Debates of April 21st, 2023

Sport

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pontiac for her question.

I want to join her in congratulating Quebec City for being chosen to host the next Canada Winter Games in 2027, 60 years after hosting the inaugural event.

It is a wonderful tribute to Quebec City for the Canada Games to return to its birthplace. The event will also generate major economic spinoffs for the region.

We will continue to work with our partners to give our young athletes unique opportunities to excel and reach their full potential in a safe, healthy and inclusive sports environment.

Ethics

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, at a time when inflation is eating away at more and more taxpayers' paycheques, families are being forced to pay $1,000 more each year to put food on the table, and mortgage payments are doubling, causing untold stress for Canadians, the Prime Minister sees nothing wrong with taking a luxury vacation to Jamaica.

Can he at least tell us how much he paid out of his own pocket for his luxury hotel?

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, for nine consecutive months, inflation has been going down in Canada. On Monday, we saw inflation drop significantly.

The priority of our Liberal government has been and continues to be the economy and the cost of living. The priority of the Conservatives, especially the leader of the Conservative Party, is to attack the Prime Minister or to join forces with Elon Musk on Twitter to denigrate our Canadian institutions, such as the CBC.

This morning, we saw that all those efforts were for naught, because Elon Musk himself backed down.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 24% of Canadians say that they cannot take a vacation this summer because of inflation.

They are definitely not impressed when they see their Prime Minister vacationing in a Jamaican paradise at taxpayers' expense. The average Canadian dares not even dream of such luxury.

This Prime Minister is so used to living on another planet that he does not even realize how this is perceived by Canadians and the entire world.

I will repeat my question: Will he pay for his luxury hotel out of his own pocket?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as the government House leader said yesterday, it is somewhat hypocritical, some might suggest, for the Leader of the Opposition, who lives in a government-supplied home, who drives in a government-supplied vehicle and who receives many different government paid expenses, to be critical of other members.

At times, the Conservative Party needs to look in the mirror and realize that sometimes it is not good to throw stones at a glass house.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[Michael Kram, Conservative, Regina—Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the mass shooting in Nova Scotia three years ago was a tragedy that must never be repeated.

Strangely, the Mass Casualty Commission report identified the physical location of the RCMP Depot in Regina as a problem and recommended that it be shut down. The RCMP Depot in Regina is a world-class police training facility, fully capable of implementing any training requirements that need to be made.

Will the government commit today to keeping the RCMP training depot in Regina open?

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, we thank the commission for its report and the important recommendations that it has made.

We are reviewing the commission's recommendations, and will be working closely with provinces, territories, counterparts and civil society to respond in due course. We hope that the opposition parties are also reviewing all of the recommendations, not just the one on the RCMP, that dealt with gender-based violence and assault weapons, and that we could work together to implement the recommendations to save lives.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has a proud tradition of welcoming some of the world's most vulnerable people. With the challenges businesses face and the changing demographic of our rural towns, we know skilled refugees can be part of the solution too.

Could the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tell us how we are providing refugees with a new lease on life and the opportunity to help businesses in need?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his advocacy over the years. I have known him to support some of the world's most vulnerable.

We know that when refugees or displaced people come to Canada they arrive with a heck of a lot more than what they are carrying in their bags. These are people who have skills to contribute. They will grow our economy and give back to the communities that have given them that second lease on life. That is why we recently announced an expanded program, the EMPP, or economic mobility pathways pilot, which taps into the skills that refugees bring to Canada and is going to allow thousands to come and live in our communities and give back.

I met these people. They are working in health care and high tech. We are going to continue to welcome them. It is the right thing to do and it serves our interests at the same time.

Sport

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Mr. Speaker, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, we are calling on the Liberals to invest in soccer for kids in indigenous and northern communities. Now we found out that the City of Toronto cooked up a sweetheart deal that will divert public funds to Maple Leaf sports and entertainment. I know the Maple Leafs are not used to making profits come round two of the playoffs, so they want to max it out, but let us be real. This is a misuse of public funds.

The Liberals must be clear. In the lead-up to the world cup, will they ensure that any public funds go to the public good, like investing in soccer for our communities so that all kids can play the sport they love?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, it is a priority for our government to ensure that sport is accessible for as many people as possible. That is why we created the community sport for all initiative, which has made it possible for children and youth from all communities to access organized sports. Our government will continue to help Canadians access quality infrastructure to participate in organized sports.

Government Response to Petitions

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to six petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.

Hazaras

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a petition on behalf of my constituents who are members of the Hazara minority ethnic community of Afghanistan. They are again reminding the Government of Canada of the ongoing genocide of the Hazaras in Afghanistan who continue to be persecuted by the terrorist Taliban regime in this ongoing genocide, especially going back from 1998 to 2001.

