House of Commons Hansard #107 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was food.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Criminal Code First reading of Bill C-299. The bill raises the maximum sentence for most sexual offences, including those against children, to life imprisonment, aiming to treat these crimes as seriously as property offences. 200 words.
Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 1 Third reading of Bill C-30. The bill proposes a temporary enhancement to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit, doubling the GST credit for six months to provide additional financial support to 11 million individuals and families. All parties generally support this targeted measure as relief for Canadians facing inflation. Liberals say it provides substantial support without exacerbating inflation. Conservatives, while supporting the bill, criticize it as "too little too late" and blame the government's spending and the carbon tax for rising costs. NDP and Bloc Québécois also support it, with NDP emphasizing its role in pushing for these measures. 46000 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Alleged Intimidation of a Committee Witness by a Member of Parliament—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a question of privilege from the member for Perth—Wellington concerning a parliamentary secretary's alleged intimidation of a committee witness, declining jurisdiction over Senate matters and finding no clear intimidation. 400 words.
Requirement of Royal Recommendations for Bill C-285 Kevin Lamoureux argues Bill C-285, which amends the Employment Insurance Act, requires a royal recommendation. He states it would create new charges on the Consolidated Revenue Fund by altering conditions for EI benefits. 800 words, 10 minutes.
Food Day in Canada Act Second reading of Bill S-227. The bill seeks to establish Food Day in Canada on the Saturday before the first Monday in August each year. Members across parties support the bill, which aims to celebrate Canadian farmers, fishers, chefs, and the entire agri-food sector. The day would also honor Anita Stewart's legacy as a culinary activist who started Food Day Canada in 2003 during the BSE crisis to promote Canadian food and strengthen local food systems. 8000 words, 1 hour.
Health Members debate a motion to concur in a report from the Standing Committee on Health, focusing on Taiwan's meaningful participation in global health discussions and organizations like the World Health Assembly. Conservatives advocate for Taiwan's full inclusion, citing its successful COVID-19 response and the benefits to Canada. Liberals support Taiwan's meaningful participation as an observer, consistent with Canada's One China policy, and emphasize international collaboration. 7300 words, 1 hour.
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable DevelopmentRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Anthony Rota
It is my duty to lay upon the table, pursuant to subsection 23(5) of the Auditor General Act, the fall 2022 reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), these reports are permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
Chief Electoral OfficerRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Anthony Rota
It is my duty to lay upon the table, pursuant to subsection 94(2) of the Access to Information Act and subsection 72(2) of the Privacy Act, the reports of the Chief Electoral Officer on the administration of these acts for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), these reports are deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
Information CommissionerRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Anthony Rota
It is my duty, pursuant to subsection 94(2) of the Access to Information Act and subsection 72(2) of the Privacy Act, to lay upon the table the reports of the Auditor General of Canada on the administration of these acts for the fiscal year ending March 31.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), these reports are deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present today, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, entitled “Facial Recognition Technology and the Growing Power of Artificial Intelligence”.
I will take a moment to thank the analysts for the work they did on behalf of the committee and all the committee members, who agreed entirely with the 19 recommendations that are contained in this report. I certainly hope the government will quickly respond to the report and work toward expeditiously implementing the recommendations contained in it.
Peter Fonseca Liberal Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Finance in relation to Bill C-30, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (temporary enhancement to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit).
I do not know, but we may have set a record to pass a bill through committee. To make that achievement possible, I want to thank all members of the finance committee, as well as the clerk, Alexandre Roger; Carine Grand-Jean; legislative clerks Jean-François Pagé and Émilie Thivierge; the analysts; the interpreters; the staff; and all members and parties in this House for their support on Bill C-30.
FinanceCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
Therefore, pursuant to an order made on Monday, October 3, the bill is deemed concurred in at report stage without further amendment.
(Bill C‑30 concurred in at report stage)
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-299, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (life imprisonment).
Madam Speaker, it an honour to stand here on behalf of the people of Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo—
Bill C-299 Criminal CodeRoutine Proceedings
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Madam Speaker, it is interesting that my colleague from Winnipeg is heckling me as I am saying this, because I am speaking about a bill that should be of interest to everybody in the House. Now the member for Kingston and the Islands is getting in on the act.
Bill C-299 Criminal CodeRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
Can we have order and let the hon. member introduce his bill?
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Madam Speaker, this is what we are talking about: sexual offences against children and adults.
When somebody commits a robbery in this country, it is the taking of property by force and they are liable to life imprisonment. When someone's consent and dignity are taken by force when it comes to sexual assault, the maximum sentence is 10 years in jail. We therefore treat the taking of someone's sexual inviolability, innocence, dignity and consent by force less seriously than we treat the taking of property by force.
If people want to treat this as a joke, that is fine, but for me and for everybody in this House, my exhortation is that we start getting hard on sexual offences, especially sexual offences against children. This bill does just that. It raises the maximum sentence to life imprisonment for most sexual offences to recognize that victims are often put in a psychological prison for life themselves.
I exhort all members of the House to pass this bill expeditiously given the seriousness that this subject matter deserves.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill S‑8, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
(Motion deemed adopted and bill read the first time)
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill S‑9, An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act.
