House of Commons Hansard #254 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was equipment.
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, genomics and precision research have the potential to create new breakthroughs that will reshape medical care and lead to improvements in the lives of Canadians. Last week, the Minister of Science announced new funding for genomics and precision medicine research projects at institutions across the country.
Could the minister provide an update to the House on our government's support for this significant initiative?
Kirsty Duncan LiberalMinister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
Mr. Speaker, I was very proud to announce that along with our partners we are investing $255 million in genomics and precision medicine research through Genome Canada and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.
The member for Willowdale is a strong advocate for improving care for Canadians, and he is right. Genomics and precision medicine have the potential to greatly improve the lives of Canadians. The research projects receiving funding will help children who are living with asthma, brain cancer, cystic fibrosis, and other rare genetic disorders.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is on the sidelines at every international negotiation. As a result, there is no one to defend the producers and farmers who work hard to feed Canadians.
This week, we twice asked the minister what his plan was for compensating egg, dairy, and poultry producers. Twice he did not answer. This week he even asked the Minister of International Trade to stand in for him and explain the TPP to farmers. Four billion dollars was proposed. What is his plan?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that I think my hon. colleague is fully aware that when the CETA was signed, he saw exactly what would happen. He saw that we stood behind the agricultural sector. He saw that we put $350 million in place in order to make sure the dairy farmers were on the cutting edge, to make sure that the manufacturers were on the cutting edge.
My hon. colleague will find out that this government has and will continue to support the agricultural sector, including the supply management sector, in this country.
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Salaberry—Suroît, QC
Mr. Speaker, one in four members of this Parliament is a woman. The ratio has barely budged in the past 151 years. The government wants ideas, we have some. Under the current system, Elections Canada reimburses parties for up to half of their campaign expenses.
The member for Burnaby South suggested reducing reimbursements slightly for parties that do not nominate enough women. Sadly, the government shot down this proposal.
What exactly are the Liberals planning to do instead to increase the percentage of female members above the current 26%?
Karina Gould LiberalMinister of Democratic Institutions
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for that excellent question and for her passion about getting more women into the House, which is something I definitely agree with.
In my opinion, it is extremely important that all of us in the House do our part to encourage women to stand as candidates and that we make an effort to support them and make sure they succeed. We, the young female MPs, serve as examples for other women, and we need to make sure there are more women in the House—
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
Mr. Speaker, last year, members from all parties had questions about the changes to the policies governing the guaranteed income supplement and the involuntary separation provision.
Could the minister responsible for seniors tell the House what has been done to ensure that Canadians who are involuntarily separated from their spouse receive the appropriate benefits?
Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalMinister of Families
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to have this opportunity to commend the member for Châteauguay—Lacolle and thank her for the wonderful work she is doing for seniors and the most vulnerable Canadians.
Our government committed to ensuring that senior couples who are unfortunately separated, for reasons beyond their control, receive the benefits they are entitled to. In recent months, Service Canada has been tracking down the seniors affected and has paid nearly 700 vulnerable seniors the benefits they need. We are very determined to make sure that all vulnerable Canadians receive the benefits they deserve and expect from this government.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canadian farmers are asking for us to do them a bit of a favour. Can somebody please put an APB out on the Minister of Agriculture?
First, India imposes debilitating tariffs on Canadian pea exports and now our durum wheat producers are being unfairly targeted by Italy's protectionist country-of-origin labelling. On both of these vital issues, the minister has been nowhere to be found. He is not even being included on a critical trade mission to India next month.
Why has the minister not tabled a formal complaint on the wheat issue with the WTO or CETA, and will he commit to do so today?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my hon. colleague's concern. He is certainly fully aware of the issue in India and that we are very disappointed the Indian government decided to put a tariff on without any consultation, not only with Canada but worldwide. I have visited other countries and made sure that this type of practice is totally unfair. Our officials are dealing with the countries and with India and trying to resolve the issue.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, in town halls with my community throughout the break period, I heard, over and over again, concerns about the takeover of Aecon, proposed to be taken over by a state-owned enterprise of the People's Republic of China.
British Columbians are particularly concerned because Aecon now holds 30% of the contracts for the generating station at the disastrous Site C project. We are wondering, will investment Canada look closely at the extra risks posed due to the Harper-era investment treaty that gives China superior rights to Canadian companies if we should want to improve labour protections and environmental protections?
Navdeep Bains LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague knows full well that our government has been very clear about our desire to be open to trade, people, and investment. We are focused on growth and jobs.
With respect to the Investment Canada Act process, she knows that the Aecon acquisition is going to go through a robust and rigorous process. We evaluate each and every single acquisition on a case-by-case basis. This is a multi-step process.
