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House of Commons Hansard #372 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was documents.
House of Commons Hansard #372 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.
Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Members debate a privilege motion concerning the government's refusal to provide unredacted documents on Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to the RCMP, as ordered by the House. Conservatives call the fund a "Liberal billion-dollar green slush fund" and allege conflicts of interest, stating the refusal paralyzes Parliament. Liberals and NDP acknowledge transparency is needed but question sending documents directly to police, while accusing Conservatives of obstruction and filibustering debate on other issues like housing and inflation. Past scandals of various parties are also raised. 20500 words, 2 hours.
Refusal of Witness to Respond to Questions from Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security Members debate a witness's refusal to answer a committee studying foreign interference, citing US charges and self-incrimination risk. Kevin Lamoureux proposes referring the matter to PROC for study before the Speaker rules on privilege. 600 words.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Members debate the financialization of housing and the ongoing crisis, including rising homelessness and delayed federal funds. Bloc members express frustration with procedural delays preventing legislative work. Liberals defend their housing plan, while Conservatives propose removing GST and linking municipal funding to housing targets. NDP members criticize both parties for abandoning social housing. 11200 words, 1 hour.
Allegations Regarding Impartiality of the SpeakerPoints of OrderOral Questions
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, therefore as demonstrated by the tweet and by the agreement from the Conservatives that is coming from across the way, the Speaker's chair, not you although in this particular case filled by you, but the role of whoever happens to be sitting in the chair, is not being treated in an impartial and non-partisan way.
I am bringing this to your attention not to protect your honour and your integrity as an individual, Mr. Speaker; I think you can do that well enough on your own, but I bring it to your attention because I am worried that a dangerous precedent is being set, where attacking the occupant of the chair becomes the norm. As I indicated through my research and what I had provided to you, Mr. Speaker, there has already been a well-established practice of determining that comments like the ones I cited are a breach of the privilege of the Speaker and of the House as a whole.
I would kindly ask you, Mr. Speaker, to reflect upon what I have offered to you today and come back to the House to let us know whether that kind of action will continue to be allowed in the future, whether we are setting a new precedent, or whether you will be starting to clamp down on the issue. I am greatly worried about the impartiality of the Chair. If we continue to allow the practice to occur, years from now Speakers will continue to be subject to it.
I will end my comments with where I started, which is that one of the most important things of our democracy, of our chamber and of the way this place functions is that the people who sit in the chair and the people who work at the table are completely impartial and do not bring a political agenda to their role. They sit there and do their job as servants of the other MPs of the House.
I would kindly ask that you reflect upon that, Mr. Speaker, and come back to the House and provide us with some guidance as to how we should be dealing with these situations moving forward.
Allegations Regarding Impartiality of the SpeakerPoints of OrderOral Questions
Conservative
Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK
Mr. Speaker, if it is your intention to have a formal ruling in response to that point of order, I would like to reserve the right to come back and issue more formal remarks.
However, I would point out that nothing that the member for Kingston and the Islands just referenced would rise to the level of libellous. The section that he quoted from the procedure and practice handbook says that was libellous statements have been seen as a contempt of the House or a breach of its privileges. I would point out that it is a true statement that the member was kicked out, but there is nothing libellous in that; that is what happened yesterday.
You, Mr. Speaker, are a member of the Liberal Party and a Liberal MP; that is a true statement. Nothing in what was just read out would in any way rise to the level of a libellous remark unless the member is suddenly realizing that being associated with the Liberal Party is in itself libellous, which I certainly would not disagree with, but I am sure some people would.
Allegations Regarding Impartiality of the SpeakerPoints of OrderOral Questions
Allegations Regarding Impartiality of the SpeakerPoints of OrderOral Questions
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, I think we have seen in the last minute a lot of time for people to express their points of order, so I would like to have the same opportunity to express the point I want to raise.
