House of Commons Hansard #90 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was judge.

Topics

Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10 a.m.

Kingston and the Islands Ontario

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate)

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

Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022Routine Proceedings

10 a.m.

Saint-Maurice—Champlain Québec

Liberal

Industry and TechnologyCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

10 a.m.

Liberal

Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports from the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology: the fourth report entitled “Positioning Canada as a Leader in the Supply and Processing of Critical Minerals” and the fifth report entitled “Development and Support of the Aerospace Industry”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to each of these two reports.

National DefenceCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

10 a.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on National Defence, entitled “An Interim Report on the Defence of Canada in a Rapidly Changing Threat Environment”.

This is the first report of the defence committee, and it certainly will not be the last report on the rapidly changing threat environment. We started the report prior to February 24 and, of course, finished it off. However, this is an ongoing thing that the committee will maintain in its mandate and be seized with.

I want to comment as well that the members of the committee worked extremely hard to put this together. There was a lot of frustration about cancellations and votes, etc., to the point where it became very difficult to conduct proper committee hearings and all the work that goes into them. I just want to make that point because it is getting extremely frustrating, to the point of dysfunctionality of committees.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Veterans AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

10:05 a.m.

Liberal

Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, entitled “Incorporating Service Dogs into the Rehabilitation Program of Veterans Affairs Canada”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Pest Control Products ActRoutine Proceedings

10:05 a.m.

Liberal

Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-287, An Act to amend the Pest Control Products Act (glyphosate).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce my private member's bill that aims to impose a complete ban on the use of glyphosate. My commitment to this issue remains the same.

I want to thank my colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche for supporting this important bill, which will be beneficial for New Brunswickers.

The widespread use of glyphosate in New Brunswick forests and across Canada is a menace to plant and wildlife biodiversity. There is a growing consensus that glyphosate is not safe to use and that there are more effective and safer alternatives. Rather than allowing toxic chemicals to be sprayed in Canada until they are proven harmful, we should be exercising greater precautions and banning products until they can be deemed safe. Canadians have the right to breathe clean air, drink safe water and harvest healthy food from the land. We have a duty to protect our ecosystems, habitats and wildlife.

I want to thank the leadership of the tens of thousands of New Brunswickers who have fought for years for this ban to be implemented in the hope of ensuring safer communities and healthier forests for generations to come.

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

Telecommunications ActRoutine Proceedings

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-288, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information).

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to table this legislation to improve access to transparent and accurate broadband service information. This legislation is a near copy of my private member's bill in the 43rd Parliament. Unfortunately, due to an unexpected election, Bill C-299 never had the opportunity to make it to second reading, despite a broad and ever-growing level of support from Canadians.

Canadians know how important access to high-quality Internet service is, but they also know that this essential service is out of reach for too many Canadians. For years, Canadians have been purchasing Internet services at sky-high prices, only to realize that the quality and speed they expected to receive are nowhere near what they actually receive. Rural Canadians, in particular, feel that they are not receiving the Internet service they are paying for. This bill would provide Canadians with more accurate and transparent information so they will have a better understanding of the Internet quality they will receive.

I sincerely look forward to working with all members of this House to advance this non-partisan legislation.

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

Criminal CodeRoutine Proceedings

June 16th, 2022 / 10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-289, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (identity verification).

Madam Speaker, Canada has a money-laundering problem. Experts say it is a $100-billion-a-year industry. This money is fuelling crime across this country and contributing to the increasing cost of real estate by increasing the demand for houses across Canada. International criminals have flocked to Canada because of our weak laws. The Cullen commission report, released just yesterday, is an indictment of Canada’s anti-money laundering regime.

This bill proposes to amend the Criminal Code to give authorities more tools to catch and convict criminals and deter money-laundering activity. This legislation has support from third parties, including Transparency International Canada, Publish What You Pay and the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and it also addresses a problem identified by the C.D. Howe Institute in a recent memo.

