Debates of Jan. 29th, 2024

House of Commons Hansard #270 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was iii.

Topics

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

Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act Members debate a motion to reject Senate amendments to Bill C-234, which removed the carbon tax exemption for barn heating and shortened the duration. Conservatives and NDP support restoring the full exemption for farmers on drying and heating fuels. Liberals express differing views, while the Bloc considers accepting the amended bill as a compromise to secure the grain drying exemption and avoid delay. 8500 words, 1 hour.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023 Second reading of Bill C-59. The bill implements parts of the fall economic statement and budget. Conservatives oppose it, arguing it fails to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, or stop crime, blaming Liberal policies for high costs and housing issues. The Bloc opposes the bill due to tax credits for oil companies and perceived federal interference in housing. The NDP supports some provisions it pushed for, like labour conditions and a digital services tax, but criticizes it for not addressing corporate greed or significantly funding non-market housing. Liberals defend the bill, citing Canada's economic position and housing investments. 17000 words, 2 hours.

Statements by Members

Quebec mosque attack, Islamophobia, Gaza

Lunar New Year Greetings

Government silence on antisemitism

Priorities for St. John's East

Death of Roger Pomerleau, Bloc Québécois

New Year's wishes, thanking staff

Emergencies Act declared illegal

Death of Wendi Campbell

Quebec mosque attack, Islamophobia, Gaza

Prime Minister out of touch

Tamil Heritage Month

The carbon tax and farmers

Axe the tax, build homes

Remembering Quebec mosque attack, Islamophobia

Quebec mosque attack and Islamophobia

Quebec mosque attack remembrance

Quebec City mosque attack remembrance

Remembering Dr. Sathiajothi Selvakone

Moment of silence for mosque victims

Question Period

The Conservatives focus on the rising cost of living, highlighting the impact of the carbon tax on food and heating, and calling for Bill C-234 to pass. They criticize the housing crisis, citing soaring rent costs and lack of construction. They also attack government spending and debt and mention issues like ArriveCAN.

The Liberals focus on efforts to build more homes faster, highlighting the housing accelerator fund and removing the GST. They defend their approach to the cost of living by emphasizing support working families through programs like $10 a day in seven provinces and carbon price rebate cheques, alongside backing small businesses. They also address Islamophobia, immigration, and Canada's sustainable public finances, and pay tribute to Ed Broadbent.

The Bloc raise concerns about federal immigration targets and the handling of asylum seekers, arguing Quebec is overwhelmed and seeking reimbursement and fair distribution. They call for reinstating visas for Mexicans. They also highlight problems with CEBA loan repayments leading to SME bankruptcy.

The NDP highlight the severe housing and homeless emergency in cities like Edmonton and Toronto, criticizing both major parties for their lack of action on renovictions and profits. They condemn the pausing of UNRWA funding as collective punishment. They call for action on online hate and demand reining in oil and gas CEO profits. They also pay tribute to Ed Broadbent's legacy.

The Green Party questions the extended deadline for the sustainable jobs act plan and pays tribute to Ed Broadbent, reflecting on his call for civility in the House.

Procedure and House Affairs Members debate the 55th report of the Procedure and House Affairs Committee on the Speaker's conduct. The Bloc Québécois seeks to refer the report back to committee to study new information about the Speaker attending a partisan event, arguing he has lost confidence due to repeated actions. Liberals defend the Speaker, citing apologies and past Speaker conduct, and argue the report recommendations are sufficient. Conservatives support referring the report back, seeking a recommendation for resignation based on new facts. NDP support clearer rules for the office. 23000 words, 3 hours.

Finance Members debate the RBC-HSBC merger approved by the Finance Minister. Conservatives argue the merger exacerbates Canada's monopoly problem, leading to higher consumer costs, particularly for mortgages and cell phone bills, and lower wages across various sectors. They criticize the government for approving the deal despite committee opposition and the NDP for adjourning debate. Liberals acknowledge the issue of lack of competition. 2400 words, 15 minutes.

Public Accounts Members debate a report on protecting Canada's food system during the pandemic, addressing rising food prices and insecurity. NDP members highlight corporate profiteering and supply chain issues as key factors. Conservatives blame the carbon tax and a proposed plastics ban for increasing costs, moving to amend the motion to send the report back to recommend axing the carbon tax for agriculture. 8000 words, 1 hour.

Adjournment Debates

Electric vehicle battery subsidies Garnett Genuis requests the disclosure of contracts related to electric car battery subsidies. He worries they subsidize foreign workers, and accuses the NDP of siding with the Liberals to hide the contracts. Adam van Koeverden defends the subsidies and the need to bring in foreign experts, while accusing the Conservatives of not supporting workers.

Oil and gas emissions cap Laurel Collins accuses the Liberal government of failing to hold oil and gas companies accountable for emissions. Adam van Koeverden defends the government's oil and gas emissions cap as ambitious and a world first. Collins says the cap is watered down; Van Koeverden insists the measures are working and emissions are falling.

