Robert Morrissey
Egmont, Prince Edward Island · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to pay tribute to a remarkable young Prince Edward Island athlete, Abby Hustler. Over the last number of years, Abby has excelled as a hockey player. She played with the PWHL Minnesota Frost, now drafted by the expansion Hamilton team.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, entitled “Main Estimates 2026-27”. It has been tabled electronically.”
“Mr. Speaker, Conservatives often go to great lengths in the House to speak about eliminating all taxes. As a member from rural Canada, could the member explain what impact it would have on many development opportunities in rural areas if the government was not there to support economic opportunity all across this country?”
“Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, two reports of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. The first is the 10th report, entitled “Youth Employment in Canada”. The second is the 11th report, entitled “Main Estimates 2026-27”.”
“In such conditions, the ability to make a call save a life. (1820) Of course, there is the economic aspect as well. As the proposed bill points out in its preamble, equal access to cellular service is currently being undermined, and that is deeply unfair to the millions of Canadians who live in rural areas.”
“In the case of cellular phones, our job is to ensure that these services are provided to Canadians in an equal manner, so that running a small phone-based business in my home community of Tignish is on par with running a similar operation in Toronto or Vancouver. In other words, a phone call is a phone call.”
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“This program authorizes a limited set of materials for disposal at sea only after an assessment of risk and under strict environmental conditions. The program issues approximately 80 to 100 permits per year, and it conducts monitoring to ensure compliance and protect sensitive marine ecosystems. These efforts form part of Canada’s broader commitment to environmental protection, including through CEPA and its core principles, notably precaution, polluter pays and pollution prevention. (1850) While the government has created a solid foundation of legislation, programs and partnerships, experience has also revealed gaps, especially related to vessel transfers and end-of-life management. Many vessels still change hands repeatedly, often among parties unable or unwilling to manage them.”
“One of the pillars of the national strategy was the creation of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, or WAHVA, which came into force in July 2019 with the support of all parties in the House. WAHVA made it illegal to abandon a vessel in Canadian waters, strengthened enforcement powers and introduced new penalties. It reinforced the principle that the polluter, not the public, should pay. In parallel, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, or CEPA, the government administers the disposal at sea program, which regulates the disposal of substances at sea through a strict permit system and allows Canada to meet its international obligations under the London Convention and the London Protocol.”
“Abandoned vessels harm ecosystems and can also disturb culturally significant sites, archaeological resources and areas of traditional use. For these reasons, the government has made addressing problem vessels a priority for several years. The approach has been centred on prevention, preparedness and accountability, while recognizing community realities and cultural context. A key step in this effort came with the launch, in November 2016, of the national strategy to address Canada’s wrecked and abandoned vessels. That strategy was designed to reduce the prevalence of problem vessels, prevent new ones, and support responsible owners and safe disposal.”
“Across Canada, more than 1,300 vessels have been identified as wrecked, abandoned or hazardous. Many of these vessels no longer have known owners. When ownership cannot be traced, the burden falls on taxpayers and communities to address the environmental and safety risks. These risks can include leaking fuel, sinking hulls, navigational hazards, and impacts on fish and wildlife habitats. This issue affects communities in all regions, along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, across the north, in inland lakes, along the St. Lawrence Seaway and in the Great Lakes. It is a national challenge with local consequences. Marine areas carry deep cultural, spiritual and historical significance, especially for indigenous communities that have navigated, harvested and lived along these waters since time immemorial.”