We need to make life more difficult for money launderers and change Canada’s reputation. I am open to amendments and look forward to working with members of all parties and the Senate to pass this bill and other legislation to fight money laundering.

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

Public Sector Integrity ActRoutine Proceedings

10:10 a.m.

Bloc

Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-290, An Act to amend the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.

Madam Speaker, today it is with great pride that I introduce the public sector integrity act, which puts some teeth into the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.

Public servants who witness wrongdoing must be able to speak out without fear, in the knowledge that their anonymity will be protected and that they will not be thrown under the bus. They need to know that they deserve thanks, not reprisal. They need to know that there will be an independent investigation into the wrongdoing reported, not just an internal review by people who may have an interest in covering it up.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates identified these issues five years ago, but the government has never addressed them. Last year, the International Bar Association found that Canada provides very little protection to its whistleblowers. Canada ranks dead last in this regard, behind countries like the Cayman Islands, Bangladesh, Rwanda, and Pakistan. That is the situation in the best country in the world.

This is what my bill addresses. It protects more people, including former public servants and contractors, and covers more cases, including political interference in the work of government professionals. It can trigger a real investigation by the Auditor General or law enforcement, because wrongdoing must be exposed, not covered up.

Public servants who expose fraud, mismanagement and undue political interference are heroes. Let us protect them.

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

Privacy CommissionerRoutine Proceedings

10:10 a.m.

Liberal

Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC

moved:

That, in accordance with subsection 53(1) of the Privacy Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. P-21, and pursuant to Standing Order 111.1(2), the House approve the appointment of Philippe Dufresne as Privacy Commissioner, for a term of seven years.

Privacy CommissionerRoutine Proceedings

10:10 a.m.

Liberal

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.

The hon. House Leader of the Official Opposition.

Privacy CommissionerRoutine Proceedings

10:10 a.m.

Conservative

John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON

Madam Speaker, I request a recorded division.

Privacy CommissionerRoutine Proceedings

10:10 a.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Madam Speaker, I ask that the vote be deferred to immediately after the time provided for Oral Questions today, in accordance with Standing Order 45(7).

Privacy CommissionerRoutine Proceedings

10:10 a.m.

Liberal

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

Is that agreed?

Privacy CommissionerRoutine Proceedings

10:10 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

SeniorsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Madam Speaker, single seniors are getting left behind in our current income tax system. I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of Single Seniors for Tax Fairness, and supported by many Canadians, who raise the glaring point that single seniors do not have the same benefits as senior couples. For instance, single seniors often forfeit the age amount tax credit, and many of their savings are declared as income upon death.

Petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to level the playing field by implementing solutions such as offering a 30% reduction in income tax to single seniors.

Indigenous AffairsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Madam Speaker, I have a second petition to present.

The Kawenní:io/Gawęní:yo immersion school plays a vital role in keeping the Haudenosaunee culture and languages alive at Six Nations of the Grand River, situated in my riding. This school does not have its own building and has had to move five times since 1985. It needs a permanent home. Unfortunately, the current situation makes it challenging to accommodate the demand, due to space limitations and health and safety regulations.

Being a strong advocate for this important cause, I am proud to present a petition that was originally signed by more than 1,500 residents, who call on the government to fund this shovel-ready project.

Climate EmergencyPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:15 a.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to present a petition on the climate emergency.

It states:

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C clearly communicates that the future of humanity is at risk without “rapid and far-reaching” changes...

We are almost exactly three years from the point when this place passed the motion, on June 18, 2019, that we were in a climate emergency.

The petitioners point out that any actions to suggest we understand this is an emergency cannot be detected from the current government response. In fact, the petitioners point out, Canada is on course to significantly overshoot the targets and to miss any chance of holding to 1.5°C. They call on all of us in Parliament and the Government of Canada to prioritize the elimination of fossil fuel emissions and to preserve a healthy environment. They call on us to eliminate single-use plastics and to commit to a rapid elimination of fossil fuels from our economy.

