Gord Johns
Courtenay—Alberni, British Columbia · NDP · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, we recall that the United Nations special rapporteur warned that Canada's temporary foreign worker program can create conditions resembling modern-day slavery. Last month, the San Group, a company operating in Port Alberni, was fined $429,000 and banned for two years for serious violations involving migrant workers.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I highlighted earlier, a Port Alberni company was fined $429,000 for its violation in its treatment of migrant workers, and it was given a two-year ban. Clearly, two years is not enough. The company operates other companies, and the rumour is that it actually has temporary foreign workers working for them as well.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to bring us back to a part of the conversation in which my colleague talked about the government's removing regulations on dangerous pesticides. Just last week, the Prime Minister announced his food security strategy, and the Liberals are removing important regulations that protect Canadians regarding pesticides.”
“Temporary foreign workers are often hired without the labour market opinion having been done in the right way. Workers who are looking for work are not getting hired. We hear in my riding about abuses of workers by employers, but there is no follow-up. There is nothing. When workers are in trouble, they are not supported.”
“I would like to hear from my colleague about whether, when food security and food sovereignty matter more than ever, my colleague sees the importance of the government's pausing its changes on these regulations, pausing these cuts and actually working with farmers to protect Canada's public agricultural research system?”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all my colleagues for allowing that to happen. Today is Brain Injury Awareness Day. It is an honour to table this petition on behalf of the families impacted by 165,000 new cases annually of brain injury in our country.”
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Every one of 557 lines we hold for Gord Johns, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 11 of 12.
“Bill C-211. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C-211, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Canada Pension Plan (deeming provision) . He said: Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to introduce an act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Canada pension plan, deeming provision. The goal of this bill is to make it easier for people with disabilities to obtain the benefits they are entitled to and to reduce the paperwork load on health care workers. People with disabilities often need to complete separate applications to access the disability tax credit, disability benefits and the disability pension plan at the provincial and federal levels. This process can be onerous for applicants, caregivers and health care providers, as they are required to prove the same impairment again and again.”
“Canada's failure to implement biomass tax incentives has left our forestry sector at a competitive disadvantage compared to the U.S. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to commit to the timely passage of a biomass tax credit to support Canadian forestry workers, which was in the 2023 fall economic statement, and increase federal funding for market expansion programs to find new customers for Canadian wood products and construction systems.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a huge honour to table this petition, which was signed by mill workers at the Domtar Catalyst mill in Port Alberni. The petitioners highlight that Canada's forestry industry has historically been a source of good jobs for rural communities. The forestry industry has faced multiple challenges in recent years that have led to significant job losses, including wildfires, infestations and the ongoing softwood lumber dispute. The U.S. trade policy poses a serious threat to Canada's forestry industry, as well as the communities it supports, such as Port Alberni. Forest biomass energy production has the potential to provide Canadian electrical grids with a sustainable source of energy while creating jobs for rural communities.”
“Mr. Speaker, we just heard from the grand chief of the Anishinabek Nation and the Ontario regional chief, Abram Benedict. They cited the potential infringement of their Constitutional rights and the obligations around free, prior and informed consent. This violates the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They are asking that time be given for the bill to be studied properly so their voices are heard. Why is the government ramming through this legislation without giving indigenous peoples an opportunity to provide insight and input?”
“Madam Speaker, I know my colleague cares deeply about what is happening when it comes to our environment and to taking action on protecting the environment and lowering emissions. Right now, there is a forest fire raging in my riding in Nuu-chah-nulth territory, in the Nahmint Valley. I want to hear from my colleague about solutions, especially when it comes to carbon pricing and the role it plays in tackling climate change. I know the motion is about the money and Quebec, but I want to hear from her specifically about the important role that carbon pricing plays in terms of taking action when it comes to climate. This is a climate emergency, and I think she recognizes that.”
“A national strategy on brain injuries would include measures to reduce brain injuries, improve training for health care professionals and identify challenges associated with brain injury, like problematic substance use and homelessness. I want to thank the member for Winnipeg Centre for seconding the bill. Her sister, Gina Carradine, suffered a brain injury, so the bill is personal to the member. I would also like to thank the former member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, Alistair MacGregor, who championed the bill in the last Parliament. In the previous Parliament, the bill passed unanimously in the House in June 2024, but did not get to the Senate due to the stagnation of Parliament in the fall of 2024. I am deeply honoured to carry this very important work forward, and I hope all members will support the bill again.”
