Kevin Lamoureux
Winnipeg North, Manitoba · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, when we take a look at this particular legislation, or any other piece of legislation or budgetary measures that the government has brought in since the last election, when Canadians elected a new Prime Minister and a new government, we will find that listening to Canadians is the top priority.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want the member to recognize the degree to which the Conservative Party always wants to talk down the economy. It brings me to yesterday, when we found out that the Prime Minister went to the G7 and that 13 new deals were signed off, with countries such as Japan, Italy, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal, fi…”
“Mr. Speaker, since the last election, just over a year ago, when Canadians voted for our current Prime Minister and a new government, we have been listening to the people of Canada. Members will see that listening in every aspect of our legislative agenda and our budgetary measures.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to pick up on my friend's comment that we live in the real world. The real world is looking pretty good in terms of where Canada has been since the last federal election. We have a Prime Minister who has been out and about, attracting literally billions of dollars in commitments of investment.”
“Mr. Speaker, I appreciated to a certain degree the member's comments when he made reference to the issue of the process. However, I would ask him to realize that, over the years, things have changed considerably. We saw time allocation used during Stephen Harper's government a record number of times.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I am tabling a petition from a number of individuals. Actually, over 1,000 people have signed the petition. The petitioners are looking for a sense, from both the provincial Government of Manitoba and Ottawa, of working together to try to come up with a solution to deal with Manitoba's unique situation related to our wo…”
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“That is why I referred to the leader of the Conservative Party , when he was minister of housing, and I reflected on the number of non-profit housing units that were actually built when he was responsible for housing. It was fewer than 10. Then we wonder why we have this issue today. It is not something that occurred overnight. I like that the issue was elevated to the degree that, during the last national election, just over a year ago, Canada's Prime Minister made the decision to be more aggressive in supporting our communities and Canadians by making housing more affordable. That has taken different forms. (1600) We know that the price of housing has actually gone down since the last election. We know that the cost of rentals has actually gone down.”
“The Ukrainian community has built a few of them. Even though they might not necessarily have the management of them today, or not in all cases, these homes were built, in part, with federal dollars. They provide homes for seniors. Seniors who live in the community and maybe have children who are grown up or a spouse who passed away often want to stay in the community. Often, these buildings that are built by communities and non-profits are there to support and provide that home so seniors can get out of a single detached home and into a different home environment. There have been all sorts of programs over the years to support affordable housing. There were a number of years when that virtually came to an end because governments at different levels made the decision to withdraw. We saw it, I would argue, during the peak of the Harper era.”
“I can talk about infill housing, directly or indirectly, but I would also suggest non-profit housing built by government. Back in the day, maybe 25 years ago, I would see affordable government-built homes, and tenants living in those homes were paying less than 30% of their annual income, no matter what their annual income was. Affordable homes are built because there are many generational issues at times. Individuals find it difficult for a wide spectrum of reasons and are very dependent on government-built homes. Many organizations in Winnipeg North, from the Ukrainian community, the German community or the Polish community, have built homes. When I say “homes”, I am referring to apartment blocks. The Canadian Polish Manor has a dozen-plus floors. It is the same with the Canadian German Society Manor that was established.”
“(1555) Before I was a parliamentarian, I used to be involved in the Weston Residents Housing Cooperative, and we were able to build affordable housing. We very much needed the support of government. At that time, it was the provincial government that provided the support, but today we have not seen much in terms of the expansion of housing co-ops. However, under this Prime Minister and this administration, the Build Canada Homes act would, once again, provide support for housing co-ops. Housing co-ops play a very important role. Again, looking at Winnipeg North, I think of Willow Park, arguably the oldest and most established housing co-op in Canada, possibly even in North America. That community has benefited because of direct government involvement. Direct government involvement takes many different forms. I referred to housing co-ops.”
