Debates of Nov. 21st, 2022

Canada Revenue Agency

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, organ and tissue donation is an important part of our health care system. Bill C‑210, which passed unanimously in the previous Parliament, will enable Canadians to indicate on their income tax return whether they want to receive information on organ and tissue donation from their provincial or territorial government.

Can the Minister of National Revenue tell us where we are right now with this collaboration with the provinces and territories?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take the time to thank my colleague from Yukon for his question and for the work that he does on behalf of his constituents.

I am pleased to announced that Nunavut and Ontario agreed to participate in the organ donation initiative, which will begin in that territory and that province during the next tax filing season. We will continue to work with the other provinces and territories to address the organ donation shortage and increase the potential to save lives.

Taxation

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the Hortons could not afford a home in Ontario, so they found their dream home on a lake in Nova Scotia. The kids love skating and swimming on the lake. Life was good until this year. The increased cost of everything, like a 68% increase in the cost to heat a home in Nova Scotia, forced the Hortons to have to choose between paying their mortgage and heating their home.

The Hortons want to know why the Liberal government will not do the right thing and cancel its planned carbon tax on home heating.

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, some people are saying the problem is our price on carbon pollution. That is not the problem. The problem is emissions. Every decision we take with regard to the environment on this side is about reducing emissions.

Just this very day, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, in Nova Scotia, announced a program to help Nova Scotian families and other families switch their oil heating furnaces to heat pumps. This is exactly the kind of action that we are taking that solves the affordability problem for Nova Scotian families and lowers emissions.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, heat pumps do not work when it gets below -10°C. He should do his homework.

Liberal inflation is causing the Hortons to have to sell their home and move to a smaller place. They are working harder and falling further behind. They want to save a little money at the end of the month, but home heating increases are eating up their paycheques.

Melody Horton has a simple question: Why will the Liberal government not do the right thing and cancel its planned carbon tax on home heating?

[Andy Fillmore, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, do members know what does not work when it comes to climate action? It is climate inaction.

What we saw in Nova Scotia today is action. It is exactly the kind of action that this government is committed to. I can offer Ms. Horton some advice: If her MP cannot connect her to this new program, she can talk to me.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Liberal inflation is making everyone's life impossible. Winter is here. There is no denying it; it is pretty cold already. Canadians are having a hard time paying their bills, including their heating bill. Canadians need help now. They cannot afford to pay more. Our leader, my Conservative Party colleagues and I have a very simple solution: eliminate the carbon tax on home heating bills in Canada.

Will the Liberals show compassion and follow our recommendation?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, our government implemented a plan to fight climate change. Let me just say that the only plan the Conservatives and their leader have offered up is encouraging Canadians to invest in crypto. A leadership role comes with responsibilities.

When will the Conservative Party leader apologize to the people who lost their life savings because they followed his advice? It is criminal.

Natural Resources

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with one of the world's most comprehensive and detailed climate plans, a wealth of natural resources and a skilled workforce, Canada is establishing itself as a global supplier of choice for clean energy in a net-zero world.

With governments worldwide looking for reliable, affordable and non-emitting forms of energy, could the minister please inform the House of actions taken by the government to increase clean fuel production in the country?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I thank the member for Hamilton Mountain for the work she does on behalf of her constituency and every day.

Clean fuels like hydrogen will play a crucial role in fighting climate change, and our government is taking concrete action to support the development of the sector.

Last week in Vancouver, I announced $800 million in project funding to advance Canada's clean fuel sector for 60 clean fuel funding projects across the country. These projects not only will bolster Canadian competitiveness in the clean fuel space at a time of rising global demand, but will also create sustainable jobs and grow the economy, all while lowering emissions and protecting the environment for future generations.

Persons with Disabilities

[Bonita Zarrillo, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the government is sitting idly by while Canadians with disabilities live in poverty and die. The Liberals move quickly when supporting their wealthy friends but tell people with disabilities that help is years away. A growing number of persons with disabilities are losing hope as they contemplate medical assistance in dying, not because they want to die but because they can no longer afford to live.

Why are the Liberals okay with this?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, with Bill C-22 and the Canada disability benefit, we have an opportunity in the House to bring about a once-in-a-generation change and lift hundreds of thousands of working-age Canadians with disabilities out of poverty. That is exactly the work that is just wrapping up at committee.

I look forward to having it back in the House for third reading. I look forward to once again having all-party support. This could be transformative for our country.

Climate Change

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it needs to be said: There is no such thing as a credible climate plan that does not include phasing out oil and gas while supporting affected workers.

At COP27, the federal government claimed at the last minute to support text to phase down unabated fossil fuels, yet back home it approved new oil exploration permits off the coast of Newfoundland.

Is the government ready to talk seriously about equitably phasing out fossil fuels, or is it going to continue to protect the profits of its friends in the oil and gas industry?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, certainly, the government is entirely committed to the fight against climate change. It is something we have been working on for the past seven years. We have done so with our allies around the world in Europe, Japan and South Korea and with countries across the globe.

