Debates of Oct. 31st, 2023

House of Commons Hansard #243 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was quebec.

Topics

This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Petitions

Prince Edward Point commercial fishing leases

End animal use military training

Credentials for health care workers

Jail not bail for offenders

Safe third country agreement suspension

Family sponsorship program improvements

Natural health products regulations

Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in Canada

Opposition Motion—Immigration Threshold and Integration Capacity Members debate a Bloc motion to review immigration targets starting in 2024, based on integration capacity after consultation with Quebec, provinces, and territories. They discuss challenges like housing, health care, education, and processing backlogs. The Bloc argues current targets exceed capacity and consultation is lacking. Liberals state consultations occur and targets are needed for the economy, while addressing integration. Conservatives criticize Liberal mismanagement. NDP blame past Liberal/Conservative housing policies. 30000 words, 4 hours.

Statements by Members

Bitcoin's 15th anniversary

Carbon tax affecting Yukon residents

Coalition of Muslim Women Gala

Constable Jessica Bonneville receives award

Productions Les 2 vallées commended

Food insecurity across Canada

Remembering Sam Russo

Afghan-Canadian community leaders meeting

Carbon tax and Atlantic Canada

Poppy Campaign and the Deon family

Carbon tax impacting Quebecers

Carbon tax and Manitoba concerns

Stem cell transplants needed

Condemnation of Hamas and call for ceasefire

Jean-Luc Barthe, mayor, acknowledged

Corruption at Sustainable Development Technologies Canada

Conservatives' inaccurate statements

Speaker interrupts statement

Conservatives tearing down Canadian institutions

Speaker on decorum in the House

Question Period

The Conservatives criticize the Prime Minister's divisive carbon tax flip-flop, creating "two classes of Canadians" by pausing the tax for some but not others, especially those heating with natural gas. They argue the tax drives up costs and inflation, makes life unaffordable, and call on the government to axe the tax for all Canadians. They suggest a "carbon tax election".

The Liberals focus on their plan to fight climate change and address affordability, notably through phasing out home heating oil and providing free heat pumps for low-income families. They defend the price on pollution, stating rebates help eight out of 10 households. They also discuss immigration policy, the situation in Gaza, and supporting Canadian athletes.

The Bloc criticize the government for announcing immigration thresholds tomorrow without consulting Quebec on integration capacity. They also call for deferring repayment of SME pandemic loans.

The NDP criticize the government's divisive home heating policy, calling for the GST to be removed from all home heating. They raise concerns about expediting immigration for Gaza, the need for anti-scab legislation for workers, cuts to northern housing subsidies, and the housing crisis, urging public investment.

Opposition Motion—Immigration Thresholds and Integration Capacity Members debate a Bloc motion calling to review 2024 immigration targets. The motion stresses consulting provinces and territories based on integration capacity including housing, health, and French language training for successful immigration. Bloc members highlight Quebec's unique concerns and distinctiveness, criticizing federal targets. Liberals defend consultations and immigration's benefits, while Conservatives and NDP raise issues like the 2.2 million application backlog and the housing crisis. 13600 words, 2 hours.

Health of Animals Act Report stage of Bill C-275. The bill amends the Health of Animals Act to increase penalties for unlawful entry onto farms, aiming to protect biosecurity, animal health, and farmers. Proponents say it deters illegal activism without hindering lawful protest or whistle-blowing. Critics argue it encroaches on provincial trespass jurisdiction and should apply biosecurity rules to all visitors. 7900 words, 1 hour.

Adjournment Debates

Unaffordable housing crisis Kyle Seeback criticizes the Liberal government's record on housing, blaming their inflationary spending for high interest rates and unaffordable housing. Peter Fragiskatos defends the government's efforts to increase housing supply, including lifting the GST on apartment construction and working with municipalities. Seeback argues these measures are insufficient.

Refugee support in Toronto Kevin Vuong questions if the government will provide Toronto with financial support for refugees and asylum seekers, given last summer's issues. Paul Chiang says the government is committed to helping refugees, citing financial support to provinces and municipalities and working with Toronto.

Windfall tax on oil companies Mike Morrice calls for a windfall profit tax on oil and gas companies, citing climate concerns and industry profiteering. Paul Chiang defends the government's climate action and tax fairness measures, but does not commit to a windfall tax. Morrice questions why the "Canada recovery dividend" isn't applied to oil and gas.

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Climate ChangeAdjournment Proceedings

7:10 p.m.

Green

Mike Morrice Green Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, in the limited time I have, I am going to put to the side the mention by the parliamentary secretary about so-called inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, which is one way of saying that the government is going to continue to subsidize the very industry that is making these record-breaking profits. Instead, I will focus on our point of alignment, that is, his mention of the Canada recovery dividend. As we heard from the parliamentary secretary, this is a measure that the government has already taken. It has done so with banks and life insurance companies already, recognizing that there was over-the-top profiteering happening there.

As I mentioned earlier, we know the same thing is happening with oil and gas, amounting to $38 billion a year among the five largest companies alone. At this time, in the midst of a climate crisis when these companies are gouging Canadians at the pumps, why would we not apply that same Canada recovery dividend to them?

Climate ChangeAdjournment Proceedings

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Chiang Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON

Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to both fighting climate change and addressing tax fairness. We have already taken actions to build our green economy and to ensure that all pay their fair share of taxes. We have taken steps to close loopholes, combat tax evasion and ensure that the wealthiest pay their fair share.

Climate ChangeAdjournment Proceedings

October 31st, 2023 / 7:10 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Before I close here today, I just want to thank everyone for wishing me a happy birthday. I also want to wish a happy birthday to the hon. member for Etobicoke North. I know we share a birthday and I am looking forward to seeing her very soon.

The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7:13 p.m.)