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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 236

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 20, 2023 10:00AM
  • Oct/20/23 12:02:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this is the same scandal that has whistle-blowers pleading for legal and career protection after exposing the latest scandal in this billion-dollar boondoggle. We know that everyone from the board chair to the CEO is in a conflict of interest. They all protect each other and they all make money, and it is all on the backs of Canadians. The Prime Minister simply is not worth the cost. Will the Prime Minister guarantee these whistle-blowers the same protection afforded to whistle-blowers in Canada's public service?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:03:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, when the minister became aware of the allegations of mismanagement in this particular case, he immediately acted to commission a third party independent review of SDTC. That review produced an action plan that, now, SDTC will implement by December. That will make a substantive difference to addressing the mismanagement. The highest standards of governance are the expectations that Canadians should have, and that is exactly what our government is doing.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:04:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what Canadians expect is that whistle-blowers, when they bring to light corruption within the Liberal government, will be afforded protection, but we have seen before how the government treats the rule of law. The Prime Minister blocked the RCMP from pursuing a criminal investigation into Liberal corruption by hiding documents from them. If anyone else hid documents from the RCMP, they would end up in handcuffs, but with the Liberals, what we see is the continuation of that cover-up. After eight years, he is a Prime Minister who is not worth the cost to our democratic institutions. What evidence is the Prime Minister so desperate to hide from the RCMP, and why does he think he is above the law?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:04:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is no surprise that what the member falsely claims is something that we take issue with. Earlier this year when the minister became aware of the allegations of mismanagement, he acted immediately and decided to conduct a fact-finding exercise through an impartial third party review. That third party produced a report, and that report has now resulted in an action plan that is being implemented. That is going to make a substantial difference in addressing the issues that have been identified. Let us make one thing clear: We expect the highest standards of governance from all federal agencies, and that is exactly what we are standing up for.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:05:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the well-being of veterans and their families will always be a priority for our government. We know that Canadians across the country also want to help those who have given so much to our country. Whether through organizations that provide housing, mental health services or assistance for the transition to civilian life, Canadians are stepping up to support our heroes. Can the Minister of Veterans Affairs tell the House how our government is helping those who support our veterans?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:06:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for his question. He is absolutely right. Canadians and other veterans are stepping up to help those who have served our country. Through the veteran and family well-being fund, we have been able to invest in innovative projects, such as the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, which will support mental health among veterans. This fund is helping veterans and their families from coast to coast to coast, with supports in areas ranging from mental health to housing, and we will not stop there.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:06:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court has affirmed every argument regarding the overreach of the government's disastrous Impact Assessment Act. Its effect has been over $100 billion of projects cancelled. No major projects have proceeded, and 42 projects are in limbo. First nations cannot get roads built to their communities. This bullheaded ideology has broken Canada's regulatory system. After eight years, will the NDP-Liberal government finally take a lesson, abide by the Constitution and stay in its lane?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:07:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after a decade of the Harper government, the Conservatives gutted environmental regulation and still got nothing built. The government is continuing to review the ruling and will have more information to share soon about aligning existing legislation with the Supreme Court's ruling. We have previously said that the current system will remain in place. We will have more to share soon, including any changes or guidance on the project. The Conservatives have zero credibility on the environment. They are just not worth the risk.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:07:59 p.m.
