House of Commons Hansard #385 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was indigenous.
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 Members debate a question of privilege regarding a protest at a parliamentary building. Conservatives allege NDP MPs were involved in obstructing access. NDP members deny organizing the protest, describing it as a peaceful sit-in by Jewish Canadians protesting genocide in Gaza, and criticize the Conservative characterization as offensive and misleading, calling the privilege question frivolous. 3100 words, 25 minutes in 2 segments: 1 2.
Reference to Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Members debate a Conservative motion on the government's failure to provide documents about Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). Conservatives allege cronyism and corruption in SDTC funding. Liberals defend their record and criticize Conservative policies. The NDP criticizes both parties for the impasse, stating it prevents debate on issues like the cost of living. 6900 words, 45 minutes.
Opposition Motion—Federal Sales Tax on New Homes Members debate the housing crisis and a Conservative motion to eliminate the federal sales tax (GST) on new homes sold under $1 million. Conservatives argue this increases affordability; Liberals defend programs like the housing accelerator fund, criticizing the Conservative plan. Bloc members raise provincial jurisdiction concerns, while NDP members advocate for non-market housing and structural change. 14100 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Oral Questions Members debate points of order concerning House decorum, disruptive behaviour, and the Speaker's rulings on the relevance of Question Period questions, with multiple parties raising concerns. 1300 words, 10 minutes.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Members debate housing affordability, focusing on the third report of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Indigenous housing. Conservatives criticize Liberal policies as failing, proposing to build the homes by eliminating federal sales tax on new homes under $1 million and tying municipal funding to housing targets. Liberals defend their investments, including the Housing Accelerator Fund, and criticize the Conservative record. NDP members highlight the crisis's impact on Indigenous peoples, linking it to gender-based violence and the Indian Act, advocating for Indigenous-led solutions. Bloc Québécois supports initiatives like Yänonhchia' and calls for federal funding transfer to provinces. 21500 words, 3 hours.
Adjournment Debate - Housing Mike Morrice argues for an HST exemption for non-profit home builders like Habitat for Humanity. Peter Fragiskatos cites low-interest loans and grants as alternative supports, and defends removing GST on apartment construction to increase housing supply. Morrice questions why the government "forgot" about non-profits when it removed GST from for-profit builders. 1400 words, 10 minutes.
Emmanuel Dubourg Liberal Bourassa, QC
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
I would like to seek the unanimous consent of the House to table the report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, please.
Indigenous and Northern AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes
Yes, there seems to have been some difficulty earlier.
Is it agreed?
Indigenous and Northern AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
No.
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Madam Speaker, I have a question for the hon. member. The Conservatives appear to want to leave everything up to developers in a private sector context to build homes, yet the affordability crisis means that we need to build more social housing. Why are the hon. member and his party seemingly against the use of public funds for social housing the way the national housing strategy requires or promotes?
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, quite obviously, anyone listening will note the way the member created a question by creating a premise and then asking why that premise was true, rather than asking whether the premise was true.
Let us go back to what we are actually talking about today, which is the proposals we have put forward for strong action by the government around the construction of new homes. I talked about two key areas: One is the position we would take with municipalities, requiring them to meet certain targets in terms of the construction of new homes, and the other is around tax relief associated with the construction of new homes, a tax relief that would save people purchasing their first home significantly in terms of the cost they will pay. These are substantive and real measures that would deliver results.
I put it back to the member. Why is his government failing? Why has his government done so badly in terms of achieving the results that clearly are required: the construction of new homes so that housing can become affordable in this country again?
Indigenous and Northern AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
December 9th, 2024 / 4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Alex Ruff Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
Madam Speaker, I want to give my honourable colleague the opportunity to elaborate even further on why policies and legislation, anything that comes out of the House, should be metrics-based, should be built on results not on virtue signalling and not on putting more money into the government bureaucracy but on actually achieving things. Specifically, in this case, we are discussing the incredible affordability crisis, the shortage of housing right across this country and even how it is impacting our indigenous communities.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. This is just a friendly reminder to members to not use possessive terms when talking about indigenous people, like “their indigenous people” or “our indigenous people”.
Indigenous and Northern AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes
The hon. member recognizes the issue that was raised.
The hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan has the floor.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, why is it important to look at the results? The last nine years provide us with some good evidence of what happens when there is a government that is focused on trying to signal concern about certain issues but is not actually concerned about the results.
As I mentioned, I have been doing a lot of work on the issue of abuses in the area of indigenous procurement. It is a situation where the government wants to look like it is achieving a certain target in terms of procurement from indigenous businesses. It has achieved that target by padding the numbers with a lot of joint venture arrangements or companies that are not actually indigenous-owned and indigenous-controlled. This allows it to say it has reached its target. The AFN is saying it is more like 1% of contracts, even though the government says it has met its 5% target.
When there is a government that is not interested in the results but is interested only in looking like it cares, people are trying to find workarounds to say they have achieved the target, they have checked the box, rather than being concerned about the results. On housing, again, it is very clear that the conversation with the government is all about how much it is spending and not about how much Canadians have to spend. The acid test of a housing policy is how much Canadians have to spend.
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Madam Speaker, when it comes to housing for indigenous communities, the important thing, the thing they are really looking for, is to for the power to finally be given back to them. They already have projects in place. I recently met people at my office who have projects in their community that are working.
