Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, talking about common sense, it is a shame the member was not at yesterday's finance committee. Witnesses from the Ministry of Finance confirmed that if the Conservatives' idea for housing were to be put in place, fewer homes would be built compared to our particular plan, which is a plan that takes taxes off. The GST comes off, for example, which incents greater building. Combine th…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, Canadians are having a difficult time. That is why during the pandemic we put forward emergency programs to sustain the economy, individuals and families, when the Conservative Party did not want to do any of those things. Today, we see a government that has put forward a plan to get more homes built. How? In partnership with provinces and municipalities. That is how we are going to…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I find that rather rich, with all due respect to the member, when it was the Leader of the Opposition's responsibility to put forward constructive policy. When he was in government as the minister responsible for housing, he put forward a plan for $300 million, with fewer than 100 homes built. His plan on housing today is full of holes. If he taxed builders, for example, nothing wou…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I know this issue matters a great deal to our colleague. I would point out, however, as the Minister of Finance said earlier this week, that it is an independent decision that was reached by an independent agency.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, we have been there for cities like Hamilton and other Canadian cities and towns through programs like Reaching Home and the rapid housing initiative, and in other ways, to help not-for-profits that are on the ground doing the very hard work. I know the member cares very much about this issue. I am happy to have further discussions with him, but I go back to the point that we are goi…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I know the member has a passion for dealing with homelessness and addressing issues of affordability more generally. This government has put substantial investment forward through the national housing strategy to combat homelessness. It is a difficult challenge for sure, but one that we are getting results on. It is not over. That fight continues and is combined with efforts to buil…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for my colleague. We have worked together before on the finance committee, and he has been an excellent colleague. I would like to ask him a question. In terms of the balancing of the budget, does the Bloc Québécois believe in a balanced budget, and what would it do to get to that point if the Bloc members do indeed believe in balancing?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, it is always interesting to hear from my colleague down the way in London—Fanshawe. First of all, on the specific issue she just raised, I need to see more in the way of that. We all care about housing here, and I did see her and the leader of the NDP in London raising this idea, but there is not much detail. There is precious little detail, so one cannot comment on that in any mean…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, our government's approach is very responsible. My colleague and I disagree on this issue. What other option is there? I am not hearing any alternatives in my colleague's comments. Yes, he did raise concerns with what the government has done with respect to a number of things, namely Trans Mountain, but I would submit to him that if the government would have gone in the direction he …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member, because when we worked together on the finance committee a number of years ago, I thought we worked very well together. I am not sure what has happened for him to take a negative tone here tonight, but I think I see his sense of humour. I know where he is coming from. I know he raises those points in good nature. I will simply offer back what is very clea…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be here this evening to talk about a motion that is very clear and simple, but that has many negative consequences for my community of London and our country. To begin with, what was our government's approach during the pandemic? It was a compassionate and fair approach. It is compassionate and fair. So much so, that former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney,…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to listen to the member speak. I know he has a good command of these issues, and he is respected for his work on the finance committee in particular. I do agree very strongly with his take on how to combat inflation, when he says that the approach should be to focus on those things that people cannot do without, such as dental care and child care. I am glad to …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am lucky to be here this evening. Our colleague is pretty funny, but he talked about several very serious topics. He also talked about a very specific issue, housing. What is the Bloc Québécois's solution for addressing the homelessness problem? I am just curious. It would be interesting to hear the perspective of my colleague on that specific issue, seeing as it is the last day o…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I rise to table a petition today on behalf of constituents who are very passionate on the issues of the environment. Among other things, the petitioners call on the government to reduce emissions by at least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030 and make significant contributions to emission reductions in countries in the global south. They also call for paying for the transition by increas…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, approximately 3,000 Canadians live with ALS. One is a constituent, Matthew Brown, who was moved when his 13-year-old son, Colin, recently organized a walk at his school. That walk is for research funds and for equipment. Colin epitomizes youth leadership in this country. At the most trying time his family has experienced, no doubt, he is on the front lines, helping his father and help…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I enjoyed the speech given by my colleague, who works very hard and obviously has command of the issues, including this one. Could the member elaborate on the points raised relating to the economy? He said that not only is this good social policy, but it makes very good economic sense.