House of Commons Hansard #218 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was housing.

Topics

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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.

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives largely focused on the housing crisis, blaming the government's "anti-construction inflationary policies" for doubled costs and a lack of supply. They criticized rising mortgage rates and costly deficits, advocating to axe the carbon tax and reduce government waste, including funds to a Beijing-controlled bank. Concerns over public safety and the Prime Minister's conduct were also raised.
The Liberals focus on addressing the housing crisis through investments and collaboration with municipalities, while defending their fiscal record and strong economic recovery. They emphasize their commitment to fighting climate change with a price on pollution and green energy investments, and advancing Indigenous reconciliation and housing. The party also discussed countering foreign interference and supporting Canadians through social programs like $10-a-day childcare, and responding to wildfires.
The Bloc called for urgent programs to help businesses affected by forest fires and urged the government to reject new oil and gas projects to combat climate change. They also pressed for an independent public inquiry into foreign interference and raised concerns about Ukrainian children.
The NDP pressed the government for action on Indigenous intergenerational trauma, MMIWG calls for justice including a red dress alert, and the Indigenous housing crisis. They also highlighted the unfulfilled promise of a Grassy Narrows care home and attempted to address 2SLGBTQI+ hate.

Order and Decorum in the House—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a point of order regarding a Member being barred from debate for unparliamentary language and a qualified apology, upholding the Chair's authority to enforce decorum and sanctions. 900 words.

Constitution Act, 1867 First reading of Bill C-347. The bill amends the Constitution Act, 1867, to offer Senators and Members of Parliament an option to take an oath of office or the oath of allegiance, or both, before taking their seats. 300 words.

Somali Heritage Month Act First reading of Bill C-348. The bill establishes July as Somali Heritage Month to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of Canadians of Somali descent to Canada's economic, political, social, and cultural life. 200 words.

National Strategy for the Eradication of Rabies Act First reading of Bill C-349. The bill establishes National Rabies Awareness Day and provides for a national strategy to combat rabies in Canada, addressing risks to animals and humans, particularly in northern communities. 200 words.

Combatting Torture and Terrorism Act First reading of Bill C-350. The bill lists the IRGC as a terrorist entity, allows victims of state-sponsored torture and extrajudicial killing to seek damages, and requires the government to respond to committee requests for listing new terrorist entities or states. 300 words.

Petitions

Opposition Motion—Balanced Budget Members debate a Conservative motion urging the government to table a plan for balanced budgets, citing concerns over rising inflation, increased mortgage payments, and high household debt due to Liberal spending. Conservatives advocate for eliminating deficits and reducing red tape. Liberals defend their investments in Canadians, citing strong economic recovery and job growth, while attributing inflation to global factors. The Bloc supports a plan for fiscal prudence but criticizes Liberal spending and Conservative austerity. NDP opposes, emphasizing corporate greed and advocating for social programs and higher corporate taxes. 45000 words, 5 hours.

Main Estimates, 2023-24 First reading of Bill C-54. The bill grants sums of money to His Majesty for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. It is confirmed to be in its usual form and passes through all parliamentary stages. 500 words, 10 minutes.

Supplementary Estimates (A), 2023-24 First reading of Bill C-55. The bill grants sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. The House debates and passes the bill through all stages, including committee of the whole. 500 words, 10 minutes.

Adjournment Debates

Trudeau Foundation meeting Garnett Genuis raises questions about a meeting involving the Trudeau Foundation that took place in the PMO. Mark Gerretsen denies any conspiracy, stating no political officials were present. Genuis insists the meeting's location is significant. Gerretsen argues that holding a meeting in the PMO doesn't imply the Prime Minister's involvement.
RCMP Training Depot in Regina Michael Kram voices opposition to closing the RCMP training depot in Regina, citing its value. Mark Gerretsen responds that the government is reviewing the Mass Casualty Commission report's recommendation to modernize RCMP training, and is committed to improving safety by evolving training approaches.
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FinanceOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to be in New York to meet with Ursula von der Leyen and Mia Mottley to engage in important conversations about the future of our economy and the fight against climate change. These are things that matter. It was a mid-week trip, and I happen to know that former prime minister Harper was also attending meetings, at the same time we were down there, with the same organization.

These are things that matter in terms of Canada's leadership in the world. They matter in terms of outcomes for Canadians. We will continue to do the work that Canadians expect of this government to lead on the global stage.

FinanceOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Kody Blois Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Conservative Party no longer resembles that led by Joe Clark, Brian Mulroney or even Stephen Harper. The leader of the official opposition is taking the Conservatives into the ditch on the far right to outflank Max Bernier by spewing conspiracy theories about the World Economic Forum, supporting candidates who are against reproductive rights and promoting hate against LGBTQ+ communities. It is the same playbook we have seen in the United States.

