Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I will take 30 seconds to respond and then I will try to move a unanimous consent motion. What I would say is the border is an important element. We have heard the Minister of Immigration talk about measures the government is taking. We will be there to help support. I do not think it is responsible for any member of Parliament to suggest we have a porous border and we are not there…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to comment. I have the privilege of having the Minister of Public Safety in my Atlantic caucus, and we have talked about this explicitly. When the member talks about 19,000 cases, he is talking about incidents. An individual could show up at the American border having forgotten their passport and that counts as an incident. When the member uses that number of 19,000, it…
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Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to be able to be here tonight to talk on a really important subject, which is the proposal that the President-elect of the United States has put out, at least publicly, the concept of a 25% tariff on Canadian products into the United States. Before I start my remarks, I would like to recognize the regrets here in the House of my hon. colleague from Etobicoke—Lakesh…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, the hon. member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore is a great member of Parliament and a good friend to the Canada-U.S. relationship. I would be remiss if I did not recognize the fact that it there was an election tonight in Nova Scotia. Tim Houston, who was the premier going into the election, was re-elected with a majority mandate. I would like to congratulate him on his successful election.…
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Madam Speaker, I want to welcome my hon. colleague because I think this is our first interaction since the by-election he won. Congratulations to him. My riding in Atlantic Canada is home to the largest number of supply-managed farms east of Quebec. I fully support supply-managed farmers. It is a very important sector in Canada, not just in Quebec. It is a very important sector in Atlantic Canada,…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I will start by wishing you a happy birthday. I cannot think of any greater privilege than being here at the heart of democracy in this country. To my hon. colleague, yes, I am very proud of all our provincial leaders, like Zach Churchill. Claudia Chender ran a tremendous campaign; I think the world of her as well. I would like to congratulate Premier-elect Houston. On lobsters, yes…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it has widely been reported that Conservative MPs have written to the Minister of Housing, advocating that their communities should receive federal housing money, and that is exactly what MPs should do. However, what is shocking is that the Conservative leader has banned them from advocating for their communities and imposed a gag order on them for even talking about these initiatives…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it has been widely reported that Conservative MPs have written to the Minister of Housing, advocating—
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly recognize and celebrate the contribution of the Harvie family from Hants County, Nova Scotia, specifically eight brothers who served Canada during World War II. Marven, Burrell, Edmund, Victor, Garnet, Ernest, Ervin and Avard Harvie all answered the call of duty to fight for democracy and freedom. Marven and Burrell made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed i…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, there are few things I agree with and a few things I might probe and maybe have a different view on. First, I would certainly agree with the fact there were successive federal governments in the past that did not properly invest in public housing. Therefore, we have been playing catch-up as a government over the last number of years that we have been involved. The member took a lot of…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, there was a lot in that question; I appreciate the sentiment. First of all, the Minister of Canadian Heritage has committed to releasing guiding principles and the things the government would like to see in terms of coverage in rural Canada. Obviously, depending on the plan and its contents, which will be coming, it may mean an increase in funding and an examination of how we can best…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am getting a rise out of them now. It scares people in my riding because they did not like Harper. Harper was the guy who called Atlantic Canada a culture of defeat. We were not pleased with Harper at the time. Can we guess what? My constituents say the guy from Carleton is even scarier. He is further down the line, and he is trumpeting the same playbook that we are seeing more and …
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Mr. Speaker, I think that public broadcasting in English-speaking Canada outside Quebec is very important. I also think that public broadcasting in Quebec and in francophone communities outside Quebec is even more important. In the Deputy Speaker's own riding of West Nova and in communities across the Maritimes, Radio‑Canada plays a vital role. If the Conservatives slash the CBC's resources, as th…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, first, with regard to SNC-Lavalin, I am rather surprised that my hon. colleague did not think about the importance of protecting jobs in Quebec. It was imperative that the SNC-Lavalin executives be prosecuted, but had the former justice minister's decision been implemented, it would have directly impacted jobs in Quebec. Second, when it comes to the Prime Minister's comments regarding…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I will correct the record. The hon. member for Waterloo gave me the privilege and distinction of representing the good people of Waterloo; that is her job, and she does an excellent job of it. I am pleased to represent the good people of Kings—Hants. We are in an environment right now where there has been a decline of local journalism and where foreign state governments are trying to …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is always a privilege to have the opportunity to stand in this place and bring the voice and perspective of my constituents from the beautiful riding of Kings—Hants, just next door to you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot help but remark on the point of order that was just made by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth about the importance of ensuring proper access to abortion s…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Stephen Harper referred to Atlantic Canada as “a culture of defeat”. When the Conservative government amended the Atlantic accords, it put our region's interests in the back seat. Just ask Bill Casey. As it relates to Bill C-49, our government has worked with the Government of Nova Scotia and with Newfoundland and Labrador because the legislation represents billions of dollars in econ…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Stephen Harper referred to Atlantic Canada as “a culture of defeat”. When the Conservatives were in government—
