Debates of Feb. 15th, 2023

Ethics

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, another day and another Liberal is caught breaking ethics laws. This time it is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister who was caught using his position to further the interests of a company. Now the Liberals are so brazen in their law-breaking that they have a member of the ethics committee who is breaking ethics laws.

These Liberals think they are above the law. For everyday Canadians there are consequences when they break the law. So why does the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister get to keep his job after he broke the law?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary has apologized, as I indicated in the House.

There was a company that supports Black and multi-ethnic communities across—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am having a hard time hearing the government House leader. Maybe he could start from the top, and hopefully it will be a little quieter the second time around.

The hon. government House leader please, from the top.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, the parliamentary secretary errantly, and he has admitted his mistake, supported a business that is supporting and reflects Black and multi-ethnic communities across Canada. He wanted to support the important work it was doing, but recognized that it was inappropriate for him to send that letter. Let me say of that parliamentary secretary that he is somebody with passion and dedication who serves his constituents and his country.

The difference, I guess, between ourselves and the Conservatives is that, when we make a mistake, we apologize and endeavour to do better.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, maybe when Canadians are caught breaking the law, the government is okay if they just say “sorry”.

After eight years of the Prime Minister, Canadians do not expect that the Prime Minister will take any action when his ministers and parliamentary secretaries break the law, because he would have to hold himself to a high standard as well, having twice been caught breaking ethics laws. It is a cabinet of serial lawbreakers, with the trade minister, the intergovernmental affairs minister, the former finance minister and even the Prime Minister.

Both the Prime Minister and his parliamentary secretary broke the law. Who is going to resign first?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, the parliamentary secretary did send a letter attempting to support a business that he believed in, but recognized that it was inappropriate for him to send that letter. The idea that the parliamentary secretary would give up his position for such a mistake is, I think, terrible. The reality is, in my estimation—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

They can yell and scream, but maybe they should reflect. We all make mistakes in life. We take ownership for them. The parliamentary secretary did exactly that. The level of his mistake absolutely does not warrant his resigning.

Automotive Industry

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we are witnessing a renaissance in Canada's auto sector, and this is only the beginning.

As chair of the auto caucus, I am excited to share that the awaited Canadian International AutoShow is back, celebrating its 50th anniversary, where Canadian innovation in this sector will be on full display.

Can the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance update the House on the transformational investments our government is making in Canada's auto sector to track new investments and create great jobs and bright futures for all Canadians?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague, the MP for Vaughan—Woodbridge, for his hard work on the file.

Our auto-manufacturing sector is the centrepiece of the Canadian economy and a source of many well-paying Canadian jobs. Last year alone, we saw more than $15 billion invested in the EV and battery supply chain. Our government is working with auto manufacturers and labour organizations to ensure that the Canadian auto sector remains strong and competitive not only today, but for decades to come. We are putting hundreds of millions of dollars on the table to make sure that Canada is a leader in the production of electric vehicles built by Canadians and powered by Canadian critical minerals. This is good news for Canada and for Canadians.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a number of people who crossed into Canada at Roxham Road have come to my office in Montreal.

Contrary to what the Bloc Québécois says, Roxham Road is nothing like an all-inclusive vacation. The Quebec National Assembly adopted a motion yesterday to denounce this insensitive and out-of-touch comparison, one that feeds prejudice.

Liberal inaction on this issue has also left room for this kind of divisive and misleading rhetoric.

When will the Liberals suspend the safe third country agreement so we can finally fix this?

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I think that, as Canadians, we all have a duty to do our part to protect our borders and ensure the safety of people who are fleeing for humanitarian reasons, because they are suffering abuse.

The safe third country agreement is an important bilateral tool. We will continue to work with our counterparts in the United States to modernize this agreement.

Taxation

[Alain Rayes, Independent, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on December 2, I asked the government a question concerning a 30-year-old tax law whereby Canadian companies, like Zenit Nutrition in my riding, are penalized by our tax system despite the fact that they use only local and healthy ingredients in producing their food products.

These men and women entrepreneurs are fighting multinationals, and they are only asking to be able to compete on an equal footing.

The Liberal government says that it wants to help our Canadian economy. Will it take the necessary steps to listen to entrepreneurs before the next budget?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the government is listening to small and medium-sized businesses. It is also listening to businesses that provide food to Canadians and feed our communities.

We will take the member's specific question, discuss this issue and provide a strong response.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. During Oral Questions, the Minister of Environment misled the House by suggesting that people in Quebec do not pay a carbon tax. I seek the unanimous consent of the House to table my own personal propane bill, which clearly shows that I paid 6.2¢ per litre in carbon tax.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

The House resumed from February 14 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Rising Inflation and Cost of Living

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:17 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the hon. member for Calgary Forest Lawn relating to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

The question is on the motion. May I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

[Chair read text of motion to House]

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #259

Business of Supply

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion lost.

The House resumed from February 9 consideration of the motion that Bill C-290, An Act to amend the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee.