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Nov/6/23 7:14:50 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, certainly one minute is not enough time to respond to what was quite a bit of rhetoric from the member. Let me start by laying a foundation. The member suggested that Conservatives do not understand the realities that our country is facing. I am the fifth generation on a family farm, so if the member wants to talk about the realities of climate, he can come and visit. I can tell him that for five generations we have figured out how to make it work in the special areas in Alberta. The Liberals are lecturing oil patch workers, lecturing energy workers and lecturing those on the precipice of ensuring that we have a secure, reliable energy system. While the Liberals try to put my constituents out of work, it is my constituents who have the solutions to ensure that we have a green and reliable energy future, which includes both traditional oil and gas and new clean tech. Let me finish by saying this. It is time for common sense to come back to the conversation, because the Liberals have lost it. Canadians are paying the price, and they cannot afford to pay their—

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The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès)

Nov/6/23 7:15:51 p.m.
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The hon. parliamentary secretary.

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Secretary

Mr. James Maloney

Nov/6/23 7:15:53 p.m.
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One minute is definitely not enough time to respond to that rhetoric, Madam Speaker. My mother used to say that common sense is not that common. I give members exhibit A. This government is doing everything it can to fight climate change. We are standing up for people in my community and we are standing up for people in the member's community. The five generations of farmers he is talking about are exactly the ones we are trying to protect. The sooner the Conservatives realize that, the better off we are all going to be.

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Ms. Lori Idlout (Nunavut, NDP)

Nov/6/23 7:16:27 p.m.
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Uqaqtittiji, in Grassy Narrows, the effects of mercury poisoning can be traced to 1970, more than 50 years ago. The Liberal government committed in 2017 to build and operate a mercury care home. Six years later, the ground has yet to be broken for this facility. I asked the Prime Minister in June when the suffering from the effects of mercury poisoning would end. He said that the situation “has gone on for far too long” and that he was “working...with local leadership and moving forward” on a solution. This potential project is another in a long line of broken Liberal promises to indigenous peoples. Chief Turtle wrote to the Minister of Indigenous Services on October 13 saying that he continues to wait for Canada to provide the full funds to build the mercury repair home. For six years, Grassy Narrows has worked to get the project started. For six years, it has experienced barriers from the Liberal government. While elected officials say that the government is committed to this project, approvals are delayed. The first nation has done what it can do to get the project started. Grassy Narrows has done everything asked of it. It has submitted the applications, done its due diligence and followed all the government's bureaucracies. There can be no more justification. It is the federal government's responsibility to provide Grassy Narrows with the care it needs, not to prevent that care from starting. The delays are not justifiable. Meanwhile, this community continues to suffer. Research published in July found that the youth suicide rate is three times higher than other first nations. Consumption of fish from mercury-contaminated waters has led to nervous disorders and psychological stress over generations. Mothers indicate that over 40% of girls have attempted suicide. Before the mercury was dumped in 1970, the community did not report a single suicide. The connection could be said to be clear. The Prime Minister once said that Canada's most important relationship is with indigenous peoples. So far, Canada's relationship with Grassy Narrows has been marked by barriers and neglect. What is Canada's delay in honouring the minister's promise?

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Mr. James Maloney (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Lib.)

Nov/6/23 7:19:09 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for Nunavut for raising the important issue of the Grassy Narrows situation. I can tell her that I have been to Grassy Narrows. She may have heard me mention earlier this evening that I was born in Thunder Bay, and I am familiar with Grassy Narrows. I am aware of what has been happening there, which is why I went. That is why I went many years ago. It is because I wanted to see first hand what it looked like and what conditions the people were living in. The member is correct. The Prime Minister has said on record many times, as have all members of our government, that there is no relationship more important. With respect to the specific project at hand, I can assure the member that we will do everything within our power to work with the community because that is critical in making sure these projects are not only completed, but also completed properly in conjunction with the community and in a manner the community endorses and respects. I will say again that I want to thank the member for raising this issue with respect to Grassy Narrows. I understand why it is so important and would be happy to speak with her further at the first available opportunity.

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Ms. Lori Idlout

Nov/6/23 7:20:51 p.m.
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Uqaqtittiji, when Grassy Narrows submitted more changes to the funding request, as required by the department, it waited eight months for an answer. The Minister of Indigenous Services met with Chief Turtle in May and approved the project. She said that everything was ready to go, but the government needed to get the funds from Treasury Board. She said that Grassy Narrows would see the funds by September at the very latest. It is now November and there are still no funds from Treasury Board. There should be no further justification for this delay. When will this funding finally be sent to Grassy Narrows so it can start building the mercury repair home it so desperately needs?

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Mr. James Maloney

Nov/6/23 7:21:45 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the funding has been approved, as the member quite rightly pointed out. The request has been made to the Treasury Board. I am prepared to undertake to explore this issue further and get back to her if she wishes.

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The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès)

Nov/6/23 7:22:05 p.m.
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The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). (The House adjourned at 7:22 p.m.)

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