Philip Earle
Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I am always happy to ask questions relative to Labrador. I will speed it up a little bit, but I am also happy that my colleagues from Newfoundland and Labrador are here because it gives me an opportunity through my question to talk about the great things our government is doing in Labrador.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise with gratitude to mark one year since I was elected to serve the people of Labrador, an honour I carry every day. Since forming government a year ago, we have made meaningful progress on the priorities that matter most to Labradorians.”
“I am especially proud that this work has been grounded in partnership, working closely with indigenous leadership and local municipalities, businesses and community organizations One year in, we are just getting started. I remain committed to building a stronger, more prosperous Canada for the people of Labrador.”
“Mr. Speaker, on March 12, the Prime Minister was in Yellowknife to announce a historic plan to defend, build and transform the north, backed by more than $40 billion in investment. This is a question I wrote myself. It is very important.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada's north is undergoing profound and rapid change. Climate change and increasing activity from foreign actors are reshaping the region in real time. In Labrador, we understand well what it means to move from reliance to resilience and to ensure our north remains strong, secure and defended.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that building a stronger economy means opening new markets and bringing investment home. From advancing major projects to attracting billions in investment and creating new demand for Canadian manufacturing, international trade is creating real opportunities for workers here at home, including opportunities in…”
The complete record
Every one of 32 lines we hold for Philip Earle, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Mr. Speaker, I am always happy to ask questions relative to Labrador. I will speed it up a little bit, but I am also happy that my colleagues from Newfoundland and Labrador are here because it gives me an opportunity through my question to talk about the great things our government is doing in Labrador. We have heard about the announcement for—”
“I am especially proud that this work has been grounded in partnership, working closely with indigenous leadership and local municipalities, businesses and community organizations One year in, we are just getting started. I remain committed to building a stronger, more prosperous Canada for the people of Labrador.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise with gratitude to mark one year since I was elected to serve the people of Labrador, an honour I carry every day. Since forming government a year ago, we have made meaningful progress on the priorities that matter most to Labradorians. In that time, we have strengthened search and rescue capacity and have secured critical generational investments for 5 Wing Goose Bay. We have also expanded funding for the Inuit child first initiative and Jordan's principle, all while advancing affordable housing and supporting families that are facing the pressures of the rising cost of living. The actions we have taken are delivering real, tangible results for communities across Labrador.”
“Mr. Speaker, on March 12, the Prime Minister was in Yellowknife to announce a historic plan to defend, build and transform the north, backed by more than $40 billion in investment. This is a question I wrote myself. It is very important. Can the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations please update the House on why this new plan is so critical to keeping the north moving forward?”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada's north is undergoing profound and rapid change. Climate change and increasing activity from foreign actors are reshaping the region in real time. In Labrador, we understand well what it means to move from reliance to resilience and to ensure our north remains strong, secure and defended. Given our government's plan to defend the Arctic and the north, can the Minister of National Defence update the House on how these generational investments will strengthen Canada's north?”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that building a stronger economy means opening new markets and bringing investment home. From advancing major projects to attracting billions in investment and creating new demand for Canadian manufacturing, international trade is creating real opportunities for workers here at home, including opportunities in our aviation, aerospace and defence sectors, and Canada's seafood sector. Can the Minister of International Trade update the House on how our government's work abroad is delivering investments and jobs for Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, we know how important it is that Inuit children have timely and equitable access to the health, social and educational supports they deserve. The Inuit child first initiative has been instrumental in helping to close long-standing gaps, ensuring that Inuit children are not left behind. Could the Minister of Indigenous Services please update the House on her recent announcement and explain how it will further strengthen supports for Inuit children and families, including those in my own riding of Labrador?”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians have a proud history of standing with our allies during combat missions and peacekeeping exercises. In my riding of Labrador, home of Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay, many families serve our country or stand behind loved ones who do. When Canada's contributions are mis-characterized or minimized, it is important to set the record straight. Can the Minister of Veteran Affairs tell the House how Canada has stood alongside our allies and how we properly commemorate and recognize our veterans?”
“Today and every day, we recognize our shared history and reaffirm our commitment to building a future together, one that respects Inuit rights.”
“Mr. Speaker, I count it as a great honour to speak today. On December 1, we marked the 20th anniversary of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement. This historic treaty among the Nunatsiavut Government, the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador stands as a powerful example of reconciliation. It formally recognizes that the Inuit have lived on and stewarded the lands of northern Labrador since time immemorial. This agreement did not come easily. I reflect today on the many Labrador Inuit who, over decades, fought tirelessly to have their rights recognized by the federal and provincial governments. I wish to acknowledge the trail-blazing leaders whose vision, resilience and determination made this treaty possible. We honour the enduring relationship between Canada and the Inuit of Labrador.”
“Mr. Speaker, it has been 19 years since the First Nations Fiscal Management Act came into force, thanks to the leadership and determination of first nations across Canada. Since then, the act has evolved into a highly successful and robust system that supports first nations with fiscal management, local taxation and access to pooled borrowing. Can the minister update the House on the important work under way to advance indigenous economic prosperity?”