“moved for leave to introduce Bill C-206, An Act to establish a national strategy on brain injuries . Bill C-206. Introduction and first reading He said: Mr. Speaker, June is Brain Injury Awareness Month, so I am pleased to introduce a bill today that calls on the Minister of Health to develop a national strategy on brain injuries. The theme of this year's campaign is “Beyond the Injury”, which aims to raise awareness about the impacts brain injuries can have on the lives of those who have suffered injuries, as well as on their loved ones. Brain injuries can occur in a variety of ways, including accidents, illnesses and strokes. Each brain injury is unique, with the potential to cause physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects. It is estimated that 1.6 million Canadians are living with a brain injury.”
“The petitioners are calling on the government to commit to enhanced core funding to ensure friendship centres have sufficient financial resources to maintain and expand their services to meet community needs, as well as to provide multi-year, predictable funding agreements that allow them to plan strategically, recruit and retain qualified staff, develop culturally appropriate resources to support growing responsibilities, and recognize and support the role of friendship centres in reconciliation.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a huge honour and privilege to table this petition, signed by members of the Port Alberni Friendship Center. They highlight that friendship centres across Canada serve as vital community hubs for indigenous people, offering culturally appropriate services in areas such as health, education, housing, employment and youth programming. The petitioners also highlight that governments at all levels have increasingly depended on the services of friendship centres to respond to socio-economic conditions, climate events and public health emergencies, such as the toxic drug crisis, but that funding for friendship centres has failed to keep pace with the rate of inflation.”
“Mr. Speaker, we may not agree on the causation of inflation, but in the spirit of solidarity, we know that Canadian retaliatory tariffs are having a significant impact on small business. In fact, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has cited that 49% of small businesses are feeling the impact either on their bottom line or throughout their supply chain. My colleague talked about transparency and accountability. We are still left in the dark. Canadians do not know how much money the federal government has collected or how it is going to get that money to small businesses. Does my colleague agree that it cannot wait until the fall?”
“Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, in fairness to the interpreters, somebody's phone is ringing in the chamber. I am seeing more and more of this behaviour. People are not turning off their phones, and I encourage you to speak to all members to remind them to turn their phones off. It is not fair to the interpretation staff.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Bloc for talking about small businesses. We know small businesses are facing an availability and affordability crisis when it comes to commercial insurance, and it can be quite hard to find an insurer at a price that a small firm can afford. In a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we learned that half of Canadian business owners “have experienced an increase of 10% or more in their...insurance premiums over the last 12 months”. The cost of insurance has been in the top three most impactful costs for businesses for months and months now. Is it not time for the government to take a closer look at how insurance costs and accessibility are impacting small businesses in Canada and Quebec?”
“Mr. Speaker, we have watched corporate taxes decrease from 28% under the Mulroney government to 15% today. We have seen record profits in big groceries, an 8% increase, which is double that from pre-COVID. In terms of big oil and gas, there has been a $192-billion profit over the last four years, more than in the 2010s altogether. Is the minister considering increasing corporate taxes or an excess profit tax on the corporate greed?”
“Mr. Speaker, in 2023, big grocery stores saw record profits of $6 billion, an 8% increase in profit, double what it was pre-COVID. However, this place is starting to look like a corporate boardroom. We will never hear Liberals or Conservatives talk about corporate greed. Does my colleague agree that big grocery needs to pay an excess profit tax?”
“I have never seen anything like this in my life, where if a person walks outside, they will see smoky skies throughout the summer. It is occurring every year. When is the Liberal government going to take it seriously?”
“Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague on his election and on his speech. Right now we know that a big chunk of our country is on fire. We are over 2,000 kilometres away from the fires that are happening in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, and here in Ottawa, the health index says the air quality is at nine. There is nothing in the budget to fund greener homes, to re-establish that program. There is nothing for heat pumps, nothing to create energy efficiency and lower costs and nothing that says the Liberal government understands there is a climate emergency taking place. Is my colleague going to urge ministers and the Prime Minister to take real climate action? We have been hearing from young people across the country who are asking for urgency.”
“Madam Speaker, as my colleague knows, the federal Liberals pulled out of the national housing strategy in 1992. We know that Canada and Quebec only have 3.4% non-market housing. We also know that non-market housing has to be a critical piece for tackling affordability when it comes to housing. At 3.4%, we have one of the lowest rates in the OECD, and there is nothing in the bill for co-op housing, housing geared to income, seniors' housing and housing for the most vulnerable, the homeless and youth coming out of care. Does my colleague see that the government is failing when it comes to dealing with the affordable housing crisis? All we hear from Conservatives and Liberals is that the free market and supply are going to solve the problems of non-market housing, but we know that is not true.”
