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

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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

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.
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Question No.2032—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC

With regard to expenditures related to the cabinet retreat which took place in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, from August 21 to 23, 2023, including expenses incurred by the Privy Council Office as well as by other departments or agencies, and including travel expenses incurred by ministers, ministerial staff, and others: (a) what are the total expenditures related to the retreat incurred to date; (b) what is the breakdown of the expenditures by type of expense (accommodation, hospitality, audio-visual, etc.); and (c) what are the details of all expenditures in excess of $1,000, including, for each, the (i) amount, (ii) vendor, (iii) description of the goods or services provided; and (d) what are the details of all travel expenses incurred by ministers and their staff, broken down by individual, including, for each, (i) the title, (ii) the amount spent on airfare, (iii) the amount spent on other transportation, (iv) the amount spent on accommodation, (v) the hotel or venue name, (vi) the amount spent on meals or per diems, (vii) other expenses, broken down by type?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2033—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

With regard to departments and agencies lowering performance targets in order to claim that more targets are being met: (a) which targets have been lowered, or otherwise adjusted in a manner to make it easier to meet, since 2016; and (b) for each target in (a), (i) on what date was it adjusted, (ii) what was the previous target, (iii) what is the new target, (iv) what is the rationale for adjusting the target?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2034—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

With regard to podcasts sponsored by government departments or agencies, since January 1, 2016: what are the details of all such sponsorship agreements, including, for each, the (i) name of the podcast, (ii) subject matter, (iii) date the sponsorship began, (iv) date the sponsorship ended, if the agreement has concluded, (v) total amount paid to date, (vi) terms of the sponsorship, if the agreement is still in effect?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2035—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

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

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

With regard to podcasts run by government departments or agencies, since January 1, 2016: (a) what are the details of each such podcast, including the (i) name of the podcast, (ii) subject matter, (iii) date the podcast started, (iv) uploading schedule or how often new episodes are uploaded, (v) number of employees or full-time equivalents assigned to the podcast, (vi) expenditures to date related to the podcast, in total and broken down by type; and (b) what are the details of any contracts signed by the government related to the podcasts, including the (i) vendor, (ii) value, (iii) date, (iv) description of the goods or services provided?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2039—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

With regard to the figure in the Fall Economic Statement 2023 showing that 14,480 children in Nova Scotia have been helped by Canada Dental Benefit payments: (a) what is the breakdown of the ages of these children; (b) how many of the 14,480 children were eligible for Nova Scotia's Children's Oral Health Program for those age 14 and younger; (c) of the 14,480 children, how many received benefits (i) through both the federal and Nova Scotia benefits, (ii) only through the federal benefits, (iii) only through the Nova Scotia benefits; and (d) are parents of those under 14 eligible to receive benefits through both programs for the same procedure, and, if so, what is the priority for which benefits get used first?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2042—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

With regard to the Decompression Program pilot project for front-line staff at Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada: (a) when did the program begin; (b) is it still a pilot project, or is it a permanent program; (c) what has been the overall cost of the program since its inception; (d) what are the yearly operating costs; (e) what does the curriculum consist of; (f) how many employees have participated in the decompression, in total and broken down by branch and level (EX, AS, etc.); (g) what is the breakdown of (f) by year, including 2023 to date; (h) what is the qualification criteria to participate in the program; (i) what is the qualification and application process; (j) how long is the decompression program; (k) are employees permitted to enter the program multiple times, and, if so, how often are they permitted to enter the program; and (l) is the pilot project being expanded to other departments or agencies, and, if so, what are the details of the expansion?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2043—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 Substance Use and Addictions Program and the funding of London InterCommunity Health Centre (LIHC) program: (a) what criteria has the government established to measure the success of the LIHC program, and are these success criteria being met; (b) how frequently does the government receive updates or reports from the LIHC regarding its performance and success in meeting the specified criteria; (c) what is the government’s explanation for why the number of overdoses increased following the implementation of the program; (d) what is the government’s explanation for why opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations are greater in the Middlesex—London area compared to the rest of Ontario; (e) is the government studying or assessing the diversion of drugs from the LIHC program; (f) what measures are being taken to prevent the diversion of drugs from the LIHC program; and (g) how is the government educating the public about the harms of diversion?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2044—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON

With regard to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP): (a) how many refugees have entered Canada, in total and broken down by refugee program, each year since 2016; (b) what were the total expenditures through the RAP each year since 2016; (c) what is the breakdown of (b) by year and refugee program; and (d) what is the breakdown of (b) and (c) by type of spending or allowance?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2045—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Doug Shipley Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

With regard to Correctional Service Canada (CSC), in total and broken down by year since 2016: (a) how many times has CSC overridden an inmate's security level in relation to the security level cut-off scores in the Custody Rating Scale; (b) of the instances in (a), how many times was the level of custody overridden to be (i) lower, (ii) higher, than cut-off scores; (c) what is the breakdown of (a) by security level overridden from and to (minimum security to maximum security, maximum security to medium security, etc.); and (d) of the inmates who were classified as (i) dangerous offenders, (ii) high-profile offenders, (iii) multiple murderers, how many had their security level overridden to a lower classification?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2047—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

With regard to the approximately $150 million and other contracts paid by the government to SNC-Lavalin for field hospitals: (a) what are the details of each time field hospitals have been used to date, including, for each, the (i) dates the hospitals were used, (ii) location, (iii) number of patients seen, (iv) types of services offered in the field hospitals; (b) has any of the equipment or supplies for the field hospital expired or needed to be replaced, and, if so, what are the details, including, for each, (i) the type of equipment or supplies, (ii) the date of expiration, (iii) whether the item was replaced, (iv) the date of the replacement, if applicable, (v) the replacement cost; (c) what is the current status and location of the field hospitals; and (d) what are the details of all contracts signed to date, other than the $150 million contract with SNC-Lavalin related to the hospitals, including any contracts to replace expired supplies equipment, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) vendor, (iii) value, (iv) description of the goods or services, (v) manner in which the contract was awarded (sole-sourced, competitive bid)?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2048—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

With regard to funding provided by the government to the United Nations and other international organizations for the purpose of fighting climate change since January 1, 2016, and broken down by year: (a) what was the total amount spent; (b) what are the details of each funding agreement, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) recipient, (iii) purpose of the funding, (iv) amount of the funding; and (c) for each funding agreement in (b), (i) what has the government done to ensure that the money was spent appropriately, (ii) has an audit been conducted, and, if so, what were the findings?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2049—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC

With regard to recreational boating schools in Quebec accredited under Transport Canada’s TP-15136 standard: how many schools are currently accredited in Quebec, what are the names of these schools and in what municipalities are they located?

(Return tabled)

Question No.2050—Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings

4:35 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

With regard to the purchase of zero-emission vehicles by the government, since January 1, 2016, broken down by year, and by department, agency, Crown corporation, or any other government entity: (a) how many zero-emission vehicles have been purchased in total, broken down by make and model; (b) what was the total cost of purchasing the vehicles; (c) what was the average cost per vehicle, overall and broken down by make and model; (d) of the vehicles in (a), how many are (i) still in service, (ii) no longer in service; (e) of the vehicles that are no longer in service, how many have been sold; and (f) of the vehicles sold, what was the average sale price, overall, and broken down by make and model?