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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 331

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 13, 2024 10:00AM
  • Jun/13/24 2:07:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as you may be aware, the 2024 summer Olympics are next month in Paris. Our Team Canada athletes are a beacon of inspiration for our country, and they bring us so much pride and unity. This year, I want to recognize some of our very talented athletes from Brampton who have shown excellence in sports while representing Canada, athletes like Michael Ciepiela, who competed in last year's Santiago games in rowing; Scarlett Delgado, a champion boxer; Khamica Bingham, a 100-metre sprinter. Who can forget Brampton native Cassie Campbell, a two-time gold medallist and first female athlete to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Their dedication and hard work have made our community proud. I know we are all looking forward to watching our incredible athletes from across Canada compete in the Paris Olympics. Please join me in wishing all our Team Canada athletes the best of luck. Go Canada, go.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:08:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Vancouver has a vibrant and innovative cultural scene known for its firsts in Canada. Ballet BC ranks number three in North America. The VSO, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, featured students playing solos and complex pieces alongside the professional orchestra on the Day of Music last weekend, with five free venues across the city. Now they plan to merge performances of dance, symphony and opera to excite and titillate. Whether it is student dancers from Arts Umbrella on stage with Ballet BC or Bard on the Beach bringing Shakespeare in modern pop format to audiences, whatever the performing art, Vancouver is bringing a growing awareness of the arts to young and diverse viewers. We have full houses for live performances in my city. Vancouver is no hick town, colleagues. It rocks the Canadian art scene.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:09:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the tramway would cost every family in the greater Quebec City area $28,000. The cost of this $11-billion expense is absolutely supported by the Bloc. This is another example among many, including the $500 billion in centralist and inflationary spending for a massive Liberal government in Ottawa. The Bloc Québécois is not a party for the regions and it supports the war on cars with this Prime Minister ignoring the real needs of Canadians. The leader of the Conservative Party of Canada understands and respects the people in the suburbs and in the regions. He said yes to the absolutely necessary third link just as the previous Conservative government said yes to the construction of the new Samuel De Champlain Bridge. Common-sense Conservatives will continue to respect Quebec drivers by supporting a third link for cars. The Quebec City area and the Chaudière‑Appalaches region, including all of eastern Quebec, deserves this link to connect the two shores for the economic security of half of Quebec. Let us save our economy and support those who work in the goods and services sector, those who are building Quebec.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:10:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give a shout-out to Whitby's graduating class of 2024. These students are the generation that is going to change the game. They should not just dream big, they should dream bold. They should dream like they are the only ones who can change the game, because they can. They should think about how they can make a difference, how they can leave their mark. They are the ones who will disrupt the status quo, who will innovate, who will create and who will lead with passion and purpose. They are the one who will make a difference, who will make some noise and who will make it happen. As they close this chapter and embark on their next adventures, they should remember to chase theirs dreams, embrace new experiences and never stop learning. Their voices are powerful. They should not be afraid to speak up, to speak out and to be loud. Canada needs change makers like them, and their time is now. Therefore, they should make their mark, make a difference and make us proud.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:11:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, pasta e fagioli is an Italian meal served for centuries. Today, with the increase in the price of tomatoes by 63%, it is now a delicacy that is very expensive to make. The Parliamentary Budget Officer told Canadians that the Prime Minister had placed a gag order on his office, blocking the release of the economic impact of the carbon tax. As a result of pressure from the common-sense Conservatives, the Liberal government was finally forced to reveal the fact that the carbon tax would cost Canadians $30.5 billion by 2030. The Liberals have been hiding this report for years. It is time to come clean and release the report. Italian lovers of pasta e fagioli want to know so they can continue that tradition. Viva a tutti le italian .
