Debates of Dec. 6th, 2024

Opposition Motion—Cost of Living Relief for Canadians

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

moved:

That, given that,

(i) Canadians are facing an affordability crisis and need more than temporary relief,

(ii) the government’s $250 Working Canadians Rebate would exclude many workers and other Canadians who need it the most,

(iii) the 2021 Conservative Party platform included a one-time GST holiday,

the House call on the government to:

(a) permanently remove the GST from essential goods, including home heating, grocery meals, Internet and mobile phone bills, diapers and kids’ clothes;

(b) expand the rebate to include all adults whose income is under the threshold and did not earn employment income in 2023, so that people like recent graduates trying to enter the workforce, retired seniors, people with disabilities, injured workers, workers on parental leave and long-term sick leave, and others in need are included; and

(c) pay for that measure by putting in place an excess profit tax targeting the largest and most profitable corporations.

Madam Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the hon. member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

I have a point of order from the hon. member for Calgary Forest Lawn.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Madam Speaker, I rise to challenge the admissibility of the motion before us and seek clarity from the Chair in relation to Standing Order 81(13), which reads, “Opposition motions on allotted days may be moved only by members in opposition to the government—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

Order, please.

I cannot hear the hon. member. He is quoting a standing order, and I will listen to his point of order. I would ask members to please wait until I have had an opportunity to hear a bit more of what the hon. member is putting forward.

Could the hon. member remind me what standing order he was referring to?

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Standing Order 81(13), which states:

Opposition motions on allotted days may be moved only by members in opposition to the government and may relate to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Canada and also may be used for the purpose of considering reports from standing committees relating to the consideration of estimates therein.

I would argue that the member moving the motion, whom some call the Maserati Marxist, is not eligible to do so, because—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

I would ask the hon. member to be very careful about the wording he is using, and I would ask him to withdraw and rephrase.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Madam Speaker, I would argue that the member moving the motion is not eligible to do so.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

I ask the hon. member to first withdraw.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Madam Speaker, I withdraw.

Strictly speaking, the member does not represent a party in the opposition to the government. He has voted 24 times in favour of the carbon tax scam, when 70% of Canadians and 70% of premiers said not to increase the carbon tax. He has propped up the government on every vote of confidence along the way so that he can protect his $2.2-million pension.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

It sounds to me as though this is more debate.

Is the hon. member saying he cannot move a motion? Why is that?

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Madam Speaker, it is because he is part of the government.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

He is not part of the government, and the hon. member knows that full well. Therefore, the hon. member's point of order is out of order.

I have another point of order, from the hon. member for Northumberland—Peterborough South.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Madam Speaker, I was trying to hear my colleague, and I heard considerable disruption.

I would ask that the Speaker have control of the—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Just as it is right now.

Madam Speaker, this is completely unacceptable.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

I rose on a number of occasions to indicate that I was hearing the hon. member. I would again ask members to please be respectful when others have the floor. I would also ask members to make sure that, when they rise on points of order, the points of order are actually legitimate.

The hon. member for Manicouagan is rising on a point of order.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Madam Speaker, with regard to what you just said, I would also like to remind the House that there is a delay before the francophones can hear the simultaneous interpretation. You asked members not to speak when you have the floor, because you cannot hear what is being said. On our side, when people talk over you, we cannot hear what you are saying, nor can we hear what the interpreter is saying. It is also difficult for the interpreters. I rose on the same point of order last Friday.

Madam Speaker, I would ask you to remind the House that we would like to fully participate in the debate.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

I appreciate the member's comments. This is certainly a time of year when people would perhaps rather be at home. As I said yesterday evening, it would be nice if everyone was kinder and more respectful in the House, particularly today.

The hon. member for Burnaby South.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Madam Speaker, one thing we have just realized—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

On another point of order, the hon. member for Thornhill.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Carol Hughes]

Order, please.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am rising on a question of privilege I gave you notice of more than an hour ago—