hazylavender/hi huggingface dataset:
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Bernard Genereux: at a time when inflation is eating away at more and more taxpayers' paycheques, families are being forced to pay $1,000 more each year to put food on the table, and mortgage payments are doubling, causing untold stress for Canadians, the Prime Minister sees nothing wrong with taking a luxury vacation to Jamaica. Can he at least tell us how much he paid out of his own pocket for his luxury hotel?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Rachel Bendayan: for nine consecutive months, inflation has been going down in Canada. On Monday, we saw inflation drop significantly. The priority of our Liberal government has been and continues to be the economy and the cost of living. The priority of the Conservatives, especially the leader of the Conservative Party, is to attack the Prime Minister or to join forces with Elon Musk on Twitter to denigrate our Canadian institutions, such as the CBC. This morning, we saw that all those efforts were for naught, because Elon Musk himself backed down.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Bernard Genereux: 24% of Canadians say that they cannot take a vacation this summer because of inflation. They are definitely not impressed when they see their Prime Minister vacationing in a Jamaican paradise at taxpayers' expense. The average Canadian dares not even dream of such luxury. This Prime Minister is so used to living on another planet that he does not even realize how this is perceived by Canadians and the entire world. I will repeat my question: Will he pay for his luxury hotel out of his own pocket?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux: as the government House leader said yesterday, it is somewhat hypocritical, some might suggest, for the Leader of the Opposition , who lives in a government-supplied home, who drives in a government-supplied vehicle and who receives many different government paid expenses, to be critical of other members. At times, the Conservative Party needs to look in the mirror and realize that sometimes it is not good to throw stones at a glass house.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Michael Kram: the mass shooting in Nova Scotia three years ago was a tragedy that must never be repeated. Strangely, the Mass Casualty Commission report identified the physical location of the RCMP Depot in Regina as a problem and recommended that it be shut down. The RCMP Depot in Regina is a world-class police training facility, fully capable of implementing any training requirements that need to be made. Will the government commit today to keeping the RCMP training depot in Regina open?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Pam Damoff: we thank the commission for its report and the important recommendations that it has made. We are reviewing the commission's recommendations, and will be working closely with provinces, territories, counterparts and civil society to respond in due course. We hope that the opposition parties are also reviewing all of the recommendations, not just the one on the RCMP, that dealt with gender-based violence and assault weapons, and that we could work together to implement the recommendations to save lives.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Ryan Turnbull: Canada has a proud tradition of welcoming some of the world's most vulnerable people. With the challenges businesses face and the changing demographic of our rural towns, we know skilled refugees can be part of the solution too. Could the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tell us how we are providing refugees with a new lease on life and the opportunity to help businesses in need?
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Hon. Sean Fraser: I thank my hon. colleague for his advocacy over the years. I have known him to support some of the world's most vulnerable. We know that when refugees or displaced people come to Canada they arrive with a heck of a lot more than what they are carrying in their bags. These are people who have skills to contribute. They will grow our economy and give back to the communities that have given them that second lease on life. That is why we recently announced an expanded program, the EMPP, or economic mobility pathways pilot, which taps into the skills that refugees bring to Canada and is going to allow thousands to come and live in our communities and give back. I met these people. They are working in health care and high tech. We are going to continue to welcome them. It is the right thing to do and it serves our interests at the same time.
Labour
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Niki Ashton: ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, we are calling on the Liberals to invest in soccer for kids in indigenous and northern communities. Now we found out that the City of Toronto cooked up a sweetheart deal that will divert public funds to Maple Leaf sports and entertainment. I know the Maple Leafs are not used to making profits come round two of the playoffs, so they want to max it out, but let us be real. This is a misuse of public funds. The Liberals must be clear. In the lead-up to the world cup, will they ensure that any public funds go to the public good, like investing in soccer for our communities so that all kids can play the sport they love?
