Debates of June 23rd, 2022

Public Safety

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, RCMP Superintendent Campbell is an honest officer with a solid reputation. Former commissioners, deputy commissioners and other RCMP veterans from across Canada are speaking up to defend the man's character.

Campbell's notes show that his team of investigators was under political pressure and interference from Brenda Lucki on behalf of the Prime Minister and the former minister of public safety, but this Ottawa gang has denied it meddled in the most tragic crime in Nova Scotia's history. It is never the crime; it is always the cover-up.

Someone is lying and it is not Campbell. Is it Lucki, the Prime Minister, the former minister or all three?

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

Mr. Speaker, we make no comment whatsoever on a conversation between the commissioner and her subordinates. I have no reason to, and I will not question, and have not questioned, the superintendent's integrity.

I would remind my colleagues that there is an independent public inquiry currently under way in Nova Scotia, the Mass Casualty Commission. The issues of how communications were done are being addressed, and witnesses will be called to testify under oath. The Mass Casualty Commission and its work are important to victims' families in Nova Scotia, and we support its important work.

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, what do Mark Norman, Jody Wilson-Raybould and Darren Campbell all have in common? They spoke truth to power and their reputations were attacked, but not before the Liberals gaslit Canadians about their underhanded role in manipulating the criminal justice system. In Campbell's case, the Prime Minister, the former minister and the RCMP commissioner are staying true to form. They have all lined up a fall guy, but Canadians will not buy it this time.

When will the good guys stop paying the price, and when will the Liberals stop manipulating the criminal justice system to suit their crass political self-interests?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would state that any criticism of Superintendent Campbell is crass political self-interest from the member opposite. There has been no criticism of Superintendent Campbell, just a simple statement of fact. The simple statement of fact is that there was no interference in this case. The commissioner has confirmed it. There was no interference, no pressure, no promise.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Once again, I would like to remind hon. members that, when they are accusing someone, I can hear the shouting. It is easy to narrow that down to about three or four voices, and one in particular. I do not want to hear that accusation again.

The hon. member for Richmond Hill.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Majid Jowhari, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has a long and proud history of welcoming newcomers with open arms. There are several amazing organizations in my riding of Richmond Hill that provide support services to help people settle into their new community. It takes immense bravery to move to a new country. While this choice is typically made by adults, we know that newcomer children and youth can also be deeply impacted.

This is especially the case for young people who arrive to Canada as refugees. Can the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tell us what actions are being taken to ensure that newcomer children and youth have access to culturally sensitive mental health supports?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, who, I would note, is a champion for mental health and has been since the day that I met him.

Children who are fleeing war are among the most vulnerable people in the world. I am so pleased to share that, earlier this week, I was able to announce that through a partnership with the Kids Help Phone it going to be providing services in Pashto, Dari, Ukrainian and Russian for newcomers from Afghanistan and Ukraine who are seeking services and need mental health supports in our communities.

I am so proud because this is part of a $2-million project. Over the next couple of years, it is going to see the Kids Help Phone expand its services into over 100 different languages to serve Canadians and newcomers to our communities. I am so proud of this investment. Once again, I want to thank my colleague for his advocacy for mental health, in particular for refugee children in Canada.

Natural Resources

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals should never have bought the Trans Mountain pipeline. It threatens our climate and our coasts, and now the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the government's own watchdog, has confirmed it will lose money. Unbelievably, the Liberals promised to use the profits from TMX to fight the climate crisis. What is their excuse now?

Losing money is not a plan to fund climate action. This pipeline has always been a lose-lose for Canadians and a failure for the Liberals. Therefore, why does the Prime Minister keep doubling down on this economic and environmental boondoggle?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, as Canadians, we know how important it is to get our resources to market and to get fair value for them. Russia's war in Ukraine is yet another reason Canada needs to be concerned about energy security for ourselves and for our allies. The government does not intend to be the long-term owner of this project. A de-investment process will be initiated once the project is more advanced, de-risked and, critically, when consultations with indigenous peoples are completed.

The Economy

[Kevin Vuong, Independent, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, fuel costs continue to soar. Inflation and food prices are at their highest in 40 years. With Canadians facing unprecedented struggles to get by, the government reverts to reannouncements of programs. Government smoke and mirrors will not pay the mortgage or rent, nor will they put food on the table.

Will the government eliminate its disgraceful triple-dipping tax on gas? President Biden has asked for a three-month federal gas tax holiday. Has the government clued in on this? Is it going to do anything?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question because it gives me a chance to talk to Canadians about the measures we have in place to help them with affordability. This year, there will be a $500 payment to help Canadians who are facing challenges with housing affordability because we know that is a real challenge for many. This year, the OAS is going to increase by 10%. That means seniors 75 and older will get an additional $815.

Air India Flight 182

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand that there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of Air India Flight 182. I now invite hon. members to rise.

[A moment of silence observed]

The House resumed from June 22 consideration of the motion that Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), be read the second time and referred to a committee, of the amendment and of the amendment to the amendment.

Criminal Code

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 25, 2021, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment to the amendment to the motion for second reading of Bill C‑21.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the amendment to the amendment, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #172

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the amendment to the amendment defeated.

The next question is on the amendment.

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. government whip.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I wish all Quebeckers a happy national holiday tomorrow. I believe that if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to apply the results from the previous vote to this vote, with the Liberal members voting against.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives agree to apply and will be voting in favour of the motion.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the results of the previous vote and will be voting against.

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

Mr. Speaker, the NDP agrees to apply and will be voting nay.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Green Party agrees to apply the results of the previous vote and will be voting against.

[Kevin Vuong, Independent, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I agree to apply the results of the previous vote, and will be voting against.

(The House divided on the amendment, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #173

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the amendment defeated.

The next question is on the motion.

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. government whip.