“They are calling on the Government of Canada to commit to ensuring fair, adequate and long-term funding for indigenous language programming, especially in British Columbia.”
“Madam Speaker, this petition was signed by members of the Tseshaht First Nation. They highlight that an essential part of reconciliation is addressing the harms first nations have experienced, including the devastating loss of language and culture. They also highlight that there is a growing number of indigenous language learners, but the number of remaining fluent speakers is falling. The petitioners also highlight that changes to federal funding for indigenous language programming have put the preservation and revitalization of first nations languages and cultural heritage in British Columbia at risk and that there is urgent need to invest in indigenous language revitalization before it is too late.”
“Madam Speaker, Trump's tariffs are just the latest blow for B.C.'s forestry sector. The industry needs a lifeline so it can provide good jobs in rural communities. Retrofitting mills to generate electricity from biomass could protect jobs and power grids with sustainable energy. The Domtar paper mill in Port Alberni made the switch, and now 88% of its emissions come from biomass. In 2023, the Liberals promised a tax credit for biomass energy, but they have delayed implementation while investments head south. Will the Prime Minister show he has not forgotten about B.C.'s forestry sector and make sure biomass is in this year's budget?”
“Mr. Chair, I talked to the minister this week about the cuts to guards in Ahousaht. They have been reinstated. I want to thank him for doing that. However, the guards in Tofino have not been reinstated. Now Tla‑o‑qui‑aht elected Chief Elmer Frank has cited that obviously they are Nuu‑chah‑nulth and they have declared a state of emergency for the safety of their members and communities. They are asking why cuts would happen, especially during a state of emergency in their remote communities. Also, the Mayor of Tofino has highlighted that it has not had an increase in policing since 2005. Tofino covers Opitsaht, Esowista and Ty‑Histanis, and also helps with Ahousaht, with zero indigenous police funding. It does not have guards to cover the cells. It has a population of over 12,000 visitors a day during the summer.”
“Mr. Chair, it is the fifth anniversary of the tragic killing of Chantel Moore who was killed at the hands of police in Edmundston, New Brunswick during a wellness check. Her mother Martha Martin has been advocating that police not do wellness checks. She has met with the minister. My heart goes out to her and her whole family. Has the minister taken any action on any of the recommendations that have been made?”
“Mr. Speaker, we have heard that the government has announced a fentanyl czar, and it has had an auto theft summit. I am not saying those are not important, but the Liberals still have not named a czar to help support people living with addiction. They still have not announced a plan on how they are going to create treatment-on-demand. They still have not had a summit on the toxic drug crisis, despite the loss of over 50,000 Canadians. Does my colleague agree that those also need to be a priority when it comes to this discussion?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her excellent speech. She highlighted that there are many concerns in this bill and that it will trample on people's civil liberties, privacy, due process and procedural fairness. The powers that are granted in this bill to different authorities include cabinet. They are sweeping, and few details are provided. In addition, it is effectively an omnibus bill. Does my colleague believe that parts of this bill should be separated out? Clearly, this is a bill the Liberals have thrown everything in. I would like her thoughts on that.”
“In the last Parliament, thanks to the advocacy of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, people from hundreds of communities and the over 17,000 Canadians who signed petitions in support of my previous bill, Bill C-310 , the tax credit was doubled from $3,000 to $6,000. However, that is not enough. Increasing the tax credit further would help compensate volunteers for expenses like gas and gear, as well as lost wages. It would also recognize the important contributions of these volunteers. I extend my thanks to these everyday heroes for their sacrifice. I want to thank the member for Nunavut for seconding this bill, and I hope all members will support it. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)”
“moved for leave to introduce Bill C-204, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer tax credit) . Bill C-204. Introduction and first reading He said: Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to table the volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer tax credit bill, which calls on the government to increase the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue responders. Members may be surprised to hear that most firefighters in Canada are volunteers. Across our country, 100,000 volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers answer the call. They put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. They show up for wildfires, vehicle collisions, medical emergencies and more. While some volunteers receive an honorarium, they are not paid a living wage for their work.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think it is pretty rich that the Conservatives try to make the claim that my colleague from Saanich—Gulf Islands is playing politics. I will take people back two years ago, when the former MP for Kelowna—Lake Country, Tracy Gray, tweeted about the carbon tax instead of calling for help while her community was being evacuated because of forest fires. All night, my colleagues have heard Conservatives make the claim that the reasons for these wildfires are human-caused. Maybe the member can talk about what has happened to our ecosystem and the damage that this has caused right now.”
