Debates of June 17th, 2022

Indigenous Affairs

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Madam Speaker, on a point of order arising out of question period, I take the parliamentary secretary's explanation to mean that I should aid him and the House, so I am seeking the unanimous consent of the House to table an access to information request with the information regarding General Bajwa and the trip to Canada for $50,000 that was to be approved.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

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

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

Government Response to Petitions

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate)]

Madam 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.

Criminal Code

[David Lametti, Liberal, Minister of Justice]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-28, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (self-induced extreme intoxication).

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

Status of Women

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, entitled “Towards a Violence-Free Canada: Addressing and Eliminating Intimate Partner and Family Violence”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

I would like to thank our clerk, Alexie Labelle; our analysts, Clare Annett and Dominique Montpetit; our hard-working translation team; the staff; and all members of the committee. Everyone worked tirelessly on this study and on the report. I want to especially thank witnesses who appeared and submitted briefs.

Talking about intimate partner violence is not easy, but it is critical to building a violence-free Canada.

Criminal Code

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-291, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (child sexual abuse material).

Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise to introduce my private member's bill, an act to amend the Criminal Code.

First, I want to thank the bill's author and seconder, the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo. The private members' draw resulted in my name being drawn much earlier than that of the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, so we agreed to use my earlier draw to get this bill tabled, and hopefully passed, in Parliament.

My hon. colleague's experience as a prosecutor brought to light the issue of how the Criminal Code uses the term “child pornography”. The term “child pornography” sanitizes what children go through, having never given consent. Child victims will have their victimization live on in perpetuity, and the words used in the Criminal Code must reflect the seriousness of this so that it is correctly understood within and throughout the judicial system.

This is a simple but necessary bill. It would simply change the name of “child pornography” to “child sexual abuse material”. That is all.

Words matter. “Pornography” is used to describe media depicting or describing consenting adults. Children can never consent to sexual activity with adults. That is why any sexualized depiction of children must be called what it is: abuse.

I call on all members of the House to support the prompt passage of this bill.

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

Online Algorithm Transparency Act

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-292, An Act respecting transparency for online algorithms.

Madam Speaker, with thanks to my seconder, the member for Hamilton Centre, today I am tabling an important bill, Bill C-292, an act respecting transparency for online algorithms.

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that online platforms do not use algorithms and personal information to discriminate against anyone. This legislation is particularly timely, because as we have seen during this pandemic, there has been an unprecedented rise in online hate, disinformation and right-wing extremism.

For years, online platforms have been using algorithms to discriminate, to make predictions or decisions about a user and to direct information by amplifying or promoting content to that user. The online algorithm transparency act would require transparency and accountability in all algorithms that are used.

Other jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, the European Union and New Zealand, are looking at implementing similar legislation. Of course, Senator Ed Markey has sponsored a landmark bill in the U.S. Senate. Anti-hate organizations are also calling for algorithm transparency.

I urge all members of Parliament to support this important legislation.

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

Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-293, An Act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness.

Madam Speaker, I am introducing the pandemic prevention and preparedness act because the last two years have been impossibly hard for all of us. The costs of prevention and preparedness are insignificant in comparison with the significant human and economic costs of a pandemic. The purpose of this act is to prevent the risk of, and prepare for, future pandemics and to promote transparency and accountability toward that goal.

Specifically, the bill would require the health minister to collaborate with other ministers, other levels of government and indigenous communities to develop a pandemic prevention and preparedness plan and table an updated plan in Parliament on a regular basis. There are factors that the minister would have to consider in the course of that plan, and those factors are informed by UNEP, IPIS, the independent panel and other experts. The minister would also have to establish an advisory committee to review and learn the lessons of our COVID response, and appoint a national pandemic prevention and preparedness coordinator.

We need to do all that we can to prevent and prepare for future pandemics, and this bill would ensure that this obligation remains in focus for any future government in the years ahead.

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

Copyright Act

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-294, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (interoperability).

Madam Speaker, today I am here in support of Canadian consumers as well as the countless innovators who work in our industry across the country.

Bill C-294 would provide a clear and limited exemption to consumers and product innovators who simply wish to enable their device or machinery to interoperate with other equipment, as they were once able to do. Right now, they run into a problem with doing this under the Copyright Act. Section 41 was passed back in 2012 to legally enforce technological protection measures, but 10 years later, technology has changed a lot and we see a much different landscape with the types of products available.

Many devices and machinery now include software, and that is how some companies try to block interoperability for users and small competitors alike. I have seen first-hand how this issue plays out with our farmers and manufacturers.

Interoperability is important for a lot of other industries as well. There is a special business near Frontier, Saskatchewan, called Honey Bee Manufacturing. It is a short-line manufacturer of farm equipment. I would be happy to share its success story when we discuss this bill in greater detail, but what I will say for now is that it is a source of creativity and innovation in the field. It is also the lifeblood that is keeping a small rural community alive.

