SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 317 - May/24/24

May/24/24 10:56:33 a.m.
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Re: Bill C-58

Mr. Speaker, what I find comedic is that the NDP member is not acknowledging that he is actually part of the government. He is in a coalition agreement with the government. Mr. Blake Desjarlais: Answer the question. Mrs. Tracy Gray: Mr. Speaker, he is tripping me up right now. He will not even allow me to actually answer the question. This is the trend from this particular member. It is unbelievable that the member is in a coalition yet is actually asking that type of question. As I referenced, we have Bill C-58 in front of us. That is what we are debating here today and what we will be voting on soon. That is what is before us.

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Mr. Rick Perkins

May/24/24 10:57:23 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the interventions from the NDP-Liberals are interesting. They go about an inch deep on a lot of issues. Let me provide a little more colour and give the member an opportunity to do this on the particular issue of foreign replacement workers in Stellantis. Canada's Building Trades Unions have condemned the government for its use of foreign replacement workers for non-proprietary jobs at Stellantis, such as forklift driver jobs. They have over 138 members sitting at home, unemployed, in Windsor, while the government allows Stellantis to bring in over 900 construction workers, most of them in non-proprietary positions. Could the member comment on why she thinks that the government talks out of one side of its mouth when its members are in the chamber on legislation, but when it is administering the law, it actually does the opposite?

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Mrs. Tracy Gray

May/24/24 10:58:27 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the government has quite a trend of doing great photo ops and making lots of announcements, but the follow-through is really not great. We see that time and time again. I have the letter that was sent by Canada's Building Trades Unions to the Prime Minister. It is very to the point about their concerns, which have not been eliminated or addressed. The government continues to deflect and be evasive on this issue. It is not being transparent. As I mentioned, a number of my colleagues at different committees, including at our committee, have tried to get information on the contracts in order to protect workers. If the government really had nothing to hide, why would it not be disclosing these contracts?

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Mr. Chandra Arya (Nepean, Lib.)

May/24/24 10:59:38 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, recently, I was pleased to attend the opening of Hollyer House, an affordable housing structure that has funding of $2.72 million from the federal government. Hollyer House is a new, four-storey, 35-unit, mixed-use apartment building in Ottawa's west end, the Bells Corners neighbourhood. The building also is home to a community health and resource centre, the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, and to FAMSAC food cupboard. The federal government funded $100,000 for the community room located in Hollyer House. Thanks go to the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa and Christ Church Bells Corners for making this possible. This is an excellent example where our federal government has partnered with a willing organization to meet the mutually shared objective of addressing affordable housing and other needs.

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Mr. Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon—Grasswood, CPC)

May/24/24 11:00:34 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my member of the Legislative Assembly in Saskatchewan, Don Morgan, on his retirement coming up this fall. Don graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 1978. Between 1988 and 1992, he was chair and CEO of Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission and was appointed as King's Counsel in 1990. Don was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in November 2003 for the Sask Party and has served ever since. He had a number of portfolios: minister of justice and attorney general, minister of education, minister of advanced education and many more. Don served his constituents of Saskatoon Southeast faithfully, and he will be deeply missed. Congratulations to Don on his upcoming retirement. It is well deserved.

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Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Milton, Lib.)

May/24/24 11:01:40 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as Canadians, we join in the celebration of Africa Day with immense respect and admiration for the rich history, cultural diversity and remarkable civilizations of the African continent. Africa Day is a poignant reminder of the lasting ties between Canada and Africa, rooted in the shared values of democracy, human rights and sustainable development. My riding, Milton, is lucky to have a beautiful, diverse and growing African community. It is a vibrant community that reflects Africa's joie de vivre and community values. I have had the great honour of visiting the four corners of Africa, from Morocco to Egypt, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mali, Liberia and Benin. I climbed Kilimanjaro twice to raise money and awareness for NGOs such as Right To Play and WaterAid. I look forward to visiting the great African continent again. Let us celebrate Africa Day and continue to advance the cause of peace, prosperity and solidarity both here and abroad.

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

May/24/24 11:03:04 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to three great Canadians who recently passed away. Jerome Abraham struggled with addiction for many years before entering the recovery program at Discovery House in Penticton. After treatment, Jerome went on to lead Discovery House through a period of dramatic growth, helping so many men get their lives back and return to their families. We lost Jerome to cancer earlier this spring, but we will always be inspired by his legacy. Laura Savinkoff was the centre, the heart, of a very active peace community based in Grand Forks. I last saw Laura at a workshop she organized to discuss the horrific situation in Gaza. She died suddenly two weeks later, gone too soon, but we will remember her spirit. Finally, I want to mention the passing of Dr. Bruce Falls, a noted scientist and humble champion of nature conservation in Canada. Bruce died last month at the age of 100 after a lifetime of inspiring service to his country.

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Mr. Jaime Battiste (Sydney—Victoria, Lib.)

