House of Commons Hansard #99 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was spending.

Topics

JusticeOral Questions

May 11th, 2021 / 3:05 p.m.

Green

Jenica Atwin Green Fredericton, NB

Mr. Speaker, last week, Bill C-3 became law. It is an important step, but so much remains to be accomplished.

Whether the person was a member of the military or a victim of domestic violence, the evidence is unequivocal. The legal system is failing the vast majority of sexual assault survivors. Consultations have already taken place and experts have laid out a road map that includes establishing a specialized sexual assault and domestic violence court and ensuring consistency between criminal, family and youth protection court decisions.

Even if judges are now receiving training, they are still operating inside a broken system. Is the Minister of Justice ready to commit to doing more, to tabling legislation that would truly reform the system and ensure that all survivors of sexual assault could access justice?

JusticeOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard—Verdun Québec

Liberal

David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice

Mr. Speaker, we have committed in the budget a significant amount of money to help, precisely, victims of sexual assault get free legal advice. We will be implementing that with the provinces across Canada.

We know there is more work to be done. We will continue to do that, particularly in the context of indigenous women and girls, and two-spirit people. For sexual assault victims across Canada, we will continue to invest, we will continue to train and we will continue to support, because they are the most important part of this equation.

Points of OrderOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Glen Motz Conservative Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB

Mr. Speaker, I would like to apologize for my intervention during question period and retract the comments that were made. I apologize.

Points of OrderOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I want to thank the hon. member for bringing that up.

I do want to remind all members that when we are in the chamber and there is heckling, it is not accepted, but it is tolerated. However, when it is online, it really makes it impossible to conduct business.

I know it does get emotional and we do get carried away sometimes, but I just want everyone to please keep that in the back of their mind out of respect for each other.

The hon. minister for seniors.

Points of OrderOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

King—Vaughan Ontario

Liberal

Deb Schulte LiberalMinister of Seniors

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to also just reflect on what has happened during question period.

You have been, very kindly for many months, advising us all on how to behave in this virtual environment. However, despite those repeated reminders, we have seen an increase in interruptions. I think that it is completely unacceptable. You are doing a great job trying to remind everybody, but I would like you to consider whether there is some further action that you could take that would really deter these very inappropriate interruptions during responses to questions. It is totally inappropriate. Reminders have been nice, but I think it is time for more than reminders. Everybody knows now exactly how they should behave, so what they are doing is obviously intentional.

Points of OrderOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I thank the hon. minister for her point of order. I will take it under advisement.

The hon. member for Calgary Rocky Ridge

Points of OrderOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order to point out that in this place we typically accept apologies and retractions when offered by members.

Points of OrderOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I want to thank the hon. member for bringing that up. It is a practice in the House.

Economic Relationship between Canada and the United StatesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

It being 3:14 p.m., pursuant to the order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion to concur in the first report of the Special Committee on the Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #110

Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

Pursuant to order made on January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-19.

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

Vote #111

Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

Resignation of MemberRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Diane Finley Conservative Haldimand—Norfolk, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today virtually to officially tender my resignation as the member of Parliament for Haldimand—Norfolk, effective immediately.

You were gracious enough last November to allow me to deliver a lengthy farewell speech, so I will make this intervention, like me, short and sweet. I would like to say thanks again to all the wonderful people whom I have been blessed to have in my life in what has been an amazing political journey over the last 16 years, 317 days.

Farewell and be well.

Resignation of MemberRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a few seconds on behalf of the Conservative caucus and Conservative members all across Canada to thank the member for Haldimand—Norfolk. I think I can use her name now.

We want to thank the Hon. Diane Finley for her exceptional career in this Parliament. She was one of the true giants of the Conservative movement over the last couple of decades, and certainly a true giant of this Parliament over the last couple of decades. As a key cabinet member in the Harper government, and then later in opposition as the caucus party liaison, she did a great service for both the Conservative Party and for all Canadians.

Above all, she did politics the right way. We can never truly say anyone is not partisan in any way in this place, but she was never more partisan than she needed to be. She always worked to be as co-operative as she could be and to advance what she was trying to advance, but she always did it with integrity.

Without a doubt, the hon. member, Ms. Finley, leaves this place with the respect of all members of this caucus, all her colleagues, all her constituents and probably all members of this place because she did politics the right way. She did it with integrity, and was able to get things done on behalf of her constituents and all Canadians. We thank her for her service to this country.

Resignation of MemberRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Don Valley West Ontario

Liberal

Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I will be as tall and sweet as the member is short and sweet.

