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Lib. (ON)
Hon. Anthony Rota (Nipissing—Timiskaming)
2022-12-14 14:02 [p.10865]
The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay will now lead us in the singing of the national anthem.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Lib. (NS)
Lena Metlege Diab (Halifax West)
Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to return to our ridings and families, I rise to give thanks today to my children, all of my extended family, my staff Anthony, Conor, Chris and Sam, all of my interns, and all who have worked to support me and the residents of Halifax West.
I would also like to thank all those who help us on the Hill: the Private Members' Business Office, our committee clerks and all of the analysts and interpreters.
I also offer thanks to the offices of our whips, House leaders and pages.
To all my fellow MPs and my Senate colleagues from all parties, I want to say the following.
I look forward to working together in 2023, and especially as Bill S-246 passes and proceeds to this place. It is a perfect complement to my own Bill C-268 respecting Lebanese heritage month.
I wish everyone the blessings of the season. Let us spread kindness, compassion and love.
I wish my colleagues a joyeux Noël and happy new year.
ChristmasLebanese CanadiansLebanese Heritage MonthStatements by Members
CPC (AB)
Kelly McCauley (Edmonton West)
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize two veterans from Edmonton, John Kennedy and Bruce Given.
John served for two decades with tours in Cypress and Rwanda. After retiring, John helped found the Edmonton location of the Veterans Association Food Bank, serving as the assistant operations manager.
Bruce served for 23 years in the forces, including tours in Croatia, Sarajevo and Haiti. Due to health issues from his service, Bruce endured extreme hardships, but with the help of another veteran, he was able to find a new focus and new purpose in life assisting other veterans like himself. Bruce became the operations manager of the food bank.
Together with other veterans, John and Bruce assist hundreds of veterans with food hampers and programs to help them cope with life in the civilian world. It is shameful that here in Canada veterans are relying on food banks to get by, so thank heaven for John Kennedy and Bruce Given for always being there to help veterans.
Food banksGiven, BruceKennedy, JohnStatements by MembersVeterans
James Maloney (Etobicoke—Lakeshore)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today concerning the recent by-election in Mississauga—Lakeshore.
First, I would like to thank the former MP Sven Spengemann for his seven years of stellar service.
This week we elected his successor. I offer my sincere thanks to all the volunteers and candidates for participating in this election and working so hard. It was a tough election for many reasons, not the least of which was that there were 40 names on the ballot. I would say to those who are trying to mock our democracy that it will not work and to not do it again.
Soon we will welcome Mr. Charles Sousa to the House. This is the last time I will be able to say his name in this chamber. Going forward, he will be the hon. member for Mississauga—Lakeshore.
Charles brings a wealth of experience to the House. He will be a great addition, and we look forward to working with him. Knowing Charles the way I do, we "ain't seen nothin' yet".
By-electionsElection of memberMississauga—LakeshoreSousa, CharlesSpengemann, SvenStatements by Members
BQ (QC)
Julie Vignola (Beauport—Limoilou)
Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to leave Parliament to spend the holidays in our respective ridings, I would like to take a few moments to celebrate selfless generosity.
It is the kind of generosity we see from people who get involved in their community for the sole purpose of helping others and bringing a smiles to their faces. It is the kind of generosity demonstrated by Santa Claus.
I actually know a Santa Claus. He is a kind and generous man of whom I am extremely proud. He has gotten involved everywhere he has gone, from the Lower St. Lawrence to Côte-Nord and Montérégie, with a few detours to Africa and Alberta. My father is "the" Santa Claus.
My colleagues may not see me as a gift, but my father is. Let us each, in our own way, be like my dad, people who are always generous and simply looking out for the welfare of others.
I wish everyone a merry Christmas.
ChristmasCommunity spiritStatements by Members
Lib. (QC)
Élisabeth Brière (Sherbrooke)
Mr. Speaker, last Saturday, I had the chance to participate in the Sherbrooke firefighters' toy drive. Every December since 1940, the firefighters have been handing out new toys to more than 1,200 disadvantaged children in the region, or roughly 800 families. I sincerely thank our firefighters for carrying on this wonderful tradition.
During this holiday season, many families in Sherbrooke are going through a tough time. I thank all the organizations in our community that provide some relief to these families, including the ones that provide food aid. Our government will continue to support our families and these organizations.
By all accounts, 2022 was a year of ups and downs. Let this holiday season allow everyone to come together with their loved ones and recharge their batteries for the new year. I thank the members of my wonderful team for their dedication and their good work.
Happy holidays and a happy new year to everyone in Sherbrooke. May 2023 bring them together in peace and good health.
Charitable donations and donorsChristmasCommunity organizationsFire chiefsStatements by MembersToys
CPC (MB)
Dan Mazier (Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa)
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to stand in Canada's Parliament and congratulate Dr. Bittoo Malik on being named one of Canada's top 100 most powerful women by the Women's Executive Network.
Dr. Malik specializes in diagnostic radiology at Manitoba's Dauphin Regional Health Centre and has dedicated her professional career to helping those in her community and across Canada. She has worked to advance medical imaging, helped shape the evolution of stroke and trauma assessment, and mentored many medical professionals who hope to follow in her footsteps.
The rural Canadians who proudly call the Parkland region their home are truly honoured to have a world-class physician in their community. On behalf of all Canadians, I want to thank Dr. Malik for her contributions to her patients, to her community and to medicine across Canada.
Congratulations on a well-deserved award.
Awards presentationsDoctorsMalik, BittooStatements by MembersWomenWomen's Executive Network
Lib. (YT)
Brendan Hanley (Yukon)
Mr. Speaker,
There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the folks who moil for gold;The Arctic trails and the winter tales Will make you long for the cold;The Northern Lights are beautiful sights, For anyone to see, For a night on the marge of Lake Lebarge in the Yukon is the place to be;Now whether you come from Calgary, to kick-sled or flirt in the snow, Or leave home in the south to roam up on Air North, God only knows;Embrace the cold, and the land of gold will hold you like a spell, And then you will say, in your homely way that you have never lived so well. On a Christmas day you can mush your way over the Dawson trail. Lose a toe on the way? That's okay, it will go in the next cocktail! Ring in the New Year in Beaver Creek, Old Crow or Watson Lake; Wherever you go, you will surely know many sights that will memories make.There are strange things done in the winter's night by all who would be bold; On Arctic trails amid moonlight spruce you will ski, sled, or look for moose. The northern lights are an incredible sight for all of you to see;Now I welcome you all to the land that I love, happy holidays all, from me!
ChristmasStatements by Members
Viviane Lapointe (Sudbury)
Mr. Speaker, for the past 31 years the Elgin Street Mission has served my community of Sudbury.
The mission provides two meals a day, breakfast and dinner, 365 days a year. Over the past year the number of meals has grown by 1,000 per month. With 90,000 meals being served yearly, as well as providing clothing, showers, and laundry facilities, the mission is a necessity for our community. It is a safe refuge in times of need for the people of Sudbury.
Throughout the month of December, businesses and organizations from the community will be helping to serve meals to clients, while raising important funds to ensure the mission is equipped for food and essentials throughout the year.
I want to highlight the important work being done by the Elgin Street Mission and the incredible team of volunteers. Without their dedication, the mission could not operate and support our community.
Elgin Street MissionFundraising and fundraisersSheltersStatements by MembersVolunteering and volunteers
Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Véronique Brunelle, from Calgary Shepard, who is the recipient of the 2022 Prime Minister Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM.
Véronique teaches at William Aberhart High School and works as a French immersion math teacher for grade 10, 11 and 12. Véronique is committed to innovation and her unique teaching style. It is not uncommon to see students writing on whiteboards, on the walls and even on the windows. Students are challenged, and she has especially worked to inspire and encourage students in their university aspirations.
Her encouragement has led to students joining the WISEST program at the UoA, which places young women from high school in research labs, providing teens with an opportunity to work on campus in a science or engineering related field.
Congratulations to Véronique. Her students, her colleagues and her Parliament are proud of her.
Brunelle, VéroniquePrime Minister's Awards for Teaching Exc ...Statements by MembersTeachers
Ya'ara Saks (York Centre)
Mr. Speaker, this Sunday will mark the first night of Hanukkah. In my riding of York Centre and in homes across Canada and around the world, millions of Jewish families will light the hanukkiah and celebrate the festival of lights. The light of the hanukkiah is a symbol of peace and life. As we add candles each night, peace and hope grow stronger and brighter. It is always light that triumphs over darkness.
