44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 29, 2023 10:00AM
- Sep/29/23 11:33:24 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, just a week ago under the Prime Minister's watch, a Nazi was welcomed in this place and actually honoured in the chamber. When the Prime Minister should have been a statesman and taken full responsibility, instead he chose to flee and hide, not just for one day, not just for two days, but actually for five days. For five days he was mute. For five days he watched as our reputation was tarnished, and for five days he was in hiding. He utterly embarrassed our country.
The Prime Minister has yet to take responsibility. Will he stand up, do the right thing and do that today?
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- Sep/29/23 11:34:06 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the former Speaker made it very clear that he alone was responsible for inviting this individual to the House and recognizing him. It was his initiative, and no other parliamentarians and no other government members were involved. The former Speaker invited his own guests for Friday's address, who were determined by him and his own office. No advance notice was provided to the Prime Minister's office nor to the Ukrainian delegation about the invitation or the recognition.
There are many Canadians who were hurt by this, and this mistake has been especially difficult for Jewish, Ukrainian and—
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- Sep/29/23 11:34:43 a.m.
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The hon. member for Lethbridge.
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- Sep/29/23 11:34:46 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the member proved my point. It is the Prime Minister of Canada who is meant to function as a statesman, to take personal responsibility when a mistake happens. Instead, he chose to flee. He chose to hide.
An hon. member: Cowardly.
Mrs. Rachael Thomas: Madam Speaker, why did he? Why not take personal responsibility? Why not remedy this on the world stage? Why not acknowledge the grave atrocities that have taken place in our history, the mistake that was made here in the House and the impact that would have on Canadians?
I will give him an opportunity today. Would he honourably stand up, take that personal responsibility and apologize to Canadians?
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- Sep/29/23 11:35:28 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, again, the former Speaker has made it very clear that he alone was responsible for inviting this individual to the House and recognizing him. It was his initiative, and no one in the House knew about it.
The same day we learned of this horrendous incident that occurred in the House, the Prime Minister recognized that it was painful for Canadians and communities who were affected by the Holocaust.
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- Sep/29/23 11:36:03 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, yesterday at the finance committee, the government's own department told the committee that in fact, in 2018, it had warned the Liberal government of an impending housing crisis, yet it did nothing. Incredibly, CMHC officials went on to say that the policies currently employed by the federal government are not sufficient to solve the housing problem.
If, in fact, the government's own department does not believe in the Liberal government, why should Canadians?
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- Sep/29/23 11:36:41 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague to look at the actual record and at the actions of the opposition leader, who this summer, while presenting himself as some sort of champion of the working class, stood in front of a Canadian's home, took a video and called that home a shack. If he is serious about dealing with affordability, the housing crisis and the supply crisis that underpins it, I want to hear from him and his party serious plans along the lines of what we have presented on this side. We are going to continue to fight for Canadians.
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- Sep/29/23 11:37:24 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, Canada's problems are real. We have incredible food bank usage. We have housing costs doubling. Millions of Canadians cannot afford their own homes, yet this side decides to play games. When the Leader of the Opposition was the housing minister, housing was affordable in the country.
When will the government finally get serious, remove the gatekeepers and balance the budget so Canadians can keep their homes?
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- Sep/29/23 11:37:52 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, he is quite correct; that side does play games. Do people know what else they do? They also vote against tax cuts for the middle class. They also vote against child care for kids. They vote against dental care for kids. Discussions on pharmacare are happening at this time, and that side wants to entertain none of it.
At a time when Canadians are facing real challenges of affordability, the government can be there to help. The government has put serious measures on the table. It is having an effect. We are going to continue to do that. They should wake up and come to the party.
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- Sep/29/23 11:38:32 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, 97% is the percentage of shared income a household would need in order to cover home ownership costs now in Vancouver. This is from a new RBC report, which says that housing affordability in most major Canadian cities is near all-time worst levels.
The Prime Minister also holds the all-time record for incurring more debt during his eight years than all other prime ministers combined. Housing is less affordable than ever. The Prime Minister is just not worth the cost.
Will the Prime Minister finally stop his inflationary spending so Canadians can keep a roof over their head?
