Debates of June 4th, 2021

Regional Economic Development

[Paul Lefebvre, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Madam Speaker, throughout this pandemic, regional development agencies have been an invaluable tool in delivering money directly to businesses that needed it most. In budget 2021, this government has signalled that our RDAs will continue to play an important role in job creation and economic growth, including with the creation of an independent FedNor.

Could the Minister of Economic Development tell the House how an independent FedNor will help northern Ontario to grow its economy?

[Terry Sheehan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedNor)]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Sudbury for his outstanding advocacy for all of northern Ontario.

Canada's regional development agencies have been a key part of our COVID response, and they will continue to play an important role as we look toward economic recovery.

As we announced in budget 2021, we are committed to creating an independent FedNor, which will help get support out more quickly to northern Ontario businesses, organizations and communities. Our government believes in an economy where no one is left behind. By empowering FedNor, we are ensuring that people across northern Ontario get the benefits of job creation and economic growth.

The Environment

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Madam Speaker, this week, the International Institute for Sustainable Development recommended that indigenous governments, leaders and communities play an active role in navigating and benefiting from Canada's journey to net zero as equal partners.

New Zealand created the Office of the Maori Climate Commissioner, so Maori are equal partners in how to meet their climate obligations. Here in Canada, instead of working with indigenous peoples, the Liberal government is fighting them in court.

Will the government commit to an equal partnership with indigenous Canadians as we move to net zero?

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his passion about Canada achieving net zero by 2050, which is a commitment the government has made through Bill C-12 that is making its way through committee.

Indigenous knowledge forms a central part of that bill and of the expert committee involved. That is a commitment by the government, and something we will continue to do to ensure that Canada meets its targets of net zero by 2050.

Public Services and Procurement

[Ramesh Sangha, Independent, Brampton Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, the global COVID-19 pandemic situation has been prevalent here for more than one year. There are still vaccination shortages in hot spot areas.

Why is the government failing to speed up the supply and distribution of the second dose of vaccinations to Canadians?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague will know that we are not third; we are not second; but we are first in the G20, in the G7 for first doses of vaccines. Well over 60% of Canadians have received that first dose, 29 million doses have been distributed right across the country and 25 million administered.

Canada is proud of its leadership position, and we see cases coming down all over the country. We are very happy with how vaccines are proceeding.

Statements by Members

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I want to apologize in the beginning, with your indulgence and that of the House.

I was informed by the IT ambassador that when I did my member's statement, my mike was not working. With the indulgence of the House, I was hoping to repeat my statement.

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

Do the hon. members consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honour Pastor Ralph Benson, who died tragically last month.

Pastor Benson faced many challenges as a young man, but through his relationship with our saviour he persevered to become a pillar of his church, his family and all of Newfoundland and Labrador. Known for having an infectious energy and huge heart for people, he served Gander and the surrounding area in many ways. Pastor Benson was always there to offer support and love.

Serving with him through it all was Paulette, his wife. They raised three wonderful children, Melissa, Adam and Melanie, and that brings us to perhaps best role: Poppy. His love for and pride in his grandchildren Nick, Julia, Daniel, Gracie, Avery, Luke and Jesse were limitless. They will walk with his spirit for the rest of their lives.

The loss of Pastor Benson leaves a great hole in our lives and in our hearts. On behalf of all of us here in the House of Commons, our condolences to the family. We will think of Pastor Benson often until we see him again. May God bless him.

Bill C-10?Time allocation motion

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. In response to the minister on Bill C-10, the NDP has supported the process to this point for Bill C-10, but we are waiting for a full discussion and the final bill to make our decision.

Decorum

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

Madam Speaker, although I have significant points of order regarding the proceedings this morning, I will leave those for another time.

I would specifically call your attention to how important it is that the actions of members on camera also reflect the expected high standards in the House. Specifically, this morning the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells held up a sign in his camera that was a picture of a meter, and “BS meter” was displayed clearly for members to see. I would urge you to consider very carefully whether that fits within the decorum that is expected on the very important issues that we debate within this chamber.

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

I thank the hon. member for bringing it to our attention. We will look into it and come back to the House.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Speaker, I would like you to rule. The member for Central Nova made a very personal attack on the member for Regina—Lewvan with respect to his abilities, his management of his feelings and so forth. I think you will find those comments are unparliamentary and should be withdrawn.

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

Again we will review it and come back to the House, if necessary.

Government Response to Petitions

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary 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]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 12 petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.

While I am on my feet, I move:

That the House do now proceed to orders of the day.

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

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

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

Madam Speaker, I believe we can adopt this on division.

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Madam Speaker, I would request a recorded division.

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

Call in the members.

Before the Clerk announced the results of the vote:

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. I committed, without intending to, the cardinal sin in democracy of voting twice. I came in and then I realized it was after the question, so although I voted in the standing vote, I also then voted on the app.

Therefore, I believe, because I voted on the app, my vote should count for nay, but it should only count once and not twice. There may be confusion in the records if I am listed as having voted twice, and I want to make sure my vote is not being counted twice, or not at all, but as one vote.

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

Yes, that is duly registered. We will now wait for the table to count the votes.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. Earlier today, inadvertently, the member who has now introduced a bit more complexity into the vote by having voted twice had his riding named “Edmonton” rather than “Sherwood Park”. The problem is that if the roll call records him as a member for Edmonton, when in fact his riding is in Sherwood Park, it will then have a corrupted result. I would just like to confirm that we have his riding properly named in the roll call.

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

The Chair has been calling for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan correctly, not for Edmonton. The member was counted properly.

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

Vote #129