May/24/24 11:04:11 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our love of music brings us together as Canadians, but it is tough for our working musicians right now. This week, I spoke to JUNO-winning musicians who spoke to the struggles of being a musician because of anti-competitive ticketing companies. Thankfully, the United States justice department has moved forward on an antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment for their anti-competitive practices. With this monopoly, it is hard for Canadian fans to support our local musicians and venues. Our world-class artists deserve full crowds and vibrant local venues. Our government has strengthened the powers of the Competition Bureau; invested historic amounts in arts and culture, including the Canada music fund; and supported live events through the boosted Canada arts presentation fund. Let us even the playing field so that the working recording artists and musicians who create the music can thrive, rather than the monopolies that squeeze our hard-working musicians.

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Mr. John Nater (Perth—Wellington, CPC)

May/24/24 11:05:10 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 80 years ago this week, the brave soldiers of the Perth Regiment were fighting in the Cassino region of Italy. On May 26, 1944, shortly after the Hitler Line was breached, the Perth Regiment moved into the Liri Valley where they were heavily shelled by the enemy, but the brave fighting Perths advanced forward. Over the next several days, they crossed the Liri River and liberated the town of Ceprano and moved forward to Arnara. Several Canadian heroes made the ultimate sacrifice. Among them were Corporal John McRobb of St. Marys, and Private William Simpson and Private Jack Bailey, both of Stratford. Private Wilfrid Scott of Cromarty, who was serving with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, also lost his life in that battle. Days later, the world's attention would turn to D-Day, but we must never forget the courage of those who fought and those who fell in the Italian campaign. We will remember them.

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Mr. Brendan Hanley (Yukon, Lib.)

May/24/24 11:06:11 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Illegitimus non carborundum was the defiant motto of the Whitehorse Star, a paper that, this week, published its last edition after serving the Yukon for 124 years. First published from a tent, the Whitehorse Star is a living record of the Yukon's colourful history. Fire and flood, disasters, royal visits and funerals, elections at all levels, first nations' signing of modern treaties, plane crashes, even Whitehorse's own dramatic events on September 11, 2001. Further back is the story of the Dawson City Nuggets and their intrepid journey to Ottawa in 1905 to challenge for the Stanley Cup. In more modern times, it seemed not a single event occurred where the Whitehorse Star was not there to capture the scene with photos or a story. The Whitehorse Star was local news at its best, connecting Yukoners to their local, national and international events and personages. This Star has set, but local news must go on. I thank the many dedicated staff who made the Whitehorse Star come alive day after day. Illegitimus non carborundum. “Do not let them grind you down”.

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Ms. Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington, Lib.)

May/24/24 11:07:16 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada came to Oakville last week when the Junior A Hockey National Championship was hosted at Sixteen Mile arena by the Town of Oakville and the Oakville Blades. Players and fans from across Canada came out to see their favourite teams battle it out for the 2024 Centennial Cup. The tournament significantly benefited Oakville’s thriving local economy, bringing in more than $5 million in economic benefit. I attended the thrilling final game, when the Collingwood Blues beat the Melfort Mustangs 1-0 to win the 2024 Centennial Cup. Congratulations to the Collingwood Blues on their national championship win, and to the Calgary Canucks’ Julien Gervais, who won the tournament's most valuable player. Sixteen Mile Arena is the only venue in Canada that has hosted major national events for Hockey Canada, Skate Canada and Curling Canada. A huge thanks to Todd Carey, the manager of Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Jamie Angus and the team for another successful event.

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Mr. Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard, CPC)

May/24/24 11:08:20 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after nine years of this NDP-Liberal government, more Canadians are hungry and homeless. The latest Salvation Army report reveals alarming statistics: 68% of Canadians now rely on discounted food and 44% have to cut the grocery bills just to make ends meet. A staggering 40% are forced to buy less nutritious food due to cost, while 26% skip meals because they cannot afford groceries. That same report now says that one in four young adults are relying on food banks. The Calgary Food Bank report says that 44% of their users are feeling worse off than they did last year. With so many empty stomachs and families continuing to struggle to get affordable food on their tables, what is the NDP-Liberal government's solution? Why, it is more big government greed. It is higher carbon taxes, more payroll taxes and more tax on tax. The residents of Calgary Shepard know that this Prime Minister is just not worth the cost. They want a common-sense Conservative government and they want it now; a government that will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime. Let us bring it home.

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Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis, Lib.)

May/24/24 11:09:23 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the National Field of Honour in my riding of Lac-Saint-Louis provides a resting place for over 17,000 military service members and their immediate families. It is also a valued space for the community to regularly gather to honour those who have served and fought for Canada. On Sunday, veterans, veterans' families and many other people will gather at the National Field of Honour along with the ambassador of France to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the turning point in the Second World War that was made possible by the courageous participation of Canadian soldiers. I invite any members who may be in the area this Sunday to attend the ceremony. At the same time, it is my hope that the government will soon be able to assume ownership of the Field of Honour and accord it official status as a national military cemetery.

