Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the other five petitions I have today are from residents of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies. They are concerned about Bill C-9, which was passed in this House but is still going through the Senate. They call upon the government to reject any amendments to Bill C-9 that remove the religious exemption from Canada's hate speech provisions, protect Canadians' constitutional rights to fre…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it sounds like the minister is tired of hearing from Canadians, but Conservatives will not stop raising their voices on their behalf. We recognize that the salmon allocation policy must be aligned with the Ahousaht decision. No one is disputing that in the policy's review, but why is the minister's department floating the proposal to go far beyond, and proposing to sink over 9,000 job…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present multiple petitions. The first petition is on behalf of Canadians who are deeply concerned about proposed changes to the salmon allocation policy, which would decimate public fishing opportunities for chinook and coho salmon in British Columbia. Changing the common property resource principle risks turning a shared public resource into an exclusive privilege, re…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canada's fisheries resources do belong to the people of Canada. The fisheries minister confirmed this last October when I asked her at the fisheries committee. However, the minister's department has recklessly published a proposal that would eliminate this principle, and Canadians are paying the price for the uncertainty it has caused. Was the minister's statement at committee more Li…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member for Winnipeg North did point out that there are many pieces of Bill C-9 that are positive. Conservatives offered to split this bill and deal with those components expeditiously, so they could have been passed long ago. It was this ultimate censorship that the government is invoking and then ending the debate on it and not allowing members who represent Canadians across the …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to rise in this House as the elected representative for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, a part of this country that is known for its significant place and time in Canadian history. Craigellachie in the middle of the Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies is the place where in 1885 the last spike was driven on the Canadian Pacific Railway, uniting this country from c…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the aspect of self-censorship or censorship is really paramount to some of the discussion we are having here. We have seen how the Liberals are shutting down debate or censoring a censorship bill. I do not think there is anything that could be more troubling from a government that has always sought to have ultimate power by censoring the people. That, I believe, is what the government…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, just to clarify for anyone who has tuned in to the recent diatribe back and forth about conduct in the House, I do not believe any of it was directed at me because I had been conducting myself in a manner appropriate to the House. The Speaker's comments, I think, were directed at others. However, it has been so long since the member asked the question, I have forgotten the name of his…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the February “no jobs” report shows the Liberal policies are not working for Canadians. There were 108,000 full-time jobs lost, the largest one-month decline in full-time employment since 2020. Youth unemployment shot up to 14%. We have the only shrinking economy in the G7, and now we have the second-highest unemployment. Canadians are not working because Liberal policies are not work…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the member has been part of Liberal governments for 10 years that are responsible for the crime, chaos and corruption on our streets. I was just reading an article from this week saying that 53% of Canadians fear for their safety because of crime, 56% avoid a certain area in their communities and 71% have lost faith and have no confidence in the justice system, which the secretary o…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said Canadians should judge him by the prices at the grocery store. Now, food prices are rising twice as fast since he took office. It will now take $17,000 to feed a family of four, $1,000 more than last year. A record 2.2 million Canadians are being forced to visit food banks in a single month, all because the Liberal industrial carbon tax is driving up costs for …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am honoured today to rise as the representative for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies and speak to the government's Bill C-16, an act to amend certain acts in relation to criminal and correctional matters. All of us have a solemn responsibility to provide representation and voice to those citizens who depend on us to do their bidding in Parliament. Canadians need us to see the chal…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the member spoke about bringing electric vehicles into Canada in his speech. I spoke with a car dealer last week who told me that his manufacturers have told him that they are not going to pay the surcharge that will be put on non-EVs. They will just not send them to Canada once the quotas—
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, it is a new riding name, but I have been through four elections to reach this place four different times now, and I thank the voters in Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies for sending me here again. I have a really simple question for the member opposite: What is it that he and his government have against releasing Canadian resources, and releasing Canadian people to develop those reso…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister told Canadians he should be judged by prices at the grocery store. Food bank visits have increased up to 80% in B.C. The Kamloops Food Bank had almost 74,000 visits last year, and the number keeps growing. Now donations are dropping and food banks are reducing service areas to remain sustainable, cutting off rural areas from support. When will the Liberals cut their…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I noted that the Minister of International Trade was talking about great things to come. I want to take him to things as they are right now. We have trade agreements in place, but they are not being enforced. For example, chicken producers in my riding of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies are asking why the government continues to allow the U.S. to send 115% of its spent fowl productio…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, people all the way from Golden in the Rockies, through the Shuswap and right through to Kamloops have told me that the current Liberal government is worse than the last for its projected deficits. Canadians are now going