Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, on a point of order. The member opposite who was just providing remarks certainly talked about the importance of irrigation in agriculture. I have before me a Government of Canada document that relates to the investment of $1.5 billion—
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of constituents in my riding who are petitioning the government to introduce just transition legislation. They note in the petition that they are looking for a 60% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels to wind down the fossil fuel industry and bring an end to fossil fuel subsidies; to create new public economic institutions to expand public ownership of utili…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, it is a privilege for me to rise in the House today and debate Bill C-5. This bill proposes legislative measures that would repeal certain mandatory minimum penalties and give prosecutors the discretion to deal with simple drug possession as a health issue rather than a criminal one. I would like to begin by telling you what I think is the most fundamental aspect of this bill that p…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I certainly heard a couple of things from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance that my hon. colleague seems to have not heard. One is the fact that we have returned 106% of the jobs pre-pandemic. Our government has been there to help grow the economy. The member certainly talked about Canadians needing support. Omicron is something we are watching. We know countries aro…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Joliette for his speeches this morning and this afternoon. I am sure all members of the House think a robust health care system is a good thing, but I think we also need to consider a sustainable plan to increase funding for things like the health care system. Does the member support reducing interprovincial trade barriers to generate the necessary …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech. First, I would like to say that on the issue of gun violence, nothing in Bill C‑5 removes penalties for those involved in serious gun crimes. My question is simple. With respect to the discretion that judges have to assess the specific circumstances of a case, does my colleague agree with me that judges are in a better position to have that discuss…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the member touched on the fact that he was a former police chief in his community, and I would like to thank him for his service. I suspect in the lead up to becoming the chief of police, he would have served on the front lines. He has mentioned, of course, some of the diversion elements of the bill that try to treat individuals who have an addiction to drugs and who have simple pos…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, at the end of the day, we are moving in terms of our understanding in this country about how we treat these particular issues. I believe the member's riding covers the Lower Mainland, where the opioid crisis is quite severe. I would say that although it would retain the criminal powers, the bill would certainly give discretion to be able to treat this as a health issue, which is ext…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question. I definitely agree with her when it comes to the discretion of judges and the courts. I think that it is important that both aggravating factors and mitigating factors be taken into account when examining a file. Rehabilitation and other measures can be considered as a solution to help the person move away from crime.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, nowhere in my speech did I ever mention that there should not be jail time or criminality for those types of behaviours. In fact, all I said is that we should not be imposing a mandatory minimum. We should allow the judiciary to make the decision on an appropriate sentence. With all due respect, this type of fearmongering is problematic for important debate on being able to reduce s…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would certainly welcome the questions once I have finished. The statistics have been borne out. Again, I really think fundamentally that this is about judicial independence and discretion. The facts are quite stark. Five per cent of the adult population in Canada are indigenous. They represent 30% of our incarcerated population, and 42% if one considers women; 7.2% of our incarcer…
Read full speech →Government Orders
The members opposite can have their views, and I would welcome their questions when I am done, but I would like to keep the floor.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague touched on judicial independence, a fundamental part of this legislation, which would tell judges and those adjudicating these cases that they are better placed to make decisions based on the nuances of the facts of each individual case. I know the member opposite has a legal background. Could he speak to how fundamentally important it is to allow judges to take th…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we know the importance of child care to helping reduce costs for families, to help supports parents getting back to the workplace, and to support jobs and opportunities. Can the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development provide the House with an update on the work that our government is doing to establish programs across the country, particularly in light of today's good n…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague opposite and I had the opportunity to connect at the airport, and I congratulate her on her fifth election to this House. She mentioned in her remarks during her introduction of a private member's bill in a previous Parliament the importance of listening to stakeholders. My understanding is that this bill before the House right now has the endorsement of multiple p…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I always find my hon. colleague's remarks in the House to be very insightful and engaging. During the last intersection, I had the opportunity to ask the member for Wellington—Halton Hills about the concerns I have with the text of this motion regarding the one-month timeline and the committee's ability to basically overrule the parliamentary law clerk as it relates to the redacted …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I agree with much of my colleague's speech and with the member for Saint-Jean's comment that the wording of the Conservatives' motion is a problem. I think the time has come to have discussions on Afghanistan. Every member of the House knows that the situation is serious. Will my colleague be proposing an amendment to the Conservatives' motion?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I have had the opportunity to review the text of the motion. First, it is quite an expansive production of documents, memoranda and notes that are contained in subsection (m) of the notes. Is one month an adequate amount of time? Does the member opposite think that is reasonable, given perhaps the depth of the documents that would be requested? Second, I have concern around the prov…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional Maritimer, someone who has had a lasting impact on journalism in Canada. Earlier this week, Steve Murphy delivered his last sign-off as anchor CTV Atlantic News at Six after a broadcasting career that spanned four decades. He has taken us through many historic moments during his time, tragedies like the crash of Swissair Flight 111, massive sto…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I will be splitting my time today with my hon. colleague from Mississauga—Erin Mills. It is an absolute privilege to be back here in the House to bring the voice, perspective and views of the good people of Kings—Hants. Of course, this is the second time I have had the privilege of being elected as the member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, and although it is not my first time speaki…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. While I certainly respect the point of order just raised by the member for Kingston and the Islands, I would have to fundamentally disagree. I would point him to the historians who have seen that it was based in Nova Scotia. He and I can take this outside the House. I certainly appreciate his raising it for the Hansard.
