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Jun/8/23 1:56:38 p.m.
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I will interrupt to remind the hon. members that if they are very excited to ask questions, the question period will come at the end. We will open it up for questions and comments then. The member may continue.

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Mr. Mark Gerretsen

Jun/8/23 1:56:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, that is nothing. Usually it is a lot worse. I asked a question of the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie. His response, although he started talking about the pandemic, which I qualified in my question, he started to say yes, but that after the pandemic they started to go back up. That is not entirely true. As a matter of fact, he is using that same falsehood about the pandemic to justify his point, which is that they started to go back up since the end of the pandemic. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, 2019, they are still significantly lower. When we come to this place, it is important that we deal in facts. We will have conversations about this, and I understand that my conversation will be interrupted in less than two minutes and I look forward to continuing after question period. Having said that, I do respect the fact that the NDP, when it is presenting this, at least believes that climate change is real, and I genuinely appreciate that. I cannot believe I have to actually express that, because it is completely contrary to my Conservative colleagues, who do not seem to believe that climate change is real, especially when they come in here and talk about climate change and the discussion around climate change over the last 60 years as “snake oil salesmen”. Why do I not read one more time, so it can really sink in before I am cut off, exactly what the member for Red Deer—Mountain View said. He said: Things change; the climate changes. That is how we got our rivers. I know I deal with the effects of climate change right now when I have to go out into my field and pick rocks, because that is how they got there. These are the sorts of things we have to realize. Things do change. I almost fell out of my seat when I heard the member say that last week, basically dismissing the participation of humans in climate change. Nothing could be further from the truth. We caused it and we have a responsibility to do something about it.

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Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Jun/8/23 1:59:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know what climate change looks like on land. We see it. Our forests are burning. We see storms, droughts and floods. We experience it as human beings. However, every single second of every single minute of every single hour of every single day, the energy equivalent to 10 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs is absorbed by our oceans. Today is World Oceans Day, and it is worth pausing for a moment to note that while 619 British Columbians died in the heat dome of 2021, three billion sea creatures also died from the heat that was absorbed in the ocean in that time. People who wanted to get cool went down to the ocean and then wondered what the stench was. Our oceans are losing oxygen, they are hotter, more acidic and choking on plastic. This World Oceans Day we do not celebrate, we protest.

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Mr. Joël Lightbound (Louis-Hébert, Lib.)

Jun/8/23 2:00:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, to begin with, I want to make it clear that I speak here today as the member for Louis-Hébert and not as a representative of the Canadian government, if ever there was any doubt. A month ago, we highlighted World Press Freedom Day. As we all know, a free and independent press is a pillar of our democracy. However, there is one case that casts a long shadow on the ideals we purport to defend here in western democracies. I am talking about the case of Julian Assange. Julian Assange is currently jailed in the United Kingdom, fighting extradition to the U.S., where he is being charged under the century-old Espionage Act and facing 175 years in prison on charges for publishing information of immense public interest that served to expose war crimes in Iraq, charges for doing exactly what quality and independent news organizations do every day, and what we expect them to do. Whatever one thinks of Julian Assange, it is time for Canada to side with organizations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders, and with news outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, EL PAÍS, Der Spiegel, Le Monde and to ask for these charges to be dropped, because they set a chilling precedent and because publishing is not a crime.

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Mr. Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard, CPC)

Jun/8/23 2:01:47 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urgently raise the case of the persecution of journalist Niloofar Hamedi. Hamedi is the 22-year-old Iranian journalist who broke the story of the now famous Kurdish woman, Zhina Mahsa Amini, her beating and murder at the hands of the morality police in Tehran. For her professionalism and journalistic ethics, she has been charged with “colluding with hostile powers”, a charge that carries the death penalty. She is now subject to a show trial behind closed doors, while her lawyer is prevented from expressing any defence on her behalf. Niloofar's life hangs in the balance. The Iranian regime has been executing political prisoners every week, in addition to its continued intimidation and bullying of its political opponents. The Iranian regime has the blood of thousands on its hands, of brave women and girls, men and boys who have taken to the streets in opposition to the brutality, the evil and the blood-soaked hands of the autocrats in Tehran. Niloofar is a brave journalist, a credit to her profession. I invite all parliamentarians to join me in calling for the Iranian regime to immediately end the show trial and set her free.