“In Winnipeg North, I would estimate that well over 100 homes, which is 100 families, have benefited from one incredible non-profit organization, just focused in one federal riding. Everywhere, from the Point Douglas area to Shaughnessy Park, The Maples and into the suburbs, Habitat for Humanity has helped build homes that individuals living in them otherwise would not be able to afford. It has made homes affordable. Today we have a government that recognizes that and supports Habitat for Humanity. I would hope that this support continues into the future. I think of revitalization programs from the past where governments were working together to establish a pool of money so they could refurbish housing stock, and in some situations, such as the promotion of housing co-ops, see co-ops being built.”
“In part, we are realizing why the national government needs to not only be engaged but demonstrate leadership on this critically important file. When we think of housing, it affects all of our communities. Not only does it impact homeowners and future homeowners, but it affects the community. Whether it is about growth or, in some cases, infill housing projects, it could have a very negative impact if the national government is not directly involved. I have seen that involvement in a very real and tangible way. Let us take a look, for example, at what Habitat for Humanity Canada does in our communities. I represent a riding that has likely benefited the most, or is one of the top five or 10 ridings that have benefited the most, through Habitat for Humanity making housing affordable.”
“When I came to Ottawa, I continued to have discussions and debates on the important issue of housing. From the very beginning, I have always recognized that the national government does, and should, have a role to play in housing in Canada. This has been an issue for a period of time. The minister made reference earlier, in response to a heckle and comments that were coming from the opposition benches, to the fact that the issue we have before us today is not something that just came out of the blue. What we have is an issue that has been there and has taken more than a generation to get to this point. There was a time, in the early 1990s, even going into the 1980s, when governments of different political persuasions and levels were talking about the national government withdrawing from housing responsibility.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise and share some thoughts on important issues that Canadians have to face, and hopefully give an explanation as to where I am coming from and why it is very important that the Government of Canada continues to push forward on building opportunities to see more people being able to afford homes and ultimately more homes being built here in Canada. A number of years ago, when I was first elected to the Manitoba legislature, my first responsibility was tied to being the critic for housing and the deputy party whip at the time. It was something that I appreciated being a part of, because it gave me a very good understanding of the housing industry back then. I have never lost interest, and in fact I have had many debates over the years on the issue of housing.”
“For example, we are talking about promoting modular homes; increasing housing co-ops and other forms of non-profit housing; and working with municipalities and provinces to add value and to increase the amount of affordable housing. That is what Bill C-20 is all about. The Conservatives say, “No, we do not want that.” Why is that? I do not understand it for the life of me. They say that they understand the needs of Canadians, but they do not. They are going to vote against Bill C-20 , just like they vote against any idea that comes out of the government to be affordable for Canadians—”
“Mr. Speaker, I am a bit surprised that, while the Conservatives say how much they love freedom and do not want censorship, the member is trying to say that I cannot say the Conservative Party has dumb ideas. When one really stops and thinks about it, their solution for the housing crisis in Canada is to stand back and do nothing. There are provinces, municipalities, non-profit organizations and stakeholders out there saying that the federal government should do something, which is what Bill C-20 would do. Through Bill C-20 , we would develop a corporation that would support the expansion of Canada's housing industry and our housing stock.”
“Speaker, no, that is not a solution; it is a dumb idea being promoted by Conservative members. At the end of the day, a vast majority of Canadians recognize—”
“I do not think so, given what the Conservatives are saying today. If they were to listen to what their communities are saying and wanted to add value to the housing stock, or if they were to take a look at what this government, and particularly the Prime Minister , said as a part of our election platform to deal with the issues of affordability, which includes housing, they would see results. One year later, housing and rental prices have gone down. We have a government that is aggressively pushing the expansion of our housing market. Meanwhile, we see the Conservatives saying, “Get out of the way.” I do not understand how they believe that affordable housing is going to appear out of nowhere. An hon. member: That is a solution. Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr.”
