SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 252 - Nov/21/23

Nov/21/23 2:01:39 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, on November 10, after eight years, the Beaver Brae Broncos were back playing in the finals of the Winnipeg High School Football League. The Broncos had an undefeated regular season to claim the AAA division regular season title and faced off against a familiar rival, the Fort Frances Muskies, at IG Field in Winnipeg. Although it was the Muskies that gained the final victory, I would like to congratulate the Broncos on an incredible 8-1 season record. I want to thank the dedicated coaches, especially head coach Chris Penner and his father, Ferg, who have been the pillars of football in Kenora for decades. As well, I thank the parents, guardians, school staff and all who support this great program year after year. Finally, I have to thank the players, who played with intensity, have a great work ethic, worked hard for one another and also played with class and showed great respect for their opponents throughout the year. They have made us all incredibly proud. Go Broncos.

171 words

Hon. Judy A. Sgro (Humber River—Black Creek, Lib.)

Nov/21/23 2:02:46 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 90th year since the great famine of 1932 to 1944 in Ukraine: the Holodomor. It was recognized by the Government of Canada as a genocide of the Ukrainian people, in which millions died of starvation and murder. Today is also an opportunity to honour the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people. As the world reflects on this painful historical event, Moscow is perpetrating its blockade of Ukraine's grain exports that has sparked grain and fertilizer shortages, putting millions of people at risk of hunger. This date is an alarming reminder of how easily we take some things for granted. Let us take a moment to commemorate the many victims and to appreciate the bread on our tables and the initiatives that are still giving access to food to those in need during these challenging times around the world.

146 words

Ms. Sylvie Bérubé (Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, BQ)

Nov/21/23 2:04:00 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, we were very sad to hear about the death of Charly Washipabano, an important figure back home in my riding. He was a member of Hockey Abitibi-Témiscamingue's board of directors and program coordinator with the Eeyou Istchee Sports and Recreation Association. Charly Washipabano was a former player with the Amos Comètes midget AA and Amos Forestiers midget AAA teams in the late 1990s, and he later joined the U.S. college circuit in New Hampshire. After his hockey career, he played a key role in developing hockey in James Bay as a coach trainer and coach of several minor hockey teams. In 2022, he was invited as a guest coach to the Montreal Canadiens development camp for hockey hopefuls. A charismatic and iconic figure within the Cree Nation, he left us far too soon. I offer my deepest condolences to his family, his friends and Cree communities.

155 words

Hon. Mona Fortier (Ottawa—Vanier, Lib.)

Nov/21/23 2:04:55 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the honour of attending a ceremony in the Legislative Assembly at Queen's Park to watch Edith Dumont be sworn in as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and the first Franco‑Ontarian to hold that office. Edith Dumont is a respected educator and manager with a lifelong commitment to education, leadership, and community service. Driven by a desire to build relationships, strengthen communities, create collaborative teams, and advocate for diversity, inclusion and the celebration of the francophonie, Madame Dumont's journey has led her across Canada and around the world, to countries such as France, Morocco, Romania, Rwanda and South Africa. A proud Franco‑Ontarian, she devoted the last three decades to supporting francophone communities while working at the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario and as a vice-president at the Université de l'Ontario français. We are very proud of Edith Dumont, the new Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

167 words

Mr. Ben Lobb (Huron—Bruce, CPC)

Nov/21/23 2:06:02 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-234

Mr. Speaker, today, farmers from across the country are in Ottawa for a rally outside the Senate. Why are they out there today when they should be finishing their corn harvest? They are asking a few Liberal-appointed senators to stop playing games and put my bill, Bill C-234, to a vote. It is a bill that would axe the carbon tax from propane and natural gas to dry their crops and heat their livestock barns on farm. Axing the carbon tax would save Canadian farmers $1 billion over the next 10 years. Farmers feed cities and they help feed the world. At a time when the high-priced, high-inflation Liberal government should be helping farmers, it instead tells them to install a heat pump in their hog barn. How out of touch can they be? Whether they are trying to raise a family, enjoy retirement or make an honest living as a farmer, Canadians know one thing: After eight long years, the Prime Minister is not worth the cost.

172 words

Ms. Leah Taylor Roy (Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, Lib.)

Nov/21/23 2:07:15 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, I joined our community in Coming Together for Peace, a gathering hosted by Karen Dale of the Richmond Hill United Church. I would like to thank Doug Loweth and Marj Andre for organizing this evening. I would also like to thank Sarah Loretta Schuster of the Turtle Clan for the smudging and traditional hand drumming, pianist Barry Peters and violinist Nadine Bargout for the soulful music, and all the speakers and volunteers who rounded out the evening. In candlelight, we came together to contemplate our common humanity through music, readings and times of silence. We gathered in response to the divisiveness and intense emotions in our community surrounding the war raging between Israel and Hamas. This beautiful evening brought together people of many faiths to focus on peace and have conversations to heal the divisions. Change in a country begins with one person. We each have the power within ourselves to bring about massive change through immense love and peace within.

165 words

Mr. Marc Serré (Nickel Belt, Lib.)

