House of Commons Hansard #254 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was conservative.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Motion That Debate Be Not Further Adjourned Members debate a motion to limit further debate on Bill C-56. Liberals argue the bill is urgent to address housing and affordability and increase competition, accusing Conservatives of being the "block everything" party. Conservatives criticize the government's economic record and debt servicing costs, questioning the bill's effectiveness and the government's delay in acting. 4800 words, 30 minutes.
Consideration of Government Business No. 30 Members debate Bill C-56, which proposes removing the GST on new rental housing and strengthening the Competition Act to address affordability and competition issues, particularly in the grocery sector. Liberals argue the bill is substantial and necessary, while Conservatives criticize it as insufficient and blame government spending and the carbon tax for high costs and the housing crisis. The debate also touches on the Conservative vote against the Canada-Ukraine trade agreement and the government's use of time allocation for the bill. 16200 words, 2 hours.
Government Business No. 30—Proceedings on Bill C-56 Members debate Bill C-56, the "affordable housing and groceries act," and a motion limiting debate. The bill proposes removing the GST on new rental housing and strengthening the Competition Act. Members discuss the ongoing affordability crisis, including rising housing and grocery costs. Parties attribute the crisis to different factors like government spending, carbon tax, or corporate profits, debating the bill's effectiveness and the pace of government action. 30300 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Act Second reading of Bill S-210. The bill aims to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material by requiring age verification on pornographic websites. MPs discussed the harmful impact of pornography on youth mental health and development, the need for effective verification methods that protect privacy, and challenges like VPNs. Multiple parties support the goal of protecting children. 8200 words, 1 hour.
Affordable Housing and Groceries Act Second reading of Bill C-56. The bill C-56] amends the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act. It proposes a [GST exemption on purpose-built rentals for new construction to boost supply. It also reforms competition law to strengthen the Competition Bureau's powers, broaden prohibited anti-competitive practices, and make mergers more difficult. Liberals say it will help build housing and bring relief. Conservatives claim it copies their ideas, is delayed, and won't lower grocery prices, blaming government spending for affordability issues. The Bloc and NDP support the competition changes but criticize the bill's limited scope on housing affordability and the use of a closure motion. 17900 words, 3 hours.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, since this is time allocated, I am happy to be up here as long as they want me to be, through points of order. I am happy to be here until 11 o'clock or whenever the next series of votes happens.
The hon. member from Newfoundland, from the Conservative Party, was and still is yelling at the top of his lungs. I guess it is his first day here. He does not know that it is not his turn. He is from the island of Newfoundland. He is from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador—
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
When it is time for questions and comments, I will put the hon. member for Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame up first. I will make sure he gets an opportunity to ask the hon. member a question.
The hon. parliamentary secretary.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, to be clear, I am sure the member for Avalon will back me up on this. It is the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, but I believe the hon. member is from the Island of Newfoundland proper. I am sure he will yell out something a little later.
Clearly, the embarrassment is real for what the Conservatives have done and how they have betrayed Ukraine. It is absolutely shameful.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
That is a good point from my colleague, Mr. Speaker, that MAGA politics are making their way into the Conservative Party. It is an embarrassment.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to respond to all the comments. I was going to move on, but it is clear that the Conservative Party is getting upset any time we mention Ukraine. We cannot mention Ukraine, because they are going to get—
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
We have a point of order from the hon. member for Calgary Rocky Ridge.
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is a rule in the House that we address the matter at hand, which is the bill up for debate. I would ask you to bring this member to order. We have had enough of this nonsense. He is spreading misinformation, which is not unlike what we see coming out of the Kremlin. I would like him to bring it back to the matter at hand.
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
We should all try to stick to the bill we are debating. We are later in the day than normal, so maybe people are getting tired.
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We are not allowed, according to the government's Speaker in the chair, to do something indirectly that we cannot do directly. This has happened over and over today, and now this speaker is challenging my Canadian-Ukrainian heritage on this side of the floor, as though somehow, because I made a choice in the House to vote a different way than he did, he has the right to stand here to challenge—
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
I said “he”.
Mr. Speaker, he is challenging my heritage. My grandfather came to this country just before the Holodomor took place. I would encourage him to get off of his rant—
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
I want to shut this down as soon as I possibly can because I want to get on with the orders of the day.
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, on the same point of order, I listened very attentively, and there was no challenge to the member's heritage. There was a challenge of her vote, and that is something that she—
Bill C-56 Affordable Housing and Groceries ActGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
I thank the hon. member for his intervention.
I will say that members should be judicious in their discussions here tonight and stick to the debate on Bill C-56 as it is before us. If there were fewer attempts to create a diversion in the House, that would be wonderful.
The hon. member for St. Catharines.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is funny because I have been sitting here all afternoon and not one Conservative member has actually talked about what is in the bill. Not one of them has, yet any point—
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am responding to their heckles, and the hon. member for Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner is screaming at the top of his lungs because he does not want me to—
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It is a common practice of the House to allow members to withdraw a comment when they make misleading or false statements.
The member said that no Conservative had addressed this bill in debate today. That is untrue. The member for Prince Albert addressed it quite well in his speech not that long ago. I invite the member to withdraw his comment and apologize for misleading the House.
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
I will say that the hon. member for Prince Albert did speak to it. The hon. member for St. Catharines could maybe withdraw just that piece and get back to the bill at hand.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, that was the member who said that the government had no business in the place of housing. The speeches I have heard have not been relevant to the—
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
I did ask the member to withdraw that piece in which he said that no one has spoken to it because the member for Prince Albert has spoken to it.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw that with respect to the hon. member for Prince Albert. Wow, the skin is thin.
Back to the point—