House of Commons Hansard #371 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was goods.

Topics

line drawing of robot

This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Refusal of Witness to Respond to Questions from Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security Members debate whether a witness's refusal to answer questions at the Public Safety committee regarding alleged involvement in Russian disinformation constitutes a breach of parliamentary privilege or contempt. Members express concern about accountability and the precedent set by the witness's actions, emphasizing the importance of witnesses answering questions before committees studying serious matters like Russian interference. 2600 words, 15 minutes.

National Strategy for Universal Eye Care Act First reading of Bill C-419. The bill establishes a national strategy for universal access to eye care, vision correction, and vision aids to improve equitable outcomes across Canada. 200 words.

International Trade Members debate a report urging government action on eradicating forced labour from Canadian supply chains and strengthening the import ban. Opposition parties criticize the Liberal government's inaction and broken promises, noting zero seizures compared to billions in the US. The government maintains commitment to introducing legislation by year-end, citing Bill S-211 as a step and blaming delays on Conservative tactics. Critics argue Bill S-211 is inadequate and call for stronger due diligence laws and accountability for Canadian firms. 25000 words, 3 hours.

Use of Props in the House—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on wearing lapel pins, stating the test is whether they cause disorder. NDP members raise points of order questioning the ruling's clarity and application. 700 words.

Petitions

Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Members debate the government's refusal to comply with an order of the House to release unredacted documents on the $400 million SDTC fund to the RCMP. Conservatives demand compliance, citing contempt and corruption, and are blocking other business. Liberals argue the order raises concerns under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the issue should go to committee as the Speaker has said needs to happen. 10400 words, 1 hour in 2 segments: 1 2.

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives primarily focus on calling for the Prime Minister to fire the Minister of Employment/Official Languages. They allege the minister faked indigenous identity to secure government contracts, had business connections to cocaine traffickers, and was involved in his company while in cabinet, accusing him of fraud. They also criticize the cost of the carbon tax, placement of child killers with children in prison, and lack of housing progress.
The Liberals repeatedly defend the Minister of Employment against allegations, stating they are false, and criticize Conservative disrespect and obstruction in the House, questioning why their leader won't get a security clearance. They defend their investments in Canadians, including housing, and support for Ukraine, contrasting these with alleged Conservative cuts and a ban on MPs advocating for funding.
The Bloc criticizes government incompetence at the border, citing issuance of a passport to a human smuggler and reduced hours amid Trump deportation fears. They also raise concerns about CRA fraud and cover-ups.
The NDP focus on the rising cost of living and call for removing taxes on essentials like groceries and kids' clothing, taxing big corporations' excess profits, and improving mental health care access. They also condemn Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Adjournment Debates

Prison farm program costs Scott Reid questions the government's decision to reopen prison farms, citing CSC briefing notes that advise against it due to poor recidivism outcomes and wasted resources. Lisa Hepfner defends the program, emphasizing community support, offender rehabilitation, and evidence-based policies promoting safer communities through employment skills.
Funding for public transit Mike Morrice calls on the government to tax oil and gas excess profits and invest the money into public transit. Adam van Koeverden cites the emission cap on the oil and gas sector and mentions existing public transit funding for Kitchener, while accusing Morrice of conflating issues.
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EthicsOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Québec Québec

Liberal

Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalMinister of Public Services and Procurement

Mr. Speaker, it is a real shame to hear so many falsehoods uttered in so little time in the House. It is a real shame that the Conservatives are investing so much of their energy in falsehoods that lead the House astray, skew opinion and distract the House from what really matters, which is working for Quebeckers and Canadians.

One thing we still do not have an answer to is why the Conservative leader, who is usually seated next to the member, did not go get his security clearance so he could protect her and all members of Parliament in time for the next federal election.

EthicsOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, if the minister does not know where to find these individuals, perhaps he can ask the other Randy, who is still very much in contact with those partners.

Even the Liberals are taking note of this humiliating and fraudulent affair, Liberals like Jody Wilson-Raybould, who called it, “So shameful and extremely destructive!” The Prime Minister fired the first indigenous attorney general, but kept the first fake indigenous employment minister. That is some version of reconciliation.

When is the Prime Minister going to fire the employment minister and the other Randy?

EthicsOral Questions

2:40 p.m.

Burlington Ontario

Liberal

Karina Gould LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, the minister has addressed those issues. He has stated that what the member opposite said is false.

What we want to know is why the Leader of the Opposition is silencing his members of Parliament. Why will he not allow his members of Parliament to speak on behalf of their constituents and advocate for their communities? All we hear from the Leader of the Opposition is the silencing of his own members of Parliament. Why will he not just let them speak?

EthicsOral Questions

November 19th, 2024 / 2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Employment is embroiled in allegations of fraud. He almost certainly violated the Conflict of Interest Act. He got caught pretending to be indigenous in an effort to steal government contracts from legitimately indigenous-owned businesses. We have now learned that the minister has a business connection to a cocaine trafficker.

In the face of all that, why is he still in cabinet?

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Québec Québec

Liberal

Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalMinister of Public Services and Procurement

Mr. Speaker, once again, the member is cobbling together all sorts of falsehoods in an attempt to make this story make sense. The minister has repeatedly responded to these questions and false allegations. What we still do not know is how the member who just asked the question is going to protect himself from foreign interference in the next election if the Conservative leader refuses to get his security clearance.

