Debates of the House of Commons
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43rd PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION House of Commons Debates Official Report (Hansard) Volume 150 No. 011 Wednesday, October 7, 2020 Speaker: The Honourable Anthony Rota CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 669 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, October 7, 2020 The House met at 2 p.m. Over the last five years, the Liberals have shown through their disastrous policies that they do not respect or understand rural or western Canadians. The Speech from the Throne did not address in‐ creasing rural crime or the opioid crisis and did nothing to address Prayer the growing unity crisis grappling western Canada. ● (1405) Small businesses are the backbone of our country and have been [English] all but forgotten by the government. Communities in my riding de‐ The Speaker: It being Wednesday, we will now have the signing pend on the economic benefits of major events, like the Williams of the national anthem led by the hon. member for South Okana‐ Lake Stampede, Billy Barker Days, the Vanderhoof International gan—West Kootenay. Airshow and the BC Northern Exhibition. Due to COVID, all were shut down in 2020. [Members sang the national anthem] Because of this, businesses and great community supporters like C+ Rodeos, Central Display, Judy Russell's Enchainement Dance STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Centre, Blake Productions and thousands more have all suffered in‐ [Translation] credible losses this year. Sadly, they were all left behind by the gov‐ ernment. They deserve better. ALFRED-PELLAN Mr. Angelo Iacono (Alfred-Pellan, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, many We may be down, but in true Cariboo spirit, we will get back up, guardian angels in Alfred-Pellan made a big difference during the dust ourselves off, saddle up and ride again. Yee-haw. first wave. They faced our new reality with courage, determination and resilience in order to support the most vulnerable among us. * * * Today I wish to recognize the many hours of food preparation in‐ volved in delivering our meals on wheels programs in organizations COVID-19 PANDEMIC like the Service bénévole d'entraide de Vimont‑Auteuil, Bonjour Aujourd'hui et Après and the Popote roulante de Saint‑Noël‑Cha‐ Hon. Kirsty Duncan (Etobicoke North, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, banel. The Centre d'entraide du Marigot Affordable has been offer‐ Etobicoke North is a caring, strong community and we are here for ing affordable catering services to support our seniors, and the Re‐ one another. I thank the tireless front-line health care workers of lais du quartier Saint‑Vincent‑de‑Paul and the Maison de la Famille our own William Osler Health System for their life-saving work de Saint‑François have set up emergency food banks. Laval has be‐ and Rexdale Community Health Centre for its important communi‐ gun a challenge known as “28 days to flatten the curve”. ty health care during COVID-19. Finally, I want to thank all the organizations in Alfred-Pellan that are staying the course and continue to support our community. I thank our tremendous community organizations like Albion They are doing tremendous work and I cannot thank them enough. Neighbourhood Services that provided youth services; the Sikh Congratulations. Spiritual Centre Toronto that provided packed meals to families; * * * the International Muslim Organization and the Lions Club that pro‐ vided food and essential supplies; and Trust 15 that continued in‐ [English] spiring and mentoring our amazing youth. I thank our churches, SMALL BUSINESS mandirs, volunteers and our wonderful families. I am grateful for the care, love and the way they lift us up. Mr. Todd Doherty (Cariboo—Prince George, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to deliver this statement from Williams Lake, British Columbia, my hometown and the home of the The COVID-19 pandemic is not over and it will take all of us Williams Lake Stampede, the greatest show on dirt. working together to keep our very special community safe. 670 COMMONS DEBATES October 7, 2020 Statements by Members ● (1410) At age 23, Bob Clark became the youngest elected official in the [Translation] commonwealth. He went on to serve as minister of youth, minister of education and eventually leader of Alberta's official opposition. MINTA SAINT‑BRUNO Mr. Stéphane Bergeron (Montarville, BQ): Mr. Speaker, After politics, he served as Alberta's ethics commissioner and, 50 years ago, an organization in the parish of Saint‑Bruno funded a more recently, as chair of Olds College Board of Governors. As a development project in the village of Minta in Cameroon. For half a lifelong sports builder, particularly with the Olds Grizzlys hockey century, this organization, which named itself after the village, has team, Bob was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. invested in humanitarian aid projects