House of Commons Hansard #390 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was confidence.
Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, I truly have the honour today, as we get to the end of 2024, to present, in both official languages, the 23rd report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, entitled “Canada's Supply Chains and Expanded International Trade: Challenges and Measures”, for 2024 and as we move into the future.
Canada–People’s Republic of China RelationshipCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 9th interim report of the Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship, entitled “Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy: Two Years Later”.
Our diplomatic, economic and military presence is valued in the region and we are making investments in long-term relationships that will be very beneficial for Canada and that region in years to come. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Iqwinder Gaheer Liberal Mississauga—Malton, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to the motion adopted on October 23, 2023, regarding the growing problem of car thefts in Canada.
Public Safety and National SecurityCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Mr. Speaker, I want to put on the record that the Conservatives of the public safety committee have included a dissenting report on the public safety and national security committee's auto theft report. We heard a lot of testimony from police that the government's soft-on-crime measures have increased auto thefts in this country. We need tougher bail measures. We need tougher Criminal Code sentencing penalties for those responsible for auto theft. Conservatives have brought forward repeated measures to do so, which were voted down by the Liberal government.
It is very clear, and we have reflected this in our dissenting report, that the only way we are going to get fewer auto thefts in this country is if a Conservative majority government comes into power and brings in those Criminal Code changes to toughen up our measures and ensure that the people responsible for stealing cars are put behind bars. That is what is going to happen if a Conservative government comes into power. We have reflected this in our dissenting report and I am very proud to contribute that to the public safety report on auto thefts.
Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table two reports.
First, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, entitled “Supplementary Estimates (B) 2024-25: Votes 1b and 5b under Department of Veterans Affairs”.
On the second report, Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, entitled “The Persian Gulf War Was a War”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Fraser Tolmie Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table this supplementary report with the House to ensure the voices of veterans are heard. Over the course of this study at the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, we heard from many different veterans, particularly from veterans who served in the war in Afghanistan who continue to be ignored and disrespected by the Liberal government. The committee agreed to study the designation of wartime service, which extends beyond just veterans who fought in the Persian Gulf War. In fact, even veterans who fought in the Persian Gulf raised this point several times, yet the report tabled by the committee completely neglected to mention even a single veteran who fought in Afghanistan.
Veterans put their lives on the line in combat and graciously agreed to travel to Ottawa to share their experiences with the committee. We owe it to them to include the wisdom they shared with us.
Common-sense Conservatives want to make it clear that we are listening to veterans, and we will not let the Liberal government and its NDP allies continue to ignore their concerns.
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
moved that Bill S-276, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, be read the first time.
I rise today to introduce in the House Bill S-276, an act respecting Ukrainian heritage month. This bill has passed the Senate, and if passed here in the House, the bill would declare September of every year Ukrainian heritage month. I would like to thank the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore for co-sponsoring this bill and I hope members of all parties will support it.
The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada came on September 7, 1891. Today, there are approximately 1.4 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent. They have made an important impact on our country that spans coast to coast to coast, whether it be our economic, social or political life. At the same time, Canada has welcomed and supported Ukrainian Canadians. Canada was the first country to recognize Ukraine's independence. Canada has recognized the Holodomor as a genocide and has been a global leader in supporting the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russia's brutal invasion. We have said that we will stand with the Ukrainian people until they win.
Ukrainian heritage month would offer a special opportunity for us to celebrate Ukrainian heritage, the role Canada has played in supporting Ukrainian Canadians and the contributions Ukrainian Canadians have made and continue to make to Canada.
Slava Kanadi. Slava Ukraini.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON
Mr. Speaker, I stand once again in the House to table a petition signed by residents of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and surrounding area calling on the Government of Canada to assist in the funding required to built a new elders facility in Wiikwemkoong.
The petitioners note that they have received funding from the Government of Ontario, CMHC and community members, but there is a funding shortfall of $20 million. They draw to the Government of Canada's attention that it has funded health care facilities in the indigenous community of Moosonee, a long-term care home for Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and a seniors long-term care facility in Rankin Inlet.
