Debates of Sept. 26th, 2023

Innovation, Science and Industry

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, there is no point in trying to politicize everything that is happening. The moment that we were alerted to the allegations we asked for a third-party to investigate and to bring back a report. I can assure the members in the House and all Canadians that we will look at the report and take all necessary actions.

We expect the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when it comes to agencies that are funded by the Government of Canada. Canadians can be reassured that we will take all appropriate actions.

Oral Questions

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs)]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order about the language that was used during question period today. I know how deeply hurt the government House leader has been by the actions of the Speaker on Friday. She has handled questions with dignity and grace and in a measured way, trying to bring truth to this.

During question period, the hon. member for Thornhill called the government House leader a disgrace. The Leader of the Opposition repeated that, calling her a disgrace. I do not think that is parliamentary language, and I would like them to apologize to the member.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, what I should have said is that the government House leader is a disgrace.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I am going to review the audio and come back to the House.

The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, whether it is in Beauchesne's or our Standing Orders, one will find that all members are hon. members. It is inappropriate for members to yell across the chamber saying that someone is a disgrace. There is no doubt that it is inappropriate. The deputy Conservative House leader just stood in her place and said the same thing, and that is—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

Order. We have had a really loud day today, which has been very difficult because of the difficult situation we find ourselves in at this time. Whether we accept one movement or another makes it that much more difficult.

I will recognize the hon. parliamentary secretary. I will listen to what he has to say, and then I will go back to review exactly what has been said.

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, whether it is in Beauchesne's sixth edition or our Standing Orders, we will find that it is unparliamentary to use words such as “disgrace” because all members are hon. members, and the member who rose on the first—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

Order.

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I will start from where I left off.

The deputy Conservative leader said things that you, Mr. Speaker, said you would review. She then stood in her place and reinforced it verbally, saying that the government House leader was a disgrace. That goes against our rules of the House. The member should do the right thing and apologize. If she does not apologize, it is important as you review what was said during question period to also review what the member just said officially on the record. Hopefully, she will apologize.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I am standing here. When I am standing here, I would like to have the opportunity to be able to speak for a few moments.

I did hear the reinforcement. I do need to remind everyone that we are all hon. members and that we should try to keep our comments about the character of others as truthful as we possibly can, and to make sure that we do not call people names when we are doing that.

I will look to the member for Thornhill as to whether she would like to retract that. I would suggest that maybe we should so we can move on to the vote that we are going to have today. No? I will review it and I will come back to the House on that.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I will come back to the House on it after I review it and speak to the folks of the chair.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on the same point of order, this probably could all be resolved if the Prime Minister would actually take responsibility and stop putting women up to do his dirty work for him.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

That is a point of debate.

Nazism

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That the House:

(i) utterly condemn Nazism in all its forms,

(ii) express its full solidarity with all victims of Nazism, past and present,

(iii) condemn the invitation extended to a former Waffen-SS soldier on Friday, September 22, 2023, and withdraw any tribute paid to him.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

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

It is agreed.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)

The House resumed from September 21 consideration of the motion that Bill C-33, Strengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the amendment.

Strengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

Pursuant to an order made on Thursday, September 21, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment of the member for Langley—Aldergrove to the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-33.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the amendment, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #410

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I declare the amendment defeated.

The next question is on the main motion.

(The House divided on the motion which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #411

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I declare the motion carried.