Debates of Sept. 28th, 2022

Indigenous Affairs

[Patrick Weiler, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, part of reconciliation means continuing to support indigenous communities across Canada. Last week, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Safety announced a historic agreement with the Siksika Nation in Alberta for self-administered policing services.

Can the Minister of Public Safety please speak to how indigenous policing agreements are advancing the government's commitment to reconciliation?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his advocacy. Last week, I was very honoured and pleased to announce, for the first time in 14 years, a new self-governing agreement that will bring back the Siksika police service.

This is the product of the work of many of my colleagues in government, and I do want to take a moment to thank Chief Ouray. I want to take a moment to thank Alberta officials who have collaborated with us on this.

This is a way in which we can ensure the advancement of the principles of reconciliation by empowering indigenous communities to lead policing initiatives so that they can protect their communities as does every other non-indigenous community across the country.

Democratic Reform

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the decisions being made right now on issues like the climate crisis and housing affordability have a tremendous bearing on the lives of young people and they deserve a say. In 2005, the current government House leader rose in this place and said, “I think that reducing the voting age to 16 represents an incredible opportunity.”

I agree, and he is in luck because in a few minutes he has a chance to vote yes and send Bill C-210, the right to vote at 16 act, off to committee.

Will he and will his government support this important bill?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I hope it does not surprise the member that I am happy to speak for the government House leader on this issue.

As members know, our government and the Prime Minister, in particular, have made very significant efforts to encourage young people to be involved in our parliamentary democracy. Our government has constantly taken steps to ensure that our democracy is open and inclusive for all people, particularly young people.

I would note that Elections Canada has also done very important work in this area.

I had a very good conversation with my colleague from Skeena—Bulkley Valley and we look forward to working with him on this important issue in the months ahead.

The Economy

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

Mr. Speaker, according to Restaurants Canada, over the last 12 months, 43% more restaurants have closed than opened. In my riding, restaurants are paying as much as three times more for food and materials. Prepandemic, vegetable oil was only $16 for 16 litres. Today, it is $53.

With businesses fighting to survive and with few tourists brave enough to visit a Canadian airport, what is the government's latest answer to curbing rampant inflation and soaring food prices, beyond reannouncing programs that may or may not come into existence in this decade?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, small businesses, particularly restaurants across the country, have seen enormous support from the people in their communities throughout this pandemic, and I thank them for ordering online and for supporting them throughout a very tough time. We have been with them and we have had their backs throughout this pandemic. I want to assure this member and owners of all small businesses and all those restaurants, just like the one I grew up in and worked in, that we have their backs and we will continue to help them through this difficult time.

Threats, Intimidation and Hateful Comments

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties and I think you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That the House strongly condemn threats, intimidation and hateful comments against parliamentarians and their families, and offer its full support to those who are victims.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

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

Okay. The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)

National Recovery Awareness Month

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

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That, in the opinion of the House, the government should designate the month of September, every year, as National Recovery Awareness Month to recognize and support Canadians recovering from addiction and to demonstrate that recovery from addiction is possible, attainable and sustainable.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

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

(Bill C-30. On the Order: Government Orders:)

September 26, 2022—Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance—second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Finance of Bill C-30, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (temporary enhancement to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit).

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 1

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and I believe if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order, special order or usual practice of the House, the motion for second reading of Bill C-30, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (temporary enhancement to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit) be deemed adopted on division, and the bill be deemed read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

All those opposed to the hon. minister's moving the motion will please say nay. 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, bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the motion proposed by my colleague in the Bloc Québécois. In light of that, and in relation to the motion we just adopted and the fact that all parliamentarians are committed to dealing with threats and intimidation, there have been discussion among the House leaders, and I hope I will receive unanimous consent for the following motion: That the House condemn the threatening remarks of Dale Smith, a member of the parliamentary press gallery, who responded through a tweet to a question proposed in the House by the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, stating, “When horses are this lame, you shoot them.”

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

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

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties, and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion: That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, the motion for second reading of Bill C-22, an act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act, be deemed adopted on division, deemed read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

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

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[Jake Stewart, Conservative, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

A March 2022 report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer shows the carbon tax will be a net cost to Canadian families. I am seeking unanimous consent to table this report, because today in question period the official opposition cited this. I am sure everybody will support it. The tax is a net cost to Canadians.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It is pretty obvious there was no consent on that one.

The House resumed from September 27 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Carbon Tax

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:24 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, the House will now proceed to the deferred recorded division on the motion of the Leader of the Opposition relating to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #176