44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 19, 2023 10:00AM
- Sep/19/23 3:03:27 p.m.
- Watch
The hon. member for Pontiac.
5 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:03:31 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, many families in my riding are finding the cost of living to be a challenge, and they are having a hard time making ends meet. Times are tough, especially at the grocery store. Prices are going up.
What gives me hope is the discussions that are currently taking place with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. He reached out to major grocers, major retail grocery chains, to talk about how to stabilize prices.
Could he update the House on the progress of those talks?
87 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:04:10 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for that important question, which is informed by empathy. This is about understanding Canadians who are having a hard time paying for groceries.
That is why, at the Prime Minister's behest, we invited food executives to come and explain themselves here in Ottawa. On behalf of the entire House and millions of Canadians, I expressed people's frustration with the rising cost of food.
What I can tell members is that this is a step in the right direction. The executives committed to working with us on a concrete plan to stabilize prices. We will continue to fight for all Canadians.
108 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:04:52 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Liberal-NDP government, Canadians simply cannot afford the Prime Minister, as 20% of Canadian families are skipping meals, half of Canadians are living paycheque to paycheque and credit debt is at an all-time high, with the average non-mortgage debt being $21,000 per consumer.
Will the Prime Minister not show some compassion for Canadian families and cancel the costly carbon tax?
70 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:05:25 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as it is my first opportunity to rise as the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, I would like to thank the residents of Kanata—Carleton for putting me in the House and the Prime Minister for his confidence.
We are building a nationwide system of child care that is affordable, inclusive and high quality. This is literally putting hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of Canadian families. This is transformational, and we will continue to work with the provinces and territories to make sure this happens.
92 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:06:03 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the minister is part of the problem. After eight years of the Liberal-NDP government, Canadians simply cannot afford the Prime Minister. Even the governor of the Bank of Canada agrees that his costly tax on gas and groceries is increasing inflation. Twenty per cent of Canadian families are skipping meals, but the Prime Minister thinks nothing of spending $10,000 a month on groceries.
Why does he not show some compassion for the Canadians who put food on his table, and axe the tax?
87 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:06:38 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, of course, what is not honest about that statement is that it is not acknowledging the money that is coming back to eight out of 10 Canadians.
I would also say we are not talking about the costs of a climate that will not bear crops. Just take respiratory illnesses. Does everyone know that 15,000 people die a year prematurely as a result of respiratory illnesses related to air pollution? Do we know that in the heat dome that occurred in B.C., we lost 619 lives? Do we know the costs on our health system and productivity are a loss of over $100 billion a year as a result of climate change?
We need to act.
120 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:07:22 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, what the member does not know is our farmers could produce more if he would stop cutting their legs out from under them. There is a 76% increase in the cost of carrots, a 76% increase in the cost of potatoes and a 76% increase in the cost oranges.
There is no doubt the carbon tax is inflationary, but do not take my word for it. Take the word of the governor of the Bank of Canada, who recently said that every time there is an announcement and the carbon tax goes up, that increases inflation each year. When we tax the farmers who grow the food and tax the truckers who truck the food, that increases the price of food across the country. The Prime Minister is not worth the cost.
When will the Prime Minister and his NDP government cut the carbon tax so Canadians can put food on their table?
155 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
Mr. Speaker, certainly ensuring affordability is extremely important in the design of a price on pollution that penalizes polluters but does so in a manner such that eight out of 10 Canadian families get more money back. I would just say that having a relevant plan to address climate change, including a price on pollution, is required to have a relevant economic plan for the future of this country.
Today I was very pleased to speak in the House to Bill C-49, which would develop an offshore wind industry that would be extremely important for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. I see across the House a whole range of MPs who spoke against that. My goodness, they are going to need to explain it to the constituents in Atlantic Canada and to the premier of Nova Scotia.
139 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:08:51 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has underscored the need for many European countries to reduce their reliance on Russian energy and strengthen energy security. Earlier today, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources was joined by the Romanian minister of energy to announce a significant milestone in our two countries' collaboration on nuclear energy.
Can the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources update the House on this significant announcement?
71 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:09:20 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for all of his hard work with respect to nuclear energy in Ontario.
Today I was extremely pleased to announce that Canada will be making available up to $3 billion in export financing to Romania for two new CANDU reactors. This will help Romania in its efforts to phase out coal and will reduce European reliance on Russian energy for Romania, Moldova and Ukraine while supporting sustainable jobs and major economic opportunities across this country.
This announcement sends a clear message that Canada is a committed ally in the fight against Russian tyranny and against climate change and that it is successfully building a prosperous low-carbon future.
114 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:10:06 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are paying the price of a housing crisis, a mental health crisis and now the climate change crisis, yet the Liberals think that now is a good time to cut up to $7.6 billion in indigenous services. We have seen this devastating austerity from Liberals and Conservatives in the past: cuts that will hurt indigenous peoples, families and communities.
Which programs are the Liberals targeting: housing, health, education, or Jordan's principle, and why are the Liberals not going after the billionaires to recoup the money they owe Canadians, instead of making cuts on the backs of indigenous peoples?
103 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:10:45 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, in 2015, after a decade of entrenching poverty for first nations, a newly elected Liberal government got to work on reconciliation. First nations community services have increased by 156% since then. That is for things like school, water and health services. I have been clear and so has the government: Programs and services for indigenous peoples will be protected.
Reconciliation is good for Canada and for our economy, and it is something that the leader of the official opposition has never understood. Indeed, under the Harper government, first nations organizations faced a—
95 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:11:25 p.m.
- Watch
The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.
8 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:11:28 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, from hurricanes to floods to catastrophic wildfires, Canadians are living the urgency of the climate catastrophe, yet in the boardroom at Suncor the only urgency the members see is making as much money as possible from burning fossil fuels, even as our planet is on fire. We need better from CEOs like Rich Kruger.
Therefore, to the energy minister, when will the government stop giving a free ride to big oil and institute a credible emissions cap that will hold big oil accountable and protect the future of our planet?
92 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:12:03 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I would say that it is important in the context of the fight against climate change that every sector of the Canadian economy play a role. That is what we are doing through the emissions reduction plan we have put into place. Concurrently, we need to look to take advantage of the economic opportunities that can be enabled through a shift to a lower-carbon future.
Earlier this week, I was speaking at the World Petroleum Congress and spoke very clearly to the oil and gas sector about the need to decarbonize to remain relevant and competitive in a low-carbon future. Certainly we are going to continue that conversation with all of the CEOs in the energy sector and in other sectors.
125 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:12:41 p.m.
- Watch
I wish to draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Sebastian Burduja, Minister of Energy for Romania.
Some hon. members: Hear, hear!
30 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:13:35 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I have a point of order.
The carbon tax came up during question period. I think I demonstrated that the carbon tax applies in Quebec. I have supporting evidence. I ask for the unanimous consent of the House to table this bill received by a young—
49 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:14:00 p.m.
- Watch
All those opposed to the hon. member's proposal will please say nay.
Some hon. members: Nay.
17 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 3:14:25 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, after discussions between the parties, I believe if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:
That the membership of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be amended as follows: Mr. Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) for Mr. Nater (Perth—Wellington).
54 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
