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Oct/6/23 11:05:05 a.m.
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Uqaqtittiji, I would like to thank three Inuit for inspiring my speech. Bernadette Miqqusaaq Dean is an artist. I met her before she pursued her artistic talents, and I have always admired her for her strength. Annie Curley blends her comedic sense of humour with teachings she learned as an Inuk and with bird sounds that she imitates in her crafts. Ashton Kablutsiaq is my son's cousin. I recently discovered his talent for drawing complicated art pieces that showcase his pride as an Inuk. They shared with me the shifts they are helping to create in becoming productive adults wanting to help each other. That shift must be from always talking about intergenerational trauma to talking about intergenerational love. I encourage all indigenous peoples to let go of the anger and pain they hold on to. We must pass on intergenerational love to our children and grandchildren. Let us speak up and show that we are still here.

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Mr. Mike Morrice (Kitchener Centre, GP)

Oct/6/23 11:06:15 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, almost 20 years ago, shortly after immigrating from Lebanon, Majdi Bou-Matar founded MT Space, an incredible arts organization in the Waterloo region that centres marginalized and racialized artists and stories in our community. His goal at the time was to establish an international theatre festival within 10 years. Sadly, Majdi passed away suddenly last June. Our community continues to grieve his loss, but MT Space has shifted what we consider mainstream theatre in our community, and the festival Majdi envisioned years ago continues to grow. This year marked MT Space's full return to live and in-person theatre with IMPACT 23. Over the course of six days, it pretty much took over downtown Kitchener, bringing together artists from eight different countries to stage 20 productions indoors and outdoors. I thank Pam and the entire MT Space team and board for their leadership, for challenging our preconceptions of theatre and for their tireless work creating space for voices that need to be heard.

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Ms. Annie Koutrakis (Vimy, Lib.)

Oct/6/23 11:07:24 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight an important organization. Pink in the City has been supporting breast cancer awareness for over 17 years. On October 27, Pink in the City will be hosting its annual magic of hope gala in my riding of Vimy. To date, it has raised over $2 million for cancer research, state-of-the-art medical equipment and programs that promote wellness and research for metastatic breast cancer. Breast cancer can affect us all, our mothers, our sisters and our daughters. In Canada, one in eight women is at risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. We know that the key to treatment is early detection. It is important that we support those around us and do everything we can to prevent it. I encourage all members to do whatever they can to support the fight against breast cancer this month and year-round.

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Mr. Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland, CPC)

Oct/6/23 11:08:29 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians and victims' families want answers. They want accountability and they want transparency from the Liberal government. For five months, the Liberals have done everything in their power to prevent the public safety committee from investigating the transfer of notorious killer Paul Bernardo from a maximum-security prison. Canadians deserve to know why this was allowed to happen. Victims' families deserve to know why they were only consulted after this transfer took place. All of us need to know why the Liberal government sat on that information for months until it was already too late to take action. After eight years under these Liberals, the rights and privileges of mass killers has taken priority over the rights of victims and their families to receive basic care and consideration. Conservatives will not let the Liberals sweep this scandal under the rug. We are going to stand up for victims and their families and make sure they get the answers they deserve.

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Mr. Irek Kusmierczyk (Windsor—Tecumseh, Lib.)

Oct/6/23 11:09:25 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I was honoured to represent the constituents of Windsor—Tecumseh at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Parliament Hill. As Chief Mary Duckworth of Caldwell first nation says, reconciliation is not just a word. It must be an action. This past summer, Caldwell first nation broke ground on their first new housing development, supported by a $10-million investment from our federal housing initiative. Thanks to the leadership of Chief Duckworth, Chief Miskokomon of Walpole Island first nation, and the incredible staff at Parks Canada, Ojibway national urban park will soon become the first national park in Ontario to be officially co-managed by first nations. Truth and reconciliation is a difficult journey, but it is the right one, and it is one we must walk together. There is more work ahead, but I am proud our community is walking the path of reconciliation and working in partnership and respect with indigenous peoples to preserve and protect our natural habitat forever.

