Debates of Dec. 3rd, 2024

The House resumed from December 2 consideration of the motion, of the amendment as amended and of the amendment to the amendment.

Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, we have a continuation of a multi-million dollar game. That is really what this is all about. It is quite unfortunate that the people paying for this are Canadians in all regions of the country. Why is that? It is because the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada is more interested in himself than in Canadians. At a substantial cost, for weeks now, the Conservatives have been playing this game and denying the opportunity to have all other forms of debate, whether it is government legislation or private members' issues.

The leader needs to smarten up, do the honourable thing and allow the legislature to continue to work for Canadians, not for the Conservative Party of Canada. When is the member going to give his party's leader a shake and ask him to behave in a more responsible way? Quite frankly, he is in borderline contempt of Parliament.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Madam Speaker, I would observe that the Liberals are the ones holding up the work of Parliament. They are defying a clear and unambiguous order of the House to turn over all documents related to the Liberal billion-dollar green slush fund to the parliamentary law clerk. The law clerk can then turn them over to the RCMP. The Liberals are hiding and obstructing that order in the face of one of the largest corruption scandals in modern Canadian history. Conservatives will continue to insist that those documents be turned over; it is up to the government if they want to continue this. We will continue to hold up debate until that happens.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Madam Speaker, Radio-Canada reported yesterday that, in the ongoing interference in the Conservative leadership race by the Modi government, the member for Calgary Nose Hill was approached by agents of the Indian government to step down from the Patrick Brown campaign. We do not know whether a deal was cut or whether she was intimidated, but we do know that CSIS has identified a number of names of individuals who were involved in allowing the member who lives in Stornoway to take the leadership through now-serious allegations of interference by a foreign government.

Why does the member who lives in Stornoway refuse to get security clearance and to name the names? Will this member tell us if the member for Calgary Nose Hill is one of those identified by CSIS as being compromised by foreign government interference?

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I am not sure that the questions being posed are actually related to the question of privilege, but I see that the hon. member was standing up, so he may want to respond. Nonetheless, I would ask members to please direct or at least link their question to the question of privilege.

The hon. member for St. Albert—Edmonton.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition has been very clear. He has called on the Prime Minister to release the names of all MPs who have wittingly collaborated with hostile foreign states. The Prime Minister refuses.

With respect to a security clearance, the Leader of the Opposition has also been clear. He will take the same briefings that the government provided The Washington Post and that the Prime Minister receives. However, he will not allow the Prime Minister to pick and choose which pieces of information the Leader of the Opposition is presented with and which other information might be withheld. In addition, he will not allow the Prime Minister to be the arbiter of whether he violated his oath of secrecy.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Speaker, I appreciated the comments and the excellent speech that my colleague from St. Albert—Edmonton gave when this was debated yesterday.

The Prime Minister has normalized constitutional crises. We are in unprecedented territory here. The fact that the Prime Minister and the Liberals, supported by the NDP, refuse to abide by an order that was given to the government from Parliament is unprecedented territory. This is the longest privilege debate that has taken place in Parliamentary history. Here we are with the Prime Minister normalizing a crisis in what, in our system of governance, is meant to be Parliament's unfettered access to documents. I am wondering if my colleague could expand a little on how unprecedented it truly is that the Liberals refuse to release the documents.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

Madam Speaker, the member for Battle River—Crowfoot is entirely right. This is unprecedented. It is unprecedented because of the degree to which and the lengths this government will go to obstruct a clear and unambiguous order of the House for the government to turn over the documents. However, this is part of a pattern, as the member alluded to, because there have been other bad precedents set by this government, also in the context of defying the will of Parliament.

This is a Prime Minister who went so far as to take the Speaker of the House of Commons to court to try to hide documents that Parliament and the Speaker had ordered with respect to the major national security breach at the Winnipeg lab. Yes, this is all the more reason why Thursday's opposition day motion cannot come soon enough, and why we need to vote non-confidence in this government and get on with a carbon tax election.

Historical Societies of Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Madam Speaker, “he who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination”.

Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier has a rich history that is constantly being enriched by its many historical societies. We are currently producing an annual calendar highlighting 12 historical facts about the riding. I want to thank these historical societies for their co-operation and valuable contributions.

I want to thank the presidents and their teams: Michel Bertrand from Cap‑Santé; Louise Mercier from Deschambault‑Grondines; André Parent from Neuville; Jacques Matte from Pont‑Rouge; Pierre Gignac from Portneuf; Bertrand Juneau from Saint‑Augustin‑de‑Desmaures; Pierre Cantin from Saint‑Basile‑de‑Portneuf; Michel Tessier from Saint‑Casimir; Allen Dawson from Sainte‑Brigitte‑de‑Laval; Johanne Boucher from Sainte‑Catherine‑de‑la‑Jacques‑Cartier; Sylvain Gingras from Saint‑Raymond; Mike-James Noonan from Shannon; Réal Dufour from Stoneham‑Tewkesbury; and Debbie Chakour from Saint‑Gabriel‑de‑Valcartier.

The best way to predict the future is to study the past. I thank them for keeping our history alive.

To one and all, a very happy holiday season.

Giving Tuesday

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Madam Speaker, today, December 3, we celebrate Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement for giving and volunteering. It is a day when charities, companies, community leaders and residents join together to support their favourite cause by fundraising, donating, volunteering and spreading the word.

This Giving Tuesday across Canada, including in my hometown of Mississauga, volunteers and donors are helping organizations like Food Banks Mississauga make sure there is food on every table and the Luso Canadian Charitable Society make a difference in the lives of individuals living with disabilities, amongst many other great causes.

I encourage everyone to join millions of Canadians this Giving Tuesday as we unite to make a difference. Today and every day, let us celebrate Canadian organizations in communities across Canada, including CanadaHelps, which founded Giving Tuesday in 2013 in Canada along with several other founding partners.

Winter Tourism

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Madam Speaker, on May 15, at Quebec's symposium on sustainable tourism, more than 100 stakeholders in Quebec's winter tourism sector sounded the alarm. Lack of snow is threatening to plunge winter tourism into an unprecedented crisis.

Last Saturday, that threat became a reality. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation, in conjunction with the resort, cancelled the Alpine Ski World Cup women's giant slalom that was scheduled to take place at Mont‑Tremblant, due to insufficient snow cover. This event is crucial to the local economy, but it will not take place this year due to climate change, despite the resort's extraordinary efforts.

This cancellation proves that climate change is disrupting our economy and our regions. However, the federal government is lagging behind in the face of this global challenge. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec are Quebeckers. They know how important Quebec's economy is.

When will they take action for Quebeckers?

Convention on International Civil Aviation

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on December 7, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, a landmark agreement that has shaped a global vision in aviation.

This historic treaty laid the foundation for the development of a safe, efficient and interconnected air transport network, which has brought nations closer together in the spirit of co-operation and nurtured the growth of international travel and trade for the past eight decades.

At the heart of the convention is the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized UN agency that coordinates international standards for air navigation by promoting safety and ensuring the growth of air transportation.

ICAO plays a key role in fostering international co-operation and advancing the principles that keep our skies safe and accessible for everyone.

On this important anniversary, we celebrate not only the global impact of the convention, but also Montreal's enduring contribution to the advancement of international civil aviation.

Lambton—Kent—Middlesex

[Lianne Rood, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every person in my home riding of Lambton—Kent—Middlesex. It has been an honour of a lifetime to be their member of Parliament for these past five years.

I also want to thank each and every one of them for their incredible support and dedication in helping me to achieve this dream. During this time I have travelled countless miles and enjoyed working alongside such talented and committed individuals, who have continuously inspired me and strengthened our shared goals. It has been a privilege to listen, bring feedback and build relationships throughout our many valued communities.

I will still be their member of Parliament until we can finally put an end to the incompetence and corruption of the NDP-Liberal government.