to be paying more in debt service costs than we are going to be spending on health care transfers. This is like racking up credit card debt to the point where one can…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, the member for Cariboo—Prince George has been passionate about this. He has been hammering on this for over 10 years now. I recall being in the chamber in the other building when the trade minister at that time spoke of a framework within 100 days. We are now 106 months past that promise. I would like to have the member for Cariboo—Prince George explain further why this is so importan…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I met with lumber workers this morning, representing mill town workers from Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, from Golden, Sicamous and Salmon Arm all the way to Kamloops. They are concerned about the jobs already lost and the jobs that are on the line. They talk about a Prime Minister who says, “Who cares?” I would like to hear from the leader of the official opposition as to why we …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, that was a thoughtful question. I believe that having the release of the information automatically happen might also impose on victims' rights, or that some victims may not want to know. To have it mandatorily imposed on them may cause more problems for some. I do not think it would be a great burden for them to sign up, and if the bill passes, at least they would be provided with t…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I thank the parliamentary secretary for his comments, and I appreciate everyone here today, and the people back home, listening. I am not speaking just for myself; I am speaking for the thousands of victims out there. I can manage. Members can tell it is emotional for me, but there are others who, I think, struggle with it far more than I do. It is for them that we as parliamentaria…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
moved that Bill C-221, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (disclosure of information to victims), be read the second time and referred to a committee. Madam Speaker, I rise today as the member for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, and I thank my constituents for the trust they have vested in me to represent our region, which is blessed with a rich history and endless splen…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, last week, across Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, there was overwhelming attendance at cenotaphs and community gatherings honouring the service and sacrifices, past and present, of Canada's men and women of the Canadian Forces. The record attendance demonstrated that we will remember them, not just on November 11, but always. In connecting with people last week, I also heard their c…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Richmond Centre—Marpole. I rise today as the member elected by the citizens of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, and I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank those constituents for the trust they have vested in me. Representing constituents is central to the work of all members. Through all the many demands and distrac…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today as the representative for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, a riding that stretches from the continental divide in Yoho National Park, through the lakes and highlands of the Shuswap, to the grasslands of Kamloops. Today I rise to speak to Bill C-244, an act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vess…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope a portion of the spending will end up on that very incredible section of the Trans-Canada Highway that runs through Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies. The way the Liberals operate, it may go to rich Liberal friends.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for that very interesting question about debt-to-GDP ratios. Anyone operating a business has to pay attention to their debt-to-net revenue ratio, otherwise they do not get to borrow from the banks, they do not get to borrow from anybody. I cannot believe the government is trying to pull the wool over Canadians' eyes by telling them not to worry about what it is do…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would not dare say there is fraud or anything going on with the Liberal government. We are not allowed to say those kinds of things in the House. The accounting practices of separating the capital spending from the operational spending is slight of hand. Someone may not pay attention to what is happening back here because I have them so busy with what is happening up here. It is tri…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that the member across the way talks about working together. That is what Conservatives have been trying to do. They have been trying to provide the Liberal government with ideas on how we can all work together as Canadians to bring down the debt so that we are not paying more in debt service costs than we are going to be paying in health care transfers and more in d…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, private member’s Bill C-291 passed with unanimous support in the last Parliament to replace the term “child pornography” in our laws with what it really is: child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Sexual abuse and exploitation of children are some of the most horrendous crimes, and viewing child sexual abuse and exploitation material represents a revictimization of victims traum…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we have seen violent crime increase by 55% in the last 10 years under the Liberal government. Sexual assaults are up 60%. Homicides are up 29%. The Liberals keep releasing criminals onto the streets under the least onerous conditions available. What does the member have to say to victims of crime who have seen this repeatedly across our country? How can he justify not taking faster ac…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, we are looking at another border security bill, and I am reflecting back on what we have seen over the past 10 years in my riding of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies. There was the largest drug lab bust ever in Canadian history in the community of Falkland, which some referred to as being in the middle of nowhere. I would argue that it is actually in the middle of everywhere, only k…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in response to a question that the parliamentary secretary to the minister of public safety answered. I originally asked the question on October 3. On that date I said: Liberal bail law, Bill C-75, unleashed crime and chaos on our streets, releasing violent criminals at the earliest opportunity. While out on bail in Kelowna, a man convicted on domestic violence charges …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, there is still really no answer. At least the member is recognizing that there is a problem and that there has been a real risk to public safety. However, the real risk to public safety