Debates of March 23rd, 2023

Democratic Institutions

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, by now my colleague will have heard that the answer to that question lies in the mandate provided to Mr. Johnston, who will look into all allegations related to the 2019 and 2021 elections. I also want to assure the member that two independent panels have verified that those elections were free and fair.

Now Mr. Johnston will put forward recommendations up to and including a public inquiry, which this government will respect, so that we can reinforce the confidence of Canadians in all our institutions, most especially our elections.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister absolutely had to be briefed on this. That is unequivocal.

Twenty-two times today, Liberals have refused to answer a question. Let us ask ourselves why they will not answer it. It is because the answer to this question is so damaging to the Prime Minister and the Liberal government that they will continue to obfuscate. For the 23rd time, I have a question of simple fact. When was the Prime Minister briefed?

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

Mr. Speaker, this is why we do not play with national security using partisan theatre. The member just stood in his place, as we have heard many times, and talked about allegations as if they are fact. He said that things must be true and they know things that, of course, they could not possibly know.

What we have said throughout this process is that when we are dealing with national security and foreign autocracies trying to undermine our democracy, we need to have the maturity to allow our institutions and process to answer these questions as opposed to playing this out in partisan theatre.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, Canadians are witnessing a government that refuses to set the record straight on very specific and troubling information. We will ask the question again, for the umpteenth time, to ensure that Canadians get clear and accurate information.

When was the Prime Minister informed of the allegations reported by Global News yesterday to the effect that a Liberal MP wanted to delay the release of the two Michaels for partisan political purposes?

When was the Prime Minister informed of this sad reality?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect for my colleague, the government has created not one, not two, but three independent, non-partisan processes with the goal of increasing and strengthening transparency in every instance where we have had to counter foreign interference.

Now, we are very much looking forward to receiving recommendations from Mr. Johnston, a distinguished Canadian who has all the qualifications to do a great job.

Foreign Affairs

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I have heard from constituents about the ongoing mass suspension of Internet services in Punjab, India. Canadians have family and friends who are visiting Punjab and who do not have access to the Internet.

Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs update the House on the ongoing situation?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Mississauga—Malton for his important question. We appreciate his concerns and those of many members in the House.

We are aware of the evolving situation in Punjab, and we are following it very closely. We look forward to a return to a more stable situation. Canadians can always count on the Government of Canada to make sure that we will continue to address the concerns of many members of the community.

Indigenous Affairs

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Mr. Speaker, generations of Métis and first nations children were stolen from their homes and forced to attend Canada's horrific residential schools, including the Île-à-la-Crosse residential school in Saskatchewan.

Despite the violence, terror and neglect experienced, survivors have been denied the justice, recognition and compensation they deserve. Instead of breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma, the Liberals are fighting the survivors in court. It is shameful.

When will the government finally commit to justice for the Île-à-la-Crosse residential school survivors, before it is too late?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, indeed, it is a disgrace that these survivors have not been compensated up to now. I sat down with a number of them this summer and had the opportunity to hear the pain that they continue to be going through. This is retriggered by a number of the settlements that we are achieving across Canada.

These survivors deserve justice. Unfortunately, the Government of Saskatchewan has not acted up to this date, and it needs to be at the table with us. These were administered by the Government of Saskatchewan. It needs to be held accountable. Reconciliation is not only the job of the federal government, which is to be held to account, but for all levels of government. We need the Government of Saskatchewan to step up.

Taxation

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

Mr. Speaker, on December 2 and February 15, I asked the government about a 30-year-old tax law whereby Canadian companies, like Zenit Nutrition, are penalized by our tax system despite the fact that they use only local and healthy ingredients.

Following my questions, a minister and a parliamentary secretary offered to help me. The problem is that I have not received a single response or even an acknowledgement.

In the meantime, these men and women entrepreneurs are fighting multinationals and are only asking to be able to compete on an equal footing.

Why will the Liberals not take the time to listen to them?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, tax evasion has always been a priority for our government. That is why we have invested billions of dollars.

I would be pleased to work with my colleague to get him some answers.

Security Measures on Parliament Hill

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

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations, and I hope that if you seek it, you will find consent for the following:

I move:

That this House acknowledge the need to improve and enhance security measures on Parliament Hill within a framework that affirms the Parliamentary privilege of Members that are deemed necessary for the House of Commons, as an institution, and its members, as representatives of the electorate, to fulfill their functions, including their freedom from obstruction, interference and intimidation.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay. It is agreed.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)

The House resumed from March 22 consideration of the motion.

Procedure and House Affairs

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 3:11 p.m., pursuant to order made Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion to concur in the 25th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #284

Committees of the House

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion carried.

The House resumed consideration of the motion, and of the amendment.

Finance

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

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 to concur in the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Finance.

The question is on the amendment.

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

Vote #285

Committees of the House

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the amendment defeated.

The next question is on the main motion.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division or wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded division.

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

Vote #286

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion carried.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded divisions, Government Orders will be extended by 44 minutes.

Business of the House

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

Mr. Speaker, it is tradition for the official opposition to ask the Thursday question. This Thursday, we asked the same question 24 times. I understand that the hon. member is looking forward to the question. The question is this: On what date did the Prime Minister first learn about the allegations now being reported by Global News?

I wonder, when the government House leader gives us that answer, if he would also tell us what the legislative plans are for this upcoming week.