I want to assure the member that we will do everything we can to make sure that the outcome will benefit Canadians. When it comes to national security, we never have and never will compromise on it.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I wish to draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Raimonds Bergmanis, Minister for Defence of the Republic of Latvia.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Pursuant to section 79.13 of the Parliament of Canada Act, it is my duty to present to the House a report from the parliamentary budget officer entitled, “Work Plan 2018-19”.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
It is my great pleasure to table today, in both official languages, the third edition of House of Commons Procedure and Practice.
This authoritative work has continued to evolve since the publication of the first edition in 2000 and the second in 2009. I am sure that the third edition will take its place as the authoritative source on Canadian parliamentary procedure.
Edited by the former acting clerk of the House, Marc Bosc, and the deputy clerk, procedure, André Gagnon, this impressive edition, in both official languages, of course, boasts some 1,500 pages and over 7,000 footnotes rich in content and in history. It also reflects changes to our rules and practices as recent as from just a few months ago, notably the changes to the Standing Orders adopted by the House last spring. This edition is again accessible online, and for the first time, it is also available as a bilingual e-book, which members will receive in addition to a print copy.
I want to thank the hundreds of dedicated people from all sectors of the administration of the House who contributed to writing and publishing this book. This collaborative work is a shining example of the devotion and expertise of those who support members of the House in their daily work.
I encourage all members to read and use the third edition. While I may be in the minority who would consider this book leisure reading, as one former Speaker Milliken might do, I assure members that they will find it to be useful and informative in the course of their parliamentary work. I invite all members to join me in room 216-N for a reception to mark this very special occasion.
Yvonne Jones LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the implementation report for the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement for the fiscal years 2011-12 and 2014-15. I request that this report be referred to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
Further to that, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I also have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the implementation report for the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claim Agreement for fiscal years 2011-12 and 2013-14. I request that this report be referred to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
Matt DeCourcey LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the following treaties: the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, concluded in Paris on November 24, 2016; the Agreement between Canada and the EU on Security Procedures for Exchanging and Protecting Classified Information, signed in Brussels on December 4, 2017; the Agreement Between Canada and Grenada for the Exchange of Information on Tax Matters, signed in Saint Georges on July 14, 2017; and the Agreement Between Canada and Antigua and Barbuda for the Exchange of Information on Tax Matters, signed in Saint John's on October 31, 2017. An explanatory memorandum is included with each treaty.
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, a report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union respecting its participation at the 137th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and related meetings in St. Petersburg, Russia, from October 14 to 18, 2017.
Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following four reports by the Canadian delegation to the OSCE PA.
The first is respecting its participation at the 16th Winter Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in Vienna, Austria, from February 23 to 24, 2017.
The second concerns its participation at the OSCE Gender Equality Review Conference, in Vienna, Austria, from June 12 to 13, 2017.
The third concerns its participation at the 26th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, held in Minsk, Belarus, from July 5 to 9, 2017.
The fourth is respecting the autumn meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, held in Andorra la Vella, Principality of Andorra, from October 3 to 5, 2017.
John Aldag Liberal Cloverdale—Langley City, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill S-210, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce Bill S-210, an act to amend an Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
Senator Jaffer tabled this bill in the Senate because the use of the words “barbaric” and “cultural” together, in a short title, reframes the discussion of crimes such as forced marriage, polygamy, and female genital mutilation. Putting the words “barbaric” and “cultural” together in the same phrase is socially irresponsible, morally reprehensible, and frankly, repugnant. This phrasing removes responsibility for horrific actions from an individual and instead associates the crime with a culture or a community.
There is no place for phraseology such as “barbaric cultural practices” in today's society. The bill would remove this archaic and misplaced terminology from being referenced in Canada's statutes.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition signed by people from Sault Ste. Marie, Batchawana Bay, Orillia, Coldwater, and Wawa. The petitioners remain concerned that the Algoma passenger train is not yet back in service. These individuals state that residents and businesses continue to experience great difficulties and that the economic impact is becoming more serious. They are calling on the Minister of Transport to get the Algoma passenger train moving again as it plays a very important role in northern Ontario.
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table a petition on behalf of constituents from places ranging from Manotick to Edmonton, Kingston, London, Kanata, and Markham. Petitioners are calling on the government to abandon its plans to raise taxes on farmers and small business owners.
Due in part to these petitions and to the advocacy of the official opposition, the government has begun to retreat and acknowledge its failed ways. I trust that when it sees the rest of these signatures, it will go further and abandon them altogether.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
The hon. member for Carleton knows that presenting petitions is not the time to engage in debate but to simply present the petition.
The hon. member for Yukon.