designed to improve the liv‐ These are but a few highlights of his storied career. ing conditions in disadvantaged communities around the world. Since 1970, Minta has carried out over 233 projects in 43 coun‐ In the early 1970s, Bob encouraged me to become engaged in tries on four different continents. However, the 50th anniversary politics. As I travelled alongside Bob, I was able to observe what a celebrations, including the big solidarity walk scheduled for May, politician should be: a compassionate listener and a problem-solver had to be cancelled. Not to worry, though. We intend to hold an dedicated to public service. I cherished him as a mentor and as a even bigger celebration. What is more, despite the restrictions relat‐ friend. ed to the current health crisis, a beautiful globe-shaped sculpture was unveiled in front of the Saint-Bruno church on September 14. Bob passed away on July 10 with his loving wife Norma and children, Dean and Donna, by his side. We will all miss him dearly. International solidarity is always very important and that is par‐ ticularly true during a pandemic. We must therefore not hesitate to * * * support remarkable organizations like Minta Saint‑Bruno, which has made Quebec and our region known throughout the world, NORTHERN ONTARIO helps build lasting ties and makes a difference in the lives of people throughout the world. Mr. Paul Lefebvre (Sudbury, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, small and medium-sized businesses in northern Ontario remain hard hit by Happy 50th anniversary to Minta Saint‑Bruno. COVID-19. FedNor's regional relief and recovery fund, RRRF, has * * * been a lifeline, protecting more than 3,300 jobs in northern Ontario alone. [English] ÉDUC'ALCOOL On October 2, an extra $22.3 million was announced for FedNor, Mr. Darren Fisher (Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, Lib.): Mr. including $6 million for Community Futures development corpora‐ Speaker, I rise today on the eve of its 30th anniversary to recognize tions. This is in addition to the $43.8 million that were already an‐ Éduc'alcool's great work. Taking action against excessive drinking, nounced this spring. it started small, helping other organizations repair the damage caused by alcohol abuse. I want to thank the minister for all her help in supporting local jobs in northern Ontario. Our message to local businesses is clear: Over time, as it grew, it took on the challenge of prevention. Its We are here for them and we will get through this together. We are slogan “La modération a bien meilleur goût” and clever marketing working with them to support good, local jobs and to help our approach has been incredibly successful and it is renowned for its economy come back stronger. educational programs and common-sense approach. Éduc'alcool is a beloved and respected voice on the harms of excessive drinking [Translation] and alcohol policy. This October, Éduc'alcool is launching a Quebec-wide contest These businesses are the backbone of our economy and an im‐ called “En octobre, on compte ses verres”. I encourage everyone portant source of local jobs. We are providing small and medium- across Quebec to take part and count their drinks in October. Mod‐ sized businesses with the means and the tools they need to recover eration is always in good taste. and prosper. Éduc'alcool deserves our recognition for making Quebeckers * * * more accountable and aware of the harm posed by excessive drink‐ ing. I thank it for all it does. [English] * * * STATUS OF WOMEN BOB CLARK Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Pickering—Uxbridge, Lib.): Mr. Mr. Earl Dreeshen (Red Deer—Mountain View, CPC): Mr. Speaker, this month is Women's History Month and I rise to remind Speaker, in 1960, a young farm boy who had just started teaching the House of how much work is still needed for women's equality was recruited to run for politics. and that our rights still remain under threat. October 7, 2020 COMMONS DEBATES 671 Statements by Members For example, the Leader of the Opposition says that he got into SUKKOT politics to defend the rights of Canadians, yet he pleaded for the votes of social Conservatives who worked to remove a women's right to chose. He supports the member for Hastings—Lennox and Mr. Marty Morantz (Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia— Addington who compared the arguments for a woman's right to Headingley, CPC): Mr. Speaker, beginning last Friday, Jewish chose to the argument in support of slavery. Canadians across the country have been celebrating Sukkot. We can compare that to our Prime Minister who appointed Canada's first gender-balanced cabinet. He also stated, “It is not for a room full of predominantly male legislators to take away those During this time, we celebrate the gathering of the harvest and rights from women.” commemorate the 40 years the ancient Israelites wandered the I know the Leader of the Opposition says that he is Canada's next desert after leaving Egypt.