hazylavender/hi huggingface dataset:
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Hon. Sean Fraser: there is no question that there are Canadians across this country who have been having a hard time with the cost of living, but we should put this into perspective. Over the course of the economic recovery from COVID-19, we have now seen more than 850,000 people with a job today who did not have one before the pandemic. However, to help those people who are still struggling, we are making investments to offset the cost of groceries with a new grocery rebate. We are making investments on the issues Canadians raised with us as being important, to make sure they have access to a family doctor. We are making investments so that they can continue to have access to good jobs. When it comes to putting a price on pollution, we have found a way to put more money in the pockets of households. The Conservatives want to take it from them so that they can make it free to pollute.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Philip Lawrence: there has been plenty of debate in this House on what the impact of the carbon tax is on Canadians. However, I want to put that debate to rest once and for all. I am going to read right from the Prime Minister 's own parliamentary watchdog: "Most households in provinces under the backstop will see a net loss resulting from...carbon pricing." If members do not believe me, it continues: "household carbon costs will exceed the [rebate]". The Liberals have hit zero targets. It is clear that not only does the carbon tax fail to fight emissions, but it is also costing Canadians $1,500 on average. When will the government finally just axe the tax?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Hon. Sean Fraser: I would point out that the exact same report from the PBO confirms that eight out of 10 Canadian households will receive more from the climate action dividend than they pay out in any fuel charge. What is fascinating is that if the hon. member actually considers the analysis behind the report, the only expenditure he is referring to assumes that the alternative is taking no further action on climate change. This is par for the course for the Conservatives. We have been defending this policy for three election cycles. If they want to triple down on a losing strategy, I invite them to remain in opposition as long as they would like.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Philip Lawrence: if we want to talk about a losing strategy, they have hit zero emissions targets. That is a victory rate of 0%. That is just how out of touch they are. However, that is not surprising given that we have an out-of-touch government with an out-of-touch Prime Minister . He gets on a plane, goes to Jamaica and takes an $81,000 free vacation from a donor to the Trudeau Foundation. Moreover, we know that he will not pay that back because we know who he is. Maybe he will pay the carbon tax on the jet fuel. The jet fuel alone would add a carbon tax of $13,750. Will the government finally admit it is a carbon scam and axe the tax?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Hon. Sean Fraser: talking about targets, when it comes to our emissions, I would remind the hon. member that the target we have set is for the year 2030. I would remind all members of this House that 2030 is seven years from now. We are going to continue to work to hit that target, as we have projected we would. However, it is telling that when the Conservatives are confronted with an analysis that they do not want to accept, they turn their guns onto the Prime Minister as a person. The reality is that the more they are going to focus on him as an individual, the more we are going to focus on the Canadians who live in our communities. We will make sure they have access to good jobs, income support for families that need it and health care for those who deserve it. We are also going to continue to advance environmental policies to protect pocketbooks and reduce emissions.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Rene Villemure: the interim Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner has stepped down following the controversy regarding her family ties to the Liberal minister. I would like to reiterate that we never questioned the integrity and competence of Ms. Richard, who is doing the right thing. The Liberal ministers should never have put her in this untenable position. Now, these same ministers have to appoint someone else. They have demonstrated several times that they do not have a good grasp of ethics, so this disqualifies them from moving forward on their own. Unfortunately, I am not available. Will they finally propose a candidate that all parties can agree on?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Rene Villemure: the vacant Ethics Commissioner position is problematic. No investigations can be conducted until the position is filled. However, the House is currently looking into the Chinese interference scandal, which could require clarifications about the role played by Liberal actors. The Prime Minister himself is embroiled in a scandal concerning his Christmas vacation with friends who make donations to the Trudeau Foundation. If the Liberals were to leave the interim Ethics Commissioner position empty much longer, questions would be raised. Will the Liberals provide the opposition with a list of candidates on Monday?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Kyle Seeback: on Tuesday, I received an email from Kim in my riding about the budget. Kim writes, "I'm stretched so thin I either pay bills or buy food because I can't afford both. Food costs are ridiculous. Gas and heating are going up. Is life better under this government? Not by a long shot". The carbon tax is crushing the affordability of everything that Kim buys and uses. The cost of everything is driven up by the carbon tax, making life unaffordable. Will the government finally do something to help Kim and the millions of Kims across Canada by cutting the carbon tax?