They add that the current facility in Wiikwemkoong has reached the end of its life expectancy, and it is vital for the community to ensure elders can stay in their community to not only share their knowledge and experience with younger generations and remain close to their families but also to not be subjected to another era of assimilation.
Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON
Mr. Speaker, there are several of these petitions. I stand to table a petition signed by residents of northern Ontario who are calling on the House of Commons to recognize the impact that reducing the number of electoral districts in the region, following the report of the federal electoral boundaries commission, will have on their electoral representation. They ask that the federal government modify the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act to ensure the number of electoral districts in northern Ontario is maintained at 10.
The petitioners also ask that the House respect the Supreme Court of Canada's 1991 Carter decision, which states, “Effective representation and good government in this country compel that factors other than voter parity, such as geography and community interests, be taken into account in setting electoral boundaries.”
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to present a petition on behalf of constituents. I rise for the 56th time on behalf of the people of Swan River, Manitoba, to present a petition on the rising rate of crime. The community of Swan River is struggling with the rising rate of crime in its area. Statistics Canada reports that, after nine years of the Liberal government, violent crime has risen by 50% and gang-related homicides have nearly doubled.
Within the last five years, the crime severity index in Swan River has increased by over 50%. According to the RCMP, four individuals in Swan River alone were responsible for 309 total offences, 53 of which were violent offences, over the course of 18 months. This is why the people of Swan River are demanding jail, not bail, for violent repeat offenders.
The people of Swan River demand that the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies that directly threaten their livelihoods and their community. I support the good people of Swan River.
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on affordable housing. Successive Liberal and Conservative governments have neglected investing in affordable housing for decades, and predatory landlords have been able to take advantage of the vulnerabilities. The average rent in my riding of Coquitlam for a two-bedroom apartment has reached $2,900. Corporate landlords are increasingly using renovictions and demovictions to demolish affordable housing.
Therefore, the undersigned ask for the government to impose a moratorium on renovictions and other forms of displacing tenants, to invest in affordable housing, non-profit and co-op housing, and to stop providing billions of dollars in handouts to corporate landlords who are buying up existing affordable housing, evicting people and raising rents.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I table a petition signed by individuals in Canada who are very much concerned about foreign interference. They make reference to murder, extortion and political interference and call for the leader of the Conservative Party to get the necessary security clearance so he can be more aware of the degree to which foreign interference is playing a very significant role here in Canada.
It is a petition that many have signed, and I would encourage members to look at the petition itself.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition in which the petitioners are calling on the Liberals to permanently scrap their reckless planned expansion of MAID, where mental illness is the sole underlying disorder.
The petitioners note that vulnerable persons would be put at unique risk because it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine irremediability, meaning persons who could get better could have their lives prematurely ended. Secondly, it is difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between a rational request for MAID and one motivated by suicidal ideation when the request is in the context of a sole underlying mental illness.
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table two petitions.
The first is with regard to 500 concerned citizens and workers from across Canada calling on the government to take immediate action to protect workers from the growing misuse of non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs, in the case of harassment, violence and discrimination. NDAs are increasingly used to force workers into silence, preventing them from seeking help or speaking out about mistreatment and misconduct in the workplace. This is increasingly true for workers in low-wage or precarious employment situations.
The petitioners call for legislation that would ban the misuse of NDAs by the federal government and federally funded agencies, unless specifically requested by a worker who has received legal advice on alternative ways to protect their privacy. This is a crucial step to protect workers, especially those in vulnerable situations, and to ensure they are not silenced or forced to live in fear.
I urge all members to support this petition.
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is a good news story. It is supporting the banning of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization in South Bruce. Despite the fact that there was a good, positive decision as of November 28 and the final decision was made to choose an alternative location in northern Ontario for nuclear waste disposal, the petitioners still want the government to have a proper process in place.
