Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, in 1970, Tommy Douglas took a stand against government overreach when he courageously opposed the use of the War Measures Act by Pierre Elliott Trudeau, yet where is that courageous and historical NDP today? New Democrats are standing up for the son of Pierre Trudeau, giving him extraordinary powers to freeze bank accounts of political dissidents without due process. When the Liberals…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my hon. colleague what his thoughts are on the government strong-arming his backbench who do not want to vote for this tonight, and perhaps strong-arming the NDP, whose members have sort of been waffling on whether they are going to vote for it or not. The Prime Minister has made this a non-confidence vote today. If it fails, there may very well be an election. I w…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague from Manitoba. I have a lot of respect for her and her advocacy. Although the member did not quite get to her question, I know that members of the House, particularly NDP members, Liberals, and the Greens for sure, have gone to protests. Actually, the leader of the Green Party was arrested for blockading a road to a pipeline construction site four years ago, …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague. I would like to also thank the Bloc Québécois for standing strong and voting against this abuse of democracy today. This is a really good point that we need constituents at home to hear. The Prime Minister today decided that this vote is going to be a confidence vote. If members do not vote in favour of his motion, he is going to call an election. That is hi…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, yes, I was briefed last week. What is interesting is that when the department officials say one thing and the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada says another, I'm not quite sure whom to believe. Were the department officials mistaken or was it the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Canada who was withholding that information? I honestly was not sure. I am really glad she came …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The blockades had been cleared. The Liberals did not need the emergency powers for that. When it comes to Ottawa, the police have also cleared that out. However, we consistently hear ministers and members from the other side say that they need these emergency powers to end the unlawful blockades in Ottawa. That is what we keep hearing and yet, when we look at th…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I rise today, which is a very serious, historic day in our country. We are literally making history today by debating the government's ability to invoke the Emergencies Act. It is a critical vote. Twelve people will decide history today. As we know, the Liberals have a minority government, so they need 12 votes and only 12 votes to decide the future of this country and the precedent…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the blockades have ended. Downtown Ottawa has been cleared. If there was ever a national emergency, which remains in doubt, it is over. There is no need for the Emergencies Act vote tonight. It would seem then that this vote tonight is about far more than the blockades and the protesters in downtown Ottawa. It would seem it is only about power, about the government having the power an…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal member for Beaches—East York said today in the House, “I am not convinced that the emergency measures should [extend] beyond today. I would vote accordingly, but...it is now a confidence vote”. It would seem that the Prime Minister is strong-arming his back bench and the NDP to vote in his favour by threatening an election. Is that not true?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I served on committee with the hon. member, and I appreciate that Bloc members are supporting our motion. I understand that they do not think it is perfect, but they understand the value in having a path forward, a peaceful resolution out of this and a plan for Canadians who are at the end of their rope. That is what we want to see. That is what we are asking for. Our motion is more t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would encourage the member to read the motion. We have actually quoted public health experts in Canada. As our leader has pointed out, Dr. Tam, Dr. Hinshaw, Dr. Moore and many of the top public health doctors in this country have said that it is time to re-evaluate these harsh measures, the lockdowns and mandates. It is time now. Everything is about timing. Politics is about timing.…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the seriousness of the situation that Canada as a whole is facing. This nation is facing a crisis that continues to escalate, and I am very glad that we are having a democratic debate in the House on the path forward. Over the last couple of weeks, Conservatives have begun to speak out for the citizens who have been suffering in silence for the last two …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the hypocrisy I am seeing is a Prime Minister who yesterday said, “Canada has never been as strong and together as we are now.” Does the Prime Minister not own a television? Does he not drive by what is going on in our nation's capital? That is hypocrisy. A man who, for years, said that diversity is our strength and who has now won votes off dividing Canadians, on their health choices…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the member who laughed when I said that members of Parliament in the House have extraordinary privilege. We have been able to keep our jobs. I am very proud of our leader for stepping forward today and putting forward a call to action of the Prime Minister. She asked him today if he will meet with members of the other parties. Will they get together, sit…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The member who just spoke said blatantly on the record tonight that members on this side are conspiracy theorists. That is a pretty significant claim. We are here representing Canadians. He is calling what we have said conspiracy theories. Can he point to one example of our being conspiracy theorists?
