Debates of Feb. 15th, 2022

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the interpreter is saying that the sound quality is not good enough for her to interpret.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am sorry, but we are not getting the interpretation. It is a technical issue. What I will do is go to the next question, and we will see if we can get that resolved.

The hon. member for Vancouver East.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Major-General Fraser said Canada pulled out of Afghanistan way too early, and 10,000 Afghan interpreters and their families have been left behind. He also said the Liberals failed to provide a whole-of-government plan to help resettle them. While our allies are on the ground helping Afghans get to safety, the current government is sending emails telling Afghans to somehow get to a third country on their own. As the situation gets worse, the government still has not provided exemptions so that NGOs can get aid to starving children.

When will the Liberals act with the urgency that the situation demands to help bring Afghans to safety?

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, Canada remains firm in its commitment to welcome 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada. We are sparing no effort to resettle Afghan refugees as quickly as we can, and I am happy to report that more than 7,500 Afghan refugees have begun their new lives here in Canada, while overcoming extreme challenges. We are welcoming new arrivals every week. We will continue to do everything we can to show leadership in the face of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Climate Change

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to assessing the Prime Minister's credibility on the climate crisis, the truth is found in the lobbying registry. Over the last two years, his government rolled out the red carpet for big oil with over 370 meetings. No wonder big oil is not sweating his promise of a tough emissions cap. In fact, representatives told our committee they plan to vastly increase production, and that position is backed by the energy regulator.

This is for the environment minister. What kind of credible cap is there that includes massive increases in oil exports?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, I have asked my hon. colleague this before, and he still has not answered. I would like him to show me a country in the world that has done more in the last four or five years than we have to fight climate change. There have been more than 100 measures, $100 billion of investment, regulations on methane, clean-fuel standards and electricity. These are all things we are doing, and we have so much more to do.

Indigenous Affairs

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Gladue principles, in part, recognize that there is an overrepresentation of indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system and that there are complex issues based on systemic discrimination that should be considered in sentencing. They now have had to be used in courts in sentencing for quite some time.

However, in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, many participants expressed concerns about overly lenient sentences in cases of violence against indigenous women and girls.

Does the Minister of Justice have an answer to those who are worried about the Gladue principles negatively impacting the safety of and justice for indigenous women and girls?

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for asking that question in the stead of the hon. member for Northwest Territories. I thank him for his leadership and his wisdom.

The Gladue principles, just like the revitalization of indigenous justice systems, calls to action from the TRC and the implementation plan for the MMIWG, are concrete steps toward making our justice system fairer. However, we understand there are still systemic issues in our criminal justice system that we need to address. It is impossible to undo centuries of colonialism in only a few short years. Far too many women and girls endure serious injustice, including discrimination and disproportionately high rates of violence. We are going to work on this with indigenous leadership to get—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am afraid that is all the time we have for today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order arising out of question period.

I would like to seek unanimous consent to table the four House of Commons fisheries committee reports that the Liberal government has not responded to on small-craft harbours.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

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

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

The House resumed from February 14 consideration of the motion that Bill C-10, An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Act Respecting Certain Measures Related to COVID-19

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:16 p.m., pursuant to an order made on Monday, February 14, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at the second reading stage of Bill C-10.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #28

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee of the whole.

Pursuant to the order made on Monday, February 14, 2022, Bill C-10, an act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19, is deemed considered in the committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage, deemed read a third time and passed.

(Bill read the second time, considered in committee of the whole, reported without amendment, concurred in, read the third time and passed)

Wearing of Masks in the Chamber

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Earlier today, questions were raised in the House about the wearing of masks in the chamber. I note that all members are certainly wearing their masks, and I applaud them for that.

As members will know, since the beginning of the pandemic, my fellow Chair occupants and I have consistently reminded members to wear their masks in the House when they are not speaking in debate. This is in keeping with public health advice that states masks should be worn, especially when social distancing is not possible, as is often the case in the chamber. In fact, as soon as one leaves the chamber, the wearing of masks is mandatory, further to measures adopted by the Board of Internal Economy. This is for the safety and security of members and staff.

That said, further to the Speaker's ruling of December 2, 2021, only the House can determine the rules that it will apply to itself and its committees. While the Board of Internal Economy has strongly recommended that members wear a mask when they are at their place during parliamentary proceedings, it cannot impose such a requirement. Ultimately, the House has sole authority to determine how it conducts its proceedings.

As Speaker, I am the servant of the House. To date, all parties have supported the Chair's efforts to encourage the wearing of face masks when not speaking and have raised points of order when this practice has not been followed.

This being Tuesday, I understand the House leaders will be meeting later today, and I would encourage them to discuss this issue so that there can be clarity for all members.

I thank all members for their attention.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. When you were reading things out, you said that we had to have our masks on once we leave the chamber. Does that mean we can have them off when we are in the chamber?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Yes.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Yes, we do not have to wear them in the chamber, but we have to put them on as we leave the chamber?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Exactly.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. Just to be clear, it is highly recommended that we wear the masks inside the chamber. On that note, I would ask if there is unanimous consent of the House to have members wear their masks unless they are actually speaking.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Do we have unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

No.

The House resumed consideration of the motion, and of the amendment.