Nov/21/23 2:08:17 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I want to draw members' attention to a major development for the francophone community in Saskatchewan. On November 18, the Fransaskois Nation boutique opened a bookstore in Saskatoon. The grand opening was attended by many Franco-Saskatchewanians, who are thrilled to have a new French bookstore. This is the only French bookstore in the entire province of Saskatchewan. In addition to selling books, the Fransaskois Nation boutique offers its customers a whole range of products that showcase Fransaskois culture. It is important to promote Fransaskois heritage and nurture a sense of belonging in Saskatchewan's francophone community. I commend Fransaskois Nation for the grand opening of its bookstore, and I wish the store owners and all Franco-Saskatchewanians every success as they celebrate their identity and our pride in the French language.

135 words

Mr. James Bezan (Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, CPC)

Nov/21/23 2:09:26 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, today, we stand with Ukraine as Ukrainians mark the Day of Dignity and Freedom, commemorating the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2013. Ten years ago today, we saw the beginning of a new era for Ukraine. Young students craving change took to the streets of Maidan to stand up for their aspirations of Euro-integration and to reject lawlessness. They stood for justice, truth and freedom and our shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The world witnessed their strength and resilience. What started as barricades on the Maidan was shortly transformed into the trenches of Donbass, and, for the past 636 days, we have watched Ukrainians' heroic resistance against Russia's illegal invasion. What started as a defence of liberty and democracy has evolved into safeguarding Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Opposition to domestic tyrants like Viktor Yanukovych shifted to armed resistance against the barbaric raiders and terrorists led by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Every day, Ukrainians unite for democracy, peace and prosperity, not only for their homeland but also for all western democracies. Slava Ukraini.

189 words

Mr. Shaun Chen (Scarborough North, Lib.)

Nov/21/23 2:10:46 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, one in four children around the world is impacted by conflict and disaster and is more likely to be displaced or living in a refugee camp. November 20 is World Children's Day, an opportunity to recommit our support for the fundamental rights of all children, including access to education, health and nutrition, and safety from violence. Earlier this month, youth leaders from across the country were in Ottawa to advocate for the health, protection and security of children worldwide. They shared their experiences at a parliamentary reception I co-hosted with Results Canada, a national organization enabling everyday people to help put an end to extreme poverty. With over 500 million children facing crisis situations globally, it is critical to engage next-generation leaders to tackle the challenges of today. As we confront the realities of rising global conflict, let us raise our collective voice and champion children in emergencies.

153 words

Mr. Greg McLean (Calgary Centre, CPC)

Nov/21/23 2:11:51 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, for years now, the Minister of Finance has brought forward statements not on what will be done for Canadians, but on how she can throw money around to address the latest “crisis”. Let us go through them: an environment crisis, a cost of living crisis, a housing affordability crisis, a national unity crisis, an addiction crisis, compounded by a homelessness crisis, a food bank crisis and a spiralling debt crisis. These crises have been caused by the NDP-Liberal government. A rule doctors follow as a first step when taking action is to do no harm. The government's actions over the past eight years are killing the Canadian economy. Canada needs a new approach, one that puts results ahead of empty words and the splashing around of other people's money. It is obvious that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Let us start with balancing our budgets and focusing on building homes, jobs and futures for Canadians. Common-sense Conservatives will deliver powerful paycheques, not empty words.

175 words

Mrs. Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster, CPC)

Nov/21/23 2:12:57 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the most expensive government in our history, it is Canadians who are suffering the real world consequences. There are now a record number of Canadians who are using food banks. Housing costs have doubled. Canadians are reportedly cutting back on basic necessities just to afford their energy bills. The cost of living is spiralling out of control here in Canada, and it is the NDP-Liberal coalition that is responsible. It continues to hike taxes and add fuel to the inflationary fire, driving up interest rates. The only way to undo the damage that it has done is to reverse course in today's fall economic statement. Conservatives have provided a plan to cancel the planned quadrupling of the carbon tax, to announce a plan to balance the budget and to deliver a plan to build homes, not bureaucracy. Canadians are desperate for common sense. Let us bring home lower prices.

157 words

Hon. Steven MacKinnon (Gatineau, Lib.)

Nov/21/23 2:14:04 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to welcome municipal representatives from across the country to our great national capital region. They are here, of course, to represent their local communities at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Advocacy Days on Parliament Hill. The FCM is the national voice of municipal governments, with over 2,100 municipalities of all sizes, from urban to rural, and representing more than 92% of all Canadians. If we want to ensure that the realities of all Canadians are taken into account, it is essential that municipalities and the federal government work together. That is why I would like to thank the mayors, reeves, councillors, municipal executives, staff and the FCM for being here and working with us.

