House of Commons Hansard #72 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was taiwan.
Sean Fraser LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, with great respect to the hon. member, there are now more than 13,000 Afghan refugees who have arrived in Canada [Technical difficulty—Editor].
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
We are going to go to the hon. parliamentary secretary.
The hon. parliamentary secretary.
Marie-France Lalonde LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, if it were a matter of will, there would be 40,000 Afghan refugees here already. The reality is that every step of the way we are facing obstacles that were not present in other resettlement efforts. There are a number of factors that we do not fully control, such as safe passage out of Afghanistan and the ability of Afghans who want to resettle to leave the country. We are committed to 40,000, and we will bring 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada.
Majid Jowhari Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, as we emerge from the pandemic, our focus is on creating inclusive and sustainable economic growth and making life more affordable for Canadians. In order to do this, we know that we need to support and modernize our traditional industries, such as the auto and aerospace industries, while also laying the groundwork for Canada to become a global leader in new and emerging sectors, including EVs, quantum computing, AI and clean tech.
Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry kindly update this House on how this government is working to attract more investment to Canada that will create well-paying jobs and spur economic growth?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, I will do that with pleasure, but let me first thank the member for his excellent work and his hard-working attitude on this file.
We all know in this House that Canada is one of the best places in the world to do business. That is why I travelled to the EU recently to make the case for Canada as a premier investment destination for clean technology, the automotive sector and EV batteries. Moreover, I also met with our G7 counterparts to ensure that everyone can benefit from the new digital technologies that will drive innovation and growth in this country.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, the horrendous killing of beloved Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is unacceptable and blatantly violates the protection of journalists. The attack on her funeral procession by Israeli security forces a few days later was abhorrent. The world is outraged. The U.S., the UN and the EU have called for an independent investigation. Will the government condemn these horrific actions and immediately join the call for a truly international independent investigation?
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I would hope I speak for every member of this House in expressing the outrage we have all shared with respect to the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. It was an outrage that affected our deepest sense of humanity, as she was simply doing her job and was killed. Our hearts are with her family, friends, colleagues and those who mourn the loss of the work she was doing.
Canada has called for a thorough investigation into this killing, such that people will have confidence in its findings. We will continue to advocate for that and ensure that the rights of journalists are protected this day and every day.
Mike Morrice Green Kitchener Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, today we are debating a government bill on electoral representation, but there is no mention in it of electoral reform or proportional representation. Back in 2015, the Prime Minister promised over 1,800 times that he would make every vote count. Seven years later, we still do not have any legislation or indication from the governing party that it will follow through on these promises. Will the federal government support an independent, non-partisan national citizens assembly on electoral reform?
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalMinister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his continued interest in improving Canadian democracy. I would urge him to work with us to pass Bill C-14, which, as he correctly noted, is before the House of Commons now, to ensure that every province has the right representation in the electoral boundaries redistribution process under way.
I know he is very excited to have the report from the Chief Electoral Officer on the most recent election. We share that excitement, and we look forward to working with all colleagues in this House to make elections more accessible in every possible way.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, I want to draw something to your attention. I am sure you saw that the member for Waterloo was in violation of Standing Order 16(2) and Standing Order 16(3), which state:
(2) When a member is speaking, no member shall pass between that member and the chair, nor interrupt him or her, except to raise a point of order.
(3) No member may pass between the chair and the table, nor between the chair and the mace when the mace has been taken off the table by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The member for Waterloo definitely crossed between you and the table when the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry was speaking. We need to maintain decorum here, as you often try, and the member for Waterloo definitely turned the tables today.
Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions
Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON
Mr. Speaker, I did. I was in the way, but I wish the member would spend more time actually advancing legislation improving the lives of Canadians in place of these points of order.
I apologize for causing him such—
Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
Order, please.
There are standing orders and rules of the House. Members should not pass between the Chair and the speaker, and of course the mace as well. Let us all try to follow that practice.
The hon. member for Longueuil—Saint-Hubert.
Denis Trudel Bloc Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order.
There have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion: That this House reiterate that Quebec is the sole master of its language policy and that it call on the federal government to not impede or restrict—
Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations with other parties, and I believe if you seek it, you will find consent for the following motion:
That the House:
express its horror at the hate-fueled mass shooting by a white supremacist in Buffalo, New York;
extend its deepest condolences to the families, friends and communities who lost loved ones; and
reaffirm the need to confront racism, white supremacy and hate in all their forms.
Attack in Buffalo, New YorkOral Questions
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.
Hearing no dissenting voice, it is agreed.
The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
(Motion agreed to)
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I also rise on a point of order.
It is about unanimous consent.
In the debate earlier today, the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent said several times that I opposed something that I had not opposed.
I want to put on the record that when there is consultation between the parties, there needs to be consultation. I not only did not get advance notice, but I did not hear what the member for Mégantic—L'Érable said. I have expressed it to the member for Mégantic—L'Érable and he understands—
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but this is not debate. This is a point of order, because I have been denied unanimous consent on every non-controversial and sometimes deeply personal matter, such as being able to rise to pay tribute to my friend of 40 years—
Attack in Buffalo, New YorkOral Questions
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
I want to make one comment on this before I recognize a few other people.
Unanimous consent motions are being abused in the House of Commons. Those motions used to be before question period, and a number of years ago the House adopted the forum to use Statements by Members. I urge each and every member of the House of Commons to use Statements by Members to get their points across rather than using unanimous consent motions as they are being used today.
I cannot stop it and it will continue to happen, I am sure, but I do hope we use them for the opportunity they actually are, which is to get the unanimous consent of the House.
Attack in Buffalo, New YorkOral Questions
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
Following discussions among representatives of all the parties in the House, I understand that there is unanimous consent to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the shooting in Buffalo, New York.
I invite hon. members to rise.
[A moment of silence observed]
The House resumed from May 12 consideration of the motion.
Opposition Motion—Special Committee on Canada-People’s Republic of China RelationshipBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
It being 3:19 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 25, 2021, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion by the member for Wellington—Halton Hills relating to the business of supply.
The question is on the motion. Shall I dispense?