SoVote

May/1/23 2:06:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I extend my greetings to the Baha'i Community in Canada and across the world on the occasion of Ridvan. Ridvan is a festival of great significance to the Baha'i community as it marks the birth of the Baha'i faith in 1863. Ridvan commemorates the vision of peace, unity and justice that Baha'u'llah, the prophet founder of the Baha'i Faith, shared with humanity. He said, “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.” Baha'is come together to celebrate Ridvan through various activities such as devotional meetings, artistic and musical presentations, and community gatherings. This festival provides a time for reflection and contemplation on the teachings of Baha'u'llah and offers an opportunity for the Baha'i community to come together in unity.

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Ms. Lena Metlege Diab (Halifax West, Lib.)

May/1/23 2:07:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, dating back to 1873, 150 years ago, Mount Saint Vincent University was one of the few institutions of higher education for women and girls in Canada at a time when women could not vote. Today the institution prioritizes access and impact for all underserviced groups. That is why I am proud to see that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry award the Mount with one of this year's 10 Dimensions recognitions last week. This initiative was led by the three federal granting agencies to acknowledge the work done to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in their quality research environment. The Mount was the only institution in Atlantic Canada to be recognized. I want to applaud the leadership at the Mount, all faculty and staff, and take the opportunity to congratulate all students on their upcoming convocation, and Nova Scotia Senator Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard on receiving her honorary degree.

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Mr. Philip Lawrence (Northumberland—Peterborough South, CPC)

May/1/23 2:09:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today is Great Lakes Day. We are reminded of this incredible resource that Canada shares with our largest trading partner, the United States of America. These bodies of water have played an incredibly vital role in our shared economy. Roughly 25% of Canada-U.S. trade happens in the Great Lakes Region; that amounts to over $270 billion. In fact, according to the Council of the Great Lakes Region, if we grouped together the states and provinces that surround the Great Lakes, we would have the third-largest GDP in the world. Let us join together and celebrate the amazing accomplishments we have had in protecting the environment and growing the economy, but let us also recommit to protecting this incredible resource for decades to come.

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

May/1/23 2:09:53 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-284

Mr. Speaker, as we begin the month of May, with all of this rain out there, it is important to recognize that May is Vision Health Month. For over 10 years, it has had that recognition. This is a time to focus on the eye health that we oftentimes take for granted. Last Friday I introduced and moved second reading of my private member's bill, Bill C-284, an act to establish a national strategy for eye care. This bill would have a direct, positive impact on Canadians’ vision health now and for generations to come. I would like to see this piece of legislation move as fast as possible, with other members of the House supporting it, so that we might all be able to celebrate it as the law of the land by the end of the year. During this month, I encourage Canadians to schedule an eye exam with an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Additionally, we can protect our eyes by wearing sunglasses when outdoors, maintaining a healthy diet and taking breaks from digital devices. Let us use the month of May as an opportunity to prioritize our eye health and make positive changes towards maintaining good vision.

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

May/1/23 2:11:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are looking for a government they can trust and a government that respects them. Sadly, they are getting the opposite from these Liberals. We can all see the results of their failed polices. The cost of living and rate of violent crime in Canada has been on the rise. The Prime Minister is not going to fix the problem any time soon though, because he would rather go on vacation or off to New York to hang out with his celebrity friends. He is, rather, tripling the carbon tax and encouraging catch-and-release policies for violent criminals. Because of all of this, it is getting more difficult than ever for farmers to grow the food that we need to eat. It is getting more difficult for families to afford groceries and gas. In many places, people no longer feel safe in their own communities. However, our leader and our Conservative team are focused on solving these terrible problems. Conservatives want to bring home a country that rewards hard work, bring home lower taxes by scrapping the carbon tax and bring home safety by ending failed Liberal catch-and-release policies. Canadians are counting on us to deliver the trust and respect that they deserve. Let us bring it home.