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- Sep/29/23 11:39:14 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I remind the hon. member that Canada has the lowest deficit and debt in the G7, but times remain hard. We see that and understand that.
On housing affordability, what are we doing? The supply crisis that underpins the housing crisis facing the country is one that requires building. That is why we have lifted GST for the purposes of rental construction on apartments, and that is why we have made changes to the borrowing limit of the Canada mortgage bond. I do not want to get into the technical details, because they are vast, but the result is more homes built for Canadians, and that is what we are going to continue to do.
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- Sep/29/23 11:39:53 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the OECD says that, in the G7, Canada has the biggest gap between housing prices and wages.
The finance minister said that her plan to bring down inflation is working, yet it has soared to 4%. Mortgage interest costs have also soared now to 31%. It is no wonder Mortgage Professionals Canada's recent survey showed that 48% of young people say they have given up on ever owning a home. The NDP-Liberal government's spending is driving up inflation, which is driving up interest rates, which is driving up mortgage interest costs.
Will the Prime Minister finally stop his inflationary spending so Canadians can keep a roof over their head?
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- Sep/29/23 11:40:36 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, here we go again. The contradictions just speak for themselves, but I will highlight them for members.
In July 2022, we had inflation at over 8%, which is now down to 4%. It is certainly not low enough, but we see progress on that front.
I also hear all sorts of ideas from the other side that would not have a tangible impact in terms of affordability. Let us take pensions, by the way. I have heard nothing from that side at all with respect to Premier Smith's pension plan that would deplete the fund by 53%. Combine that with their lack of focus on EI. They voted against all these measures that would—
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- Sep/29/23 11:41:14 a.m.
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The hon. member for Manicouagan.
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- Sep/29/23 11:41:17 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, let us talk about Chalk River and the proposal to build a radioactive waste disposal facility on the shores of the Ottawa River. The chiefs of the Kebaowek, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and Mitchikanibikok Inik First Nations are adding their voices to the widespread grassroots opposition campaign in Quebec.
They are obviously worried about the impact on the river. They are worried about having a nuclear waste dump near their sacred lands. They are worried, but no one consulted them, and that failure to consult is a direct violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
When will this government listen to them and call off the Chalk River project?
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- Sep/29/23 11:42:01 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the health and safety of Canadians, reconciliation, and protecting the environment are our top priorities when it comes to nuclear energy. The project proposal is currently being reviewed by the commission, and a hearing just wrapped up. All radioactive waste in Canada is managed safely in accordance with international standards at licensed facilities overseen by our world-class regulatory agency, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
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- Sep/29/23 11:42:37 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the first step would be to show some basic respect for the concerns of first nations. Chief Haymond of the Kebaowek First Nation wrote to the Prime Minister to share the concerns of his people. He never got a response. The federal government must at the very least put the Chalk River project on hold and ensure that first nations are heard.
Could Ottawa start by showing the bare minimum of respect in a nation-to-nation relationship and respond to the Kebaowek First Nation's letter?
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- Sep/29/23 11:43:18 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I acknowledge that we have work to do on this file. I know this is something that might be coming before the INAN committee. We look forward to hearing from the chiefs and from the member opposite, and to working with them to ensure that we are fulfilling our obligations under UNDRIP and our duty to consult.
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- Sep/29/23 11:43:41 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we learned yesterday that the Liberals are cutting another $1 billion from our armed forces. This is in addition to the $2.5 billion they already let lapse last year.
The Prime Minister has no problem wasting taxpayer money and running up massive deficits on things like the $116 million for McKinsey, $54 million on the ArriveCAN app or $20-million bonuses for the Bank of Canada executives. Let us not forget that the Liberals allowed $4.6 billion of abuse under their COVID programs. The Liberals waste money on just about everything but do not spend it on our military.
Why does the Prime Minister cut spending only when it hurts our troops?
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- Sep/29/23 11:44:22 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I think we all remember when the Conservatives set back defence capability by years when they reduced defence expenditures to below 1% of our GDP.
We are committed to the significant and strategic long-term investments that will ensure that the CAF continues to function as an agile combat-ready force capable of making tangible contributions and delivering on our commitments. At the same time, we must ensure that all expenditures are carefully controlled so each dollar produces real value for Canadians.
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