House of Commons Hansard #288 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was moratorium.
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount Québec
Liberal
Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, we are working very closely with the Government of Quebec. Twelve days ago, I announced that we would be setting up a task force to discuss the costs that Quebec has been forced to absorb.
Furthermore, we are also discussing a triage system to determine if it is possible to send some claimants to other provinces or to Quebec regions where there is a labour shortage.
I wonder if my colleague opposite is suggesting that we build a wall.
Hunter Tootoo Independent Nunavut, NU
[Member spoke in Inuktitut].
[English]
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
My constituents continue to express concern about carbon pricing and how it may increase their cost of living, already the highest in the country. The minister has publicly acknowledged the unique nature of Nunavut, and has committed to designing a solution that takes us into account.
It is my understanding that the Government of Nunavut has made specific exemption requests. Given that Nunavut accounts for only one-tenth of one per cent of Canada's total emissions, will the minister grant these exemptions?
Jonathan Wilkinson LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, Canadians in northern communities in particular experience first-hand the effects of climate change. Putting a price on pollution will reduce emissions while maintaining a strong and growing economy. Carbon pricing is an efficient, low-cost way to reduce pollution.
The pan-Canadian framework on Canada's clean growth and climate action plan recognizes that the territories have unique circumstances, including a high cost of living, challenges with food security, and the emerging nature of their economies. We are working with Nunavut and the territories to consider carbon pricing in this context. We are committed to developing solutions that work for northern Canada.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order arising out of the Minister of Immigration's comments today. On two occasions he repeated that I should “never talk about” a topic of concern to many Canadians.
It is certainly not parliamentary or democratic to attempt to silence someone simply because the member does not like the topic of debate or the position of another member. Fortunately for Canadians, my voice will not be that easily silenced.
I do have to ask if the minister would have used that condescending, desperate phrasing if I were a man?
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I thank the hon. member for Calgary Nose Hill for her comments. It is maybe more debate than a point of order.
I do not see the Minister of Immigration rising to respond.
The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, hoping for more co-operation from all parliamentarians this time, I am seeking consent to table a document from Natural Resources Canada stating that, “[b]etween 2005 and 2015, Canada’s GHG emissions in the energy sector decreased 2.2% while real GDP grew by 16.9%”.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to table this document?
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise to seek unanimous consent to table two documents to the House.
One is from the Library of Parliament, which is on CBSA's spending by program. The second one is from the Library of Parliament listing the population of federal public services by department.
Both documents show that despite what the Minister of Immigration said, that there was $400 million cut, the high of spending during this period was during the Conservative Harper government of 2014. The report shows that since then, the Liberal government has cut $300 million.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I have the honour to lay upon the table the report of a committee of a Canadian parliamentary delegation concerning its visit to the United States, in New York, from March 13 to 15, 2018.
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-76, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and other Acts and to make certain consequential amendments.
Karen Ludwig Liberal New Brunswick Southwest, NB
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, four reports of the Canada-United States Inter-parliamentary Group.
The first concerns the ninth annual conference of the Southeastern United States–Canadian Provinces Alliance, held in Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America, from May 26 to 28, 2016.
The second concerns the Democratic National Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, from July 25 to 28, 2016.
The third concerns the U.S. Congressional meetings held in Washington, D.C., United States of America, from March 20 to 22, 2017.
The fourth concerns the 70th annual meeting of the Council of State Governments–WEST held in Tacoma, Washington, D.C., United States of America, from August 15 to 19, 2017.
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, two reports of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Respecting its participation.
The first is on the executive committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the High-Level Group on counterterrorism and violent extremism in Geneva, Switzerland, February 3 to 6, 2018.
The second is on the the meeting of the 12+ Group Steering Committee in Lisbon, Portugal on March 4 and 5, 2018.
Diane Finley Conservative Haldimand—Norfolk, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to table my very first e-petition. This one is from 4,922 Canadians right across the country. The petitioners are calling to the government's attention that, as it is now written, the application form for the Canada summer jobs program forces employers to choose between their charter-protected freedoms and eligibility for government programming.
They are calling on the government to remove the discriminatory attestation requirements from the Canada summer jobs application and to respect the charter rights of all Canadians, even if those Canadians' views differ from the political ideology of the government of the day.
This brings the total number of petitioners to 6,083.
Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition signed by several residents of Hochelaga and the surrounding ridings.
It states that Canadian families are working harder than ever but still struggle to make ends meet, that a decent minimum wage would help combat growing income inequality, and that the previous Liberal government abolished the minimum wage for workers at federally regulated businesses.
This petition is therefore calling on the government to restore the federal minimum wage and gradually raise it to $15 an hour.
Raj Saini Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present Petition E-1364, spearheaded by a remarkable young woman, a constituent of mine, Niara van Gaalen. Ms. van Gaalen is a community leader in the environmental and conservation movement, and has laid out an ambitious plan in this petition to dramatically enhance Canada's wilderness protection and reduce our environmental footprint.
I would like to take this opportunity to salute her passion, drive, and ambition as she pursues this cause that is near and dear to her heart.
The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan
I remind the hon. member that this is not a time for comments on how they feel about the debate or a petitioner, even if it is a very nice person. Simply tell us about what the petition is about.
The hon. member for Calgary Shepard.
Tom Kmiec Conservative Calgary Shepard, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a petition on behalf of 39 of my constituents. It is on the values test imposed by the government. They are drawing the attention of the government to section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms detailing the rights and freedoms that they have. They are also mentioning that the Government of Canada must defend the rights of all Canadians regardless of whether they agree or disagree with them. Finally, they are calling on the government to defend the freedoms of conscience, thought, and belief, and withdraw the attestation requirement for all applicants of the Canada summer jobs program.
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions. The first is a petition calling on the Government of Canada to keep its promise on electoral reform. The petitioners believe Canadians deserve a fair voting system, where every vote counts and their voices are heard. There were two-thirds of Canadians who voted for parties promising electoral reform in the last election, and nearly 90% of experts and public testimony at Parliament's consultations called for a proportional voting system. Therefore, these petitioners ask the Government of Canada to once again keep its promise and bring forward an electoral reform that is not first past the post, as it promised in 2015.
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from petitioners who support postal banking in Canada. Nearly two million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders. We have seen the impact of these heartless and terrible people who practise payday lending in our communities. They are crippling those who are poor and marginalized. There are 3,800 Canada Post outlets that already exist in rural areas, and they could help with postal banking. We hope that this Parliament will see fit to do that.
Denis Paradis Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition on behalf of the people of Brome—Missisquoi, especially the residents of Sutton, Frelighsburg, and Abercorn.
They are calling on the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to create an inhabited park covering our great region, where wildlife protection and activities like hiking would be encouraged. Our region is home to this country's most beautiful scenery, and I am presenting this petition on behalf of my constituents.