44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 20, 2023 10:00AM
- Oct/20/23 11:45:03 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of mind-blowing, unprecedented, previously unfathomable increases in spending, the government's response to every question is to ask why we will not help them spend even more. Again and again, we on this side will stand up against an incompetent Liberal government that is leading us down a path of economic devastation.
Again, my question was reasonable and straightforward and I would appreciate an answer this time. What will the Liberal-NDP government spend on interest on its record debt this year?
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- Oct/20/23 11:45:45 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, they inherited a surplus. They turned it into a deficit, another deficit and another deficit. On this side, we put constructive measures on the table like lifting GST on the building of rentals for Canadians. They talk about an attachment that they have to a vision for the country that puts the middle class front and centre. It is not true.
Why are they proposing at this time, at a time when Canadians are facing a housing crisis, to tax the building of rentals for the middle class? It makes no sense. It is a reckless approach from start to finish.
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- Oct/20/23 11:46:25 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight miserable years, our military heroes can no longer afford the Prime Minister. The NDP-Liberal government keeps driving troop morale down and their costs up.
A recently leaked report stated, “Increasingly, members will release (from the Canadian Forces) rather than relocate to an area they cannot afford or taking a loss on an existing home.” The Canadian Armed Forces are in a crisis and are short 16,000 people, but the Liberals are pushing people away and making things worse.
Why is the Prime Minister destroying our military?
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- Oct/20/23 11:47:06 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, before answering my colleague's question, I would like to underscore that today, we remember Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who lost his life in 2014.
Regarding the hon. member's question, I would like to say that when we think about the housing situation, just last year, in our fiscal update, we put $55 million of support toward residential housing for CAF members.
I would also like to acknowledge the support we are giving to members when they relocate, like with the reimbursement of legal and real estate fees. We will always be there for our military.
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- Oct/20/23 11:47:51 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is actually repeating Liberal history, known as the decade of darkness. Soldiers and their families back then were forced to use food banks. There were slashes to training programs. They operated with old equipment and were sent to Afghanistan without proper boots or uniforms.
Now, this month, the headlines read, “Soldiers asking for donations to help with housing, food costs”; “Canadian Forces personnel leaving the ranks over lack of affordable housing”; and, “Federal government looking to cut $1 billion from National Defence budget”.
Our troops are out there fighting for our freedoms. Why is the Prime Minister attacking their economic freedom?
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- Oct/20/23 11:48:44 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for his question because it allows me to validate some of the measures and supports that we have put in place for our military.
As I mentioned earlier, we are reimbursing the legal and real estate fees. We are covering some expenses for dual residency for up to six months if a CAF member cannot sell their residence. We will continue to support our Canadian Armed Forces members posted across the country and their families.
For example, the post living differential allowance is intended to help reduce financial burdens for CAF personnel and their families. We will not take any lessons from that side of the House.
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- Oct/20/23 11:49:29 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada has supported international justice efforts in response to the wars in Ukraine and Syria, but has refused to support international court investigations in Israel and Palestine. The parties in this conflict and the victims of this conflict need to know that violations of international law will be prosecuted. This includes terror attacks and collective punishment. International law applies to everyone. There are no exceptions.
Why will Canada not support independent court investigations into violations of international law by all parties to the war in Israel and Palestine?
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- Oct/20/23 11:50:09 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, right now, the alleviation of human suffering is our number one priority. We continue, and will continue, to push for all parties to respect humanitarian and international law. This means access for civilians. This means accountability for those who do not follow international law. This means that we are using every diplomatic channel that we have to alleviate the suffering, and ensure that aid gets to the Palestinian civilians and that international law is complied with.
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- Oct/20/23 11:50:50 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the war between Hamas and Israel keeps taking the lives of so many innocent Israelis and Palestinians. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is getting worse by the minute. People in Gaza have very little access to water, food or electricity. They are forced to flee their homes or be bombed, and half of them are children. Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live in peace, and that is why the NDP has been calling for an immediate ceasefire and for the release of the hostages.
Why will the government not do everything in its power to save lives by calling for a ceasefire?
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- Oct/20/23 11:51:27 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada will continue to support Palestinian civilians in Gaza facing urgent humanitarian needs. Our initial commitment of $10 million in humanitarian assistance to trusted partners in Gaza will provide food, water, emergency medical assistance and protection services. We were the first western country to do so, and others have now started following suit. We will continue to be there.