Something very important came up during question period, namely a report that was tabled during the night. I say during the night because it was 1 a.m. in Ottawa when it was tabled at COP29, the conference I am attending virtually as a Canadian delegate.
The report looks at the performance of 67 countries around the world in terms of how effectively they are fighting climate change. It is entitled “Climate Change Performance Index 2025: Results”. I am not saying the title in English to be funny but because only the English version was available at 1:30 a.m. when I read it and printed it out.
As shown in the table on page 7, we can clearly see that, after nine years of this Liberal government, Canada ranks 62nd out of 67 countries. I am seeking unanimous consent to table this document, and I would point out that if the House unfortunately refuses, the House will be insulting COP29.
Allegations Regarding Impartiality of the SpeakerPoints of OrderOral Questions
Allegations Regarding Impartiality of the SpeakerPoints of OrderOral Questions
Some hon. members
No.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to three petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 107(3), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Liaison Committee, entitled “Committee Activities and Expenditures: April 1, 2024 - August 31, 2024”. This report highlights the work and accomplishments of each committee of the House, as well as detailing the budgets that fund the activities approved by the committee.
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to present a petition signed by the great people from the freedom-loving riding of Kanata—Carleton. They are calling on the Government of Canada to refrain from endorsing the so-called pandemic treaty drafted by the World Health Organization that has never had a single debate or vote in the House of Commons. This concern is that by agreeing to this legally binding treaty, Canada is signing away our own sovereignty and allowing UN bureaucrats who are unaccountable to Canadians the power to override our laws, rights and freedoms.
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition here, if you would allow me. I would also like to present a petition signed by the people from Whitby, Ajax and Pickering—Uxbridge, who are devastated by the government's carbon tax, which is making their lives more expensive by increasing their costs for fuel, food and housing. Now this government plans to quadruple the tax that would only make lives more expensive. They are calling on the government to scrap all federal excise taxes on energy, the GST on oil and gas and the carbon tax.
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition from members of the Lebanese Canadian community in my riding of Scarborough Centre. They draw the attention of the House to the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, which has killed tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians, into Lebanon, where Israeli military action has killed hundreds of people and injured and displaced thousands since September 23 alone.
Petitioners note what they consider endless visa restrictions for people trying to flee the war zone. They call on the government to implement a special visa program similar to what Canada provided for Ukrainians fleeing their war zone; temporary resident visas for the extended family of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to reach Canada; the safe evacuation of Canadian citizens and their extended families from Lebanon; and a transparent and fair process that gives priority to evacuating women, children and the elderly.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is a true honour to rise to present a petition that has been signed by over 10,000 people, in fact, 10,187 people. Some are constituents, but they are from far and wide and include eminent researchers in animal issues from York research centre and from Queen's University. It is a very long petition, with many signatories, including the Humane Society International and the Montreal SPCA. It follows on a declaration by 39 scientists called the New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness.
The petitioners, and again, as I said, it is an eminent list, call on the Government of Canada to reconsider and reform our laws as they relate to animals. The petitioners point out that animals currently under our law are not considered sentient beings and are classified as property.
The researchers and scientists confirm that sentience is the ability to experience feelings and sensations and is an ethical basis for determining that animals deserve moral consideration. Thirty-two countries have formally recognized non-human animal sentience and they are cited in this petition, including the European Union, Switzerland, China, Chile, Australia, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The petitioners ask that Canada join this group of countries and reform our laws to recognize animals as sentient beings.
Shaun Chen Liberal Scarborough North, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present petition e-4981, with 593 signatures, on behalf of Eelam Tamils from across Canada, with the support of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam.
The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to take legal action before the International Court of Justice against Sri Lanka under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. They note the atrocity crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, committed against the Eelam Tamil people, citing reports by the United Nations Secretary-General's panel of experts on accountability in Sri Lanka and internal review panel on United Nations action in Sri Lanka. The petitioners are deeply committed to a world that is free of genocide, and they believe accountability is essential in preventing genocide and ensuring “never again”.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, I present petition e-5058, with 636 signatories, on behalf of Eelam Tamils from coast to coast to coast. The petition describes Canada as a diasporic home to the largest number of Eelam Tamils, a nation of people facing protracted genocide for over 75 years in Tamil Eelam, their occupied traditional homeland in Sri Lanka.
