SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 233 - Oct/17/23

Mr. Patrick Weiler (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, Lib.)

Oct/17/23 2:04:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, exactly five years ago today, Parliament passed the Cannabis Act, legalizing access to recreational cannabis in Canada. It created a $43.5-billion boost to our GDP, 98,000 jobs and over $1.2 billion a year in tax revenue to the provincial and federal governments. It also created a regulated cannabis market that protects public health and has not increased youth consumption of cannabis or realized any of the other fears that were raised in the debate in this place. Rather, legalization has meant that people no longer get criminal records for simply possessing cannabis, which unjustly constrained the ability of Canadians to secure housing, employment and travel for many decades. Canada became a world leader by legalizing cannabis in 2018, but our experience since shows that we must continue to work on the legal framework to maintain our advantage. We need to reform the regulatory structure that is causing significant challenges to the industry and those who would consider joining it. We need to improve enforcement to displace the ever-existing illegal market and facilitate the expungement of records for those who have been criminalized in the past. As this legislation is reviewed, I look forward to working with all members in this place to bring these and other changes into effect.

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Mr. Robert Kitchen (Souris—Moose Mountain, CPC)

Oct/17/23 2:07:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Canadian, Corporal Lawrence Robidoux, a veteran who paid the ultimate price during the Korean War. Corporal Robidoux was born in Radville, Saskatchewan in 1928, to parents Joseph and Eva. He moved to Rhode Island following World War II. Lawrence joined Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, at age 19. In June 1950, his battalion was the first to be sent into Korea, and in November of that year, Corporal Robidoux and 77 others were officially listed as missing in action. For 60 years, his family tried to locate his remains and, in January 2023, through DNA testing, the army announced that he had been found. Sadly, he died as a prisoner of war in North Korea, in May 1951. This past Friday, Corporal Robidoux's remains were laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours, giving some much deserved peace and closure to his family. His country needed him; he answered the call. We shall not forget.

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

Oct/17/23 2:08:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on October 18, we celebrate the courage of the Famous Five, trail-blazing women who, in 1929, succeeded in the challenge to the Supreme Court, when they referred the matter to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, thus leading to the historic decision that, yes, women were indeed persons and could become senators. The new definition was then adopted by many countries, that the word “persons” always means women and men. Last week, I was proud to attend and speak at the unveiling of the Famous Five maquette at Mount Saint Vincent University, a fitting host, given that the Mount is celebrating its sesquicentennial, 150 years of opening doors to women and girls. I thank the leadership at the Mount, Famous 5 Foundation CEO Frances Wright, maquette sculptor Barbara Paterson and all women leaders who contributed to such a meaningful event.

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Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Milton, Lib.)

Oct/17/23 2:09:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the violence in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel has left many Canadians in deep pain and in a state of trauma. Our neighbours in Milton have shared how the violence and bloodshed have caused them immeasurable pain, fear and heartbreak. Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism and anti-Semitism are on the rise in Canada and that is a direct result of the violence in the Middle East. This is completely unacceptable. I unequivocally condemn the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas on innocent Israelis and I want to reiterate the words of the Prime Minister. Hamas are not freedom fighters or a resistance. They are terrorists and they do not represent the very legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. Nothing justifies violence against innocent civilians. This senseless violence must end immediately. I call for the release of all hostages and strict adherence to all international law. I urge the establishment of a safe humanitarian corridor for essential aid for Gazans. Everyone I have talked to is desperate for genuine allyship and support. We must be there for one another. As Canadians, we are an example to the world of how neighbours of different backgrounds can live in harmony, how diversity is a strength and that peaceful coexistence is always something worth striving for.

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Mrs. Karen Vecchio (Elgin—Middlesex—London, CPC)

Oct/17/23 2:10:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years, mortgage rates and the cost of food and fuel are making it impossible for Canadian families to live. I have heard from neighbours and friends who have expressed that the NDP-Liberal government is out of touch with Canadians and is driving in the wrong direction. The Prime Minister promised to bring down the cost of food, but Thanksgiving has come and gone, and food costs continue to escalate. With the exception of only one Liberal member of Parliament, the NDP-Liberal coalition continues to support the increased costs of production and transportation of food by supporting the carbon tax. The only thing the carbon tax is doing is uniting Canadians against it. They are exhausted, desperate, failing and falling far behind. Canadians deserve relief, and the Prime Minister is not worth the cost.