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Terry Beech: I am happy to say that just this week, not only our government but also every member of this House stood up and did something for Kim and people in that situation by delivering the grocery benefit to the more than 11 million Canadians who need it the most. Every day, I stand up in this place waiting for the Conservatives to come up with a plan to fight climate change. I wish that would happen. They deny the fact that eight out of 10 Canadians are actually better off with the climate incentive. They spend all their opposition days and their questions trying to make pollution great again.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Kyle Seeback: it is astounding how the Liberals gaslight Canadians. Kim knows about the grocery rebate because Kim looked into the budget. Kim says, "Despite the grocery rebate, I have to choose between heating my home or buying food". The answer from the member and the arrogant, out-of-touch government suggests that Kim does not have a problem and that we should not be asking the question. It is audacious and despicable of people to gaslight and diminish Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet. Will they finally show they actually give a damn about Canadians and cut the carbon tax?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Terry Beech: only the Conservatives would consider facts to be gaslighting. The facts are that youth unemployment is down 22%, that 2.7 million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty under this government and that we have the lowest deficit and the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. That strong balance sheet allows us to invest in making life more affordable and creating clean jobs that create a better economy for the future. While the Conservatives continue to come forward with ideas in the House that involve raiding the pensions of seniors and not fighting climate change, we are going to come up with real solutions to benefit Canadians.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mrs. Cheryl Gallant: the carbon tax has driven the price of food so high that even military families have to visit food banks. Now, 700 soldiers are without heat or water because the Prime Minister could not reach a fair deal with public servants. The Prime Minister has friends who cover a $160,000 vacation at a luxury resort for a week, and yet he leaves our military out in the cold. Will he cancel his plans to triple the carbon tax?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Bryan May: we are of course at the bargaining table and working hard to reach a fair deal. As a result of the ongoing labour action, CFB Petawawa has experienced a disruption in service from its central heating plant. Heating-plant shutdowns may affect those working or living on the base in quarters typically used during training or on a temporary basis. Alternative facilities are being made available for those affected by this disruption.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Doug Shipley: Canadians are out of money, and the Prime Minister is out of touch. Currently, food bank usage is at an all-time high, mortgage and rent costs have doubled and many cannot afford to heat their homes. While 24% of Canadians say they cannot afford a vacation this summer, the Prime Minister decided to jet off to Jamaica on a luxury vacation at a private villa, courtesy of a big-time Trudeau Foundation donor. Will the Prime Minister finally tell us how much he personally paid for this luxury vacation in Jamaica?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Terry Beech: while the opposition members continue to focus on the Prime Minister , we are focused on Canadians and making sure that life is more affordable. How are we doing that? We are doing that through programs like child care and dental care. We are investing in health care to make sure that premiers in the provinces and territories have the resources they need to deliver the health outcomes that Canadians expect. We are doing all that while having the strongest fiscal framework in the G7. That is what responsible government does and what good ideas look like.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Bonita Zarrillo: unpaid caregivers in this country take care of children, aging parents and loved ones. They do an incredible amount of unpaid labour. In the finance minister 's mandate letter, the government has promised to provide a refundable Canada caregiver credit, but the Liberals failed to deliver it in the last budget. Families rely on caregivers, who receive so little compensation. Why are the Liberals so quick to move mountains for their rich buddies but not to support caregivers who care for their loved ones?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Adam van Koeverden: health care is essential, and this could not be more true for those who are most vulnerable, particularly seniors. A couple of weeks ago, before the budget, I was able to sit down with the SEIU, which is a union that supports and represents personal support care workers right across this country. Budget 2023 invests in the wages of those workers. Some of the most vulnerable people are also taken care of by immigrants and temporary foreign workers. We need to make sure those people are taken care of too, and this government is on the right side of that equation.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Richard Cannings: the Swiss multinational resource company Glencore is trying to take over Teck Resources, one of Canada's biggest mining companies. The British Columbia premier is urging the federal government to stop this. If this hostile takeover moves forward, thousands of Canadians could lose their jobs. Moreover, our sources of critical minerals would be at risk. Worse, Glencore has been accused of human rights abuses; the company even pleaded guilty to bribery and market manipulation. Will the Liberals do the right thing for Canadians and block this hostile takeover?