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, the member's question is incumbent upon all members of Parliament to stand up against violence, bullying and divisive rhetoric. I have seen that repeatedly. I have done that repeatedly particularly when again we see a Prime Minister of this country who for over a year and a half said that vaccines for all those who want them and then within days of called a $600 million unnecessary el…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, I believe the NDP leader to be a compassionate man. I also believe that the NDP, with vigilance, fights for the marginalized. That is why I am bit surprised and would like his comments. His party must be hearing about the damage that has been done to children and seniors in isolation and about job losses. The NDP is traditionally the party standing up for workers. We have seen workers…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Mégantic—L'Érable. I am very glad to be speaking about this pressing issue that really has Canadians glued to their television sets. The convoy has been all over Ottawa and across every major city in Canada. We have even seen it spread to other countries around the world. I am very glad that after two long years of division on COVID that…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, do we remember the Liberals' election promise from 2015, “real change for the middle class”? It was a winning election slogan for them. To give credit where it is due, things have certainly changed for the middle class. Those looking to break into the housing market, for example, have seen the average home price in 2015 of $430,000 go to now over $798,000. As a result, most young peop…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, with all that Liberal spending, we have only seen housing prices in Canada become the most expensive in the world. Maybe that is what is influencing it. Just as housing has become unaffordable since that fateful 2015 election, so have basic necessities. Milk is up 12%, eggs are up 14%, and baby food has seen an astounding 79% increase since the current Prime Minister took government. …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I have enjoyed working with the member. We are setting some really important issues right now. Over the last two years, particularly since the Prime Minister called the unnecessary $600-million election that further divided Canadians, I have been concerned, as I am sure he has been as well, about the hatred from all sides. There is not nearly enough communication. I think it was a r…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I certainly support investments in health care, and greater investments seem to be needed. However, there is one point I want to make. I believe I read that Canada has one of the most expensive health care systems per capita in the world. Why are we spending so much and getting so little? Why are people waiting eight, 10, 12 or 14 hours in an ER? Why are they waiting years, in norma…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I congratulate the member on her first election. Absolutely, I do. As I mentioned in my speech, we need more investment in health care and we need transformative change. We need to be looking at best practices around the world. We are seeing other countries with far better surge capacity than we have in Canada. As I said, this is not the last pandemic and this is not the last wave. …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I ran to be an MP because I love Canada. I love our country. My ancestors fled tyranny and war-torn eastern Europe over 130 years ago to come to the Canadian prairies for the freedom and opportunity it represented. Their hard work and sacrifice created a better life for all of those who followed, including me. I am motivated every day to honour them, to do right by them and my const…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to the government's hotel quarantine being run by a third party at the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel and Suites for certain returning international travellers: (a) what company or organization is the third party running the quarantine operation; (b) how much is the company or organization being paid to run the hotel quarantine; (c) how much was this Hilton Toronto Airport and Suites pai…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to fully vaccinated travelers being forced to quarantine due to issues with the ArriveCAN application, including not pre-registering on app: (a) how many such individuals returning from the United States by land were required to quarantine between (i) November 22, 2021 and November 29, 2021, (ii) November 30, 2021, and December 7, 2021, (iii) since December 7, 2021; (b) were the travel…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to the impact of inflation on the Market Basket Measure (MBM) and the poverty line: (a) what is the current, or latest, MBM for the reference family and various poverty lines in each of the MBM geographic areas in Manitoba; (b) what was the "2018-base MBM" for the reference family and various poverty lines in each geographic area in (a); (c) what percentage of individuals living in eac…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister can make all the excuses he wants, but the fact remains that he has spent more money than all of his predecessors combined, yet his record is declining investment and competitiveness, a lacklustre economic growth record, record inflation and housing prices that are taking away the dreams from half of Canada's young people, who may never own a home. To top it off, th…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the rising cost of living is hitting Manitoba families hard. This year alone, gas prices for home heating went up 30%, fuel for our cars went up a staggering 40%, the average national home price, as we found out today, is now three-quarters of a million dollars and next year Canadian families will be paying an additional $1,000 on their annual grocery bills. None of this was really ad…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I think our intent is to ensure that Canadians are treated with dignity and respect. Does the minister think he is doing a good job of that?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, does the minister believe he has been protecting the health and safety of the woman who has celiac disease who went 40 hours without food?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, does the minister think it has been $1 billion well spent?