House of Commons Hansard #199 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was guns.

Topics

JusticeOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

Mr. Speaker, the only bail reform in Bill C-48 is in its name. Violent repeat offenders could still count on the Liberal government for its catch-and-release system to get them back out on the street, sometimes within hours of their arrest.

This bill does not substantially improve public safety. In fact, the man who killed Constable Pierzchala would still have been out on release even if this legislation had been in place.

When will the Liberals finally do what they have been asked and end catch-and-release?

JusticeOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard—Verdun Québec

Liberal

David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, allow me to quote the Canadian Police Association.

...we appreciate that [ministers] have worked collaboratively with stakeholders and introduced this common-sense legislation that responds to the concerns that our members have raised.

Police, provinces and territories seem to agree about the common-sense nature of our approach. We have the support of police associations, we have the support of provinces. This would go a long way towards making our bail system not only stronger but fairer.

JusticeOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

Mr. Speaker, doing the bare minimum, tokenism is not enough.

It is not enough in light of the challenges that our police face. It is not enough when 13 premiers unanimously call for fundamental change to Canada's broken bail system. Under this legislation, repeat violent criminals charged with weapons trafficking, attempted murder and robbery are all still eligible for bail under this Liberal catch-and-release program.

When will the Liberal government do what has been asked of it, protect Canadians, make our streets safer, and end catch-and-release?

JusticeOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard—Verdun Québec

Liberal

David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, this bill did exactly what the premiers asked for in their letter to the Prime Minister and more. We went further by working with the provincial justice ministers and ministers of public safety.

Here is what the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police have said:

We are convinced that the legislative changes put forth in Bill C-48 will go a long way to help eliminate the preventable harm and senseless tragedies attributable to violent and repeat offenders across Canada.

FirearmsOral Questions

May 17th, 2023 / 3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC

Mr. Speaker, the people in my riding of Châteauguay—Lacolle are concerned. Gun violence is a scourge that continues to raise concerns for people. Firearms are used in far too many violent crimes. They make our communities less safe.

I know that, like me, the Minister of Canadian Heritage shares these concerns. Can he tell us what message the Government of Canada has for Canadians who are worried about this situation?

FirearmsOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Honoré-Mercier Québec

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question and for all of the work that she does in her community. Like the residents of Châteauguay—Lacolle, the people in my riding of Honoré-Mercier are too often faced with gun violence.

I am proud to be able to tell them that we are taking action with Bill C-21. It is no secret that we would have liked to go even further, but even the strictest bill is no good if we cannot pass it. Bill C-21 may not be perfect, but it will make our communities a lot safer. What is clear is that the only way to keep assault weapons out of our communities is to have a Liberal government.

HousingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Aitchison Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON

Mr. Speaker, on the same day day we learned that the price of the average home shot up again, the Minister of Housing would not answer simple questions about the housing crisis.

We asked why rent had doubled over the last eight years. We asked why home prices have doubled over the last eight years. We asked him why his own officials have said that they could see a 32% decline in housing starts this year. He told us we were playing games.

How can the minister stand in this House and, continually, in the midst of a housing crisis, tell Canadians they have never had it so good?

HousingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

York South—Weston Ontario

Liberal

Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

Mr. speaker, it is really hard to take the party opposite seriously on housing. In their previous election platform, Conservatives did not even have the words “affordable housing” in their platform.

Now they have released a so-called plan that does not have the word “homelessness”. There is no plan for women's housing. There is no plan for northern housing. There is no plan for rapid housing. There is no plan for co-op housing. There is no plan for helping first-time homebuyers. There is no plan for helping renters. There is no plan for seniors' housing. There is no plan for accessible housing. There is absolutely no plan on that side of the house.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

Mr. Speaker, with this Prime Minister everything already costs more and now inflation is taking off again. Some experts are even saying that the Bank of Canada might increase interest rates yet again. It was in all the media. That is not reassuring for Canadians. This Prime Minister is at it again. He is proposing other inflationary policies like his carbon tax.

When will he abandon his disastrous plans for Canadians?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Laurier—Sainte-Marie Québec

Liberal

Steven Guilbeault LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change

Mr. Speaker, as I have already pointed out several times in the House, Quebec has a carbon pricing system called cap and trade and it is different than Canada's system.

I would be pleased to explain to my colleague opposite how the Quebec system works. My office would gladly arrange a briefing on this issue.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

Richard Lehoux Conservative Beauce, QC

Mr. Speaker, the government has driven up the cost of food production by charging our farmers the carbon tax and the 35% tariff on fertilizer.

Our family farms are stretched thin. The minister continues to suggest to farmers that they go further in debt and says that the carbon tax does not affect Quebec. I can also show the Minister of Environment and Climate Change bills that clearly show that is not true, not to mention the shipping of goods between the provinces. The government needs to understand the harm it is causing to farmers and Canadian families.

When will it finally cut the carbon tax?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Compton—Stanstead Québec

Liberal

Marie-Claude Bibeau LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague the Minister of Environment and Climate Change said, Quebec has its own system. The price on pollution imposed by the federal government does not apply to Quebec.

Unlike the Conservatives, who cut risk management and research and innovation programs when they were in power, we are making investments. We are supporting our farmers so that they can adopt good environmental practices and have access to new technologies. We have increased the sustainable Canadian agricultural partnership by 25%.

Public SafetyOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Liberal

Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canadians across the country deserve to feel safe from gun violence and crime. In my riding of Mississauga—Lakeshore, I have heard from constituents who do worry about the safety of their loved ones. They worry about gang violence, carjacking and organized crime.

Can the minister please update this House on the action this government is taking to make our neighbourhood safer for everyone?

Public SafetyOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard—Verdun Québec

Liberal

David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Mississauga—Lakeshore for his hard work.

We have promised Canadians we would crack down on gun violence. Assault-style firearms have no place in our communities. That is why we are pushing forward with smart policy to get these weapons off our streets, investing in our borders to stop illegal smuggling and investing nearly $400 million to support law enforcement and address guns and gangs.

Yesterday, I introduced a bill that would make it harder to get bail after committing a crime involving a firearm.

What do the Conservatives do? They vote against these measures and they filibuster. We have a plan. They have a record of slashing police budgets and stalling.

Women and Gender EqualityOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Blake Desjarlais NDP Edmonton Griesbach, AB

Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, a day when we commit to fighting discrimination in all its forms.

Sadly, queer communities across Turtle Island and the world are increasingly under threat. Lives are at stake here. The #Act4QueerSafety campaign and others have put forward concrete proposals for more funding to combat hate. Additionally, the Dignity Network has long called for a special rapporteur to ensure that 2SLGBTQ rights at home and abroad are protected.

When will the government go beyond words, start acting and implement the calls to action?

Women and Gender EqualityOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Kanata—Carleton Ontario

Liberal

Jenna Sudds LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

Mr. Speaker, every Canadian deserves to feel safe and supported, no matter where they are or whom they love. Homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny, biphobia and all forms of violence and racism have no place in Canada or in the world. We know that a disproportionate amount of hate is directed at 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and that is why 75% of the 2SLGBTQI+ action plan investments go directly to the critical lifelines supporting these communities. Our government will continue to support them and reaffirm their right to be true and—

Women and Gender EqualityOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

The hon. member for Spadina—Fort York.

Public SafetyOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Independent

Kevin Vuong Independent Spadina—Fort York, ON

Mr. Speaker, the public safety minister has reached the startling conclusion that there may be more Chinese police stations operating in Canada, not that he would inform the House, having decided to share this stunning revelation of the obvious with CTV last weekend.

Does the government have a particular number of stations in mind before it takes the matter seriously? How much longer does the RCMP now need to complete an investigation into what is already known? In case they missed it on TV, do they even know about the other stations? Is there a threshold for the number of Chinese Canadians who must be intimidated before the government acts?

Public SafetyOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Oakville North—Burlington Ontario

Liberal

Pam Damoff LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, we take all threats from Russia, China and other foreign actors very seriously. As the hon. member knows, the investigation of these Chinese police stations is being conducted by the RCMP, and the RCMP will continue to conduct investigations as information comes forward.

Canadians can be assured not only that we are taking this seriously, but that they are safe here in Canada.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, led by Lord Purvis of Tweed.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

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

Mr. Speaker, during question period, the hon. member for Fundy Royal was asking a question of the justice minister, and the member for York South—Weston said that is a lie. This, of course, is unacceptable and unparliamentary.

I believe if you consult Hansard, you will find that they did in fact capture it being said and that if you give the member for York South—Weston the opportunity now, he will, of course, rise and apologize for this unacceptable and unparliamentary comment made to the hon. member for Fundy Royal.

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

We will consult Hansard and come back to the House tomorrow.

The House resumed from May 16 consideration of Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), as reported (with amendments) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

It being 3:24 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the motions at report stage of Bill C-21.

Call in the members.

The question is on Motion No. 1. A vote on this motion also applies to Motions Nos. 2 to 6, 9 and 12.