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Mrs. Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, Lib.)

Jun/8/23 2:02:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, two years ago, on June 6, in London, Ontario, we lost the Afzaal family to an act of Islamophobic terrorism. Out for a walk in the community they called home, they were targeted for their faith. It hit Muslims hard because it could have been any one of us. Islamophobia in Canada is real. We all have a responsibility to fight it. That is why our government held the first national summit on Islamophobia, bringing together community groups from across Canada to share their stories and ideas. We appointed Canada’s first special representative on combatting Islamophobia, creating a day for awareness of Islamophobia and expanding funding for security improvements at community centres and places of worship. As a member of Parliament, I introduced legislation for reforming our national security agencies and worked through my multi-faith council to bring people of all faiths together. We must all continue to work to make Islamophobia and all forms of hatred a thing of the past.

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Mr. Martin Champoux (Drummond, BQ)

Jun/8/23 2:04:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this week, Quebecor held its 2023 tribute evening to recognize the extraordinary contributions of two of Quebec's cultural luminaries, Monique Miller and Serge Fiori. Quebec's cultural firmament is teeming with stars, stars whose voices, words, acting and music light Quebec up. Some of our stars have burned brightly for a short time; others have been shining forever, it seems. Monique Miller is one of those magnificent stars. She has been treading the boards in our theatres for more than 70 years, interpreting the work of playwrights from Marcel Dubé to Michel Tremblay, from classics of Quebec theatre to the timeless greats, Molière, Ionesco, Shakespeare and Shaw. A grande dame of the theatre, she has also been a formidable presence in Quebec's small-screen industry since its inception: Cap-aux-sorciers, Quelle famille!, Du tac au tac and Montréal P.Q. She has done it all with extraordinary talent. The Bloc Québécois applauds Quebecor's initiative to pay tribute to our greats. We join our voices to the much-deserved shower of praise for the one and only, the great Monique Miller.

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Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Ottawa Centre, Lib.)

Jun/8/23 2:05:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to rise today to highlight an amazing community event happening this month in my community of Ottawa Centre. A staple of Ottawa’s event calendar, Italian Week Ottawa festival is back this year on Preston Street. This year’s celebrations will run from today until June 18. It is eleven days of events members do not want to miss, so I welcome all members to join us. The Ottawa Italian festival focuses on creating exciting experiences that share Italian culture in our diverse Ottawa community. The events scheduled this year include an opening weekend of music, nights of comedy, masterclasses on Italian cooking, an outdoor market, an art exhibition, and more. I would like to finish by thanking the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion as well as the Department of Heritage for their ongoing support of Italian Week Ottawa. I wish the festival organizers, board members and all the volunteers the best of luck as they show Ottawa all that Italian culture has to offer. As for all of Ottawa's residents, Italian Week kicks off another incredible summer of cultural festivals for our community to enjoy, with events like the Greek Festival and the Lebanese Festival just weeks away. Happy Settimana Italiana.

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Mr. Martin Shields (Bow River, CPC)

Jun/8/23 2:06:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, every fall, about 120 teams go on a journey to win the Centennial Cup. It is an honour to represent the best Junior A hockey team in Canada, the Brooks Bandits, the 2023 Centennial Cup champions. In the last 10 years, with same coach, the Brooks Bandits have won 7 Alberta championships: three years in a row as the Canadian Centennial Cup championships, the first-ever back to back to back; and four national championships in 10 years. In the current championship and in the two preceding it, they did not lose a game in those three years. In six games in 2023, they allowed only four goals. A lot of players from this team receive U.S. scholarships and some go on to NHL careers. I congratulate the coach, staff, administrators, families and the sports fans of Brooks Bandits.

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Ms. Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington, Lib.)