My constituents should know that I carry forward the invaluable memories and experiences we have shared. I thank them for everything. I look forward to earning the ability to continue to represent many of them in the new riding of Middlesex—London, following the next election.

Sustainable Finance

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week, I was thrilled to welcome over 700 change-makers from across Canada and around the world to the third annual Sustainable Finance Forum in Ottawa. Innovators, industry leaders, investors, academics and non-profits spoke on building a clean and prosperous economy for the 21st century. We shared innovative strategies to align our financial system with sustainability goals, discussed the remaining barriers and explored how we can foster an inclusive and just economy for all.

Finance plays an integral role in addressing climate change, social inequality, economic resilience and some of the greatest challenges of our time. Competing globally for capital investment, creating good-paying jobs and enhancing productivity remain key to Canada's economic success and resilience. I look forward to building on this year's momentum and working toward shaping federal policy that aligns with these goals.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Together, we are bending that arc.

Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise to welcome representatives of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, who are here in Ottawa to bring attention to key issues facing Canada's fire services.

Today and tomorrow, a record number of Canadian fire chiefs, 46 of them from across the country, are on the Hill to meet with parliamentarians about some of the main issues facing Canada's fire services, including issues involving equipment renewal, housing development, electric vehicles and explosives.

The chiefs will also be sharing the results of the “2024 Great Canadian Fire Census”, an invaluable tool that gives legislators and policy-makers a snapshot of the current state of the fire and emergency sector in Canada.

I urge all members of the House and the other place to avail themselves of this important opportunity to hear directly from these key representatives of Canada's 3,200 fire departments. I also invite everyone to join me tonight at the fire chiefs reception to show our support and, of course, to enjoy a little early holiday cheer.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have shoulder-length blonde hair, a royal blue blazer and a black blouse. Today, we recognize the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Twenty-seven per cent of Canadians have one or more disabilities that impact their daily lives, causing many to face significant disadvantages. The rising cost of living crisis in Canada has disproportionately affected many persons with disabilities, with one in six people with disabilities living in poverty in 2022, and 72% of persons with disabilities in Canada reported experiencing barriers to accessibility in their daily lives.

Canada must do better to work toward a barrier-free country. Let us recognize the contributions of persons with disabilities in our communities and to Canada, as well as recognize the many advocates and those who support and help care for persons with disabilities, who are the voices of some of the most vulnerable Canadians.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity]

Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year's UN theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”.

Our commitment to achieving the UN sustainable development goals remains strong.

Persons with disabilities play key roles in creating accessible and inclusive communities and workplaces.

We need to make sure that their leadership and contributions are recognized.

Rooted in the principle “Nothing without us”, we are taking concrete action to implement the Canada disability benefit. We are ensuring that Canadians with disabilities have the support and opportunities they deserve.

I want to thank all the advocates working within the disability community for making the disability benefit a reality.

Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The Economy

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as Christmas draws near, a sad reality is becoming clear in Quebec. Nearly one in four Quebeckers expects to have to cut back on their holiday meals. Food inflation is hitting hard, and many people are having to choose between putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads.

The Bloc Québécois has voted in favour of $500 billion in Liberal inflationary spending. As a result, food aid, which was intended to be used as a temporary measure, has now become a permanent necessity under this Prime Minister. Instead of standing up for families, the Bloc Québécois is helping this out-of-touch government stay in power and continue overspending.

Quebeckers deserve better. With the Conservatives, they will have a government that cuts taxes, fights inflation and puts money back in the pockets of families.

Public Safety

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it was the Liberal Minister of Public Safety who said that bolstering the power of the CBSA to secure our borders was “not a priority”. He said this despite U.S. threats of 25% tariffs, which, if put in place, would kill Canadian jobs and crush our economy.

Last week, in just four days and on three separate occasions, 16 people crossed from Quebec into the U.S. illegally. Six of them were pursued by authorities in a high-speed chase, putting many lives at risk. In addition, we have as many as 500,000 people who are in Canada illegally, 260,000 unprocessed refugee claims and over three million temporary residents who the Liberals expect to leave voluntarily. It is astonishingly incompetent, and it creates chaos and a total loss of control at our border.

However, help is on the way. The Conservatives have a plan to fix the Liberal disorder at the border. The Conservatives will put Canada first and ensure that we secure our border to protect our security and our economy. Call the election once and for all, so we can get to work.

Foreign Interference

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that foreign interference is a very serious issue. We can talk about murder. We can talk about extortion. We can talk about political interference.

Yesterday, we found out that we had a member of Parliament in the Conservative Party who had, in fact, been in touch, either directly or indirectly, with foreign interference related to the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. That is the same leadership in which the current leader was elected.

For weeks, I have been asking and challenging the leader of the official opposition to get the security clearance and he continues to hide. I have been saying he has something in his past that he does not want Canadians to know. This is not just it; there is more to it. However, what we do know is that his leadership is a fraud, quite frankly. We need to have a foreign interference investigation across the way.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

[Bonita Zarrillo, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme for this year is amplifying disability leadership.

In my community, there are so many outstanding organizations like Kinsight, SHARE, Special Olympics and Community Living British Columbia that do that work every day.

This day also opens up an opportunity for the Liberal government to recommit to its obligations under article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by fixing the inadequate and inaccessible Canada disability benefit. It must increase the amount of the benefit and remove the inaccessible disability tax credit.

I have another solution for the Liberals, too. Yesterday, I introduced a bill that would protect the CDB from clawbacks to end the injustice people with disabilities face under the current household income-tested system. The Liberals need to act on my bill immediately and protect the Canada disability benefit from their cruel and callous clawbacks.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I want to pay tribute to three organizations that are here on Parliament Hill today: the Comité d'action des personnes vivant des situations de handicap, the Confédération des organismes de personnes handicapées du Québec and the Environmental Health Association of Quebec. They have come here to call on the government to take meaningful action.

It has been 18 months since Parliament passed the bill creating the new disability benefit, a crucial measure for lifting thousands of people out of poverty. However, 18 months on, the regulations needed for paying out this benefit are still not in place.

In the meantime, persons with disabilities are poorer and poorer, trapped in a system that does not meet their most basic needs. How much longer do persons with disabilities have to wait before the government takes action to protect their dignity and their right to a decent life? The Bloc Québécois supports their fight.

Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as the ultimate test of who he is as a leader, the head of the NDP will soon be forced to vote on his own words. Does he mean what he said or is he a complete phony?

The leader said just before a recent by-election, “The fact is, the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for people.” I may not agree with that Maserati Marxist on much, but I do agree with him on that. The question now is whether he agrees with himself, because he is the one keeping the Prime Minister in power.

Despite saying he ripped up the coalition agreement and even flip-flopping on his support for the carbon tax, despite voting for it 24 times, it is hard not to believe that this is not simply a self-serving ploy for him to qualify for his pension, while he continues to give confidence to the Liberals.

The question is simple. Will the leader of the NDP support Canadians, or is he only in it for his pension?

Foreign Interference

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the public safety committee summoned 2022 Conservative leadership candidate Patrick Brown to appear to answer questions on foreign interference, a motion that Conservative members on the committee, unsurprisingly, voted against.

Yesterday morning, a bombshell news report came out that alleges agents of the Indian government interfered in Patrick Brown's leadership campaign. The interference, unsurprisingly again, was to the benefit of the current Leader of the Opposition. The reporting specifically alleges that Patrick Brown's national campaign co-chair, the Conservative MP for Calgary Nose Hill, was pressured to withdraw her support for him in that race.

We need to get to the bottom of these allegations. Who exactly was in contact with the member for Calgary Nose Hill and what was said? Only then will we start to understand the true depths of the foreign interference that took place.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, no matter what we think of Mr. Trump's tariff threats, whether it is a negotiating tactic or a real plan, we should focus on what we can control. The Prime Minister has lost control. He has lost control of the borders. He has lost control of immigration. He has lost control of spending. Canadians are suffering in these difficult times.

Will the Prime Minister reverse his decisions to fix the damage he has done?