The Conservatives relentlessly questioned the Prime Minister about alleged Chinese foreign interference in Canadian elections. They demanded transparency regarding his knowledge of funds from Beijing to candidates and parties, warnings about candidates in interference networks, and the lack of action against diplomats and police stations. They called for an independent inquiry and for his chief of staff to testify.

The Liberals address concerns about foreign interference, denying federal candidates received money from China. They advocate for an independent special rapporteur to examine mechanisms and restore confidence, while defending existing oversight bodies like NSICOP. On International Women's Day, they highlight efforts against gender-based violence and commitment to $10-a-day childcare and abortion access.

The Bloc criticizes the Prime Minister's refusal to establish an independent public commission of inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections. They reject his solutions of a secret committee and a special rapporteur, asserting that existing measures did not work and that the integrity of democracy is at stake.

The NDP demand a public inquiry into foreign interference to restore electoral confidence. They also advocate for Indigenous women and girls through a red dress alert, call for inclusion of trans women in the hate combat plan, and urge support for the Official Languages Act.

Resignation of Member Members pay tribute to Marc Garneau, the Liberal MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, upon his resignation after 14 years. Speakers from various parties praise his distinguished career as an MP, minister, and the first Canadian astronaut. They commend his dedication to public service, his respectful demeanor, and his challenge to members to act with dignity in the House. 4000 words, 40 minutes.

National Strategy on Flood and Drought Forecasting Act First reading of Bill C-317. The bill establishes a national strategy for flood and drought forecasting. It aims to use advanced technology to create accurate prediction systems, addressing environmental damage and financial losses across Canada in cooperation with stakeholders. 100 words.

Employment Insurance Act First reading of Bill C-318. The bill amends the Employment Insurance Act and Canada Labour Code to provide a new 15-week EI period for adoptive and intended parents. It aims for greater parity in parental benefits and acknowledges unique attachment needs for adoptive families. 200 words.

Old Age Security Act First reading of Bill C-319. The bill seeks to improve seniors' financial health by extending the 10% Old Age Security increase to all seniors at age 65 and raising the Guaranteed Income Supplement eligibility threshold for working seniors. 100 words.

Corrections and Conditional Release Act First reading of Bill C-320. The bill amends the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to provide crime victims with timely and accurate information about offenders' sentences and parole eligibility, aiming for transparency and a stronger voice for victims. 300 words.

Petitions

Overdose crisis a public health emergency

Just transition legislation for climate emergency

Override unjust court decision with clause

Single transferable vote implementation requested

Investigation of Loblaws' profiteering requested

Online Streaming Act Members debate a motion regarding Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act. The government proposes to accept 18 of 26 Senate amendments, while respectfully disagreeing with eight others, primarily to avoid interpretative issues, maintain the CRTC's regulatory flexibility, and keep the bill's focus on including online undertakings in the broadcasting system. Conservatives argue the bill would stifle digital creators and censor online content. 8800 words, 1 hour.

Pandemic Day Act Second reading of Bill S-209. The bill proposes establishing March 11 as "Pandemic Observance Day" to commemorate the impact of COVID-19. Members discuss remembering victims, honouring frontline workers, and learning from the pandemic for future preparedness. While broadly supported, some members criticize the government's handling of the pandemic response, citing incompetence and corruption. 5500 words, 45 minutes.

Adjournment Debates

Mental health funding parity Gord Johns criticizes the government for failing to achieve parity between mental and physical health funding, citing a constituent's struggle to afford addiction treatment for his son. Élisabeth Brière defends the government's investments in mental health services through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, and online support portals.

Seniors and rising food costs Mel Arnold accuses the government of failing seniors amidst rising inflation and food costs. Mark Gerretsen defends the government's record, citing increased OAS pension, restored GIS/OAS eligibility age, and CPP enhancements. Arnold dismisses one-time payments as insufficient, while Gerretsen insists he gave a thorough answer.

