House of Commons Hansard #212 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was sanctions.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Canada Pharmacare Act First reading of Bill C-340. The bill introduces the Canada Pharmacare Act, establishing a framework for universal, comprehensive, and public pharmacare across Canada, modeled on the Canada Health Act to ensure affordable prescription medications. 200 words.
Inquiries Act First reading of Bill C-341. The bill amends the Inquiries Act to ensure that Parliament, not the government, determines the commissioners for future commissions of inquiry, aiming to strengthen democratic accountability. 200 words.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Members debate the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, concerning Canada's housing crisis. Conservatives argue that the federal government's policies have led to doubled rents and home prices, advocating for reduced municipal regulations and private sector incentives for purpose-built rentals. Liberals highlight their National Housing Strategy and historic investments, while the NDP and Bloc Québécois emphasize the need for affordable housing and stopping the financialization of housing. 24300 words, 3 hours.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Report stage of Bill S-8. The bill aims to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, making individuals sanctioned under the Special Economic Measures Act inadmissible to Canada. Liberals support the bill, stating it closes a legislative gap to prevent human rights abusers and those involved in international peace breaches from entering. Conservatives and NDP, while supporting the bill's intent, criticize the government's inconsistent application and enforcement of existing sanctions, such as the Magnitsky Act and the listing of the IRGC. The Bloc Québécois emphasizes Canada remaining a refuge, not a haven for criminals. 19500 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Alleged Breach of Government Obligation to Appoint Officer of Parliament—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a question of privilege regarding the vacant Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner position, concluding it is not a prima facie question of privilege due to timing. 500 words.
Alleged Intimidation of Member Members debate a question of privilege regarding a message sent by the Minister of Justice to an MP, discussing alleged attacks on Justice Iacobucci's integrity and the Minister's stated intention to share this disrespect with the Italian Canadian community. 400 words.
Violence Against Pregnant Women Act Second reading of Bill C-311. The bill, Bill C-311, an act to amend the Criminal Code (violence against pregnant women), aims to make pregnancy an explicit and mandatory aggravating factor in sentencing for crimes against pregnant women. Conservative members argue it is a common-sense measure to protect vulnerable women. However, Liberal, NDP, and Bloc Québécois members oppose it, stating it is a thinly veiled attempt to reopen the abortion debate and could undermine women's reproductive rights by implicitly recognizing fetal personhood. They also contend that judges already have the discretion to consider pregnancy as an aggravating factor. 7000 words, 1 hour.
Government Business No. 26—Amendments to the Standing Orders Members debate making hybrid sittings permanent, with Liberals and NDP emphasizing increased diversity and accessibility, work-life balance, and parliamentary continuity during crises. Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois express concerns about eroding accountability, straining interpreters, and diminishing in-person interaction, advocating for consensus or a sunset clause for such significant changes. 49900 words, 5 hours.
Lebanese Heritage Month Act Second reading of Bill S-246. The bill S-246 designates November as Lebanese Heritage Month to acknowledge the significant contributions of Lebanese Canadians across the country. Members from various parties highlight the community's resilience and cultural richness, their historical impact on Canada from the fur trade to business, and the importance of celebrating their heritage and traditions. The bill passed unanimously. 6400 words, 45 minutes.
Francis Drouin LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, farm fuel is exempt from any price on pollution. I would encourage her to speak to canola farmers, as she would know then that the clean fuel standard is great for farmers—
Carbon PricingOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
We were doing so well. I am going to ask everybody to take a deep breath.
Order.
Now, let us all listen to each other, not while we are shouting, but just while one person is speaking. Then, one person will ask a question and one person will answer. That is the way it is supposed to work.
The hon. parliamentary secretary can take it from the top, please.
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Mr. Speaker, a noisy plan is not a climate plan.
We believe on this side of the House that farm fuels should be exempted on farms, and they are. We also believe that the clean fuel standard will bring great opportunities for farmers and especially canola farmers.
I would encourage the members on the other side, especially from out west, to have a conversation with the canola growers and see if they are supportive of this particular policy, because they are.
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are at it again, trying to silence those who disagree. Because I clapped in support of a public inquiry, the Attorney General sent an email from his official account. The email outlined that he was the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. It clearly threatened my legal reputation and my professional future.
However, we as Conservatives will not be silenced. Does the Attorney General think it is acceptable to intimidate an MP and threaten his reputation because the MP supports an inquiry?
