Hear, hear!
House of Commons Hansard #189 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was indigenous.
House of Commons Hansard #189 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was indigenous.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act First reading of Bill C-331. The bill amends the CSIS Act to require reporting on breaches of the duty of candour by CSIS officials and includes a duty of candour oath for them, aiming for transparency and public trust. 200 words.
Opposition Motion—Home Ownership and Renting Affordability Members debate Canada's housing crisis, with Conservatives attributing it to Liberal inflationary policies and proposing to link federal infrastructure dollars to new home construction and sell federal properties. Liberals highlight their National Housing Strategy and Housing Accelerator Fund, while criticizing the Conservatives' past record. The NDP calls for ending special tax treatment for corporate landlords and investing in an acquisition fund for non-profits. The Bloc emphasizes provincial jurisdiction and criticizes federal conditions. 44200 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Foreign Interference and Alleged Intimidation of Member Conservative MP Michael Chong raises a question of privilege, alleging a Chinese diplomat targeted him and his family in retaliation for his 2021 motion on Uyghur genocide. He argues this constitutes contempt of Parliament and criticizes the government's inaction. Other members express support for Chong and agree that foreign interference is unacceptable, emphasizing the need to address this serious issue. 2400 words, 15 minutes.
Criminal Code Second reading of Bill C-321. The bill amends the Criminal Code to make assaulting a health care professional or first responder an aggravating circumstance for sentencing. The Conservative sponsor, Todd Doherty, argues it would protect those who "put their uniforms on" to serve Canadians, citing increasing violence against them. Liberals and NDP support the bill, with Don Davies (NDP) and Majid Jowhari (Liberal) suggesting committee work to expand definitions and ensure consistency with existing legislation. The Bloc Québécois will support sending the bill to committee but questions if it is the "perfect solution." 8000 words, 1 hour.
Red Dress Day Members debate Red Dress Day, highlighting the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people. They call for immediate action, particularly a national Red Dress Alert system, to address the crisis. Speakers criticize the federal government's slow implementation of the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice, unspent funding, and cuts to women's shelters. They emphasize the need for Indigenous-led solutions, addressing systemic racism, and improving housing and social supports. 33000 words, 4 hours.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, now parents are more afraid than ever to take their kids to playgrounds and parks due to open drug use. Law enforcement are now handcuffed and can only stand by and watch. Because—
HealthOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
If I could just interrupt for a moment. I am going to have to ask the member to repeat the question. I was not able to hear it because of all the ruckus.
The hon. member for Kelowna—Lake Country can take it from the top, please.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals teamed up with the B.C. NDP on drug decriminalization policies.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, now parents are more afraid than ever to take their kids to playgrounds and—
HealthOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
I am not sure how often they want to hear it repeated, but we will start it again, from the top. I want to remind—
HealthOral Questions
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals teamed up with the B.C. NDP on drug decriminalization policies.
Now parents are more afraid than ever to take their kids to playgrounds and parks due to open drug use. Law enforcement are now handcuffed and can only stand by and watch. Because of these new drug policies, the Kelowna mayor says that police cannot stop drug users from getting high and leaving syringes in children's playgrounds.
Our Prime Minister is out of touch and our streets are out of control. When are the Liberals going to take public safety seriously?
Carolyn Bennett LiberalMinister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, the toxic drug and overdose crisis continues to take a tragic toll on families, loved ones and communities.
Our government will use every tool at our disposal to work with our partners to end this national public health tragedy. Since 2017, we have committed more than $1 billion to address the overdose crisis, and we are taking concrete steps to divert people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system. Approving B.C.'s decriminalization proposal for personal possession is an important step. So far, we have supported 31 projects, providing a safer supply.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is unbelievable that the Liberals think it is acceptable for open drug use where children play.
The answer from the minister is completely out of touch with reality, and the reality is that the drug policies of the Liberal-NDP coalition are making our streets and parks less safe for families. Now municipalities across British Columbia, from Kelowna to Campbell River, are having to take action through bylaws and provincial advocacy, just to keep their communities safe.
Again I will ask, when will the Liberals take public safety seriously?
Carolyn Bennett LiberalMinister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, we are committed to ending the toxic drug and overdose crisis.
In moving forward on decriminalization, there is adequate supervision by the B.C. government and the B.C. Centre on Substance Use on both public safety and public health, with proper indicators. We are monitoring this very closely, but we have to stop this toxic drug overdose tragedy. We will do that.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, last week, the Minister of Public Safety—yes, him again— told a parliamentary committee that the illegal Chinese police stations in Montreal and Brossard had been shut down.