(Motion deemed adopted and bill read the first time)
Alistair MacGregor NDP Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
Madam Speaker, I have two petitions to present to the House today.
The first petition is for the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada. The citizens in the preamble who signed this petition recognize that Canada is facing a climate emergency. Therefore, they are calling on the government to implement just transition legislation that will reduce emissions by at least 60% below 2005 levels; create new public institutions and expand public ownership of services and utilities across the economy to implement the transition; create good green jobs and drive inclusive workforce development; expand the social safety net; and pay for this transition by increasing taxes on the wealthiest and corporations, and financing through a public national bank.
Alistair MacGregor NDP Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
Madam Speaker, in this second petition, the petitioners recognize that disability financial support payments in Canada are currently far below the official poverty line and that 1.5 million disabled Canadians currently suffer every single day in a state of legislated poverty. Therefore, the petitioners are calling upon the government to end this practice of legislated poverty and ensure that a federal disability benefit of $2,200 per month is implemented.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise in this place to present a petition that deals with public transportation.
The petitioners note that the government's current 10-year transit plan will end in 2027, yet we still have not seen public transit significantly improved to reduce greenhouse gases, nor to reach areas of Canada that are remote and more rural. As members will know, today actually happens to be the day for recognition of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and that report called for public transit to be available, secure and safe for people across Canada, including outside urban areas.
The petitioners call on us to establish permanent federal funding for public transit that goes above and beyond the current 10-year transit plan, to work together to provide sustainable, predictable, long-term and adequate funding and to establish accountability to ensure that all orders of government in Canada work together to provide public transit to Canadians.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Madam Speaker, it is my honour to present a number of petitions today.
In the first petition, petitioners are concerned about how easy it is for young people to access sexually explicit material online, including violent and degrading explicit material. They note that this is a public health and public safety concern.
The petitioners note that a significant portion of commercially accessed sexually explicit material have no age verification software. Moreover, that age verification software could ascertain the age of users without breaching their privacy rights. They note many serious harms associated with sexually explicit material, including the development of addiction and the development of attitudes favourable to sexual violence and harassment of women.
As such, the petitioners call on the House of Commons to quickly pass Bill S-210, the protection of young persons from exposure to pornography act.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Madam Speaker, the next petition comes from people across the country concerned about legislation related to universal basic income. I have received countless messages from across the country about this.
The petitioners note that people who would get paycheques regardless of whether they helped or worked in their communities would cost our economy billions of dollars. They state that universal income would disincentivize people from working and maintaining a job and that taxes would need to be greatly raised to pay for this.
As such, the petitioners call on parliamentarians to vote against Bill S-233 and Bill C-223. They want an end to a carbon tax, they want an end to inflationary spending and they want to see pipelines and other projects approved to ensure our economy can grow so there are good jobs for everyone.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Madam Speaker, the next petition is from Canadians from across the country who are supporting Bill S-211. They state that modern slavery has deepened in the last two years. They are looking for the Canadian government to pass a bill that would ensure Canadian businesses are not participating in child forced labour.
Approximately 50 million people around the world are currently stuck in forced labour and approximately 20 billion dollars' worth of goods imported into our country each year are at risk of being produced through modern slavery. They also state that large companies are not required to report these measures to prevent modern slavery in their supply chains.
The petitioners call on the House of Commons to pass Bill S-211 quickly, which is an act to enact the fighting against forced labour and child labour in supply chains act and to amend the Customs Tariff. If and when this is passed, it would greatly improve our impact in the world.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Madam Speaker, the next petition is from Canadians across the country who want an end to the ArriveCAN app, vaccine mandates and all COVID-19 mandates. Currently, the government has only suspended some of these mandates. They are looking forward to having all these mandates removed.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to finally and permanently end all federally regulated regulations around the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Madam Speaker, the next petition comes from people across the country who are concerned about the health and safety of Canadian firearms owners. They recognize the importance of owning firearms and are concerned about the impacts of hearing loss caused by damaging noise levels from firearms and the need for noise reduction.
The petitioners acknowledge Canada is the only G7 country that criminally prohibits sound moderators. Moreover, the majority of G7 countries have recognized the health and safety benefits of sound moderators, allowing them for hunting, sport shooting and noise pollution reduction.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to allow firearms owners the option to purchase and use sound moderators for all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Madam Speaker, next I am presenting a petition on behalf of my constituents living in Fox Creek and Swan Hills, two rural and remote communities in northern Alberta. They are calling for the extension of the intermediate prescribed zone for the northern living allowance to be used for their communities.
Currently there is an arbitrary line that runs across northern Alberta, from which they are 15 kilometres away. It would be great if they could access that tax incentive. Neither Fox Creek nor Swan Hills are in the intermediate prescribed zone, but they are very much remote and rural communities.
The petitioners therefore call on the government to include Swan Hills and Fox Creek as communities within the intermediate prescribed zone and allow these residents to claim the residency deductions for living in northern Alberta.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Madam Speaker, finally, I want to present a petition on behalf of Canadians who are concerned that certain charities would be targeted based on their views.
The petitioners call on MPs to ensure that charities that hold views that differ from the government's views are not harassed, or criminalized or have their charitable status removed. They call on the government to not enforce the judgment that it put in place in its 2021 campaign platform to remove charitable status from some organizations.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.