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour the life of James “Jimmy” Dimitris Agathos, who unfortunately passed away recently at the age 92 after a battle with Parkinson's disease. Those who knew him knew him as a proud Greek, a proud Londoner and a proud Canadian. He immigrated to London from Greece in 1951. A few years after, he began working as a busboy at Hotel London. In 1963, he opened the Huron House Re…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, there certainly is compassion for the poor. I could mention the number of policies that this government has introduced from the Canada child benefit, now the Canada dental benefit to the grocery rebate that we have introduced through budget 2023. However, to the substantive point, individuals do have the option of a repayment plan instead of an amnesty program that I know my colleag…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I believe our government's approach during the pandemic was compassionate, fair and responsible. I listened tonight to my colleague, and I mentioned before the respect I have for him. He continues to raise such matters, as is his right, but he neglects to mention what the Canada emergency wage subsidy, or the CEWS, a signature pandemic emergency response program, was all about. Yes,…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, our country is an example of democracy, prosperity and freedom on the world stage. That sacrifice that has been made to secure those values was recognized this weekend in London. HMCS Prevost, an honoured naval detachment, recognized the fallen in the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous battle of World War II. Over 70,000 people died on the Allied side, including over 4,000…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the minister could elaborate on the engagement and consultation that have been carried out with rural communities in general. I am thinking in particular of hunting organizations and sport shooting organizations, with engagement that has ultimately led to the bill currently under consideration, in its revised form.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of Canadians have been filling their taxes online, which is important to note. On a case-by-case basis, it is possible for Canadians to see interest relief and penalties alleviated. Again, I emphasize that it is on a case-by-case basis. I find it a bit rich that the member forgets the record of the Harper government, which time and time again disrespected, in particu…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I have spoken on earlier occasions in the House on the respect that I have for the hon. colleague. However, he knows very well that the process of collective bargaining is instrumental in democracy. That is why the negotiations continue, and we are positive about their progress. On the extension of deadlines, I wonder if the member would follow the logic of his argument, because if th…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to join the debate tonight on the budget implementation act, BIA, as we always do around this time of year. First of all, let me simply say that budget 2023 is one that delivers for the country and for communities. We cannot talk about the BIA without talking about the budget. I will spend time tonight talking about climate change and how the government is responding …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from someone who understands his community very well. He served as a city councillor and knows what it means when an investment comes to a community and the spinoff effects that it can have. He mentioned the Dofasco case. I expect nothing but good things to come from this investment for local businesses in London that already have relied on automotive, as we …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have not had a very good chance to get to know the hon. member, but I know that she is held in very high regard by members throughout every party in the House. I have only heard good things about the committee work that she has contributed. I have to say that every question she has put forward, including this one, have been ones that are thoughtful. If one looks at the overall budge…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for my colleague. However, we disagree on this issue. Canada's fiscal situation is a very important reality for the House and for our country. Canada right now, if we look at the G7 countries, has the lowest deficits, has the lowest debt, if we use the debt-to-GDP ratio as the key metric, which we should. The IMF is clear on that, that this is the key me…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, let me commend the member, who brings to this House 29 years of experience as an educator in his community. He has years of experience as a mayor and, most recently, he was co-chair of the seniors caucus on this side of the aisle. He is right. On the 20th of this month, Canadians can begin filing their taxes. It is absolutely essential to do so to get access to vital benefits, includi…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I have a very good working relationship with the national revenue critic for the Conservatives, but he knows very well, with regard to the CRA, and this was verified at the public accounts committee some days ago, that this verification work is ongoing. I have said that many times in the House. I am glad to repeat it again. The government instructed the CRA to carry out that work. Eve…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, all one has to do is go into Canadian communities across this country to understand the importance of the various COVID-19 emergency programs that were introduced. Whether it was CERB or whether it was the wage subsidy, these programs helped the country through. At a time when Canadians needed their government, their government was there. Where was the opposition? The opposition was…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, it turns out the Conservatives apparently are following the lead of their leader, who was staying up very late at night, as we understand, watching crypto episodes on YouTube. What he is missing as a result of that, and what they are missing, is the public record. At the public accounts committee last week, the commissioner of the CRA made it very clear that the verification work is…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the member talks about fiscal responsibility. While Conservatives continue to make the case, unfortunately, that crypto poses some kind of promising future for Canada, this government has introduced and will continue to do the vital work of standing by Canadians through the pandemic and into the future. With respect to what the member raised on evasion and avoidance work, just with re…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I will remind the hon. member that he has access to it, as it is the public record. Last week, at the public accounts committee, the commissioner of revenue made clear that verification work on determining eligibility for the various COVID emergency programs is ongoing. It was the CRA public employees who, in a very focused way, helped to administer the various programs that were put …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the