Debates of Nov. 19th, 2024

Innovation, Science and Industry

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the level of disrespect the Conservative members of Parliament are not just showing this place but also showing you is completely unacceptable.

We, as of November 8, have deposited nearly 29,000 pages of documents with regard to this matter. It is only Conservative members of Parliament who are filibustering and obstructing this place. They are not standing on moral grounds, they are not standing on principle, they are simply trying to hold back the good work that we need to do for Canadians. Their disrespectful behaviour is just one more example of their inappropriate behaviour here in this place.

Housing

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week we found out the Conservative leader was silencing his members from supporting any federal funding for housing in their communities. It must have been very difficult for Conservatives to oppose funding for much-needed housing projects in the communities that sent them here to advocate for housing, not to do the opposite. Imagine how difficult it must have been for the member for Toronto—St. Paul's who represents a city that will receive $471 million just because he was being muzzled.

Can the minister responsible for housing please update this House on what could happen if the leader of the Conservatives actually got his way?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for his tremendous advocacy for the city that he calls home.

The member has asked a question about the member for Toronto—St. Paul's, who, I will acknowledge, is a new member, but I have watched him in question period and when we review the tapes, we are going to see that he seems to believe the role of a member of Parliament is to mimic the slogans and talking points that he hears his leader put on the floor of the House of Commons.

While we believe the role of a member of Parliament is to advocate for their communities, he will sit idly by, supporting his leader's position to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from his city. His constituents deserve an MP who will stand up to his leader and stand up for his city.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years, the NDP-Liberals are not worth the cost of housing. In December 2023, the incompetent Liberals gave the City of Toronto $471 million in the so-called housing accelerator. What was the result? In October 2024, housing starts, versus October 2023, are down 33%. The only thing this housing accelerator is accelerating is bureaucracy.

When will the NDP-Liberals get it through their thick heads that we actually need to build houses for Canadians, not bureaucracy?

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

All members can be more judicious in the words they choose.

The hon. Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, something is interesting. Over the course of the last couple of days, the few times that Conservatives have actually shown any interest in the housing file, they have manipulated statistics to try to paint a false picture. If we look at the report from CMHC that came out this week, we will see that housing starts are up this month. They are up this year due to the investments that we are making directly in communities.

What is fascinating is the member has been banned by his leader from advocating for his community. His constituents have sent him to this House, and his response is to ignore their needs and, instead, do whatever his leader asks him. That is not representation.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians actually need a minister who will build housing.

Despite what the minister is saying, the facts are very clear. The housing accelerator does not accelerate anything but bureaucracy. Here are some statistics. Housing starts in Nova Scotia are down 54% October 2024 compared to 2023. In Ontario, for the same period, they are 35% down. In British Columbia, for the same period, they are 30% down. In Halifax, for the same period, they are 75% down.

The housing accelerator is a scam. Liberals know it. When will they actually get the houses built that Canadians need?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Housing]

Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of many of the conversations that have taken place today, I will not impugn the motivations of any particular member, but I am reminded of a famous quote attributed to former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who supposedly said, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics”.

The statistics that he is using right now dramatically misrepresent the situation. This year compared to last year, housing in my home province of Nova Scotia is up 23%. This year compared to last year, the city of Halifax is on pace to build more homes than it ever has in our history.

The plan is working. Conservatives are advocating for cuts; we will make investments.

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

Today has been a particularly tough day with members using language that would not be considered judicious. I hope this is just an anomaly. The Speaker will come back to the House later on some of these issues.

The hon. member for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston has the floor.

Foreign Affairs

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, it was reported that David Lavery from Perth, Ontario, had been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Mr. Lavery is the hero known as “Canadian Dave” who rescued hundreds during the fall of Kabul. After all other Canadian officials had already been evacuated, Canadian Dave and his team stayed on in Kabul to ensure the safe passage of Canadians and others on the final flights out of the country. Now he is in Taliban custody, and we worry for his well-being.

What steps is the government taking to bring Dave Lavery home?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague's question is very important. Of course, we are very aware of Mr. Lavery's case. I cannot give more information due to confidentiality issues, but what I would like to suggest to the member that I work with him to make sure that Mr. Lavery comes home. We will take every measure to bring him home.

[Patrick Weiler, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today marks a thousand days since Russia began its unprovoked, illegal, full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Since then, we have seen the heroism and resilience of the Ukrainian people on full display as they face Russia's repeated, brutal and criminal attacks.

Canada has committed over $4.5 billion to support Ukraine, and we stand steadfast with Ukraine until its victory. As we mark a thousand days of this war, could the Minister of National Defence please tell the House what we can do to help Ukraine win?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very important question. For a thousand days, the Ukrainian people have paid a terrible price for brutal Russian aggression, and throughout that time, Canada has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia's unjustified and illegal invasion.