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  • Jun/13/24 2:12:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after nine years, the costly coalition simply is not worth the cost. The incompetent finance minister is wriggling and squirming to find money to pay for her uncontrolled inflationary spending. What is her latest idea? It is raising taxes on doctors, home builders, entrepreneurs and farmers. Taxing doctors means it is harder to find one. Taxing home builders means fewer homes. Taxing small business means fewer paycheques. Taxing farmers drives up food costs. Canada's food professor said, “to suggest that this change affects only a minimal number of Canadians...is misleading...it actually affects a lot of businesses, including in the agri-food sector...start[ing] with farmers.” Businesses, jobs, doctors and food production will leave Canada. Everyone left behind will pay the price with fewer jobs and higher costs for everything. This is the opposite of fair. This is a unfair. Conservatives will restore Canada to a country where hard work earns powerful paycheques that buys affordable food, gas and homes in safe neighbourhoods. It is time for a change. Let us bring it home.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:13:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, any list of great Canadians should include the late Harold Thomas Herbert. Born in England in 1922, Hal served at the Royal Canadian Air Force as a fighter pilot during the Second World War, service that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1948, he moved to Canada and settled in the town of Hudson with the love of his life, Madeleine Lemieux-Herbert. He ran in the federal election and, in 1972, he won a seat in the House of Commons, representing the same riding I proudly represent today. Adding to his legacy was this. In 1982, he tabled a private member's bill that received royal assent to formally name July 1 Canada Day. The change from Dominion Day, he felt, would serve to bring Canadians together, anglophones and francophones in his riding of Vaudreuil—Soulanges alike. To honour his achievements, this July 1, the town of Hudson will add Hal Herbert's image to the Canada 150 Mural and honour him in a ceremony, a fitting tribute to a good man who devoted his life to serving those around him. I wish Hal a happy Canada Day.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:14:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, living with a disability should not mean being legislated into poverty, yet this is exactly the reality for too many. In my riding of Nanaimo—Ladysmith, I hear the heartbreaking stories of people choosing between life-saving medication or food on the table, between a roof over their heads or covering the cost of transportation. Over one million Canadians live with disabilities. Because of the advocacy of many and the NDP along their side, there was a glimmer of hope, yet short-lived, because despite the Liberals' promise to lift Canadians with disabilities out of poverty, they most definitely have not. Six dollars a day does not even scratch the surface of what is needed. People living with disabilities deserve to live with dignity and respect. We have an opportunity to lift Canadians out of poverty. I will continue to work day in and day out to represent my constituents, but I am not alone. The NDP will work for people living with disabilities to make sure no more people living with disabilities are living in poverty.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:15:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is strange to think that on Monday, we are going to have to get up and go about our day as though nothing has changed. Our mornings will never be the same again. After 30 years of morning shows and 20 years at the helm of the most-listened-to program in Quebec and all of Canada, Paul Arcand is leaving Puisqu'il faut se lever, the now legendary show on 98.5. However, there is no need to panic, because he is only leaving radio so he can take on new challenges. Paul Arcand has always been connected to his listeners, always in tune with Quebeckers. All the politicians who appeared on his show, many of whom are right here, decision-makers, leaders of all stripes, knew that they had better watch their step and choose every word carefully. There was no room for double-talk, intellectual shortcuts or half-truths with Paul Arcand. He was all about getting to the bottom of things. What a band leader he was. What a team he led that succeeded in captivating us day after day for 20 years. I want to thank Paul Arcand for all these incredible years. I thank him for always being there with us and for us. I hope his future is bright and full of new projects. We are looking forward to them.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:16:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after nine years, Canadians can be forgiven for thinking it cannot get much worse than this. However, the NDP-Liberal government has proven them wrong again, this time with a job-killing tax hike on small businesses, farmers, health care and home building. Experts have called it misleading to suggest that this change only affects a minimal number of Canadians, when it actually affects countless small businesses, including farmers. This tax hike puts the family farm across Canada at risk, jeopardizing the backbone of our agricultural sector. It will result in even higher grocery costs. This economic vandalism is the last thing our country needs. Instead, the Conservatives will restore the promise of Canada by making our taxes lower, simpler and fairer for farmers and all Canadians.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:18:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Davenport residents are heartbroken. At around 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, our beloved St. Anne's Anglican Church was tragically destroyed in a fire, the cause of which has not yet been determined. Built in 1907, St. Anne's Church was one of the oldest Anglican churches in Toronto. It was not only an architectural triumph, but also a rebel of its time. Modelled after the Hagia Sophia, it was built in the Byzantine style, when the accepted style at the time was Gothic. In addition, the interior of St. Anne's was decorated by members of the famed Canadian Group of Seven artists. St. Anne's, to our community, was more than a beautiful church. It was music. It was community. It was service. My heart goes out to Reverend Don Beyers, the St. Anne's congregation and the entire community for this tragic loss. However, we know that after the darkest part of the night comes the light, and St. Anne's will rise bigger and better.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:19:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this Prime Minister's economic vandalism and carbon tax cover-up were exposed today. Following pressure from the common-sense Conservatives, the government has finally revealed the data showing the real cost of its carbon tax, in addition to the cost at the pump. It is $30 billion, or nearly $2,000 for every family in Quebec. The government tried to destroy the reputation of the Parliamentary Budget Officer to hide this information. Why?
