House of Commons Debates VOLUME 148 Ï NUMBER 370 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 42nd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Speaker: The Honourable Geoff Regan CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 24761 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, December 12, 2018 The House met at 2 p.m. On November 28, I met Patrick Bonvouloir, the president and CEO of IHR Télécom, a company that rolled out fibre optics across my riding. My colleague, the member for Saint-Jean was there, and we discussed what needs to be done to move forward quickly, Prayer including the involvement of the CRTC. I want to point out that IHR Télécom was among the first to Ï (1405) receive federal and provincial government approval. It has done [English] exemplary work, and the first homes in Pike River and Saint- The Speaker: It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing Sébastien will be connected as of January 2019. Everyone involved of O Canada, led by the hon. member for Long Range Mountains. in this file must work together to get all of Brome—Missisquoi connected as quickly as possible. [Members sang the national anthem] I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone happy holidays and to thank my team for their excellent work. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS *** [Translation] [English] NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS HUMAN RIGHTS Mr. Luc Thériault (Montcalm, BQ): Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, the Bloc Québécois, I would like to wish all Quebeckers a merry CPC): Mr. Speaker, while we enjoy time away, I hope we will Christmas and a happy new year. I would also like to extend holiday remain attentive to challenges facing fragile democracies around the greetings to my fellow members of Parliament. world. For example, in Sri Lanka, the President has sought to oust The holidays give us a chance to spend time with our loved ones the elected Prime Minister and replace him with a former president and recharge our batteries. New Year's Day being a time for making with a troubling human rights record. Our active engagement with resolutions, I have a few suggestions for the Prime Minister. that situation now is needed to prevent the complete erosion of democracy. During the last election, the Liberals promised to First, he could resolve to pay for his own vacations and avoid actively engage the situation in Sri Lanka to promote justice and bringing too much clothing in his luggage when he travels abroad. reconciliation but have failed to act. Second, he could resolve to give Davie some really good The human rights situation in Turkey deserves more attention as contracts, increase health transfers and compensate our farmers for well. Much has rightly been said about the murder of Jamal losses due to the new free trade agreements. Khashoggi, but let us not forget that the Saudi consulate is not the Last, he could resolve to not run a pipeline through Quebec and, if only place in Turkey where it is dangerous to be a journalist. Canada possible, to not buy pipelines from Americans with our money. He must not allow Turkey to use this incident to whitewash its own could also resolve to listen to Quebeckers for once. That would be declining human rights record. great. I note as well that the people of Bangladesh will be going to the Happy holidays to all. polls over our Christmas holidays. Minority communities and other Bangladeshis are hopeful that communal violence will be avoided. *** Canadians are watching and are wishing that country very well. HIGH-SPEED INTERNET As we prepare for the holidays, let us recommit ourselves to Hon. Denis Paradis (Brome—Missisquoi, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, standing up for the less fortunate and to greater engagement with the rapid deployment of high-speed Internet is essential to the people human rights issues around the world. of Brome—Missisquoi. This is an essential service that many of my constituents have been waiting for for a long time. Merry Christmas. 24762 COMMONS DEBATES December 12, 2018 Statements by Members Ï (1410) The unwavering devotion and care of her adoring parents and the years of medication and treatment in the end could not rescue her VOLUNTEERISM from this terrible illness. At the age of 16, however, Claire had Mr. Doug Eyolfson (Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia— registered as an organ donor, and so in fulfilling her wish, we know Headingley, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour two that Claire will live on as her precious heart continues to beat in constituents, Rusty and his human companion, George Ames, for another body to live a new life, to give life, and to save another their amazing work at the St. Boniface Hospital. Rusty, the fluffy, family from the grief that her's is enduring now. glasses-wearing therapy dog, and George have been a fixture at the hospital for nearly a decade, volunteering their time comforting both patients and staff. I say to her, “Shine brightly, Claire, shine on.” We love her. Last year the pair received the Senate 150th Anniversary Medal for their dedication, and recently, the hospital unveiled a portrait the *** doctors commissioned in their honour. As one of the doctors at St. Boniface said, “I think that a happy, good-natured, loving dog makes ONE SEED PROJECT a big difference to alleviate some of that stress and help you remember that there's a lot of goodness in the world.” Ms. Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I At 15 years of age, Rusty is still going strong and is helping want to give a shout-out to Lambton College for its Enactus project, people in all walks of life get through stressful and difficult times. the One Seed project, which just won first place globally. The students in this project have lifted 330,000 people in Zambia out of I thank George for his dedication to helping bring moments of poverty. By training 75,000 farmers in no-till farming methods, cheer into people's lives, and to Rusty I say, “Good boy.” people who did not have enough food for a day are now able to sustain themselves and their families. The profits from their *** improved yields went into rainwater collection for drip irrigation, GOVERNMENT POLICIES which allowed crop diversification into other foods, such as peanuts. This led to the construction of a peanut butter factory. Enactus Ms. Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, NDP): Mr. students even built a health centre for the community. Speaker, 2018 has been a tough year for people where I am from. People have lost their jobs in communities like Thompson and are set to lose them in Flin Flon. Communities like Churchill are I am so proud of Lambton College, the Enactus program and the struggling to find their footing. First nations continue to face a work of the One Seed team. One Seed is number one. housing crisis. Education is grossly underfunded. People are literally dying because of the lack of health care supports. *** People have had enough. It is similar across the country. Canadians are falling behind, all this while their government sits on the sidelines. Instead of fighting for good jobs, the government is PROJECT WELLNESS fighting workers, like postal workers, and speeding up the hollowing out of industries through foreign takeovers and job-killing trade Mr. Dan Ruimy (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, Lib.): Mr. deals. Instead of fighting climate change, the government is buying a Speaker, you may remember that a year ago, I rose to celebrate my pipeline. The government is not part of the solution; it is part of the constituent George Klassen's 80th birthday and the work he does problem. drilling water wells with Project Wellness. I ended by saying that maybe one day, I will be out there with him. This is my message to the Prime Minister. Enough of the benefits for rich corporate friends. Enough of hollow words on climate change. Enough of pushing Canadians further behind. This past constituency week, in November, I took some personal time to join George in Malawi, Africa, and what an incredible Enough is enough. Canadians deserve better in 2019. journey it was. We drilled wells in three villages and provided a sustainable source of fresh, clean water to thousands of people. I saw *** first-hand the impact fresh water can have in a village. They now CONDOLENCES have the ability to grow their own crops. They no longer have to drink from the river they bathe in. This leads to less sickness and Mrs. Karen McCrimmon (Kanata—Carleton, Lib.): Mr. disease, which leads to better health. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to speak of the passing of the granddaughter of long-time member of Parliament Marlene Catterall. We look around and see what they do not have. They look around and they see what they do have. Marlene asked me to share that at 21 years old, Claire had everything to live for. She was beautiful, smart, talented, caring and loved by all, but barely a week ago, Claire took her own life, unable This Christmas will be the most special for me. George is with us to live any longer with the demons of depression that tormented her. today. From my family in this House to his, I say merry Christmas. December 12, 2018 COMMONS DEBATES 24763 Statements by Members Ï (1415) [Translation] MAKE-A-WISH CANADA Ms. Kate Young (London West, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, for years, From Lorne and Nash Creek, following the coast of the Baie des the Make-A-Wish foundation has granted wishes to children with Chaleurs and the Restigouche River through Dalhousie, Campbell- life-threatening medical conditions.