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague, but the voting record is very clear: That member and the other Bloc Québécois members voted against dental care for seniors, against lowering the retirement age and against increasing the guaranteed income supplement. Although I thank the Bloc Québécois for joining the game, it is a little too late.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I should let you know that I will be sharing my time with the member for Lac-Saint-Louis. It is a privilege to rise in the House to debate the Bloc Québécois motion, which reads as follows: That the House call upon the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that a royal recommendation is granted as soon as possible to Bill C‑319, An Act to amend the Old Age Sec…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, my riding of Kings—Hants includes a large number of supply-managed farms. That is very important to Nova Scotia, of course, but also to Quebec and all of Canada. I support Bill C-282 and so does the government. The Senate is independent. I think a conversation with senators on the importance of this bill is, indeed, necessary. I also have some concerns about the Conservatives' positio…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his speech this afternoon. My question is very simple. Does my hon. colleague support the Leader of the Opposition's attacks on CBC/Radio-Canada and media organizations like CTV and on journalists? Does my colleague support this attack on journalists and important organizations in Quebec and across the country?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as it relates to carbon pricing, I have actually taken this government to task, to adjust the national program in the interest of supporting rural Canadians, but let me be very clear. I do support the government's environmental agenda. When I look across to the opposition, I do not see much of an environmental agenda whatsoever. I take notice of the hon. member opposite. Yes, he has r…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that I will be splitting my time this afternoon with the member for Winnipeg North. I look forward to his remarks as well. Today we have a motion from the opposition on non-confidence in the Prime Minister and the government. Although it is not binding, of course, the convention would be that, if a majority of members of Parliament voted in favour, it would…
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Mr. Speaker, every member of Parliament is entitled to his or her own view in this place, but I did not hear anything about the fact that Canada is expected to lead the G7 in economic growth next year. I did not hear anything about BHP's investment in her home province of Saskatchewan and how that is a good thing. I did not hear much about Canada's best deficit position in the G7 or the fact that …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as I said, I worry about the position of the leader of the official opposition: the way he attacks journalists, the way he attacks experts, and the way he runs down Canadian companies and does so from the floor of the House of Commons. He has an agenda. He has been a member of Parliament for 20 years without working outside this place. His record is very clear. I look forward to shari…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, millions of Canadians tuned in to CBC and Radio-Canada to cheer on Team Canada at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Our athletes pushed limits, set new records, and brought us all together via the power of sport. In Kings—Hants, we are deeply proud of the Kennetcook kid, Wyatt Sanford, who won Canada's first Olympic bronze medal since 1996 when he took home the bronze. I even…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “Improving the Resilience of Canada's Horticultural Sector.” Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. I would like to thank all the witnesses who were involved and all…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the passing of John Murphy, the former member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, who contributed a lifetime of work to advancing the public good. After obtaining his master's degree in social work, John became the director of the Fundy Mental Health Clinic and later a psychiatric social worker at the Valley Regional Hospital. He also taught at Acadia University. Follow…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his remarks here today. I want to remind him of a couple of things. The NSICOP report was very clear. The allegations refer to MPs from multiple parties being involved, either wittingly or unwittingly. When I listened to the member's remarks, he suggested, in a way, that the members would be entirely on the Liberal benches. I would caution…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to seek unanimous consent to call this question to a vote.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order, with the support of the whips and House leaders of all recognized parties in this place, to recognize an important event that took place outside of these four walls last week: the annual soccer game between members of Parliament and the pages. It is important to let the record show that, despite the different capacities and the variety of ages of the MPs, w…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I was going to wrap up by saying thanks to our pages and everyone who was involved. I know we cannot table objects, but we do have something that we will be presenting to the pages outside of this place.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is indeed important for members from rural ridings to work together in the House of Commons to support our farmers. I agree that we need to provide more support for our farmers. However, I would remind my colleague of this government's initiatives, including increased funding for the provinces and territories to help our farmers under the Canadian agricultural partnership and incre…