Government Response to Petitions
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Tom Kmiec: I am tabling a petition on behalf of my constituents who are members of the Hazara minority ethnic community of Afghanistan. They are again reminding the Government of Canada of the ongoing genocide of the Hazaras in Afghanistan who continue to be persecuted by the terrorist Taliban regime in this ongoing genocide, especially going back from 1998 to 2001. The massacres, arrests, forced displacement and confiscation of Hazaras' lands are of ongoing concern for my constituents. They remind the Government of Canada, as part of the international community, of its obligation to promote justice for the Hazara ethnic community in Afghanistan. They are calling on it to recognize the ongoing genocide and persecution by the Taliban of the Hazara ethnic minority, and asking it to prioritize Hazara refugees as part of the 40,000 Afghan target by the end of this year.
Government Response to Petitions
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gord Johns: given the price of inflation and food, it is timely that I am bringing this petition on behalf of constituents from Cumberland, Courtenay and Royston in my riding. They cite the importance of farmers' markets as a key tool for COVID-19 recovery, as small business incubators, as domestic system and food security builders, and local economy community builders. Farmers' market coupon programs are a key support for new market development, and for existing markets and their provincial associations. The petitioners are calling for a national coupon-matching program that would assist in meeting the demands of people who are lacking healthy food and food security, encourage provinces without a provincial program to create one, and support those provinces that have a provincial program to expand and meet that demand. They are calling on the House of Commons and the Government of Canada to support my motion, Motion No. 78, and initiate a national coupon-matching program for all provincial farmers' market and nutrition coupon programs across Canada that would match provinces that are already contributing to their farmers' market nutrition coupon programs and encourage provinces that do not have a program to implement one.
Government Response to Petitions
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Ya'ara Saks: I am pleased to present this petition on behalf of 274 signatories from the Turkish Canadian community in my riding of York Centre. Many of my constituents and their families have been deeply affected by the recent earthquake. This petition is calling on the government to take action to help them by easing the temporary resident visa application requirements that are currently in place.
Government Response to Petitions
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Rachel Blaney: I table a petition from so many Canadians and recognizing the heartfelt words of so many of my constituents about addressing drug toxicity and the impact it is having on the many precious lives that are being lost. We know Canada's current drug policies have proven to be ineffective in the prevention of substance use and exacerbate substance use, harms and risks. We also know, from much research, that the decriminalization of personal possessions is associated with significantly reducing drug toxicity deaths in the countries that have adopted progressive drug policy reforms. So many precious souls have died. Once they are gone, they never have that opportunity, so the petitioners are asking the government to implement a health-based national strategy to provide access to a regular safe supply of drugs, and expand trauma-informed treatment, recovery and harm-reduction services and public education and awareness campaigns throughout Canada.
Government Response to Petitions
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Brendan Hanley: I am once again pleased to present a just transition petition on behalf of 216 Yukon constituents. The petitioners call upon the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada to enact just transition legislation that reduces emissions by at least 60% below 2005 levels and makes significant contributions to emissions reductions in countries in the global south; winds down the fossil fuel industry and related infrastructure; ends fossil fuel subsidies; transitions to a decarbonized economy; creates new public economic institutions and expands public ownership of services and utilities across the economy to implement the transition; creates good, green jobs and drives inclusive workforce development, led by and including affected workers in communities and ensures decent low-carbon work for all workers; protects and strengthens human rights and worker rights, respects indigenous rights, sovereignty and knowledge by including them in creating and implementing this legislation; ensures migrant justice and emphasizes support for historically marginalized communities; expands the social safety net through new income supports, decarbonized public housing and operational funding for affordable and accessible public transit countrywide; and pays for the transition by increasing taxes on the wealthiest corporations and financing through a public national bank.
Government Response to Petitions
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Lori Idlout: Uqaqtittiji , I am pleased to submit this petition, signed by Canadians who state that over 29,000 Canadians have died due to apparent opioid toxicity between January 2016 and December 2021. This petition states that Canada's current drug policies have proven to be ineffective in the prevention of substance use and exacerbates substance use, harms and risks. The war on drugs has resulted in widespread stigma toward those who use controlled substances. It further states that decriminalization of personal possession is associated with significantly reducing drug toxicity deaths in the countries that have adopted progressive drug policy reforms. The signatories to the petition call for three items: first, that there be reform to the drug policy to decriminalize the simple possession of drugs listed in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; second, provide a path for expungement of conviction records for those convicted of simple possession; and, three, with urgency, implement a health-based national strategy for providing access to a regulated safer supply of drugs and expand trauma-informed treatment, recovery and harm-reduction services, and public education and awareness campaigns throughout Canada.