David Lametti LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I did nothing of the sort. I was deeply disappointed all week to hear Conservatives attacking the reputation of Frank Iacobucci, who is a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and was a deputy minister of—
JusticeOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
I am trying to hear what the hon. minister has to say, but the shouting is getting louder and louder. The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo asked a question; I think he deserves an answer.
The hon. minister.
David Lametti Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
Mr. Speaker, I was merely reacting to the fact that all week the Conservatives have been attacking Mr. Justice Frank Iacobucci, a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and a former deputy minister of justice under the Conservatives under Brian Mulroney.
The hon. member clapped loudly when Mr. Justice Iacobucci's name was—
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Mr. Speaker, Bill C-21 was designed to be part of a larger solution to mitigating gun violence here in Canada. We know that banning handguns was one part of the solution, but we also know that preventive measures can have a major impact on gun violence.
Our government is investing resources into supporting programs and working with young people to prevent them from getting involved in crime at a young age. Can the minister please share with this House some of the steps we are taking to invest in preventive programs and services directly aimed at young people?
Marco Mendicino LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, to eradicate gun violence, we need strong laws and strong borders and strong prevention. We are rolling out a $250-million “building safer communities” fund to address the root causes that my colleague talks about.
However, I also want to call on the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada to free his Conservative senators and free the bill. Bill C-21 is in the Senate right now. We need to read it, debate it and pass it into law so that we can save lives. It is only the Conservatives who continue to stand in the way of this legislation. All other four parties in this House passed it. Let us save lives.
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, if the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 port expansion is fully automated, it could cause a ripple effect across other Canadian ports that could cost thousands of jobs.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to start again, if you do not mind. Members could pipe down a bit in their rage farming.
LabourOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
I am sorry. I was distracted. I could not hear the noise that was going on because we were trying to look at what is going on.
I am going to ask the hon. member to start from the top so that we can hear his question. I am going to ask everyone to take a deep breath and not heckle each other. Just try to be nice.
The hon. member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley.
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, if the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 port expansion is fully automated, it could cause a ripple effect across other Canadian ports that could cost this country thousands of jobs.
At the same time, there are very serious environmental concerns. The federal government's own review process called the environmental damage from this project permanent and irreversible.
The ILWU has reached out to the minister and expressed strong concerns on both of these fronts, yet the minister approved the project without even reaching out to them. How can this minister say that he is on the side of working people when he ignores the concerns of Canada's largest port workers union—
Terry Sheehan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour
Mr. Speaker, our government respects and has faith in the collective bargaining process. We believe the best deals are the ones that are made and reached at the bargaining table.
The parties are negotiating with the help of a federal mediator right now. We have confidence in the parties' ability to work together to reach a deal as quickly as possible.
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, my office has been flooded with calls. Canadians expected to see the Canada disability bill arrive today because that is what the government said last week, but the Liberals are still stalling. They did not keep their promise. This benefit will bring relief to those who need it the most, the thousands of Canadians living in poverty with a disability.
Will the Liberals finally keep their promise and adopt this new benefit before we rise for the summer to ensure Canadians get the urgent help they need?
Irek Kusmierczyk LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment
Mr. Speaker, in Canada, no person with a disability should live in poverty. That is why we are creating the Canada disability benefit and income supplement, which has the potential to seriously reduce poverty and increase financial security for hundreds of thousands of working-age persons with disabilities.
In February, this House unanimously adopted Bill C-22, and Bill C-22 is now on the calendar for debate tomorrow. We are looking forward to getting this legislation past the finish line.
Persons with DisabilitiesOral Questions
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties and I believe that if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion: Whereas French is one of Canada's two official languages and the Constitution Act, 1982, enshrines the equality of both official languages within the Parliament of Canada; whereas documents tabled in the House of Commons and in committees must be made available to the members of those parliamentary bodies; the House therefore calls on the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency to suspend all business until the documents produced by the Public Order Emergency Commission chaired by the Hon. Paul Rouleau are translated and made available in both official languages to the members of the committee.
Persons with DisabilitiesOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.
Persons with DisabilitiesOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo is rising on a point of order.
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, the member for Kingston and the Islands just said something unparliamentary to me about having a thin skin and about being offended given what the Minister of Justice did, which was to threaten my professional future and threaten my legal reputation. This is not funny. He should be apologizing and withdrawing that comment forthwith.