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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“Mr. Speaker, we know that in this budget the Liberals have not forecast beyond this fiscal year, but when it comes to wild Pacific salmon, where I come from, the Pacific salmon strategy initiative is sunsetting, and so is the B.C. salmon restoration fund. Salmon are critical for our food security, our economy, our well-being and our way of life on the west coast. With these programs sunsetting, that infrastructure is going to disappear. Can my colleague make a commitment to people on the west coast to protect wild Pacific salmon and invest in habitat protection in years and decades to come?”
“Therefore, the petitioners are calling on the federal government to reinstate and expand a permanent multi-year ghost gear fund with streams for rapid retrieval response, prevention and innovation. This would include gear marking, tracking and whale-safe ropeless pilots; end-of-life management, repair and recycling; and community capacity indigenous guardians programs.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise to present a petition from Canadians who are deeply concerned about ghost gear: abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, which is among the deadliest sources of plastics pollution. The petitioners note that ghost gear kills fish, marine mammals, seabirds and turtles; damages habitats; creates microplastics; and even hazards navigation and active harvesters, hurting coastal communities. They point out that dedicated funding for retrieval, prevention, repair and recycling works. It also creates skilled jobs and partnerships with indigenous communities, small-business fishers, harbour authorities and recyclers, especially in rural and remote regions.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians are being bled dry at the pump, at the grocery till, on their credit cards and mortgages, and by cellphone bills that just keep climbing while corporate giants post record profits. Last year, RBC made $16 billion; Rogers, $1.7 billion; Loblaws, over $2 billion; and Imperial Oil, almost $1 billion in the last quarter alone. How much profit is enough, and will this Liberal government include a corporate excess profit tax in this budget to finally protect Canadians from runaway corporate greed?”
“We also recommit ourselves to those still with us, to making sure that the promise we make to our veterans is one we keep because remembrance is not only about a moment of silence; it's about a lifetime of action and gratitude. To every veteran, every family member and every Canadian who stands in support, we thank them. Their service, their resilience and their hope continue to inspire us all. Lest we forget.”
“They have served with courage and distinction, yet too often their experiences and needs have been overlooked. I want to thank my former colleague, the NDP Veterans Affairs critic, Rachel Blaney, who fought to change that to ensure women veterans receive equitable recognition and tailored supports for health, family and transition. We must carry that work forward, building on the excellent recommendations in the report stemming from the study Rachel initiated in the previous Parliament, making sure Veterans Affairs Canada continues to listen, adapt and lead by example. On this Remembrance Day, we remember the fallen.”
“Technology can bridge that gap, but it needs to be properly funded and supported by Veterans Affairs with seamless coordination between federal and provincial health care systems. We also need to recognize that healing takes many forms. For some veterans, that partnership they build with a service animal can make an extraordinary difference, but right now, the lack of national standards for service animals leaves too many veterans navigating a patchwork of rules and uncertainty. It is time for Canada to establish clear national guidelines for training, certification and support so every veteran can count on high-quality assistance and consistent service no matter where they live. As we work to strengthen care for all those who serve, we must also acknowledge and support the growing number of women veterans in Canada.”
“That means making sure no one who has served this country is left behind when their uniform comes off. Too many military and RCMP veterans and their families struggle to get timely health care and mental health supports when they transition to civilian life, including access to a family physician. The trauma of service can take many forms, some visible and others not, but every veteran should have access to the help they need when they need it. Expanding health services through telemedicine is one important step. Veterans and their families, especially those in rural or remote communities, should not have to fight another battle just to get an appointment with a doctor, counsellor or psychiatrist.”
“More than 93,000 Canadians served in Italy and over 5,000 made the ultimate sacrifice. Among those who helped liberate Europe was my friend and constituent, Jack Rossiter, who turned 100 years old this year, as a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Mount Arrowsmith, Branch 49 in Parksville, British Columbia. Mr. Rossiter served as an infantryman with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada fighting with courage through the Italian campaign and later in the Netherlands. His service stands as a living reminder of the extraordinary contributions made by his generation and of the debt of gratitude we will forever owe them. Remembrance is not only about looking back but about how we act today. We honour our veterans not only with words but with the deeds that ensure they receive the care, respect and dignity that they deserve.”