Carbon tax and affordability Rosemarie Falk argues the carbon tax is raising the cost of living. Adam van Koeverden counters that economists do not believe the carbon price is the primary cause of inflation. He says most low and middle-income families get more money back than they pay.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Question No.2189—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

January 29th, 2024 / 4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB

With regard to the government’s Draft Federal Offset Protocol: Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle: (a) has the government analyzed whether the proposal will lead to higher beef prices for consumers, and, if so, (i) who conducted the analysis, (ii) what were the findings; (b) what measures are in place, if any, to ensure that the proposal will not lead to higher beef prices for consumers; (c) what are the projected government expenditures related to (i) establishing the program, (ii) the annual costs associated with operating the program; and (d) how many government employees or full-time equivalents will be working on the program?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2190—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB

With regard to meetings involving the government about safe supply, safer supply, pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic, illegal or illicit drug supply, pharmaceutical grade medication as an alternative to the toxic, illegal or illicit drug supply, and medications for substance use disorder and to provide pharmaceutical alternatives to the contaminated illegal or illicit drug supply: what are the details of meetings over the last five years between government and pharmaceutical companies, government and opioid manufacturers, government and lobby companies, and government and stakeholders, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) type and purpose of the meeting, (iv) names of the organizations represented, (v) names and titles of the individuals in attendance, including both government officials and other attendees?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2191—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB

With regard to the government's efforts in Indigenous health and substance use treatment facilities: (a) How many treatment facilities currently exist on Indigenous reserves; (b) what are the details of each facility, including, (i) the First Nation (ii) the location and address, (iii) the name of the facility, (iv) the year it was built, (v) the square footage, (vi) the date of additions or renovations to the facility, (vii) the current number of beds or spaces broken down by inpatient and outpatient treatment, (viii) current staffing and patient level, (ix) the maximum staffing and patient capacity level, (x) whether it’s currently operating understaffed or under the maximum possible; (c) how frequently does the government receive updates or reports from these government-funded treatment facilities regarding their performance and success in meeting specified criteria; and (d) when was the last time such a report or update was received, broken down by each facility it was received from?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2195—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

With regard to the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative: (a) for the $33.5 million that has been disbursed under the Conservation and Stewardship pillar, (i) what specific projects were funded, (ii) what organization or agency received the funding, (iii) what are the project deliverables, (iv) what is the project’s timeline; (b) for the $28.4 million that has been disbursed under the Salmon Enhancement pillar, (i) what specific projects were funded, (ii) what organization or agency received the funding, (iii) what are the project deliverables, (iv) what is the project’s timeline; (c) for the $33.0 million that has been disbursed under the Harvest Transformation pillar, (i) what specific projects were funded, (ii) what organization or agency received the funding, (iii) what are the project deliverables, (iv) what is the project’s timeline; and (d) for the $8.4 million that has been disbursed under the Integration and Collaboration pillar, (i) what specific projects were funded, (ii) what organization or agency received the funding, (iii) what are the project deliverables, (iv) what is the project’s timeline?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2196—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

With regard to any polling data obtained by the Privy Council Office concerning pharmacare, since January 1, 2023: (a) what are the details of all polling conducted, including (i) who conducted the poll, (ii) the start and end dates of when the poll was conducted, (iii) the number of participants, (iv) the questions asked, (v) the results of the poll, (vi) the value of the contract related to the poll?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2197—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

With regard to any polling data obtained by the Privy Council Office or the Department of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard concerning open-net pen aquaculture in British Columbia, since January 1, 2023: (a) what are the details of all polling conducted, including (i) who conducted the poll, (ii) the start and end dates of when the poll was conducted, (iii) the number of participants, (iv) the questions asked, (v) the results of the poll, (vi) the value of the contract related to the poll?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2198—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

With regard to federal housing investments, between February 1, 2006, and October 1, 2015, broken down (i) by province or territory and by year: (a) how much federal funding was provided to support the construction of non-profit or community housing and how many units were developed; (b) how much federal funding was provided to support the construction of cooperative housing and how many units were developed; (c) how much federal funding was provided to support the construction of purpose-built rental housing and how many units were developed; (d) how much federal funding was provided to support the construction of housing dedicated to First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities or delivered to Indigenous-led housing providers and how many units were developed; (e) how much federal funding was provided to support the construction of single and multi-family homes and how many units were developed?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2199—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

With regard to testimony from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) at the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs on December 12, 2023: (a) what are the details of all committees created to review research and policy and provide advice to senior staff, including (i) the title of the committee, (ii) committee membership, (iii) the specific topic or focus of the committee, (iv) the dates of meetings held in the last 18 months, (v) conclusions or advice provided to the Minister of Veterans Affairs; (b) how many times have the committees in (a) discussed matters relating to (i) women’s reproductive health, (ii) sex-specific illnesses and injuries, (iii) illnesses and injuries impacting Veterans’ offspring, (iv) women-specific uniforms and equipment, (v) intimate partner violence among Veterans, (vi) barriers to accessing VAC services for victims of the LGBT Purge, (vii) survivor pensions for Veterans marrying after age 60, (viii) the Merlo-Davidson class action settlement agreement, (ix) groups representing LGBTQI+ and women Veterans, (x) groups advocating for better health outcomes for Veterans; (c) how do the committees in (a) solicit input from other organizations including (i) the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), (ii) the Department of National Defense (DND), (iii) groups representing LGBTQI+ and women Veterans; and (d) how do the committees in (a) share their findings with organizations including (i) the CAF, (ii) the DND, (iii) groups representing LGBTQI+ and women Veterans?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2200—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

With regard to the Canada Border Security Agency’s management of immigration detention: what is the title, location, and address of each facility used for immigration detention in Canada, and for each of these facilities (i) how many detainees are currently incarcerated therein, (ii) what are the reasons for detention ranked from most to least common, (iii) what percentage of detainees are deemed ‘high-risk’, ‘dangerous’, or flight risks, (iv) what percentage of detainees are refugee claimants or asylum seekers, (v) what percentage of detainees are under 18 years of age, (vi) what is the median and mean time period of incarceration, (vii) what is the longest period of ongoing incarceration of any detainee, (viii) have immigration detainees been subject to segregation or solitary confinement at any point after March 1, 2020, and, if so, for how long on average?

(Return tabled)

Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Liberal