“Build Canada Homes has the potential to do a wide variety of things, which the Conservative Party should recognize, given the time. The fundamental difference between the Liberals and the Conservatives on this issue is that we, the vast majority of Canadians and all provinces and territories, because they participate in the federal programs, recognize that the national government has a role to play in housing. This should be indisputable. (1355) We would think the Conservatives would understand and appreciate it. I am not surprised, because if we take a look at it, when the Leader of the Conservative Party was the minister responsible for housing in Canada, he built six houses. I do not know where they are, but apparently he built six homes; not him personally, but apparently, his department. Is that any shock?”
“I can tell the House that, at the end of the day, the Conservative Party is once again making a mistake by not realizing the difference between, let us say, the CMHC and Canada Lands and what we are proposing within the Build Canada Homes legislation. Arnold Viersen: We know the difference. Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, no, they do not really know the difference. At least, they have not demonstrated that they do, because they constantly stand up and ask what the difference is. They do not understand it. Mr. Speaker, I am sure you understand it, but the Conservative Party does not understand it. At least, the candidates who have stood up obviously do not understand it, because if they did, they would see the value in having this legislation passed.”
“Ultimately, it is potentially threatening, if we think about how the Conservatives might ever again take the reins of power, especially the far-right Conservatives we see day in and day out here on the floor of the House of Commons. Today's Conservative Party would never have supported things like the CMHC, which has been around for generations, provided stability within our mortgage regime and enabled millions of Canadians to acquire the finances that are necessary in order to be a homeowner. I question where the Conservative right and its policies are today. Its members have made it very clear that they do not support Bill C‑20 . Imagine my shock. I am not shocked.”
“The individual should go and visit some municipalities, and I would really encourage members opposite to do likewise. Some of them have. I can recall a letter campaign that went around among a number of the Conservative MPs, in which they were asking for financial support. If we take a look at it, the city of Winnipeg has benefited immensely from national policies dealing with housing. I am thinking about the accelerator fund. If we talk to the mayor and the city councillors, we will find that there was wide support for that program, and as a direct result, hundreds of homes have been built. To say, as the Conservative Party consistently does, that the national government should just get out of the way and it does not have a role to play in housing, is misguided at best.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to give my very best to my friend and colleague in his future endeavours, whatever they might be, and I want to acknowledge his family, staff and friends, who I am sure are very sorry to see him go. Others will get a bit more time with a loved one. Having said that, I want to get right into the discussions and talk about some of the things I heard coming from the Conservative Party today. I often talk about how the Conservatives like to mislead Canadians. Today, again, we are getting a good sample of that. I believe the Conservative critic for housing is a former mayor. He can correct me if I am wrong. He stood in his place and said, in essence, that municipalities do not require, need or want any sort of assistance in dealing with bureaucracy and reducing the cost of planning.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat disappointed by the response to that question, in the sense that, if we look at it, we have seen a great deal of emphasis on collaboration. We want to work collaboratively with municipalities, provinces, indigenous people and so forth. Does the member not agree that working collaboratively is the best way to deal with the issue that is before us?”
“Mr. Speaker, I was encouraged to hear the member opposite say something to the effect of Bill C-20 inspiring Canadians and helping them build more homes faster. I agree that there is that inspiration within Bill C-20. Could the member expand on that particular point? Through Bill C-20 , we want to be able to encourage and see that support realized.”
“Madam Speaker, I am sure the minister would agree that it is critically important that we work collaboratively with other jurisdictions, whether it is provinces, indigenous people or other stakeholders. It is very clear that the Conservatives made the decision long ago that they do not support Bill C‑20 . If it was up to the Conservative Party, Bill C‑20 would never, ever pass. That is why I appreciate what the Minister of Housing is doing today. Given the importance of collaboration, I wonder if he can expand upon that point. He made reference to the province of Quebec and the benefits of collaboration. Could the minister just expand on that and provide some comments on accountability within the legislation also?”
“Madam Speaker, it is somewhat shameful that the Conservative Party likes to talk as if they are tough on crime. In reality, we have witnessed the Conservative Party bend at the knees, not recognizing the importance of action. This government, under this Prime Minister , just over a year ago, was elected with a substantial legislative agenda to deal with getting tough on crime, and the Conservative Party has been the biggest barrier to that happening. It needs to take responsibility. Why will the Conservative Party not recognize what law enforcement agencies across this nation are asking for? They are asking for lawful access, which is something other Five Eyes countries have. Only Canada does not have it. Why is the Conservative Party continuing to filibuster on lawful access?”