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Mr. Michael Kram (Regina—Wascana, CPC)

May/24/24 11:10:23 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the Liberal-NDP Prime Minister, more Canadians than ever are hungry and homeless. The government recently promised to end chronic homelessness in Canada by 2030, but according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, chronic homelessness is up 38% under the Liberals' watch, and fully 80% of homeless individuals in this country are homeless purely because of affordability reasons. The Parliamentary Budget Officer's findings may come as a surprise to the current out-of-touch government, but they come as no surprise to ordinary Canadians. More and more young people are unable to move out of their parents' basements, and those who do often find themselves turning to food banks just to make ends meet. This is the reality after nine years of the Liberals and their NDP coalition partners. Everything is broken, and we need a new Conservative government to clean up the mess.

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Mrs. Anna Roberts (King—Vaughan, CPC)

May/24/24 11:11:28 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, a D- is what the NDP-Liberal government scored in the 2024 Food Banks Canada report card. A D- is a failing grade for a failing government. Poverty and food insecurity continue to climb. The Sai Dham Food Bank, which services 26 municipalities in the GTA, reported an increase of 36% in visits by seniors. In the month of April, the food bank serviced 60,000 families, a jump from 29,000 in February. This is shameful. Seniors need help. Canadians need help, but the Prime Minister is not listening. If children came home with a D-, any parent would hold them accountable. The NDP-Liberal government needs to be held accountable. The Prime Minister is just not worth the cost. Listen to Canadians, get out of the way and let Conservatives fix what you have broken.

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The Deputy Speaker

May/24/24 11:12:36 a.m.
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I need to remind hon. members to run things through the Chair. The hon. member for Ottawa West—Nepean.

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Nepean

Ms. Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.)

May/24/24 11:12:50 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday the UN voted to establish the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, when 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were taken by Serb forces from a UN safe zone, shot and buried in mass graves. After years of painstaking documentation, in 2004 and 2007 international courts ruled that the crimes committed in Srebrenica constitute genocide. I was working in Sarajevo 25 years ago. Every morning, I passed the mothers of Srebrenica holding photos of their lost sons and begging us for justice, like one mother who searched all of the mass graves for the red rubber boots that her little boy was wearing on that day. Those faces haunt me still. I hope that commemorating these atrocities will bring some peace and some healing.

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Ms. Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre, NDP)

May/24/24 11:13:53 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, many youth in Winnipeg Centre face unimaginable hurdles to success. We have one of the highest rates of child poverty in the country, at almost 40%, but Winnipeg's frontline organizations are leading the way and rising to this challenge. This includes Resource Assistance for Youth Incorporated, otherwise known as RaY, which provides support, services and training programs to youth who are most marginalized by systems, such as the Level Up! education and work placement program, which has empowered 775 youth to join labour markets or post-secondary education. However, funding delays by the Liberal government are putting this program at risk, forcing layoffs for 12 staff members and eliminating services for 80 youth at risk. Lives are on the line if we fail to get this funding in our community. All young people deserve opportunities to thrive, and the Liberals must end funding delays and give RaY the resources it needs to empower Winnipeg's youth.

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Mr. Martin Champoux (Drummond, BQ)

May/24/24 11:15:03 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Drummond has been on cloud nine since our Voltigeurs won the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's President Cup in four games against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. They played to a crowd of frenzied fans at the Marcel-Dionne arena, which was filled to capacity. It was a masterful performance. Top performers included Riley Mercer, a tough goaltender who frustrated opponents with his incredible skill throughout the series, and Vsevolod Komarov, a contender for the Canadian Hockey League title of defenceman of the year. How about Ethan Gauthier, a young man from my riding of Drummond, and the third in his family to wear the Rouges uniform, following in the footsteps of his father Denis and his brother Kaylen? Ethan was the team's top scorer, and ranked second in the entire league. He kept us on the edge of our seats all season, as I am sure he will again for a long time to come. The year 2024 will forever remain a high point in Drummondville's hockey history. This weekend, the Voltigeurs are set to play at the Memorial Cup games. This time, all of Quebec will be cheering them on. Drummond is ready for a two-trophy parade. Go Voltigeurs.

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Mr. Michael Barrett (Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, CPC)

May/24/24 11:16:10 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, food inflation has risen to a 40-year high and food banks across the country are seeing record demand. Canadians who once donated to their local food banks are now standing in line to receive help. People are skipping meals because they cannot afford three meals per day. It is a sad story, but this is the record of the sellout NDP leader. Since he joined the Liberal government, life has gotten more expensive. Maybe it is because his brother is a top lobbyist for Metro, or maybe it is because he sold out our farmers and working-class Canadians by repeatedly raising taxes on them. Either way, we know the only thing that the NDP leader is looking out for is his own pension. Canadians in southern and northern Ontario, Hamilton, Edmonton and British Columbia are turning their backs on the NDP and turning toward common-sense Conservatives in record numbers. Conservatives represent a return to normal, where hard work is rewarded, and not just for those who drive a BMW or wear a Rolex. Conservatives are going to bring it home.

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Edmonton