This year, we have lost one of those lights as we mourn the loss of our friend and colleague Jim Carr. He was a model of kindness, compassion and selflessness in this House and for all Canadians. Jim's advice was always given with the love of life and country, a twinkle in his eye, a laugh and a smile. He was the eldest and wisest member of our Jewish and Jewish-Muslim caucuses. I can only hope that, in the time we were privileged to share with him, a bit of that wisdom has passed on to us. His love and pride of his heritage, the Prairies and the communities he was a part of were a source of strength for so many.
As we prepare to celebrate Hanukkah, may Jim's family find strength and comfort from his light and the legacy he held in the House, in Winnipeg South Centre and across Canada. Yehi zichro baruch. May his memory be a blessing.
Carr, JimDeaths and funeralsHanukkahJudaism and JewsParliamentariansStatements by Members
Len Webber (Calgary Confederation)
Mr. Speaker, the building of coal plants in China and the war in Ukraine show that Canada has a greater role to play in the global energy market.
If we better supply the world with energy, oil, gas and LNG, then dictators from oil-rich countries will not be able to fund their wars. If we better supply the world with our environmentally responsible energy products, then we can provide better alternatives to the resurgence of coal in China.
If we better supply the world with our Canadian LNG, we could help make real progress on lowering emissions by providing a cleaner alternative to coal. If we better supply the world with Canadian energy, we create jobs in Canada, we can build better communities in Canada and we can do our part for the environment and for global security.
We have the product. We have the people. We have the skills and knowledge. What we do not have is a government to champion Canadian energy.
Energy and fuelStatements by Members
Damien Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot)
Mr. Speaker, the carbon tax is, by Liberal design, an inflationary mechanism to drive consumer change. It has the stated goal of making Canadians pay more. Not only does it add directly to the costs of Canadians' bills, but the carbon tax adds to the cost of every step of the supply chain.
Let us take the example of a loaf of bread. Canadians pay the carbon tax on the inputs to grow the grain and then again to harvest the grain. They pay it on transportation and then to heat and store the grain. They then pay it on the equipment to process that wheat into flour, bake it into bread and transport it to the warehouse and then to the store. Every step of the process adds costs that Canadians have to pay, and it gets progressively worse with planned tax hikes.
With rising costs, record food bank usage and essentials becoming unaffordable, it is time that this out-of-touch Prime Minister and the left-leaning ideologues who keep him in power put their ideology aside and join with Conservatives to finally axe the carbon tax.
Carbon pricingCarbon taxStatements by Members
Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal)
Mr. Speaker, 'Tis the last sitting week before Christmas And one thing unites the nation.We all heartily dislike the scourge of inflation.It has been quite the year.Who ever thought we would seeOur very own Prime Minister Singing "Bohemian Rhapsody"?A different Queen passed away,Leading to great lamentationBut her death was quickly followedBy [the opposition leader's] coronation.The previous leader moved onWith barely a rippleAnd now Conservatives can uniteBehind "triple, triple, triple".
The Bloc's asking Santa for only one thingThey really don't want to take an oath to the King
I join the NDP as it wishes toChange our lawsTo get rid of the pre-emptive useOf the notwithstanding clause.And as for the GreensTheir leadership has created quite the fussBecause their very ownHas lasted a thousand times longer than Truss.With Hanukkah, Christmas and festive timesAbout to occur,I wish all my colleagues and CanadiansA happy and healthy new year.
Holiday SeasonStatements by Members
NDP (ON)
Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing)
Mr. Speaker, we have a duty to take bold measures to deal with the climate crisis and build a strong economy while creating a work environment that helps women thrive and closes the gender wage gap.
By making a just transition, we can create the green energy jobs of the future and attract more women to the skilled trades.
This new economy can lift women and their families out of poverty, providing them with training and sustainable job opportunities currently not offered in our traditional natural resources sector. This work must start now. Just transition legislation should focus on delivering a credible plan for clean energy jobs, provide training programs for women in the industry and create affordable child care spaces that respond to the reality of shift work.
Organizations such as the Alberta Federation of Labour have been clear that just transition legislation can no longer be delayed. Canadians know we need to deal with climate change, and we must do all that we can to ensure that women are at the forefront of this new energy economy.
Climate change and global warmingEnergy transitionLabour forceStatements by MembersWomen
Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly)
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that this is our last sitting in the House in 2022. I would like to say that a bit of fresh air will be good for our spirits. At the same time, not much was accomplished by all the shouting, which often owed more to showmanship than sincerity.