“Does my colleague agree that it is time the federal government established a national fire administration to coordinate things, especially this fire season?”
“Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned. It is June 3, and we have never seen raging wildfires this early in June, especially in the Prairies. I think about my Uncle Keith, who has respiratory illness and lives in Manitoba. The fires are a challenge to people's health, not just the evacuees but people right across the Prairies. I am more concerned about the urgency and about getting organized. We know there are over 100,000 volunteer firefighters in local departments across the country, some of whom could be deployed to help in wildfire season, especially now, but there is still no national fire administration to help coordinate this, something the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs has requested for a long time. We are the only G7 country without one.”
“Mr. Speaker, over the last decade, we have never seen raging wildfires like we are seeing right now. Unlike the Liberals, who want to blame provinces and territories for maybe not having the equipment to tackle these incredible fires that are taking place, I think about my home province, which is loaning resources and supporting three neighbouring provinces with helicopters, water bombers and equipment. At the same time, B.C. has operators like Coulson Group, on Vancouver Island, that are supporting countries around the world, yet Canada still does not have water bombers or night firefighting equipment to take on surges happening throughout Canada. Does my colleague agree that it is time for the federal government to step up, fill the void and show some leadership?”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague talked about the forestry industry, and I appreciate that. The sustainable harvest of biomass has been proven to reduce wildfire risk, and the Liberal government promised the biomass tax credit in the fall economic statement, as the member recalls, in 2023. However, the Liberals still have not implemented it. The forestry sector has been calling for quick implementation of the expanded implementation of the clean economy investment tax credits to include biomass. Does my colleague agree that the government needs to urgently bring through legislation to implement those ITCs to include biomass as a tool to mitigate the wildfires that are happening in our country?”
“Mr. Speaker, we know that these wildfires are happening year over year over year, and there is a lack of coordination. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs is asking that the federal government establish a national fire administration to ensure that there is sufficient subject matter expertise and coordination in these predictable and precedented crises, but they also want it to serve as a nucleus to help organize and coordinate efforts. Does my colleague agree that the federal government should act now to finally establish this important administration that, again, has been a call to action by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs?”
“The petitioners are calling on the House of Commons to establish and fund a centre of excellence for peace and justice focused on research, education and training in conflict resolution, diplomacy and peace operations for Canadian civilians, police, military personnel and the international community.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am also tabling a petition on behalf of the peace trainers from my riding, from Parksville, Denman Island, Courtenay, Port Alberni and Bamfield. The petitioners cite that the lack of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the underlying cause of violent conflict. They highlight that an open society and an informed public and Parliament are essential for the understanding of complex issues of violent conflict and for the achievement of lasting peace and disarmament. With the closing of the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, Canada lost an important civilian-led, independent institutional structure that supported effective research policy and training in peace operations and conflict resolution.”
“Mr. Speaker, first, I want to congratulate my colleague on his re-election. We heard the Bloc talk about climate today, and it is great to hear members of Parliament talk about it because it was not talked about enough in the Speech from the Throne. Does my colleague believe that when it comes to Canada and Quebec, nation building is climate action?”
“Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from British Columbia. The member talked about training and employment readiness, and it is so important. I will give the Liberals credit; the federal government did increase transfers to B.C. from 2016 to 2024, but then it cut them. We are short $74 million now for programs that support organizations like INEO in my riding—”
“Mr. Speaker, one thing I want to touch on is small business. We are not talking enough about the small businesses that are creating jobs right now in our local economies. We heard in the campaign that there was a call to action from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business asking that we reduce the small business tax rate from 9% to 8%, provide small businesses with additional liquidity to invest in their operations, and also increase the deduction from $500,000 to $700,000.”
“We know these numbers are dated, but the petitioners ask that Canada take significant measures to, as it has in the past, impose a two-way embargo on arms between Canada and Israel; investigate whether Canadian weapons or weapon components have been used against Palestinian civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories, including during the current war on Gaza; review all military and security co-operation between Canada and Israel; and, finally, close loopholes that allow the unregulated and unreported transfer of military goods to Israel through the United States.”
“Mr. Speaker, although this petition is dated, it is timely. The petitioners say that they are personally moved by the heartbreaking violence that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people in Gaza and Palestine due to the Israel-Hamas war between October 23 and December 24, 2024. They say that across Gaza, more than 40,000 souls were lost, with approximately 70% of those being women and children. In the same period, 1,706 Israelis were reported dead. They claim that the conflict has not spared the occupied West Bank either, where the war has claimed the lives of 479 Palestinians, including 116 children and nine Israelis.”