Electoral ReformPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:15 a.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Madam Speaker, the second petition deals with the subject of our electoral system.

Canada's electoral system has been unfair and difficult from its very inception. It is a first-past-the-post system. Under this system, our democracy is under threat.

The petitioners ask us to consider immediately putting in place a proportional representation system so Canadians will have a reason to know they can vote because every vote will count.

Copyright LawPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today to present a petition signed by a number of constituents in my riding of Perth—Wellington, namely from the city of Stratford, on the important issue of the right to repair.

PharmacarePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:15 a.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

Madam Speaker, I am presenting a petition today on behalf of several thousand Canadians who add their voices to the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who have already expressed themselves through various means asking us to take into consideration here in Parliament that there are millions of Canadians who have no access to affordable medication and hundreds of Canadians die each year because they do not have the wherewithal to pay for that medication.

As we know, these petitioners are also saying that a universal public pharmacare system would make a tremendous difference in providing medication, which is prescribed by their doctors, to Canadians right across the country. At the same time, it would save money compared to the existing system, which is full of holes and leaves millions of Canadians out. These petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to support the Canada pharmacare act, legislation that would create a universal, comprehensive and public pharmacare program for all Canadians, and to follow the recommendations set out by the Hoskins advisory council.

As we know, last year, Canada pharmacare was defeated in the House, but I am pleased to say that, with the confidence and supply agreement, the government is now obliged to present a new Canada pharmacare act next year. We believe, and these petitioners believe, that this is in the best interest of all Canadians.

Climate ChangePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:20 a.m.

Liberal

Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Madam Speaker, I am rising today to present a petition on behalf of my constituents in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. They are calling on the government to enact just transition legislation that would continue to reduce emissions while creating more green jobs and strengthening workers' rights.

I want to take a moment, publicly, to thank my constituents for their advocacy.

Charitable OrganizationsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of Canadians who are concerned about the government's use of values tests on programs and the potential that the charitable status of hospitals, houses of worship, schools, homeless shelters and other charitable organizations may be jeopardized for reasons of conscience.

They are calling upon the House of Commons to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis, without discrimination on the basis of political or religious values and without the imposition of another values test. They are calling on the House of Commons to affirm the rights of all Canadians to freedom of expression.

Human RightsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to table some petitions.

The first petition I want to table is on a very serious human rights issue. It is on the situation in Pakistan, particularly Pakistan's blasphemy law. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom notes that the blasphemy law has “contributed to egregious human rights abuses and fostered an overall atmosphere of intolerance for religious minorities that often leads to violence and discrimination.”

Petitioners particularly highlight the case of Notan Lal, the owner and principal of a private school in Ghotki, Pakistan, who was detained and charged under the blasphemy law after a student made a false accusation. Petitioners note that a very high percentage of accusations of blasphemy target minorities, such as Ahmadiyya Muslims, Hindus and Christians, and that the arrest of Notan Lal was followed by riots and a violent attack on the school, as well as on a local Hindu temple.

Petitioners also note the abduction and forced marriage of women and girls from minority communities, in particular Hindu girls from the Sindh region of Pakistan, as being an element of the human rights abuses that we are seeing.

Petitioners therefore call upon the government of Pakistan to combat the abduction and forced marriage of women and girls from minority communities, to condemn the imprisonment of Notan Lal and to condemn Pakistan's blasphemy law.

Charitable OrganizationsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Madam Speaker, the second petition is about a 2021 commitment in the Liberal election platform to politicize charitable status determinations and to strip charitable status from organizations that take positions on abortion that the Liberals do not agree with. This is similar to the values test the Liberals previously imposed on the Canada summer jobs program, which would deny funding to worthy organizations that would not check a box with respect to agreeing with the government's position on that issue.

Petitioners also note that all Canadians have a right under the charter to freedom of expression without discrimination. They therefore call on the House of Commons to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis without discrimination on the basis of political and religious values or the imposition of a values test and to affirm Canadians' rights to freedom of expression.