As we extend holiday greetings to our constituents, it is both my duty and my desire to tell them to take care of themselves. A faltering health care facility is no place to spend the holidays. A pair of handcuffs is no way to greet the desperate people finding their way to Roxham Road. A lack of support for new Quebeckers to learn the French language, a fundamental tool they will need to function in a French-speaking society, is no kind of gift.
If we are the wiser for sleeping on a problem, imagine what several weeks off could do. I sincerely wish all my colleagues in the House a very merry Christmas and a happy 2023.
My last word is for you, Mr. Speaker, along with the parliamentary staff, from the cooks to the pages, the security staff and yourself. Your patience and smiling faces remind us that we are here for the common good. Happy holidays to all of you and to Quebeckers.
CPC (ON)
Scott Reid (Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston)
Mr. Speaker,'Tis just before Christmas, and 'tis both strange and true,That our home's Yule colours will be yellow and blue.That's not red, green and white, so let me explainThat our house is home to six guests from Ukraine.It was back in the spring that from Dnipro they flew:Two parents, three children and a babushka too.Our home town of Perth is a welcoming place;You'll fit in, regardless of language or race.Our guests live in our house; they've helped deck the halls,The kids making snowmen and throwing snowballs,But when those three kids nestle snug in their beds,It's visions of home that must dance in their heads,And how does a mom focus on the right gift to buyWhen back home the missiles still drop each day from the sky?And then there's the dad, who deserves admiration;He must balance his duties to family and nation.For exiles, no Christmas can be truly mellowSo our Christmas this year will be blue and yellow.
ChristmasRefugeesRussiaStatements by MembersUkraineWar
Francesco Sorbara (Vaughan—Woodbridge)
Mr. Speaker, as the son of immigrants, I say that it is embedded in us to seize every opportunity to work hard, give back to our communities and continue building a better Canada that works for everyone. This is a simple teaching that has become a beacon for many, and a reason for the residents of Mississauga—Lakeshore to elect a new MP, my dear friend Charles Sousa.
On this side of the house we know that a prosperous future for all Canadians requires responsible leadership and targeted support. That is why we show up. Our Prime Minister was in Mississauga—Lakeshore, unlike the Leader of the Opposition. Plainly and simply, our government has been there for Canadians through every challenge by putting more money back in their pockets when they need it most.
Our commitment is unwavering. This Christmas, families in Mississauga—Lakeshore, Vaughan—Woodbridge and across the country will continue to receive direct support from the programs our government has put forward, programs the people of Mississauga—Lakeshore clearly support.
To all Canadians, and those residents in my riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge, I thank them for a year led by their generosity and compassion.
Merry Christmas, buon natale and happy new year.
By-electionsChristmasElection of memberMississauga—LakeshoreSousa, CharlesStatements by Members
Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Carleton)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by wishing everyone a merry Christmas and happy holidays. However, it will not be very happy for some people. Unfortunately, the cost of putting Christmas dinner on the table has gone up by 20% since 2021. In fact, one Mississauga food bank has reported that not only are people visiting the food bank for food, but some of its client have said they are contemplating medical assistance in dying because they cannot afford to pay their bills.
How can the Prime Minister justify wasting so much money when people cannot even afford to eat?
Cost of livingEconomic policyInflationOral questions
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Papineau)
Mr. Speaker, I join all my colleagues in wishing everyone a merry Christmas. We recognize that the holiday season will be difficult for many Canadians with the cost of living tied to global inflation. Times are tough. That is why we have been there to invest in families by doubling the GST credit, providing assistance for dental care for children who did not have access to it, providing assistance for low-income renters and cutting child care costs in half. We will continue to be there for Canadians this year, next year and in the future.
Mr. Speaker, all his promises are not working.
We wish everyone a merry Christmas, but it will not be merry for a lot of people. One in five Canadians are skipping meals. There is a 20% increase in the cost of a turkey dinner for the average family. One Ontario food bank CEO said, "clients...are telling us they're considering medically assisted death or suicide because they can't live in grinding poverty anymore."
This is after seven years of the Prime Minister. He can promise whatever he wants, but these are the results he has actually delivered.
How does he justify the $4.6 billion of waste when people cannot afford to eat?