Jun/8/23 2:07:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, every June, in honour of National Indigenous History Month, I select a book written by an indigenous author and invite everyone in my riding to read along with me for Indigenous Reads. This year, I have chosen the North-West Is Our Mother by Jean Teillet, a lawyer, lecturer and great-grandniece of Louis Riel. The book tells the rich story of the Métis people in Canada, starting with their early history in the late 1790s and ending at present day. The book explores the rise of the Métis Nation, their long battle for recognition and the ongoing challenges that Métis people have faced, even today. Later this month, I will sit down with the Minister of Northern Affairs to discuss the book and the history of Métis people in Canada. I invite everyone to watch our Facebook Live at 3 p.m. on June 26 and learn more about our often overlooked history.

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Mr. Andy Fillmore (Halifax, Lib.)

Jun/8/23 2:08:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, around the world, our Canadian Armed Forces are working to promote peace and security. That includes Haiti, where gang violence and civil unrest has reached a crisis point. The deployment from Halifax of HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Moncton to Haiti, along with the support from the Royal Canadian Air Force, demonstrates our commitment to the Haitian people. These ships have conducted patrols around Port-au-Prince, signalling Royal Canadian Navy presence in the area, while the Royal Canadian Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support has been crucial in disrupting gang activities. In addition, the CAF has delivered three additional MRAP armoured personnel carriers that will aid the Haitian National Police in combatting gang violence. Canada’s whole-of-government response to this unrest includes diplomacy, sanctions against those supporting gangs and humanitarian assistance. We stand with the Haitian people as they strive for a more peaceful and prosperous future. Our armed forces represent Canada's commitment to peace and security around the world, and I invite all members to join me in thanking them.

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Mr. Adam Chambers (Simcoe North, CPC)

Jun/8/23 2:09:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when we think of Canadian cuisine, we might think of peameal bacon, poutine or ketchup chips, but nothing holds a candle to the butter tart. They are great things, but this is Canada's delicacy. This treasure originated in Simcoe County in the year 1900. Today, if we search online for butter tart recipes, we will find 79 million results. The possibilities are endless. This weekend, in Midland, Ontario, on June 10, we are hosting the world's greatest butter tart festival. With over 200,000 butter tarts, people will be sure to find something to satisfy their palate. While the price of flour is up over 8% and the price of butter is up over 10%, our spirit will not be broken. People can come to Midland this weekend to satisfy their palates. Let us bring the butter tart home.

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Ms. Ruby Sahota (Brampton North, Lib.)

Jun/8/23 2:10:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise before you to shed light on a dark chapter of history which launched a decade of systematic abuse. Operation Blue Star, conducted in June 1984, fought to suppress Sikh voices within the sacred walls of the Golden Temple of Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Regrettably, the repercussions of this ill-conceived operation were far-reaching and catastrophic, leading to the loss of innocent lives and forever staining the principles of justice and human rights. Let us not forget the countless Sikh pilgrims who sought solace within the serene walls of the Golden Temple, only to be met with violence and bloodshed. Their devotion to faith and their commitment to the values of peace and unity were crushed under the weight of tanks and gunfire. The wounds inflicted by Operation Blue Star are not confined to the borders of India. They resonate deeply within the Sikh diaspora right here in Canada, where Sikh Canadians have contributed immeasurably to our social, cultural and economic fabric. We cannot remain silent in the face of injustice. As lawmakers and guardians of human rights, we must lend our voices to those who have suffered, to those whose cries for justice have gone unanswered for far too long.

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Mrs. Kelly Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, CPC)

Jun/8/23 2:12:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the Bank of Canada raised the interest rate for the ninth time since February 2022. Of course, this should come as no surprise, given the budget the Liberal government tabled in March. The real surprise was the budget itself. We thought relief was on the way when the finance minister admitted that deficits cause inflation, and then she added another 60 billion dollars' worth of fuel to the inflationary fire. The Liberal government’s deficits have caused the inflation crisis, and this in turn has caused higher interest rates, which has now put Canadians across the country at risk of losing their homes. The IMF has warned that Canada is at the greatest risk of mortgage defaults out of all advanced economies. What is the solution? It is very simple. It is to stop the deficits, which would stop inflation, which would stop the interest rates from going up and stop the defaults. The Liberal government needs to stop its out-of-control spending before it is too late.

