House of Commons Hansard #353 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was documents.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Canada Health Act First reading of Bill C-414. The bill amends the Canada Health Act to include community-based mental health, addictions, and substance use services as insured services, requiring provinces and territories to provide coverage. 200 words.
Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Members debate the government's refusal to provide unredacted documents on the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund, following Auditor General's findings of conflicts of interest and ineligible projects. Opposition demands documents go to RCMP, citing parliamentary privilege. Government cites Charter rights and police independence concerns, suggesting committee review and accusing opposition of playing political games and filibustering. 55000 words, 7 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Finance Members debate the Canadian economy and the impact of government policies, focusing on the Liberal government's capital gains tax increase. Conservative MP Tracy Gray argues it hurts small businesses, investment, productivity, and housing construction, citing constituent concerns. Liberal MP Jenica Atwin challenges the claim it is a job-killing tax, citing a report suggesting it benefits the wealthy. 1500 words, 10 minutes.
Bill C-77 Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActRoutine Proceedings
Scarborough—Rouge Park Ontario
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-77, An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, entitled “Federal Government's Use of Technological Tools Capable of Extracting Personal Data from Mobile Devices and Computers”.
Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, entitled “Reforming Transition from Military to Civilian Life”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-414, An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (mental, addictions and substance use health services).
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to rise today to table this landmark legislation, the mental health and substance use parity act, on World Mental Health Day. If passed, the bill will amend the Canada Health Act to expand the definition of insured services to include community-based mental health addictions and substance use services.
Currently, provincial and territorial health plans are only required to cover mental health and substance use health services provided by physicians or in hospitals and deemed medically necessary. As a result, many services like counselling or psychotherapy are not covered under public health insurance plans. Without public coverage, many Canadians do not get the care need.
Again, this landmark legislation would begin to address the disparity between mental and physical health in our health care system by creating a federal requirement for provinces and territories to include coverage of community-based supports in their health insurance plans and to ensure that timely, inclusive and accessible mental health and substance use care is enshrined into law.
I want to thank the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, the Canadian Mental Health Association and all those advocating for mental health parity and spreading the message that mental health is health, including my NDP colleagues who are wholeheartedly behind the bill.
I want to thank my colleague and friend, the member for Hamilton Centre, for his important work in this area and for seconding the bill. I hope all members will get behind it.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
George Chahal Liberal Calgary Skyview, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition signed by Canadians. It recognizes that the conflict in the Middle East has killed and displaced thousands of innocent Palestinians, and has now expanded into Lebanon, resulting in deaths and displacement of innocent Lebanese.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to continue calling for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and across the region; that it to continue providing humanitarian aid through the United Nations, where Canada just committed $25 million; that it continue supporting the evacuation of Canadian citizens and their families—
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We cannot wear props in the House. I know this because it has been brought up in the past when I have been giving a speech on a topic I care very much about and have been wearing a button or something. It is important that the rules be enforced equally for all members.
Foreign AffairsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes
The hon. member will have to take his button off. It is not allowed in the House, unless it is agreed upon by all members for certain things such as white ribbons.
The hon. member for Calgary Skyview.
George Chahal Liberal Calgary Skyview, AB
Madam Speaker, it said, “I love Lebanon”, but that is fine.
The petitioners call for the Government of Canada to continue supporting the evacuation of Canadian citizens and their families; and that it create a temporary resident program for Lebanese citizens. Last, it calls on the Government of Canada to lead a peacekeeping mission to help maintain peace, rebuild the economy and infrastructure, and promote safety and security for the Lebanese people.
Canada was a leading voice 67 years ago in advocating for actions, in the words of Lester Pearson, “not only to end the fighting but to make peace”.
Foreign AffairsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes
I want to come back to that point of order. It is important for members to understand that they are not to say their point of view. By wearing a button, it actually supports that point of view. When it comes to petitions, members should just table whatever the petitioners have asked for and not indicate whether they support it.
The hon. member for Winnipeg Centre.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to present a petition that was sponsored by a young woman, Emily Morasty, about service dogs in Manitoba.
