House of Commons Hansard #214 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was process.

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

Canada-Taiwan Relations Framework Act First reading of Bill C-343. The bill establishes a framework to strengthen Canada-Taiwan relations, supporting Taiwan's international participation, permitting its Ottawa office to be called the Taiwan representative office, and enhancing economic, legal, and cultural ties. 100 words.

Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act First reading of Bill C-344. The bill amends the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act to create a national strategy for abandoned vessels. It aims to identify owners, develop mooring plans, and promote recycling to protect marine ecosystems and coasts. 200 words.

Justice and Human Rights Members debate a report on improving support for victims of crime, with Conservatives calling for the Public Safety Minister's resignation over the transfer of a notorious serial killer and the government's "soft-on-crime" policies. Liberals accuse Conservatives of filibustering government legislation and politicizing the issue, while highlighting government actions for victims. The Bloc and NDP support the report's recommendations on victims' rights and services but express frustration with procedural tactics delaying parliamentary work. 24400 words, 3 hours.

Instruction to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology Members debate a Conservative motion to divide Bill C-27, which addresses consumer privacy, a data protection tribunal, and artificial intelligence, into three separate bills. Conservatives argue the bill's three parts require individual study and votes, citing flaws in the AI section and the privacy framework. Liberals oppose the motion, calling it a filibuster tactic that delays crucial modernization of data and AI legislation. 6700 words, 40 minutes.

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives focused on the transfer of Paul Bernardo to medium security, alleging the Prime Minister and Public Safety Minister knew for months and demanding the minister's resignation and a bill to keep mass murderers in maximum security. They also pressed on Chinese interference, the AIIB investment, and the rising carbon tax impacting the cost of living.
The Liberals strongly defend the correctional system's independence regarding the Paul Bernardo transfer, condemning attempts to politicize the issue while ensuring victims are notified. They also address foreign interference, the AIIB review, high grocery prices, and their push for sustainable jobs and affordable child care.
The Bloc demands an independent public inquiry into Chinese interference to restore public trust. They criticize ministers for a pattern of alleged unawareness, even when their staff knew, and emphasize the need for ministerial responsibility. They also express concern over job losses at Bell Media and propose a dedicated fund for news media.
The NDP criticize the government's incompetence regarding the Paul Bernardo transfer, retraumatizing families. They advocate for international students who are fraud victims, a windfall tax on grocers over food costs, and a school for Pacheedaht First Nation.

Alleged Breach of Member's Right to Information Conservative MP Michelle Rempel raises a question of privilege, alleging the government deliberately withheld information in response to her written question (No. 974). She presents ATIP evidence showing government staff developed a strategy to deny a direct answer using "high-level limitation language," which she argues is a breach of her parliamentary privilege and undermines accountability. 1500 words, 10 minutes.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further Adjourned Members debate a Liberal motion applying time allocation to a proposal making hybrid Parliament permanent. Opposition parties, including Conservatives and the Bloc, criticize the move as limiting debate on a substantive change and lacking consensus. Liberals argue it is necessary due to opposition obstruction and highlight the hybrid system's flexibility and proven benefits, noting its existing use by all parties. 5000 words, 30 minutes.

Health of Animals Act Second reading of Bill C-275. The bill aims to amend the Health of Animals Act to make it an offence to enter farms without lawful authority if it could expose animals to disease or toxic substances. Members across parties express support for the bill to protect on-farm biosecurity and address the mental health of farmers, while ensuring it does not stifle protest or whistle-blowing. 8000 words, 1 hour.

Government Business No. 26—Amendments to the Standing Orders Members debate a motion to permanently adopt hybrid Parliament rules, allowing remote participation and voting. Conservatives and Bloc Québécois argue it weakens accountability, reduces efficiency, and sets a dangerous precedent by changing rules without consensus. Liberals and NDP counter that hybrid sittings promote inclusivity, accessibility for MPs with health or family challenges, and modernize democratic processes. 13100 words, 3 hours.

Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act Third reading of Bill C-35. The bill aims to establish a national early learning and child care system, targeting $10-a-day care by 2026. Conservatives express skepticism, citing Quebec's two-decade struggle with accessibility and staffing shortages. They argue the federal government should not impose standards, instead allowing provinces to develop the best system and support diverse options, including credits for stay-at-home parents or private childcare. 2500 words, 20 minutes.