“As Canada continues to strengthen its modern trade relationships with Europe, we can look to our shared maritime history for inspiration. The San Juan stands as a powerful symbol of the enduring economic and cultural connections that continue to unite Canada and Europe across the Atlantic.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an important moment that speaks to the deep and historic trade ties between Canada and Europe. On November 7, in Pasaia, within the Basque country in Spain, the San Juan , a fully reconstructed 16th century Basque galleon, was launched with plans to sail it to Canada in 2027. The original San Juan was part of the transatlantic trade network linking Pasaia with Red Bay, Labrador, now a UNESCO world heritage site. This trade, among the earliest between Europe and North America, carried not only goods, such as whale oil and lumber, but also knowledge, technology and partnership. The voyage of the San Juan reminds us that Labrador has long been a gateway of commerce and co-operation between countries.”
“Mr. Speaker, under Stephen Harper's decade of darkness, funding for Canada's military dipped below 1% of GDP for the first and only time ever. This had a very negative impact on military bases like 5 Wing Goose Bay in my own riding. Our new government, on the other hand, is committed to rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in our Canadian Armed Forces. Unlike the members opposite, I proudly voted for our budget, a budget that delivers generational investments in our capacity to strengthen and protect sovereignty. To those who voted against these investments in our defence—”
“Mr. Speaker, on the other side of the House, we hear a lot of negativity. On this side of House, we hear a lot of positivity. We often hear from the other side of the House about taking money out of people's pockets, when on this side of the House, we are about leaving money in people's pockets. Pharmacare is still in the budget. Dental care is in the budget. The school food program is still in the budget. The child benefit is still in the budget. A tax cut for 22 million Canadians is still in the budget. I want to ask the member opposite if she supports those programs, because they leave money in the pockets of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
“While our government is providing tax relief to millions of Canadians and working to build a strong economy, Conservative members are putting forward legislation that would threaten the economy for every Atlantic Canadian and would make Newfoundlanders and Labradorians pay to participate in the food fishery. For those reasons, I cannot support Bill C-237 , and I urge my fellow members in the House to vote no to the bill and say no to a Conservative tax on food.”
“There are no two ways about it: It would be a Conservative tax on those who are simply looking for a fish to feed themselves and their family, as they have done for generations. This year, the food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, in Atlantic Canada and in Quebec had no licence requirement. There was no licence fee, and there were no reporting requirements. Fishers could just follow the rules, be safe on the ocean and fish for food. After all, it is a huge part of our culture. Under the Conservative “tax on food” bill, food fishers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and the rest of Atlantic Canada would now need a mandatory licence, would pay a fee to cover the costs of the bill and would be required to report every fish they catch through an unspecific system, which would also cost them money to use, almost like the ELOG system.”
“The bill would demand an entirely new monitoring system just for recreational fishers, and it would force Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and all Atlantic Canadians to record their catch from the recreational fishery. How would the bill look to offset these administrative and red tape costs? Fees on the fishers would be passed from the bill and downloaded to the recreational fishers. The bill clearly says that to offset these costs, the government would cover “the administrative costs of the monitoring system by fees and penalties that are required to be paid under the Fisheries Act”. That means licence fees, plain and simple. The bill would be a Conservative tax on food.”
“The issues that Bill C-237 would create around bycatch for our commercial fisheries cannot be overstated. At a time when Canadians are looking to their government to grow our economy to help Canadians, Bill C-237 risks one of the largest economic drivers in Atlantic Canada, our commercial fisheries. (1805) By changing to species-based fisheries management and singular seasons across Atlantic Canada and Quebec, Bill C-237 would affect the ability to simultaneously support advancing indigenous fisheries alongside the recreational and the commercial fisheries. That would mean worse outcomes for both indigenous fishers and non-indigenous fishers. Bill C-237 would create more and new red tape, and its administrative costs would be downloaded to the recreational fishers. It would put those burdens solely on the recreational fishers themselves.”
“This bill would increase the fishing pressure on that bycatch, and the only place to take it from would be from those commercial fishers. What would that mean for the $100-million halibut fishery in Quebec and Labrador? This member’s bill does not care about that, because it is one-size-fits-all, according to the member for Terra Nova—The Peninsulas . The bill is an existential threat to the fishery and the harvesters in the coastal communities it supports. Let us also talk about the emerging redfish unit 1 fishery. Northern Gulf cod are also caught as bycatch in that fishery, so like the Atlantic halibut fishery, which is worth $100 million, we would increase pressure on northern Gulf cod, and our redfish unit 1 fishery would also be impacted. This would also certainly impact my colleagues from Quebec in the Bloc Québécois.”
“That moratorium also applies to NAFO area 4S adjacent to the vast Côte-Nord of Quebec. Bill C-237 would increase fishing pressure on that stock, removing more fish from the water than we currently do. That is a slap in the face to commercial harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, who have not been able to fish these past number of years. This bill would take away the ability to balance the opportunities for recreational fishers and commercial harvesters. It uses a one-size-fits-all approach that would have serious consequences for our commercial fishers who earn their living from the ocean. For a commercial fishery like Atlantic halibut in the province of Quebec, Gulf cod is caught as bycatch in that fishery.”