opposition leader talks about Canadians. Where was he at the height of the pandemic? When Canadians needed their government, he was talking about an austerity agenda, he was talking about cuts and he was not behind the various programs that helped to sustain this country. The work of the CRA continues, as I mentioned before. It is ongoing. It is serious, and it is focused. In fact…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, again, when it comes to vital COVID programs that helped to keep businesses going, the member was against all of that. The key fact about the wage subsidy is that small and medium-sized businesses in particular were kept going throughout the pandemic. That is what we have to keep in mind. In fact, when it comes to the vital avoidance and evasion work carried out by CRA, the Conservati…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the key point about the wage subsidy, as I said before, is the way it helped small businesses, small business owners and their employees and medium-sized business owners and their employees. That is the fundamental fact to take away. With respect to the hon. member's questions about avoidance and evasion, this government has invested no less than $1 billion to counter both of those th…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I have respect for the hon. member, because since the moment he was elected he has raised the concerns of working-class individuals and families. On this matter, though, the wage subsidy proved enormously effective for people in his community and every Canadian community, as well as for the businesses in need of support, small businesses and medium-sized businesses. The verification w…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight the outstanding work of an incredible organization in London, Ontario, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, or YOU. Founded in 1982, its centre has continuously focused on the well-being of youth finding themselves in a variety of challenges. The organization focuses on mid-teens and late 20s, kids experiencing challenges in search of a better future in a way that affirm…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate. It turns out the member opposite was not attending last week's meeting of the public accounts committee, because if he was, he would have heard the commissioner of the CRA say that verification work is ongoing with respect to CERB, with respect to CEWS and with respect to all of the emergency programs the government turned out to help Canadians, individuals, familie…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, my colleague and I have enjoyed a very good working relationship over the years. I have a lot of respect for what he does in his community, and no doubt his constituents do as well as they have returned him to the House many times. On the question, if we have an affordable child care option, we give people choice. If we give people choice, they will take it. We have seen, as I cited…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the member does not give evidence as to what the government apparently has done, in her view, with previous advisory councils. It is important for an advisory council to exist, and the bill would open the door to exactly that. However, if the member has suggestions that she wishes to raise, I would be open to looking at those. It is for the government to make the ultimate decision o…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, my friend in the NDP wants credit. We worked with members of the NDP on that, so he gets credit. We worked with them and it was this government that got it done. I am sure he will give credit to the Liberal government for getting it done. We have great legislation here. I hope all colleagues support it.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the subject today is not Bill 101, but Bill C‑35. In my opinion, Quebec has an excellent model for Canada. In fact, that is exactly what we have seen, a government that has looked at the Quebec model, looked at other provinces and opened the door to ongoing discussions that ultimately led to agreements. I mentioned Quebec before, with nearly a 2% increase in that province's GDP sinc…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, it is a great opportunity to stand in the chamber to speak to the importance of child care, which is what Bill C-35 is all about. The aim is to establish, through this legislation, a national early learning child care system. This is something that is not a new discussion in Canada. It was this government that was able to get it done, but the discussion, as members know, goes back t…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2021-22 Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson's annual report, entitled “Service Matters: Numbers Speak Volumes”.
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, that was an interesting speech, as always, from our colleague. I would be remiss if I did not begin tonight by speaking about the late Jim Carr, a colleague to all of us and a friend to many. He was someone who served with distinction provincially and federally, among so many other different pursuits, and who had a very impressive life. He was a mentor to many MPs who began with him…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I ask my hon. colleague what the Conservatives would have done had they been in power. What approach would they have taken? The result that we see is that the country was sustained. It was sustained because of these programs. The audit work continues. Verification is being carried out. It is being carried out in multiple ways and in line with international best practices. The member…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, earlier this year, when Londoner Wayne Dunn was honoured by the Governor General for his contributions to volunteerism, it came as no surprise to residents of our community. For 23 years, Wayne and the organizing committee of the Business Cares Food Drive have done extraordinary work in getting businesses together so food drives could be organized for the community, specifically in …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to the remarkable life of Dr. Peter Fowler, a giant and an icon in the field of sports medicine. Dr. Fowler sadly passed away last Wednesday with his family by his side. In 1974, along with his mentor Dr. Jack Kennedy, Dr. Fowler established an athletic injury clinic. This venture became one of the largest and most successful sports medicine clinics in Nor…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is always interesting to hear the member opposite. One thing I have noticed is that he and his colleagues continue to criticize the federal government for introducing COVID-19 emergency programs. I understand the criticism, but I do not agree with it. If they have that criticism, why did they support those programs? Why did they vote in favour of them?
Read full speech →