“Mr. Speaker, the member seems a little upset that it is in a Liberal riding. All the ridings in Nova Scotia are Liberal. The Premier of Nova Scotia is actually a Progressive Conservative. What we are seeing is a federal government working in collaboration with a Progressive Conservative government in Nova Scotia to have a space launch sector. There is value in that in terms of the potential of creating jobs. It will have an impact not only in Nova Scotia, but also in my city of Winnipeg where they manufacture satellites and want Canadian sovereignty in allowing Canada to be able to launch these satellites. If you are so much against Nova Scotia, what province would you prefer to see the launch pad in?”
“Mr. Speaker, I often wonder if there is someone in the Conservative backroom who gives out a gold star every time someone on the other side mentions the word “corruption”. The Conservatives consistently try to incorporate that word into every speech they give. My question for the member opposite is this: Does he believe that the Premier of Nova Scotia, who is, as I pointed out, a Progressive Conservative, is wrong in supporting this project too?”
“Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the question, because it is a great way to, hopefully, end the discussion on this particular issue. We have a choice. That is, do we rely on Elon Musk to establish Canadian priorities in sending satellites into orbit, or should Canada have its own space sovereignty, where the Government of Canada can establish the priorities and, at the same time, build on industries, whether it is our aerospace or space industry, which generates hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs? I choose the latter.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would encourage the member opposite to, maybe, write that question and see how the Premier of Nova Scotia would respond to it. Here is an opportunity. Maritime Launch Services can provide, through a contract, a service that would provide Canada the opportunity to have space sovereignty. It is a viable opportunity that we are working on with the province of Manitoba and other stakeholders that is going to enhance our industry here in Canada to the benefit of all Canadians. I see that as a positive thing. The member should write the premier.”
“Mr. Speaker, if only the Conservatives had a member of Parliament from Nova Scotia, I suspect it might actually change their opinions on this issue. The hon. member is right in her overall assessment. My plea to members of the Conservative Party of Canada is that they look at it as an Atlantic Canada initiative. It is the best place to have a launch pad because the Atlantic Ocean is right there, which would be great to have for re-entry and so forth. This $200 million is not just for raw land. As I indicated earlier, one of the biggest supporters, alongside my colleague, is the Premier of Nova Scotia, who happens to be a Progressive Conservative.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada's former prime minister Justin Trudeau made a commitment, an election platform commitment, that we were going to increase OAS for those individuals aged 75 and over. We fulfilled that commitment. The argument that was used was that as people age, generally speaking, they use up their retirement funds and their medical costs continue to go up. There are other issues there. The idea of having a significant increase for those who are 75 and above was justified to the degree that Justin Trudeau made the commitment during an election, in an election platform. The member is criticizing Justin Trudeau and the government at the time for fulfilling an election platform issue. Whenever possible, we should try to live up to election platform commitments.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a part of the future for Canada and our economy. As I said, it is estimated that in terms of direct jobs, we could be looking at somewhere in the neighbourhood of 225,000, if we can do this right. I believe we will get it right. As for the $200 million that keeps on being brought up, it is not for the raw land. The company has to build the infrastructure that enables us to ultimately see satellites put into orbit. That is what it is when we talk about the $200 million. It enables Canada to be able to say, “This is an important satellite, and we want it launched as a priority.” Right now, we do not have that capability. Many would argue that that is not right. That is why we have to continue to push this thing forward. It is about sovereignty.”
“I think they need to turn the page and recognize what the Government of Canada is doing, and that is working collaboratively with the stakeholders, the provinces, indigenous people and a wide spectrum of individuals who are providing us with the opportunity to build a stronger and healthier economy, and a healthier society, an economy that works for all Canadians. That is our objective. That is why we brought forward legislation to establish a space opportunity and space sovereignty. We understand and appreciate the valuable contributions that, in particular, the province of Nova Scotia can make in being able to establish that industry here in Canada. It is something that we should be proud of and be promoting. At the end of the day, it means improving the quality of life for all Canadians.”