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Statements by Members

Mr. Matt Jeneroux (Edmonton Riverbend, CPC)

May/1/23 2:12:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Edmonton's violent crime rate has increased 16.5% in just 12 months. 2022 represented the highest number of violent criminal incidents ever reported in a single year. The even scarier part is that this trend has carried into 2023, with violent criminal occurrences increasing by 6% in the first quarter of this year. In fact, we are seeing that 68% of violent offenders who are arrested and released become involved with the police again. These are the highest rates of crime in our city's history. This is why organizations across the country are calling for bail reforms to keep violent offenders behind bars. After eight years of the Liberals' catch-and-release crime policies, Canadians do not feel safe walking down the street or taking transit. In fact, what is even scarier is that these policies are just making it worse.

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Mr. Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, Lib.)

May/1/23 2:13:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of Mental Health Week, and this year's theme is “My Story”. This campaign is about highlighting individuals and communities involved in mental health initiatives and raising awareness of the services available in our regions and across Canada. That is why I would like to thank the Hawkesbury General Hospital and its staff who work hard to provide services to those with mental health issues throughout our communities. For those seeking help, there are also many other community support programs offered through both the Champlain East branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association and the four health centres of the Services de santé communautaire de l'Estrie located in Embrun, Limoges, Alexandria and Bourget. I also want to thank every individual who has stepped forward and sacrificed their time and effort to provide support for those who needed it. Their work is greatly appreciated. Mental health is health and I want to emphasize that there is no shame in accessing and asking for help.

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Mr. Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre, NDP)

May/1/23 2:14:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, congratulations to the 120,000 PSAC workers who stood strong and fought for better wages and working conditions. New Democrats offer our continued solidarity to the remaining union of taxation employees still left out in the picket lines, fighting for their fairness. This May Day, may all workers be recognized for their hard work and receive fair compensation for their efforts. It is only appropriate that I rise in the House of Commons to pay tribute to Carol Wall, a formidable force from the house of labour. Carol was a lifelong labour leader and social justice activist, having been elected VP of the Canadian Labour Congress, having worked as a national negotiator for the Public Service Alliance of Canada and having been a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Carol Wall's legacy as a mentor to entire generations of labour leaders will continue to live on in the heart and soul of the movement. On behalf of the Green side of the family, I offer her partner Gerry and her children, my cousins Nicole, Jason and Jeremy, and all of those who are mourning her passing our deep condolences, solidarity and love.

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Mr. Yves Perron (Berthier—Maskinongé, BQ)

May/1/23 2:15:31 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-282

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all the egg farming families of Berthier—Maskinongé and Quebec, I would like to congratulate the Egg Farmers of Canada on its 50th anniversary. I would also like to call attention to its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as our egg farmers join the fight against climate change. Our supply management system ensures that farmers have the income and capacity they need to reinvest in their operation when our market grows. It also promotes land use and food resilience. The more family farms there are, the more villages will flourish. For the Egg Farmers of Canada, this 50th anniversary is a chance to spotlight innovative practices and effective management. To celebrate this anniversary, let us protect supply management by passing Bill C‑282. No gift could be more welcome. Long live the Egg Farmers of Canada, and long live supply management.

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Mr. Todd Doherty (Cariboo—Prince George, CPC)

May/1/23 2:16:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of the Canadian Mental Health Association's Mental Health Week. This year's theme is “My Story”. The goal is to shift beliefs and perceptions about mental health, while shining a spotlight on community mental health programs and stories. Storytelling is a fundamental part of what makes us human. It connects us and helps us feel less alone. In any given year, one in five Canadians experience a mental illness or a mental health issue. I urge our colleagues to stop for a moment to look around. Someone beside us, close to us, is suffering in silence. Talking about what we are feeling or what we have experienced can be difficult, but by sharing our stories, we can promote understanding, normalize mental health issues and break the stigma. This Mental Health Week, I encourage everyone to begin to have these mental health conversations and talk to family, a friend or a colleague to ask them if they are okay. Those words may just save someone's life. Together, we can break the stigma and prioritize mental health all year long.

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Mr. Vance Badawey (Niagara Centre, Lib.)

