Debates of June 20th, 2022

Justice

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

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank my colleague from Saint-Laurent for her question and for her dedication to this issue.

I want to clarify one very important point: Being intoxicated is not a defence for criminal acts such as sexual assault. That was the law before the Supreme Court decisions and it is still the law today.

Bill C-28 amends the Criminal Code so that in the rare case of extreme intoxication, someone in a state of negligent self-induced extreme intoxication can be criminally responsible.

We will continue to build a justice system that is more effective, fairer, and worthy of victims' trust.

Sport

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Hockey Canada got $14 million in federal funding during the pandemic. In 2018, the Minister of Sport at the time said that organizations were required to disclose allegations of abuse and harassment or they would lose their federal funding. Such behaviours should never be kept quiet.

Will the minister be taking Hockey Canada's funding back?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by saying that, as a woman and a former athlete, I was horrified and disgusted by what I read in the media about allegations against Hockey Canada players.

A financial audit of Hockey Canada's expenses and the use of public funds is under way. Regardless of the amount Hockey Canada received, we will not tolerate funds being used for purposes other than those set out in the contribution agreement between Sport Canada and Hockey Canada. If the agreement was violated, we will take appropriate measures.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have been shaken by reports of Hockey Canada's involvement in alleged sexual assaults and cover-ups.

Hockey Canada is an organization that received $8.3 million from the federal government last year and paid no income tax, despite having a surplus of $13.2 million. What action has the government taken to ensure sports organizations receiving federal funds, grants and contributions are taking real action to prevent sexual assaults, harassment and cover-ups?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, I want to start by saying that I was absolutely horrified and disgusted when I read the stories in the newspapers.

As a woman and an ex-athlete, I want Hockey Canada to answer all legitimate questions around its actions. A financial audit is currently under way to shed light on Hockey Canada's funding and use of public money. We will not tolerate any amount of money being spent on anything other than what was agreed upon in the contribution agreement between Sport Canada and Hockey Canada. If the agreement has not been respected, we will then take the appropriate actions.

Public Safety

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there was a landslide last week in La Baie, a community in my riding. One home was destroyed. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. We remain on alert and could face additional landslides at any time. Eighty families have been evacuated so far. The situation is critical, and residents need to feel supported.

Will the minister be there for those residents and is he prepared to co-operate if the Quebec government requests his assistance?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend from Chicoutimi—Le Fjord for his question and the conversation we had about making sure that the Government of Canada is there to serve the people affected by the landslides in Saguenay. I want to assure him and this House that our officials are engaged with our provincial counterparts. As the situation evolves, we stand ready to provide federal assistance when it is required by the people of Saguenay and the people of Quebec.

Tourism Industry

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, today marks another step in easing restrictions at the border, including dropping the vaccine mandate for outbound and domestic flights. This is certainly welcome news for the tourism industry, both in the Yukon, Canada's greatest tourism destination, and around the country, as we see the tourism sector begin to recover after two years of struggle. Tourists are on the move once more.

Can the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance tell this House how our government is supporting the tourism sector?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague from Yukon for his exceptional work on the file.

Unlike the side opposite in this House, our government has supported the tourism sector right from the beginning. We invested $23 billion to make sure the tourism sector could come roaring back after the pandemic. The Conservatives opposed us at every single step. We are sitting down with stakeholders and people across the sector—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I happen to be sitting next to someone who has a very loud voice, and I am sure he does not want me to identify him. I am going to ask him to keep it down so we can hear the answer, and so that I can hear the answer as well.

The hon. minister.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank my hon. colleague from Yukon for his exceptional work on the file.

Unlike the other side of this House, our government has supported the tourism sector through the pandemic, with $23 billion in investments so that the sector could come roaring back. The Conservatives opposed us every step of the way. We are now meeting with stakeholders across the country to build a federal tourism growth strategy. We are going to make sure that the tourism sector comes roaring back and that we welcome the world to Canada. The Conservatives do not like it, but we do and so does the tourism sector.

The Environment

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are worried about plastic pollution. They want progress on banning single-use items to keep our coastlines clear and to protect human health. The Liberals broke their promise to ban single-use items by 2021, and now the proposed ban would cover less than 1% of plastics. It does not even include items like coffee cups, lids, cigarette butts and other harmful plastics. Plastic pollution is threatening our oceans, our wildlife and our health.

Will the minister start showing some environmental leadership and expand the ban on single-use plastics?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we promised Canadians we would deliver a ban on single-use plastics, and today that is exactly what we have done. By the end of the year, we will not be able to manufacture or import these harmful plastics. After that, businesses will begin offering the sustainable solutions Canadians want. We are taking a historic step forward, and with these new regulations we are reducing plastic pollution and keeping our communities, and the places we love, clean for now and for future generations.

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

Mr. Speaker, the latest IPCC report advanced the clock on “too late”. To have any hope of holding to 1.5°C or even 2°C, global emissions must peak before 2025 and drop rapidly from there to roughly half by 2030. Net zero by 2050 will not make any difference without deep cuts before 2025. We are 30 months from too late. When we get back here in September, we will have 28 months, yet the government continues to approve fossil fuel expansion.

Who would care, in this place, to explain this madness?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we tabled an emissions reductions plan that is ambitious and achievable. It goes sector by sector to create a path for Canadians to reach our 2030 climate projections. It is a detailed plan that goes through each economic sector, and it has been supported by environmental groups right across our country. We are working very hard and take this issue very seriously. We will continue to do what is needed to reach our emissions projections.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

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

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the Honourable John Hogan, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

The House resumed from June 17 consideration of Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, as reported (with amendments) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.

Online Streaming Act

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:12 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 25, 2021, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the motions at the report stage of Bill C-11.

Call in the members.

The question is on Motion No. 1.

A vote on this motion also applies to Motion No. 3.

(The House divided on Motion No. 1, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #158

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare Motion No. 1 defeated. I therefore declare Motion No. 3 defeated as well.

The question is on Motion No. 2. Shall I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

[Chair read text of motion to House]