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I think my question is about the fact that the taxpayer has spent $1 billion. We know with the government that the sky is the limit with spending, yet we are seeing an unbelievable amount of mistreatment: Canadians going without food; Canadians going without diapers and milk for their babies; people with celiac going without food they can safely eat; doctors having to put off critical…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I have read what the doctor wrote to me. She has been waiting three days. She has a negative COVID test from the government, and she is still waiting three days to be released. She said that she is stuck there despite her negative test. She also says that it is inhumane, forcing her against her will, given that she is no risk to Canada. Why is the doctor being held hostage by the gove…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, how is the minister protecting public safety when he is not allowing a pro-vaccine advocate into her community, an important doctor in her community, to access patients who have been waiting a year?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, Dr. Gooderham is a dermatologist. Skin care and skin cancer diagnoses cannot wait. She is very concerned that a number of her patients cannot wait, yet they have to because the minister has kept her in a quarantine hotel, despite having a negative COVID test for three days. Could the minister explain why this is acceptable?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I would beg to differ. Dr. Gooderham is a physician and vaccine advocate in Peterborough. She has a wait list of over one year for critical medical appointments. She has been stuck in quarantine and is having to reschedule so many appointments for patients in critical need. Does the minister believe that unintended consequences in this regard are not important?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, the minister is incorrect. The Conservatives have long supported expert advice on our borders. We were also interested to see the expert advisory panel of the government say that the guiding principles of all health decisions should be to minimize unintended harm. Does the minister feel he has fulfilled that with quarantine hotels?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I am asking because Andrew from Ottawa, who was on the news, spent five days in quarantine and did not have a change of clothes. He also had three negative COVID tests. Is that acceptable?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, can the minister say how much was spent on providing Canadians with clothing, since they did not have their luggage?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I ask because we are seeing a lot of significant events happening at quarantine hotels. A celiac woman from Edmonton went 40 hours without food. Does the minister believe the money was well spent on this nutritious food for those with extreme dietary needs?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I would like to hear from the health minister regarding the Public Health Agency of Canada spending a billion dollars on the funding for border and travel measures, and isolation. How much was spent on providing nutritious meals to Canadians?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I very much look forward to the time when Conservatives are in government. I cannot answer his question.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, the government should be treating Canadians with dignity and respect. If they have a negative COVID test, they should be released from quarantine, particularly the doctor who has not been able to see her patients, particularly the woman with celiac who has not eaten, particularly the man who has not changed his underwear for five days, all of whom have had negative COVID tests. That i…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the horror show of Liberal quarantine hotels has returned. There are five-hour waits in crowded airports, buses to hotels at secret locations and people served food described as cold gruel. An Edmonton woman with celiac went 40 hours without food that she could eat safely. Babies are going without milk and diapers. Some people do not have hot water or heat in their hotel rooms. It is …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, in order for Canadians to cross the land border from the U.S. into Canada, they have to upload their proof of vaccination to the government's official app ArriveCAN, but this requirement has been poorly communicated, to say the least. Now, Canadians are finding out at the border upon returning home that, if someone fails to do this, they will be punished by their government with a man…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, if a person has received mandatory quarantine for spending, say, 30 minutes at the grocery store in the U.S., there is the government's response. It has no plan to help and is, by all accounts, pleased with its punishments of Canadians. We need to look at the facts. The ArriveCAN app has crashed for some users. Many cannot access it because of poor cell service. Many seniors do not ha…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, this holiday season, I am grateful beyond words to all those who have supported my journey in public service. I want to thank my family for its steadfast support and encouragement, and thank my incredible team and staff that worked tirelessly on my re-election campaign. All members in the House know it takes a team to get us here. I am so grateful for the incredible people on my team.…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, that answer is unacceptable. Countries like Germany, the U.K. and India did not have to wait for direction from the World Health Organization to keep their citizens safe. We have seen indecision from the government before. It was Conservative members of the opposition who called on the Liberal government to close the border back in January 2020 for the coronavirus. The government wait…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are learning disturbing news today concerning a new COVID variant out of southern Africa. Countries like Germany, the U.K., India and Israel have already taken decisive action to close their borders to incoming flights and implement quarantine and testing requirements for those travelling from areas of concern, yet the government has not even updated its travel advisory yet.…
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