“In the last year, there has been a net increase of well over 100,000 jobs. I believe it is just over 150,000. There are many indicators of this, such as with investments. Foreign investment in Canada, on a per capita basis, is greater than in any of the G20 countries. Arguably, it might even be the best in the world. (2115) These are the types of things that the Conservatives consistently overlook. They have adopted this attitude that Canada is broken, and they have to pump that message out, inside and outside the chamber, whether it is accurate or not, and it is not. That is the message they want to get out.”
“Whether it is the mining of copper, or it is, again, LNG, we will find that these things are part of the major projects. I will talk about the north. The Prime Minister was in Yellowknife not that long ago and talked about the importance of northern sovereignty. As a government, we are looking at over $30 billion in order to build and strengthen Canadian sovereignty up north. These are substantial commitments, because we have a government that sees the value of investing in Canadians and in the projects that are going to help ensure that Canada becomes the strongest country in the G7 and the fastest-growing on a per capita basis. The results are already starting to be realized in different ways, whether it is in constructions or in jobs, with 88,000 jobs announced just last week for the month of May.”
“I will move on to the province of Saskatchewan and major projects. Think about what is being proposed to deal with things such as copper mines. Look at what is happening with canola, potash and some of the other projects being considered in the city of Calgary, where the Major Projects Office is actually located. I move on to the province of Alberta and thinking in terms of an energy superpower and being more sovereign. Sovereignty matters to our government. I will get on to that right away as one of the other things we are doing. Not only do we have a memorandum of understanding with the progressive Conservative Premier of Alberta, but we now have an implementation strategy, an implementation plan, actually in progress that is expanding opportunities to become that energy superpower. Take a look at British Columbia.”
“However, Canada does not today have a space pad that has the capability of launching things like satellites into orbit, which is why we need to work toward it. This is, as I said, about building projects. In the province of Manitoba, the premier and many community leaders are working with the Government of Canada on ways in which we can expand the opportunity for Canada to have yet another port, a viable and strong port. I am hoping the Conservatives will not adopt for the province of Manitoba the same attitude that they have for Nova Scotia . At the end of the day, if they had representation in Nova Scotia, they might actually be a little more sympathetic to what the Progressive Conservative premier is saying about Nova Scotia, as well as my colleagues within the Liberal caucus.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member has not hurt my feelings. It is fine. If he is not following the debate this evening, that is fine, but I hope time was not deducted for the point of order, because I have a lot more to say. Building big and building projects is important to Canada, and the space project is equally important to Canada. If the member was listening earlier, he would know that some speeches did not even mention the word “space”, but I appreciate that he is giving some attention to what I am saying. I ask him to follow along. I will continue with major projects. Manitoba at one time did launch rockets. There are opportunities in the future to have something of that nature once again.”
“There are discussions that are ongoing with Canada, particularly with the Province of Ontario and Ontario Hydro, from what I understand, in terms of how they can take advantage of the expertise that Canada has to offer on nuclear energy. Let us move on from Ontario to Manitoba. Whether it is mining or the port of Churchill, for the first time in Manitoba, we have an alignment to have the port of Churchill developed and be able to export all forms of different products, from the potential of LNG to some minerals that are being mined and to other types of exports. These are the types—”
“The Prime Minister talks about making Canada an energy superpower, and we are serious about that. We are dead serious on the issue. We recognize the issue of sustainable development, and that is why we continue to work with provinces, indigenous communities, municipalities and the many other stakeholders. We realize that for these megaprojects to work, we need to appreciate and understand the importance of sustainable development. Nuclear energy is something very real and tangible, and through major projects, the Prime Minister and the government are getting behind it. There are other countries around the world that are looking at nuclear energy, and Canada has a role to play in that. I cited the Philippines as an example.”
