House of Commons Debates VOLUME 148 Ï NUMBER 136 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 42nd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 8, 2017 Speaker: The Honourable Geoff Regan CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 8619 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, February 8, 2017 The House met at 2 p.m. in partnership with the Oakville Museum and Sheridan College in my riding of Oakville. Prayer The event featured traditional and contemporary Black art forms, commemorating the rich cultural heritage of Black Canadians. We saw exhibitions of Oakville's early Black history, African-Canadian Ï (1400) art, and a poster exhibit by Sheridan College students. [English] The Speaker: It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing The CCAH celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Veronica of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Sarnia— Tyrrell, long-time president, believes in actively promoting unity and Lambton. diversity, unbiased inclusion, and the capacity to value differences. [Members sang the national anthem] I was delighted to have been part of the kickoff celebration of Black history and arts activities in my community of Oakville. I look forward to the various celebrations and activities that will take place STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS throughout the month. [Translation] Congratulations to Veronica and the CCAH. BOMBARDIER *** Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Joliette, BQ): Mr. Speaker, yesterday the government announced an investment to keep Bombardier's Toronto facility up and running. Ottawa found a way to use one of CHARLES MANN the jewels in Quebec's manufacturing crown to help Toronto more Mr. Ben Lobb (Huron—Bruce, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I rise today than Montreal. That takes the cake. to honour a true Canadian hero. Charles Mann, a veteran of World Ottawa's contribution to the C Series, Quebec's biggest techno- War II, passed away this January. logical undertaking ever, amounts to peanuts. We designed and developed it on our own, and the federal government did not lift a Charles joined the military in 1940 at the age of 18, and two years finger when it was in trouble. later volunteered for the Devil's Brigade. He fought bravely in Italy and in southern France, and a few years ago was awarded the U.S. Bombardier was on the brink of bankruptcy. Ottawa did nothing. Congressional Gold Medal. Quebec injected over $1 billion to take on part of the risk. Because of the federal government's could-not-care-less attitude, Charles was also one of Canada's first nuclear operators. Charles the company had to outsource operations and cut 15,000 jobs. The served the community of Kincardine with distinction for over 20 Bloc Québécois's thoughts go out to those 15,000 people today. years on municipal council and 13 of those years as mayor. As Jacques Parizeau used to say, we must never underestimate He was named the Kincardine citizen of the year and a recipient of Canada's ability to disappoint us. That is exactly what it did the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal. He was a passionate advocate yesterday. for veterans, serving on the National Council of Veterans Affairs and *** his local Kincardine Legion. [English] Charles was a true gentleman. He loved his family, his two dogs, PEEL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL and his community. Mr. John Oliver (Oakville, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I was honoured this past Thursday to attend the Black History Month kickoff We thank Charles for his lifetime of service to this country. We celebration hosted by the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, will miss him. God bless. 8620 COMMONS DEBATES February 8, 2017 Statements by Members Ï (1405) HOMELESSNESS [Translation] Hon. Hedy Fry (Vancouver Centre, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I stand today to pay tribute to an organization called Raising the Roof which STATISTICS CANADA is providing national leadership on long-term solutions to home- Mr. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, Lib.): Mr. lessness in Canada. Speaker, today Statistics Canada provided Canadians with a first glimpse of the latest national statistical portrait with the results of the Homelessness is not a choice. Safe shelter is a human right. The 2016 census count on population and dwellings. homeless are often women fleeing abuse, immigrants and refugees with nowhere to go, youth at risk, and individuals suffering from I am proud to be part of a government whose first action was to mental illness and addiction. Once homeless, people find themselves restore the mandatory long form census. trapped on the streets in a vicious cycle. We made a commitment to bring back the long form census, and Yesterday, Tuesday, February 7, marked the 20th anniversary of we kept that promise. This means that Canadians once again have Raising the Roof's toque campaign. Fifty communities across the access to reliable and accurate data. country will be selling toques as a fundraiser to support at-risk [English] people in their time of need. Without this data, our communities could not plan ahead. I encourage everyone to take part in this national initiative. Buy a Everything from transit planning to housing strategies, to support toque, wear a toque, raise a roof. for new Canadians was made more difficult. *** Results of today's release show that over 35 million people now call Canada home. This is 10 times greater than in 1871, when the CALGARY SIGNAL HILL first census after Confederation recorded 3.5 million people in Mr. Ron Liepert (Calgary Signal Hill, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I Canada. stand today to recognize two outstanding Calgarians who were both The information gathered through the census is central to our members of my board, and unfortunately passed away all too soon evidence-based— recently. The Speaker: The hon. member for Algoma—Manitoulin— Hugh Fergusson was a businessman, a volunteer in the Kapuskasing. community of Bowness, and unfortunately died in his sleep while on a cycling vacation in Greece. *** EATING DISORDERS Bev Reynolds was a public relations icon in the city of Calgary. She recently died peacefully, after a long struggle with cancer. While Mrs. Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, her PR career spanned more than 30 years, working with the NDP): Mr. Speaker, last week I hosted an event in support of the homeless through the Knox United Church was probably one of her national initiative for eating disorders. This not-for-profit coalition most satisfying accomplishments. works to increase awareness and education for the chronic situation facing sufferers of eating disorders and their families. Both will be missed. Misunderstood, inadequately treated, and underfunded, eating As members of Parliament, we make decisions which hopefully disorders are considered the deadliest of mental illnesses since they result in a better life for Canadians, almost every day. But Bev also are 12 times more likely to lead to death than any other mental wanted each of us to know that in this place, on occasion, we also illness. make decisions which make facing death much more dignified. Recovery starts with understanding. Seeking help is a courageous step, and there is a big role for parents, families, and significant *** others to play. [Translation] [Translation] CARLETON-SUR-MER It is important for parliamentarians to contribute to the fight Mr. Rémi Massé (Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, against negative body image and improve awareness, research, and Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Carleton-sur-Mer, a community in my riding, is best practices for the treatment of eating disorders. hitting a special milestone in 2017. [English] Carleton-sur-Mer is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. For these reasons, I was happy to reintroduce the motion that calls Two hundred and fifty years ago, Acadian families settled in this on Parliament to work with the provinces, territories, and indigenous magnificent area of eastern Quebec nestled between the ocean and communities to develop a coordinated Canadian strategy on eating the mountains. Over the years, those men and women, along with disorders. It is my hope that Motion No. 117 will receive broad other newcomers, built and shaped this community, which has support from all sides of the House. always been known for its vitality. February 8, 2017 COMMONS DEBATES 8621 Statements by Members With its beautiful landscapes, high quality of life, and residents I stand here on the shoulders of great political leaders who have and businesses that care about their town’s development, Carleton- represented my riding, leaders like the hon. Alvin Curling, who was sur-Mer serves as an example for any community that wants to grow the first black speaker in a House in Canada; the Hon. Mary Anne and develop while protecting its natural assets. I want to take this Chambers, former provincial minister of education and colleges; the opportunity in the House to wish all Carleton-sur-Mer residents and Hon. Margarett Best, former Ontario minister of consumer affairs; visitors a wonderful year filled with joy, happiness, pride, and and the Hon. Mitzie Hunter, the current provincial Minister of community-building activities. Education. Happy anniversary, Carleton-sur-Mer. I am also very proud of the work undertaken by many black- focused organizations, such as the TAIBU Community Health *** Centre, Tropicana Community Services, the Jamaican Canadian Ï (1410) Association, the Jamaican Canadian Association of Nurses, and the [English] Ontario Black History Society. I want to thank these individuals and organizations that have worked so hard to open doors for people like PEEL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL me and that continue to serve our country. Ms. Sonia Sidhu (Brampton South, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, today is great day for my riding of Brampton South. Until today, we only had *** one hospital for the ninth-largest city in Canada. My downtown SENIORS riding serves as the new home for the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness campus.