It is a critically important issue. It is something we have invested enormous amounts of time, energy and resources in doing.

Canada has one of the most detailed climate plans in the world. We have an aggressive target. We are absolutely, fundamentally committed to doing this but doing it in a manner that recognizes this is a transition and recognizes that we have to ensure prosperity and jobs for future generations. We are doing just that.

Government Response to Petitions

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary 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 six petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs in relation to Bill C‑29, an act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation.

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Industry and Technology

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology in relation to Bill C‑235, an act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies.

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Canada Labour Code

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-307, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (menstrual products).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this bill, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code, menstrual products. I would like to thank the member for Winnipeg Centre for seconding the bill and for her tireless advocacy for gender equity.

Menstrual products are a basic health necessity, yet one in three Canadians struggles to afford them. To help address period poverty in Canada, the legislation would require federal employers to supply free menstrual products to everyone with access to their workplace, including employees, contractors and members of the public.

The bill is a result of the vision of two bright high school students from Vancouver Kingsway, Vivian Naumenko and Chanel Kershaw, who attend Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School. Vivian and Chanel are this year's winners of my “Create Your Canada” contest, which invites high school students to participate in our democracy and offer their ideas for a better Canada. I hope all parliamentarians will support their thoughtful and creative initiative that is long overdue.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Air Transportation

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, constituents in Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon are happy that the Government of Canada listened to their petition and amended the air transport agreement with the Government of India.

The petitioners are again calling on the Government of Canada to establish direct flights between Amritsar and Canadian destinations. It makes economic sense and it makes societal sense. It is good for Canada and it is good for India. Let us get it done.

Ahmadi Muslims

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Ahmadi Muslims in Canada.

Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan have been effectively denied the right to vote and essentially have been disenfranchised from equal participation. To register to vote, Ahmadi must either renounce their faith or agree to be placed on a separate electoral list and accept their status as non-Muslims thus stripping away their religious freedom.

The petitioners urge the Government of Canada to urge the Pakistani government to create a fair and democratic election process for all Pakistanis without discrimination or prejudice and urge the Pakistani government to immediately repeal section 48A of the Elections Act and permit Ahmadi Muslims to vote alongside all other citizens of Pakistan.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, along the same vein as the member for Dufferin—Caledon, I would like to present a petition today that asks the Government of Canada, through the House of Commons, to urge the Pakistani government to create fair and democratic election processes for all Pakistanis without any discrimination, prejudice or mention of anyone's religion, and, secondly, to urge the Pakistani government to immediately repeal section 48A of the Elections Act and permit Ahmadi Muslims to vote alongside all other citizens of Pakistan as part of a joint electorate.

Through section 48A of the Pakistani Elections Act established in 2017, Ahmadis must renounce their faith to be included in any voter list and be subjected to having their name and particulars available to the general public, thus inadvertently creating a targeted list for Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan.

I seek to have this petition move forward. We stand up for all minority rights throughout the world.

Animal Experimentation

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House to present a petition from concerned constituents who are calling on the government to follow the lead of the European Parliament in banning the unnecessary use of animals in experimentation. The petitioners point out that there are newer methods that will decrease the concern of biohazardous waste and zoonotic diseases. They are looking for a phasing out of experiments that use animals in biomedical research, toxicological testing or education.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 853, 855 and 861 to 864.

Question No.853—

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

With regard to the Shared Equity Mortgage Providers (SEMP) Fund: (a) how much of the $100 million fund has been distributed to date; (b) how many applications for the SEMP Fund have been (i) received, (ii) approved, (iii) denied, (iv) received, but a decision is still pending; (c) how many new home units receiving SEMP funding (i) have been completed, (ii) are currently under construction; and (d) what is the breakdown of (c)(i) and (ii) by province or territory and by municipal area?

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing)]

Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a), as of September 30, 2022, under the shared equity mortgage providers, or SEMP, $28.95 million has been committed to date, of which $5 million has been advanced.

In response to part (b), eight applications for SEMP have been received; seven have been approved with a signed letter of agreement, of those two are at the advanced status where we disbursed the funding; one has been denied; and zero are received but pending.

In response to part (c), the program offers to eligible proponents repayable loans from one of two possible funding streams. Preconstruction loans, or stream one, offers funding for preconstruction cost loans to commence new housing projects in which shared equity mortgages will be provided to homebuyers via SEMPs. Shared equity mortgages, or stream two, offers loans to SEMPs to fund shared equity mortgages that they provide directly to first-time homebuyers.

SEMP is not a construction financing program and as such we do not have a view on the stage of construction for projects supported by the program.

In response to part (d), our financial commitments to date under the SEMP program will support the creation of 1,018 new home ownership units, which are all located in Toronto, Ontario.