House of Commons Hansard #48 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was content.

Topics

Suicide PreventionOral Questions

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Madam Speaker, 2020 has been a challenging year. Lives and livelihoods have been lost. We have begun to see the devastating impacts that COVID has had, through isolation, on the mental health of Canadians. The rates of suicide are growing at alarming rates. As elected officials and as leaders, and especially during this period of difficulty as a nation, Canadians are counting on us.

I know, like me, many of our colleagues have experienced the pain, loss, guilt and anger of suicide. My office has received countless messages, calls and emails from friends and families of those who have taken their lives. I have heard from those who are suffering silently. They have reached out to say, “thank you” for fighting for them, for giving them hope. Their stories are heartbreaking, but we must do better than just give them hope. We can leave a legacy of action by breaking the stigma associated with mental illness and mental injury and eliminating unnecessary barriers for Canadians who choose to seek help.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I hope that as leaders and parliamentarians, our final act in our most challenging year is one of action, because, when minutes count, help should only be three digits away.

There have been consultations, in fact I have consulted every single member of the chamber, and if you seek it, Madam Speaker, I hope you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That, given that the alarming rate of suicide in Canada constitutes a national health crisis, the House call on the government to take immediate action, in collaboration with our provinces, to establish a national suicide prevention hotline that consolidates all suicide crisis numbers into one easy to remember three-digit (988) hotline that is accessible to all Canadians.

Suicide PreventionOral Questions

12:05 p.m.

NDP

The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes

This being a hybrid sitting of the House, for the sake of clarity, I will only ask those who are opposed to the request to express their disagreement.

I therefore ask all those who are opposed to the hon. member moving this motion to please say nay.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

There being no dissenting voice, I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to)

Suicide PreventionOral Questions

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC

Madam Speaker, this is a beautiful moment.

You will find that there is unanimous consent for the following motion, since it was given to all members of Parliament just a few moments ago.

The motions is as follows: That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, paragraphs (a) to (o) of the order made on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, regarding the safe and effective hybrid sittings of the House and its committees during the COVID-19 pandemic remain in effect until Wednesday, June 23, 2021, provided that (a) in subparagraph (n)(iii) the words “Friday, December 11, 2020” be deemed to read “Wednesday, June 23, 2021”; and (b) from Saturday, December 19, 2020, to Sunday, January 17, 2021, the meetings of standing, special and legislative committees be convened only if done so in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106(4) and if the members making the request are from at least two recognized parties.

Suicide PreventionOral Questions

12:10 p.m.

NDP

The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes

This being a hybrid sitting of the House, for the sake of clarity, I will only ask those who are opposed to the motion to express their disagreement.

Accordingly, all those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

Suicide PreventionOral Questions

12:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Suicide PreventionOral Questions

12:10 p.m.

NDP

The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes

There is no consent.

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Madam Speaker, I also rise on a point of order. During the question period today, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, in responding to the member for Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, basically utilized the term “gun lobby” to talk about an hon. member.

We are all hon. members in this place and we are supposed to use the official titles. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

12:10 p.m.

NDP

The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes

That is a point of debate and the hon. member can raise it the next time we are debating in the House.

Before I resume, I want to wish a very merry Christmas and happy new year to not only all my constituents of Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, but to everybody in the House.

I also want to thank every department and every worker here who ensures we are in a safe environment and that everything functions well so we can do our work, and all our staff who make such a big difference in our lives.

I wish all of you and your families a very merry Christmas and happy new year.

Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 13 petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.

Standing Committee on Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in relation to Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy).

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy holidays and a hope-filled new year.

Veterans AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

Bryan May Liberal Cambridge, ON

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs entitled, “Clearing the Jam: Addressing the Backlog of Disability Claims at Veterans Affairs Canada”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

To you, Madam Speaker, and to all members of the House, all residents of my riding of Cambridge and all Canadians, merry Christmas and a very happy new year.

Procedure and House AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Liberal

Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs entitled, “Interim Report: Protecting Public Health and Democracy During a Possible Pandemic Election”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

I wish everyone a merry Christmas, happy holidays and happy new year.