Just yesterday, the supplementary estimates were tabled in the House, and these supplementary estimates contain $763 million in military aid to Ukraine. That is money for munitions, training and the tools Ukrainians desperately require to win. I hope that this year, unlike last year, every member of the House can find the courage to support this desperately required funding.

Mental Health and Addictions

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, mental health care is health care, but the Canadian Mental Health Association tells us that over 2.5 million Canadians cannot get the help they need while others are forced to use their credit card to get it. The Liberals have let people and families struggling with mental health down, and the Conservatives will cut health care and mental health supports. Canadians will have to pay more or be left behind.

When will the Liberals finally make mental health care a true part of Canada's universal health care system so no one has to use a credit card to get the care they need?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member across the way that mental health is in fact health, and that is why we made sure to put in 200 billion dollars' worth of agreements with every province and territory in this country where mental health and substance use services were a key principal priority. It is time for the provinces and territories to step up. It is time for them to work with us.

That is exactly why we announced yesterday the opening of the youth mental health fund, which is $500 million to invest in young Canadians and their mental health. We are doing the work. We are happy to have the provinces and territories step up with us.

Veterans Affairs

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Remembrance Day is a sacred day. It is the one time we put aside our differences to pay tribute to our veterans. We mourn, we celebrate, and yes, we pray for the fallen.

This past week, the Conservative leader whipped up misinformation and rage for political gain by falsely claiming that prayers have been banned at the cenotaph. On the one hand, we have the Conservatives, who will exploit Remembrance Day and cut veteran services, and on the other hand, we have the Liberals, who continue to fail veterans

When will these two tired old parties stand up for the men and women who have served our country?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the member for raising this important issue because there is no greater obligation for all of us than to express our solemn remembrance and our respect for the service of all members of the Canadian Armed Forces. They have sacrificed so much. Many of them have lost their lives, and others chose to serve and survived. For someone to take the opportunity, on that particular day, to try to score some cheap political points with a deliberate falsehood is a real shame.

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

The hon. minister has mentioned a particular member and has said that there was a deliberate falsehood. That is not acceptable. Therefore, I would ask the hon. minister to withdraw that language because of its unparliamentary nature.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I will withdraw it due to the fact that the falsehood was perhaps not deliberate.

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

I thank the hon. minister.

One Thousand Days of War in Ukraine

[The Speaker, Greg Fergus]

Colleagues, following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand that there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence to commemorate the 1,000 days that have gone by since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

I invite hon. members to rise.

[A moment of silence observed]

Ukraine

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties, and I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion, which has been seconded by the member for Montarville.

I move:

That, given that,

(i) the House unanimously adopted the motions of April 27, 2022, on the recognition of the fact that the Russian Federation is committing acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people, of September 21, 2023, to condemn the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation, and of February 15, 2024, on the condemnation of the continuation of Russia's unjustified massive aggression against Ukraine,

(ii) 1000 days after Russia's unjustified aggression against Ukraine, there is clear and abundant evidence of the continuation of the crime of genocide against the Ukrainian people, on the territory of Ukraine, by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin and others in the Russian government and parliament,

the House:

(a) condemn Russia's continuing massive and unjustified aggression against Ukraine and recognize that Ukraine is on the front line of the free world, defending the values of freedom, democracy, global security and human rights;

(b) honour those who have given their lives in defence of these shared values, and reaffirm Canada's unwavering commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine;

(c) recognize that Vladimir Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, resulting in daily atrocities against the Ukrainian people, including genocide, crimes against humanity and violent crimes of aggression;

(d) call on Russia to completely cease hostilities against Ukraine and to withdraw all its troops and armed forces from the territory of Ukraine;

(e) call on the federal government to continue to provide substantial military and humanitarian support to Ukraine in order to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace;

(f) call for a ban on all forms of Russian state media in Canada;

(g) support Ukraine's future membership of NATO;

(h) call for the strengthening of sanctions against Russia, including accountability for the circumvention of sanctions in the energy, military and technology sectors; and

(i) call for all possible efforts to be made to ensure the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, illegally detained civilians and children forcibly deported to Russia, and to support efforts to bring to justice those responsible for crimes of aggression and war crimes.

[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)

(Bill S-13. On the Order: Government Orders:)

February 26, 2024—The Minister of Justice—Second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights of Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.

Interpretation Act

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

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.

I move:

That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order, or usual practice of the House, Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, be disposed of as follows:

(a) the bill be deemed to have been read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights immediately after the adoption of this order;

(b) a minister be ordered to appear before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in relation to the bill for one hour, no later than Friday, November 29, 2024, and, immediately after, the bill shall be deemed considered and reported without amendment; and

(c) at the opening of the next sitting day following the minister’s appearance at the committee, the bill shall be deemed concurred in without amendment at report stage and deemed read a third time and passed.