House of Commons Hansard #116 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.
Terry Beech LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries
Mr. Speaker, it is obviously important that fishers in all regions of this country have the tools they need not only to stay safe, but to protect their livelihoods. I am more than willing to talk to this particular member immediately after question period about this particular piece of equipment.
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB
Mr. Speaker, Canadians with a criminal record face barriers long after serving their sentence. For those just trying to get ahead, it became even more difficult when the Harper Conservative government created more barriers to accessing a pardon, such as by increasing the cost by 1,200%.
In 2018, this House agreed to adopt my motion for the public safety committee to study this problem, and the report found that having a pardon increases access to a job, education and stable housing, and makes communities safer by helping to end the cycle of crime.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety please give us an update on how the government is working—
Joël Lightbound LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank the hon. member for Saint John—Rothesay for all he has done over the years in advocating for pardon reform. The presence of a criminal record has led to indigenous, Black and other racialized communities being disproportionately represented in our criminal justice system. These records create barriers to accessing a job, housing and education, which can, in turn, perpetuate the cycle of crime.
Yesterday we introduced legislation to reduce barriers in accessing a pardon and allow law-abiding citizens to safely reintegrate into their communities. This is a smart approach to crime, and we thank the public safety committee for its essential work in bringing this about.
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Mr. Speaker, Jatinder Singh is an Indian truck driver who lives in Park Extension. He is an essential worker who provided a valuable service during the pandemic. He is being deported on June 15, five days from now.
Because of his political activities, he fears for his safety if he is sent back to India, not to mention the fact that the COVID-19 outbreak raging in India right now would put his health at risk.
The Canada Border Services Agency promised that essential workers would not be deported. Where is the Liberals' compassion? Have they no heart?
Will the minister take action on this file, yes or no?
Peter Schiefke LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, we realize that decisions on immigration cases can have a profound effect on the health, safety and lives of individuals.
Every case must be assessed on its merits, fairly and in accordance with Canada's laws. Every case is unique and is evaluated according to the individual circumstances. I cannot discuss the details of a specific case due to privacy laws.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the report on the killing of Chantel Moore was made public. It does not add up. There were no actual witnesses. There are no video recordings, and there are no audio recordings. The physical evidence does not really support the officer's story that he feared for his life as a petite 26-year-old indigenous woman came at him with a knife. The knife was not found near her body, had no fingerprints and was found under a box.
Can the Minister of Indigenous Services give the House some hope that we will get to the bottom of this and that wellness checks will stop resulting in the deaths of indigenous people?
Joël Lightbound LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Chantel Moore through these difficult times.
Following the tragic passing of Ms. Moore after an interaction with the Edmundston Police Force, the minister has spoken with the New Brunswick regional chief and the president of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council to discuss wellness checks and the different roles of police in our communities.
In situations such as these, it is essential that there be a timely, transparent and independent investigation in order to provide answers to the many difficult, but important, questions people have. While questions about the investigation and the findings should be directed to the province, we continue to do our important work of modernizing police structures, updating standards regarding the use of force and establishing increased oversight of law enforcement.
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and I believe if you seek it, you will find support for the following motion. I move:
That, given that,
(i) Canada has been devastated over the last decade by repeated acts of violent Islamophobia, such as the Quebec City Mosque Attack, the International Muslims Organization Mosque Attack and the London Terror Attack,
(ii) Canada has been deeply affected by Islamophobia at all federal, provincial, territorial and municipal levels,
(iii) All political leaders at every level of government in Canada need to urgently change their policies to prevent another attack targeting Canadian Muslims,
the House call on the federal government to convene an Emergency National Action Summit on Islamophobia that should take place before the end of July 2021.
The Deputy Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton
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.
Accordingly, the motion is carried.
(Motion agreed to)
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
During question period, the government misled the House by suggesting that Quebec's finance minister, Mr. Girard, supports the Minister of Finance's harmful plan to centralize securities regulation.
That is absolutely false. Quebec's finance minister has never supported this bill that would be devastating for Quebec. No minister, elected representative or government official from any party has supported it. I am asking the parliamentary secretary to withdraw his remarks.
The Deputy Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton
I believe that this remark is really part of the debate.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to eight petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
Environment and Sustainable DevelopmentCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development in relation to Bill C-12, an act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 107(3), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Liaison Committee entitled “Committee Activities and Expenditures April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021”. This report highlights the work and accomplishments of each committee and details the budgets that fund the activities approved by committee members.
