House of Commons Hansard #263 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was senators.

Topics

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

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives focus on high food prices and rising food bank use, blaming the carbon tax on farmers. They accuse the Prime Minister of pressuring senators to gut Bill C-234, preventing the tax from being removed. They also raise concerns about doubled housing costs.
The Liberals commemorate the victims of the Polytechnique massacre and pledge to fight gender-based violence. They defend their price on pollution, stating rebates benefit most families, and criticize the Conservatives for opposing climate action and voting against social programs and the Ukraine trade agreement. They also mention support for indigenous housing and addressing the toxic drug crisis.
The Bloc criticize cuts at Radio-Canada harming French services, the government's close ties to fossil fuel lobbyists and related policies, and the deliberate exclusion of Quebec from federal contracts like the Afghanistan monument.
The NDP raise concerns about violence against women and cuts to shelters, lack of indigenous housing, delaying the Canada disability benefit, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, and inadequate emergency preparedness funding for indigenous communities facing the climate crisis.
The Greens urge expanding the definition of "immediate family member" for Sudanese and Palestinian Canadians to bring families to safety.

École polytechnique de Montréal Members commemorate the 14 victims of the École Polytechnique massacre on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. They highlight that the women were killed because they were women and note the ongoing rise in femicide. Members call for action, discussing the need for more sustainable funding, implementing a Red Dress Alert system, and addressing issues like the mandatory buyback program. 3100 words, 25 minutes.

Petitions

Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Members debate a motion to refer a question of privilege regarding the Speaker's partisan conduct to the Procedure and House Affairs Committee. Conservative and Bloc members express lack of confidence and call for resignation, while Liberals question their objectivity, supporting the referral to determine an appropriate remedy. NDP members also support the referral, raising concerns about House resources. The motion is referred to committee. 13800 words, 2 hours.

Adjournment Debates

Small business insolvencies Brad Vis criticizes the government's handling of small business insolvencies and rising costs. Bryan May defends the government's support during the pandemic and ongoing measures to help businesses with inflation and access to financing. Vis says those measures are insufficient, and May insists the government will continue its support.
Canada disability benefit delays Bonita Zarrillo criticizes the Liberal government for delays in implementing the Canada disability benefit, highlighting the urgent needs of disabled people facing poverty and housing insecurity. Sameer Zuberi defends the government's consultation process, emphasizing its commitment to a comprehensive and effective benefit, but doesn't provide a timeline.
National Housing Strategy funding Daniel Blaikie asks Peter Fragiskatos to move up the release of already-announced funds from 2025 to 2023, given the current housing crisis. Fragiskatos defends the government's actions, citing various initiatives and criticizing the Conservative approach, but does not directly answer Blaikie's question.
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Oil and Gas IndustryOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

North Vancouver B.C.

Liberal

Jonathan Wilkinson LiberalMinister of Energy and Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, it is important for us to have meetings with participants from every sector of the economy. That includes the oil sector of course, but also environmental groups.

Two weeks ago, I had a meeting with people from Environmental Defence, CAN‑Rac and many other environmental groups to have these very important conversations.

Oil and Gas IndustryOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Bloc

Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC

Mr. Speaker, the numbers do not lie: The Liberals have met with fossil fuel lobbyists 2,000 times since last year.

The Prime Minister's Office has met with oil and gas companies twice as often as environmental groups, and the Department of Finance has met with them four times as often. Is that having an impact on policy?

Let us follow the money. The Liberals' flagship environmental measures in Bill C‑59 amount to $30.3 billion in subsidies for oil and gas companies.

When will the Liberals finally base their policies on the climate crisis rather than the oil and gas companies' whining?

Oil and Gas IndustryOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

North Vancouver B.C.

Liberal

Jonathan Wilkinson LiberalMinister of Energy and Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, as I have already said, it is important that we meet with people from all sectors of the economy. Of course, I have also met many times with the Bloc Québécois.

This week, we announced new regulations to reduce methane emissions by 75%. We are the first country in the world to make this commitment. It is a very important step in fighting climate change, and we are very proud of it.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister spent the weekend pressuring Liberal senators, demanding that they kill our Conservative bill that would axe the carbon tax for Canadian farmers. Yesterday, those senators bowed to their political master. They used every dirty trick in the book to gut the bill.

The truth is that the Liberals are not hurting us. They are hurting hungry Canadians who cannot afford higher prices for their food.

Why will the Prime Minister not park his ideological admiration for higher taxes for Canadians, give Canadians a Christmas miracle and finally axe the tax for farmers, first nations and families?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Milton Ontario

Liberal

Adam van Koeverden LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity

Mr. Speaker, there are no Liberal senators and the Conservative senators did not even vote.

We already know the Conservatives do not believe in climate change, but it seems like they do not believe in math either. University of Calgary-based economists conducted a thorough review of our price on pollution and facts are facts: 94% of families that earn less than $50,000 receive more back through our price on pollution than they pay.

In typical Conservative fashion, the member for Carleton and his merry band of climate change deniers want to steal from the poor and give to the rich. It is risky and reckless.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB

Mr. Speaker, that is the most ridiculous answer I have heard in the House today. There is only one group in the House trying to take away from those who are most vulnerable. When will the Liberals finally understand that if we tax the farmers who grow the food and the truckers who ship the food, it is eventually going to cost more for Canadians to buy the food?

When will the Prime Minister set aside his ideological attachment to the carbon tax and finally give a break to farmers, first nations and Canadian families this Christmas?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Milton Ontario

Liberal

Adam van Koeverden LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity

Mr. Speaker, farmers are on the front lines of the climate crisis. They are the first to feel the effects of floods and droughts. Wheat yields are down 20% in 2023. Why is that? It is climate change, yet unlike the Conservatives, farmers have no problem identifying climate change as the culprit for the reduction in their yields.