May/1/23 2:17:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this year, the government made a $420-million commitment to preserve and protect our Great Lakes. We committed to ensuring future generations have clean water to drink and that they will be able to continue to enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities along the Great Lakes' shores. We committed to addressing toxins and invasive species. We committed to creating the Canada water agency, which will pool all our efforts, ensuring not a drop of those efforts is wasted. We have committed to years of stable, predictable and long-term funding for municipal governments to invest in water systems and shoreline protection, alleviating financial pressures on property taxes and water bills. With economic, environmental and social groups from all five Great Lakes in Ottawa today, we are excited to work together, alongside our U.S. partners, to protect this unique resource and ensure the health, economic prosperity and enjoyment for future generations.

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

May/1/23 2:19:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today, we learned that Beijing worked to punish an MP's family member for the way that MP voted here in the House of Commons. The intelligence agencies and the government were aware of these actions for two years, but the Prime Minister did not inform the MP in question and did not expel the diplomat in Toronto who was orchestrating all this. That diplomat is still on the website of the Chinese consulate in Toronto. Why?

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

May/1/23 2:19:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to be subject to intimidation, particularly a member of the House of Commons and his family. We are following up on the reports that came in today. I have asked various security experts to follow up on this. This is something that we always need to take seriously and that is exactly what we are doing.

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

May/1/23 2:20:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, members of Parliament cannot vote in the interests of Canada while their family members are being threatened as a consequence of those votes. It is unacceptable, as the Prime Minister said, which is why it is so strange that he accepted it. His government produced a briefing note that exposed these threats to the MP's family two years ago, yet the diplomat who worked to punish a Canadian MP's family is still in Canada, when the Prime Minister could have expelled him. Why did he not expel this diplomat?

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

May/1/23 2:21:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely unacceptable for any Canadian to be subject to intimidation by a foreign power, particularly threats against family and against families of members of Parliament. That is why, as reports came out this morning, I immediately asked officials to follow up on these reports to get to the bottom of this. I also asked for outreach, both from the political side and the official side, to the member in question. We will continue to make sure this is taken extremely seriously.

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

May/1/23 2:21:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, that is just false. He did not immediately take action. He took action after the media found out about it. His government has known that a Canadian MP had his family threatened because that MP voted for human rights in the House of Commons. He knew about that for two years, and he did exactly nothing. Furthermore, the same diplomat who orchestrated these threats against the MP's family still works in the Toronto consulate at Beijing, even though the Prime Minister has the power to expel him. Will he expel him today?

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

May/1/23 2:22:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as the reports were made public this morning, we followed up immediately with top officials to get all the information on this file on happened, who was informed and who was not informed, to make sure that we are following up in an appropriate way. This is absolutely unacceptable, and it should not have happened.

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

May/1/23 2:22:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yet he did accept it for two years. The same briefing note indicated two years ago that Beijing saw Canada as uniquely vulnerable to its interference because we have no foreign interference laws to stop them. The laws that exist in the United States and Australia to force those paid by foreign dictatorships to register are not in existence here in Canada. CSIS warned him about this in the summer of 2021. On what date will we get a foreign influence registry to protect Canadians against these abuses?

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

May/1/23 2:23:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as a government, we put in place many mechanisms to ensure that Canadians and our institutions are protected from foreign interference, and we are continuing to step up to add more. We brought in NSICOP, an oversight committee of parliamentarians, and NSIRA. We created an elections integrity committee composed of top civil servants, and we are right now looking to establish a foreign agent registry, making sure, through consultations with potentially impacted communities, that it is done the right way. That is what we will continue to do to keep Canadians safe.

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

May/1/23 2:24:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, that is more administrative and bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo to conceal his inaction. It is now required that one registers if one lobbies for the food bank, but it is not required to register if one does paid work on behalf of a foreign dictatorship to influence Canadian politics. Let us move over to police stations. The Prime Minister's public safety minister claimed that all Beijing's police stations have been closed. Today, two of those police stations said that they are open, and they are operating right here in Canada. Why is the Prime Minister allowing a foreign dictatorship to run police stations on our soil?

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