Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change will host a round table discussion with Canada's top 25 financial institutions, insurance companies and pension funds with the aim of harnessing the power of sustainable finance in the fight against climate change. Can the hon. Prime Minister tell the House about this important initiative that will help Canada meet its greenhouse g…
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Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge. I appreciate this opportunity to participate in today's debate. Canada has a deep and long-standing relationship with China, and even in difficult moments, we can and must work together to resolve these differences. That being said, this motion takes a narrow view of Canada's potential in the region, and I would like …
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Madam Speaker, I would like to say that there are already two committees studying these subjects. One is international trade and the other one is foreign affairs. It would just be redundant to have another committee and stifle debate in this manner.
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Madam Speaker, as I said during my speech, this motion is unnecessary and will simply lead to greater ostracism of and discrimination against Chinese Canadians. We have been seeing it for many, many months, the attacks on the Asian community, and these types of motions only seek to perpetrate that kind of discrimination and violence against a certain community.
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Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada recently announced many contributions to support Quebec businesses, including $1.2 million in financial assistance for Chocolat Lamontagne, in Sherbrooke. Could the minister tell us how this sort of contribution will help this and other Quebec businesses that have received or will receive financial assistance from …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I do agree with my hon. colleague, but there are already, as I mentioned, committees studying these issues, and this place is a place of debate where we can openly speak about such matters. I thank him also for acknowledging that human rights is a very important and crucial issue, especially in this place. I will continue to work with him and other colleagues across the aisle to mak…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague for his question, but I do not agree with him.
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Mr. Speaker, early 2022 was fraught with uncertainty for many farmers and they have faced many challenges in planning their operations. Some of those challenges include increased drought and flooding, as well as outbreaks of livestock diseases, such as the avian flu. Can the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tell the House what is being done to help farmers manage these major risks?
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from the bottom of my heart for her heartfelt words and her support for the bill. It means so much to everybody across Canada who is advocating for women's rights, for victims' rights, and for the rights of children and of those who are most vulnerable. Kiera's death, as her mother said, could have been prevented if such measures had been put in place a lon…
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Madam Speaker, period poverty is a real issue affecting Canadians all over the country. People who menstruate should have access to menstrual products when they need them. Can the Parliamentary Secretary of Women and Gender Equality and Youth share what our government is doing to support menstrual equity?
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
moved that Bill C-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Judges Act (violence against an intimate partner), be read the second time and referred to committee. Madam Speaker, I dedicate my Bill C-233 to François L'Heureux, who was more than just a mentor; he was like a second father to me. I was incredibly lucky that he was part of my life. The moments we shared are among the most memorable…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I would simply like to thank my colleagues from the bottom of my heart for the words I heard here today. I am deeply moved. I have so much eternal gratitude to my colleagues for their heartfelt, compassionate and even empathetic words they used today in the chamber for this very important subject. I again thank Dr. Kagan and her husband, Maître Philip Viater, for their work and all …
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her words and for her advocacy when it comes to the rights of women and girls. It is very important that these subjects always remain at the forefront. Canada's foreign policy, and our government's policy, has always been to advocate for women's rights, not just here in Canada but all over the world. We will continue to do so.
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague. I very much appreciate his words and his support. He too is a man of dignity, so I thank him for everything he has said about the bill and his tribute to François L'Heureux. I am really proud of what the province of Quebec has done. Quebec passed legislation on electronic monitoring bracelets last month. We need to learn from other countries as well. As we…
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Mr. Speaker, Yemen is undergoing the world's worst humanitarian crisis and its people deserve decisive action, especially women and girls who are disproportionately affected. Canadians are deeply concerned by the raging conflict and the deteriorating food security situation. What is the Minister of International Development doing to help the people of Yemen?