The petitioners are concerned about the transportation, processing, burial and abandonment of close to 1,200 tonnes of nuclear waste that would remain radioactive for 100,000 years. They are calling for this to be reviewed and mandated through legislation and law because the process that was taken in South Bruce was dysfunctional for the community.
Again, the community has fought back and won this fight for themselves, their families and the future of our country by protecting the Great Lakes waterway, which has been asked for repeatedly over these number of years.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, I am rising today to table a petition on behalf of residents from Kelowna—Lake Country and surrounding region. To summarize, the residents state that due to bureaucratic impediments to passport issuance and unavailable consular services to many Ukrainians, Ukrainians under CUAET cannot apply for their open work permit extension, as many temporary resident statuses are linked to passport validity. As Ukrainians cannot return to Ukraine due to the war, without a passport and without a valid work permit they become undocumented residents without a legal authorization to work or study in Canada.
The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to resolve the situation with work permit extensions for Ukrainians in Canada whose passports have expired or are expiring in 2025 or 2026 and allow displaced Ukrainians who came to Canada under CUAET to continue working in Canada legally for another three years regardless of their Ukrainian passport validity.
Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to stand before Christmas and table three petitions in the House of Commons today.
The first is from Canadians who are concerned about the politicization of charitable status, which was promised by the Liberal Party in the 2021 election. Canadians are very concerned about that and have signed a petition accordingly.
Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is interesting, because the next two petitions I table are on issues that are important to constituents but are actually on both sides of a particular issue when it comes to energy development and how to take meaningful action on the environment. As we know, this is the place where we can have those conversations. It is an honour to, on behalf of constituents, table both of these petitions, although from different perspectives, on issues related to the environment today.
Because I am on my feet and this may be my last chance, I simply wish the Speaker, all members of Parliament and all Canadians a very merry Christmas.
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today.
The first petition is from Prince Edward Islanders who are concerned about pharmacare. They point out that health care is a human right and that age, income, pre-existing conditions, province or territory and immigration status should not determine their ability to pay. Petitioners call on Parliament to immediately pass legislation for a public, single-payer universal pharmacare program, as outlined by the advisory council on implementing national pharmacare in its 2019 report.
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is on the subject of parental alienation and the use of this pseudo-theory in divorce and child custody cases. This is something that is commonly invoked when domestic violence is reported on the part of a custodial parent. It is an unfounded and dangerous theory, and it sometimes causes courts to lose sight of the best interests of the child and make decisions focused on parental rights, and to trivialize domestic violence.
The United Nations has spoken out on this through a special rapporteur. The special rapporteur on violence against women and girls has urged governments to prohibit family courts from using parental alienation pseudo-theory. That is exactly what the petitioners are calling on the government of Canada to do, which is to amend the Divorce Act to prohibit parental alienation accusations in family disputes.
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are wondering when the NDP will finally stop propping up the Liberal government, but I will get to my petition.
The petition comes from the residents of Skeena—Bulkley Valley, who state that the government has attempted to ban and seize the hunting rifles and shotguns of millions of Canadians, that the targeting of farmers and hunters does not fight crime and that the government has failed those who participate in the Canadian tradition of sport shooting. Therefore, petitioners call on the Government of Canada to stop any and all current and future bans on hunting and sport-shooting firearms.
I present this petition because the NDP member of Parliament for Skeena—Bulkley Valley will not.
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We know full well that, when presenting petitions, petitions are not to be political. On the language he is using, I ask him to withdraw the referencing of other members of the House. If it is not in his petition, he does not have the ability to reference that.
The Speaker Liberal Greg Fergus
Indeed, the hon. member for Hamilton Centre is correct. The tradition in terms of when hon. members present petitions is that they are not supposed to offer an opinion for or against the petition but to just present it on behalf of constituents.
I would ask the hon. member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies to withdraw the comment.
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC
Mr. Speaker, even though it is factual what I said, their MP will not present the petition—