124 words

Mr. Richard Cannings (South Okanagan—West Kootenay, NDP)

Nov/21/23 2:15:07 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is in Ottawa this week to discuss the essential work its members do in over 2,000 communities. Sixteen of those communities are in my riding: Fruitvale, Montrose, Trail, Warfield, Rossland, Castlegar, Slocan, Silverton, New Denver, Nakusp, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Midway, Osoyoos, Oliver, Penticton and the regional districts of Okanagan–Similkameen, Kootenay Boundary and Central Kootenay. I want to single out Leah Main who is a councillor from Silverton. Leah is a champion for rural issues on the FCM executive. Municipalities are at the pointy end of the stick on some of the toughest issues, such as housing, climate adaptation, public safety, mental health and more. Small towns lack the funds to tackle these massive problems, and many even lack the HR capacity to apply for existing funding programs. We need to fix this with a more direct allocation of funds so that communities across Canada can do the work that we depend on them to do.

165 words

Mr. Luc Thériault (Montcalm, BQ)

Nov/21/23 2:16:16 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, this is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which we are marking with the Bowvember campaign. Quebeckers are especially motivated this year, because it was prostate cancer that took the life of Karl Tremblay, the lead singer of Les Cowboys Fringants. He was not even 50 years old. Growing a moustache or wearing the Procure bow tie is great, because it helps get information out there and it supports medical research. However, there is something even more important that all men can do to fight prostate cancer, and that is to get screened for it. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend a friendly invitation to you and to all my colleagues in government and in opposition that might, in other circumstances, be considered unparliamentary. My message is this: “Guys, go and get your prostate checked”.

138 words

Mr. Philip Lawrence (Northumberland—Peterborough South, CPC)

Nov/21/23 2:17:28 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, eight years of the NDP-Liberal government have given Canada the worst economic growth since the Great Depression. The OECD predicts that GDP per capita growth will be a paltry 0.7% per annum over the next 10 years, putting us dead last among advanced economies. We are facing declines in investment, innovation and productivity. The Prime Minister is just not worth the cost. This country is quickly approaching a fork in the road. Canadians can choose between the last eight years of record food bank usage, crime and chaos in our cities, and Canadians losing their houses because of high inflation and high interest rates or a Conservative plan that will empower Canadians to pursue their dreams unfettered by burdensome regulations, punitive tax rates and corrosive inflation. It is time for a new direction. It is time that Canadians started winning.

144 words

Mr. Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre, Lib.)

Nov/21/23 2:18:28 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the famine genocide in Ukraine known as the Holodomor, when Joseph Stalin closed Ukraine's borders and confiscated all food to destroy a Ukrainian population that was opposed to his rule. Nineteen people per minute, 1,200 per hour and 28,000 per day were dying of famine at the height of the Holodomor. The world was silent, and millions died as a result. My grandmother, Olena, was a survivor of the Holodomor. She once told me that she hoped the victims of the Holodomor would not only be remembered, but that they would be honoured. Honouring them for her meant not just remembering them or commemorating them, but taking the steps to ensure that a crime like this never happens again. Right now in Russian-occupied Ukraine it is happening again. Russia is killing, torturing and raping civilians. Russia is deporting Ukrainian children to Russia. Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine again. The only way to stop this is for Canada and our allies to give Ukraine the support it needs to ensure that it recaptures all of its territory, to ensure that it achieves a decisive victory. Let us do as my grandmother would have asked if she were here today. Let us remember the victims. Let us commemorate the victims. Let us honour them.

227 words

The Speaker

Nov/21/23 2:19:44 p.m.
Watch

There has been a request for unanimous consent to allow a member to make her statement again, because another member had walked in front of her at the time. Does the member have unanimous consent? Some hon. members: Agreed. The Speaker: The hon. member for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou.

53 words

Abitibi

Ms. Sylvie Bérubé

Nov/21/23 2:20:10 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, we were very sad to hear about the death of Charly Washipabano, an important figure back home in my riding. He was a member of Hockey Abitibi‑Témiscamingue's board of directors and program coordinator with the Eeyou Istchee Sports and Recreation Association. Charly Washipabano was a former player with the Amos Comètes midget AA and Amos Forestiers midget AAA teams in the late 1990s, and he later joined the U.S. college circuit in New Hampshire. After his hockey career, he played a key role in developing hockey in James Bay as a coach trainer and coach of several minor hockey teams. In 2022, he was invited as a guest coach to the Montreal Canadiens development camp for hockey hopefuls. A charismatic and iconic figure within the Cree Nation, he left us far too soon. I offer my deepest condolences to his family, his friends and Cree communities.

156 words

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

Nov/21/23 2:21:30 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, this Prime Minister is not worth the cost. A Scotiabank report indicates that government deficits, with the federal government deficit being the largest, have increased interest rates by 2%. That adds $700 a month to the average mortgage. For the average family, it means an additional $8,400 in interest because of this Prime Minister's deficits. Is he going to table a plan today to balance the budget and lower interest rates so that Canadians can keep their homes?

85 words

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

Nov/21/23 2:22:13 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, we are well aware that the Conservative Party's approach is austerity and cuts. We are investing in housing. We are investing to ensure that Canadians can live more affordably. We know that things are difficult for Canadians. Austerity and cuts are not the answer. The answer is strategic investments to support families, create the jobs of tomorrow and build hundreds of thousands of new housing units in the years to come.

74 words