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Once again, before we continue with questions, I will ask members to please limit their comments to the people who have the floor. The hon. member for Calgary Centre.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:08:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would advise the member across the way that the last project, which was built was in 2016, was under the previous government's environmental assessment regime, LNG Canada. The chief justice is clear in his statement. He says, very clearly, that the federal government cannot overstep its boundaries into provincial jurisdiction. Who else has said that this bill was an immense overreach? Every province, over 100 first nations, industry groups across the country, the Conservative Party and anyone who can read the Constitution has said this. Will the NDP-Liberal government finally accept the decision, respect provinces and stay in its lane?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:08:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as stated earlier, when the Conservatives were in office, they gutted environmental protection, eroded public trust, discouraged investment and made it harder, not easier, to build projects. This is why we delivered better rules for environmental assessments to help move projects forward. While we are making amendments to the act, the Supreme Court was clear: “Parliament can enact legislation to protect the environment”. The Conservative Party's plan to eliminate environmental protections and disregard indigenous rights is reckless and unacceptable. The Leader of the Opposition is not worth the risk.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:09:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this week, the Netherlands agreed to buy liquefied natural gas from the Middle Eastern dictatorship of Qatar for the next 27 years. Last week, France agreed to buy LNG from Qatar for the same amount of time. This is in addition to similar LNG deals that Germany recently signed with Middle Eastern dictatorships. After eight years, does the Liberal-NDP government still believe that there is no business case for Canadian LNG exports?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:10:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is really shameful that the Conservative Party would use this humanitarian situation to peddle conspiracy theories. We need to work with our allies to deliver the clean energy they are asking for, whether it is hydrogen or reactors. If the member of the opposition actually cared about supporting Canadian energy and allies, they would not have voted against Bill C-49, which has created good jobs, improved global security and helped our allies.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:10:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know that some Canadians are really struggling with the cost of living, and I recognize the outstanding support of our Muslim Food Bank, the Surrey Food Bank and the Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Fleetwood—Port Kells, all stepping up to provide relief in Surrey and the South of Fraser area. Their efforts complement steps our government has also taken to help with the community and help them cope. For those looking to us for help through these tough times, can the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development tell us what Canadians should expect next?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:11:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have great news. Today, 3.5 million Canadians and over six million children will receive the Canada child benefit. I know that raising children is expensive, especially now, when the cost of necessities is high. Since 2016, this benefit has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. This is just one more way that the government is supporting Canadian families.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:12:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, for two years, the Liberal government has let a ship-breaking company in Union Bay break rules in sensitive fish habitats. This could put this important ecosystem, and 50% of the B.C. shellfish industry, at risk, threatening up to 500 jobs and the local economy. Local first nations, governments and residents are asking the Liberals to stop extending the permit that allows Miller Freeman to sit above the high tide zone. Will the government stop allowing this dangerous activity and further develop ship-breaking regulations to protect coastal communities?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:12:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Coast Guard is aware of an incident involving abandoned vessels at Union Bay, British Columbia. The Coast Guard is working with the Government of B.C. and is ready to assist with the situation as required. Furthermore, the Canadian Coast Guard has reminded the parties involved of their obligations under the Canada Shipping Act. We will continue to monitor the situation, and we will be ready to assist local officials if required.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:13:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government suffers from amnesia. It has forgotten its election promise to Toronto to help the city with its deficit, and it has forgotten the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, of which Canada is a signatory with obligations to support the refugees we accept. Under the resettlement assistance program, the government is supposed to help refugees get essential services and support for basic needs. Given last summer's debacle as refugees and asylum seekers slept on the streets, could the minister confirm that the government will provide Toronto with financial support to avoid a repeat, or does the government want to see refugees sleep in the snow?
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  • Oct/20/23 12:13:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as the number of refugees worldwide grows, Canada continues to protect the world's most vulnerable and be a leader in refugee resettlement. In 2020, Canada resettled one-third of all refugees around the world. In addition, between January and July of 2023, Canada has resettled 27,400 refugees, which is over half of our 2023 target of 51,300.
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  • Oct/20/23 12:14:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, looking at the Standing Orders, I am raising a point of order under Standing Order 18. I believe the member for Whitby made a very serious allegation against the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. During an exchange in question period, the member for Whitby said that the member “falsely claims”. He did not say “alleged” or “made an allegation”, which means he is implying that the member misled the House and was lying to it. I wonder if the member for Whitby could clarify whether he was saying that the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes was in fact lying, which would be a breach of privilege to mislead the House. If not, I would invite him to retract his statement and apologize.
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