The massacres, arrests, forced displacement and confiscation of Hazaras' lands are of ongoing concern for my constituents. They remind the Government of Canada, as part of the international community, of its obligation to promote justice for the Hazara ethnic community in Afghanistan. They are calling on it to recognize the ongoing genocide and persecution by the Taliban of the Hazara ethnic minority, and asking it to prioritize Hazara refugees as part of the 40,000 Afghan target by the end of this year.

Farmers' Markets

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, given the price of inflation and food, it is timely that I am bringing this petition on behalf of constituents from Cumberland, Courtenay and Royston in my riding. They cite the importance of farmers' markets as a key tool for COVID–19 recovery, as small business incubators, as domestic system and food security builders, and local economy community builders.

Farmers' market coupon programs are a key support for new market development, and for existing markets and their provincial associations. The petitioners are calling for a national coupon-matching program that would assist in meeting the demands of people who are lacking healthy food and food security, encourage provinces without a provincial program to create one, and support those provinces that have a provincial program to expand and meet that demand.

They are calling on the House of Commons and the Government of Canada to support my motion, Motion No. 78, and initiate a national coupon-matching program for all provincial farmers' market and nutrition coupon programs across Canada that would match provinces that are already contributing to their farmers' market nutrition coupon programs and encourage provinces that do not have a program to implement one.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present this petition on behalf of 274 signatories from the Turkish Canadian community in my riding of York Centre. Many of my constituents and their families have been deeply affected by the recent earthquake. This petition is calling on the government to take action to help them by easing the temporary resident visa application requirements that are currently in place.

Opioids

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

Mr. Speaker, I table a petition from so many Canadians and recognizing the heartfelt words of so many of my constituents about addressing drug toxicity and the impact it is having on the many precious lives that are being lost.

We know Canada's current drug policies have proven to be ineffective in the prevention of substance use and exacerbate substance use, harms and risks.

We also know, from much research, that the decriminalization of personal possessions is associated with significantly reducing drug toxicity deaths in the countries that have adopted progressive drug policy reforms.

So many precious souls have died. Once they are gone, they never have that opportunity, so the petitioners are asking the government to implement a health-based national strategy to provide access to a regular safe supply of drugs, and expand trauma-informed treatment, recovery and harm-reduction services and public education and awareness campaigns throughout Canada.

Climate Change

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, I am once again pleased to present a just transition petition on behalf of 216 Yukon constituents.

The petitioners call upon the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada to enact just transition legislation that reduces emissions by at least 60% below 2005 levels and makes significant contributions to emissions reductions in countries in the global south; winds down the fossil fuel industry and related infrastructure; ends fossil fuel subsidies; transitions to a decarbonized economy; creates new public economic institutions and expands public ownership of services and utilities across the economy to implement the transition; creates good, green jobs and drives inclusive workforce development, led by and including affected workers in communities and ensures decent low-carbon work for all workers; protects and strengthens human rights and worker rights, respects indigenous rights, sovereignty and knowledge by including them in creating and implementing this legislation; ensures migrant justice and emphasizes support for historically marginalized communities; expands the social safety net through new income supports, decarbonized public housing and operational funding for affordable and accessible public transit countrywide; and pays for the transition by increasing taxes on the wealthiest corporations and financing through a public national bank.

Opioids

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, I am pleased to submit this petition, signed by Canadians who state that over 29,000 Canadians have died due to apparent opioid toxicity between January 2016 and December 2021.

This petition states that Canada's current drug policies have proven to be ineffective in the prevention of substance use and exacerbates substance use, harms and risks. The war on drugs has resulted in widespread stigma toward those who use controlled substances. It further states that decriminalization of personal possession is associated with significantly reducing drug toxicity deaths in the countries that have adopted progressive drug policy reforms.

The signatories to the petition call for three items: first, that there be reform to the drug policy to decriminalize the simple possession of drugs listed in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; second, provide a path for expungement of conviction records for those convicted of simple possession; and, three, with urgency, implement a health-based national strategy for providing access to a regulated safer supply of drugs and expand trauma-informed treatment, recovery and harm-reduction services, and public education and awareness campaigns throughout Canada.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Questions Nos. 1290 to 1292 and 1294.

Question No.1290—

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

With regard to consultations by the Minister of Justice related to the future of the sex offender registry: what are the details of all consultations on the future of the registry which have occurred since October 28, 2022, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) type of consultation, (iii) names of individuals and organizations consulted?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, on October 28, 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down two elements of the Criminal Code relating to the obligation to comply with Canada’s sex offender registry. At that time, the Minister of Justice indicated that he would look at the options responsibly and was clear that victims and the safety of Canadians would always be priorities in this matter.