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Mr. John Aldag (Cloverdale—Langley City, Lib.)

Oct/6/23 11:10:28 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, October 1 was National Seniors Day. Last Friday, I met with three members of the National Pensioners Federation to hear about their concerns and hopes for the rights and well-being of aging people in this country. According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians age 85 and older could triple to almost 2.5 million people over the next 25 years. Many of these citizens are in my province of British Columbia, where individuals 65 and older make up nearly 20% of the population. Challenges such as the pandemic, accountability of caretakers and the effects of climate change on human health are issues of concern for this demographic and those who care for them. The National Pensioners Federation is currently working toward a draft motion for the United Nations regarding the proposed convention on the rights of older persons, which would emphasize the critical importance of these issues. As we move into new chapters for Canada, let us honour the rights of older persons and work hard to ensure people possess the tools and care to navigate aging with security and dignity.

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Mr. Richard Lehoux (Beauce, CPC)

Oct/6/23 11:11:30 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years, the government still has no solution for inflation. Worse yet, it wants to saddle Canadians with a second carbon tax. The government keeps saying that the carbon tax will not affect Quebec, but that is not true. The first carbon tax affects Quebeckers indirectly and the second tax affects them directly. Quebec is not self-sufficient. We rely on a wide range of goods from across the country. When the carbon tax is applied to those provinces, the cost of the goods goes up. If the government taxes farmers, processors and transporters, then obviously the goods become more expensive. Food banks in my riding are struggling to meet demand. The kicker is that the Bloc Québécois is supporting these measures that are making matters worse. It is costly to vote for the Bloc Québécois. It has proven that by voting in favour of the carbon tax twice now, once on June 5 and again on Wednesday. Even more alarming, the Bloc wants to radically increase the tax, leaving Canadians even worse off. Enough is enough. It is time for the common-sense Conservatives to fix what the Bloc-Liberal coalition has broken.

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Mrs. Sherry Romanado (Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, Lib.)

Oct/6/23 11:12:42 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, for many Canadians, Thanksgiving long weekend marks the beginning of fall. Many will spend the weekend raking leaves, harvesting what they planted this summer and, hopefully, eating a delicious meal surrounded by family and friends. We all recognize that this has not been an easy year for Canadians. Many are struggling with the high cost of living. That is why I am so thankful to live in and represent a community whose members take care of one another, look out for their neighbours and are always there to lend a hand when someone needs it. Today, I give thanks for the incredible generosity of the citizens of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who play an important role in my life, including each of my dear colleagues here in the House. I wish all of my constituents in Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne a happy Thanksgiving. I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

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Mrs. Cathay Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville, CPC)

Oct/6/23 11:13:40 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, for too many, Thanksgiving is a painful reminder of the difficult times they are facing after eight years under this NDP-Liberal government. Let us take a trip around the Thanksgiving table: potatoes are up 77%; carrots are up 74% percent; cabbage is up 70%; turkey is up 67%. A family of four will pay over $16,000 for groceries this year, all thanks to the heartless carbon taxes that are increasing inflation. When we tax the farmers who grow the food, and tax the trucker who ships the food, then tax everyone who buys the food, well, as a result, we end up with Canada being less competitive and less prosperous than it was eight years ago. Canadians know that the Prime Minister is just not worth the cost, but it does not have to be this way. This weekend, I am giving thanks for being a part of our common sense Conservative team. When we win the responsibility of serving Canadians, we will axe the carbon taxes to bring down the cost of gas, groceries, and home heating. I wish members a happy Thanksgiving. We will bring it home.

