Debates of April 14th, 2021

Fisheries and Oceans

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we have been clear every step of the way, both about ongoing negotiations and also about our values and our understanding of how important it is to move forward in true reconciliation and partnership with indigenous peoples, in ways that support families that have been fishing in that region for generations.

We know this is an extremely important issue. We are going to continue those discussions and negotiations in good faith to make sure that we find the right solution for everyone: indigenous fishers, commercial fishers and everyone who lives in the Atlantic provinces and, indeed, across the country.

Justice

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in a time when women have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, the opposition wants to add to their burden by taking away their right to choose. Women's advocacy groups disagree with the extreme measures proposed in Bill C-233. This is not the time to debate women's rights; it is the time to uplift and support their economic recovery.

Will the Prime Minister recommit to this House that he will always stand up for a woman's right to choose?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Markham—Stouffville for her strong leadership.

Women and women alone have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. While the leader of the opposition is allowing an anti-abortion bill to be introduced, our government has defended and always will defend women's reproductive choice in Canada. We have taken action to protect this right including repealing outdated sections in the Criminal Code, investing in groups like Planned Parenthood and easing restrictions on Plan B to help increase its accessibility.

We will always defend women's rights, while Conservatives politicians try to restrict them.

Air Transportation

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government has done nothing to stop the Nav Canada studies to close flight control towers at airports across the country, which would shut them down. Removing air traffic control services at airports would threaten public safety and eliminate jobs. The Liberals know I proposed a legislative fix, Bill C-278, which would give the government the power to save these airports. So far, two transport ministers have failed to act, putting Canadian lives and jobs at risk.

Now is the time to decide: no more excuses and no more hiding. Will the Prime Minister use the NDP's solution to protect these airports?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, as Canadians have seen through this pandemic, our priority remains the safety and security of Canadians at all times. We are watching Nav Canada closely as it moves forward in its deliberations. We will ensure every step of the way that the safety, security, and prosperity of Canadians is not put at risk.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Salaberry—Suroît on a point of order.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of the pandemic, the Chair has repeatedly reminded members of the importance of respecting decorum and the dress code.

I think we broke a record today, because during question period, we saw a member in his birthday suit. Naked. It might be worth reminding members, especially the men, that a jacket and tie are mandatory, but so are a shirt, underwear and pants.

It is just a simple reminder. We could see that the member is in great shape, but I think members need to be reminded to be careful and check if their camera is on.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I thank the hon. member for Salaberry—Suroît for her observations. I did not see that, but while the member was speaking, I conferred with the technicians and they did indeed see something.

I would like to remind members to always be vigilant when they are near a camera and a microphone.

Is the hon. member for Kingston and the Islands rising on the same point of order?

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a different point of order. During question period today, the Conservatives referred to the first female justice minister. They misquoted that. It was actually Kim Campbell. I recognize they probably do not know that because it was a different Conservative Party at a different time, but the first female justice minister was—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I want to thank the hon. member for that information, but it is starting to turn into debate at this point.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I believe that if you seek it you will find unanimous consent for the following motion.

I move that given (a) the risk to Canada's national security posed by Huawei, (b) the fact that China's national security laws require all companies to support, assist and co-operate with China's Communist Party intelligence work, (c) the fact that Canada's Five Eyes partners have already banned Huawei, and (d) the government's failure to respond to a motion passed in the House on November, 20, 2020, calling on the government to ban Huawei, the House repeat its call on the government to ban Huawei from Canada's 5G network.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving of the motion will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am afraid we do not have agreement on that.

There is another point of order. The hon. member for Wellington—Halton Hills.

Halifax International Security Forum

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties, and I believe that if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent of the House for the following motion. I move:

That this House (a) agree with the Statement of the Vice President of the Halifax International Security Forum that, with respect to the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service, President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan "is a well-respected international leader, the first female president of Taiwan, and a strong global advocate for democracy.... she would certainly be an ideal fit for this award"; and (b) calls on the government to continue funding the Forum at current levels even if the John McCain award is presented to President Tsai Ing-wen.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.

It is agreed.

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

(Motion agreed to)

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

During debate at the late show last night, I mistakenly claimed that the member for Calgary Nose Hill signed a letter calling for an end to the lockdowns that are helping to protect our most vulnerable from COVID-19. I was wrong. It was a tweet in support of ending lockdowns, which was reported by the Western Standard as the MP for Calgary Nose Hill “joins Alberta UCP MLAs in blasting Kenney's third COVID lockdown”.

I do apologize for the error and ask that the record be corrected.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I want to thank the hon. member for that clarification.

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

During question period today, I did not mean any disrespect to the Hon. Kim Campbell, who was the first female minister of justice in Canada. I want the House to know that I am aware that Ms. Campbell held that position.

What I meant to say was that the Prime Minister booted the first indigenous female justice minister from cabinet. That is the precise wording I should have used.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

That is a matter of debate, so we will leave it at that.

Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:20 p.m., pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the motions at report stage of Bill C-224.

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The question is on Motion No. 1. The vote on this motion will also apply to Motions Nos. 2 to 4.

(The House divided on Motion No. 1, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #89

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare Motion No. 1 defeated. I therefore declare Motions Nos. 2 to 4 defeated.

At this time, the question would ordinarily be put on the motion for concurrence at report stage of Bill C-224. However, as the House has just defeated the amendments to restore the bill, nothing remains of the bill except the number. The Chair is therefore obliged to exercise the authority provided by Standing Order 94(1)(a) to ensure the orderly conduct of Private Members' Business.

I therefore rule that the order for consideration at report stage of Bill C-224, an act to amend An Act to authorize the making of certain fiscal payments to provinces, and to authorize the entry into tax collection agreements with provinces, be discharged and that the bill be dropped from the Order Paper.