Debates of Nov. 27th, 2023

Justice

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development recently recognized Canada as a world leader for its national action plan to end gender-based violence. One important component of that plan is a better justice system.

It was not so long ago that a judge presiding over a rape trial asked the victim why she could not just keep her knees together. The Conservatives at the time gave that judge a promotion.

Can the Minister of Justice share the progress that has been made since that Stone-Age response?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question and her commitment.

Gender-based violence is an epidemic in Canada. We recently passed Bill S‑12 to improve the national sex offender registry and give victims more power in the criminal justice process. We also passed a bill that guarantees that judges will receive sexual assault training.

We will continue to fight against gender-based violence so that all Canadians, both men and women, can be safe and feel safe.

Automotive Industry

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, nearly $50 billion of taxpayers' money is subsidizing three battery plants. That is nearly $3,000 for every Canadian family. We have learned that hundreds of workers who will receive this money will be foreign replacement workers. We expected Canadians' money to be used to fund unionized, well-paying jobs for Canadians and Quebeckers. Instead, this money will be used to hire 900 foreign replacement workers in Windsor and hundreds more in Saint‑Basile‑le‑Grand and McMasterville.

After eight years, why has the Prime Minister failed to secure Quebec jobs in Montérégie?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians watching at home must be wondering what is going on.

One thing they see is that the Conservatives were against Volkswagen's investment. They were against Stellantis' investment. They were against GM's investment. They were against Ford's investment. Now we have just learned that they are against Northvolt's investment in Quebec.

With Stellantis' record $3.4‑billion investment in Windsor, we will create 2,500 jobs. Up to 2,300 Canadian workers will build the plant.

We believe in the automotive industry. We believe in our workers. We believe in Canada's prosperity.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell the Quebeckers watching us on television right now that the Liberals are doing everything in their power to keep Quebeckers from finding out the truth about contracts.

First, a Liberal minister said that there would be just one foreign replacement worker in Windsor. That changed to a handful. Then the chief of police said there would be 1,600 foreign workers. Radio-Canada added to the story when it reported that hundreds of foreign workers would be replacing Quebeckers in jobs subsidized by Quebec taxpayers in Montérégie.

This Prime Minister is not worth the cost. I challenge him to make the contracts public. Will he do it?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, people watching at home are realizing what a risky bet the Conservatives are.

When the leader of the Conservative Party was the minister of employment, Canada lost not 3,000, not 30,000, but 300,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

One thing Canadians know without a doubt is that we are with them. With Stellantis' record $3.4‑billion investment, we are going to build one of the largest battery industries around. There will be 2,500 workers working at the plant and up to 2,300 building it.

We believe in workers and we believe in Canada.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after learning that this government has earmarked $15 billion in public money to fund foreign workers in Windsor, now we learn that Northvolt in Quebec will also need foreign workers. We are talking about another $7 billion in taxpayers' money.

The Liberals said there would be only a small number of employees. We are now talking about several hundred employees. We need to get to the truth.

This Prime Minister has failed to protect jobs for Quebeckers. He must make the battery plants contracts public.

When will he make them public?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, I know people watching at home are wondering what is really going on. It is simple.

Thanks to our government's efforts, we have secured the largest private investment in the history of Quebec. For once, Canada is entering the automotive sector through the front door. Everyone in the House should stand up and applaud. Quebec will now be part of the automotive industry and Quebec will have a battery industry.

We should all be proud of what Quebec and Canada can accomplish. Let us be proud.

Gender-Based Violence

[Jean Yip, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. As a mother of three young men, I raised my boys to be respectful of women and to recognize that eliminating gender-based violence is an issue for all people, regardless of gender.

Can the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth please provide an update on how we can raise boys and young men to be champions of women and support ending gender-based violence?

[Marci Ien, Liberal, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth]

Mr. Speaker, the fight to end gender-based violence will not end unless men and boys are involved. Since we launched the national action plan to end gender-based violence, we have funded organizations such as White Ribbon that work every day to make sure men and boys are involved in this fight.

Gender-based violence must not and will not be tolerated. All of us can make that a reality.

Housing

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, the federal housing advocate says the government fell short in building homes across the country. Under the Liberals, too many indigenous people everywhere, especially in cities, are homeless or sleeping in overcrowded houses. They have failed to uphold indigenous people's basic rights.