Can the Prime Minister reassure my constituents, including those who identify as Progressive Conservatives, that our Liberal government is the best vehicle to drive Canada forward?

FinanceOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I wanted to double-check. That does not qualify as a question.

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

Government AccountabilityOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the public safety minister has presided over a 32% increase in violent crime under the government. The public safety minister misled hunters when he planned to ban their rifles. The public safety minister sat on information about the transfer of one of Canada's most notorious killers to have more freedom and comfort by getting him out of a maximum-security prison when he could have passed a law to prevent it.

Will the Prime Minister commit today to firing his incompetent public safety minister?

Government AccountabilityOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader talks about freedom, but he is all talk, no walk on freedom when he hand-picks candidates who want to take away Canada's freedoms.

Let me be very clear. In Canada, everyone has the freedom to love who they love, everyone has the freedom to choose what they do with their own bodies, with safe access to abortion, and—

Government AccountabilityOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I am sorry. It is starting to get noisy in here again. We are getting close to the end, and I am wondering whether I should start bouncing around with whatever is left.

I think everybody is excited to get out of here, and I understand that. Let us start again from the top, and I want everyone to just take a deep breath and listen to each other, listen to the questions and listen to the answers.

The right hon. Prime Minister, from the top, please.

Government AccountabilityOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader is all talk, no walk when it comes to freedom when he hand-picks candidates who want to take away Canadians' freedoms.

Let me be very clear. In Canada, everyone has the freedom to love who they love, everyone has the freedom to choose what they do with their own bodies, with safe access to abortion, and everyone has the freedom to move safely in their communities without damaging blockades.

On this side of the House and in our candidates, we will always stand up for Canadians' freedoms.

Public SafetyOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the only thing the Prime Minister has done is free Paul Bernardo from a maximum-security penitentiary into relative freedom in a place where he can have access to other people and where he has more comforts and can put guards in danger.

The Prime Minister interfered with Corrections Canada's decisions by introducing Bill C-83, which allowed this kind of transfer to go ahead. The Minister of Public Safety knew of the transfer, or his office knew at least, for three months while he claimed that they could not walk down the hallway and tell him.

He is incompetent. Will the Prime Minister fire him, yes or no?

Public SafetyOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, we know how difficult this decision is for families of the victims. We share the deep concerns that Canadians have been expressing.

The decision to transfer incarcerated persons is an independent decision made by the Correctional Service of Canada. Following outreach by the Minister of Public Safety, the commissioner ordered an additional review, which is under way and will be completed soon.

Public SafetyOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, the minister can actually order reviews, which means he can also issue directives to ensure that all mass murderers are kept in maximum-security penitentiaries. He could also adopt our law today, which would require that every mass murderer stay in a maximum-security penitentiary. That would be an apolitical way to solve the problem, but the Liberals have not done that, even though the minister knew about this problem, or ought to have known, three months ago.

Can the Prime Minister confirm this: Will the public safety minister still have that job when we come back here in the fall?

Public SafetyOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, being there and supporting victims is always top of mind for this government.

After learning of the transfer, the minister was in touch with the commissioner, and the commissioner has ordered an additional review, which is now under way and will be completed soon.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Liberal

Patrick Weiler Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Mr. Speaker, today on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize and celebrate the important contributions of indigenous peoples to our country, as well as the diverse culture, language and heritage of indigenous peoples.

In my riding, I think of the work of the Lil'wat Nation to restore language to their education programs, the shíshálh Nation becoming the first self-governing nation in Canada and obtaining justice for day scholars, and the transformative developments of the Squamish Nation with the Senakw housing development, done in a way that highlights their heritage.

While much work has been done on the road to reconciliation, much remains to be done together. Can the Prime Minister please update this House on the forthcoming release of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act action plan?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country for his hard work.

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we released our action plan to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, developed in partnership with first nations, Inuit and Métis. The Conservative leader voted against that bill and associated himself with those who deny the realities of residential schools.

Canada cannot go backwards. We must always choose to confront the truth and strive to right these wrongs.

HousingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Blake Desjarlais NDP Edmonton Griesbach, AB

Mr. Speaker, in Edmonton, 58% of those currently houseless identify as indigenous. Under the Liberal government, indigenous people are now 11 times more likely to use a shelter or live in inadequate homes than non-indigenous people.