How will he know that he is protected from foreign interference in the next federal election?

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB

Mr. Speaker, one must ask why the Prime Minister has not seen fit to fire the minister. Could it be that the Prime Minister violated the Conflict of Interest Act not once but twice? Could it be that the Prime Minister is a cultural appropriator, having worn blackface more times than he can remember?

Is it not the case that if the Prime Minister were to fire the minister, he would have to fire himself?

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Saint-Maurice—Champlain Québec

Liberal

François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians are witnessing today is very disturbing. On many occasions, questions were asked and answers were provided, but the real issue that Canadians are asking at home is why the leader of the Conservatives will not get a security clearance, will not get a briefing and will not do his job. That is what Canadians are concerned about.

Get the clearance, get the briefing and do your job.

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

I would invite all members to ensure they speak through the Speaker, whether they ask questions or give answers.

The hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles.

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Official Languages said he was indigenous so he could get money from programs for indigenous businesses, even though it is clear that he is not indigenous. He also says that he is not the notorious Randy who runs his own business, but we know that only one Randy works there. This minister is a fraud and a fake. He is corrupt.

Beyond all the smiles at the G20, is—

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

I have asked all members several times to be very careful about the language they use. This time, the language being used is aimed directly at another member of the House. I invite the hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles to withdraw his comments and ask his question again.

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Official Languages said he was indigenous so he could get—

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

I would ask the member to first withdraw his comment, which contained offensive words. Then he can ask his question again.

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

I can withdraw my comment about the minister being a fraud and a corrupt person. Instead I will say that he committed fraud and engaged in corruption.

Does that work?

EthicsOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

No, that does not work.

I invite members to follow the lead of the other members who asked questions yesterday that were entirely acceptable.

I invite the hon. member to withdraw his comments. Then he can reword his question. Otherwise, I will move on to the next question.

EthicsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Mr. Speaker, I mentioned that the minister was a fraud and that he was corrupt. I will instead say that there were allegations of fraud and corruption against this minister and I am calling on the Prime Minister to kick him out of cabinet.

EthicsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Québec Québec

Liberal

Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalMinister of Public Services and Procurement

Mr. Speaker, our colleague from Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles seems to be having a hard time expressing himself today. There is something we would like his thoughts on, and that is the narrative of his Conservative leader, who claims that the agreement we have with the Government of Quebec seeking to build 8,000 social housing units is not currently allowing any social housing to be built. There are several dozen units in his own riding, including those in the Monterosso project, that are being built right now.

When will he invite his Conservative leader to go see for himself that the housing projects in his riding do actually exist?

EthicsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am not having a hard time expressing myself today; the minister is simply trying to create a huge diversion. What we do know is that the official languages minister pretended to be a successful businessman and journalist during the 2015 and 2019 elections. He even claimed to work for CBC/Radio-Canada and a newspaper called Les Affaires. We know this is not true. What is more, he made people believe he is indigenous in order to try and get funding from programs for indigenous businesses. This minister no longer deserves to be in cabinet.

Will the Prime Minister show him the door?

EthicsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Québec Québec

Liberal

Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalMinister of Public Services and Procurement

Mr. Speaker, the minister has already responded to this slew of falsehoods.

What we still have not heard is the opinion of the Conservative MP for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles. The Monterosso project is in his riding. Dozens of affordable housing units are being built thanks to the agreement we signed with the Quebec government exactly one year ago. However, his Conservative leader says these units do not exist.

When is he going to invite me and his Conservative leader to visit the magnificent Monterosso housing project, which, according to his leader, does not exist?

EthicsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

EthicsOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

I am going to ask the hon. member for South Shore—St. Margarets, for the second time today, to not take the floor when he is not recognized. I would not like to remind him a third time.

The hon. member for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has once again dropped the ball when it comes to passports. Just as the federal government is being questioned about its border plan in response to Donald Trump's deportation threats, Radio-Canada is reporting that the federal government issued a passport to a criminal human smuggler known to the authorities, a repeat offender involved in human trafficking at the border. He was involved in the deaths of nine migrants in the river last spring. This is the man Service Canada issued a passport to.

How can the government be so dangerously incompetent?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs Québec

Liberal

Marc Miller LiberalMinister of Immigration

Mr. Speaker, if the allegations are true, that passport should not have been issued. I am checking internally with Service Canada and the security agencies. I will be happy to report back to the House at the appropriate time.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Mr. Speaker, is it any wonder that we are worried about the federal government being unprepared to deal with Trump's deportations? The federal government says that everything is just fine at the border, but we have learned that it issued a passport to a notorious human smuggler. Again, when it comes to border management, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. It is maddening.

How many human smugglers with brand new passports are freely crossing the border?

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs Québec

Liberal

Marc Miller LiberalMinister of Immigration

Mr. Speaker, as I said very clearly in my previous response, I will be pleased to address the House in due course and explain exactly what happened. If the allegations are true, that passport should not have been issued. We will conduct internal checks before speaking about this issue publicly.

Public SafetyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Mr. Speaker, the human smuggler in question was arrested in 2008 for possessing two Canadian passports that were not in his name. He was arrested again in 2017 for human trafficking. He was arrested again in 2021, and that is when the federal government confiscated his passport. After all that, he applied for a new passport and the government issued him one in 2023.

How has no one noticed that these human smugglers are calling the shots at the border right under the federal government's nose?