Debates of Feb. 5th, 2020

The Environment

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Sydney—Victoria for his work on reconciliation.

We are working with indigenous partners to develop and support indigenous leadership in conservation through indigenous guardians programs and to establish new indigenous protected and conserved areas. We are moving forward with ambitious plans to conserve 25% of Canada's land and 25% of Canada's oceans by 2025.

Through a number of conservation measures, we are delivering, in partnership with indigenous peoples and Canadians, from coast to coast to coast.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals brag about their oceans protection plan, but for it to work they need more than words.

They refuse to spend over $150 million of funding. They promise to protect our coasts and the marine species and people who live on them, but they never miss a chance to push dangerous projects like TMX ahead. Our coasts are in danger. Pacific wild salmon are in the middle of a historic crisis.

When will the Liberals stop breaking their promises, invest the necessary resources and protect our coasts?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, in the last mandate we moved forward with a historic oceans protection plan, representing one and a half billion dollars of investment in world-class marine protection.

We will continue to make the investments necessary, including the refurbishment, revitalization and renewal of our Coast Guard fleet. We know there is much more to do, particularly around protecting salmon stocks and preserving wild salmon.

We will continue to work with provincial and indigenous partners to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep our coasts protected and beautiful.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Oral Questions

[Glen Motz, Conservative, Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of privilege arising out of question period. When the Prime Minister was responding to a question asked by one of my colleagues, he misled the House in his statement. He said “they”, meaning the police, cannot suspend the licence of an individual and then prevent that individual from acquiring a firearm.

I am here to tell the Prime Minister, through you, Mr. Speaker, that section 5 of the Canadian Firearms Act allows that to happen specifically, and I can read it for you, as well as section 117 of the Criminal Code.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I understand that the hon. member is trying to inform the House, but I think we are bordering on debate on that.

I will take that under consideration and come back to the House if necessary.

The House resumed from February 4 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Instruction to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:10 p.m., pursuant to order made on Tuesday, February 4, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion relating to the Business of Supply.

Before the Clerk announced the results of the vote:

Business of Supply

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after your great explanation as to when a vote will and will not count, I have viewed people walking by the curtains after voting. I would like to call out the member for Cumberland—Colchester for not remaining in her seat during that period of time.

[Lenore Zann, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I was in my seat when the vote was counted. The clerks said my name, I looked at them, I nodded and I sat back down.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order, please. Let me explain the rules. When the vote starts, the hon. members have to remain in their seats until the votes are counted and the results announced.

[Lenore Zann, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I was unaware of that particular rule and I am sorry.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We will withdraw that vote.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I also rise on a point of order. I should have known better. I was getting up to let the member know that we have to remain in our seats for the entire time.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We have withdrawn that vote. The result of the vote has not been announced yet, so I expect everyone to stay in their seats.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #12

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion carried.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Order, please.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division, Government Orders will be extended by 11 minutes.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Pursuant to section 28 of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons, it is my duty to present to the House the report of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner on an inquiry in relation to Joe Peschisolido, former member for Steveston—Richmond East.

Foreign Affairs

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the agreement on social security between Canada and the Republic of Albania and amendments to appendices I, II and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Procedure and House Affairs

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 104 and Standing Order 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House.

If the House gives its consent, I move that the first report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be concurred in.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.