We know service dogs that support people living with many neurodiverse conditions are becoming more common. These dogs are highly trained animals doing very specific jobs to assist their handlers with daily living. They assist their handlers in becoming contributing members of their communities.
Currently, there are no specific guidelines around public access for service dogs in Manitoba and several other provinces and territories. Nor are there any licensing requirements. There are also many misconceptions that result in limited access and harassment for service dogs and their handlers.
The petitioners therefore request that the Minister of Health consult with his provincial counterparts, service dog trainers and handlers regarding the need for guidelines on public access; to consult with provincial counterparts, service dog trainers and handlers on licensing requirements for service dogs; consult with provincial counterparts to develop guidelines for public access and licensing requirements for service dogs; and consult with provincial counterparts to enter these guidelines and licensing requirements into federal and provincial legislation.
I commend young Emily Morasty for her work and leadership in putting this petition forward.
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise on behalf of a number of Canadians who have signed a petition calling on the government to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, stop the crime and hold a carbon tax election.
The petitioners have made their thoughts very clear after the nine years of corruption they have seen from the NDP-Liberal government. It is an honour to table this petition.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Speaker, today I rise to table a petition on behalf of firefighters across Canada to address an urgent issue impacting the health and safety of firefighters. This petition was sponsored by the member for Edmonton Strathcona. It calls for immediate action to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFASs, in firefighter gear and firefighting foam.
PFASs are man-made chemicals resistant to heat, water and oil, but their durability comes at a significant cost. Scientific evidence links these substances to health risks, including cancer, and puts firefighters at significant risks just by doing their jobs. Research shows that PFASs can accumulate in the body, leading to serious health issues. Alarmingly, firefighters already face a higher rate of cancer than the general population.
We must mitigate these risks by regulating what we can control within their working conditions. Several countries have already restricted PFAS use. Canada must follow suit. Our firefighters deserve gear that is free from toxic chemicals. We need to protect those who put their lives on the line for us.
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
Madam Speaker, it is always an honour to present a petition on behalf of constituents. I rise for the 49th time on behalf of the people of Swan River, Manitoba, to present a petition on the rising rate of crime.
The community of Swan River is alarmed by the extreme levels of crime caused by the Liberal government's soft-on-crime laws, like Bill C-5 and Bill C-75. Bill C-75 allows violent offenders to be in jail in the morning and back in our communities in the evening. Bill C-5 allows criminals to serve their sentences from home.
It is no surprise that after nine years of the Liberal government Statistics Canada reports that violent crime has risen by 50%. The people of Swan River see crime in their streets every day. That is why they are calling for jail, not bail, for violent repeat offenders.
The people of Swan River demand that the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies that directly threaten their livelihoods and their community. I support the good people of Swan River.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, an important part of public service is presenting petitions on behalf of one's constituents, whether one agrees with them. I am tabling a petition, without commenting on my personal perspective, asking the government to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime.
The petitioners, of their own accord, have observed that after nine years it is clear that the Prime Minister is not worth the cost, the crime or the corruption. Further, the failed Prime Minister and his failed NDP-Liberal government have increased the cost of everything and failed to take responsibility for their failures. Further, the petitioners believe that crime, chaos, drugs and disorder are filling our streets due to the failed policies of the Prime Minister and his NDP-Liberal government.
The petitioners therefore are calling on the government to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime. Further, they would like to see an immediate non-confidence vote in order to replace the NDP-Liberal government and bring about a carbon tax election in which Canadians would be able to vote to end the carbon tax everywhere and for good.
I thank the constituents for their public service in helping me bring this petition to the House today.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, the next petition I am tabling is in support of Bill C-257, a private member's bill that I put forward in the House, aimed at combatting the pernicious phenomenon of political discrimination.
The petitioners note that Canadians have a right to be protected against discrimination and that they can and do face political discrimination, which is discrimination on the basis of their political views. There is no reference to political belief or activity currently in the Canadian Human Rights Act as a prohibited grounds of discrimination. Bill C-257 would add political belief and activity as prohibited grounds of discrimination.