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Mr. Speaker, by invoking the Emergencies Act, this government has ensured that law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to dismantle illegal blockades and clear the occupation. We heard directly from experts and law enforcement agencies how these tools were used to do exactly that. Can the minister update the House on how the financial measures continue to play a vital role in putting an …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, invoking the Emergencies Act was a difficult but necessary decision our government chose to make for the good of Canada. It was made after carefully considering all other possible solutions to our ongoing emergency. We recognize the powers of the Emergencies Act, which was enshrined into Canadian law in 1988, should only be utilized in very specific and dire circumstances. The crite…
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Madam Speaker, when a group holds a city hostage, when they hold its people hostage and try to compel change through force and violating the rights of others, that is terrorism. When a group scares people, honks throughout the night and people are confined to their homes, that is terrorism. There is a women's shelter here, where women who are already victims of abuse and have suffered trauma are t…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her speech, which is always eloquent. I think we all learned something from her today. What should a responsible leader, a prime minister, wait for before declaring an emergency? What kind of egregious harm should befall a country and its citizens before we do something, or do we stop it where it is?
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, this legislation does not force the provinces to use the measures in the act. The government is giving them the option if they need it. No one is being forced to use them, and jurisdiction is still respected. In order to solve certain problems, this legislation is indeed necessary.
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question. Yes, this law really is necessary. No one has been able to get the individuals on Wellington Street to move. The people who were able to bring about change in Coutts—
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, we respected jurisdiction and, as the Prime Minister said, if he were to be asked for additional help, he would give it. He was asked and he gave it. This was as quickly as our government could have acted. I really hope that everybody can get on board with this and realize that things need to be settled and people need to go back to their peaceful lives. They can continue protesting…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years of incarceration. We all know why he was robbed of much of his life. We all know that he sacrificed so much so that millions of people oppressed by a deeply racist and inhumane regime could enjoy the same rights as the minority that was crushing them. What Nelson Mandela accomplished for his country, on an in…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the government is not slow and it does recognize the need to protect our businesses, and we are protecting them, and we have been. Throughout the pandemic, our government provided supports to small business owners and independent operators to make sure they too could continue to survive. As my hon. colleague mentioned, it is important that we also continue to do things to stimulate …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech. First I would like to say that the coronavirus is in charge, and we cannot dictate to it when it ends. Could the hon. member please tell us how Bill C-10 would help?
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to Bill C-10. I will begin my remarks by reminding the House why this important legislation is necessary. It was introduced because it responds to an urgent need. This bill is critical, as it would provide Health Canada with $2.5 billion to purchase and distribute rapid tests across the country. This legislation would also create the nec…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague. I will provide a brief answer because we are out of time. We must listen to the experts. As Dr. Tam said, we were ready to reopen, but because of the omicron variant, we saw the number of hospitalizations, cases and deaths spike. No one was prepared for how huge this wave would be, but the government is here to reopen and to start getting things b…
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Madam Speaker, these rapid tests are incredibly important, and as I mentioned in my speech, they are to be used to curb the spread, the transmission, of COVID. When someone is asymptomatic, it does not mean they are incapable of spreading the disease to others who are vulnerable, such as children, seniors and people with underlying health conditions. These are things we must take into account. Jus…
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Mr. Speaker, this is International Development Week. We would like to thank the sector's workers, partners and volunteers who are working hard to improve the lives of people in many countries. This year, I would like to draw the House's attention to women and girls who face unique challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Can the hon. Prime Minister tell us what Canada is doing to sup…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as members know, February is Black History Month. Today I want to pay tribute to an exceptional Canadian woman, the legendary singer Eleanor Collins. Eleanor, now 102 years old, had an illustrious career as Canada's first lady of jazz. She was the first woman and first Black artist to star in her own television show in Canada. Eleanor Collins broke down racial barriers, paving the way…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Judges Act (violence against an intimate partner). Mr. Speaker, it is with immense gratitude that I introduce my very important bill to amend the Criminal Code and the Judges Act. I want to thank my colleague from Oakville North—Burlington for supporting it. This bill would protect women against intimate partner vio…
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Mr. Speaker, we know the vaccine is the best way to put an end to the pandemic and keep our communities safe. Can the Minister of Transport please share with the House the steps our government is taking to safeguard the health of Canadians and Canada's air transportation system?
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Madam Chair, I would first like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I rise in the House to talk about what Canadian Heritage has been doing to support the culture, heritage and sport sectors since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The culture, heritage and sport sectors are crucial to Canada's social and economic vitality, contr…
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Madam Chair, I have another question for the Minister of Health. We know that some people's mental health has really deteriorated during the pandemic. Can the minister explain what the government's plan is for the future?
