House of Commons Hansard #366 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.
Assistance Animals Framework for Veterans Act First reading of Bill C-417. The bill establishes a framework for animal-assisted services for veterans, standardizing training, protecting veterans from scams, harmonizing access rules, and opening the door for more VAC funding. 300 words.
Employment Insurance Act First reading of Bill C-418. The bill proposes measures to reform the Employment Insurance Act, including changing eligibility, benefit duration and amounts, and expanding coverage to protect more workers, such as seasonal, non-standard, and pregnant workers. 400 words.
Public Accounts Members debate a report on Canada's climate record, noting its poor G7 ranking on emissions since 2015. Conservatives argue the government's carbon tax causes economic pain without reducing emissions, citing rising food bank use and housing issues. Liberals defend their policies, stating the carbon price and rebate help households and emissions are decreasing, while accusing the opposition of misinformation and filibustering. Bloc and NDP members criticize oil subsidies and call for a just transition, while also highlighting the need for adaptation funding for municipalities. 24800 words, 3 hours.
Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Members debate allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the Sustainable Development Technology Canada program, dubbed the "green slush fund," citing Auditor General findings of conflicts of interest. Conservatives demand the government provide documents ordered by the House, alleging a cover-up of taxpayer money misuse and linking it to other scandals and the cost of living crisis. Liberals argue the motion is flawed and could interfere with an RCMP investigation, while other parties also weigh in on the need for transparency and past spending issues. 18100 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Request for Witness to Attend at the Bar of the House Members debate an ethics probe into the Minister of Employment over allegations he violated conflict rules by being involved in a past business, potentially being "Randy" in alleged fraud. 1000 words.
Resumption of Debate on Amendment Members debate the Liberal government's handling of the Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) fund, referred to as the "green slush fund". Concerns are raised about alleged mismanagement and corruption, including conflicts of interest and funds going to insiders. The debate centres on the government's refusal to release unredacted documents, defying a Speaker's order, which opposition members call contempt of Parliament. 7700 words, 1 hour.
Foreign AffairsOral Questions
The Speaker Greg Fergus
Order. That includes the hon. member for South Shore—St. Margarets.
The hon. member for Calgary Midnapore has the floor.
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Speaker, Tom Clark lied to committee, saying that he did not know about the purchase of a $9-million condo. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also said that she did not know about the purchase of a $9-million condo. She also said that she did not know that a Canadian warship was next to Russian warships in the port of Havana and that she did not know that a senior global affairs official attended a Russian embassy party.
Is it not the role of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to know?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of time for the member opposite because she used to be the consul in Dallas, and she knows how important it is to be investing in her diplomatic network in the U.S. Of course, we will continue to invest across our continents and across the U.S. because, if there is one country in the world that knows about the Americans and the U.S., it is Canada.
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, the previous Conservative government brought in cuts and challenges that left many veterans struggling, particularly in British Columbia, and we do not want to see this happen again. Our Liberal government has worked diligently to address these issues. As we reflect on these changes, let us remember that our commitment to veterans must be unwavering.
Can the Minister of Citizens' Services share how our government has expanded our reach to better support veterans from coast to coast to coast?
Terry Beech LiberalMinister of Citizens’ Services
Mr. Speaker, do members remember when the Conservatives campaigned on shutting down veterans' offices, or when they promised to increase the retirement age to 67? Of course, they do not because Conservatives never say what they are actually going to do. It is why they speak in slogans. They hope no one would notice that they shut down veterans' offices in Corner Brook, Sydney, Charlottetown, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Saskatoon, Brandon, Kelowna and Prince George.
Our government reopened all those offices and opened a new office in Surrey. When we say that we support veterans, unlike Conservatives, we actually mean it.
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Mr. Speaker, Windsor is being abused and taken for granted by the Liberals yet again. It is a sad state that the city must sue the federal government to recoup the cost of the Ambassador Bridge blockade. While the Conservatives supported this illegal activity, which hurt the economy and public safety, the Liberals are making Windsor taxpayers foot the bill. This means less money for roads, parks, housing and emergency services. There are fewer services in Windsor because of Liberal failures.
Instead of forcing Windsor to fight in court, will this government repay the city and finally take responsibility for federal border costs, as they should?
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Windsor is right. At a time when the Conservatives were supporting the illegal acts of the convoy, the City of Windsor and the Province of Ontario were partners with the Government of Canada in trying to bring this horrible crisis to a peaceful conclusion. I was happy some months ago to have an opportunity to talk to the mayor of Windsor. My colleagues on this side of the House have also been talking to me about what we can do to support the City of Windsor, and we are always open to working with the City of Windsor. It has been a valuable partner to our government.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, INEO Employment Services in Port Alberni provides vital support to help people trying to find jobs. It offers necessary training and capacity building for employment readiness. It can do this because of B.C.'s community and employer partnerships program. However, it recently lost support due to federal funding cuts.
The funding cuts are happening because the Liberals slashed B.C.'s funding by $74 million. The Liberals are leaving people out to dry, but do everything they can to continue to prop up rich CEOs.
Will the Liberals immediately restore B.C.'s federal funding to make sure that these critical programs keep running?
Randy Boissonnault LiberalMinister of Employment
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report to this House that the Government of Canada transfers $2.8 billion every year to train almost one million workers in partnerships that we have with British Columbia, as well as other provinces and territories across the country.
If the member and other members in this House want to make sure that we have a fully functioning workforce, let us get the provinces to do their part when it comes to recognizing foreign credentials. We have thousands of people in this country who need their credentials recognized here. We need the provinces to do their part and make sure that people do not have survival jobs in this country, but they have dignified jobs from coast to coast to coast.
The House resumed from November 4 consideration of the motion.
Environment and Sustainable DevelopmentCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Greg Fergus
It being 3:19 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion to concur in the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
Call in the members.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The House resumed consideration of the motion and of the amendment.
Public AccountsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes
The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment of the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes to the motion to concur in the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes
I declare the amendment 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.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
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 AffairsPrivilegeOrders of the Day
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes
The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the subamendment of the member for Flamborough—Glanbrook in relation to the privilege motion.
(The House divided on the amendment to the amendment, which was agreed to on the following division:)
PrivilegeOrders of the Day
Sherry Romanado Liberal Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I had a problem with the app, but you did not notice when I stood up to say that my vote was not counted.