“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I tabled the first private member's bill in this Parliament, Bill C-201 , which aims to bring mental health, addictions and substance use services into our universal public health care system. The last Liberal government promised to ensure that mental health was treated as a full and equal part of Canada's public health care system, but it failed to deliver. Untreated mental illness has enormous costs for families, communities and our economy. Will the new government recognize that investing in mental health is good for all Canadians and support my bill?”
“A national fire administration would serve as the nucleus of any future emergency management, responsible in terms of response to wildfires and an emergency such as the one that is playing out right now. Does my colleague agree with the call to action by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, and how that would help right now?”
“Mr. Speaker, I think we can all agree in the House that a tragedy is playing out in Saskatchewan and Manitoba due to the wildfire exacerbated by climate change. I think we can all say that we share in sending our condolences and prayers to the people on the ground who are being impacted, and certainly the first responders. One thing we heard in the election campaign in April is that the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs issued two calls to action for election candidates. One of them was calling for “a National Fire Administration intended to help Canada address and coordinate issues related to wildfire, explosives, housing policy, construction, tariffs, federal response to emergencies, green technologies, marine transportation, clean energy, defense”, and the list goes on.”
“This may be a non-partisan opportunity for us to come together and defend our constituents. Does my colleague agree that the government needs to take urgent action to protect seniors especially, who are vulnerable to fraud? Does she too see fraud escalating in her community and her riding?”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight something my colleague talked about, and that is seniors. We know how vulnerable seniors are right now, from so many different directions, especially the cost of living. One thing I heard on the doorstep in this election and over the last year that I have never heard before is the amount of fraud that is taking place. A constituent of mine shared with me that he lost $150,000 to bank fraud. The gentleman had to go back to work; he came out of retirement. Another person, whom I met at the pool, lost $20,000. My colleague knows there has been a report tabled at the public safety committee, on which there is still no action, to hold financial institutions to account and to ensure that the CRTC and communication companies are doing their job in their role.”
“We wish him well as a farmer supporting Canadians so we get our food and in the work that he will do around his farm. On behalf of all New Democrats, we want to wish him and his family well, and we want to thank him for his service in this House.”
“Mr. Speaker, first, it is an honour to rise today. I know my colleague is leaving. We sure had our differences in this place. We had some pretty heated debates over the years too and could not have had more different politics, except that we share that we are both from rural communities. I admired his passion. My former colleague from Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, Alistair MacGregor, and I sat pretty close to him, within earshot, and we had some good laughs. We would refer to him as “hockey dad” because he had such passion when he spoke in the House on issues. He is a hockey dad, and he will get to spend some time with his three kids. He is going to be home with his family. I want to pass on my condolences to my colleague. He lost his father in the last year, and I know he is going to take on the farm and do well with it.”
“Will my colleague, his caucus and his government reinstate that funding to protect indigenous languages, particularly in British Columbia, where the cuts are significant, causing harm to indigenous peoples in our communities?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech and congratulate him on his election. The member talked about the protection of languages and how important that is. An essential part of reconciliation is addressing the harms indigenous peoples have experienced, including the devastating loss of language and culture. In British Columbia, the First Peoples' Cultural Council has been highlighting to the federal government that significant cuts to language revitalization funding are causing harm to indigenous peoples, to the Nuu-chah-nulth people in my riding and the Coast Salish people. They are calling on the federal government to reinstate that funding.”
“Mr. Speaker, as a rural MP like me, my colleague knows that local governments are responsible for about 60% of infrastructure costs, yet they only collect about 10% of overall revenue. I know this as a former municipal councillor from Tofino. I will give an example. The Village of Cumberland, in my riding, is dealing with cost overruns due to supply chain inflation, and they see the federal government as a critical partner for accomplishing that infrastructure as the major tax collector. They cannot get flexibility from the federal government when there are cost overruns. Does my colleague agree that the government needs to create more flexibility and needs to be a stronger partner? We are on the eve of FCM. It is important for municipalities to know.”
“Mr. Speaker, first, I want to acknowledge my colleague and congratulate her on her election. I want to highlight something that is happening in the fish industry, something that she would be concerned about if it was happening in Newfoundland. Right now, in British Columbia, harvesters are being displaced by foreign acquisition of Canada's commercial fishing licences and quotas. Canada does not currently have any limitations on foreign ownership of commercial fishing licences and quotas in the Pacific region. This is impacting the livelihood of small operators, and this is a practice only on the west coast. I would like to ask my colleague, how would Newfoundlanders react if foreign owners were allowed to acquire a licence and did not even have to fish it? This is something the Liberal government has failed to address.”