The problem with what the minister said is that it is not true. Those police stations are still operating. The heads of the two Chinese police stations say that they did not receive any closure requests from the RCMP and that they are continuing to operate normally.
The Liberals are obviously not taking the matter of Chinese interference seriously. This is a serious problem, a very serious problem.
Can the Prime Minister tell us the truth and confirm that the Minister of Public Safety misled the House?
Marco Mendicino LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, as I explained to my colleague, the RCMP has taken decisive action to deal with the so-called Chinese police stations. The RCMP will continue to monitor whether there are others. I hope that all members expect the RCMP to remain vigilant on this issue.
More importantly, budget 2023 allocates $49 million to deal with this matter. I hope that my colleague and all Conservatives will support the budget.
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is essential we support scientists and researchers across Canada so we can position ourselves as a global leader in the research ecosystem.
Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry talk about the recent announcement made through the first research excellence fund and how this funding will support important research initiatives with universities across the country?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Châteauguay—Lacolle for her important question and her excellent work as a colleague.
In fact, I was at Concordia University on Friday to announce an historic investment of $1.4 billion in the sciences. Our students, our researchers and our scientists play a vital role. I think that all of my colleagues agree. This funding will support wide-scale research initiatives across the country, from Vancouver to Calgary, to Montreal and obviously Halifax. We will—
Innovation, Science and IndustryOral Questions
Scott Aitchison Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON
Mr. Speaker, CMHC is reporting that Canada could see a reduction of almost 32% in new housing construction this year. Its chief economist said that, with record inflation, sky-high interest rates and labour shortages, the current economic situation is “inhospitable” for new construction.
The warnings are coming from inside the castle walls now. I am wondering when this government will actually clean up the fiscal mess it created so Canadians can one day afford a home again.
Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Mr. Speaker, I wish the hon. member, in good conscience, would speak to his colleague from Sarnia—Lambton, who stood in this House and voted against the housing accelerator fund after praising it in committee and praising it in the House of Commons. This is the problem with that party. The Conservatives have no policies when it comes to actually delivering housing affordability and a housing supply for Canadians. The member's colleague from Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon went further and said that the federal government should withdraw from housing investments and leave everything to the provinces and the market, and somehow it will magically be okay.
Canadians expect better from the official opposition.
Scott Aitchison Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON
Mr. Speaker, I can assure members that when we replace the Liberals as the government, we will deliver better. We will not waste taxpayers' money so egregiously to achieve nothing for results. Under the Liberals, local politicians are delaying and even blocking new housing. Saskatoon guarantees a building permit for a house in five days. It can be done. There is no reason for the delay.
When will the government finally stand up to local politicians who are creating costly delays, so we can get the homes built that Canadians so desperately need?
Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Mr. Speaker, we know that the key to building more housing supply is to work with provinces and municipalities. The Conservatives do not understand that. In fact, their leader, this morning in this chamber, denigrated and attacked three of the mayors of Canada's largest cities. That is not going to build one unit of housing for the most vulnerable in this country.
What we have done is bring real solutions, including the housing accelerator fund, which will double the number of new homes built in Canada. Instead of supporting that and getting serious about this issue, the Conservatives offer gimmicks and buzzwords.
Richard Bragdon Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
Mr. Speaker, I grew up in the small forestry town of Nackawic, New Brunswick, which also happens to be the home of the world's largest axe. At the rate this government is increasing taxes, including a 41¢-per-litre hike on Canadians' heating, eating and meeting, we might need an even bigger axe to slay all of these back-breaking taxes.
Will the Prime Minister, who is out of touch, take his boot off the backs of hard-working Canadians who are out of money and finally axe this failed, ineffective and punitive carbon tax?
Steven Guilbeault LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, I would ask my hon. colleague to work with me; it is going to be a bit difficult to follow. In 2006, the Conservative Party was against carbon pricing. Then, in 2008, the Conservatives were in favour of carbon pricing. Then, in 2009, they were against the fact that they were in favour of carbon pricing. That changed again in 2011, and it changed again during the last election campaign, when the Conservative Party of Canada campaigned in favour of having carbon pricing, and now they are against it.
If we give it another year or so, they will be back in favour of carbon pricing.
Kody Blois Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Mr. Speaker, three years ago, 22 people were killed in Nova Scotia in what was the worst mass shooting in Canadian history. The victims were friends, families and neighbours, and all Nova Scotians were touched by this tragedy.
Last week, our government announced funding, in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, dedicated specifically for mental health support for those who were impacted. Can the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions update this House on how that will support those who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy?