House of Commons Hansard #391 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was conservatives.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Access to Parliamentary Precinct—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a question of privilege, finding that a protest in the Confederation Building did not impede parliamentary duties or constitute a prima facie breach of privilege. 1200 words.
International Trade Kyle Seeback moves to concur with a report on the softwood lumber dispute, criticizing the Liberal government's handling of the issue and referencing a recent byelection win. The debate shifts to the Canada-Ukraine trade agreement, border security, and potential impacts from upcoming US tariffs under a Trump presidency. An amendment is proposed to recommit the report to committee for further study with mandatory witness appearances. Discussions involve supply management, trade diversification, and the political views of a newly elected MP, leading to points of order and debate over relevance and decorum. 17200 words, 2 hours.
The Conservatives relentlessly attack the Liberal government's economic management, focusing on the $62-billion deficit and increased national debt. They frame the situation as "economic vandalism" and accuse the Prime Minister of losing confidence of his cabinet and Canadians. They repeatedly call for a carbon tax election to let Canadians decide the future.
The Liberals defend their fiscal record, highlighting Canada's G7-leading debt-to-GDP ratio and investments in programs like $10-a-day childcare and dental care. They emphasize their focus on economic growth, border security in relation to the US, and investments in clean electricity and support for businesses.
The NDP criticize both Liberals and Conservatives for prioritizing CEOs over workers. They highlight the housing crisis and healthcare crisis, and demand action on the family doctor shortage. They also question the government's commitment to caregivers' permanent residency and advocate for a war room to defend against US tariffs.
The Bloc criticize the Liberal government's economic update and the $62-billion deficit. They view the GST holiday as a "political gimmick" and ineffective. They question the government's legitimacy and suggest an election is needed, arguing the Liberals have lost the respect of Quebeckers.
Ryan Williams Conservative Bay of Quinte, ON
Mr. Speaker, knowing that our House time is coming to an end and that we want to make sure that we look at this $1.2-trillion trade relationship with the Americans, we have a unanimous consent motion.
I move that, notwithstanding any standing orders, special orders—
Ryan Williams Conservative Bay of Quinte, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Just so that I am clear, it was the Liberal members who said they did not want to have emergency hearings on the $1.2 trillion—
Liberal Party of CanadaOral Questions
The Speaker Greg Fergus
We cannot do indirectly what we cannot do directly.
The hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona is rising on a point of order.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Canada, I want to take a moment, as the season is upon us and as we are ending 2024, to sincerely wish all of those who help us do our work a very happy holiday season. The people who keep this place running are so integral to all of the work that all of us do. Every single one of them makes sure that MPs can serve their constituents day in and day out.
I thank everyone at the table very much for their dedicated service. I thank the amazing pages, who help us in this place every single day, and the security personnel, who work so hard ensuring the security of MPs and staff. I thank our Sergeant-at-Arms very much. I thank the food service and cafeteria staff, who keep us fed and supplied with coffee all day long. We all know that we need that coffee, some days more than others. I thank the maintenance and client service personnel, who keep our offices clean and running, and our IT staff, who answer call after call, ensuring that our phones, apps and computers are running. Of course, I think we can all agree that our amazing interpreters deserve our very heartfelt thanks.
On behalf of me and all New Democrats, I want to thank everyone and hope they have a wonderful holiday season. I am sure they are very grateful that we are having a break.
Liberal Party of CanadaOral Questions
The Speaker Greg Fergus
I thank the hon. member. Once again, on behalf of the entire House administration and all its employees, we thank all members for their kind wishes.
The hon. member for Calgary Forest Lawn is also rising.
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Mr. Speaker, if you seek it, you shall find unanimous consent that notwithstanding any standing—
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
[Member spoke in Inuktitut]
[English]
Uqaqtittiji, first of all, I would like to wish happy holidays to my constituents in Nunavut as well as all of Canada.
In the generous spirit of the season, I hope that, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion that—
Message from the SenateOral Questions
The Speaker Greg Fergus
I have the honour to inform the House that a message has been received from the Senate informing the House that the Senate has passed the following bill: Bill C-79, an act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.
I have the honour to inform the House that a message has been received from the Senate informing this House that the Senate has passed the following bill to which the concurrence of the House is desired: Bill S-15, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.
Karina Gould LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, it is such an honour to rise in this place on behalf of the constituents of Burlington. I would like to say to all of my colleagues, despite the fact that this was a rather unusual session of Parliament, it is a pleasure to be able to work with everyone on all sides of the House, mostly. I know everybody is ready to go into the holidays.
On behalf of the Liberal members of Parliament, I would like to extend my gratitude to everybody who works in the House of Commons, who serves us so well, stays here on late nights and makes sure we are so well supported. To them and their families, I wish a very happy holidays as well. I would like to wish folks in Burlington and right across the country a very merry Christmas and a very happy Hanukkah to all who are celebrating. I look forward to 2025 and all that the new year has to offer. I want to wish all of my colleagues all of the best for the year ahead.
With that, pursuant to order made Wednesday, February 28, 2024, I move:
That the House do now adjourn.
Business of the HouseOral Questions
The Speaker Greg Fergus
The question is on the 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, it is clear that the Liberals are running scared. We ask for a recorded division.
Business of the HouseOral Questions
John Brassard Conservative Barrie—Innisfil, ON
Mr. Speaker, the opposition would love the ability to vote twice, especially on matters of confidence. I want to point out to the Chair that the member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill was not in her seat but was counted on the standing vote and also voted on the app. I am seeking clarity from the Chair on that and on whether in fact her vote would count.
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is correct. Of course I would not vote twice, but when I went—
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak. I am trying to address the concern that was raised.
I was not in my seat for the beginning of the vote, and the opposition was calling out that my vote would not count. After I stood up, I realized I should not be doing that, so I used my app instead, assuming that because the opposition would protest and say I could not vote, then I would still have a vote. I did vote.
Business of the HouseOral Questions
The Speaker Greg Fergus
I thank the hon. member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill. The table recorded her participation only once.
Business of the HouseOral Questions
The Speaker Greg Fergus
I declare the motion carried.
The House stands adjourned until Monday, January 27, 2025, at 11 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 28(4), when it will resume consideration of the privilege motion. Pursuant to Standing Order 94, I wish to inform hon. members that Private Members' Business will be suspended on that day.
I wish all members happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah and any religious holiday they celebrate, and certainly a happy new year. I look forward to seeing everyone in the new year.
(The House adjourned at 3:47 p.m.)
The first session of the 44th Parliament was prorogued by royal proclamation on January 6, 2025.