“The intent of the bill, as outlined by the member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country , is to ensure that when vessels are passed from one owner to another, they are not neglected to the point that they are abandoned, wrecked or hazardous. For those in coastal communities, we know this can pollute our waters and create hazards for Canadians. Canadians are proud stewards of our coasts, lakes and rivers. Navigation is a right that has helped shape our economy, our communities and our identity. However, with that right comes a responsibility to do the right thing when vessels have reached the end of their life. While the vast majority of vessel owners take this duty seriously, there are instances, which are too frequent and too visible, where individuals choose to abandon vessels rather than dispose of them properly.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to speak to this private member’s bill, Bill C-244 , the clean coasts act, introduced by the member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country . At its core, Bill C-244 aims to provide a tool to ensure that those who benefit from Canada’s waterways must also take responsibility for their use and for the safe end-of-life management of their vessels. Bill C-244 proposes amendments to two important pieces of federal legislation: the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999; and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act. The proposed amendment to the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act would prohibit vessel owners from transferring their vessels to individuals who do not intend to maintain, operate or dispose of them responsibly.”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to the hon. member's speech and he referenced non-partisanship, so my question is non-partisan. The bill speaks for itself. Could the member advise the House who he consulted with? Did he consult with fisher organizations prior to drafting the bill, and if so, could he identify them?”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to present petition e-6489 on the democratic process, signed by 11,706 petitioners. The petition calls on the House to adopt and direct appropriate national security and intelligence agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of potential security risks associated with political leadership in Canada, ensuring that all candidates for party leadership and high office undergo security vetting; develop and implement mechanisms to enhance transparency in the vetting process of political candidates, increasing public confidence while maintaining legal and privacy protections; strengthen national safeguards against foreign interference in Canadian democratic institutions; and commit to ensuring that all elected officials meet the highest standards of integrity, accountability and national loyalty.”
“As we continue Gender Equality Week, I want a world where my nieces, and all women and girls, can live free of fear and can thrive.”
“Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of this year, Atlantic Canada has experienced a troubling increase in gender-based violence. Women and girls across our region continue to endure violence, often from current or former intimate partners, with tragic consequences. This ongoing crisis highlights a harsh reality: When circumstances become difficult, women often suffer. Breaking down the barriers that prevent women from living safely and freely is more urgent than ever. Ensuring security and justice is essential not only in protecting lives but in creating conditions where women can fully participate and contribute to society. Building on what my colleagues have shared earlier this week, we must recognize and support the strength of survivors and the dedication of those working tirelessly to address this issue on the ground.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in relation to the motion adopted on Thursday, September 18, “Youth Employment in Canada”.”
“The most important tribute we can give to a former parliamentarian or legislator, which I say unequivocally, is this: Her community is a better place today because of her years of service. I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to say a few words here today on behalf of the government caucus about the life of Gail Shea, and pay tribute to a life well lived and filled with value and contributions that will have a long-lasting legacy. I will leave with this. Let us not take our health for granted. Life passes by quickly. I want to thank Gail for her contribution to Prince Edward Island and to Canada, this country we all so love.”
“Gail's legacy will live on, both through her various accomplishments as a public representative and through her commitment to volunteerism, because after leaving politics, she immersed herself in the community on a volunteer basis. She was very involved in the local Royal Canadian Legion. These organizations will certainly miss her presence over the years. Her family, especially her five children, who I know well, Sally, Sandy, Kelly, Holly and Shawn, can be very proud of their mother and the contribution she made to our part of this wonderful country, the small part that I referenced in western Prince Edward Island. Family took precedence over every other aspect of her accomplished life, and I know her family members, children and grandchildren will miss her.”
“Gail made it a priority of hers to get Tom Connors to choose that community to be the location of a centre that would commemorate his legacy, a very deep legacy in traditional Canadian music, and house all the artifacts attached to his distinguished career as a Canadian. Make no mistake: Stompin' Tom Connors put Canada first. Although she was not elected at the time that this particular centre came to realization, it was her vision. Since it was heavily federally funded and I had the option, I personally asked her to attend the official opening in 2017 and join me on stage to cut the ribbon to officially open the centre. She was extremely touched and appreciated the opportunity to be there.”
“We both attended the same high school, and our lives often revolved around the same community we called home, the town of Tignish, where, as the Leader of the Opposition referenced, her funeral service was held a few weeks ago. It is the furthermost community in the western part of our home province of Prince Edward Island. Gail was very proud of her family, and there is no question that her family was very proud of Gail. She was also deeply attached to her home community of Skinners Pond. On a lighter note, when Gail became a minister of the Government of Canada, she said in conversation that there were now two famous people from Skinners Pond, a very little community. The other person was Canadian icon musician Stompin' Tom Connors, who a lot of people would remember.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay tribute, on behalf of the government caucus, to a former member of Parliament who sadly left us a few weeks ago, the Hon. Gail Shea. Politics can be challenging and it can be tough at times, but Gail was prepared to step up and put herself forward as a candidate in numerous elections. Gail, as pointed out, was a member of Parliament for the riding of Egmont, the riding I now represent. She served as a cabinet minister in the government of former prime minister Stephen Harper, and she also served in the government of the former premier of Prince Edward Island, the Hon. Pat Binns. On a personal note, I knew Gail for most of my life. We grew up in neighbouring communities, coastal fishing communities, a few kilometres from one another at a time when the fishery was not as valuable as it is today.”