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Thanksgiving

Mr. Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard, CPC)

Oct/6/23 11:14:54 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Iran’s terrorist regime has done it again. Another young woman, this time a 16-year-old girl, was beaten before entering Iran's subway system by Iran’s so-called morality police. Armita Geravand, a young Kurdish women from Kermanshah in Rojhelat, was beaten for not wearing a hijab and now lies in a coma in intensive care. Her story is eerily similar to the brutal beating of Zhina Mahsa Amini, who died at the hands of the same morality police just over a year ago. Today marks a day when jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mohammadi is a prominent activist and vice-president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center. She remains jailed by the regime, but this award serves as a slap in the face of Khamenei and the regime that he leads, which Narges continues to bravely fight. The Liberal government has to do more. Words are not enough. The government needs to take action and delegitimize the Iranian regime with no more international forums and no more sporting events. It needs to list the IRGC as a terror group. Jin. Jiyan. Azadi. Zan. Zendegi. Azadi.

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Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Whitby, Lib.)

Oct/6/23 11:16:00 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I attended an event on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Durham Community Health Centre. At that event, a residential school survivor shared his experience and healing journey. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Bernard Nelson, a residential school survivor from the Eabametoong First Nation north of Thunder Bay. He dug deep into his painful past and told his story for over an hour. I have to say that I was horrified to hear a first-hand account of the abuse that this man had suffered having been separated from his mother at a very young age, being physically, sexually and psychologically abused at the residential school, and regularly beaten and taught to feel like he did not belong and was worthless. As this courageous man opened up and told his story from his early years through to an adulthood filled with substance use, justice system involvement and the corresponding impacts on his family and children, he painted a portrait of the legacy of residential schools in Canada. I just want to say from the bottom of my heart how grateful I was to Bernard Nelson for speaking his truth and for the opportunity to hear his story.

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Mr. Randall Garrison (Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, NDP)

Oct/6/23 11:17:23 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in the face of increased global conflict and natural disasters, it is now more important than ever to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces have the support they need to do the difficult and dangerous work we ask them to do on our behalf every day. With this Liberal government now talking austerity and cuts, we need to make sure that serving members, their families and DND employees do not pay the price of pursuing cutbacks instead of fair taxes. Under the guise of updating Canada's military housing support, the government has already announced it will be taking $30 million out of the pockets of military families. This cut will hit particularly hard in communities like mine where rental prices continue to soar and there is a serious lack of on-base housing. Cuts like this do not just damage the well-being of serving families, they compromise Canada's military operations. We already have a staffing crisis in the Canadian Forces with at least 10,000 vacant positions, and thus our military readiness is compromised. One thing Canada cannot afford is to make life harder for those who serve and for their families.

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Mr. Martin Champoux (Drummond, BQ)

Oct/6/23 11:18:31 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, do not put away your festive summer spirit just yet, because there is still some life left in this year's festival season. This weekend, enjoy lively traditional music in a New Orleans atmosphere right in Drummondville at the second edition of the Trad-Cajun Festival at Woodyatt Park. This year, organizer Steve Veilleux has put together an amazing lineup that includes Salebarbes, Nicolas Pellerin, Les Grands Hurleurs, Lendemain de Veille and many others. Drummondville knows how to celebrate, and this weekend will be no exception. However, not everyone in the cultural industry feels like celebrating these days. Right now, arts promoters and festival organizers are getting only bad news from the government, including 25% to 30% cuts to their funding, often announced at the very last minute. They deserve our support. Our culture deserves more, better and quicker support than that. I want to thank festival organizers and arts promoters for showcasing our artists, and I want to wish Steve Veilleux and his crew a rip-roaring good time this weekend. Long live the Trad-Cajun Festival.

