House of Commons Hansard #195 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was consent.
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Mr. Speaker, all those who work in Quebec television, actors, technicians, directors, screenwriters, producers, in short, all of Quebec's industry, are calling on the minister to review the decisions made by the CRTC on May 15.
The heritage minister has the power to do so; it is set out in legislation. However, does she have the will to do so?
Will the heritage minister abandon Quebec television, or will she stand up to this attack on our culture?
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications CommissionOral Questions
Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec
Liberal
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague of our major investment in arts and culture. The 2016 budget provides for an investment of $1.9 billion, the largest investment in 30 years. We are still the only G7 country to have made such a significant investment.
That said, I hear the various artists, artisans and entrepreneurs of our creative sector. The CRTC issued its decision and there is legislation that allows for recourse. I intend to use the time I have at my disposal to hear the various industry perspectives before I make a decision.
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, that answer is a real letdown for our artists.
Many constitutional experts, a unanimous National Assembly, and now the Union des producteurs agricoles have all appealed to members of the House of Commons.
What they want is simple: divide Bill C-44 to ensure that the infrastructure bank will be subject to Quebec laws, especially the Act Respecting the Preservation of Agricultural Land and Agricultural Activities.
The government has ignored our National Assembly. Will it now listen to Quebec farmers, yes or no?
Amarjeet Sohi LiberalMinister of Infrastructure and Communities
Mr. Speaker, as I have often assured the House and the hon. member, any project undertaken by the Canada infrastructure bank will have to abide by all the rules and regulations of every province and municipality and we will work very closely with the provinces to ensure that is exactly what happens. The role of the bank is to build infrastructure in partnership with the provinces and municipalities and we will respect local jurisdictions.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust and National Member for Belgium.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I would also like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Honourable Lisa Harris, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, and the Minister responsible for Celtic Affairs, for the Province of New Brunswick.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
To commemorate Canada's 150th anniversary, the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons are hosting a speech writing competition for Canadians aged 12 to 17. Today, we welcome and congratulate the six competition finalists.
I would therefore like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the six competition finalists: Arman Barzkar, Ophélie Desfossés, Charlotte LaFleur-Marcotte, Lindsay LeRoux, Braden Marshall, and Asha Mior.
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is said that it is one of the foremost responsibilities of parliamentarians to scrutinize government spending. Twice now the Minister of Health has testified in committee and now before the House that there have been increases in the budget to the federal initiative on HIV. I have in my possession the actual departmental spending estimates that show that this is not the case, not this year, not next year.
I would seek unanimous consent in the interest of allowing the minister to prove that this is the case. I am sure the minister would not want to leave us—
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
The hon. member for Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup is rising on a point of order.
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Speaker, if I may, I would like to seek the unanimous consent of the House to table the infamous letter I received from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, which was sent to me in English only. Here in the House and in committees, we respect official languages, so this is totally unacceptable. I seek unanimous consent to table this letter.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Does the member have the unanimous consent of the House to table this letter?
The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-50, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (political financing), be read the second time and referred to a committee.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
It being 3:10 p.m., pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-50.
Call in the members.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.
(Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred to a committee.)
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I have the honour to lay upon the table a document regarding the extension of the parliamentary precinct for the purposes of the celebration of Canada Day, pursuant to section 79.51 of the Parliament of Canada Act.
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government House leader if she can let us know what the government is planning for the rest of this week as well as next week, which I am sure everyone knows will hopefully be our final week.
Bardish Chagger LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we will resume second reading debate on Bill C-51, to remove the outdated provisions from the law books.
Tomorrow the House will be—
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Order. I would ask those having conversations to have them in the lobbies. Perhaps the minister of environment, the Treasury Board president, and the Minister of Natural Resources could carry on their conversations in the lobby.
The hon. government House leader.