Judges Act Members debate Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act, which reforms the judicial conduct process. The Minister of Justice seeks to accept two Senate amendments, including adding "sexual misconduct" to non-dismissible complaints, but rejects others he argues would reintroduce costs and delays or redefine layperson roles. Conservatives propose accepting all Senate amendments, particularly one granting appeal rights to the Federal Court of Appeal, while the Bloc and NDP support the government's approach, urging expeditious passage of the long-awaited bill. 18900 words, 2 hours.

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Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Eglinton—Lawrence Ontario

Liberal

Marco Mendicino LiberalMinister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, I am very encouraged by the exchanges between my hon. colleague, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Bloc and the NDP. I hope there will be other conversations with the Conservatives. Fighting foreign interference is not a partisan issue. If we work together, we can create new authorities, provide resources and strengthen them to fight foreign interference. That is the most important thing.

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Bloc

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues must realize by now that the Bloc Québécois will not give up. Public trust in democracy is at stake. The people are calling for an independent public commission of inquiry. Its commissioner must be approved by the House. The commission will have to report on its work, not in five years, not in two years, but in the next few months. We realize that this is an immense task. That is why we are working with the government, and they know it. We have our work cut out for us. Will the government announce this commission?

Democratic InstitutionsOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Eglinton—Lawrence Ontario

Liberal

Marco Mendicino LiberalMinister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her co-operation. Yes, a public inquiry is still an option. That is exactly what my hon. colleague the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities is negotiating with the opposition. The most important thing is that we are now working with Canadians to create new authorities in order to better protect not only our democratic institutions, but Canadians as well.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, what do the Minister of Public Safety, the President of the Privy Council, the former minister of foreign affairs and the Prime Minister have in common? Obviously, they are unable to check their email. That can be dangerous. Is this government aware that it is retraumatizing the families of the victims of one of the most fiendish murderers in Canadian history?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Ajax Ontario

Liberal

Mark Holland LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely true that the crime in question probably comes close to being Canada's most serious crime. It is such a serious crime. I can also say with certainty that our correctional system is independent. As I explained earlier, staff were informed of the possibility that the individual in question might be transferred. Once all the details were confirmed, the Prime Minister was informed. It was—

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, we have seen fiasco after fiasco with the government. The level of disorganization and negligence from Liberal ministers is often appalling.

After the public safety minister was failed to be informed of the transfer of one of the most brutal criminals in Canadian history, we now know that the Prime Minister's Office was informed three months ago. The Liberals could have used that time to ensure the victims' families were warned.

How does this keep happening on such serious files? Why are the Liberals showing such clear incompetence? When will they fix this?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Ajax Ontario

Liberal

Mark Holland LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, as I stated, in March, staff were informed of the possibility of a transfer. There were still many details that were not certain. It was not until the end of May, once the details were confirmed, that the Prime Minister was briefed.

I would say for the member opposite, who knows that Correctional Services is independent and that decisions must not be made with political interference, is that we have to have a conversation, as a House, about how we do not interfere with Correctional Services but also ensure that a transfer of this nature does not occur. That needs to be a mature conversation that does not involve a lot of politics.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON

Mr. Speaker, just when we think things cannot get any worse with the Liberal government, the Prime Minister says “hold my beer”, because it is a game to the Prime Minister. That is what this is.

For three months, the public safety minister knew that child murderer and Scarborough rapist Paul Bernardo was being moved from maximum to medium-security prison and did nothing. Now we know the Prime Minister also knew for three months and also did nothing.

This is not a game. Incompetence does not even begin to describe that leadership. Canadians deserve better and these victims' families deserve better. Therefore, will the public safety minister—

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

The hon. government House leader.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Ajax Ontario

Liberal

Mark Holland LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I do not know the member for Peterborough—Kawartha well, but I do know that she is very sincere when she cares about these cases, and she would know that the Prime Minister would be deeply impacted as a father and as a Canadian by the horror of these crimes. Any assertion to the opposite is just frankly not constructive to the debate that we need to have.

I said that Correctional Services operates independently and that it cannot be interfered with politically. I would also say that we have to be very careful, when dealing with the victims of crime, that we do not politicize that or attempt to use it in a way other than to ask how we stop—

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

The hon. member for Peterborough—Kawartha.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON

Mr. Speaker, if the Prime Minister is so upset, why will he not stand up and answer the question, and talk to the victims' families? If the Liberals care so much, then do it.

I have said this before: The buck stops with the minister. Stop the blame game. This is people's lives. You are in the government, the Prime Minister, and there is no one below that.

Again, there is duty here: Either fire the public safety minister or resign. That is it; those are the options.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I want to remind the hon. members to place their questions through the Chair and not speak directly to each other.

The hon. government House leader.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Ajax Ontario

Liberal

Mark Holland LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, the duty that each of us share as hon. members in this chamber is, on behalf of the people whom we are fortunate enough to represent, to attempt to the best of our ability to keep them safe; to make sure that when they are harmed we do everything in our power to restore them; and to make sure, yes, that we have a corrections system that is free from interference. Why do we say that? Because we have one of the best correctional services systems in the world.

If we are talking about the rightful outrage that we all have in this circumstance, we have to temper it in a mature conversation on how to balance those two priorities.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Conservative

Leslyn Lewis Conservative Haldimand—Norfolk, ON

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister of Public Safety expect us to believe that for three months his office withheld information from him that the most notorious murderer and serial rapist in Canada had been transferred to a medium-security prison?

It is clear that the minister likely knew about the transfer in March and did nothing. The entire government likely knew and did nothing about it, including the Prime Minister's Office.

When will the Prime Minister finally admit that he has lost total control of his cabinet and ask the minister to resign?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Eglinton—Lawrence Ontario

Liberal

Marco Mendicino LiberalMinister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by taking a moment to express my support for the families of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French, which have no doubt been traumatized time and time again by the decision that was taken under Correctional Service Canada. That is why, when I found out on May 30, I took immediate action to reach out to the commissioner to express those concerns.

I want to work with all members to make sure that this does not happen again. The directions that I have put into motion will ensure that I am directly briefed and, most important, that victims are given advance notice before these decisions are taken in the future.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Conservative

Leslyn Lewis Conservative Haldimand—Norfolk, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is in town, so why will he not stand and answer these questions?

The minister has misled Canadians before. He has said at least 11 times that law enforcement requested the Emergencies Act; that was false. He said that Bill C-21 was not going to ban guns used by hunters and farmers; that was false. He said that Chinese police stations in Canada had been shut down; that was false.

Canadians have lost confidence in the minister. Will he do the honourable thing and just resign?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Eglinton—Lawrence Ontario

Liberal

Marco Mendicino LiberalMinister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, on each and every one of those priorities, this government has defended public safety in the interests of all Canadians.

When it comes to fighting against gun violence, we are banning AR-15s; the Conservatives want to make them legal again. Last year, when we faced an unprecedented national emergency, we invoked the Emergencies Act, a decision validated by Judge Rouleau independently. What did the Conservatives do—

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I am sorry, I am going to interrupt. The noise level is starting to build up again and we are having a hard time hearing the answer. The hon. member for Haldimand—Norfolk asked a question; she would like to hear the answer. If there are people yelling behind her, it is very difficult for her to hear.

Maybe the hon. member could start about 15 seconds from the end.

The hon. minister.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Liberal

Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to fighting gun violence, we are banning AR-15s. The Conservatives want to make them legal again. When it came to the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act, we defended that decision to restore public safety. The Conservatives were doubling down, encouraging illegal protesters to stay in the region they should have left. We will always—

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Conservative

Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is in Ottawa but, strangely enough, he is not rising to answer questions.

The Minister of Public Safety feigned surprise last week when the criminal Paul Bernardo was transferred from a maximum-security prison to a medium-security prison, yet he had known about it for three months. In fact, even the Prime Minister's Office knew about it.

No one did anything. Everyone looked the other way. This is Liberal incompetence in all its glory.

When will the Minister of Public Safety resign?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Ajax Ontario

Liberal

Mark Holland LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious situation. Everyone was concerned about this tragedy.

However, it is important to remember that our correctional system is independent. It is essential that the decision to transfer someone be made by the correctional service.

Now, there are a lot of emotions, and I understand that. I feel the same way, but we have to talk—