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

Oct/17/23 2:12:02 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Mary Lamb, a palliative care pioneer, passed away recently in Oakville. She became the director of nursing at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in the 1980s, where she and her colleagues helped to pioneer the development of a palliative care program at the hospital. Mary's passion for dying with dignity led her back to the Royal Victoria Hospital for special training in palliative care. She always said that it was not about the quantity of life, but the quality of life. In 1983, she hired the first part-time palliative care coordinator at OTMH. She always had a deep passion for promoting evidence-based care practices, which led her to her interest in therapeutic touch, a recognized modality with the College of Nurses of Ontario. I presented Mary with a well-deserved pin in honour of her work to ensure that all people in Canada can die with dignity. I offer Heather and her family my deepest sympathy. May they know that Mary's work and legacy will live on.

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Mr. Jacques Gourde (Lévis—Lotbinière, CPC)

Oct/17/23 2:13:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Liberal government, after eight long years of disastrous mismanagement, the government is introducing a second carbon tax with the help of the Bloc Québécois, which wants to radically increase this carbon tax by twice voting with the government. The Bloc Québécois is not thinking about Quebeckers who are struggling to make ends meet, families or our seniors when it supports a second carbon tax. Voting for the Bloc Québécois is making our meals more expensive. Voting for the Bloc Québécois is making it more expensive to put gas in our cars. Voting for the Bloc Québécois is making it more expensive to keep a roof over our heads. What is more, the Bloc Québécois voted to repeal minimum sentences and voted against our motion on housing. The Liberal government is worn out. Canadian families are dealing with thousands of dollars in new costs because of massive deficits and punitive tax increases introduced by this government. The Liberal government refuses to withdraw its second carbon tax from Quebec, a decision supported by the Bloc Québécois. Quebeckers must not be misled by the Bloc Québécois, which supports the Liberal-NDP coalition.

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Mr. Marty Morantz (Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, CPC)

Oct/17/23 2:14:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on October 7, the world woke up to an unspeakable horror. Hamas terrorists had brutally invaded Israel, intentionally killing over a thousand Israeli civilians and taking hostage over 100 more. More Jews were killed that day than on any single day since the Holocaust, for no other reason than they were Jewish. They were children, babies, men and women. They were young people just out listening to music at a dance party. This was an unprecedented, brutal, intentional attack. We must not let anyone tell us that Hamas is the legitimate voice of the Palestinian people. It is not a government. Its members are not activists or freedom fighters. It is not a resistance movement. It is a genocidal, murderous terrorist death cult and it must be defeated. The Conservatives unequivocally condemn the invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists and affirm Israel's right to defend itself against these barbaric acts.

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Mr. Marc Serré (Nickel Belt, Lib.)

Oct/17/23 2:15:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the significant role that both mining and forestry have in my riding of Nickel Belt, northern Ontario and throughout Canada in ensuring economic opportunities for everyone. Strong supply and services mining companies part of MineConnect provide thousands of well-paying jobs all over northern Ontario. Last week, I chaired a round table group in Espanola concerning the closure of a local pulp and paper mill. The municipality has shown really true resilience. I commend Mayor Gervais and the council for their efforts to support local businesses. Mining and forestry are both at the heart of northern Ontario's heritage, with a highly skilled workforce, good careers to many generations of families, jobs for indigenous people and a strong culture of innovation. Canada continues to be a global leader for sustainable mining and forestry. As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, I ask all members of the House to thank the countless dedicated workers of the mining and forestry industry, FPAC, the Forest Products Association of Canada and the Mining Association of Canada.

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Mr. Taylor Bachrach (Skeena—Bulkley Valley, NDP)

Oct/17/23 2:17:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the memory of Sm'ooyget Satsan, Mel Bevan, a remarkable leader who dedicated his life not only to his beloved Kitselas First Nation but to the advancement of indigenous people right across the country. Mel wore many hats in his 82 years. He was a band councillor, chief councillor, band manager, chief executive officer, treaty negotiator, consultant and author. He was also a hereditary chief, a day school survivor, a fluent Sm'algyax speaker, a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Mel's greatest legacy by far is the Kitselas treaty, something he spent the last three decades of his life negotiating. When that treaty goes to a ratification vote sometime next year, it will stand as a great testament to Mel's vision and his love for his people, the Gitselasu. T'oyaxsut nuun, Satsan. May he rest in peace.

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Mr. Luc Thériault (Montcalm, BQ)

Oct/17/23 2:18:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Though rarer in men, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Some 28,000 Canadians are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Of course, the survival rate has improved, which is good news. To do even better, we must continue to screen for cancers to detect them early and, above all, we must continue to support the development of ever more effective treatments by increasing research budgets and providing talented researchers with the support they deserve. Our hearts go out to all those who are battling cancer.