The petitioners therefore call on the House to support Bill C-257 and to defend the rights of Canadians to peacefully express their political opinions free from political discrimination.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, the next group of petitioners would like to bring to the attention of the House that killing children is always wrong regardless of the circumstances, the level of development or dependency involved.
The petitioners draw attention to a recommendation by Dr. Louis Roy, of the Quebec college of physicians, recommending the expansion of euthanasia to “babies from birth to one year of age who come into the world with severe deformities and very serious syndromes.” The petitioners are opposed to this proposal. Frankly, they are horrified that someone would propose it in Canada's Parliament.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to block any attempts to allow the killing of children in Canada.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, the next petition draws attention to the human rights challenges in Eritrea, as well as foreign interference that is being caused by the Eritrean regime.
By way of introduction, the petitioners note that Eritrea has been called the North Korea of Africa. It has been ruled by an authoritarian, brutal dictator under a totalitarian system for the last 30 years. It has no constitution, no elections, no parliament, no freedom of the press and no freedom of movement or association.
Eritreans continue to flee indefinite military conscription, religious persecution and political repression. Hundreds of thousands of Eritreans have fled to escape these severe human rights abuses. These abuses have been documented by the UN commission of inquiry on Eritrea. Many who flee still face intimidation and extortion from representatives of the regime. When members of a family seek refuge abroad, they worry about their family in Eritrea being harassed and forced to pay huge sums of money.
The petitioners highlight various instances of foreign interference that have happened in Canada and elsewhere. They also highlight the collaboration between the Eritrean dictator and Vladimir Putin.
Therefore, the petitioners call on the government to engage actively with Eritrean political and human rights activists and pro-democracy groups; to challenge the Eritrean dictator's human rights abuses at home and his strategic collaboration with other authoritarian powers, such as the Russian government; and to do more to combat foreign interference here in Canada to ensure that we do not have refugee or other immigration applicants who are affiliated with the regime.
The petitioners call for strengthened sanctions against human rights abusers in Ethiopia. They also want to see the release of a number of imprisoned parliamentarians, as well as Swedish Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak, who I believe is the longest-imprisoned journalist in the world.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, I am presenting a petition that draws attention to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
The petitioners note that Falun Gong is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline. It consists of meditation exercises and moral teaching based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.
The petitioners note that, since the summer of 1999, the Chinese Communist Party has undertaken an intensive persecution campaign seeking to eradicate Falun Gong. That persecution has included forced labour, brainwashing centres and prisons, and torture. Thousands of people have died as a result.
Further, the petition highlights the history of forced organ harvesting and trafficking that we have combatted in the House through a piece of legislation that finally passed in the current Parliament.
Petitioners call for further steps from the government, including passing a resolution to establish measures to stop the CCP's crime of systematically murdering Falun Gong practitioners and calling publicly for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, the next petition is from Canadians who are very concerned about the government's approach to natural health products. There are changes that are, at best, a solution in search of a problem and, at worst, a pernicious attack on these products and those who use them in order to stay healthy.
The petitioners note that changes made in the last Liberal omnibus budget have had the effect of making it much more difficult to be in the business of producing natural health products. They have driven up the cost and had an impact on the accessibility of these products, especially for middle- and low-income Canadians.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to reverse the changes made in the last Liberal budget regarding natural health products and to support the Conservative private member's bill that would do precisely that.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, next, I am presenting a petition regarding the human rights situation in Hong Kong as it relates to potential immigration to Canada.
The petitioners note that the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act renders foreign nationals inadmissible to Canada if they have committed or been convicted of an offence abroad. However, many people in Hong Kong have been arbitrarily charged and convicted simply because of their involvement with the pro-democracy movement. That includes national security law-related offences, as well as cases where people have been arbitrarily charged and convicted under other statutes, not the national security law.
The petitioners call on the government to create a mechanism by which Hong Kong people with pro-democracy-related convictions may provide an explanation for such convictions. On that basis, the government could grant exemptions to Hong Kong people who would otherwise be deemed inadmissible based on this criminality determination.