There are other stories like this, and there is no reason to shut them down. Canada has been the home of many remarkable advances. We should never discourage new ones from happening now or in the future. If we make a small adjustment in the law, Canadian creativity will do the rest. We can support consumers and innovators while upholding our copyright framework, and I hope all members will help in doing that.

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

Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Act

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

moved for leave to introduce Bill S-10, An Act to give effect to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, to amend the Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act and the Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts.

(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)

Old Age Security

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to present two petitions on the same subject, which I am proud to sponsor.

These petitions were signed by almost 7,000 citizens across the country and formally call on the Canadian government to significantly increase old age security payments starting immediately so that all eligible seniors aged 65 and over can receive an additional $110 a month.

The signatories to these petitions believe that the federal government is discriminating by increasing old age security only for seniors aged 75 and over. This request is all the more reasonable given today's runaway inflation, which disproportionately affects seniors of all ages, not just those aged 75 and over.

Powell River Salmon Society

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud today to be tabling another petition. I have tabled many of these in the House of Commons. This petition is really from the members of the Powell River region, who are very dedicated to their community hatchery and the incredible work that they do there.

What the members are asking is that the Canadian government understand that they have not seen a single increase in any resources since 1982, and that makes it increasingly hard for them to carry out Pacific salmon enhancement, conservation and educational activities. They really need to see an increase in resources to help them stabilize and support all the people who rely on Pacific salmon in our communities.

They are also very concerned that there is not proper representation of coastal communities by DFO staff and that a lot of the work they do is not supported meaningfully because there are just not enough staff from DFO. They appreciate the work done by the staff, but they recognize that many more are needed to help protect the waterways of our region.

Long-term Care

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present two petitions.

The first is on long-term care. I rise to present this petition on behalf of Canadians who are concerned about conditions in for-profit long-term care, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The petitioners are calling on the government to research and support alternative and co-operative models of care. They are asking the government to consult and identify the types of multi-stakeholder co-ops that would ensure quality care, and to implement this new model of care within 24 months of research completion.

Corporate Social Responsibility

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is on human rights and environmental due diligence.

I am presenting a petition on behalf of Canadians who are concerned that Canadian companies are contributing to human rights abuses and environmental damage around the world.

The petitioners note that indigenous people, women and marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted. They call on the House to adopt human rights and environmental due diligence legislation that would require Canadian companies to prevent human rights abuses, would result in meaningful consequences for companies and would establish a legal right for people who have been harmed to seek justice in Canadian courts.

Vaccine Mandates

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are calling for the government to lift all federal COVID-19 restrictions and restore personal and health freedoms.

Canadian provinces and businesses, along with other countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Israel, have lifted all of their COVID-19 restrictions.

The government says it is following the science and admits that it is now safe to sit next to someone who has not been vaccinated on a plane. However, it claims that it is dangerous for a trucker, travelling alone, to cross the border without being vaccinated. That is ridiculous.

I agree with the people who signed my petition to lift all the COVID-19 restrictions.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, perhaps now would be a good time to remind members, including seasoned members, that during petitions we are supposed to be presenting on behalf of those who have petitioned the government and Parliament, rather than providing our own personal commentary, which is unfortunately what the member for Carleton strayed into.

[The Acting Speaker, Bloc, Gabriel Ste-Marie]

That is a point of debate, in my opinion.

The hon. member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, members in this place present petitions to speak to the petitioners and to speak to all Canadians in presenting it. The member opposite raised what the Speaker just identified was a point of debate. The Speaker said it was a point of debate, and that is not my assertion but that of the Speaker.

In fairness to the member for Carleton, I would ask that he be given leave to re-present his petition, as it was interrupted by the parliamentary secretary.

[The Acting Speaker, Bloc, Gabriel Ste-Marie]

I thank the hon. member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes for his intervention.

I want to remind all hon. members that, when presenting petitions in the House, they must try to avoid giving their opinion on it.

The hon. member for Carleton.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that my microphone was off while I was presenting the petition. I am wondering if I could present it again.

[The Acting Speaker, Bloc, Gabriel Ste-Marie]

The hon. member has 10 seconds to finish presenting his petition.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people who signed my petition to immediately end all federal COVID-19 restrictions and restore freedom for all Canadians. That is what Canadians want, it is what the science supports, and it is what other countries are doing. It is time to do this for all Canadians. It is time for the restrictions to be lifted permanently, not just suspended, for everyone.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate)]

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 533 and 538.

Question No.533—

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

With regard to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' execution of contests since 2016: (a) how many contests has the department executed; (b) what was the nature of each contest; (c) who was the winner of each contest; (d) what monies or other prizes were awarded to the contest winners; and (e) how did the department publicly communicate the openings and results of the contests?