Debates of Nov. 18th, 2024

Employment

[Alain Rayes, Independent, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the renewal applications of many closed work permit holders are being denied because they are missing an impact assessment, either because they did not know they needed one or because they applied in a hurry. These workers are only being given the necessary information on the date of the review process deadline and so their renewal applications are being denied.

Why does the department not take the simple step of informing workers by email that they are missing documents? That would help prevent interruptions of work, negative impacts on families and businesses and unnecessary fees and delays for businesses, immigrants and the government in order to restore the status of these workers.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, it is very important for us to be able to grant work permits to workers who need them when they need them. I will commit to personally working with the member to resolve this issue.

Oral Questions

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of International Development]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, at the conclusion of asking his question, as he was sitting down, called the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages “cocaine Randy”, which is extremely unparliamentary.

I would ask you, Mr. Speaker, to ask him to withdraw that remark.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that I was referring to the other Randy as cocaine Randy.

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

I will come back to the House on this after further reflection.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I am deeply concerned as you raised the issue of my wearing a pin in the House of Commons.

I stand here proudly wearing a pin that shows that I stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and members within this place are wearing pins for various reasons. One of my colleagues is proudly wearing the moose hide pin to show his support for causes that are important. People wear poppies within the House. I have many times worn a flag for Ukraine-Canadian—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

Order.

Honourable members, it is important that the Chair be able to hear the point being raised by the hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona. I could not hear much after the reference to the poppy. I am going to give the hon. member the opportunity to wrap up so that the Chair can hear her point of order to make a proper determination.

The hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that when I cannot as a member of the House of Commons bring up a point of order without being heckled and shouted down by the Conservatives, that imposes on my privilege.

I have proudly worn many pins in the House. For example, tomorrow, to mark 1,000 days since Putin invaded Ukraine, I will wear the Ukrainian pin. I need to know whether the Conservatives will call this out as a prop.

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

I thank the hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona. The Chair will take that into consideration and will come back to the House if necessary.

The hon. President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport is rising on a point of order.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to submit a message from Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada signed by her own hand—

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

We will get to that point, which is important, but that is not a point of order.

Irwin Cotler

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, 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:

(a) salute Mr. Irwin Cotler's contribution to the defence of human rights and the fight against racism and anti-Semitism;

(b) recall his political contribution as Attorney General and Minister of Justice from 2003 to 2006, and that it condemn the death threats against him orchestrated by agents of a foreign regime.

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

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)

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order to make a correction to an answer I gave earlier during oral question period.

If I disclosed information that is protected under the Income Tax Act, I could be sent to prison for 12 months.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I just want to follow up on the point of order raised about pins that members wear in the House. In the past, different positions have been taken with respect—

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member is trying to make a point that was raised earlier. I did indicate to the House that I had heard points on this matter and will come back to the House if necessary.

The House resumed consideration of the motion, of the amendment and of the amendment to the amendment.

Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

It being 3:22 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the subamendment of the member for Calgary Shepard in relation to the privilege motion.

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

The question is as follows. May I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

[Chair read text of amendment to the amendment to House]

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

Vote #882

Privilege

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

I declare the amendment to the amendment carried.

I wish to inform the House that because of the recorded division, the time for Government Orders will be extended by 14 minutes.

Innovation, Science and Industry

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

Pursuant to order made on Monday, June 10, it is my duty to table, in both official languages, a letter that I have received from the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel regarding the order for the production of documents from the government, Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the Auditor General of Canada.

A message from Her Excellency the Governor General transmitting supplementary estimates (B) for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, was presented by the President of the Treasury Board and read by the Speaker to the House.