The petitioners also want to see our government work with other like-minded governments on a fair and reasonable mechanism to achieve this end.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
The House resumed from October 9 consideration of the motion, and of the amendment.
Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House AffairsPrivilegeOrders of the Day
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
Madam Speaker, it is an honour to come in here and finish my speech.
As has been described, what has effectively happened is that, after nine years, the NDP-Liberal government has completely lost the plot. There has been scandal after scandal, and the Auditor General of Canada's findings have continually shown all kinds of misgivings in terms of spending and any kind of compliance. In fact, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, SDTC, turned into a slush fund for Liberal insiders. We have heard from a variety of different whistle-blowers about just how bad this is.
In fact, one SDTC whistle-blower said, “Just as I was always confident that the Auditor General would confirm the financial mismanagement at SDTC, I remain equally confident that the RCMP will substantiate the criminal activities that occurred within the organization.”
Another whistle-blower said:
The true failure of the situation stands at the feet of our current government, whose decision to protect wrongdoers and cover up their findings over the last 12 months is a serious indictment of how our democratic systems and institutions are being corrupted by political interference. It should never have taken two years for the issues to reach this point. What should have been a straightforward process turned into a bureaucratic nightmare that allowed SDTC to continue wasting millions of dollars and abusing countless employees over the last year.
These quotes are exceptionally troubling. This is not the first time the current Parliament has had to have conversations that are very serious in nature regarding the government's trying to cover up scandal. One part that I am actually quite frustrated with when it comes to this particular piece is the number of conflicts of interest in which Liberal insiders were getting money.
In fact, the Minister of Environment served as a strategic adviser for a venture capital firm called Cycle Capital from 2009 to 2018, prior to joining cabinet. This was not a short period of time. The Prime Minister has entrusted the same person to handle Parks Canada. We have seen that this is an absolute failure in terms of what has happened in Jasper, where those at Parks Canada were either completely incompetent or negligent and let 30% of the homes in that community burn as a direct result of mismanagement. However, the minister still has shares in Cycle Capital, which is interesting, and this company actually got money from the green slush fund. It just continues to show the number of conflicts of interest, and this is where it becomes a serious problem.
We have Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet and to put food on their table. We are approaching Thanksgiving, yet the homes of 30% of the people in Jasper are gone. The NDP-Liberal government sat on its hands for the last nine years, mismanaging the forests because it failed to accept that the pine beetle was a real threat. There are emails. There is correspondence that went back and forth as to whether the government should consider the political optics of prescribed burns. The Liberals completely neglected forest management. Then, to add insult to injury, they turned away fire trucks and firefighters who were there, ready and willing to help. The Liberals also, interestingly enough, decided to install fire hydrants in the townsite of Jasper, but they were actually not compatible with the fire trucks in Alberta and British Columbia. This seems to be a total miss because it basically means that people are very limited in the amount of outside help they can get. That is because Parks Canada officials do not understand the western Canadian perspective. However, I digress here.
The problem is that the government has completely lost the plot. It continues to funnel money to Liberal insiders, giving them almost a blank cheque to mismanage Canadian funds. In addition, they put real people at risk day in and day out. It is exceptionally clear that Canadians have had enough. Every single weekend, when I go home to my riding of Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, I hear from people who tell me, “We just need an election. When are we going to have an election? We cannot handle the pressure of the mismanagement by the NDP-Liberal government any longer, with its waste, its corruption and its chaos.”
They see crime rising at an ever-increasing rate as a direct result of the catch-and-release bail policies the government pats themselves on the back for bringing forward. They are currently fighting this and preventing documents from going to the RCMP because they are afraid of what is in the documents. They make arguments that this is about charter rights, ignoring the fact that the Parliament of Canada has the right to have these. The Speaker has ruled very clearly that these documents were not to be redacted, yet we received redacted documents.
It is clear that these documents have to go to the RCMP, completely unredacted. Canadians deserve it.