Laurel Collins

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 6th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, the hon. member talked about Trans Mountain and the commitments made in the throne speech. The government has given away billions of dollars in fossil fuel subsidies. It bought a pipeline for $4.6 billion, and it has committed to spending an additional $12 billion.

I am wondering what the member thinks these billions of dollars could be better spent on, if we were to invest in a just and sustainable recovery.

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 1st, 2020]

Madam Speaker, the member spoke about greening the economy and that he is a member of Parliament from the coast. I am a member of Parliament from the opposite coast. The government spent $4.5 billion buying a pipeline that puts my coast at risk. It is also an economic and environmental disaster. Over 100 economists just wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to rethink Trans Mountain given that it no longer makes sense economically.

Only a fraction of this pipeline has been built. Would it not be better to take those billions of dollars and invest them in a just and sustainable recovery?

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 1st, 2020]

Madam Speaker, how many times were veterans mentioned in the throne speech? Zero. The report released just a few days ago from the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirms what New Democrats have been saying for years. Veterans are not getting the support that they need.

Many veterans in my riding have been waiting for years. How does the member defend a throne speech and a government that continues to shortchange our veterans?

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 1st, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, the member spoke about the scandals and ethical violations, about the government proroguing Parliament to avoid accountability.

I want to highlight one of the many impacts: the $900 million promised to WE Charity that was actually supposed to be promised to students. When the Liberals were caught, that help for students evaporated. Students are still waiting. They are still struggling to afford rent, tuition and food.

Would the member agree that in the government's attempt to have Canadians forget about the WE scandal, it has forgotten about students?

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 1st, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, throughout this pandemic, the Liberal government has left out Canadians with disabilities. Only after months of the NDP pushing did it promise a one-time $600 payment. However, knowing the flaws in the DTC program, the Liberals designed a program that left the majority of people with disabilities out. Even people who qualify still have not received their $600 payment.

I have heard from so many people in my riding who continue to be left out. How does the member defend a government that continues to leave Canadians with disabilities behind?

[Access to Health Services, September 30th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, today, I want to acknowledge the important work of the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre. I have spoken before about how the clinic provides confidential, trans-inclusive and culturally sensitive clinical space. Recent survivors can access forensic exams, crisis support and options for reporting to police, but the clinic needs stable funding.

I also want to highlight one of the vital programs that the centre supports: the indigenous response network. It is made up of local first nations, friendship centres, indigenous sex workers and two-spirit folks. Indigenous people experience higher rates of gender-based violence, but they also experience higher rates of discrimination when accessing health care systems and the justice system. This network is so important in beginning the work of addressing the barriers that indigenous people face, beginning to address the trauma of gender-based violence and also the intergenerational trauma that so many indigenous people experience.

Also, today is Orange Shirt Day. I want to recognize the work of Eddy Charlie and Kristin Spray in Victoria and thank everyone across Canada wearing orange today to honour the survivors of residential schools.

[Peschisolido Report, September 29th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I agree with a number of the points the member raised in his speech. When we think about whether Canadians are proud of the Liberal government, the answer is no. The Liberal government threatened to put people who were applying for the CERB in jail or giving them exorbitant fines when its own members were telling Canadians that if they are not sure they are eligible, they should apply anyway. Now they are seeing their government, consecutive Liberal and Conservative governments, mired in scandals. What does the member think Canadians think of the Liberal government right now?

[Proceedings on the Bill Entitled an Act Relating to Certain Measures in Response to COVID-19, September 28th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, the member talked about supporting workers who are sick and who are getting tested. It was only after the NDP pushed and pushed to get the government to agree to invest in sick leave that we got that commitment. Then the government tried to limit this to a few thousand Canadians.

The New Democrats pushed and fought again to expand the eligibility, and I am proud that we were able to push the government to expand it to millions of Canadians. However, there are still Canadians who will not be able to access sick leave, and this benefit is temporary.

Does the member think that Canadians do not deserve to have 10 days of paid sick leave, permanently and accessible to all?

[Proceedings on the Bill Entitled an Act Relating to Certain Measures in Response to COVID-19, September 28th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I want to share a story from one of my constituents. She is a single mom raising two school-aged children. When the pandemic hit, she lost her job and CERB was a lifeline. For the last month she has been facing uncertainty, not knowing what is going to happen when she can no longer afford to put food on the table or pay rent. Then the government proposed cutting the benefit by $400 which, for many Canadians including this mom, would mean the difference between keeping their homes and losing them.

Does the member agree that it was irresponsible for the government to prorogue Parliament and make this mom and millions of Canadians face the kind of uncertainty that we have seen?

[The Environment, September 24th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, last week, as students went back to school in Victoria, teachers were told to open the windows to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, they had to close the windows because of the smoke from the climate fires. The federal government has missed every single climate target that it set, and it is even on track to miss Stephen Harper's weak targets. Parents and young people are understandably worried. They want real climate action.

When will the government deliver more than empty words and broken promises to address the climate crisis?