House of Commons Hansard #124 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was pandemic.

Topics

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

Vote #185

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1Government Orders

4:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1Government Orders

4:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded divisions, Government Orders will be extended by 51 minutes.

The hon. member for Burnaby South is rising on a point of order.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1Government Orders

4:50 p.m.

NDP

Jagmeet Singh NDP Burnaby South, BC

There have been consultations, and if you seek it, I hope you will find consent for the following motion: That the House call on the government to take all necessary action, including recalling the House during the summer adjournment, in order to pass new emergency legislation to reverse the $800 cut to the monthly Canada recovery benefit which is set to begin on July 17, 2021.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1Government Orders

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

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

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1Government Orders

4:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

4:55 p.m.

Orléans Ontario

Liberal

Marie-France Lalonde LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario and Official Languages)

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.

Criminal CodeRoutine Proceedings

4:55 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard—Verdun Québec

Liberal

David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice

Acknowledgements at the End of the Parliamentary SessionRoutine Proceedings

4:55 p.m.

Honoré-Mercier Québec

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I want to rise to humbly thank all of the House of Commons staff.

As everyone knows, the pandemic forced us to change our way of doing things and to reinvent everything. The House services demonstrated a great deal of resourcefulness and flexibility when putting in place the hybrid version of the House of Commons.

For that to happen, the rules of the House of Commons had to be rewritten, and a completely virtual Parliament had to be set up in both official languages. That was a massive undertaking. Thanks to everyone's efforts, we were able to participate in debates in the House, hold regular committee and caucus meetings and vote remotely. In my opinion, this is a model for everyone.

I would like to give special thanks to our interpreters. The process of setting up the virtual part of the House and committee proceedings was particularly difficult for them. The interpreters have had to deal with some serious challenges since the virtual and hybrid sittings began, including technical issues, sound quality issues and, of course, long hours. On behalf of myself, the entire government team and the entire Liberal team, I thank them for the absolutely outstanding work they have been doing since September. They can now take a well-deserved rest.

I also want to thank the Speaker and his team, as well as all House employees and staff working in ministers' offices and in the offices of MPs from all parties.

Lastly, I want to give special thanks to my fellow House leaders from the other parties. We do not always see eye to eye, but we have managed to build a relationship of trust. We have found ways to work collaboratively, of course, in a respectful and sometimes jovial manner. I wish each and every one of them a wonderful summer. I hope everyone is able to rest and spend quality time with their families.

I hope everyone will return to the House in good health.

Acknowledgements at the End of the Parliamentary SessionRoutine Proceedings

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

Mr. Speaker, it has truly been one heck of a crazy year. To all the people who have worked here, I know we have felt every ounce of it some days.

I would like to carry on with the words of the the House leader.

I very much want to thank all the people who have made the job of the House of Commons work. I especially thank the clerks, the women and gentlemen, at the table who have helped us through so many different things.

To you, Mr. Speaker, and to all the Deputy Speakers in the House, thank you very much for your commitment to the House and to the democracy we hold in this place.

Of course, this job includes pages. For the many pages here today and throughout this session, it has been a very difficult time for them.

With respect to the interpreters, we have heard a lot of things from our interpreters. Whether it is “move your boom down” so they can understand what we are saying or whatever it may be, I thank the many interpreters who have helped not only in the chamber but in our committees as well to ensure the work we do is done as well.

To all the IT staff, we have probably learned a lot more about Zoom than we ever thought we would have to know, including knowing when to turn the audio off and on. I thank everybody who has been so patient with so many of the members as we have been learning about this.

Of course, this place is safe because of the people whom we have here for public safety. Therefore, a special thanks to the PPS. I know I definitely have my favourites, and Norma is in the lobby today. We have some great people working here.

With respect to the food services, many of us would not enjoy this job as much if food services were not here. I thank them so much for helping us out and keeping us nourished.

To all the staff in the administration and the staff who work in each of our offices on the Hill and in our constituency offices, this is one big place to work in, and I very much thank everybody who makes it work so well.

Acknowledgements at the End of the Parliamentary SessionRoutine Proceedings

5 p.m.

Bloc

Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC

Mr. Speaker, the session is coming to a close and, if we are to believe the rumours, Parliament may be about to end.

No matter what happens, I would like to remind everyone, all parties and all nations, that we work for the common good. It may be that some have doubts about the good faith of the players, as if they were setting the stage for something to come. Whatever the case and with a positive outlook, I will be bringing my plants home, just in case I am away for a long while.

