic needs for those who needed it the most. Their courage and commitment exemplify the best of the human spirit and reflect a strong sense of solidarity that defines our community. Together, we made it through this storm thanks to their determination and incredible team work. To all the heroes who jumped into action, please accept my heartfelt thanks.

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Ms. Lindsay Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP)

Apr/19/23 2:18:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Kristi White, a Haudenosaunee children's book author from Oneida Nation of the Thames, has written beautiful stories about a special boy, Jay, and his friend Gizmo. Like many indigenous people impacted by the legacy of residential schools and colonialism, Kristi's family is dedicated to culture revitalization. Now she writes The Adventures of Jay and Gizmo, illustrated by Shari Campbell, to give the next generation of indigenous youth an opportunity to learn to read while connecting with indigenous language and culture. Whether Jay and Gizmo are learning about powwows, boys with braids or healthy relationships, indigenous children are finally seeing themselves in storybooks. Many of her characters are based on real-life people, such as her son River, the inspiration for the hoop dancer who teaches Jay about indigenous youth with autism. Kristi and her family have travelled the country sharing their stories and teaching about diversity and inclusion. I hope all indigenous youth have the opportunity to read about the adventures of Jay and Gizmo, and I ask that we all support this inspirational author.

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Mr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Rivière-du-Nord, BQ)

Apr/19/23 2:19:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, more than six million Jewish people were murdered between 1933 and 1945, and more than two and a half million were transported in cattle cars to death camps for extermination. I acknowledge that it is a strong word, but it is appropriate. Those people were systematically, unceremoniously and unemotionally killed for no other reason than that they were Jewish. The Warsaw ghetto uprising began on April 19, 1943, but by May 16 of that same year, the revolt had been crushed, the ghetto lay in ruins, and the cattle cars were packed with prisoners. Our Jewish brothers and sisters, as well as their children, were crammed in like sardines and transported to extermination camps. Eighty years ago, heroes rose up to protect their families and compatriots. Their courage leaves me speechless with admiration. Gas chambers, extermination, unsanitary conditions, famine, slavery, dehumanization: Humans are capable of the highest good, but also of the worst evil, and that is rather frightening.

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Mrs. Karen Vecchio (Elgin—Middlesex—London, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:20:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadian families are struggling. Food bank usage is skyrocketing. People are cancelling their vacations because they just cannot afford them. However, the Prime Minister just took a $160,000 trip to another friend's villa. This is just another example of the Prime Minister being out of touch with Canadians. This follows his trip to Tofino, where he went surfing on the first national truth and reconciliation day, and his trip when he spent $6,000 a night on a room in London, England, with a butler. This is not the reality for any Canadian. Canadians deserve a break. People are tired. They are trying to pick up shifts at work to ensure they can put food on the table. The family budget cannot keep up with the cost of the government. I do not disagree with taking family trips, but we must not expect hard-working Canadians to pay for them, especially at a time like this. Enough is enough.

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Mr. Terry Duguid (Winnipeg South, Lib.)

