Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member talked about Canadians pulling together and getting vaccinated, and I agree. She is right that Canadians did pull together and get vaccinated, but now I am hearing from people who want to get their businesses back up and running at full capacity and see people go back to work. I am hearing from parents who want their children to be able to live a normal life again. I am hea…
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Mr. Speaker, Alberta families are feeling the squeeze as the cost of everyday essentials continues to rise. The cost of groceries and housing is through the roof, and with record high prices at the pumps, just getting to work is becoming unaffordable. Not everyone can work from home, and when people have to decide between putting gas in their cars and putting food on their tables, something has go…
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Mr. Speaker, it is about time the government actually does start to listen to some of the Conservative economic advice. As if the cost of living crisis was not hard enough for Alberta families, the government is also attacking their livelihoods. Canadian-made natural resources are a cornerstone of our economy and our Canadian identity. Alberta's oil and gas workers keep us warm, support our famili…
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With regard to the economic impact of the COVID-19 negative molecular test requirement for fully vaccinated travelers on the tourism industry in Alberta: (a) what was the number of foreign international travelers who arrived at the land border crossings in Alberta, broken down by month since the border opened for non-essential arrivals on August 9, 2021; (b) what is the breakdown of (a) by point o…
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Madam Speaker, I would request a recorded division.
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Mr. Speaker, we agree to apply the vote, with Conservatives voting no.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we agree to apply the vote, and the official opposition votes no.
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Mr. Speaker, amidst the cost-of-living crisis, hard-working Albertans are being forced to pay more and more for everyday goods. For example, I recently heard from a constituent who had to pay more than $77 for two small cuts of beef, and yet the Liberals seem content to just dismiss the real-life implications of this crisis as simply a global issue, but that does not help my constituents afford th…
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Mr. Speaker, we agree to apply the vote, with Conservative members voting no.
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Mr. Speaker, in my riding, there are entire areas in towns like Canmore where people are living in their vehicles. What does the member say to them? There are parents who have to make a decision about whether they are going to give their kids lunches for school or a Christmas gift. What does he say to them? There are people who cannot afford gas to drive to work. There are seniors who cannot affor…
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Madam Speaker, we request a recorded division.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded division.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on the same point of order very briefly to respond to some of the comments made by the member for Timmins—James Bay. He made comments that were completely and utterly false. Those comments were baseless of any facts at all. I want to make it clear that the Conservatives have followed, and will continue to follow, all of the public health guidance in this place.
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, in response to the ruling from the Chair just a few moments ago, I do thank the Speaker for that ruling. I believe he certainly has established that the principle that the Board of the Internal Economy does not have the independent authority to deny members access to the precinct. Therefore, I am satisfied with the ruling, and I think the fact that the precedent has been set is sati…
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Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. I am not sure if it was to receive instructions from the PMO that he was passing along to the government House leader, but the member for Winnipeg North, sitting beside the government House leader today during question period, was seen with an ear bud in his ear and speaking actively into a telephone throughout question period. I think you, Mr. Speaker…
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Mr. Speaker, I respect that, and as I have indicated, I will be cautious. I want to make it clear that I am questioning the jurisdiction of the board to be able to make that decision, not the decision itself, because I do believe vaccines are critically important in conquering COVID-19. Conservatives have said the entire time that vaccines are the safest and most effective way to reduce the spread…
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Mr. Speaker, I also rise on a question of privilege. However, as this is my first time rising in this Parliament, I would like to congratulate you on your election as Speaker. I know you will face a number of challenges, as you did in the last Parliament, and that you will handle them with the same tact, grace and dignity that you always have. Congratulations from this side of the House on your co…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate and know that your intentions here are good, that you are looking to find a way to resolve the matter, and that is appreciated. I know that is important to you as well. If what I am hearing is right, the member is trying to make the arguments and make the case that she believes there is another avenue that should be taken. I do think it is important for you, before making…
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Mr. Speaker, I would agree that it is probably best that the member gets to what he sees is the breach of privilege. It is important, and it should be important, that he gets an opportunity to lay out the facts. Perhaps that will happen at a later date should you find a prima facie case. However, I think it is important that you hear what he sees is a breach of privilege before you make a ruling. …
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On that same point of order, when a member rises in this place to bring forward a question of privilege, that is to bring arguments before you, Mr. Speaker, to give you the opportunity to determine whether there is in fact a breach of privileges, it is not for the government House leader or anyone else in this place to determine the validity of that question of privilege. He can certainly make his…
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Mr. Speaker, I understand it is as important to establish what it is not about as it is to establish what it is about, so I will take the point and move on. I think I have made clear what it is not about. Certainly, it is not about the efficacy or the importance of vaccines. I will make that clear. What I am rising about today is this. I believe the Board of Internal Economy's decision represents …
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Mr. Speaker, I was not attempting to reveal the votes of other members. I was simply indicating that I abstained from the vote. I want to make one thing really clear right now. This question of privilege does not relate in any way to disputing vaccines or their very vital role in conquering the COVID-19 pandemic. What I am challenging is the authority of the—
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I do believe there are, in fact, other elements that I wanted to touch on, and I intended to do it as briefly as I could, but I will respect the Speaker's ruling, as I must. I am thankful for the chance to wrap up, because I think it is important that I have this opportunity to at least indicate what I see as a potential remedy in this situation. If you were to find a prima facie case…
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Mr. Speaker, as we are approaching the end of our session for the summer, I note that there are four outstanding questions of privilege. There is a question of privilege from the member for Timmins—James Bay, in relation to the government ignoring a House order regarding taking indigenous children to court. There is a question of privilege from the member for Carleton, regarding the government's i…
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Mr. Speaker, in relation to the last question I had, I have more of a point of clarification than anything. First, what would happen with those points of privilege should the government choose to dissolve this Parliament and go to an election? Would those points of privilege carry forward into the next Parliament? Second, what bearing does the fact that the government has applied to the Federal Co…
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