Ben Carr
Winnipeg South Centre, Manitoba · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology, entitled “The Impact Of U.S. Tariffs on the Tool, Die, Mould and Metallurgical Manufacturing Industries in Canada”.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been discussions amongst the parties, and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion: Motion That, notwithstanding any Standing or Special Order or usual practice of the House, with respect to the consideration of Government Business No.”
“I cannot help but note how much fundraising my colleagues have done off of this piece of legislation in the last year. They are telling Jews, for example, that they will not be able to say they are Zionists. That is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.”
“They said it is very important for the government to show leadership. It is very important, they say, for the government to have legislation that makes it easier for the police to be able to enforce the law. Is that not exactly what Bill C-9 does?”
“Here is something I find interesting. Two weeks ago, when a noose was put around the neck of an effigy of a Jewish leader being burned on a street in Montreal, members across the way were, rightly so, up in arms, and they should have been, but now the member for York—Durham is saying that the very symbol placed around the neck of that Jew…”
“I know because they have put pressure on me and my colleagues in the Jewish caucus on this side of the aisle, and on Jewish leadership across the country, to take action. The question is, of course, why? Well, the reason for this is that we have seen a significant increase in hate in this country.”
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“It also means that the community centre can earn some revenue, which it can in turn invest back into the community. This building communities strong fund is going to help support dozens of centres like Riverview Community Centre across this country, and I am proud that it has been included in this budget. I am going to shift for a moment to health care. I always think of my mother, who I am incredibly proud of. At 70 years old, she is still working full-time as an addictions doctor in the province of Manitoba, helping some of the most vulnerable and needy in our society. Like many of my colleagues in this place who have talked openly about the challenges that their family members, friends and colleagues have faced, I too have had experiences with close relatives and family members suffering from mental health and addiction challenges.”
“This would help realize substantial potential at the local, grassroots level, ensuring that we are there to support the needs of the people in our communities. An example of this is the Riverview Community Centre. I was very proud to announce just under $1 million for it a few short months ago. What will that $1 million do? It will help to ensure that new spaces are renovated using incredibly sustainable materials and environmentally friendly processes. In addition to that, it will ensure that there is more space that will allow for the generation of revenue at the local level. This means that there will be more places for parents to use, whether it be for dance initiatives, different clubs, sporting events or musical activities.”
“It includes things like the Canada Water Agency, for which I have to give significant credit to my colleague from Winnipeg South . Without his leadership and initiative, this agency would not be what it is today. Not only that, it would not have been located in my hometown of Winnipeg. It is a critical piece of government infrastructure that helps protect the health and well-being of our water systems, including the tenth-largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Winnipeg, located in Manitoba. To get into some of the core aspects of the budget, I want to talk about community centres, which are at the heart of our neighbourhoods. I am very proud to represent 10 community centres in Winnipeg South Centre serving the 100,000 people who call our riding home. This budget sets aside $51 billion for the build communities strong fund.”
“Democracy, to me, is about much more than simply our participation on election day or the weekly affairs we undertake as members in this chamber. It is also about the important work that happens in the exchange of ideas, conversation and dialogue between elected representatives like us and those we represent. This budget, I am very proud to say, reflects Winnipeg South Centre, Winnipeg and Manitoba in big ways. We have decided in this budget to ensure that the programs the people in my riding continue to rely on every day are sustained. These include social programs such as the Canada child benefit program, child care, the national school food program, pharmacare and dental care. The budget includes many Manitoba-specific initiatives, some of which I will talk about more today.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise in this chamber on behalf of the people I represent in Winnipeg South Centre. To govern is to choose, and what we have chosen to do is build, protect and empower this country. I would like to take the opportunity over the course of the next minutes I am afforded here in the chamber to talk about some of the ways that those I represent would be most positively impacted by the decisions the government has undertaken in this budget. A couple of days ago, the finance minister was in Winnipeg and I had the privilege of offering some remarks at the end of his speech to the audience from The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. I took an opportunity then, which I will take again now, to speak very briefly about the democratic process.”
“Mr. Speaker, this year marks 100 years of service and compassion for the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, the Winnipeg section. Since 1925, the council has embodied the Jewish principle of tikkun olam , or repairing the world, through education, service and social action. It helped Holocaust survivors rebuild their lives, welcomed refugees and newcomers, supported women and families and even created Canada's first senior drop-in centre. In my community of Winnipeg South Centre, its work continues to inspire hope and strengthen the bonds that hold us together. In times of rising anti-Semitism and global conflict, its example reminds us of the power of compassion, justice and commitment to human dignity. To all who have carried this mission forward in Winnipeg and beyond, mazel tov on 100 years.”