“Madam Speaker, this week, as Canadians gather in communities across the country to mark Veterans Week and Remembrance Day, it is a great privilege to rise on behalf of the federal NDP and to join all colleagues and Canadians to honour those who have served and sacrificed in the name of peace, freedom and justice. From the battlefields of the First World War and Second World War to Korea, Afghanistan and peacekeeping missions around the globe, Canadians have stood up for what is right, often at great personal cost. On November 11, we remember them all: those who did not come home and those who did, but continue to carry the weight of their service. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Italian campaign of the Second World War, one of the most challenging and costly campaigns our country has ever undertaken.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I identified earlier, 900 vessels are set to retire on B.C.'s coast, and 90 of them are over 500 tonnes. BC Ferries has 14 of those vessels. One of those vessels, the Queen of Burnaby , is projected to cost over $10 million to recycle. Half that money is to tow it to a yard in Halifax through the Panama Canal. Nobody thinks that is okay. If the government prioritizes funding for ship repair, maintenance and recycling infrastructure in the upcoming federal budget, Canada can help solve an economic leakage. It can help deliver on its trade, defence and environmental objectives while building an indigenous-led, world-class marine capacity on the west coast when it comes to ship recycling. We have seen what it looks like in Union Bay when it is done wrong.”
“Marine Industries and the B.C. Environment Industry Association already advancing regulatory and business casework, the groundwork is in place. What is needed now is a federal commitment to make sure this is a strategic nation-building investment. I urge the federal government to prioritize funding for ship repair, maintenance and recycling infrastructure in the upcoming federal budget.”
“Investing in this infrastructure will strengthen Canada's marine and port capacity and create high-skilled, lasting employment, including indigenous hiring pathways through North Island College and local partners. It will reduce environmental risks from aging and derelict vessels, position Canada to meet growing international demand for sustainable shipyard services and ensure Canada meets NATO readiness obligations by securing modern domestic repair and recycling capabilities. With the Port Alberni Port Authority offering federal water lot and terminal assets, the Province of British Columbia identifying the rural economic diversification and infrastructure program funding as an immediate tool, and partners like the Island Coastal Economic Trust, which is helping steer the working group, the Association of B.C.”
“The Alberni Valley ship recycling leadership group has agreed on shared principles to ensure that this development meets the highest standards: world-class environmental safeguards designed to meet or exceed the EU ship recycling regulation and align with the Hong Kong convention; transparent community engagement to ensure robust social licence; a pragmatic, phased build-out, beginning with scalable, compliant capacity while developing a long-term centre of excellence; and a credible business case, built on demand signals such as a master service agreement potentially with BC Ferries, Seaspan and others, supported by federal and provincial coinvestment, which we are asking for tonight.”
“In my riding of Courtenay—Alberni, Port Alberni is uniquely positioned to serve as a potential hub for this critical work. With the active leadership of Tseshaht and Hupačasath first nations, and I know Huu-ay-aht First Nations is also interested, and the engagement of the provincial government, local government, industry, labour and education partners, a broad coalition has come together to chart a path toward an indigenous-led centre of excellence in sustainable ship recycling. This initiative is guided, of course, by free, prior and informed consent and anchored in the principle of “nothing about us without us”.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is an honour tonight to rise to highlight the urgent need for the federal government to take action when it comes to ship recycling in Canada and especially on the west coast of British Columbia. In British Columbia, over 900 vessels have been identified that are set to be recycled and retired, and 90 of those vessels are over 500 tonnes. There are no facilities designed to recycle those vessels. In fact, 14 of the 90 vessels are owned by BC Ferries. Those vessels pose an immediate threat to coastal British Columbia's pristine waters, which are critical to our food security, our economy and our way of life. I am here tonight to highlight the urgent need for federal investment in dry dock and port infrastructure to support ship repair, maintenance and recycling in British Columbia and across Canada.”
“The petitioners therefore call on the Government of Canada to reject military aid models, to restore access for UN agencies and NGOs such as UNRWA and the World Food Programme, to permit safe entry for Canadian health care and humanitarian workers and, last, to ensure that all Canadian aid is delivered through internationally recognized neutral and independent channels.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am tabling this petition on behalf of Canadians who are deeply concerned about the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The petitioners note that under common article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, Canada must respect international humanitarian law. The petitioners highlight that article 59 of the fourth Geneva Convention requires occupying powers to allow impartial humanitarian relief and that Canada's international assistance accountability act mandates that our aid uphold human rights and international legal standards. The petitioners say that Israel's current policies violate these obligations.”