From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the Bloc Québécois's elected members and teams, I thank the House of Commons staff—the officers, cafeteria staff, pages, the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers—for their care and outstanding work. I have a special thought for the interpreters, who were dealt a difficult hand by the pandemic and all the malfunctions we have had.

Let us make the most of it and let us all come back this fall. The Bloc Québécois is ready to contribute and to return in even greater numbers to the House.

Finally, I would like to wish our first nations brothers and sisters a summer of reconciliation, and hope that francophones everywhere will have a great Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. Above all, I want to wish a happy national holiday to the nation that will be recognized in the next Constitution.

To my fellow leaders and to everyone else, whether or not our summer recess is cut short, I hope it is most enjoyable. Also, let us hope that Montreal wins the Stanley Cup.

Acknowledgements at the End of the Parliamentary SessionRoutine Proceedings

5 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express appreciation on behalf of the NDP caucus and the member for Burnaby South for all those who have made a difference, and are making a difference, throughout this pandemic Parliament.

Fifteen months and 10 days ago, I rose in the House of Commons, on March 13, 2020, as you will recall, Mr. Speaker, to speak, as we suspended for what we thought would be a few weeks due to the COVID pandemic. Those few weeks have turned into over 15 months as we struggle through this unprecedented health crisis.

Fifteen months later, we mourn the loss of over 26,000 Canadians who have lost their lives through this terrible pandemic. Through it all, Canadians have rightfully paid tribute to the incredible courage and determination of health care workers across Canada, of doctors, of nurses, some of whom sacrificed their lives. We pay tribute to first responders and front-line workers, because we acknowledge they are helping all Canadians as we endeavour to get through this terrible pandemic.

Today we express our gratitude to all the people who made Parliament work during the pandemic. The technical support team proved that it is possible to have more than 300 MPs in a hybrid Parliament. Democracy carried on despite the pandemic.

We also extend sincere thanks to the clerks, including André Gagnon, who is retiring today.

We are very grateful to the administrators, analysts, drivers, pages, technicians, security guards, cleaning and maintenance staff and restaurant staff for their dedication during the crisis.

We cannot thank the interpreters and translators enough. In an officially bilingual Parliament, their work is essential. We know their working conditions were extremely difficult, even hazardous to their health, and their dedication is greatly appreciated. We also wish interpretation manager Sylvie Scott a happy retirement.

While we are thanking those who have made a difference through this pandemic, we must, of course, include MP staff from all parties, ministerial staff and public servants across Canada. I thank them for the sacrifices they have made during this pandemic.

Despite political spin, and I ask where Ottawa would be without political spin, the reality is that this pandemic has shown that 338 MPs have worked well together. We have met that high bar Canadians set to ensure their elected representatives work together in times of crisis. We have so much still to do to build a society where no one is left behind. The NDP caucus hopes to be back at work in Ottawa as soon as possible to continue that essential work in Parliament.

In the meantime, we wish the Speaker, all members of Parliament, their staff and their families health and safety in the coming weeks, as we continue to do the work on behalf of Canadians.

Acknowledgements at the End of the Parliamentary SessionRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Green

Paul Manly Green Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC

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

I seek the consent of the House to deliver a reply on behalf of the Green Party of Canada.

Acknowledgements at the End of the Parliamentary SessionRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

The member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith is seeking unanimous consent to respond to the ministerial statement. All those opposed to the hon. member responding to the ministerial statement will please say nay.

Acknowledgements at the End of the Parliamentary SessionRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights entitled “Elder Abuse: Identifying the Issue and Combatting All Types of Abuse”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee is requesting the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

I will take this moment to thank all of the members of the justice committee for working so tirelessly on the great work they have done. I thank the analysts, the clerk and the tech teams for all of their hard work to keep us going.

Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

NDP

Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC

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

I am rising virtually to ask for unanimous consent to make a few short remarks in tabling an NDP supplemental report to the justice committee's report on elder abuse just tabled by our very able chair, the member for Mississauga—Erin Mills.

Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

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

Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

The hon. member for Rivière-du-Nord is rising on a point of order.

Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Bloc

Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment on the report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, of which I am a member.

I would ask for the unanimous consent of the House to make a few remarks. I have tabled a supplementary report, and I would like to outline the basis for it, if my colleagues in the House do not object.

Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

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

Justice and Human RightsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Public AccountsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:10 p.m.

Conservative

Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 25th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, entitled “Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Public AccountsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

5:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I wish to inform the House that because of ministerial statements, Government Orders will be extended by a further 10 minutes, for a total of 61 minutes.