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Andy Fillmore: as the member knows, the Investment Canada Act provides for the review of the most significant investments by non-Canadians to ensure the net benefit to the Canadian economy. All investments, no matter their value, are subject to a national security review under the ICA. Therefore, the acquisition of a Canadian company by a foreign company would be subject to review. As the member knows, due to the confidentiality provisions under the act, we cannot comment further.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Julie Dabrusin: this week, we kicked off the planting season by announcing an agreement with British Columbia to plant over 37 million trees. The effect is like taking almost 470,000 cars off the road. It is going to turn burnt areas into healthy forests and restore wildlife habitat and ecosystems. I would like to wish everyone who is working in the planting fields, such as the scientists, planners, nursery workers and recipients the best throughout this year's planting season.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Andy Fillmore: my friend may not have heard that the world is facing a new future built on the green economy. President Biden reminded us in this chamber that the countries able to develop green economies within their borders will be the countries that will win. This is a historic investment for all Canadians. I will point out to the member that our investment is not a subsidy. In fact, this investment is equal to the economic impact of just five years of operations at this new plant. The scale of the site will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. Our government is bringing the auto sector back to St. Thomas after a plant closed under the Conservatives' watch in 2011. The area MPs and the Conservative premier are behind this; why is this not the case for the member and his party?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Rick Perkins: perhaps the member should listen to his Minister of Finance who, on Wednesday, said that competing with the subsidies of the Biden inflation act is a "race to the bottom". Liberals surely would not give away $14 billion in taxpayer money without a contract on the exact commitments of jobs in the plant. I will ask again: How many jobs in the plant will this $14-billion subsidy buy?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Andy Fillmore: every day in the chamber, the government members come to work to make life more affordable for Canadians, grow the economy and take action against climate change. This investment by Volkswagen and the federal government is a game-changer for the positioning of Canada as the world's green supplier of choice. It means that we are well on our way. There will be thousands of jobs created in the St. Thomas area. There will be thousands of knock-on jobs created in adjacent industries. This is a win for Canada, and it is a win for the world.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Scott Aitchison: "we see the interest rate increases over the course of 2022 leading to lower housing starts this year." Those are the words of a market analyst at the CMHC. Excessive Liberal borrowing and spending caused a spike in interest rates and will stall new housing construction. CMHC has also said that we need to build 5.8 million homes by 2030 if we have any hope of restoring affordability. Why, then, is this costly coalition so determined to block the construction of the homes Canadians so desperately need?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Stephane Lauzon: I thank my colleague for the question. Indeed, too many Canadians are struggling with the cost of housing, and that is unacceptable. That is why we have good news: The federal government is showing bold leadership by quickly increasing housing supply, helping Canadians who are struggling with the cost of housing and protecting the dream of home ownership. We launched a $4-billion housing accelerator fund and introduced a federal top-up of $500 to the Canada housing benefit that will help 1.8 million renters. We also created a tax-free savings account of $40,000 for first time homebuyers. I could go on.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Scott Aitchison: well, it is pretty clear it is not working. The average rent in Toronto for a one-bedroom apartment is now over $2,500 per month. Canadians who are going to renew their mortgages this year are faced with record increases in interest costs, and now the CMHC has increased fees by up to 200% on the programs builders use to finance multi-unit residential construction. If the government really wants to build more homes, why does it continually make it so much more expensive?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Stephane Lauzon: unlike the Conservatives, we believe that every Canadian has the right to live in a safe and affordable place. That is why we brought in the first national housing strategy. It is an ambitious plan of over $82 billion that has already helped hundreds of thousands of Canadian families get the housing they need. We have also introduced new measures in budget 2023--measures that the Conservatives voted against--to double construction, directly support Canadians and help them save for their first home.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Kristina Michaud: the UN issued a warning to the entire planet this morning reporting that glaciers are melting at a record rate because of greenhouse gases. It warns that it will take several decades to stop this negative trend. When it comes to melting glaciers and rising sea levels, we have already lost the fight. At the same time, the federal government's climate change plan has been slammed in no less than five reports by the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development. When will the federal government finally take action instead of watching our chances to stop climate change melt away before their eyes?