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Madam Chair, I would like to ask the Minister of Health a question. As we know, vaccination is going to help our country keep moving forward. Could he explain to us what the plan is in the upcoming months, especially with these variants that we continue to face?
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Madam Chair, what has FedNor done to support jobs and growth in southern Ontario? As we know, without jobs, the economy suffers. Can the minister provide more details?
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Madam Chair, I would like to follow up with the minister. Could he please explain to the House if there will be anything special for Quebec when it comes to tourism?
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Madam Chair, the next question is for the Minister of Tourism. As we know, tourism is very important for our culture and our communities. Can the minister explain the importance of tourism?
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Madam Chair, we make better decisions when employees look like the communities they serve. More than 25.2% of Canadians identify as having a disability. It is important that more Canadians with disabilities be represented in the public service. What will the funding that the government is requesting for the Office of Public Service Accessibility be used for?
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Mr. Speaker, 32 years ago today, Canadians were shocked and horrified to learn that 14 young women with a promising future ahead of them had been murdered in a senseless act of misogyny, hatred and gender-based violence. Those women were robbed of the chance to achieve their dream. Can the Minister of Public Safety tell the House what our government plans to do to prevent such a tragedy from ever …
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Mr. Speaker, this past year has been difficult for all Canadians, but the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women. In Quebec, we are seeing a devastating spike of incidents of violence, in which 11 women tragically lost their lives. Could the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development update us on how our government is preventing gender-based violence and sup…
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Mr. Speaker, over the past year, Canadians have stayed at home to slow the spread of COVID-19, but for some people, home is not a safe place. Many victims of family violence have become even more vulnerable during the pandemic. All Canadians deserve to feel safe at home. Could the Minister of Health tell us how the government is working to support victims of family violence?
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Mr. Speaker, our government presented budget 2021 last week. This is one of the most significant budgets in generations. Our plan invests in those who are most vulnerable and in families from coast to coast to coast. Can the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion tell the House about the work our government is doing to bring employment back to pre-pandemic levels?
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Madam Chair, I would like to begin by offering my sincere condolences to the friends and families of the seven women who were killed in Quebec over the past seven weeks. These women were loved by their families and will be missed by their communities and their loved ones. I would like to share a bit of a quote about one such victim. Her name was Rebekah Harry. She lived not five minutes away from …
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Madam Chair, I would like to thank my colleague. I am pleased to serve and work with her on the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. She has a great deal of compassion, and I really like how she presents things. To answer her question, which relates to compassion, I find that it is really important to have support, especially for women. We see that women are becoming increasingly iso…
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Madam Chair, I would like to thank my hon. colleague, with whom I had the great pleasure of working. She always made me laugh as well. She has a great sense of humour, and I look forward to continuing to work with her. I thank her so much for her beautiful comments about the beginnings of my career. Things are never easy when starting out. I can give an example. I once went to court to represent a…
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Madam Chair, it is such a joy and a pleasure to listen to this colleague as well at the status of women committee. She is very, very passionate, and I enjoy listening to her and thank her so much for her kind comments. As to the hate groups, there is no place for hate in Canada. There is no place for hate in our society and our communities. I will definitely bring this up so that we can look into …
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Mr. Speaker, during their first virtual bilateral meeting yesterday, our Prime Minister and President Biden talked about the work to be done in the coming years. Our two countries agreed on a roadmap for a renewed U.S.-Canada partnership that prioritizes the fight against COVID-19, economic recovery and the global climate threat. Would our Prime Minister tell the House about the joint commitment t…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to Bill C-223, which would amend the Citizenship Act to require that citizenship applicants who ordinarily reside in Quebec must demonstrate an adequate knowledge of French and must pass a test on the rights, responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship in French. This bill would also increase the age range of applicants who must meet the language and knowle…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Madam Speaker, February is Black History Month, a time to highlight the resilience, many achievements and rich history of Black Canadians. This month of celebration and learning has not always existed in Canada. The fact that Black people were forced into slavery on the land that would become our country is a little-known chapter of our history. The ensuing fight against slavery helped lay the fou…
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