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.
The committee advises that, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business met on Monday, May 31, 2021, to consider orders for the second reading of private members' public bills originating in the Senate and the items added to the order of precedence. The subcommittee recommended that the items listed herein, which it has determined should not be designated non-votable, be considered by the House.
The Deputy Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton
Pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), the report is deemed adopted.
(Motion agreed to)
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House.
If this House gives its consent, I move that the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be concurred in.
The Deputy Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton
All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.
Hearing none, the House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion being adopted will please say nay.
Hearing none, the motion is carried.
(Motion agreed to)
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present to the House today. These petitions have been presented from travel agents across Canada, particularly from my riding.
The petitioners bring to the attention of the House that more than 12,000 independent travel advisers of Canada have been without income for one year due to the government's COVID travel restrictions, and small business owners are the sole proprietors. However, federal assistance programs such as the CERB, CEWS and RRRF exclude the majority of these small business owners, leaving them to slip through the cracks and forcing them into bankruptcy.
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to table this petition.
The petitioners are asking the Minister of Health to ban the commercial use of herbicides in the forestry industry in Canada, with the exception of addressing invasive species that are well documented. They express their concern that herbicides are being used by the forestry industry to prevent the natural return of the forest by adversity, which increases the risk of forest fires and, in turn, accelerates climate change, which risks the loss of economic value, and threatens communities and the overall health of Canadians.
Patrick Weiler Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise virtually in the House today to present this petition. The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to work with first nations to immediately protect endangered, old-growth ecosystems in British Columbia.
The petitioners, which include constituents of mine, know that less than 2.7% of old-growth forest remains in B.C.. they also know that old-growth forests provide immeasurable benefits, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity, culture, recreation, education, food and more, and that most Canadians support the sustainable harvesting of forests, which does not include logging irreplaceable old-growth.
This call was echoed yesterday by the Squamish nation's call to halt all logging in the 78,000 hectares of their land, most of which is in my riding, so I also rise today to give them a voice and amplify their request in this chamber.
Tony Baldinelli Conservative Niagara Falls, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present two individually certified paper petitions.
The first petition is on behalf of the residents of Bowmanville, Oshawa and Durham. These residents petition the House to ensure that any financial assistance to airlines and their subsidiary travel companies will be conditional on the protection of travel adviser commissions, and to ensure that commissions already clawed back by the airlines and their subsidiary travel companies will be repaid to travel advisers in a timely manner.
The second petition is also on behalf of the residents of Bowmanville, Oshawa and Durham. These residents petition this House to provide sector-specific funding for independent travel advisors and to extend the qualification of the regional relief and recovery fund in urban areas to include sole proprietors.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise and present two petitions.
The first is petition e-3288, which recognizes the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Canada's indigenous, racialized, gendered and disabled populations, as well as on young people and people living on low incomes.
The petitioners call for a low-income CERB repayment amnesty and a reduced repayment plan for those whose annual income is less than 15% above the poverty line. They call on the government to cease treating CERB as taxable income for individuals if their 2020 income falls below the poverty line.
The second is petition e-3172, which recognizes the development of long COVID and the impact it is having on tens of thousands of Canadians.
The petitioners call on the government to immediately extend the employment insurance sickness benefit to 50 weeks; invest in research to help with the diagnosis and treatment of long COVID; expand the eligibility for the Canada recovery benefit to Canadians who are unable to seek employment because of long COVID; and to convene, across committees, a study of the nature and impacts of long COVID, including the parliamentary committee on health; the parliamentary committee on human resources, skills and social development and the status of persons with disabilities; and the parliamentary committee on indigenous and northern affairs.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
Mr. Speaker, today I present a petition on behalf of indigenous constituents in Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon.
Stories of the atrocities that occurred within the residential school system have been around for years. On May 27, the remains of 215 indigenous children were found on the grounds of the former Kamloops residential school. Various levels of government have been aware of these stories for a long time, and have done nothing to help find the children who never came home.
Families who have lost loved ones deserve to find closure to help their spirits rest. Therefore, these citizens are calling upon the Government of Canada to proceed with using technology, such as ground-penetrating radar, to search the grounds of all residential school sites and to provide a reasonable timeline for the conduct of these searches.