Mr. Speaker, we know Canadians are facing difficult times, but we also know Canadians continue to step up for each other. That is why this government has continued to move forward with direct supports for Canadians, whether it was doubling the GST credit for six months, which gave hundreds of dollars more in the pockets of 11 million families, or whether it was moving forward on rental supports and dental support for low-income Canadians.
These are things the Conservative Party voted against, but we are delivering $1,300 over the next two years for families to help with bills on dental. We are delivering $500 on rental. We are going to continue to deliver for Canadians through this tough time.
Mr. Speaker, what he has delivered is a 40-year-high inflation, the fastest-rising interest rates in Canadian history and one in five Canadians not being able to afford food. What for? According to the Auditor General, there is $28 billion of suspicious spending and another $4.6 billion of outright waste, money that is driving up the inflationary prices Canadians are paying right now. He gave cheques to dead people and prisoners.
When will he recover the $4.6 billion of wasted money the Auditor General identified?
COVID-19Government expendituresInflationOral questionsOverpaymentsPandemic
Mr. Speaker, Canadians will remember that when we hit the challenge of the pandemic, we needed to be there for each other. The government made the decision to move quickly to support Canadians, to support families, to support workers, to support seniors, to support youth and to move forward on supporting small businesses.
This was not only so that people could get through the pandemic and the health crisis that it was, but also so we could weather the economic storm that came with it. That is exactly what we did, and we saw our economy come back faster than most of our fellow economies around the world.
We are going to continue to support Canadians and make those investments that keep a better future.
Mr. Speaker, this is where the money went, though, according to the Auditor General: 1,500 prisoners got the money, dead people got the money, $60 million dollars of the money is under criminal investigation and $4.6 billion was wasted altogether.
The question was very simple. On what date will this Prime Minister and his government recover the $4.6 billion of waste identified by the Auditor General to date?
Mr. Speaker, Canadians, like the Canadians in Mississauga—Lakeshore, recognize the rhetoric from the Leader of the Opposition for what it is. The Conservatives are proposing cuts in Canadian pensions, proposing cuts for EI and proposing to do less for Canadians who need it. They voted against supports to make sure that families could send their kids to the dentist this year and next.
These are the kinds of things the Conservatives continue to propose in their "cuts and austerity" approach. On this side of the aisle, we will continue to be there to support Canadians who need it, because that is who are we are as Canadians. We support each other.
Mr. Speaker, this is from a Prime Minister who is deliberately driving up home heating bills this winter. Home heating bills are expected to double right across the country. Forty per cent of Atlantic Canadians live in energy poverty. Rural Canadians in northern Ontario who are forced to heat with oil will have to pay more as well. Now the Liberal-NDP plan is to raise prices further by tripling the carbon tax.
Will the Prime Minister tell us exactly how much his carbon tax will cost the average Canadian family in higher home heating bills this winter?
Carbon taxCost of livingIndoor heating systemsInflationOral questions
Mr. Speaker, the carbon price in Atlantic Canada does not kick in until the spring, so it will not cost them any more this winter. If he had actually paid attention, instead of sharing disinformation with Canadians, he would know that.
The reality is that we are delivering a price on pollution that makes sure we are not only protecting our future against climate change but we are also putting more money in the pockets of hard-working Canadians to support them through this transition. That is what a price on pollution does. That is what it will continue to do. It will support Canadians while we fight climate change.
Mr. Speaker, how about a little holiday spirit? The Prime Minister got a generous invitation from the provincial premiers. It is like a family gathering. Maybe they will talk to him about an old aunt who is sick. They will talk about how expensive it is. He will find it tedious, but one does not turn down that kind of invitation. It is simply not done.
In the spirit of the holidays, will the Prime Minister accept the invitation of Quebec and the provinces?
Canada Health TransferHealth care systemOral questions
Mr. Speaker, no other prime minister in our country's history has met with the provincial premiers to discuss a health crisis more than I have.
I will continue to meet with the premiers regularly. I am looking forward to sitting down with the Premier of Quebec in a few days to talk about Quebeckers' concerns and discuss how we can continue to work together. We know that our health care systems need improvement. The federal government will be there to support the provinces while they make those improvements. We know how important this is to families across the country.
Yves-François Blanchet - 14:31
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Lamoureux, Kevin
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Province / Territory
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