Impact of the Carbon Tax Kyle Seeback argues the carbon tax is failing to reduce emissions and hurting families, citing increased food bank use and financial instability. Élisabeth Brière defends government actions, highlighting reduced child care costs, increased employment, and inflation relief measures, arguing that the carbon tax provides rebates to families.

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Official LanguagesOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we are extremely proud of the work our team did on Bill C-13 to protect linguistic minorities across the country. We will always be there to protect official language minorities across Canada.

That is why we will continue to move forward. I would like to emphasize that it is also important, by the way, to stand up against the pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause, an issue on which this member has unfortunately been weaker than the communities would have liked.

We will always defend linguistic minorities across the country.

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Independent

Kevin Vuong Independent Spadina—Fort York, ON

Mr. Speaker, foreign operatives have interfered in Canada's electoral system and our democracy. Media and CSIS documents have indicated that members of the Liberal Party and caucus were involved.

Money and instant on-demand supporters were used to get pro-China candidates elected and anti-China ones defeated. Cabinet and the PMO were well briefed on the extent of foreign interference, yet nothing was done.

Why is the Prime Minister eager to turn a blind eye to shady Liberal nominations, sketchy donations and having pro-Beijing MPs in his own caucus? Will his personally selected special rapporteur also be investigating the Liberal Party?

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are rightly extremely concerned about foreign interference in our institutions, our elections and our democracy. That is why we are putting forward an independent top expert who will look at the entire landscape of interference and make sure that we are doing everything necessary and give Canadians confidence that the right processes have been followed, will be followed and that Canadians can continue to have confidence in their democracy and in the people they elect.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of Ms. Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade for the United Kingdom.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

Thunder Bay—Superior North Ontario

Liberal

Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Today is International Women's Day, and as the member for Scarborough—Agincourt asked her question of the Prime Minister and he was responding, the member for South Shore—St. Margarets yelled at the member for Scarborough—Agincourt, “She deserves a participation medal.”

Undermining the presence of women in the House, especially on this day, is absolutely abhorrent.

Every woman has fought to be in this place and every woman deserves to be in this place, and I ask the member to retract that comment.

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

Conservative

Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS

Mr. Speaker, I will withdraw the comment.

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

Conservative

Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

Mr. Speaker, my comment is going to be very simple. We have all fought hard to be here. Regardless of gender, we have all fought hard, or the majority of us have, I should say.

I am listening to this and it is very dishonouring. It goes both ways, and I would like to say that, on International Women's Day, let us be respectful to all.

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON

Mr. Speaker, 30% of the number of seats in the House are held by women. We are not there yet.

The House resumed from February 15 consideration of the motion that Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting, be read the third time and passed.

Bill C-224 National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting ActPrivate Members' Business

3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

It being 3:26 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 at third reading stage of Bill C-224 under Private Members' Business.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #263

Bill C-224 National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting ActPrivate Members' Business

3:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried

(Bill read the third time and passed)

The House resumed from February 16 consideration of the motion that Bill C-232, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month, be read the third time and passed.

Bill C-232 Arab Heritage MonthPrivate Members' Business

3:40 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

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 at third reading stage of Bill C-232 under Private Members' Business.

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

Vote #264

Bill C-232 Arab Heritage MonthPrivate Members' Business

3:50 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)

The House resumed from February 17 consideration of the motion that C-295, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (neglect of vulnerable adults), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Bill C-295 Criminal CodePrivate Members' Business

3:50 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

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 at second reading stage of Bill C-295, under Private Members' Business.

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

Vote #265

Bill C-295 Criminal CodePrivate Members' Business

4:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

The House resumed from March 7 consideration of the motion.

Industry and TechnologyCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

4:05 p.m.

The Speaker 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 ninth report of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology concerning the extension of time to consider Bill C‑244.

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

Vote #266

Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

4:15 p.m.

The Speaker 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 50 minutes.

I believe the hon. member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount has some news for us.