44th Parl. 1st Sess.

November 23, 2023 10:00AM

Context: House Hansard - 254 - Nov/23/23

Ms. Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, NDP)

Nov/23/23 3:15:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we now have an accurate picture of the infrastructure gap facing first nations, and the numbers are truly vile: $350 billion. This is first nations like Shamattawa facing a housing crisis. It is the long-term boil water advisory in Pukatawagan and 27 other first nations. It is crumbling schools, like the one in Tataskweyak Cree Nation. It is the forced isolation of communities, like Wasagamack and Pauingassi, that desperately need an airport. It is unacceptable, but what is the government's solution? It is cuts to Indigenous Services. Why are the Liberals punishing first nations for Liberal failures?

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Mrs. Jenica Atwin (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, Lib.)

Nov/23/23 3:15:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my hon. colleague's passion in this matter. I am proud to be part of a government that has done more than any other to close the infrastructure gap. We are investing in and working with first nations, Métis and Inuit to build healthy, resilient and prosperous communities for the long term. That is why we are supporting over 9,000 infrastructure projects, including indigenous-led Watay Power, which is connecting 17 diesel-dependent first nations communities to the Ontario power grid. We are going to continue following indigenous leadership to address the infrastructure priorities from coast to coast to coast. We know there is more work that needs to be done. We are committed to building this work with first nations, Inuit and Métis partners.

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Mr. Mike Morrice (Kitchener Centre, GP)

Nov/23/23 3:16:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, while a four-day pause is delayed by a day, Israel has only intensified its bombing of the Gaza Strip. For six weeks now, the government has been unequivocal in demanding hostages be returned, as the government should be, and yet the government cannot even seem to bring itself to say the word “ceasefire”. An estimated 5,500 children have now died in the Gaza Strip alone in recent weeks. Therefore, I ask again: How many children need to die before the government calls for a ceasefire?

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Hon. Mélanie Joly (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lib.)

Nov/23/23 3:16:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, of course, we condemn the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas. We are extremely preoccupied with what is happening in Gaza. I have said it many times. It is one of the worst places, if not the worst place, to live in the world, and too many women and children have died. That is why we welcome the humanitarian pause that will be happening, starting tomorrow, that has been agreed to between Israel and Hamas and brokered by Qatar. We will continue to support the fact that Canadians need to get out of Gaza. Civilians must be protected. Humanitarian aid must go. Hostages need to be released.

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The Speaker

Nov/23/23 3:17:43 p.m.
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I would like draw to members' attention the presence in the gallery of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 2023 Impact Awards winners. Some hon. members: Hear, hear!

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The Speaker

Nov/23/23 3:18:22 p.m.
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I see a number of points of order on the floor. I will recognize the hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona.

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Ms. Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, NDP)

Nov/23/23 3:18:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today during question period, the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake used extraordinarily unparliamentary language. It was slanderous. I bring this to your attention, because it is not the first time the member has spoken in that manner. The member used hateful language throughout question period multiple times this week. Today, he said a very slanderous thing, which I can say with all certainty is a slander because it was directed at me. The idea that the New Democratic Party and I would not condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack by Hamas is absolutely slanderous. The fact that we have called for a ceasefire and the Conservatives refused to call for that is something very— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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The Speaker

Nov/23/23 3:19:20 p.m.
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I see the member for St. Catharines rising on the same point of order. I would ask the member to be very brief and to the point. The hon. member.

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Mr. Chris Bittle (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Lib.)

Nov/23/23 3:19:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to confirm that I did hear that from the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake. When questioned on it by a member on that side, he said he was here for the facts. I think in this place we can be parliamentary. However, accusing another member of supporting a terrorist organization in this country is way out of line, and I hope, Mr. Speaker, that you will look into this.

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The Speaker

Nov/23/23 3:20:08 p.m.
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I thank the hon. member for St. Catharines for his comments. I see that the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake would like to get up. I do hope the member will be brief and succinct. The hon. member for Miramichi—Grand Lake.

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Mr. Jake Stewart (Miramichi—Grand Lake, CPC)

Nov/23/23 3:20:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, can I ask what the exact thing is that I am being accused of? It is unclear to me. I need to know the exact words, and then I will talk. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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The Speaker

Nov/23/23 3:20:50 p.m.
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I will ask members for their patience for a second. Colleagues, I am not inclined to repeat unparliamentary language in this House. I will review the tapes. If the hon. member for Miramichi—Grand Lake would like to get up, I would be happy to recognize him. The hon. member for Miramichi—Grand Lake.

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Miramichi

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Mr. Jake Stewart

Nov/23/23 3:21:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I will gladly rise. I still have not been told completely what— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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The Speaker

Nov/23/23 3:22:19 p.m.
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Order. I ask all members to please allow the hon. member for Miramichi—Grand Lake to respond. The hon. member for Miramichi—Grand Lake.

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Miramichi

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Mr. Jake Stewart

Nov/23/23 3:22:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, number one, I directed nothing at the member who is over here in the corner. My exact words, and I know the NDP is not going to like it, are I said that they were Hamas supporters, and they are. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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The Speaker

Nov/23/23 3:22:56 p.m.
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Colleagues, we are not doing ourselves any favours as members of Parliament in terms of the use of unparliamentary language. Especially if it is directed to an individual, it is clearly unparliamentary. To make statements which create disorder in the House is also unparliamentary. The Speaker is going to review the tapes and return to the House on this matter. On another point of order, I recognize the member of Parliament for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

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Mr. Michael Barrett

Nov/23/23 3:24:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, during question period, while the member for South Shore—St. Margarets was asking a question, the Minister of International Development called him a liar. Sitting so close to the good folks from Hansard, I can tell that they captured it in Hansard. There is an opportunity for the minister to apologize to an hon. member of the House for calling someone a liar. It is, of course, unparliamentary. It is, of course, unbecoming of a member of the King's Privy Council, a member of the government. He should not be recognized until he apologizes to the hon. member for South Shore—St. Margarets.

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