“Now, the Tignish Fisheries Cooperative employs 380 people, and it works wonderfully because thousands of individuals over the years believed in something greater than themselves. They had faith in their home. From its early days as a fisherman's union to the best seafood processing in the world, this operation has been an incredible success, and I want to congratulate all those there now, and thank those who came before—”
“Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest strengths of my district of Egmont is the willingness of Islanders to work together. That collective approach has built vibrant communities, and people know they can rely on one another to succeed. In my home community, the Tignish Fisheries Cooperative is marking a 100-year anniversary. Keep in mind that this incredibly successful venture began during a time of wooden boats, sails and oars. Today, it is electronics, fibreglass boats, efficient engines and the best seafood products in the world. The threads that bind these two realities together are the hard work and determination of a community filled with talented and dedicated people.”
“Unless the Government of Canada does that, we are going to continue to slide in the services available to rural communities, and we will have a continuation of what my colleague has just articulated.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague has fought me a lot, as a seasoned politician, I will admit, about rural Canada and rural parts of this country. The challenges of health care in rural parts are significantly different than in urban parts. First of all, the jurisdiction responsible for the delivery of health care must recognize that. This is where the provinces come in. Voters were telling me, in the last election and over the last number of years, that it is time that Ottawa put more strings attached to the fiscal transfers given to the provinces in the delivery of health care and put in specific criteria about the outcomes and the benchmarks that must be achieved to improve rural health care delivery.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague overlooks the major fact that, over the years, the federal government moved out of the fiscal capacity area in taxation to allow the provinces to move into that field to fund health care more and more. When we look at the actual numbers, the total revenue available to the provinces has increased significantly. It was our government in 2023 that signed an agreement with each of the provinces, where they came forward and said that this is the money they need from the Government of Canada, in addition, to fix the health care problems they are facing in their provinces. What I am saying is that it is time they stepped up. We delivered the money. We kept our end of the bargain.”
“Mr. Speaker, the promise that was pulled out of thin air was the Conservative platform promise on the same issue. Our promise was real. It was fiscally responsible. We indicated that we would reduce the tolls on the Confederation Bridge to $20, with a corresponding reduction for all Atlantic Canada ferries by a similar percentage amount. That is a promise that was made. It is a promise I have every confidence that the Prime Minister will deliver on.”
“I will say that until Islanders are confident and content with their health care system, I will continue to demand better. We live in the greatest country in the world. We are extremely fortunate to have great financial resources and an outstanding education system. For that reason, I do believe elected representatives of the federal government should start insisting on measurable improvements. We should make our voices heard. The federal government has kept up its side, and now is the time for all of us to insist that our provincial colleagues keep up their end and focus their considerable resources on the front lines of our health care system.”
“Sadly, those provincial excuses are meant to deflect responsibility for poor service, long wait times and inadequate access. For Islanders, this is increasingly distressing and, again, I share their frustration. As a member of Parliament, my duty is to understand the day-to-day needs of the residents. The part that really hurts is that so many Islanders are enduring uncertainty every day because of poor access to health care. This has to be fixed. When I speak with young parents about their worries, it is very hard not to share that anxiety. When I speak to older Islanders concerned about loved ones and spouses, it is hard. The federal government has done its part. The money is there. The federal end of the partnership has been met and exceeded.”
“There was $300 million in new funding. This year, the federal government will provide $236 million to the province through the Canada health transfer. Everyone in here knows how this works. Under the Constitution, the provinces operate the health care system. In other words, the province is in charge of health care recruitment, hospitals and professional services. Our role in Ottawa is to support that work through financial transfers, and that side of the arrangement has been respected. However, here is what I have heard at the doors: People in Ottawa may be spending money, but we residents are not getting the health care we need. In fact, I heard from many residents that they are now very weary of the province's excuses.”