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  • Jun/13/24 2:20:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as we here in the House already know, math is not the Conservative Party's strong suit, even less so for the Conservative Party leader. I know that he has a hard time counting higher than six, the number of affordable housing units he built when he was the housing minister. The data proves it. I have it here. Eight out 10 families are receiving more from carbon pricing than they are paying. In addition, the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed that greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 25 million tonnes as a result of the implementation of carbon pricing.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:20:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this minister hid the data proving that this is costing the Canadian economy $30 billion. The annual cost for Quebec is $5 billion, according to row 17, column AN. Yes, this is costing Quebeckers, and the Bloc Québécois is voting to increase this tax. Why did the government try to destroy the Parliamentary Budget Officer's reputation when he was telling the truth?
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  • Jun/13/24 2:21:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, once again, he has proven just how ignorant the Conservative Party of Canada is when it comes to climate change, since federal carbon pricing does not apply in Quebec. Quebec has a system in place. The Leader of the Opposition simply has to turn around, look three rows behind him and a little to his left. Then he will have the opportunity to talk to someone who voted in favour of carbon pricing in Quebec. All he has to do is ask her for an explanation. If she cannot give him one, I would be happy to.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:22:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the economic vandalism and carbon tax cover-up of the government has now been exposed because of relentless Conservative pressure. The government finally leaked out, to the CBC, the economic hit Canada will take, originally reported at $20 billion. With inflation, it is $30 billion a year, or almost $2,000 for every single family in Canada. The government tried to silence the Parliamentary Budget Officer on this. How can we believe anything the Minister of Environment has to say on taxes?
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  • Jun/13/24 2:22:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague and friend, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, often says in the House, members of the Conservative Party of Canada are entitled to their opinions, not their own sets of facts. The facts are clear. Eight out of ten Canadian families get more money back from carbon pricing than it costs them. Not only that, but the data also shows that carbon pricing is already responsible for a reduction in the pollution level of 25 million tonnes. That is half of our emission reduction so far.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:23:18 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, those are not my numbers. Those are the minister's numbers. His own department released data moments ago showing that the real cost will be a $30-billion hit to our economy. This is above and beyond the direct cost at the pumps and in people's heating bills. When the Parliamentary Budget Officer said that, the minister denied it. He tried to gag the Parliamentary Budget Officer and shut him up completely. Why did the minister try to hide the facts and punish a legitimate, hard-working public servant who tried to tell the truth?
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  • Jun/13/24 2:23:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I think we have established in the House that math is not the forte of the Leader of the Opposition. He has a hard time counting past six, which is the number of homes built through social housing when he was the minister responsible for housing. However, the facts are clear: Eight out of ten Canadian families get more money back from carbon pricing than the pricing system costs. Not only that, but carbon pricing is responsible for half of our emission reduction. Because of carbon pricing, there is less pollution in the atmosphere in Canada by 25 million tonnes.
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  • Jun/13/24 2:24:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, that eight out of 10 fact does not include the $30 billion of economic costs; that is $2,000 of additional costs for every single family. When we exposed that, he denied it. When the Parliamentary Budget Officer reported on it, they attacked him and tried to gag him. The minister is not worth the economic vandalism. We cannot believe a word he says about taxes. He needs to resign. When will the Prime Minister fire him?
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