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Mr. Alex Ruff (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, CPC)

Oct/6/23 11:19:36 a.m.
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Re: Bill C-358

Mr. Speaker, this week, I introduced my first bill, Bill C-358, here in the House of Commons. This bill would remove the GST from the Liberal carbon tax. Simply put, it would remove the tax from the tax. After eight years of the Liberal government, more and more Canadians are struggling to survive due to the rising costs of everyday goods. The Liberal carbon tax has yet to achieve a single emissions target. It is clear that the Liberal carbon tax is a tax plan, not a environmental plan. This tax on fuel, groceries and home heating is bad enough, but for GST to be charged afterward adds insult to injury. The positive impact of this legislation would be felt across the country, especially in rural regions like Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, where cars, trucks and tractors are a necessity and not a choice. I encourage colleagues from all parties to side with my common-sense bill and provide all Canadians with some relief by removing this tax on a tax. This Liberal carbon tax is simply not worth the cost. Axe the tax.

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

Oct/6/23 11:20:45 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House to pay tribute to someone I was fortunate to have in my life. Christian Lamoureux was a husband, a father and my friend. Christian battled cancer for many years, yet despite the side effects that treatment can have, he always had a smile on his face and maintained his sense of optimism. I thank him for the time we shared at the cottage. I thank him for the many times he made us laugh. I will never forget one evening at Jason's, when he enlisted our entire group to help him look for his wallet, only to find it the next morning, right where he had left it, in his bag. Last Friday, we all asked Christian if there was anything we could do for him. He simply told us to enjoy life to the fullest. That is a testament to his selfless love, even in times of suffering. Every one of us thanks him wholeheartedly for being part of our lives. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Mélanie, his children, Jade, Isabelle and Samuel, and his family. The guys and I want to say “see you later” to Christian. We fully expect him to organize the hockey pool when we are together again someday.

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The Deputy Speaker

Oct/6/23 11:21:47 a.m.
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I just want to remind everyone to try to keep their S.O. 31s under one minute. A few of them did go a little over. Also, as a reminder, we are asking questions in our seats and answering questions in our seats. I see a lot of people moving around in the chamber, so I want to make sure that everybody is aware of that.

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Mr. Kyle Seeback (Dufferin—Caledon, CPC)

Oct/6/23 11:22:24 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, three weeks ago, the Prime Minister made a promise that grocery prices would come down in time for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, an article just out from The Canadian Press today says, “Prices haven't went down, so you're going to continue to see to see fairly large sticker shock on items”. This is Canada after eight years of the Liberal-NDP government, but it gets worse. The article goes on to say, “Some people are going to look at alternatives”, so they might not have a big family gathering. Happy Thanksgiving to Canada, brought to us by the Liberal-NDP government. Will the Prime Minister keep his promise and get grocery prices down?

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Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Lib.)

Oct/6/23 11:23:04 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have heard loud and clear from Canadians across this country that grocery prices need to come down. Our government gets up every morning and is working hard every day to lower those prices or stabilize those prices. Not only did we call the top five largest grocery CEOs to Ottawa, but we got them on board to work on action plans that would help stabilize food prices for Canadians. That is just what they have done. We are seeing those actions roll out, with price reductions and discounts on a basket of basic goods, and we look forward to future developments.

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Mr. Kyle Seeback (Dufferin—Caledon, CPC)

Oct/6/23 11:23:40 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, that is entirely not accurate. None of the prices are going down. I just read an article from The Canadian Press. Canadians know that all the prices are going up. In fact, The Ottawa Mission is now asking for turkeys. Why? It is because the price of a turkey has gone up 67% as a result of eight years of the NDP-Liberal government. The Prime Minister made a promise three weeks ago, so I am going to ask this again: Will the Prime Minister keep his promise to get grocery prices down so Canadians can have an affordable Thanksgiving, or is he just going to go back to Rideau Cottage and hide like he recently did?

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Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Lib.)

Oct/6/23 11:24:19 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action with grocery CEOs. They have gotten on board. They have produced plans. They are rolling out measures. They do not know what the others are going to do. They are going to be competing to bring down and stabilize those prices. There are many measures that we will move forward in weeks and days to come, and this is good news for Canadians, because grocery CEOs and those chains are now competing to stabilize food prices for Canadians.

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