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Chandra Arya: I heard my hon. colleague cover a wide range of issues in his speech. I did hear him ask why the Volkswagen plant that was announced today is not in Quebec and why it is in Ontario. As a member of Parliament from the province of Ontario, I am quite happy that the plant is located in Ontario, but as a Canadian, I would equally support it if the plant were located in Quebec or Alberta or any other province. Is the member not aware that the decision as to where the plant will be located is made by the company in question after consultations and discussions with the relevant province?
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie: the Bloc Quebecois wants to make sure that Quebec gets its fair share. When Ottawa decided to save the auto industry with $10 billion in 2008, we noted that Quebec did not receive the equivalent. When Ottawa decided to save Muskrat Falls with $10 billion, we noted that Quebec did not get the equivalent. When the Liberals chose to buy the pipeline in western Canada for tens of billions of dollars, we noted that Quebec did not get its share. We want to make sure that Quebec gets its share. Quebec specializes in green energy and the green economy, that is, the economy of the future. Quebec had all the expertise it needed to have a successful battery plant, but that was not how it played out. To add insult to injury, it was the minister from Shawinigan who made this announcement with great fanfare in Montreal to say that the plant would not be in Montreal or the surrounding region, but in St. Thomas, Ontario. Good for them. Could Quebec get some of these structural investments to develop its economy? The proof remains to be seen, unfortunately.
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie: we spent one day in camera studying the budget. We wondered whether there really was an inflationary crisis, a housing crisis and a seniors' purchasing power crisis. It seemed to be a budget created in a vacuum, without any context. One could almost believe that it was generated by ChatGPT based on the last 30 or 40 years. This budget came out of nowhere. We see that in Bill C-47 , too. What is there for social housing or housing? There are 430 pages, and 59 statutes are affected, but there is nothing at all for housing. That is unacceptable.
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gord Johns: first, I want to thank my colleague from Joliette , with whom I have worked for many years now on tax fairness, trying to make sure that those who are not paying their fair share do pay their fair share. I want to talk about mental health fairness, especially for first responders and military veterans in our country. I got a message from Blair Meadows, who is a veteran and a strong volunteer and committed citizen at the Qualicum Beach Legion, in my riding. He talked about the important costs associated with PTSD service dogs for military police and first responders and that they need to be fully covered by the federal government, including training, maintenance and aftercare. As Mr. Meadows has pointed out, "These dogs are part of our medical care and well-being. Personally, my service dog saved my life and you can't put a price on that." Others have said similar things. These dogs save lives. When it comes to the people who put their lives on the line for our freedom and democracy, who put the sacrifice on, the government has a duty to ensure that the costs associated with these dogs are covered. It actually saves our health care system money. I know this is an issue for my good colleague from North Island--Powell River , which hopefully should be North Island--qathet if she gets her way with the electoral boundary commission, which she should, in the future. I would like to say to my colleague that this was not in the budget. We saw the Conservatives cut a third of Veterans Affairs when it was under their watch. The government has failed to deliver the critical services that Blair Meadows and many other veterans and first responders need. Does my colleague agree that this should be covered and that it actually saves money when it comes to the mental health care system in our country?
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie: I thank my colleague for his moving speech on what are certainly very important topics. Obviously, the issue in question is not covered in Bill C-47 and I am not really familiar with it, even though I think it is of the utmost importance. The Bloc Quebecois wants Ottawa to ensure that health care services, including mental health services, will be fully funded. Ottawa's plan for supporting the health care plans of the provinces is inadequate and unacceptable, despite the extra $2 billion provided through Bill C-46 , which was passed on Wednesday. We are far from a done deal. Ottawa offers direct services, including in health, for veterans and certain sectors. What is being done seems plainly insufficient. Of course, anything Ottawa does costs two and a half times more than the same service provided by Quebec. If the federal government were responsible for delivering health care services, a public health care system would be completely out of reach.
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mrs. Marilene Gill: I thank my colleague for his speech. He is always smart and sensible. I would like to come back to the issue of employment insurance. The government is extending a pilot project that is not working at all and does not cover everyone. How much does my colleague think it would cost the government to provide this help to people working in the seasonal industry so that there is no longer a spring gap? I am having a hard time understanding this lack of political will.