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- Oct/20/23 11:52:01 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, national parks protect Canada's iconic terrestrial and aquatic environments, while provide opportunities for public understanding, education and enjoyment for these protected areas.
Having worked for Parks Canada for more than 30 years prior to politics, I can appreciate the importance of protecting and preserving the beautiful landscapes that represent the very best of Canada.
Can the parliamentary secretary share with this House the progress our government is making to protect and conserve these national wonders for future generations?
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- Oct/20/23 11:52:35 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his advocacy for Parks Canada all these years.
Yesterday our government introduced Bill S-14, the protecting Canada’s natural wonders act. This bill would ensure that, along with its partners, Parks Canada has the authorities and tools to protect these lands for current and future generations. This represents an increase of more than 12 million hectares protected under legislation, which is a land mass slightly smaller than the combined area of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
I hope all parliamentarians can work together to ensure the passage of this important piece of legislation.
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- Oct/20/23 11:53:16 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight long years under the Prime Minister, Canadians expect more than just empty promises on housing. Construction is down and costs are climbing way up. The NDP-Liberal coalition's inflationary spending feels like a cruel joke to those trying to afford a home.
The Prime Minister is just not worth the cost. Is it not time for some common-sense Conservative solutions to ensure every Canadian has a roof over their head?
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- Oct/20/23 11:53:54 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there is a bill on this floor that the Conservatives can get behind. The result, if they decide to support it, would be a more affordable situation for builders, because it would lift GST off the construction of rental apartments. They are not in favour of that. They want to tax the construction of rental apartments for the middle class.
On top of that, we are putting forward measures to help support builders by making sure there are training programs so labourers can be available. They have no support for that. It is an entirely reckless approach that they take.
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- Oct/20/23 11:54:36 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight long years of the Liberal-NDP government, seven million Canadians are now struggling to put food on their tables thanks to the carbon tax. When one taxes the farmer who grows the food and taxes the trucker who ships the food, one ultimately punishes the Canadian who buys the food. Now there are Canadians driving across the U.S. border to buy basic grocery essentials. The Prime Minister is not worth the cost.
Will the Prime Minister do the honourable thing, axe the carbon tax and bring home affordable groceries for all Canadians?
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- Oct/20/23 11:55:14 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Conservatives consistently use the carbon price as a scapegoat for global inflation in this House. I think they are having trouble grasping the concept of magnitude. The Bank of Canada governor recently said carbon pricing contributed 0.15% to inflation, which is equivalent to 15¢ on a $100 grocery bill. The European Central Bank said climate change contributes as much as 3% to the cost of food per year, which is three dollars on a $100 grocery bill. That means climate change has 20 times the influence on food prices than the carbon price. If Conservatives were serious about fighting global inflation, they would have a plan to fight climate change.
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- Oct/20/23 11:56:01 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, of all the provinces, Quebec is the one most affected by inflation. Quebeckers are spending 23% more for their groceries. Food banks are swamped with people no longer able to afford supermarket prices, but this is a matter of utter indifference to this government and to the Bloc Québécois, which wants to drastically increase the tax. Voting Bloc is costly.
Will the Prime Minister show some empathy, do the right and reasonable thing and cancel his costly carbon tax?
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- Oct/20/23 11:56:42 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for raising the issue of affordability and the Quebec City region.
She is a brand new MP, so she may not know that her Conservative Party colleagues voted against the Canada child benefit in 2016, before her time. Tens of thousands of children and families receive a tax-free cheque every month, lifting 40% of the people in her riding out of poverty.
Would she choose to vote against the Canada child benefit too?
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- Oct/20/23 11:57:19 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Liberal government, Quebeckers are getting poorer. Those are the facts.
According to Statistics Canada, inflation is rising faster than Quebec wages. What is more, the second carbon tax to be applied in Quebec will increase the price of gasoline by 17¢ per litre. Then there is the Bloc, which claims to defend Quebec, yet is further harming Quebeckers by demanding a drastic increase. Voting Bloc is costly.
When will the government abolish its carbon tax and give Quebeckers a chance to get their heads above water?
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- Oct/20/23 11:58:01 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when I talk to Quebeckers, they tell me that voting Conservative is far too costly. The Conservatives are proposing an austerity plan. They want to cut support for our seniors, support for families with children, the help Canadians need to make ends meet.
We are here to support Canadians. The Conservatives are not worth the risk.
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