“There are many other things through major projects that will have an equally very positive outcome for Canadians, virtually from coast to coast to coast. Earlier today, as an example, I talked about the potential of wind and current energies in Atlantic Canada. The federal government is investing in energy development in Atlantic Canada today through major projects. Earlier today I talked about the port of Montreal and the potential of the port not only to create thousands of jobs for the city of Montreal and the people of Quebec but also to increase the opportunity for us to export. That will have opportunities for all of Canada. Earlier today I made reference to the province of Ontario and major projects. The first one that comes to my mind is in the area of nuclear energy opportunities.”
“We are talking about the main estimates, the business of supply, and there are a number of initiatives within the budget that I truly wish the Conservatives would reverse their attitude on. As opposed to looking at the glass as always half empty, there is another way of looking at it. In other words, have a positive attitude. It does not hurt. Members can still be party of an opposition party and have a positive attitude, which is lacking from the Conservative Party. (2110) Let us take a look at major projects as an example. Yes, the space launch site is going to cost money, but I believe the investment will pay off in great dividends, not only in terms of sovereignty but also in jobs and so many other things, including benefits for our aerospace and space agencies.”
“The current leader of the Conservative Party sat around the cabinet table when the Conservatives could not even get 1%, yet we got 2% before the end of the year, within months of the last federal election. Whether it is those budgetary measures or it is legislative measures, we have already introduced to the House of Commons the measures necessary to ensure that we can move forward with the launch pad. Conservatives voted against it, unfortunately, but the point is that it has already been moved, and we are moving forward. Despite the opposition we are getting on this initiative, we will continue to move forward with it, because it is the right thing to do. We could apply that principle to many aspects of the budget.”
“Why would the Conservatives not join the Progressive Conservative Premier of Nova Scotia? By the way, the Government of Nova Scotia has actually approved the location. An hon. member: Oh, oh! Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, one member said that it is a bad location. The provincial government does not seem to think that. It is just the federal Conservatives who want to dump on the province of Nova Scotia, it would appear. We can look at what we have done over the last year, with a new government of just over a year and a new Prime Minister , in terms of what we have actually brought through: budgetary measures, supporting our space agency and our aerospace industry, and things like investing in our Canadian Forces, for which we hit 2% funding before the end of last year.”
“I do not want to talk too much about it, because the Conservatives will start criticizing it. There are all sorts of opportunities within our aerospace industry. In terms of Nova Scotia, I know my colleagues understand the true value and the investments that the government is putting into our aerospace industry and our space industry. We can think of it in terms of our military's having the capability to work through contracts to have a satellite, and the Canadian government's being able to say, “Okay, this satellite is a priority and is going to be launched.” That is what sovereignty in space is about. It allows the national government to not have to rely on other governments, or on Elon Musk, in order to launch a Canadian satellite or to put things into orbit.”
“Members can see that in the city of Winnipeg, we are manufacturing satellites. We have satellites that were manufactured in Winnipeg that are circling in orbit today. They are there. It is real. It means jobs. (2105) I can tell members that every member of the national Liberal caucus understands the value of having a launch pad in Nova Scotia. I say shame on my colleagues across the way who do not support the initiative of having it in Nova Scotia. An hon. member: How about Manitoba? Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, Manitoba has opportunities, but there is no ocean beside Manitoba. An hon. member: Oh, oh! Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, we finally have a government that is actually looking at expanding the port of Churchill, and there are opportunities there, possibly for rockets. Maybe we can talk about that.”
“Do members believe that Elon Musk should have the priority to say, “No, I have other things that I have to launch that are more important than what Canada wants to launch, so I am going to stick with those?” Are the Conservatives prepared to surrender our sovereignty on space and satellites to Elon Musk? That is what it sounds like, because what is their answer? They are not talking about an alternative or giving criticism in terms of why it is that Canada should not have a space launch pad. I like the idea. Come to Winnipeg and take the tour of Magellan Aerospace. There are first-class, hard workers of all different ethnic groups who are, in fact, working there every day of the week, and they are building Manitoba's aerospace industry. There is a very strong space component to it.”