Thanks to the NDP, the government announced $4 billion over seven years for housing, but indigenous people are still waiting. Why have the Liberals not released all of this urgently needed funding to respect indigenous people's right to housing?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Minister of Northern Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her advocacy on this and many other issues in the north.

We agree with the finding of Canada's housing minister that Canada's colonial history is the absolute cause of the oppression of the Inuit, as well as first nations and Métis. That is why we are on the road to reconciliation with our indigenous partners.

We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in housing in Inuit Nunangat, but we know there is more to do. We will keep doing it in the spirit of co-development and in the spirit of reconciliation.

Climate Change

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while other countries get set to up their climate ambitions before COP28, Canada is getting singled out for the massive gap between our words and our actions, and the federal government's home energy retrofits grant program is running out of money. The greener homes grant program could easily be funded and expanded simply by taxing the record-breaking profits of the oil and gas industry.

Will the government expand the successful program to support Canadians struggling with the rising cost of living?

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

Mr. Speaker, transitioning the way people heat their homes is not only important for the environment but makes life more affordable. That is why it is so important that our government created the oil and heat pump program, which is helping people right across our country who rely on oil to transition to heat pump heating. That is going to reduce their bills going forward.

More than that, the greener homes grant has been amazingly successful. It has been wonderful to see so many Canadians take advantage of this program. I agree with the member that it is a very important part of what our government has been doing.

Oral Questions—Speaker's Ruling

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am now ready to rule on the point of order raised on November 23, 2023, by the member for Edmonton Strathcona concerning language used by the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake.

In her intervention, the member for Edmonton Strathcona alleged that the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake had repeatedly used unparliamentary language in characterizing her and her party's position on the situation in Gaza.

In response, the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake acknowledged having called members of the New Democratic Party “Hamas supporters”, repeating the statement into the record. I should point out there was an extended and, I might add, disorderly back-and-forth when the point of order was raised.

In House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, at page 623, it is stated:

The proceedings of the House are based on a long-standing tradition of respect for the integrity of all Members. Thus, the use of offensive, provocative, or threatening language in the House is strictly forbidden. Personal attacks, insults and obscenities are not in order.

Further down, at page 624, it says:

In dealing with unparliamentary language, the Speaker takes into account the tone, manner and intention of the Member speaking, the person to whom the words at issue were directed, the degree of provocation, and most important, whether or not the remarks created disorder in the Chamber.

In a ruling on March 29, 2022, found at page 3739 of the Debates, the Deputy Speaker stated:

The use of inflammatory and provocative statements is contrary to the respect owed to all members. Accordingly, the Chair reminds members to be mindful of the language they use in debate, with respect to their colleagues, in order to maintain proper civility and respect in our proceedings.

To quote the Chair’s statement of October 18, 2023, found at pages 17591 to 17593 of the Debates:

We have, in the past, had members likening their colleagues to Mussolini or calling each other racists or shouting obscenities. Latitude in expressing one's point of view will be given, but questionable language and unnecessarily provocative statements will no longer be tolerated.

Clearly, it is disruptive and disrespectful to associate other members with a terrorist organization. As a result, I have concluded that the words used by the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake were unparliamentary.

In a ruling on a similar matter, my predecessor set forth the Chair's expectation of what must follow to bring resolution to the matter. He stated on May 8, 2023, at page 14090 of Debates:

To be quite clear, any remarks the Chair deems unparliamentary will be required to be withdrawn immediately and accompanied by a full and proper apology. If a member refuses to comply, the Chair will cease to recognize them until further notice.

In consequence, in accordance with my statement from October 18, 2023, the member will not be recognized by the Chair until such time as he apologizes in writing to the Speaker.

In conclusion, while reviewing the proceedings of last Thursday, November 23, I noted that other words and phrases were used that, while perhaps not strictly unparliamentary, certainly do not contribute to the level of decorum that we all desire. I therefore strongly encourage members, from all sides, to choose their words judiciously and avoid provocative interventions.

I thank all members for their attention, and I would invite their co-operation in raising the level of decorum in this place by not engaging in the kinds of comparisons or associations we have heard.

Alleged Unparliamentary Comments in the House

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I have stood on this point of order in the past and am not satisfied with how it has been dealt with in this place.

Again today, through you Speaker, the House leader on the other side of the floor insinuated that, in my decision as a member of Parliament with the right to vote in this place, I was forced to make the vote I chose to make. I am sorry, but as you have said over and again, we cannot do indirectly in this place what we cannot do directly. If you were to take the time to listen to every conversation that came from that side of the floor toward this side of the floor on that vote, it was despicable.

I am of Ukrainian heritage. My grandfather came here just before the Holodomor from a Russia that destroyed our people there. We are facing those same circumstances now, and this is the kind of behaviour coming forth in this place.

I appreciate what you did just now. However, you also had an opportunity to do that today when the House leader on the other side of the floor said something with regard to lying. I am not allowed to say that someone has lied in this House when he or she has, but I can be punished for bringing forth the truth, which is that someone lied.

This is irresponsible and shows a lack of respect, as you have said, but in this case, it is being ignored. Therefore, I want a full apology from that side of the House, which can come through the House leader, because clearly it was an orchestrated event to bring disagreement and divisiveness within the Ukrainian community in Canada, let alone where they are already—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Before I recognize any other points of order on this issue, I thank the member for Yorkton—Melville for her intervention. I would like to refer her to the end of my ruling from today, which I think is important in addressing the issue that has been raised here.

We need to make sure that we use language that avoids causing great disruption in this House. As I mentioned, while there were terms that were not strictly unparliamentary, they certainly do not contribute to the level of decorum that we all desire, which the member for Yorkton—Melville has raised here today. I encourage all members to ensure that they refrain from raising disorder in this House by using unnecessarily provocative terms.

I will now recognize the other members' points of order and we will bring this to a close relatively quickly.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on this point of order, I certainly recognize and do not entirely disagree with what the member said. We have a rule that seems to suggest it is okay to imply that somebody is not telling the truth, yet we are unable to call out members on that.

I would be open to suggestions on how to properly adjust our rules to reflect this fact, because I think quite often it happens on both sides of the House that people feel exactly how the member is suggesting. If there is an opportunity to do so, I would strongly encourage her to bring that forward.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I thank the member for Kingston and the Islands. It is a point that I will be happy to raise with House leaders as I continue regular meetings with them.

I recognize the member for Regina—Qu'Appelle, the hon. House leader.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to touch on something you referenced. You said toward the end of your ruling that indeed other things were said, and you were urging all members to adhere to your statement of a few weeks ago. There is an issue, though. You have now indicated that the member for Miramichi—Grand Lake has to specifically apologize in order to be recognized by the Chair going forward. In fairness, that same standard should be applied to members of the government, who today and last week were making all kinds of terrible insinuations that are on par with calling other members sympathetic to or supporters of Hamas.

What I endeavour to do now is go through the blues for today and the transcripts from last week and provide you with specific examples where that same standard should be applied to government ministers. I will then await your ruling ordering them to apologize for their remarks.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I look forward to the hon. member's intervention. I will read it and, if necessary, make a determination.

The hon. member for Grande Prairie—Mackenzie.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today in question period, the House leader of the government stood in her place and accused members on this side of being supporters of Putin's Russian regime in the current war; the current genocidal, illegal invasion into Ukraine.

As a Ukrainian descendant, it is unbelievable to me that the member, having had a personal conversation with the member who made the accusation about the number of people within my own family who were murdered in the Holodomor, in the years that preceded it and that passed after, would stand in this place and make general accusations that members on this side, including me, would in any way, shape or form be supportive of Putin's illegal, genocidal attack on Ukraine.

I would ask that the House leader for the government apologize to members on this side having clearly made the statement today with the intention to be provocative and to elicit a response. The response came from this side in that moment; it caused disorder in that moment.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I thank the hon. member. We have had a number of interventions on this.

Are there any new interventions or are they on the same point? If they are on the same point, then I would ask all members to take their seats. The point was very eloquently made by the member for—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am going to be very clear to all members. I ask all members to please take their seats.

The Chair has heard the interventions that were made on this point. The Chair will review the Hansard to make a determination and will come back to the House if necessary. I thank all members for making very important and thoughtful statements, and I will come back to the House on this matter.

I see the member for New Brunswick Southwest rising, I hope on a new point of order.