Speaking of wheat, if the Conservatives really want to support food security, they should support the breadbasket of Europe. That is Ukraine. Ukraine says it needs assistance in strengthening economic resilience, yet the Conservatives voted against the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement. I urge them to reconsider that shameful vote at third reading.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Liberal-appointed senators voted to gut common-sense Conservative Bill C-234, an action that betrays farmers.

For the last decade, the Prime Minister has repeatedly made the claim that the Senate and those he appoints to it are independent, yet this weekend proved otherwise. He and his socialist environment minister were busy employing a campaign of bullying and pressure to force his senators to kill this needed carbon tax carve-out. The carbon tax is punishing the farmers who produce the food and the folks who need it.

Will the Prime Minister finally just listen to Canadians and axe his carbon tax?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Cardigan P.E.I.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague is well aware that the other place makes decisions on its own.

The Conservative Party of Canada has senators in its caucus. The Conservative Party of Canada does not have a policy or a plan for the environment.

I can assure my hon. colleague that we do have a plan for the environment. That is why we are able to make an investment of $1.5 billion to help farmers and processors reduce their environmental footprint. We have supported and will continue to support our farmers and ranchers in this country.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

The hon. minister sits right here and I can barely hear him. Let us try to keep the sound down a little.

The hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, I know for a fact that farmers are asking the minister to axe the carbon tax.

The Prime Minister promised that the Senate would be independent, but the actions this past week prove that that is a complete farce. We know he bullied his senators. The Prime Minister himself was on the phone over the weekend telling them they had to gut Bill C-234.

The Prime Minister lied and his minions continue to lie about—

Carbon PricingOral Questions

December 6th, 2023 / 2:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Order. The hon. member, who got here at the same time I did, knows full well that he cannot use that word. The hon. member should retract it and apologize.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, I will not apologize to the Prime Minister when he continues to lie—

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I am asking the hon. member to apologize for the second time and retract that word. The hon. member knows full well he cannot use that word in this chamber. This is the last opportunity.

Will the hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot be retracting it?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, it is the truth. I will not apologize to the Prime Minister.

Naming of MemberOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Mr. Kurek, I have to name you for disregarding the authority of the Chair.

Pursuant to the authority granted me under Standing Order 11, I order you to withdraw from the House and any participation by video conference for the remainder of this sitting day.

[And Mr. Kurek having withdrawn:]

The hon. member for Port Moody—Coquitlam.

Persons with DisabilitiesOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, in Canada, over half of women with disabilities are living on less than $10,000 a year. They cannot afford the medication they need, nutritious food or housing. Women with disabilities who are facing intimate partner violence cannot afford to get away or to move out of their homes.

The Liberals have failed these women. Will the Prime Minister stop endangering women with disabilities by releasing the Canada disability benefit now?

Persons with DisabilitiesOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Brampton West Ontario

Liberal

Kamal Khera LiberalMinister of Diversity

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for that really important question. It gives me a chance to, first and foremost, acknowledge that this past Sunday was International Day for Persons with Disabilities, an opportunity for all of us to continue to do the hard work to create a barrier-free Canada and to ensure that we create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

On Canada's disability benefit, the hon. member knows very well that we are absolutely committed to getting it right and getting it out as quickly as possible. In the true spirit of “Nothing Without Us”, public consultations for regulations are fully accessible and available online. I hope that all Canadians will participate.

Foreign AffairsOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

NDP

Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, violence between Israel and Hamas resumed. More Palestinian children and humanitarian workers have been killed in Netanyahu's bombardment, and there are still many people being held hostage by Hamas. Doctors Without Borders convoys in Gaza were attacked and destroyed, and aid trucks have been blocked. This is not eliminating Hamas; this is destroying an entire population, yet the Liberals and the Conservatives refuse to call for a ceasefire.

Why is the government's position so cowardly in the face of this humanitarian disaster?

Foreign AffairsOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, we unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks that happened on October 7 against innocent Israeli civilians, as we, of course, think that it is completely unacceptable that so many women and children, civilians, in Gaza have died in the context of this crisis.

The cycle of violence will not ensure Israel's long-term security, and the price of justice cannot be the suffering of Palestinian people. The violence must stop.

Gender-Based ViolenceOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON

Mr. Speaker, today, we remember the 14 young women who were killed during the École Polytechnique massacre. As the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence comes to an end, we are reminded that our work must continue until we achieve a Canada free of gender-based violence.

Can the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth update the House on how our government is addressing the prevention of gender-based violence?

Gender-Based ViolenceOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Toronto Centre Ontario

Liberal

Marci Ien LiberalMinister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

Mr. Speaker, today, we remember the victims of the massacre at École Polytechnique. The brazen disregard of the safety of women and the clear intent to harm them cast a shadow on our hearts to this day.

Even now, gender-based violence remains a real threat to women. Because of this, our commitment to end it has not changed. That is why we have signed 10 agreements, alongside provinces and territories, through the national action plan to end gender-based violence. This work will not stop until it ends.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Kram Conservative Regina—Wascana, SK

Mr. Speaker, today, Canadians across the country are feeling betrayed by the Prime Minister's senators, who voted to gut Conservative Bill C-234, a bill that would have provided carbon tax relief for Canadian farmers and for Canadian families who are just trying to put food on the table.

After eight years, will the Prime Minister end his carbon tax obsession and provide relief for Canadians so they can stop turning to food banks?