Procedure and House AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to rise today to present a dissenting report to the PROC committee report on conducting an election during the pandemic.

Elections belong to all of us, so the Conservative members approached this study in the spirit of collaboration and in good faith, which we all should do. The committee finished this report on Tuesday morning. Then the Liberals gave notice of their elections bill that night, showing that they did not care to see even what witnesses had to say during our month-long study. It has become clear that this study was about avoiding, at all costs, a study of the real reasons why the Liberals prorogued Parliament during the WE scandal.

The Conservatives want to thank all the witnesses for sharing their views. We also want to apologize sincerely to all the public health officials who took time away from their responsibilities during the pandemic to appear before the committee and have their time wasted because of the government's arrogance.

Income Tax ActRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Conservative

Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-262, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (capture and utilization or storage of greenhouse gases).

Madam Speaker, every environmental report that addresses the concept of how we mitigate greenhouse gas emissions speaks strongly to the necessity of carbon capture, utilization and storage. The reason is simple. All human activity results in greenhouse gas production. Capturing that output and using it effectively is the only real path forward.

The bill I present today brings forth the means to incentivize carbon capture, utilization and storage by working with Canada's strengths, which are its world-leading environmental industries.

This will set a new path for Canadian businesses in the fight against global warming. Like all Canadians who will benefit from advancing technologies, I ask everyone here to join us in building a better strategy to achieve our environmental targets.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON

moved:

That the report of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, entitled “Maloney Report”, tabled on Thursday, November 19, 2020, be concurred in.

Madam Speaker, the Ethics Commissioner sought to determine if the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore had contravened subsection 20(1) of the Code. All members have now received a copy of the “Maloney Report” and I want to share some of those details with the House.

The report says, “Under subsection 20(1), Members must fully disclose their private interests and those of their family members to the Commissioner as the first step in their initial compliance process after they are elected.” We all know this as members. The Code requires us to do this within 60 days of notice of our election having been published in the Canada Gazette.

All members received a letter from the commissioner, just as the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore did. This member, of course, was reminded of his obligations, including his obligation to file a disclosure statement and provide all required supporting documents by January 7, 2020. No disclosure was received by that deadline.

After multiple reminders to the member to properly complete his disclosure, which went ignored into late February, the commissioner had to go to the government whip to try to have the member's obligations fulfilled. I will note that on March 18, when the commissioner again tried to have the member fulfill his obligations, the commissioner's office was met for a second time with a very harsh response for having the audacity to contact the member and ask him to complete his obligations under the Code, which are important ethical obligations of all members.

For the rest of March, all of April and May and into June, there was no reply to many inquiries by the commissioner. At the end of June, the commissioner informed the member to make himself available for an interview, but he ignored the request. However, when media started asking questions, the member reached out to the commissioner on August 5. At long last, the disclosure that was originally due on January 7 was finally completed on September 14. After months of ignoring repeated communications from the commissioner, the member finally complied.

What was his excuse? He said he was busy dealing with the pandemic, as if all members had not been dealing with the exact same thing, yet they found time to comply with their obligations. I will note that, of course, this disclosure was due before we knew that the pandemic had started. If the member knew in November, December and January that we were due for the pandemic and that was why he was unable to fulfill his obligations, he could have at least informed his colleagues in the governing party. Of course, it is an excuse. It is not the reason the member was unable to fulfill their obligations.

It is no surprise that, with all of these details and facts, the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore was found guilty of breaching subsection 20(1)(i) of the Code. The “Maloney Report” clearly demonstrates the lack of respect the Liberals have for the Ethics Commissioner and the ethical rules and laws of this place. If a fish rots from the head down, this is the tail.

The problem has gone unaddressed with these Liberals for five years. The Prime Minister himself, now under investigation for a third time, has been already found guilty of breaking ethics laws twice. We know those details from the “Trudeau Report”, with the Prime Minister's trip to billionaire island, and the “Trudeau II Report”, which details the Prime Minister's interference in the criminal prosecution of his friends at SNC-Lavalin.