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie: I thank my colleague and friend from Manicouagan, and I commend her for all the work she does for the people she represents, including on the issue of employment insurance. Many people throughout Quebec and Canada, including her region, have seasonal jobs. The workers are not seasonal, the jobs are. Do we collectively want to make use of the land? Do we want people to be able to live and work in their region and flourish there? If so, then we have an EI system that is truly dysfunctional right now. It has not been reformed, and the government has been pushing back the reform every year since 2015. On top of all the problems, there is the issue of the spring gap. There are not enough weeks of benefits for a person living off seasonal employment to have income all year round. A pilot project was rolled out, but once again there is insecurity. This is being put off for another year. Will it be enough? Will it be as usual? This is the government's way of doing things. We are a little relieved that this initiative has been extended for a year, because the alternative would have been terrible for our regions, even though the problem is far from being resolved. How much would it cost to reform an insurance system that is broken? It will be a major investment for everyone, especially with a possible recession looming.
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gerard Deltell: earlier, when answering a question, my colleague stated that he was there, in Montreal, when the Liberal federal government announced the investment in a Volkswagen plant in Ontario. The announcement was made in Montreal. I was there. I can tell my colleagues that many people looked confused. They wondered if St. Thomas was in Quebec, but in fact, it is in Ontario. It took several very long weeks to get the details, but the story finally appeared on the front page of the National Post this morning. I will come back to that. My colleague and I were both elected in 2015, when this government came to power by promising small deficits for three years and a balanced budget in 2019. It obviously ignored that promise. My question for my colleague is the following. Does he believe that $1.220 trillion in debt is a good thing? That works out to $81,000 per family. Does he believe that a constant increase in taxes is a good thing? What does he think of the deficit, which continues to increase and is being ignored by the government, which said that it would balance the budget in five years? What does he think of this government's management of public funds?
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie: it is deeply concerning. Is the government doing a good job of managing public finances? The answer is no. The government is not paying attention to the cost of the services that it is providing. I will give some examples. Issuing a passport costs four times more than issuing a driver's licence when Quebec does it. Processing an EI claim costs two and a half times more than processing an application for social assistance in Quebec City. Resources are badly managed. Nonetheless, the Parliamentary Budget Officer identified what is indirectly a fiscal imbalance by pointing out that the flexibility is here in Ottawa. Instead of funding, say, health care in the provinces, the government is increasing the number of programs and interfering in jurisdictions. That is unacceptable.
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux: I am wondering if the member could provide further thoughts in regard to the issue of health care and how important it was that we achieved the agreement to ensure we can provide ongoing support over the next decade to provincial and territorial jurisdictions. When I think of health care, I think of the core identity that Canadians hold very dear to their hearts. The expansion to include seniors, people with disabilities and now children up to the age of 18 is one of the ways we can deal with the issue of inflation, along with the grocery rebate that is being proposed. Can he provide his thoughts, as he has to a certain degree already, on those two issues and the NDP's contribution to them?
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1
Date: 2023_04_21
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Peter Julian: first, it is not an NDP "contribution"; we forced the government to do it. The government would not have done dental care without the member for Burnaby South and the NDP caucus pushing, in a minority Parliament, to make sure it happened. It would not have happened, and we know this. I want to address the issue of dental care making a difference for people. The member for Winnipeg North is absolutely right, but what would make an even greater difference for people is pharmacare. The government has pledged, as a result of the NDP forcing it to, to put in place the infrastructure for universal public pharmacare. This is vitally important, but the government has to also come up with the resources to make that a reality. The difference for Canadians from coast to coast to coast would be absolutely enormous, and what it would do, as members well know, is take pressure off the health care system. We have universal health care, where we are sending people who cannot afford to pay for their medication back to universal health care because their medication is not being covered. What is it about that picture that the Liberals do not understand? Yes, we forced the Liberals to do dental care, but we are going to be pressing equally hard on pharmacare, not only because it is equally essential to ensuring the quality of life for Canadians and a better competitive situation for our businesses, but also because it is just a basic question of the fundamental human right to health care in this country. It is about time Liberals listened and put that into place.