House of Commons Hansard #71 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was decriminalization.
Karen McCrimmon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, Canadians gave us a strong mandate to repair the relationship with veterans, with one of the focuses being on financial security for veterans, especially for ill and injured veterans. That is what we are working on. That work will include the development of a lifelong pension.
Veterans told us to get it right, and that is what we are doing. We are making progress on that mandate, and we will be delivering in short order.
Louis Plamondon Bloc Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, QC
Mr. Speaker, on average, the 6,400 members of the Quebec convenience stores association pay $36,000 each in credit card transaction fees every year. Large retailers like Costco and Walmart no longer want to do business with Visa, whose transaction fees are too high. However, smaller retailers cannot afford to turn their backs on their customers.
When will the minister lower the cap on the credit card transaction fees being charged to merchants, as was done in 28 European countries, where fees are as low as 0.5%?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank my hon. colleague for his important question.
As my colleague is well aware, Canada's credit card market is complex. Over the next few months, we plan to observe the results of the voluntary agreement that has been introduced. We are already seeing that the voluntary agreement with merchants in this country that accept credit card payments has reduced fees by 10%. We are monitoring the situation very closely. I want to assure the House that Canadian consumers are our top priority.
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, energy east is an economic and environmental disaster.
Last week, the former chief economist at CIBC said that the project was not economically viable. There is no justification for the expansion of one of the most polluting industries in the world. Quebec has resolutely turned toward green energy and has an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, Parliament still seems to think that the oil sands are an attractive prospect.
When will the 40 Liberal members from Quebec rise and support their constituents by speaking out against this project, which goes against our values and interests?
Jim Carr LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, the government is committed to energy development that respects the integrity of the environment.
On the question of the energy east issue itself, the proponent has not yet installed the final papers with the regulator, the National Energy Board. When that happens there will be a process that will begin, during which all members of the House will have ample opportunity to give their views on the balance between economic growth and sustainable development.
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister may be hiding his position on energy east, but the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government has no such qualms. As recently as Friday, he said, and I quote, “This government has put a process in place to see future pipelines get done”.
When it comes to selling weapons to Saudi Arabia to the detriment of human rights, this government's main concern is Canada's business reputation, but what about the promise it made to the international community in Paris concerning greenhouse gas emissions?
Jim Carr LiberalMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, it is clear to us on this side of the House that our international obligations will be taken seriously, as will our commitment to move our natural resources to market sustainably.
We have installed a new process to make that happen that has confidence in Canadians to make up their own minds, because the process will ask them their views. We will take seriously indigenous leaders because we have a constitutional and a moral obligation to consult with them meaningfully. Unfortunately, that has not been done in the House in a very long time.
Robert HallOral Questions
The Speaker Geoff Regan
Following discussions among representatives of all parties, I understand that there is agreement to observe a moment of silence in memory of Robert Hall, who was held hostage in the Philippines since September 21, 2015. I now invite hon. members to rise.
[A moment of silence observed]
Presence in GalleryOral Questions
The Speaker Geoff Regan
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of The Honourable Mark Furey, Minister of Business and Minister of Service for the province of Nova Scotia.
Presence in GalleryOral Questions
The Speaker Geoff Regan
Canadian Forces Day is an opportunity for Canadians across the country to recognize the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make on our behalf.
It is with great pleasure that I draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of six members of the Canadian Forces who are taking part in Canadian Forces Day today.
Captain Robert S. Oikle, Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Corey A. Lange, Sergeant Joshua K. Collins, Master Corporal Noel J. Martin, Master Corporal Christopher C. J. Wells, and Corporal Howard A. Kack.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 11 petitions.
Kevin Sorenson Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts: The 11th report, entitled “Report 1, Implementing Gender-Based Analysis, of the Fall 2015 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, for the first time, I have the experience of presenting an e-petition, now that we have innovated in this place to allow electronic petitions. This one has the requisite number of signatures and is on the subject of ancient forests.
Petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to establish an ancient forest preservation act to map out remaining old growth forests across Canada, work with first nations, and determine boundaries to create protection for this class of forest.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, my second petition is from Vancouver Island residents looking for extended producer responsibility so that products that are manufactured ultimately go back to the manufacturer for recycling to avoid their being placed in solid waste dumps.
Larry Bagnell Liberal Yukon, YT
Mr. Speaker, right now a healthy Canadian economy depends on economic and population growth. I have an interesting petition from Yukoners who suggest that it is not sustainable. They want to know what solution we have for this to create prosperity without growth. They consider it doable and what is needed for a sustainable economy.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Winnipeg North Manitoba
Liberal
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time.
The House resumed consideration of the motion.
Opposition Motion — Decriminalization of Marijuana PossessionBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
The Speaker Geoff Regan
Following the speech by the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, there will be five minutes left for questions and comments.
The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.
Opposition Motion — Decriminalization of Marijuana PossessionBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, the question has come up this morning. We have asked repeatedly, given the size and scope—
Opposition Motion — Decriminalization of Marijuana PossessionBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
The Speaker Geoff Regan
My apologies. Apparently I am mistaken. There are five minutes remaining in the member's time for speaking, and then we will go on to questions and comments.
The hon. member for Montarville.
Opposition Motion — Decriminalization of Marijuana PossessionBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
Montarville Québec
Liberal
Michel Picard LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, members must be aware, that in addition to law enforcement representation on the task force, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and the member for Scarborough Southwest, who is a former chief of the Toronto Police Service, will work with the task force to engage Canadians on marijuana-related issues.
Further, as part of the consultative process, Public Safety Canada will be hosting a law enforcement round table on marijuana legalization later this month. This event will focus on key issues related to marijuana legalization and regulation, including priority issues such as organized crime, marijuana sales and distribution, and drug-impaired driving.
It is important for everyone to remember that the law is the law. Canadians should expect the police to continue to enforce the law. This includes laws related to storefronts that sell marijuana.
Under the current law, the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, only persons licensed by Health Canada can produce, provide, or sell marijuana directly to patients with a prescription from a health practitioner to access marijuana.
Over the past few months, we have heard stories from the provinces and police forces that are dealing with the issue of illegal marijuana dispensaries. I can assure the House that police forces across the country, including the RCMP, have taken and will continue to take measures to enforce the law against these illegal marijuana dispensaries.
In closing, we are making progress. We recognize the motivation behind this motion. However, we intend to keep a pace that follows a consistent time frame, which allows for consultation and the full review of the complex social, legal, and public safety consequences related to legislating, regulating, and limiting access to marijuana.
Moving to decriminalization immediately would not achieve any of these objectives and would betray our commitment to Canadians. They supported this commitment and they expect their government to see it through.
Canadians do not expect the government to act hastily on this very important issue. I invite all hon. members to join me in defeating this motion.