I had a wonderful opportunity to thank her for her career when she gave her farewell speech many months ago. There is great fondness, great respect, great admiration and just a bit of fear that we all have for the hon. member. We wish her nothing but the very best in the next chapter of her life. I am interested to see what she will be doing and the differences she will be making for the people of Ontario and Canada.

Resignation of MemberRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, I will try to be short and sweet as well. Just as my hon. colleague said, we had a chance to give longer speeches, but I am surprised today as I did not expect a sudden resignation. I want to say to our hon. colleague for Haldimand—Norfolk that she is indeed honourable. She is sweet, and she sent me chocolate after my last speech, but she does not have to send me chocolate again, although who would complain?

I worked in Parliament with her when she was a minister. She said she was partisan and fierce. She was partisan, and she was fierce, but in the House she was respectful and willing to work across party lines with one lone Green Party MP. I remain grateful, and her service will be remembered as a service to our country and to our democracy.

I hope she will be well and enjoy retirement. I send her much love.

Resignation of MemberRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Bloc

Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Salaberry—Suroît, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is my turn to thank Diane on behalf of the Bloc Québécois. I will use her first name, just like my Conservative colleague did.

I had the opportunity in December to tell her how much I admire her great career. The House is losing a woman today, which is sad news. However, I know that her retirement is well deserved, and I hope she enjoys the time with her family and loved ones. She has given a lot, and now it is her turn to receive and to enjoy the rest of her life.

I wish her a happy retirement and all the best for the future.

Haldimand—NorfolkVacancyRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

Ms. Finley, a member of the electoral district of Haldimand—Norfolk, having resigned, it is my duty to inform the House that a vacancy has occurred in the representation. Pursuant to subsection 25(1)(a) of the Parliament of Canada Act, I will address a warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for the election of a member to fill this vacancy.

I hope the hon. member fares well. It was always a pleasure to have her here. She has been here for the bulk of the time I have been here. I had someone to talk to, and we had great conversations. I am going to miss her. We will all miss her and wish her all the best.

The hon. member for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation on a point of order.

Public Health MeasuresPoints of OrderRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to wish Diane a happy retirement on behalf of my colleagues and myself.

I would also like to thank her for all the years she has devoted to politics. We know it is not an easy job. I also thank her for her attitude in the House of Commons, which I will always look up to.

Diane is an example for all of us. We thank her and wish her a good retirement.

That was not my point of order, but I could not miss this opportunity.

Now for my point of order. The member for Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner violated the public health guidelines during the first vote. He was seen in the presence of two people in his office. They were not socially distanced or wearing masks.

I believe it is still important to follow the public health guidelines, and I sincerely believe that they must apply to everyone, even MPs.

Public Health MeasuresPoints of OrderRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I thank the hon. member for raising this issue. I will take the matter under advisement and get back to the House with a decision if necessary.

The hon. member for Banff—Airdrie.

Hybrid VotePoints of OrderRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I was made aware of something during the last vote, and I raise this for a couple of reasons. A member of the Conservative caucus, the member for Edmonton West, received confirmation that his vote was received, yet it appears as though, at least in the dashboard we have, that his vote was not actually counted. It appears some kind of technical error has occurred.

I raise this for two reasons, and I did not become aware of this until after the result was announced. First of all, I would ask, if it is discovered there was some kind of technical glitch that prevented his vote from being entered, even though he confirmed it was registered, that his vote be allowed to be counted. Second, if a technical glitch did occur, we would want to ensure that whatever it was is addressed and fixed, so the problem does not arise in the future for other members.

Hybrid VotePoints of OrderRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I thank the hon. member for bringing that up. I believe we could count his vote, seeing as it was a technical issue, and that it is being brought up as soon as possible.

The hon. member for Edmonton West.

While we are waiting for the member for Edmonton West to connect, we will send a message to our technical team to look into this to find out exactly why it happened. We do not want that to happen again. I thank the member for bringing that up.

The hon. member for Kingston and the Islands.

Hybrid VotePoints of OrderRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Mr. Speaker, on the same point of order, while we are waiting for the member to connect, I think it is the right thing to do to allow this member to still cast his vote. I would not object to unanimous consent on that.

However, I would ask the House, and in particular the members here, to reflect on the fact that the member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek was not given that luxury last week when a user error was made on his part. He brought that forward, but for some reason unanimous consent was not given. I think it is something worth considering and reflecting back upon, as we are willing to allow this member to have his vote included today.

Hybrid VotePoints of OrderRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I would remind hon. members that there is a lot of humility involved when asking for something, and asking for unanimous consent is normally done in a position of asking for permission for something. Members can reflect on that the next time a member asks for unanimous consent.

The hon. member for Edmonton West.