Debates of Dec. 5th, 2023

House of Commons Hansard #262 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was housing.

Topics

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

Food and Drugs Act First reading of Bill C-368. The bill amends the Food and Drugs Act to reverse changes made by Bill C-47, ensuring natural health products are not classified or regulated like synthetic drugs. 200 words.

Christian Heritage Month Act First reading of Bill C-369. The bill proposes to designate December as Christian Heritage Month, citing the large Christian population in Canada and the celebration of other faith heritages. 200 words.

Veterans Affairs Members debate a report concerning the national monument to Canada’s mission in Afghanistan. Discussion centres on the government bypassing the expert jury's choice for a different design, citing public feedback. Critics argue this was a flawed process involving PMO interference, disrespecting veterans and families, and undermining procurement rules, calling for the government to reverse its decision. 14900 words, 2 hours.

Affordable Housing and Groceries Act Report stage of Bill C-56. The bill amends the Excise Tax Act to remove the GST on purpose-built rentals and reforms the Competition Act. Members debate the government's approach to the housing crisis and affordability, with Conservatives Jasraj Singh Hallan criticizing economic mismanagement. Liberals Kevin Lamoureux defend their record. The NDP Daniel Blaikie supports the GST rebate for market housing but calls for more funding for affordable and social housing. The Bloc Québécois Sébastien Lemire supports competition changes but criticizes delays in housing action. 16600 words, 3 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.

Statements by Members

Carbon pricing good trade and environmental policy

Thanking volunteer organizations at Christmas

Canada's climate change action plan

Food self-sufficiency in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac

Government's poverty reduction measures

Canada's national identity

Rainbow Bridge incident comments

Affordable child care across Canada

Tribute to Don Tannas

Commitment to Canada's middle class

Carbon tax increases food costs

Battery plant subsidies and foreign workers

Resurgence of misogynistic speech in Canada

Hate and violence against 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians

Beemer distillery's international award

Conservative plan to build more homes

Building a green Canada

Question Period

The Conservatives criticize the government's role in doubling housing costs, leading to housing hell, high rent, and tent cities. They blame the carbon tax and inflationary spending for increased food bank use and general unaffordability, calling to axe the tax. They also condemn the spending on EV contracts and the use of foreign replacement workers.

The Liberals highlight their investments in housing, including affordable housing and rental construction. They defend the carbon price and actions to fight climate change, like reducing methane emissions and supporting renewable energy. They also discuss support for Canadian families, media, and French language rights, while criticizing the Conservative approach.

The Bloc highlights the media crisis, criticizing CBC/Radio-Canada job cuts impacting French-language services. They also condemn the government's numerous meetings with fossil fuel lobbyists, linking them to slow climate action while the planet is burning.

The NDP focuses on the affordability crisis, including housing and food prices impacted by corporate greed. They criticize the government's climate action, highlighting meetings with fossil fuel lobbyists and proposing a youth climate corps. They also raise concerns about marine safety and support for volunteer firefighters.

Alleged Breach of Speaker's Impartiality—Speaker's Ruling Deputy Speaker rules on a question of privilege regarding the Speaker's impartiality after he sent a video message to a provincial party convention, allowing the opposition to move a motion on the serious matter. 1200 words.

Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Members debate a motion to refer the Speaker's participation at an Ontario Liberal event to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC). Conservatives argue the Speaker committed a breach of impartiality, has lost trust, and should resign, proposing an amendment for PROC to report by Dec 14. Liberals and NDP support referring to PROC to recommend an appropriate remedy, emphasizing a non-partisan approach and timely process. 12100 words, 2 hours.

Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights Second reading of Bill C-219. The bill proposes a right to a healthy environment and legal tools across federal law. Supporters say it ensures accountability where current law is limited. Critics argue it shifts power to the judiciary and conflicts with the government's approach under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, raising constitutional concerns. 8000 words, 1 hour.

Adjournment Debates

Inmate Red Seal Programs Scott Reid asks for detailed data on federal inmates in Red Seal apprenticeship programs: enrollment, graduation rates, and post-release support. Kevin Lamoureux highlights CORCAN's training programs and certifications, stating that the Public Safety Minister will provide the specific information requested and encouraging further discussion with the minister.

Safe supply drug strategy Kevin Vuong argues that the safe supply strategy is not working, citing experts who advocate for reform or abolishment and a greater focus on opioid agonist treatment. Kevin Lamoureux defends the government's comprehensive, evidence-based approach, including harm reduction, treatment, and supervised consumption sites, which he argues save lives.

Carbon tax exemptions for farmers Jeremy Patzer criticizes the Senate amendment to Bill C-234, removing the carbon tax exemption for farm buildings. Kevin Lamoureux accuses the Conservatives of manipulating farmers to push their anti-carbon tax agenda. Patzer describes the struggles of a young producer with heating costs, and Lamoureux asks what the Conservative's climate change policy is.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Bill C-56 Motions in AmendmentAffordable Housing and Groceries ActGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

The hon. member has kept relevance. He is talking about the process, and we are not going to start a debate on this.

The hon. deputy House leader.

As spoken

Bill C-56 Motions in AmendmentAffordable Housing and Groceries ActGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Madam Speaker, for the Canadians who may not pay a lot of attention to what goes on in the House, I will just explain what happened there.

I spoke about nothing but the bill and its relevance. Somebody in the back rooms of the Conservative caucus decided to send somebody in here because I was about to talk about the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement. The member literally sat on the edge of his seat waiting for the word “Ukraine” to come out of my mouth. As soon as it did, he jumped up on a point of order as though to try to indicate there was no relevance. That is what is going on right now. That is where the Conservative Party of Canada is right now. That is how Conservatives feel about the issue. They are so afraid of Canadians' finding out where they stand on the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement that they literally send people in here, when they see I have gotten up to speak, to sit on the edge of their seat waiting in anticipation for—

As spoken

Bill C-56 Motions in AmendmentAffordable Housing and Groceries ActGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

The hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot is rising on a point of order.

As spoken

Bill C-56 Motions in AmendmentAffordable Housing and Groceries ActGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Madam Speaker, I find it somewhat disingenuous, using the member's word, that he would suggest that somehow Conservatives do not care about Ukraine, when, actually, the opposite is true. My point of order—

As spoken

Bill C-56 Motions in AmendmentAffordable Housing and Groceries ActGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

We are not going to start a debate on this. I am going to let the hon. member finish his speech.

As spoken

Bill C-56 Motions in AmendmentAffordable Housing and Groceries ActGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The government House leader was warned about some of the absurd comparisons the Liberals are making regarding the issue. I would encourage you to remind the member not to allow his comments to devolve into the absurdity that she allowed herself to the other day during debate.

As spoken

Bill C-56 Motions in AmendmentAffordable Housing and Groceries ActGovernment Orders