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, the member hit has it right on the head. Our government was there throughout the pandemic and continues to be there with the introduction of Bill C-2, which would support the hardest-hit businesses across the country. We did put the program in place to end on December 31, 2022. The fact of the matter is, that is something we could look at. Our fiscal framework will be challenged becau…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, Canada is the fourth-largest producer of oil and gas in the world. Although the Bloc member, whose goal is to create sovereignty for Quebec in this country, may not recognize its importance, oil and gas are 25% of Canada's exports. Our government is focused on ways we could reduce emissions associated with production in the oil and gas sector. We do not have the ability to control pro…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the member and I share an understanding of the importance of the agricultural sector to the entire country. On the question on fertilizer reduction, I have had conversations with Fertilizer Canada about ways we could move that forward. We know that the work being done by Environment and Climate Change Canada right now, as it relates to carbon offsets, is going to be an …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, as the member opposite mentioned, I know that for the riding of Kenora the forestry industry is extremely important. We have heard in this debate tonight from all members. Regardless on what side of the House they sit, this is a concern, and that is the reality. Right now the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development is on her way to Wa…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, sometimes the benefit of sitting in the House is being able to learn about industries such as those in northern Saskatchewan. I think we can all agree as parliamentarians that this is a challenging time for the forestry sector. The member opposite mentioned that there is a delegation going to Washington right now. My question is about innovation in the forestry sector, which I suspect…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, let me begin by congratulating you on your appointment as Assistant Deputy Speaker. To the member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, I want to mention it is the home to the Prince George Cougars, I believe is the junior hockey team there. As a former athlete, I certainly appreciate their good demeanour on the ice. A couple of different things have been suggested on this s…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, it is great to see such strong representation from Calgary Skyview and another member of our Alberta caucus on the governing side of the House. The member has talked about the work the government is doing, the team Canada approach that we are all taking as parliamentarians. Part of the challenge I see as a parliamentarian is that the United States has a deficit or not necessarily enou…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member on being re-elected to the House. The leader of the Bloc Québécois mentioned in his speech how important health care is. Of course, increasing federal health transfers requires additional revenue to ensure programs are sustainable. Would the leader of the Bloc Québécois support removing interprovincial trade barriers in Canada to help generate…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, it is great to see the leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition back in this House. It is great to see him in the same seat as in the 43rd Parliament. He mentioned during his speech $400 billion that the government had perhaps overspent. I do not have the words right in front of me. By rough math, that is about two-thirds of what the government took on during the height of the pandemi…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to the member's speech, and he mentioned that we are getting to a point where we are transitioning. We have heard a lot of conversations, particularly from opposition members today, about deficits and debt that seem to neglect the fact that we just went through a global pandemic. From where I sit in this place, it seems that the government is making a natural trans…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, where we would differ is the sense that we left seniors behind. She mentioned the fact that we were there for seniors at the height of the pandemic. Whether it has been through the CERB, the increase in old age security or the increase in the guaranteed income supplement, we have been there for seniors. Obviously there is a challenge in that some of the income received has put some se…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague opposite for his question. First, Bill C‑2 definitely covers tourism businesses and businesses hit hard by the pandemic. In addition, our election platform contained a specific promise for craftspeople and the cultural sector. I am confident that the Minister of Canadian Heritage will create a measure for craftspeople and the cultural sector. I apologize f…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member opposite for his re-election in Regina—Lewvan. I quite enjoyed the opportunity to work with him on the agriculture committee, and I quite enjoy our back-and-forth. The member opposite mentioned priorities, and when I think about how this government approached them, it was about making sure that Canadians who needed help at the height of the pand…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time this afternoon with my hon. colleague, the member for Saint John—Rothesay. It is a privilege for me to rise today to speak to extending the government's support for businesses and individuals. Before