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Mr. Scot Davidson (York—Simcoe, CPC)

Jun/8/23 2:13:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, batten down the hatches. Canada is at the greatest risk of mortgage defaults of any other developed country, and it is because the Prime Minister is steering this ship right off course. Liberal government deficits are causing inflation. Inflation is causing higher interest rates, and higher interest rates are causing Canadians to default on their mortgages. The Liberal government is forcing Canadians to sink or swim, but we know that most are barely treading water. Nearly half of all homeowners are finding their mortgage payments unaffordable, and Canada has the highest household debt in the entire G7. Liberal inflationary spending, red tape and government gatekeepers are leaving Canadians underwater. Conservatives have a solution to right the ship and get our country’s compass pointing towards prosperity once more. We will stop the deficits, which will stop the inflation, which will stop the interest rates from going up, which will stop the defaults. Let us bring it home.

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Ms. Patricia Lattanzio (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, Lib.)

Jun/8/23 2:14:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, firmly rooted in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood and at the heart of the Cité des arts du cirque, TOHU is a place of creation, culture and community engagement that contributes considerably to Montreal's reputation as an international capital of the circus arts. TOHU recently won in two categories at Tourism Montreal's Distinction Awards for its 3GIANTS project, presented during the 2022 edition of the Montréal Complètement Cirque festival. I would like to congratulate the executive director, Stéphane Lavoie, and his entire team on these important awards and recognitions, which reflect the quality of their work. On the weekend of June 16 to 18, I invite everyone to come and enjoy the Lumières de Saint-Michel event, presented by the TOHU team and featuring a nocturnal parade, shows and circus entertainment. I want to thank TOHU, which has been inspiring so many since 2004 and sharing the wonders of the circus arts.

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Mr. Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, NDP)

Jun/8/23 2:15:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is on fire. By last Sunday, more than three million hectares had already burned across the country, about 13 times the 10-year average. There are more than 400 active wildfires, most of which are deemed out of control, and thousands of people are under evacuation orders—

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The Speaker

Jun/8/23 2:15:49 p.m.
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I am going to ask the hon. member to start over once we quiet down so that everyone can hear. The hon. member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford may start from the top.

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Mr. Alistair MacGregor

Jun/8/23 2:15:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is on fire. By last Sunday, more than three million hectares had already burned across the country, about 13 times the 10-year average. There are more than 400 active wildfires, most of which are deemed out of control, and thousands of people are under evacuation orders. Over the last 20 years, we have never seen such a large area burned so early in the season. My home province of B.C. has already seen fires burn an area larger than that of last year's entire fire season. It is only June. We are not even in summer yet. The signs are all there. Climate change is having a direct and brutal impact on the lives of people. The sheer scale and ferocity of the forest fires are a testament to that fact. Yesterday, I saw a headline that read, “Parliament fiddles while Canada burns”, an apt description of what we have seen from Liberals and Conservatives. As parliamentarians, we owe it to Canadians to meet this moment with the seriousness it deserves. We must do better.

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

Jun/8/23 2:17:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I do not know what animates this moving and magnificent individual, this artist who left an indelible mark on Quebec, its history, the hearts of its people and the promises of the 1970s and beyond. Serge Fiori is extraordinary. He crafted a brand new musical universe that crossed borders and stood the test of time. His music pierced right through the skin of Quebeckers, flowed through their veins and found a place in their hearts. What I do know is that Serge Fiori, who was awarded a Quebecor prize Tuesday night at an event held at the Mount Royal Chalet, loves unreservedly, unconditionally, unboundedly. He loves so much and so well that he is like a river of emotions that overflows in the spring. He makes us want to share in one of the embraces that he so generously shares with his voice, which, even when speaking, carries a range of emotions in which people want to remain enveloped. Quebec loves the beautiful, great and eternal Serge Fiori. Fiori loves Quebec. He is so in love with Quebec that he wants, with all his oceanic heart, for it to become a nation.

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