The Liberals need to have respect for Canadians. Frankly, they need to get their act together. This year, the subject of what will be the third report is incredibly concerning for many Canadians. With the culture that we see around the cabinet table with multiple breaches by the former finance minister Mr. Morneau, by other ministers and friends of the Prime Minister, and findings of guilt by the Ethics Commissioner, it is no wonder that members who sit behind the government front bench feel they do not need to follow the rules. The top-down example is a complete disregard for the ethical rules of this place. It sows a distrust of our democratic institutions into the national conversation and the public discourse, and Canadians are rightly concerned.

This summer, we saw with the WE scandal that half a million dollars had been paid to members of the Prime Minister's family after we had first been told by the Prime Minister's Office that, of course, no money had been paid. That turned out to be untrue. We know that half a million was paid. Later we learned, with pictures of the Prime Minister's family in the documents presented to cabinet, a half-billion-dollar contribution agreement had been approved for these same folks who had given the Prime Minister's family huge sums of money.

When that investigation started to damage the government, the Prime Minister broke another promise. While he had promised a transparent and open government, and we certainly have not seen that, he also promised not to prorogue Parliament to avoid scrutiny. Of course, that is exactly what he did on the eve before documents were to be released to the ethics committee. Immediately following the prorogation of Parliament, he illegally dumped redacted documents on the finance committee.

The fact that the government did this is a demonstration of its understanding that what it was doing was wrong. The committee had ordered the documents unredacted and to be reviewed by the parliamentary law clerk. This is the contempt shown by this government for the rules of this place, for a lawful order of committee. They are just like the rules that we are all bound to follow under the code for members, as is detailed in the “Maloney Report", where we see the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore disregard those rules for nearly a year, and we have now seen it under the act where the Prime Minister has been found guilty of breaking those laws.

Once Parliament resumed, of course, we had filibuster after filibuster from the Liberals. This, of course, was after the Prime Minister promised to allow for all questions to be asked once Parliament resumed, but that is not what happened. For dozens of hours at the ethics committee and dozens of hours at the finance committee, Liberals obstructed the work of parliamentarians to get to the truth, during a pandemic no less. While we should be focusing on what Canadians need, and how to protect Canadians' lives and livelihoods, we are left having to also follow up on the inability of Liberal members to follow the rules of this place.

The Liberals have said before that we should ignore these transgressions and that we should wait until the pandemic is over, but, frankly, that would be irresponsible. The Liberal members suggest that the official opposition is not able to walk and chew gum at the same time, we are able to hold the government to account on multiple fronts, but it is unfortunate that we find that this rot of corruption and inability to follow the rules has spread from the front benches of the Liberal ranks into the backbenches. It is important to note that we find ourselves in a unique position with the Prime Minister found guilty not once or twice, but under investigation a third time for breaking ethical rules.

We will hear from Liberals today that it was, of course, the previous prime minister who brought these rules into force. Well, it is also interesting to note that the previous prime minister was never found to have contravened the act, and that is because there was no contravention. These rules were put in place to ensure that Canadians can have confidence in their democratic institutions. That is essential to the function of this democracy. It is shameful that the temporary office holders, and we are all placeholders in our constituencies, just like the occupants in the Prime Minister's Office are temporary, doing this disservice to the legacy, to the institution of this place, with their disregard for the rules.

Frankly, if the Liberals have such contempt for the rules, why do they not put forward a bill in House to repeal them? Then we would see if they have the courage of their convictions, and it could be laid bare for all Canadians to see the true contempt for the rules of this place that these Liberals have. I hope that in 2021 the Liberals have a New Year's resolution to finally show respect for Canadians and follow the rules of this place.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:25 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, this is almost like a continuation. It was not long ago that my friend and I were participating in a late show and he wanted to talk about the issue of corruption. The Conservatives, virtually since day one, have been consistently trying to focus the House of Commons on the issue of corruption. It does not matter what issues Canadians are facing: For them it is all about looking under every little rock, wherever they can, and if they cannot find anything they create something. Just because a Conservative says something is corrupt does not mean it is not corrupt. I could give some examples of corruption, and I might just do that when I get the opportunity to address this issue.

Why is it that when Canadians are concerned about the pandemic and we are coming together in all different ways, the Conservative Party is still out of tune with what Canadians want us to do as a House of Commons: to focus on the pandemic and the negative impact it is having on society? Why can they not focus on what Canadians are asking of us?

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:30 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON

Mr. Speaker, we have been focused on the Liberals' corruption since the start of their mandate in 2015 because they immediately started breaking the rules. During the pandemic, they could not help but to help their friends. That is why they allowed insider access. When Canadians were looking the other way to take care of their families and their businesses and look after their neighbours and themselves, the Liberals could not help but look after themselves and folks who have insider access.

Therefore, the official opposition is doing its job to hold the government to account, and we are going to continue to do that.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:30 p.m.

Conservative

John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON

Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up on the question that was just asked by the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.

Why is it so often that every time Canadians are focused on the things that really matter to Canadians, especially now during the pandemic, the Liberals still cannot find it in themselves to act ethically? Why is it that every time Canadians decide what is important, the Liberals act unethically? I would like to hear comments on this from the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:30 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON

Mr. Speaker, it really is baffling. As the official opposition's shadow minister for ethics, I thought that once we were in a global pandemic, I would be put out of work as a shadow minister and the Liberals would finally decide to keep their sticks on the ice and focus on helping Canadians. However, that is not what happened. Instead, they still repeatedly found ways to try to skirt the rules and put their toes over the line.

It is tremendously disappointing for Canadians, and really does damage to our democratic institutions, when we have repeated and flagrant violations of the ethical rules of this place. However, we are going to keep letting Canadians know when they occur and keep giving the Liberals the opportunity to do the right thing.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:30 p.m.

Bloc

Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear more about the member's position.

What does he think of the current situation with regard to transparency, ethics and conflicts of interest? What measures could be introduced to strengthen these fundamental aspects of our democracy?

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:30 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON

Mr. Speaker, we are in a position now where we need to put in place penalties and real meaningful consequences for members who are unable or unwilling to follow the rules of this place. Canadians expect us to come here and, at a minimum, follow the rules and set an example. If members are unable and unwilling to do that, there needs to be meaningful consequences in place so there is a strong deterrent and members work hard to follow the rules.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:30 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, 10 minutes is barely enough time to spend on this issue and trying to hold the opposition accountable for what I believe is, in many ways, very irresponsible behaviour. The Conservatives are not doing Canadians well by focusing their attention on issues such as this, especially during a pandemic.

I understand why they do it, though. It is because nothing has really changed. When Stephen Harper was the prime minister, and the leader of the Liberal Party was first elected as the leader of the Liberal Party, take a look at some of the S.O. 31s. Take a look at the hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of advertising the Conservatives targeted at the leader of the Liberal Party back then.

Fast-forward to when Canadians threw out the Harper regime and brought in a majority Liberal government. Virtually since day one, nothing has changed. The Conservatives have been so preoccupied with the character assassination of the Prime Minister, and if it is not the Prime Minister, they will look for the Minister of Finance. They will look for other ministers too. They are more concerned about the personalities than the policy.

That is the fine. They are the official opposition, and they can set their agenda and have their agenda all they want. However, I have been talking about this for a number of years already, and this government will continue, as it did from day one, to focus our attention on Canada's middle class and those aspiring to become a part of it. That has been the number one focus of this government since day one, and it will continue to be a priority for this government—

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:35 p.m.

Bloc

The Acting Speaker Bloc Gabriel Ste-Marie

The hon. member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes is rising on a point of order.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:35 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON

Mr. Speaker, I ask for a ruling on the relevance of the parliamentary secretary's comments. The debate we are having deals specifically with the Maloney report concerning the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore. As the parliamentary secretary is raising questions about parliamentarians who have not been elected to this chamber for many years, I am looking for a ruling, or direction to the member, regarding relevance with respect to the violation of the ethics code by the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore, which is the subject of the Maloney report.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's ReportRoutine Proceedings

12:35 p.m.

Bloc

The Acting Speaker Bloc Gabriel Ste-Marie

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons is rising on the same point of order.