Debates of Nov. 27th, 2024

Housing

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal's housing failure hurts people experiencing gender-based violence. Women's Shelters Canada found that, because of the rising cost of housing, almost all shelters are unable to meet increased demand. This is forcing women into precarious housing or to return to abusive situations. The Liberals are compromising safety because of their failed housing plans, and the Conservatives care so little they heckle during this critical life-and-death question.

Will the Prime Minister commit to increasing investments in affordable rent-geared-to-income housing today?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, yes, no one should have to return to a violent or at-risk situation because they cannot find housing or because they cannot get into a shelter. That is why we continue to step up to work with provinces and municipalities to ensure that there are options for people fleeing domestic violence. It is a deadly serious question. We will always be there to work with provinces, territories and municipalities to support women and anyone fleeing domestic violence.

Public Safety

[Kevin Vuong, Independent, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in 2024, 358 people on the U.S. terrorism watch-list were stopped from crossing into the United States from Canada. How did these terrorists enter Canada in the first place? The immigration minister's failure to secure our borders puts Canadians in danger, and his incompetence has now placed Canada's economy at risk with a 25% Trump trade tariff.

Will the Prime Minister fire this incompetent minister before he does even more damage to Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the member should turn to his friend, the leader of the Conservative Party, and ask him why he is refusing top secret briefings on national security. He should ask his buddy, the Conservative leader, why he will not get the security clearance necessary to understand how to better protect his party and Canadians. The Conservative leader refuses to take top secret briefings or get a security clearance because he would rather play politics with Canadians' safety than actually act to keep Canadians safe. Shame on that member and shame on the Conservative leader.

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. As we know, not only can words be unparliamentary but gestures can be as well. I was in the process of negotiating with the government House leader as to whether we could get unanimous consent to table the text messages from the Liberal member for Vaughan—Woodbridge when he was asking to join our caucus. As I was in the process of doing that, the Liberal member for Vaughan—Woodbridge made a very vulgar and rude gesture, giving the middle finger to this side of the House. That is extremely unparliamentary and I would ask the hon. member to apologize.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Order.

The hon. member for Vaughan—Woodbridge.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, at this moment in time, I seem to be living rent-free in the heads of many of the Conservative members; it is unfortunate. I did not do anything vulgar to the Conservative member. I have been in the House for nine years. I have always tried to act in the most honourable way with all members of Parliament and in all things. I actually co-chair some committees with Conservative members, and that is my reputation. I have nothing to apologize about. I raised my hand to give the script to the page. That is it.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I see the hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable rising on another point of order.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, in the House, we are called on to respect the honour and words of members who rise. However, people have a duty to be honest with their constituents and their colleagues.

I personally witnessed the gesture—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Order.

I have heard the point of order about another member. That member rose to say, on his honour, I presume, that he did not make the alleged gesture. As the hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable mentioned, the Chair will always act on the assumption that all members are honourable, and I will therefore accept his word. However, as suggested, we will check the video and I will come back to the House of Commons if necessary.

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable. I hope it does not concern the same point that the Chair just dealt with.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am offended.

You just questioned my word. You cast doubt on the comments I just made about the gesture made by one of my colleagues.

I find that unacceptable.

The House resumed from November 20 consideration of the motion, of the amendment and of the amendment to the amendment.

Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being 3:27 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment to the amendment of the member for Kingston and the Islands to the motion to concur in the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #895

Committees of the House

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I declare the amendment to the amendment carried.

The next question is on the amendment as amended.

If a member participating in person wishes the amendment as amended be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we request a recorded division.

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

Vote #896

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I declare the amendment as amended defeated.

The next question is on the main motion.

If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we do request a recorded division.

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

Vote #897

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I declare the motion carried.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I have the honour to inform the House that a communication has been received as follows:

Rideau Hall

Ottawa

November 27, 2024

Mr. Speaker:

I have the honour to inform you that the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bill listed in the schedule to this letter on the 27th day of November, 2024, at 10 a.m.

Yours sincerely,

Ken MacKillop

Secretary to the Governor General

The schedule indicates the bill assented to on Wednesday, November 27, was Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other acts.

Tax Break for All Canadians Act

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability).

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Interparliamentary Delegations

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, two reports of the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, with one respecting its participation at the 23rd winter meeting in Vienna, Austria, from February 22-23, and with the other respecting its participation at the 31st annual meeting in Bucharest, Romania, from June 29 to July 3.