“The subject that I want to talk about was the number one issue raised at the doorsteps in my riding, and that is health care. Everywhere I go, I hear real frustrations about the state of health care, and I share the concerns of all those Islanders. Over the past number of years, I have spoken with thousands of people in my Egmont riding and, over the course of the last election, I spoke with many again. Again and again, I am told that access to health care is getting more and more difficult. Frankly, I have come to the conclusion that what I am hearing is correct. The province's response to a genuine health care crisis is not keeping pace with need. Let us be clear. In 2023, the federal government joined with the province in a new funding arrangement for health care. Ottawa came to the table, with P.E.I., with $1 billion over 10 years.”
“Going back in its history, this country was built on great visions from coast to coast to coast, investing in significant infrastructure that grew the country over the years. One of the issues that was loud and clear to me in my riding over the past election was an area that the federal government shares with provinces. That is the area of health care transfers. Today, the Prime Minister , in an answer in question period, referenced the fiscal statement that we will present to the House as presenting increases in health care transfers. I am going to speak to the area of health care, recognizing that it is a shared constitutional responsibility. In fact, this morning, my colleague, the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands , tabled a petition in the House on this particular subject.”
“There are always a lot of needs in this country, and it is always interesting to listen to debate. (1530) On one hand, members of the electorate were very clear in the last election. They stated that they did not want to pay more taxes, but, by the same token, they still want government to support the many safety and social programs that we have come to depend on in this country. That becomes a contradiction and the roadway that governments have to travel: living within their means, spending appropriately, while at the same time still investing across this country. That is why I was so pleased that in the throne speech, our government and the Prime Minister , even today in question period, referenced so much about investing and growing the economy through major projects that built this nation. It has been done before.”
“My colleague, who is sitting close to me today, is passionate about rural development and ensuring that rural parts of this country are treated equally with the many challenges that rural, small-town Canada faces. As parliamentarians, it is important for us to make sure we do not overlook that, and that we are constantly using every opportunity we have to advance the concerns and the issues brought forward by rural communities. My riding is actually half urban and half rural. Over the past number of years, infrastructure has been one of the significant investments by the government that I was part of. All across the riding, each community is significantly better off today than it was 10 years ago. I am extremely proud of the record of our government in developing infrastructure, but still more has to be done.”
“I want to reflect, which I often do, on the candidates who do not get to speak in this chamber following an election. Some of them were here before, some of them were new with ambitions to be here, but did not make it. It is important for us as parliamentarians, because we get the ultimate reward of representing the part of the country that chose us to be their representative. It is really a great honour, because we take forward the concerns and the ambitions of the people we represent. My riding of Egmont in Prince Edward Island is similar to most rural areas across this wonderful country. There is always more to be done than we have the ability to do, but that is really what governing is all about. However, I have been so proud of our government's track record over the past number of years in the area of rural development.”
“I would ask everybody to reflect on the many candidates who put their names forward in this last election who were not successful. Only 343 people can be successful and earn the right to sit in this chamber. However, I enjoyed listening to the many speeches here over the past week, especially from new members of Parliament, new politicians, and the enthusiasm they bring forward, the dreams they have for the areas they represent and what they would like to accomplish. None of us arrive here without an extensive team. Over the last week, I was sending notes of thanks to my many volunteers, and it dawned on me just how many participated in my election. Hundreds of people came forward to do the jobs that are important for candidates to win in elections and for those who participate.”
“I was first elected in 1982, and when I commented to an individual that I enjoyed elections very much, they remarked to me, “It is easy for you; you have never been defeated.” I think of that in each election, in each legislature I have sat in and each parliament in this House of Commons that I was successful on being re-elected to. Our democratic system depends on men and women putting their names forward in a very public process. Elections are very public. I often advise people of different political stripes on whether they should run for office or not. I tell them that there is only one of two outcomes in an election: one either wins or one loses, but both are very public. If a person can accept either of those conclusions, then they should put their name forward and run for office.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in this chamber for the fourth Parliament that I have been participating in as the member of Parliament for Egmont. I want to congratulate all members who are sitting in this particular Parliament who ran successful elections. I also want to reflect momentarily on all of those who contested seats in the recent election and were not successful in arriving here. We all have colleagues who were not successful in their election and who are not returning. I was reminded of that a number of years ago.”