Apr/19/23 2:21:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, along the hallway that leads to the House of Commons, visitors will find the Room of Remembrance. This small room is home to the eight Books of Remembrance, books that contain the names of Canadians who gave their lives in military service. Every day at 11 a.m., the pages of the books are turned so that each name may be read at least once every year. This practice has gone uninterrupted since 1942, through fires and pandemics. The room and its important place in preserving our national history were brought to my attention by one of our dedicated parliamentary protection officers, Constable Brad Belliveau, a veteran himself. He informed me that the books were the idea of Colonel Archer Fortescue Duguid, a veteran of the First World War. Colonel Duguid, a military man turned historian, proposed the books as an alternative to a traditional memorial. I encourage all members of the House to visit the Room of Remembrance and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:22:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is a failure to increase the cost of the bureaucracy by 50% with poorer services. It is a failure to have 150,000 workers go on strike in the biggest general strike in four decades. However, it is an especially incredible achievement of incompetence to do both of those things at the same time. Only the Prime Minister could pull that off. Now our veterans, immigrants, small businesses and taxpayers will be without services. How will the Prime Minister fix the government he broke?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Apr/19/23 2:23:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, unlike the members opposite in the Conservative Party, we deeply respect the work that unions do across the country to stand up for good middle-class jobs. That is why we have ensured that the work is done at the bargaining table. We know there is progress being made, but it is an important principle to respect the work of the bargaining table. That is what we are encouraging people to continue to do, because, yes, Canadians deserve the services and we need to continue to support the public service that delivers those services to Canadians.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:24:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when the Conservatives were in power, there was no general strike and running the government cost one-third less. It is a failure to increase the cost of the bureaucracy by 50%. It is a failure to have 150,000 workers go on strike. Having both at the same time demonstrates the Prime Minister's incredible incompetence. How will the Prime Minister fix the damage he has caused to our government and our taxpayers?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Apr/19/23 2:24:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians continue to rely on the services provided by the federal government. That is why we are encouraging everyone to stay at the bargaining table. That is where we will get results. We will always be there to ensure Canadians get the services they need. Unlike the Conservatives, we are also going to be there to defend union principles and the right to collective bargaining. We will continue to do the work at the bargaining table.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:25:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister all but confirmed yesterday that he was gifted 80,000 dollars' worth of free accommodations at the villa of a Trudeau Foundation donor. That is what anyone else would have had to pay to stay there over that nine-day vacation. He now has a big IOU to those Trudeau Foundation donors, who will obviously be expecting something in return for it. Everyday Canadians pay for their own accommodations when they go on vacation. Will the Prime Minister agree to pay back that $80,000 gift?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Apr/19/23 2:26:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I went away with my family and my kids to stay with friends we have known for decades, in a place where I have stayed many times over the past decades, since I was one year old. Of course, in all these situations, we work with the Ethics Commissioner to ensure that all the rules are followed, and that happened in this case.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:26:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, nobody is raising qualms about the Prime Minister having a vacation. I know it is his favourite thing to do. I had a vacation at the same time. It was a Sunwing package, and I waited five hours at the airport. That being said, I paid for it myself. We are not asking for the Prime Minister to pay for the security, and we are not even asking him to pay for his private jet; we are simply asking him to pay the same price any other family who stayed at that resort would pay so that he does not owe anybody anything. Will he pay back that $80,000?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Apr/19/23 2:27:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, these are family friends. My father was godfather to one of their children. Their father was godfather to one of my brothers. These are family friends we have had for many decades, close to 50 years. Over those 50 years, I have been to that vacation spot many times with my family, including with my father when he was still alive. Of course, we worked with the Ethics Commissioner to make sure all rules were followed, and we followed all the practices in regard to prime ministerial travel, including, unfortunately, having security along with us, which is a requirement for all prime ministers of any party.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Apr/19/23 2:27:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we all agree the Prime Minister should have security. We have no problem with him having friends. My friends might buy me a cup of coffee or a beer, but not an $80,000 gifted vacation that obviously comes with an IOU. This came from wealthy Trudeau Foundation donors who live in Bermuda, a long way away for his friends. Now these people will have inordinate influence on him. The Prime Minister works for them rather than working for the Canadian people. Will the Prime Minister get rid of this IOU and clear his conscience by paying for his own vacation?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Apr/19/23 2:28:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I do not think Canadians are worried about the Leader of the Opposition's friends who buy him a cup of coffee. Canadians are worried about his billionaire friends that he is using to attack local news for Canadians right across the country. His issues with the CBC have brought him to involve American tech giants to try to attack the local news, the local culture and the francophone news that Canadians rely on from coast to coast to coast. Yes, we have our disagreements in this place, but when the Leader of the Opposition goes running to his billionaire tech giant friends to try to attack Canadian institutions, Canadians should be asking tough questions of this leader.

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

Apr/19/23 2:29:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it has now been established that the Chinese regime is behind the million-dollar donation that a businessman, also Chinese, wanted to give to the Université de Montréal. Unfortunately, it is also clear that, when speaking with Le Devoir about it, the university official had some doubts. It is also clear that the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation solicited funds from the Chinese Communist Party for its own activities and for a statue of Trudeau senior. We are talking about $250,000 out of the $1 million. Is it not also clear to the Prime Minister that he does not have the distance needed to impose his choices when it comes to an independent public inquiry?

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