“The petitioners therefore call upon the Government of Canada to adopt international standards, specifically the Hong Kong convention and the EU ship-recycling regulation, to ensure that ship recycling in this country is conducted safely, sustainably and in a way that protects our waters, our communities and our coastal heritage for generations to come.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to table a petition from Canadians deeply concerned about the lack of international recycling and shipbreaking regulations in Canada, despite the fact that our country has the longest coastline in the world. Petitioners highlight the harmful effects of unsafe ship-dismantling practices, which release dangerous substances into coastal areas, including copper and zinc, asbestos, PCBs and waste oils. They draw particular attention to Baynes Sound in British Columbia, an ecologically significant area that has been compromised by a ship-recycling operation. Residents, including children, are being put at risk simply by living next to these activities.”
“New Democrats will always stand up for working Canadians, rural communities and indigenous peoples. We will stay involved in the consultation and implementation process to ensure that those most impacted by extreme weather events are top of mind in the government's national flood and drought monitoring strategy.”
“As we advance the important work of climate change mitigation, Bill C-241 is a promising step in the right direction. Establishing a national strategy on flood and drought forecasting would have the potential to improve monitoring infrastructure in communities across Canada. If it is properly resourced and done in true partnership with provinces, territories, local communities and first nations and indigenous communities, better monitoring would support climate mitigation efforts, thereby saving lives, preventing devastation to local economies and tackling Canada's mental health emergency. (1825) As far back as 2016, I have spoken in the House calling for a national flood strategy, so I appreciate the work done by the member for Terrebonne on this very important issue. I congratulate her for putting forward this private member's bill.”
“As the federal NDP critic on emergency preparedness, I have been consistent in my support for proactive coordination across all levels of government to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. That is why I presented motions to establish a national fire administration for better coordination and a national aerial firefighting fleet as crucial measures to bring resources, information and true partnership to Canada's emergency preparedness systems. New Democrats have also championed the call for a youth climate corps to mobilize young Canadians looking for work toward renewable energy projects, emergency response efforts and more, to support climate mitigation and adaptation. We hope to see these priority investments for a climate-resilient Canada reflected in the upcoming federal budget.”
“Wildfire displacement disproportionately impacts first nations and indigenous communities, with indigenous people representing approximately 40% of all wildfire evacuees. Earlier today, I spoke with Leah Main, a councillor in Silverton and a director of the Regional District of Central Kootenay. I would not say she is a city councillor, because her community is quite small. It is a town. She is here on FCM lobby days. She pointed out that despite rural communities being the places where climate mitigation is most necessary, they often do not have the capacity to adequately monitor or prepare for extreme weather events. We need to do better in supporting those small, rural communities.”
“The cost of inaction is high and rising exponentially, making bold climate action the only fiscally responsible choice. Further, it is a mental health imperative. On October 8, I put forward a motion in the House calling for a national strategy to address the mental health impacts of emergencies because the impacts of extreme weather events ripple far beyond the disaster itself. The trauma and grief that are often caused by losing homes, loved ones and a sense of security to extreme weather events cause and exacerbate mental health challenges for far too many Canadians. It is also deeply important for reconciliation with indigenous peoples and justice for rural communities.”
“However, mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events is not just an environmental issue; it is also a fiscal issue. Last week, the Parliamentary Budget Officer projected that spending on the disaster financial assistance arrangements will reach $1.8 billion annually between 2025 and 2034, making the next 10 years of disaster relief costlier than every single extreme weather event serviced by the DFAA since its founding in 1970. This is not just a cost to government, either. In 2024, catastrophic weather events caused a record $8.5 billion in covered damages, squeezing insurers and everyday Canadians further during a cost of living crisis. GHD, a global engineering and architecture services firm, projects that the overall financial toll to Canada will reach at least $139 billion over the next 30 years.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a huge honour and privilege to rise tonight in support of Bill C-241 , otherwise known as the national strategy on flood and drought forecasting act. Rapidly shifting weather patterns and the existential threat posed by climate change have made extreme weather events more common and more devastating than ever. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, in 2023 and 2024 alone, drought-induced wildfires claimed about 22.5 million hectares of land, which is just over one-third of all hectares burned in the past 20 years. Floods, meanwhile, caused roughly $800 million in insured damages annually between 2014 and 2023. We know that catastrophic weather events are both a symptom of and a contributing factor to the climate crisis we all face.”
“Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for raising the issue around British pensions. I think about Anne Puckridge, who moved to Canada in 2001 to be with her daughter. Anne was a veteran who served the U.K., and the U.K. has abandoned her. It has abandoned a veteran who put her life on the line to serve her country and who put herself forward. I point out that British pensioners in countries like the United States and Jamaica and across the European Union receive a pension that is fully indexed annually, unlike Canadian pensioners. I know that we have all been advocating from different parties, but it has not worked. This is our opportunity. Does my colleague agree that this needs to be a critical component of all trade negotiations when it comes to the U.K. and that veterans, especially U.K. veterans, should not be abandoned?”
“Madam Speaker, my colleagues have highlighted that there are outstanding issues right now in terms of our relations with Britain. Colleagues are well aware of the unfair treatment of British pensioners living in our country. Canada is home to 144,000 British retirees, yet their pensions are frozen at the rate first received because Canada does not have a reciprocal indexing agreement with the U.K. Seniors here are losing tens of thousands of dollars over the course of their retirement. That costs the Canadian economy over $1 billion annually and leaves many seniors in poverty. These include veterans, nurses, people who have lived in Great Britain and served their country. We do not do that. We look after our seniors when they retire abroad. Will this be part of the negotiations in terms of this agreement?”
“The petitioners therefore call on the Government of Canada to take urgent action by legislating parity between physical and mental health in Canada's universal public health care system; ensuring timely access to evidence-based, culturally appropriate and publicly funded mental health and substance use services beyond hospital and physician settings; and, lastly, establishing the Canada mental health transfer to sustainably fund these services. The petitioners are clear: Canadians deserve a health care system where mental health is treated with the same urgency, priority and respect as physical health.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to table a petition on behalf of Canadians who are deeply concerned about the worsening mental health and substance use crisis across our country, a crisis that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Petitioners note that too many Canadians are unable to access timely mental health or substance use supports. They point out that when care is not available in the community, people are left to rely on overcrowded hospital emergency rooms or primary care providers, while untreated or inadequately treated mental illness carries enormous social and economic costs.”
“Therefore, they call upon the Government of Canada to establish and fund a new centre of excellence for peace and justice to support conflict resolution, diplomacy and peacebuilding for Canadians and the international community, a place that could help advance conflict prevention and human rights at home and around the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition that is organized by the peace train movement. The Canadians who have signed this petition are committed to advancing peace and human rights. It is timely, as the peace trainers have travelled across the country. The petitioners note that Canada pledged itself to these principles with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and reaffirmed them through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They highlight that justice, equality and freedom are essential to preventing conflict, while the lack of respect for these rights fuels violence worldwide. Petitioners further stress that Canada lost vital civilian-led capacity for research, education and training in peace operations with the closure of the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre.”
“This bill aims to honour these Canadian Armed Forces members, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. This bill proposes that October 22 become known as peacetime service and sacrifice memorial day and that the national flag of Canada on the Peace Tower be lowered to half-mast on this day. I would like to thank the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie for seconding this bill. I would also like to thank the former member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, Alistair MacGregor, who tabled this bill in the last Parliament. I am honoured to carry this bill forward, and I hope all members of this House will support it. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)”
“moved for leave to introduce Bill C-252, An Act respecting a national day of remembrance to honour Canadian Armed Forces members who have lost their lives in peacetime in Canada . Bill C-252. Introduction and first reading He said: Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to introduce the peacetime service and sacrifice memorial day act. Today marks 11 years since Corporal Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed while standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, and Monday marked 11 years since Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was killed by a vehicular attack while on duty in Quebec. Since 1914, an estimated 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces members have lost their lives in non-combat roles on Canadian soil during peacetime. I will take the time to extend condolences to each and every one of their family members.”
“The government must stand with Canada's forestry workers, with urgent investments that protect jobs, strengthen communities and build a sustainable future.”
“Mr. Speaker, forestry is a cornerstone of Canada's economy, supporting more than 200,000 good jobs and sustaining hundreds of rural, northern and indigenous communities from coast to coast, yet once again forestry workers are being left behind by the government's failure to secure a fair softwood lumber agreement. In August, the Prime Minister promised $1.2 billion in support, to respond to Trump's tariffs and duties, which the sector is still waiting for, and just $50 million is earmarked for workers. That is not a serious plan; it is a token gesture. Almost 50,000 jobs in British Columbia alone are at risk, and entire communities could lose their livelihoods. Forestry families deserve more than press releases and photo-ops; they deserve real and urgent action.”