Officials from Justice Canada and Public Safety Canada have engaged with provincial and territorial officials and law enforcement through existing fora to discuss the implications of the judgment and possible avenues for a potential legislative response. Specifically, the issue was discussed on October 31 and November 14, 2022, by the Coordinating Committee of Senior Officials, CCSO, High-Risk Offenders Working Group, membership in which is open to all jurisdictions.

The minister’s office has consulted the following organizations: Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights; Association Québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes; Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic; Benjamin Roebuck, Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime; Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police; Canadian Association of Crown Counsel; Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies; Canadian Centre for Child Protection; Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity; Canadian Federation of University Women Circles of Support and Accountability; Ottawa Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association; DisAbled Women’s Network Canada; Egale Canada; Ending Violence Association of Canada; Fédération des femmes du Québec; Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes; National Council of Women of Canada; Native Women's Association of Canada; Newfoundland Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre; Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service; Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (National Alliance for Racialized, Refugee, and Immigrant Women); South Asian Women’s Community Centre; The Criminal Lawyers’ Association; The National Association of Women And The Law; West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund; and Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund.

Question No.1291—

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

With regard to the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Regulations, Section 3(1): is Pelee Island considered to be an area that is not within either a census agglomeration or a census metropolitan area and, if so, are residential properties on Pelee Island therefore excluded from this prohibition?

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing)]

Mr. Speaker, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, CMHC, cannot provide interpretive guidance on the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Regulations, or responses to fact-specific questions.

Statistics Canada provides definitions of Census Metropolitan Area, CMA, and Census Agglomeration, CA, in their Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) reference maps. Please note that Statistics Canada will not be providing verification of specific residential addresses or interpretative guidance on fact specific questions relating to the applicability of the act.

CMHC has published new information on its website that supports the act and the regulations, including updated frequently asked questions and answers for individuals and industry professionals. Additionally, the government announced amendments to the regulations that expand exceptions allowing non-Canadians to purchase a residential property in certain circumstances.

Question No.1292—

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

With regard to individuals subject to a removal order under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA): (a) how many such individuals were incarcerated in a provincial correctional facility as of March 6, 2023; (b) of the individuals in (a), what is the breakdown by type of crime and by specific criminal code offence which resulted in the incarceration; and (c) of the individuals in (a), how many were deemed inadmissible pursuant to sections 34 to 37 of the IRPA, broken down by relevant subsections?

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), as of March 6, 2023, there were 140 individuals under immigration hold and subject to a removal order who were being housed in a provincial correctional facility.

With regard to part (b), CBSA does not hold the requested information as it falls outside of the agency’s mandate. The CBSA’s mandate includes enforcement of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, IRPA, which provides for the arrest and detention of foreign nationals and permanent residents who are inadmissible to Canada and who are either unlikely to appear for an immigration proceeding or constitute a danger to the public. Individuals detained under the IRPA are entitled to a review of their detention by the Immigration and Refugee Board, IRB, an independent quasi-judicial tribunal. Individuals are entitled to have the reasons for their detention reviewed by the IRB within the first 48 hours of being detained. At a detention review, the IRB may order their release on conditions or determine that detention should continue. If the IRB determines that detention should be continued, a subsequent detention review is to be held in the next seven days and every 30 days thereafter. The immigration division of the IRB will provide reasons for its decisions, and the decisions are subject to judicial review.

With regard to part (c), of the 140 individuals in part (a), 81 were inadmissible pursuant to sections 34 to 37 of the IRPA. Seventy-one individuals were found inadmissible pursuant to 36(1)(a), which pertains to cases where the permanent resident or foreign national has been convicted in Canada of an offence under an act of Parliament punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years, or of an offence under an act of Parliament for which a term of imprisonment of more than six months has been imposed. Three individuals were found inadmissible pursuant to 36(1)(b), which pertains to cases where the permanent resident or foreign national is inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality for having been convicted of an offence outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an offence under an act of Parliament punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years. Six individuals were found inadmissible pursuant to 36(2)(a), which pertains to cases where the foreign national is inadmissible on grounds of criminality for having been convicted in Canada of an offence under an act of Parliament punishable by way of indictment, or of two offences under any act of Parliament not arising out of a single occurrence. One individual was found inadmissible pursuant to 36(2)(b), which pertains to cases where the foreign national is inadmissible on grounds of criminality for having been convicted outside Canada of an offence that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an indictable offence under an act of Parliament, or of two offences not arising out of a single occurrence that, if committed in Canada, would constitute offences under an act of Parliament.