Debates of Feb. 24th, 2021

Oral Questions

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I have no way of knowing what microphone the Prime Minister used, so I cannot rule one way or another for now. However, the hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent makes a good point. I will have to look into that.

The hon. member for Kingston and the Islands.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I believe, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow the member for Vancouver Kingsway to repeat his question and the Prime Minister will answer it.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Vancouver Kingsway.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, first, I will thank the Prime Minister for his graciousness.

The facts are clear: Millions of Canadians cannot afford the medicines their doctors prescribe. Many get sicker and even die from this lack of basic health care. The reality is that drug prices have increased every year of the government's mandate and the NDP pharmacare bill would work exactly like our public health care system does by allowing provinces to participate if they wish.

The Prime Minister says he supports pharmacare and will deliver it. Will he vote for our bill today to make universal public pharmacare a reality for every Canadian?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, no Canadian should have to make a choice between buying medication and putting food on their table. Therefore, we will continue to work toward national universal pharmacare. We will do so in respect of the Constitution and in partnership with the provinces and not impose a political decision from Ottawa. We believe in partnership as a path forward, and that is how we will deliver on national universal pharmacare.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I want to thank hon. members. That was certainly an interesting time.

The hon. member for Red Deer—Lacombe has a point of order.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, not to belabour the issue, but my understanding is that the member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country did not withdraw his comments from the record and his apology was not unconditional. I would ask for clarification on that.

For some clarification for my colleague from Vancouver Kingsway that might help in the future is that I think the rule and the principle is that the camera must be on to determine authenticity and ensure that it is the actual MP who is actually voting, speaking or, in this particular case, asking a question. Without the presence of the camera, the authenticity cannot be determined. We need to ensure that, and I think it will be a helpful guiding rule in the future to make sure that we can ensure that authenticity.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

As I mentioned earlier, starting now, we will make sure that the Speaker, the person in the chair, will make sure that the camera does work.

On the other matter, I will take it under advisement and return to the House if necessary.

It is my duty, pursuant to Standing Order 38, to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona, Canadian Heritage; the hon. member for Calgary Centre, International Trade; and the hon. member for Bow River, Small Business.

The House resumed from February 17 consideration of the motion that Bill C-213, An Act to enact the Canada Pharmacare Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Canada Pharmacare Act

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:38 p.m., pursuant to an order made on Monday, January 25, 2021, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-213 under Private Members' Business.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #57

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion defeated.

The House resumed from February 18 consideration of the motion that Bill C-223, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (adequate knowledge of French in Quebec), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Citizenship Act

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

Pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of of Bill C-223, under Private Members' Business.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Speaker, on a point of order, I apologize, but the interpretation for the question was not working.

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

The hon. member is quite correct. Actually, it is not that the interpreters missed it, but that I did not read it, so I will go back to that. My apologies.

[Chair read text of motion to the House]

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

Vote #58

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

I declare the motion defeated.

The House resumed from February 19, consideration of the motion.

Environmentally Conscious Labelling

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

Pursuant to order made earlier today, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 35, as amended, under Private Members' Business in the name of the member for Sydney—Victoria.

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

Vote #59

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

I declare the motion, as amended, carried.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Madam Speaker, by all that is good and merciful, I believe that if you seek it, you will find consent for the House to now suspend and then reconvene in 15 minutes for the taking of the remaining votes.