“The moratorium is a hurt that everyone in my province still feels deeply, and we cannot risk making that mistake again. Bill C-237 would create one fishing season across all of Atlantic Canada and change the management of fisheries to species-based rather than stock-based. This would create a potential situation where total allowable catches and bycatch levels for commercial fisheries could be seriously affected. Bill C-237 threatens the entire commercial fishing industry in Atlantic Canada and, yes, in Quebec, risking thousands of Canadian jobs and billions of dollars to our economy. Let us look at some examples where this is the case. On the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, fishers have sacrificed to help rebuild the NAFO area 4R northern Gulf cod stock, which remains under a commercial moratorium today.”
“Why did the member opposite ignore those who would be directly impacted by this particular bill? In the coming days, the Minister of Fisheries will launch the Newfoundland and Labrador food fishery consultations. This was a commitment she made when announcing the food fishery this year. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve to have their say. These planned consultations will offer all recreational fishers the opportunity to share their thoughts on how we can improve the recreational food fishery. On this side of the house, we listen to fishers and believe in the scientific stock-based management of our fisheries. Scientific stock-based management works and has led to a reopening of the northern cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time since the cod moratorium in 1993.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to private member’s bill, Bill C-237 , an act that would amend the Fisheries Act. As a Labradorian, I know how important the fishery is to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic Canada and Quebec, not just for the livelihoods of harvesters and workers in our province, but also for our economy. As Labradorians and Newfoundlanders, the recreational food fishery is essential to who we are as a province and as a people. It is more than a tradition; it is a connection we share to the water and those who came before us. My biggest concern with Bill C-237 is that it ignores fishers and was created without meaningful consultation with those who have invested the most. Our recreational fishers have already spoken up. They have serious concerns with this bill and were not consulted.”
“We thank Max for a lifetime of service, leadership and friendship. On behalf of all Labradorians and Newfoundlanders, I extend sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends.”
“Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the late Max Short, a recipient of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and a proud Newfoundlander with strong roots in Labrador. As a fisherman, his life was devoted to the people of the fishery. From his early days on the water to his leadership in the fisheries union and later as a representative of the federal government, Max brought deep knowledge, fairness and integrity to every role he held. He was the bridge between harvesters, industry and government, always focused on ensuring that the voices of coastal communities were heard and respected. Those who worked alongside Max will remember his steady hand, his sharp mind and his unwavering belief in the value of our fishery as the livelihood of rural Newfoundland and coastal Labrador.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Arctic has been home to indigenous peoples for countless generations. Inuit Nunangat stands at the heart of Canada's identity, its security and its future. Last week, the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs was in Iceland at the Arctic Circle Assembly, advancing partnerships and Canada's Arctic leadership. Can the minister tell the House how the new government is acting decisively— Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Philip Earle: Mr. Speaker, they are arguing over there because they think they are still in caucus. How is the new government's acting decisively, while collaborating with indigenous leadership to build Canada's north, upholding our sovereignty and security as threats increase?”
“Her example reminds us that beside every parliamentarian stands a strong partner whose encouragement and sacrifice make public service possible. Today, as we honour Mrs. Carolyn Rompkey, we also recognize all spouses, partners and family who quietly give so much to allow us all to serve.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise in this chamber today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of my dear friend, Mrs. Carolyn Rompkey. Mrs. Rompkey was the beloved life partner of the late William Rompkey, the former member of Parliament for Labrador and a senator for Canada. On behalf of all Labradorians, the House and Canadians, I extend heartfelt condolences to her children, Peter and Hilary, and their families on her passing. Mrs. Rompkey was admired and loved by many. Her guiding words were, “it doesn’t take much effort to be kind”, and she lived by that guidance every day. Throughout her husband's parliamentary career, Carolyn stood beside him with unwavering support while also providing leadership and inspiration in her own way.”
“Mr. Speaker, for too long, northern communities like those in my riding of Labrador have had to rely on diesel-generated electricity to keep the lights on, at costs that are too high. Can the minister share with this House how our new government is replacing diesel with dependable, clean power in the north while helping communities build the sustainable future they deserve?”
“Mr. Speaker, our new government recently introduced the one Canadian economy act, which is intended to tear down internal barriers to trade, cut red tape and get nation-building projects off the ground. While it is true that the bill is critical to help grow our economy, indigenous communities' individual rights must be respected throughout the process. Can the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs outline how indigenous partners will be consulted and how these communities would benefit from this bill?”
“Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to rise in the House as the representative of a region that forms part of Canada's north: beautiful Labrador. We must never take our sovereignty and security in the Arctic for granted. As foreign threats to the region increase and the impacts of climate change intensify, it is imperative that Canada work in close partnership with indigenous and northern communities. Would the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs inform the House on the government's strategy for the region?”