“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I attended a ceremony to honour survivors of a residential school that operated for decades in my riding. Together, we unveiled a plaque in multiple indigenous languages so that, in some small way, they were able to reclaim what was stolen. The elders and knowledge keepers reminded us that true reconciliation occurs when community representatives have a seat around the table as decisions are being made. There cannot be any shortcuts around section 35 rights. Can the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs update us on work being undertaken by the government to ensure that nation-building projects are developed with indigenous rights holders right from day one?”
“Notwithstanding our best efforts to have families be self-supportive, is there not a role for a school food program to play in this country?”
“Mr. Speaker, I spent a decade in the school system as a teacher and a principal. I have heard the Conservatives talk a lot about how the national school food program is bureaucracy and say that not a single meal has been served. I would certainly invite any member to come to my riding and actually see the kids who are benefiting from that program eating the food. Of course we want people to be able to provide to the best of their ability for their families, but has there even been, in the history of our country, even in, let us say, the 10 years that Stephen Harper was prime minister, a 100% ability for all families in the country to provide the amount of food that was necessary? The answer to that is, of course, no. The point I think the parliamentary secretary is raising, and my question for him, is as follows.”
“Despite the hate that they continue to face, Jews in Canada will, as we have for thousands of years, continue to persevere. On the eve of this new year, I am proud to stand as a Jew in this chamber and wish the community a Shana Tova . May the upcoming year be filled with peace, joy and the prospect of a brighter future.”
“Mr. Speaker, some of my fondest childhood memories include Jewish holiday dinners around the table with relatives, laughing, eating traditional foods and sharing a sense of collective pride in knowing that we were honouring our ancestors and building a stronger community for the future. I can still hear my father's booming voice and see his contagious smile as he eagerly greeted family entering our home. Those gatherings meant as much to him as they do to me. Sundown tonight will mark the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. Although there will be cherished moments together this evening for Jews across our country, the joy of a new year will be accompanied by fear and anxiety, worsened by the increasing anti-Semitism that has found an emboldened place in our country.”
“I want to recognize the dedication of those who brought this important project to life. Their work ensures that the victims of this tragedy will never be forgotten. Canada continues to stand with their families in pursuit of justice and truth.”
“Mr. Speaker, on July 5, a monument was unveiled in my riding to commemorate the victims of Flight PS752. This tragedy claimed 176 lives, including eight members of Winnipeg's Iranian community. Five years later, the pain remains profound for families, loved ones and communities, who continue to bear the weight of this tremendous loss. I had the honour of visiting this memorial, titled An Open Wound In The Sky , which is located within sight of where some of the victims lived. I was joined by Kourosh Doustshenas, who was instrumental in the creation of this monument and who lost his fiancée on that day. It is the only permanent memorial in the world dedicated to the victims of Flight PS752, and it serves as a place for reflection, remembrance and healing.”
“Madam Speaker, I know we are veering a little bit into what sounds like a conversation about bail reform, which is appropriate given the context of the legislation and what the justice minister has been talking about. I wonder whether the member may have some commentary to add in regard to, in addition to a very significant amount of work ahead of us as a federal government, the role that provincial governments have to play. In many instances, I know that judges who are using their discretion for folks who are being released are provincial appointees. Some changes to the Criminal Code are necessary of course, but there are administration-of-justice components as well. I am wondering whether the member can comment on the role she feels provincial governments have, in addition to that of the federal government.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a tremendous amount of respect for my colleague. My question is in relation to indigenous rights, which the member referenced on a number of occasions. Nothing in the bill that I can see would override constitutional rights for indigenous communities. Can she elaborate on why she feels that is in jeopardy by virtue of the bill itself?”
“On this special anniversary, I want to extend my congratulations and gratitude to the United Church of Canada for 100 years of ministry, leadership and hope, all in service of community.”
“Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the United Church of Canada, established by an act of Parliament exactly 100 years ago today. In my riding of Winnipeg South Centre, several United Church congregations, including Young, Augustine, Fort Garry, Westminster, Harrow and Crescent Fort Rouge, gathered this past weekend for a special service of celebration and thanksgiving. I want to thank Reverend Marc Whitehead and all those who helped to organize this meaningful gathering at Crescent Fort Rouge. For a century, the United Church has stood alongside communities across Canada, not only as a spiritual home to many but also as a place of welcome, community and support, offering a wide range of programming and services to residents of all backgrounds.”
“Madam Speaker, over the course of the past few weeks, we have watched as devastating wildfires have ravaged through my home province of Manitoba and the neighbouring province of Saskatchewan. Entire communities have been evacuated, homes have been lost, and the air quality has been so poor that everyday activities have been rendered very difficult. Unsurprisingly, in places like Winnipeg, my hometown, the community has responded with kindness and generosity. Can the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience share with this House how other Canadians can step up in this moment of need?”