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Mr. Ryan Williams (Bay of Quinte, CPC)

Oct/17/23 2:19:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after inflationary policies and eight years of the tax and speNDP-Liberal government, Canadians are paying more than they ever have for food, over 17% the last two years alone. The Prime Minister promised by Thanksgiving that he would freeze prices. Perhaps he meant by American Thanksgiving. However, it gets worse for Canadian families. For the 20 million Canadians who have a pet, pet food is up over 25%. Families struggling to put food on their tables are also struggling to put food in their pet bowls. Even pets know the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. The industry minister today said that he wished he knew what the plans were to lower grocery prices. The answer is simple: cut the excessive inflationary spending and axe the carbon tax. All Canadians know that with grocery prices up 17% and pet food prices up 25%, the government's handling of grocery prices is for the dogs.

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Mr. Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal, Lib.)

Oct/17/23 2:20:25 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada's Jewish community has been here since 1760. We have had high and low points in our history, but never in my lifetime has the 400,000 strong Jewish community in Canada felt so vulnerable. The dramatic rise in anti-Semitism over the last decade has been compounded by Hamas terrorists brutally attacking our friend and ally Israel. This week, hundreds of Jewish community leaders from across Canada are in Ottawa for a conference presented by CIJA, JFC-UIA and Canada's Jewish federations. They are here to speak directly to parliamentarians about the anti-Semitism that they face both online and in their communities, and to make important recommendations for action. Tonight there is a reception at the Shaw Centre. I encourage each and every member of the House to join me there so we can show solidarity with the Jewish community at this difficult and emotional time.

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

Oct/17/23 2:21:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years, eight long years, this Prime Minister is not worth the cost of mortgages. The cost of housing has increased by 100% since he took office. He printed $600 billion, which inflated real estate prices and forced people to take out large mortgages. Then, his deficits drove up interest rates. When will he reverse his inflationary policies to lower interest rates and allow Canadians to keep their homes?

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

Oct/17/23 2:22:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the austerity being preached by the Leader of the Opposition will not help anyone access housing. That is why we are taking bold steps to get more affordable housing built faster. The Minister of Housing is working directly with municipalities across the country to find ambitious, community-specific solutions to the housing challenges they face. We have signed housing accelerator fund agreements with London, Vaughan, Halifax and Hamilton, and we have just signed an agreement with Quebec. We will continue to be there to help people.

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

Oct/17/23 2:23:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years under this incompetent Prime Minister, Canadians are already living with austerity, while the government, which is not worth the cost or effort, is living large. I met a worker from the Seaspan shipyard who bought an ordinary house in Vancouver. Because of interest rate hikes, he is now paying $7,500 a month for his mortgage, and $4,000 of that is interest. Will the Prime Minister finally reverse his inflationary policies so that this worker can keep his house?

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

Oct/17/23 2:23:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what the Leader of the Opposition does not seem to understand is that the cuts he is proposing will not help these workers or Canadians. We are here to help Canadians with investments and agreements with municipalities to create more housing while ensuring that we keep the lowest deficit and the best debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We have kept our AAA rating. At the same time, Canadians have the right to know where the Leader of the Opposition wants to make cuts. Does he want to make cuts to child care or dental care? Those are programs he campaigned against.

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

Oct/17/23 2:24:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight long, miserable years, the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. He massively increased the money supply by $600 billion, inflating housing costs by over 100%. That forced one Seaspan shipyard worker, who I met last week, to buy a normal house for over a million dollars. Now interest rates have gone up because of inflationary deficits, something the Prime Minister promised would not happen, and he is forced to pay $7,500 a month on his mortgage while supporting his three kids. Will the Prime Minister reverse his inflationary spending so that this gentleman, his wife and three kids can afford to keep their home?

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

Oct/17/23 2:25:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, one thing is clear. The cuts, the austerity, that are proposed by the leader of the official opposition would not help that family, would not help Canadians from coast to coast to be able to afford a new home or the homes they are living in even. That is why we are continuing to work right across the country to bring forward ambitious and community-specific solutions to the housing problems they are facing. We have signed housing accelerator fund agreements with London, with Vaughan, with Halifax, with Hamilton, with the Province of Quebec and have more to come. The cuts he is proposing will not help Canadians. Our investments, done responsibly, will continue to help Canadians.

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

Oct/17/23 2:26:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the middle-class shipyard worker paying $7,500 a month on his mortgage is living austerity now. What the Prime Minister is talking about is abundance for the government and austerity for working class people, who must carry him and his overpriced bureaucracy around on their backs. That gentleman has three kids, in their adolescence, to raise, paying for their sports while keeping a roof overhead. How does the Prime Minister expect them to pay $7,500 a month to fund his overpriced interest rates that result from his deficits?

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