I speak to the content of Bill C‑2, I want to highlight all of the work that the government has done throughout the pandemic to help individuals and businesses d…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I did not think that the trouble with interpretation would be with my English, but here we are. I want to take a moment, for my colleague who had trouble with interpretation, to talk about the government's decision to use a more targeted approach. I would say to my colleagues that we are truly at a different time here today than we were at the height of the pandemic. I want to take us…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we all know how important small businesses are to our Canadian economy. They are the bedrock and that is why our government was there since day one of this pandemic through the wage subsidy, the rent subsidy and the extension of the Canada emergency business account. However, as we head into Christmas, I am thinking of my retailers in Kings—Hants, small businesses, those that are on t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I have been here for two years, and I have found the member to be quite articulate in his points. However, one thing that concerned me in his speech, and he talked a lot about debt and deficits, was he made almost no mention of the fact that we have just gone through a global pandemic and the fact that the government has had to intervene to make sure that Canadian businesses and ind…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, you better not be giving out any blank cheques, because the member certainly has been directing those questions through you. I watched the member's speech both earlier in the House as well as from the government lobby. I know the member across the way is very passionate, but I do not think she does a whole lot to advance her cause in a credible way. I want to say a couple of things on…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague opposite for his question. The examples he gave were local ones. The City of Montreal, the Government of Quebec and other local jurisdictions. This is the Parliament of Canada, and members come from all across the country, from coast to coast to coast. I think it is in the best interests of members to have the option to participate virtually when necessary.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, we know that testing is part of the COVID response, but testing alone is not always going to pick up instances where COVID-19 exists. The member mentioned the hybrid Parliament. Again, I would dare say that the majority of the members, if not all the members, prefer to be here, but we are still in the midst of COVID-19. We have to make provisions for members if they do contract COVI…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we talked about the opportunities of the 2019 class in the previous Parliament. One opportunity I did not have then was to give a speech that ran out of time just before we went to members' statements, so I will try to pick up where I left off. I was explaining that as the chair of rural caucus for the governing party, I have had the opportunity to speak to my colleagues. I mentioned …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member opposite for his re-election to this place. I was taking notes, and yes, of course it is preferable to be here. As a new member, I felt like I was not able to fully participate because of the COVID pandemic. It was isolating at times to be at home. To his point about building relationships, I agree. In fact, I built many good relationships wit…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, this morning I will be sharing my time with my hon. colleague from Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook. I will begin by taking a moment to congratulate you on your appointment to the chair, Mr. Speaker. It is good to see a fellow Nova Scotian in the chair. I wish you good luck for the day ahead. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and people involved who allowed parl…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have a couple of points of clarification before I get to my question. One is that I do want to be here, but I want to ensure that the privileges of parliamentarians are extended in cases that they need to be. Second, the member for Mégantic—L'Érable who spoke previously poked fun at some of the ministers' responses to the questions they had to get by email. I sit on this side of the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member for Calgary Nose Hill explained at one point in her speech just now about MPs working. As the member would know, I would sit up on that screen, probably sitting in my seat at home in Nova Scotia, and would participate in the debates and be involved in the committee work. Could my hon. colleague to speak to that fact? Let me be very clear that I intend to be here, but in the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, there were portions of my hon. colleague's speech that I agreed with and there were some portions of it that I have real trouble with. The portion I agreed with was the ability for us to come together as parliamentarians and learn from one another. That is a valid point. The member talked about the definition of work of a member of Parliament. I unfortunately had to be home in Nova …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I apologize because I was only able to catch the last half of my colleague's speech, but even in that short time, she had some very important points, particularly about trying to increase representation in the House and trying to make this place accessible, particularly for women with children. I know my fiancée and I have had conversations. We try to look at what we will do when th…
Read full speech →