Debates of Dec. 15th, 2023

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Madam Speaker, the hon. member for Egmont is a strong voice for P.E.I. and for Atlantic Canada.

Down east, we have a saying, “Tory times are tough times”, and last week, the Conservatives reminded us why, because they voted against funding to help us rebuild from hurricane Fiona. They voted against funding for small businesses to grow and create good jobs. They voted against support for our manufacturers and our farmers. They voted against funding so support Marine Atlantic, which is a vital ferry service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

'Tis the season of colourful lights, but last week the Conservatives showed us their true colours. Just like when Harper was in charge, they continue to treat Atlantic Canada as—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Calgary Heritage.

Foreign Investment

[Shuv Majumdar, Conservative, Calgary Heritage, AB]

Madam Speaker, after eight years, Beijing-backed raiding of Canadian resources is at an all-time high. First, it got the Prime Minister to fast-track the sale of Neo Lithium. Now, it is working on a deal to buy critical minerals in the Northwest Territories through acquiring vital minerals. Yesterday, the industry committee passed a motion calling on the minister to invoke the Investment Canada Act to protect this critical Canadian resource.

Will the minister listen to the committee and review this deal today?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Export Promotion]

Madam Speaker, our government has been clear. We will always welcome foreign investment and trade that encourages economic growth, innovation and employment opportunities in Canada. We know that economic security is national security. The bill, which would amend the ICA, brings forward improvements so the government could act more quickly when required.

We will continue to ensure Canada's prosperity while acting decisively to protect our national and economic security.

[Shuv Majumdar, Conservative, Calgary Heritage, AB]

Madam Speaker, they can act today. They need to act today. We can really see where the Prime Minister 's heart lies with that non-answer: not with Canadian resources, not with Canadians, but with his love for Beijing's basic dictatorship, the same love that put three other Canadian lithium companies at risk of CCP takeover, and is now putting at risk our only rare earth mining company.

Will the minister do the right thing, put Canadians first and invoke the Investment Canada Act today?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Export Promotion]

Madam Speaker, the Investment Canada Act provides for review of the most significant investments by non-Canadians to ensure their likely net benefit to the Canadian economy. All investments, no matter their value, are subject to a national security review under the Investment Canada Act. Therefore, the acquisitions of a Canadian company by a foreign company would be subject to a review under the ICA.

Due to the confidentiality provisions of the act, we cannot comment further about the specific concern of the member.

Carbon Pricing

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Madam Speaker, after eight years, Canadians know that higher food prices are the NDP-Liberal coalition's official policy. Bob and Pat in Douglas just paid $170 in carbon taxes on their propane bill to dry their corn. Bob and Pat cannot pass the carbon tax to customers; they have to take the market rate. Bob and Pat absorb all of the taxes.

Will the Prime Minister tell Bob and Pat by how much they have to cut food production in order to stay alive?

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness]

Madam Speaker, on behalf of military families across Canada whose loved ones deployed as part of Operation Unifier to help strengthen Ukraine, I am ashamed that the member opposite from Pembroke, along with every Conservative across the way, actually voted against funding for Op Unifier and military families. Our children and our families deployed overseas to support Ukraine, and not one of them supported it.

Climate Change

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Madam Speaker, the world has experienced its warmest year ever, with Canadians facing devastating and deadly wildfires.

At COP28, Canada advocated to secure ambitious outcomes to keep the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C within reach. With the support of a strong and diverse Canadian delegation, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change was proud to represent Canada at this important conference.

Can the parliamentary secretary inform the House about the work Canada has done?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. and hard-working colleague for his commitment to climate action.

COP28 was a remarkable meeting, where the world came together to commit to lowering our reliance on fossil fuels drastically, in fact, to phasing them out, and to commit to tripling renewable energy.

At the same time, our government committed to an oil and gas emissions cap and lowering our oil and gas emissions by 75%. We also committed to bringing forth legislation for nature protection in 2024.

Canadians can continue to rely on Liberals to be champions for the environment and climate change here in Canada and abroad.

Indigenous Affairs

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, the Liberals are putting our coasts and indigenous communities at risk. After spending $31 billion on the TMX pipeline, they are pushing almost 900,000 barrels of oil through the unceded territorial waters of the Pacheedaht First Nation. Now, they have stopped any discussions with the Pacheedaht First Nation about creating a marine safety centre nearby.

Why does the minister have no issue handing billions to oil and gas, but cannot spend on basic protections for indigenous communities?

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

Madam Speaker, reconciliation is always at the centre of the work that we do, and we take it very seriously; I want to make sure that we can underline that fact. When it comes to protecting our lands and including the voices of indigenous peoples, we take that very seriously, and it is at the centre of the work that we do.

I thank the member opposite for raising her concerns, but we will always stand for a viable and strong natural resources sector that includes all voices as we move forward.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Before we go to points of order, and before everybody leaves, I want to wish everybody a very merry Christmas and safe travels.

I want to thank the clerks, the pages and everyone who helps us here on the Hill to make sure that it functions well and that we are able to do our work.

Of course, I want to thank the good people of Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing.

I also became a grandma this morning, so it will be a great Christmas.

The hon. member for North Island—Powell River is rising on a point of order.

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

Madam Speaker, congratulations on becoming a grandmother. It is a beautiful thing.

There have been consultations, and I hope that, if you seek it, you will find consent for the following motion: that, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, the remainder of the debate pursuant to Standing Order 66 on Motion No. 45 to concur in the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Finance will be deemed to have taken place, the question be deemed put and a recorded division be deemed requested and deferred, pursuant to Standing Order 66(2).

[Some hon. members]

No.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Recently at the human resources committee, we heard testimony from the CEO of the Central Okanagan Food Bank, who stated that it is expecting an additional 100% increase in food bank usage over the next three to four months—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Is the hon. member trying to table documents, or is she looking for a motion?

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Madam Speaker, if you seek it, I am sure you will find unanimous consent to—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Again, with respect to unanimous consent motions, I just want to remind members that they really need to have had conversations with each party's House leader. We could then maybe be able to move these motions along, as long as we have unanimous consent.

The hon. member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke is rising on a point of order.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Madam Speaker, we just received news that the Calgary Food Bank has doubled the number of veterans who are coming in for help with food. I request that I could table this very important report—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Yesterday at committee, the environment minister admitted to bullying six senators, trying to gut Bill C-234. Can people imagine that?

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Is this a motion? It is not? Then it is a point of debate. The hon. member can raise it during debate.

The hon. member for King—Vaughan is rising on a point of order.

[Anna Roberts, Conservative, King—Vaughan, ON]

Madam Speaker, congratulations on becoming a grandmother. You will be able to spoil that beautiful little baby.

If you seek it, I hope you will find unanimous consent for the following motion—