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Julie Dabrusin: I want to thank my colleague for that question. She is giving me the opportunity to say, first, that we thank the commissioner for his reports and all his recommendations, which we are taking seriously. This is also an opportunity for me to say that the results of our national inventory report of greenhouse gas emissions show progress in our fight against climate change. In 2021, there were 53 million fewer tonnes of pollution in our cities. That is the equivalent of taking 11 million cars off Canada's roads.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Mario Simard: the commissioner of the environment is very critical of the federal plan to combat climate change, and the government is not out of the woods yet. Speaking of wood, he specifically mentions the Prime Minister 's much-touted plan to plant two billion trees. How is the government doing on that front? It has met 2.3% of its target. Two per cent is not terribly impressive, and that is assuming all the trees that were planted managed to survive. The commissioner warned us that Ottawa is not doing any tracking. It is time to get serious. Instead of pretending to plant trees, when will the Prime Minister take real action by cutting off funding to oil companies?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Julie Dabrusin: I will begin by thanking the commissioner again for his reports. Many of the recommendations in his report about the two billion trees have been implemented or are currently being implemented. In fact, he said himself that he has seen progress, and he sees the work that has been done as a result of those recommendations. Thanks to this program, we have signed or are in the process of negotiating multi-year agreements to plant 260 million trees over 10 years.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mrs. Laila Goodridge: over the last eight years, Liberals have repeatedly broken ethics laws, more often than any government in Canadian history. Liberals have been found guilty of breaking the law six times, with the Prime Minister alone being found guilty twice. They decided to appoint the sister-in-law of a current cabinet minister, who has also been found guilty of breaking an ethics law. However, now that it is has been caught, she has resigned, leaving the position to be filled yet again. What Liberals do not seem to get is that the appearance of a conflict is in fact a conflict. Will the Prime Minister commit to appoint someone who is not a friend, a family member or a member of the Trudeau foundation?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux: I have already answered this question. I talked about making sure that there will be a replacement, and that will happen in due time with proper process. As the Conservatives like to focus their attention on the Prime Minister , I would like to bring their attention to today, when we debated the budget implementation bill, which is an important bill for all Canadians. It is a bill that delivers on things such as the grocery rebate, which would be a benefit to 11 million Canadians. There are all sorts of opportunities for the opposition. They can continue to repeat the same question, but my preference is to highlight some of the things that are happening in Canada.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Jacques Gourde: now that the acting ethics commissioner has stepped down, we hope to see a return to an acceptable ethical standard. Appointing the sister-in-law of an influential government minister to fill the position of Conflict of Interest Commissioner showed unbelievably bad judgment and clear favouritism. This time, would it be asking too much to find a candidate to fill the Conflict of Interest Commissioner position who is not related to friends of the Trudeau Foundation?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux: we have always supported the work of the conflict of interest office. We are actively looking at a replacement for that particular position, and it will take place. If I may, I will focus on what is happening in Canada today through budgetary measures, which include things such as the grocery rebate, as I mentioned, and the dental expansion program, which would help people during the difficult time of inflation. We can talk about the health care issue and how it is that the federal government is investing in future generations for health care services, which we all expect of the government.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux: again, we are actively looking for a replacement for that particular position. It will come in due course and follow a proper process. This is a government that has consistently respected the independence of our offices. I would encourage members to change gears, get off the personal assassinations of character and start focusing on the issues that are important to Canadians, such as the economy.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mrs. Sophie Chatel: this week, we learned that the 2027 Canada Games will take place in Quebec City. That is excellent news for our beautiful province and the sports community. This not-to-be-missed sporting event provides many athletes with their first opportunity to participate in a high-level competition in a very friendly environment. Can the Minister of Sport tell us more about the government's efforts to make events like this one possible?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Hon. Pascale St-Onge: I thank my colleague from Pontiac for her question. I want to join her in congratulating Quebec City for being chosen to host the next Canada Winter Games in 2027, 60 years after hosting the inaugural event. It is a wonderful tribute to Quebec City for the Canada Games to return to its birthplace. The event will also generate major economic spinoffs for the region. We will continue to work with our partners to give our young athletes unique opportunities to excel and reach their full potential in a safe, healthy and inclusive sports environment.