has been the Liberal government. Victims have waited multiple years and multiple Parliaments to get something restored in terms of keeping violent and repeat offenders behind bars. There is no reason t…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, as the vice-chair of the fisheries committee, I would like to take a moment to thank the chair of the fisheries committee for co-hosting the Salmon Forever reception last night, where we worked across party lines in the interests of all wild Pacific salmon. The Conservatives' supplemental report on derelict and abandoned vessels is attached to the main report. I thank all of the witne…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canadians would not need food banks if not for failed Liberal policies. Year over year, youth unemployment is up 1.2%. B.C.'s forestry workers are worried they may be next. Almost 10 years ago, the foreign affairs minister was to come up with a framework within 100 days. The new Prime Minister promised to negotiate a win. Instead, softwood lumber tariffs have doubled. Why will the Pri…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today, October 10, Bill C-291 from the 44th Parliament comes into force to eliminate the term “child pornography” from Canada's Criminal Code and federal statutes. Thanks to the work of my colleague from Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, who is right behind me, and the support of both sides of the House, our laws will now call it what it really is: “child sexual abuse and exploitation materia…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal bail law, Bill C-75, unleashed crime and chaos on our streets, releasing violent criminals at the earliest opportunity. While out on bail in Kelowna, a man convicted on domestic violence charges just hours before allegedly killed Bailey McCourt with a hammer. The Prime Minister promised Liberals would flip-flop on bail, but the Liberal laws are still in place six months af…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, farmers love their animals and would do anything to protect them. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is planning to cull 400 ostriches in B.C. because of an outbreak of avian flu. When it comes to animal safety, Canadians expect due diligence and transparency. They are looking to the government to explain why the cull is necessary, but the Liberal government has not posted a public u…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the member for Riding Mountain for his connection with communities over the summer. I watched his social media. He managed to connect with the people. We are dealing today with a government bill that is identical to a bill that was brought forward in the previous Parliament. The Liberals rejected amendments then, and the bill did not make it through the last Pa…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we often see that the Liberals do not plan into the future with legislation they bring to the House. We often hear of indigenous people speaking about the consideration of seven generations into the future. Can the member opposite tell me what work his government has done to determine how many new citizens of Canada the legislation would create seven generations into the future, and w…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, a ship without power or anchor will inevitably hit the rocks. Since the Liberals took over, Canada's GDP growth is the worst in the G7, clearly without power. The independent Parliamentary Budget Officer stated, “I don't know if the government currently has fiscal anchors”. Without power or anchor, the Prime Minister has Canada's fiscal future headed for the rocks. The PBO also stated…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise as the representative for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies to present e-petition 6554, signed by 764 concerned Canadians. The petition calls on the government to twin Highway 1 through Yoho National Park in order to increase safety for the growing number of vehicles that use this highway daily for travel and commerce, and to create wildlife overpasses and under…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-221, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (disclosure of information to victims). Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking my colleague from Oshawa for seconding this bill, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. The hon. member worked on it in the last Parliament when she worked with her predecessor, the former member…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, as vice-chair of the fisheries committee, FOPO, I would like to point out that, as stated in this report, there has been mismanagement of the Yukon River salmon stocks. The result is that indigenous and non-indigenous harvesters can no longer harvest. This affects the livelihoods in communities and food security. The government has failed to deliver on the diplomacy needed to comanage…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative announced in 2021: (a) how many personnel have been hired to work on the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative each year since 2021; (b) how many personnel have transferred from other government departments or entities to work on the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative each year since 2021; (c) what is the total amount of salaries and benefits for …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' enforcement of the Fisheries Act and associated regulations governing fisheries, for each year since January 1, 2016: (a) how many conservation and protection personnel have been deployed for enforcement activities in each of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' seven operating regions; (b) how many persons have been charged in each region …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to federal funding for highway and associated infrastructure projects on the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops, British Columbia and the British Columbia-Alberta border since 2016: (a) what projects received federal funding; (b) in what year did each project occur; (c) what was the amount of federal funding allocated to each project; (d) what was the amount of provincial funding al…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to federally-funded salmon hatcheries in British Columbia, the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador culturing Pacific or Atlantic salmon for commercial aquaculture purposes: (a) how many federallyfunded salmon hatcheries are currently in operation in (i) British Columbia, (ii) the Maritimes, (iii) Newfoundland and Labrador; (b) what has been the yearly amount of federal funding spe…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House as the member entrusted to represent the good people of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies in beautiful British Columbia. It is important for all members to bear in mind that we, as members of the House, have a duty because our fellow Canadians, the constituents we represent, trusted us to be their voice in this place. Canadians look to us, to Parlia…
Read full speech →