“The petitioners therefore call upon the Government of Canada to develop a national strategy on brain injuries to improve awareness and prevention, as well as to ensure better access to treatment, rehabilitation and recovery supports for Canadians living with the impacts of brain injury.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to present e-petition 6620, which was signed by over 1,000 Canadians, who are calling for urgent federal leadership of brain injury awareness, prevention and treatment. The petitioners note that brain injuries can occur in many ways, from accidents to illnesses and strokes, and they often result in serious physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects. They further point out that brain injuries are frequently linked with other challenges, including substance use and homelessness, creating additional barriers for those affected. It is estimated that 1.6 million Canadians are living with a brain injury today, yet there is no coordinated national response.”
“They cite that, since the previous Conservative government closed many offices and the Liberal government cut thousands of workers, services have deteriorated dramatically and Canadians often wait weeks or months without help, while even MPs and their staff struggle to assist constituents. The petitioners urge the government to increase staffing, restore in-person options, fix technical barriers and ensure complex cases are resolved promptly. Canadians deserve accessible, reliable service.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to table a petition from Canadians and people from Courtenay—Alberni who are deeply frustrated with the chronic service failures at the Canada Revenue Agency. Petitioners know that, across the country, especially among seniors, those without Internet and rural residents, people face serious difficulties accessing timely CRA services. In regions like mine in Courtenay—Alberni, there are no in-person options. The online portal cannot resolve complex issues, and many are left waiting hours on hold, only to have calls dropped or accounts locked.”
“Mr. Speaker, in August, the Prime Minister promised $1.2 billion to support the forest sector in response to Trump's tariffs and softwood lumber duties, which we are still waiting for. Just $50 million of that is earmarked for workers. That is not a plan. That is an insult. Almost 50,000 direct jobs in British Columbia alone are on the line. Will the Prime Minister step up with a serious plan to protect forestry workers across Canada in their hour of need?”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I want to make sure we get to speakers in the right order, so I want to time this point of order now. The member of Parliament for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin , when I asked him a question after his speech about out-of-control corporate greed, responded identifying me as a Conservative MP. I could not be farther from a Conservative MP. I want to give him an opportunity to correct the record, if he could.”
“Mr. Speaker, Imperial Oil posted profits of over $7 billion in 2023, almost $5 billion in 2024 and almost $1 billion in the last quarter. It has returned $367 million to shareholders. What is the excess profits threshold for Conservatives before they would charge an excess profits tax, so they could support the very vulnerable people the member is talking about?”
“Mr. Speaker, big banks, big grocery and big telecommunications companies are posting record profits. Meanwhile, people are getting squeezed at the pump. They are getting squeezed at the till. They cannot afford to pay their bills. When will the government charge an excess profits tax on the big corporations that are squeezing everyday Canadians when they are trying to make ends meet?”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a ton of respect for my colleague, but he brought up the job losses of 900 people at Imperial Oil. At the same time, Imperial Oil just posted that it returned $367 million to shareholders last quarter. When somebody wins, we all want to see them do well. However, with excess profits such as this, will the Conservatives and Liberals ever agree that an excess profits tax could help reduce deficits?”
“They argue that this change would unfairly erode the age-old practice of using farm-saved seed and that Canada should strengthen public plant breeding. The petitioners call on the government to abandon these proposed changes.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a huge honour today to table e-petition 6778, signed by over 6,203 Canadians. The petitioners are deeply concerned about proposed regulatory changes to Canada's Plant Breeders' Rights Act. They note that the act currently grants plant breeders exclusive rights for 20 years, but it also protects farmers through a farmers' privilege clause, which allows them to save and replant seed from their own harvest. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is proposing to remove this privilege for fruits and vegetables, ornamental and hybrid varieties. The petitioners warn that this would force farmers to purchase seed annually, drive up production costs, restrict access to new varieties and undermine the ability of farmers to adapt to climate change.”
“The petitioners call on the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to amend these caps, restore alignment with labour force needs, increase federal funding for post-secondary education, support affordable student housing and defend the vital role of higher learning education in Canada's economic future.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present e-petition 6522, which is signed by over 500 Canadians who are deeply concerned about recent federal policy changes that reduced international student study permits by over 40% and restricted post-graduation work permit eligibility without stakeholder consultation. The petitioners warn that these cuts undermine Canada's ability to meet urgent workforce needs in health care, education, technology and the skilled trades. They note that universities and colleges, already underfunded, now face layoffs, program losses and reduced accessibility. The policy also destabilizes immigration pathways, delays certification for newcomers and threatens Canada's reputation as a global leader in education.”