Debates of May 10th, 2023

House of Commons Hansard #194 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was education.

Topics

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

Statements by Members

Government support for abortion access

100th anniversary of Vachon snack cakes

Tribute to Al Tweddle of Orléans

Quebec National Assembly medal recipients

Congratulations to Saint Mary's University graduates

Support for juror mental health

Whitby Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

Canada must ensure Ukraine's victory

Alberta model for addiction recovery

HMCS Prevost recognizes Battle of the Atlantic

Criticism of Liberal government policies

Criticism of Prime Minister Trudeau

Defending abortion access in Canada

Investing in women's soccer in Canada

Support for La Zarra at Eurovision

Criticism of Prime Minister Trudeau's priorities

Tribute to Jaspreet Singh Pandher

Question Period

The Conservatives criticize the government for erasing history from passports and closing veterans' offices. They blame the carbon tax for high food prices and highlight the doubled housing costs. Concerns include foreign interference and the deadly drug overdose crisis from "safer supply." They advocate for Canadian LNG projects to create jobs.

The Liberals prioritize supporting veterans and delivering for Canadians by addressing housing and advancing national pharmacare. They affirm women's reproductive rights, advocate a harm reduction approach to the overdose crisis, and pursue economic growth while fighting climate change. They also address foreign interference and back local news.

The Bloc criticizes the federal government's 500,000 annual immigration target, highlighting widespread Quebec opposition due to concerns about health care, education, and housing costs, and cultural impact. They accuse the policy of creating cheap labour and condemn the lack of consultation with Quebec.

The NDP criticize the government's ties to the pharmaceutical industry for high medication costs. They demand action on the housing crisis, urge respect for indigenous rights and resource benefits, and call for support for wildfire evacuees.

The Greens advocate for a citizens' assembly on electoral reform, noting strong public and Liberal party support for the initiative.

Petitions

War in Tigray humanitarian crisis

Cap emissions from oil, gas

Federal funding for public transit

Direct flights to Amritsar, India

An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages Report stage of Bill C-13. The bill modernizes the Official Languages Act to strengthen French and protect minority language rights across Canada. It proposes mandatory reviews, enhanced powers for the Commissioner, and measures for francophone immigration and education. Members debate its effectiveness, Liberal delays in its passage, and concerns about funding for anglophone communities in Quebec. 9600 words, 1 hour.

Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Members debate a Conservative motion urging the federal government to ensure "maximum inclusion" of people with disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, in all education spending, domestically and internationally. Speakers emphasize Canada's commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting disparities in school attendance for children with disabilities globally and the need for a collaborative approach. 8200 words, 1 hour.

Adjournment Debates

Carbon tax MUSH program Dan Mazier accuses the Liberals of misleading Canadians by not returning carbon tax revenue to hospitals, municipalities, and universities through the MUSH retrofit program. Kevin Lamoureux defends the carbon tax, noting that 80% of people receive more money back than they pay.

Inquiry into Abuse in Sports Sébastien Lemire calls for an independent public inquiry into abuse in sports, criticizing the government's reliance on internal audits and outsourced investigations. Adam van Koeverden says an inquiry is inevitable, and highlights steps the government has taken to promote safe sport, but Lemire says the government is failing athletes.

McKinsey and the opioid crisis Garnett Genuis questions the government's relationship with McKinsey, given McKinsey's role in the opioid crisis, and asks if the government will sue McKinsey. Kevin Lamoureux accuses Genuis of irresponsible insinuations, and expresses confidence in the processes of the public service.

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Public Services and ProcurementAdjournment Proceedings

6:35 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Madam Speaker, respectfully, that was quite a rambling answer to a direct question.

The question is about McKinsey's involvement in fuelling the opioid crisis. This is not a conspiracy. McKinsey did not pay $600 million in compensation to victims of the opioid crisis because somebody was saying things about it on Reddit. McKinsey paid that massive amount of compensation because the facts were clear and its complicity was clear. Moreover, there have been multiple stories in The New York Times detailing the way in which McKinsey fuelled the opioid crisis.

While these stories were being written, Dominic Barton, who was managing partner of McKinsey, claimed he was unaware. He said that he only found out about what happened with McKinsey and Purdue after the fact. That just does not hold water.

A direct question I have for the parliamentary secretary is this: Can the government confirm, as was said to me in a written response to a petition, that it is suing McKinsey for its role in the opioid crisis? What is its response in terms of the relationship that is there?

Public Services and ProcurementAdjournment Proceedings

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Madam Speaker, I have confidence that our law enforcement agencies, the RCMP and our Department of Justice, along with the professional civil servants who are there, will provide the services needed. I suspect that if the grounds and evidence are there, we will see action taken by the government. We have witnessed, over the last number of years as a government, that we have protocols and procedures. We have the checks in place to ensure that there is a high sense of accountability in the government and the private sector to ensure that Canadians' best interests are being served.

As the member knows full well, on the issues that Canadians are very much concerned about, the government will ensure that Canadians are well served.

Public Services and ProcurementAdjournment Proceedings

6:35 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6:38 p.m.)