The New Democrats have been calling on the government to address the housing crisis that first nations, Inuit and Métis communities have had to deal with. When will the Liberal government finally start to invest properly in a “for indigenous, by indigenous” housing strategy so that everyone can live with safety and dignity?

HousingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, the answer to the question of “when” is in budget 2023. That is exactly what we did. We committed to working with indigenous peoples to co-develop an urban, rural and northern indigenous housing strategy. Budget 2023 includes an additional investment of $4 billion in this indigenous housing strategy, on top of the $6.7 billion since 2015.

Housing remains a top priority as part of reconciliation. We will continue to work with partners on this right.

TaxationOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Independent

Kevin Vuong Independent Spadina—Fort York, ON

Mr. Speaker, Canada Day is quickly approaching. To celebrate, the Liberal government is giving the gift to Canadians of another tax, the clean fuel regulation, but the only things being cleaned are Canadians' pocketbooks, as independent analysis has found that it actually increases net greenhouse gas emissions, this time with no rebate.

Thanks to the NDP, British Columbia already has one in place, which is costing British Columbians 17¢ per litre. Can the Prime Minister share with Canadians how much the rest of the country will have to pay for his overspending and for his latest tax grab?

TaxationOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have seen across the country, whether with Hurricane Fiona on the east coast, with forest fires raging across the country with greater intensity than in previous years or with the atmospheric river that B.C. was hit with just a few years ago, that the cost of inaction on climate change would be cataclysmic.

That is why we put forward a price on pollution that is bringing down our emissions and is going to allow us to reach our targets at the same time as we put more money back into the pockets of Canadians with the climate action incentive four times a year.

We are supporting Canadians while we fight climate change.

RCAF Helicopter CrashOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

That is all the time we have for question period today.

Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence to honour the Royal Canadian Air Force members who lost their lives near Petawawa and to honour those who were injured.

[A moment of silence observed]

Business of the HouseOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Ajax Ontario

Liberal

Mark Holland LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I move that notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House:

(a) on the last allotted day in the supply period ending June 23, 2023, the proceedings on the opposition day motion shall conclude no later than 10:30 p.m., the House shall then proceed to the putting of the question on the motion and then, if required, the taking of any division or divisions necessary to dispose of the motion, and the Speaker shall then put forthwith and successively, without further debate or amendment, every question necessary to dispose of the motions to concur in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, and to the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, and for the passage at all stages of any bill based on the said estimates;

(b) notices of opposed items in relation to the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, and to the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, listed on the Notice Paper be deemed withdrawn;

(c) the recorded divisions on government legislation currently deferred to the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions today be deemed further deferred to the conclusion of all proceedings in relation to the estimates tonight;

(d) the motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons related to the appointment of Harriet Solloway as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner pursuant to Standing Order 111.1(2) be deemed moved, a recorded vote be deemed requested and deferred after the recorded division on the motion for third reading of Bill C-42, An Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts;

(e) in relation to Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act, the amendment to the motion respecting Senate amendments made to the bill be deemed withdrawn and the motion respecting Senate amendments made to the bill, standing on the Notice Paper, be deemed adopted;

(f) Bill S-8, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, be deemed read a third time and passed;

(g) Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews), be deemed read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights;

(h) Ways and Means Motion No. 18, notice of which was tabled on June 16, 2023, be deemed concurred in, a bill based thereon standing on the Order Paper in the name of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, entitled “An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, to give effect to treaties with those governments and to make consequential amendments to other Acts”, be deemed to have been introduced and read a first time, deemed read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs; and

(i) the written questions dated June 20, 2023, standing on the Notice Paper, be deemed to have been transferred to the Order Paper on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, for the purposes of Standing Order 39.

Business of the HouseOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.

It is agreed.

The question is on the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

Business of the HouseOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Business of the HouseOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

(Motion agreed to)

(Bill C-9. On the Order: Government Orders)

June 21, 2023—Third reading of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act.

(Motion respecting Senate amendments agreed to)

(Bill S-8: On the Order: Government Orders)

June 21, 2023—Third reading of Bill S-8, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

(Bill read the third time and passed)

(Bill C-40: On the Order: Government Orders)

June 21, 2023—Second reading of Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews).

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

(Bill C-53: On the Order: Government Orders)

June 21, 2023—Second reading of Bill C-53, An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, to give effect to treaties with those governments and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, to give effect to treaties with those governments and to make consequential amendments to other ActsOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

Bloc

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties. I think that, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion: Given that (1) according to the report of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, thousands of children have been forcibly deported by Russia from Ukraine to the Russian Federation; (2) the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova‑Belova—

An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, to give effect to treaties with those governments and to make consequential amendments to other ActsOral Questions

3:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.