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.2071—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON

With regard to Canadian ambassadors and consuls general assigned to place in the United States, broken down by each individual and by year from January 1, 2021 to date: (a) how many days were the ambassadors or consuls general at the location or area where they are stationed (e.g.: how many days was the Consul General of Canada in New York physically in the New York area); and (b) how many round trips did each ambassador or consul general make between Canada and their assigned post in the United States?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2072—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

With regard to federal health care investments, since October 1, 2021: a) how many personal support workers have been trained as a result of federal funding, broken down by province or territory and by year; and b) how many family doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses have been hired as a result of federal funding, broken down by province or territory and by year?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2074—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB

With regard to expenditures made by departments, agencies and other government entities under Treasury Board Object Code 3259 (Miscellaneous expenditures not Elsewhere Classified), since January 1, 2020, and broken down by year: (a) what were the total expenditures; and (b) what are the details of each expenditure made under the code, including the (i) date, (ii) vendor, (iii) amount, (iv) description of the goods or services, including the volume, if applicable?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2075—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

With regard to Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) rental properties at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa: (a) what is the electrical capacity of each unit; (b) what is the type and age of the heating and cooling units at each property; (c) is internet included with the rental of properties, and, if so, what is the internet speed; (d) how many maintenance or repair requests has the CFHA received, broken down by year from 2017 to date; (e) what is the breakdown of (d) by type of issue (mold, water leak, broken heating unit, etc.); (f) what is the current age of the roof of each property; (g) what renovations or upgrades have been completed since 2017, including the date and the unit to which each renovation was done; (h) what is the total number of units, broken down by the type of unit; (i) are any of the units in (h) uninhabitable, and, if so, which ones and why; and (j) what is the current retention factor value of each unit?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2076—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK

With regard to expenditures on public relations, media training, or similar types of services for ministers or their offices, including the Office of the Prime Minister, since January 1, 2022: what are the details of each such expenditure, including the (i) date of the contract, (ii) amount, (iii) vendor, (iv) individual providing the training, (v) summary of the services provided, including the type of training, (vi) person who received the training, (vii) date of the training?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2077—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK

With regard to the late-payment charges incurred by the government related to any type of telecommunications or cable services (telephone, cellular, data, cable, etc.), since June 1, 2020, in total and broken down by year, including 2023 to date, and by department, agency, Crown corporation, or other government entity: what is the total amount of late-payment charges and interest charges incurred for services provided by (i) Rogers, (ii) Bell, (iii) Telus, (iv) other telecommunications providers, broken down by provider?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2078—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK

With regard to renovation, redesign and refurnishing of ministers' or deputy ministers' offices since January 1, 2020: (a) what is the total cost of any spending on renovating, redesigning, and refurnishing for each ministerial office, broken down by (i) total cost, (ii) moving services, (iii) renovating services, (iv) painting, (v) flooring, (vi) furniture, (vii) appliances, (viii) art installation, (ix) all other expenditures; and (b) what is the total cost of any spending on renovating, redesigning, and refurnishing for each deputy minister's office, broken down by (i) total cost, (ii) moving services, (iii) renovating services, (iv) painting, (v) flooring, (vi) furniture, (vii) appliances, (viii) art installation, (ix) all other expenditures?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2081—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB

With regard to recruitment and retention in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for each year between December 1, 2015 and December 1, 2023: (a) how many personnel were recruited to the CAF, including all branches; (b) of the recruits in (a), what was the (i) median, (ii) longest, (iii) shortest, time for processing the applications; (c) how many applicants withdrew their candidacies after (i) three, (ii) six, (iii) 12, (iv) 18, months; (d) how many personnel were released from the CAF; (e) of the released personnel in (d), how many participated in exit interviews; (f) of the personnel in (e), how many mentioned a primary reason for the release; and (g) of the reasons in (f), what proportion was answered as (i) pursuing other opportunities, (ii) compensation, (iii) affordability, (iv) access to healthcare, (v) access to childcare, (vi) spousal employment, (vii) housing, (viii) other?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2082—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Lisa Marie Barron NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC

With regard to radio direction finding technology, broken down by Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) centre and fiscal year since 2015: (a) was the MCTS equipped with radio direction finding technology; (b) was the radio direction finding technology ever out of operation, and, if so, between which dates was the technology out of operation; (c) how many requests for maintenance and repair of radio direction finding equipment were made; (d) what are the details of each request in (c), including (i) the date of the request, (ii) the MCTS centre, (iii) the estimated cost of the request, (iv) whether the request was fulfilled or denied; (e) how many requests for installation of radio direction finding equipment were made; and (f) what are the details of each request in (e), including (i) the date of the request, (ii) the MCTS centre, (iii) the estimated cost of the request, (iv) whether the request was fulfilled or denied?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2083—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

NDP

Lisa Marie Barron NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC

With regard to emergencies and navigational hazards reported to the Canadian Coast Guard, broken down by Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) centre and fiscal year since 2015: (a) what is the total number of reports received by each MCTS; (b) of the reports in (a), how many required the use of radio direction finding technology; (c) were any audits, reports, or assessments done on how radio direction finding technology could improve emergency response outcomes; and (d) what are the details of all audits, reports, or assessments done in (c), including the (i) date of the document, (ii) title of the document, (iii) recommendations or conclusions arrived at?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2084—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK

With regard to expenditures on Non-public servant travel - Key stakeholders (Treasury Board code 0262 or similar), broken down by department or agency and by year since 2019: (a) what were the total expenditures; (b) how many trips are represented by the amounts in (a); (c) of the amounts in (a), how much was spent on international travel; and (d) what are the details of each international trip for non-public servant travel-key stakeholders, including, for each, the (i) dates, (ii) origin, (iii) destination, (iv) total amount spent, (v) breakdown of expenditures, (vi) purpose of the trip, (vii) stakeholder name and title, (viii) business or organization represented by the stakeholder?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2085—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Kram Conservative Regina—Wascana, SK

With regard to the Regulatory Framework for an Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap: (a) has any department, agency, Crown corporation or entity conducted a cost-benefit analysis, costing or study, including, but not limited to, job loss, investment in the oil and gas industry in Canada, oil and natural gas production in Canada, or devaluing retirement funds; and (b) what supporting documents exist regarding this analysis, including, but not limited to, emails, texts, briefing notes, memos and reports, and what are the details of such documents?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2086—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Kram Conservative Regina—Wascana, SK

With regard to the selection of locations for regional offices at the Canada Water Agency: (a) what are the details of all discussions and meetings regarding the (i) review, (ii) selection, (iii) rejection, of each proposed location of a regional office; (b) what departments, agencies, entities, offices and individuals, including those from First Nations, provincial and territorial governments, entities and NGOs, were involved in the (i) review, (ii) selection, (iii) rejection, of each proposed location; and (c) what supporting documents exist regarding this process, including, but not limited to, emails, texts, briefing notes, memos and reports, and what are the details of such documents?