First, the petitioners call upon the House of Commons to initiate proceedings by Canada against Sri Lanka at the International Court of Justice to investigate Tamil genocide, both as an injured state party on behalf of its citizens of Eelam Tamil heritage and as a state party exercising obligations erga omnes partes.
Second, the petitioners call for an internationally administered referendum among the people in the occupied homeland and in the diaspora on the creation of an independent and sovereign state of Tamil Eelam.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today.
The first is on the departure of radio and television journalists and, in particular, how we are continuing to see a disappearance of crucial local coverage in our communities.
The signatories of the petition are calling on the government to extend the Canadian journalism labour tax credit to include radio and TV. They are asking the government to support Canadian-owned media by dedicating 70% of federal advertising dollars to local radio, TV, print and digital media; and to eliminate tax deductions for advertising purposes on foreign-owned Internet-delivered media sites.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from many Canadians who are calling to the government's attention the fact that the RCMP has reported the Government of India is interfering in Canada's elections and murdering, threatening and extorting Canadians on Canadian soil.
Petitioners are also bringing to the attention of the House that it is extremely troubling, what is being learned about what the Leader of the Opposition is doing with respect to his security clearance and not getting one.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have never been heckled when giving a petition before, but I will continue.
The signatories of this petition, and my job is just to deliver it on their behalf, are calling on the leader of the Conservative Party to get his security clearance and take action to help stop foreign governments from interfering in Canada and targeting Canadians. I am happy to present it on their behalf.
Jamil Jivani Conservative Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition in the House today on behalf of residents of Durham region and across Canada who are concerned with Liberal government cuts to youth cadet programs. The Liberal government has cut funding to sea cadet, air cadet and army cadet programs, leaving first- and second-year recruits without proper dress uniforms. This is shameful and many Canadians are very concerned.
The petition calls upon the government to restore funding for all youth cadet programs so new cadet recruits can be issued proper dress uniforms, to consult with local youth cadet programs throughout Canada to assess other budgetary challenges, and to also commit to long-term, stable funding for youth cadets.
Jamil Jivani Conservative Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have another petition on behalf of students across Canada who are concerned about the carbon tax and its impact on the future of our country. The petition states quite clearly that the carbon tax has contributed to the affordability crisis, which has left students and youth unable to live independently of their parents.
Therefore, these students and residents of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to remove the carbon tax to alleviate the ongoing affordability crisis that is causing students and the people of Canada to struggle.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I too have a petition to table that highlights foreign interference. It calls into question why the leader of the Conservative Party has chosen not to get the security clearance. It is rooted in concerns regarding everything from assassination to extortion and political interference.
It is a very serious petition, and the petitioners imply that the leader of the Conservative Party needs to get the security clearance necessary to become better informed about foreign interference.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I believe the rules require a petition to be addressed to the House or the government. The Leader of the Opposition will soon be Prime Minister. He is not Prime Minister yet. I wonder if it is in order for a petition to be addressed to a person who is not the Prime Minister, the government or the House.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, when the petition is tabled, the member will be able to read it. It is specifically given to the House of Commons to encourage the Leader of the Opposition to get his security clearance.
Democratic InstitutionsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont
For further clarity, a petition can be addressed to any member of Parliament.
The hon. member for Winnipeg North.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I can understand the sensitivity of it. All I am doing is conveying a petition that has been signed by many Canadians. They are genuinely concerned that the leader of the Conservative Party has not taken it upon himself to get the security clearance necessary to become better informed in protecting the interests of Canadians. It is a legitimate petition that I would encourage the member opposite to read.