“They do not let the facts get in the way or enable economic opportunities for the province of Nova Scotia, and it is not just Nova Scotia that will benefit from this project. When I look at it, having this world-class launch site located in Nova Scotia, it is the right place to locate it. An hon. member: It's a parking lot. Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: No, Mr. Speaker, it is not a parking lot. Members need to understand what is being proposed. This $200 million is not just for the raw land, which is the impression the Conservatives try to give people. It includes the infrastructure, building a launch pad that is going to elevate Canada's status so that other countries in the world will look to Canada as a way to get their satellites into orbit. It is about sovereignty. Do members support Canadian sovereignty?”
“These are the types of initiatives we should be taking a serious look at, as the government is doing. It is not only looking but also taking tangible actions. If we talk about the launch pad that is being, if I can say— Some hon. members: Say it. Hon. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure my words are parliamentary. If we talk about the launch pad that is being put down by the Conservative Party, let us be very clear. I made the statement earlier, when I put a question to the previous speaker , that we have the Progressive Conservative Premier of Nova Scotia as one of the biggest advocates for this particular project. As I said in my question, he is not a Liberal, yet the Conservative Party has a narrative that it wants to stick to no matter what.”
“If we were to take a look at our aerospace industry, we would see, in many ways, that the Government of Canada has recognized how important that industry is, and has directly and indirectly supported it. Take a look in terms of what the actual results have been and the types of things we are talking about. Do members want to talk about the space industry and its potential? Take a look at what is happening in some European countries as they have recognized the value of looking at the space industry and how much that has impacted their economies. I believe that we can have a space agency and an aerospace industry that can work hand in hand and ultimately build a stronger, healthier country, because when we talk about direct and indirect jobs going into the future, some have estimated that there will be over 200,000 good-quality jobs.”
“Mr. Speaker, given that no one else wants to stand up, I am more than happy to share some thoughts in regard to the estimates. Let me start off by providing comments, because we have heard them from Conservative after Conservative. Quite frankly, I am very disappointed that the Conservatives want to play the political corruption game when, in fact, they cannot substantiate it. Rather, they put on tin hats and start conspiracy theories. At the end of the day, take a look in terms of the opportunity that is before Canada. The Prime Minister has made it very clear that as a nation, we want to build a stronger and healthier economy, as I said earlier today.”
“Mr. Speaker, Magellan Aerospace in Winnipeg makes satellites and buses for satellites. Having the ability to have sovereignty in space, where Canada is able to use it not only for national use but also potentially for international use, and to expand our aerospace and space industries as a direct result, I think, is something the members opposite are really overlooking. One of the biggest advocates for this project, by the way, is the progressive Conservative premier of Nova Scotia. He understands the benefits for the aerospace industry. The last time I looked, he was not a Liberal. At the end of the day, would the member not recognize that, while he might not like the project, it is an overall—”
“Mr. Speaker, if we listen to the Conservatives, we would think that it is all about raw land, which is not the case. I do not know what it is they have against the Maritimes having a launch pad. It is in a naturally good position because of the ocean, which is a very important aspect to it. It is not just the raw land. We have to build the launch pad and the infrastructure, 90% of which will be built by Canadians. The Conservatives try to give this impression that there is $200 million just going for x when it actually does a lot more than that. I wonder if the member would concede that it is more than just a piece of raw land that is being leased.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member raises an issue that I know affects so many people. All members of Parliament are genuinely concerned about these unethical individuals, many living outside of Canada. With the modernization of technology of the Internet, phone scams, robocalls being made and vast numbers of emails, scams take many different forms. Unfortunately, it is quite often the vulnerable in society who are targeted, but it goes even beyond that. I am very familiar with a senior, Peter, who was defrauded of hundreds of thousands of dollars also. I think it is important that we highlight the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre as an organization that does some good things. I appreciate the comments of the member regarding the budget. We—”