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Mr. Speaker, Bill C‑234 is important to our farmers. That is exactly why I voted in favour of that motion. The bill stands in the name of the member for Huron—Bruce, a Conservative member. I would remind my hon. colleague that I was frustrated with how the Conservatives moved this bill forward. Quarrels were started and threats were made against senators by the member for Regina—Qu'Appelle and by …
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Mr. Speaker, I will be quick because that was an important question. I know the question of food prices right now is a top-of-mind issue for all Canadians. I want to remind my hon. colleague that the Prime Minister was asking retailers, and working with them, to try to stabilize food price inflation, which has happened. Food price inflation has stabilized; that is true about the inflation piece. A…
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Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to be in the House to debate and discuss initiatives presented by my opposition colleagues. Today, we are debating an NDP motion that was moved by the hon. member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford. The Deputy Speaker said that extremely well and we will have this exchange. The 90th Apple Blossom Festival just took place in the Annapolis Valley. I think that the Dep…
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Madam Speaker, I will be very quick, but I just want to recognize that there is an annual game played among MPs and pages. It is a long-standing tradition, and the game took place last week. I am pleased to present the fact that the—
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Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I just want to raise to the attention of the House a really important matter that happened, and I am sure that I can have unanimous consent. We know the important role that pages play in the House of Commons to help support us. One of the annual traditions here in the House of Commons has been the actual ability to have a soccer game among pages and MPs, …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “A Call to Action: How Government and Industry Can Fight Back Against Food Price Volatility.” Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. I would like to thank all those …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and celebrate a great Canadian. Tomorrow, Sir Graham Day celebrates his 91st birthday. Graham is considered one of Canada's greatest corporate leaders, and he has contributed here at home and across the pond in the United Kingdom. He grew up in Halifax, and after graduating from Dalhousie University with his law degree, he started a practice in Windsor, bef…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, let me be crystal clear. The purpose of this bill is to create a regulatory regime for the wind energy sector in Atlantic Canada. This is not for Quebec; it is for the Atlantic, for coastal Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. This bill is very important—crucial, even—to the development of this industry. It is also crucial to achieving our environmental goals and having a gree…
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Madam Speaker, I apologize. I thought I was up on debate, but I am happy to ask the hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby a question. The question is on his take on the Conservative Party. The Conservatives talk about “technology, not taxes”. This legislation is all about enabling billions of dollars of clean energy investment, which is good for jobs, its is good for the economy and ultimately i…
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Madam Speaker, the member opposite is certainly bombastic and passionate in his approach. However, there are a couple of things he may have missed during the discourse. There are processes in place to make sure that the fishing industry is protected and is consulted, and that the new emerging opportunities in the offshore wind industry do not injure, in any way, the fishing industry. That is our p…
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Madam Speaker, I will try this again. It is great to be here in the House. It is always a privilege to be able to bring the voice and perspective of my constituents from Kings—Hants, from rural Nova Scotia, to the floor of the House of Commons. Today, we are debating a piece of legislation that really matters to the region I represent in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada: Bill C-49. Over the next 20…
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Madam Speaker, I want folks in Newfoundland and Labrador, and indeed in Nova Scotia, to know that this government is extremely supportive of the offshore sector, and oil and gas. It was our government that actually took the permitting process from 900 days down to 90 days. It was 900 days under Harper, and it is 90 days under our government. The Conservative Party has called Atlantic Canadians a “…
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Okay, I withdraw. Madam Speaker, they say, “Technology, not taxes.” I am disappointed the Conservatives put out those slogans and do not actually have a credible plan on how to bring it forward. This is technology. This is the ability to leverage billions of dollars of clean energy investment, and they are gatekeeping it. They are gatekeeping against Atlantic Canada. I am one of the younger member…
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Madam Speaker, it is important, when we are in this place, to make sure of the facts in what is being said about what another member has said. I just want to be very clear, so it is in Hansard, and it can be checked by the table staff. I said that their position was weak and disgraceful, not the Conservatives themselves nor the hon. member.
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Madam Speaker, it is always a privilege to rise in this place and bring the voice of my constituents who are back home in Nova Scotia. Today we are debating really important legislation—
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Madam Speaker, I agree that this bill and the wind farm industry are important. Of course, other jurisdictions such as those in the European Union and the United Kingdom are ahead of Canada in this area. That is precisely why we have this bill, which seeks to amend the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord and ensure that companies and businesses have some certainty about future investm…
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