It is important to not impose anything on them, but to truly engage in dialogue and collaborate with the communities to ensure that the existing projects work and that they have the funding they need to complete them.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, I think we should be committed to the idea of actually working with and listening to indigenous leaders. It has been clear in some of the work we have been doing at the government operations committee and elsewhere that too often the Liberal government claims to be concerned about reconciliation but is not actually listening to what indigenous leaders and indigenous people are saying their priorities are. I think that has been a big problem with the government, and it is something that needs to change.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. I understand that there have been discussions to allow me to ask for unanimous consent to go to Questions on the Order Paper.
Indigenous and Northern AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Indigenous and Northern AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
Agreed.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 3101 to 3104, 3108 and 3112 to 3117.
Richard Cannings NDP South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
With regard to bicycles on VIA Rail trains: (a) what is the rationale behind the decision to not allow non-folding bicycles on VIA Rail trains as carry-on luggage when golf bags, hockey bags, skis, snowboards and paddleboards are allowed as carry-on luggage; (b) what is the rationale behind the decision to allow bicycles as checked baggage only on trains running on the Toronto–Vancouver, Montreal–Halifax, Sudbury–White River, Senneterre, Jonquière, Winnipeg–Churchill and Jasper–Prince Rupert routes, and only on those with a baggage car; (c) what is the rationale behind the decision to charge a $25 fee for checking as baggage a bicycle, electric bicycle, folding bicycle, child bicycle trailer, recumbent bicycle or a tandem bicycle when golf bags, snowboards, skis, skateboards, surfboards and paddleboards are free; (d) how do VIA Rail’s bicycle handling policies compare to those of railroads in France, the United States, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand; and (e) when will VIA Rail change its current policy on bicycles?
Question No.3101—Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Niagara Centre Ontario
Liberal
Vance Badawey LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), Via Rail only authorizes sports and recreational equipment with a linear dimension of 158 linear cm (61 linear inches). Linear dimensions are obtained by adding length, width and height.
With regard to part (b), Via Rail is continuing to replace its Québec City-Windsor corridor fleet with new and modern trains. As such, travel with bicycles as checked baggage will be progressively reintroduced as of spring 2025, and cyclists will be able to reserve and pay for their bicycle transport on trains where the service is available when they book their ticket on Via Rail's reservation system.
In the case of routes outside the Québec City-Windsor corridor, such as Toronto-Vancouver, Montreal-Halifax, Sudbury-White River, Senneterre, Jonquière, Winnipeg-Churchill and Jasper-Prince Rupert, for safety reasons, bicycles must be stored in our baggage cars, which can accommodate larger items and are equipped with bike racks. This is why a baggage car is required to authorize their transport.
With regard to part (c), this long-standing distinction in Via Rail's baggage policy is currently being re-evaluated and the policy will be adjusted to charge uniformly for sports and recreational equipment of comparable size and requiring the same handling effort.
With regard to part (d), rolling equipment and train sets, as well as passenger's needs, differ from country to country. As a result, passenger train operators’ baggage policies may vary. Via Rail cannot speak on behalf of other companies.
With regard to part (e), travel with bicycles will be progressively reintroduced in the Québec City-Windsor corridor as of spring 2025. By then, cyclists will be able to reserve and pay for their bicycle transport on trains where the service is available when they book their ticket on Via Rail's reservation system.
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
With regard to the government's listing of certain organizations as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code: (a) why hasn't the government listed the Houthis as a terrorist entity; (b) what specific criteria are not met or what other reason is the government using to justify their decision to not list the Houthis as a terrorist entity; and (c) does the government plan on listing the Houthis as a terrorist entity in the future, and, if so, when?
Question No.3102—Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Pickering—Uxbridge Ontario
Liberal
Jennifer O'Connell LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada’s Criminal Code listing regime is an important tool for countering terrorism in Canada and globally, and is part of the government’s commitment to keep people in Canada safe. The listing of terrorist entities is a rigorous process, based on evidence, intelligence and the law, as a listing carries significant consequences. Throughout this process, any decision to designate as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code is based on solid and factual considerations.
The government remains concerned with the Houthis’ ongoing attacks against commercial and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, which continue to threaten the lives of innocent mariners and global trade in one of the world’s most critical waterways. Houthi attacks have also endangered the lives of the Yemeni people as ships carrying aid have been targeted. Canada will continue to support the United States-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, alongside the United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
In collaboration with allies and like-minded partners, the Government of Canada is exploring all possible measures to constrain the activities of those who would threaten the safety and security of Canadians.
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
With regard to the government's listing of Samidoun as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code: what specific action, if any, has the government taken since the listing to shut down Samidoun operations in Canada, including details and values of any assets seized to date from Samidoun, and details of any charges laid or other legal action taken to date against those who are aiding Samidoun in Canada?
Question No.3103—Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Pickering—Uxbridge Ontario
Liberal
Jennifer O'Connell LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, under the Criminal Code, financial institutions are not allowed to provide financial services to entities that meet the definition of a terrorist group, and must notify the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, CSIS, of the freeze. The RCMP federal policing national security's role is to conduct a review and determine if any enforcement actions are necessary. This requirement is not just a legal formality but a crucial part of the broader strategy to identify, disrupt and deter the financial streams that could potentially fund terrorist activities here and abroad.
The RCMP plays a central role in the terrorist listings enforcement framework, working in close collaboration with financial institutions to ensure these obligations are met effectively. This partnership is underpinned by a collaborative approach, whereby the RCMP does not merely act as an enforcer but also assists and educates financial entities on best practices for identifying and reporting suspicious activities. This includes offering guidance on compliance with the relevant laws and regulations, such as the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, and its associated regulations, which mandate the reporting of terrorist property.
In accordance with this framework, the RCMP was notified by financial institutions that accounts linked to Samidoun have been frozen, with the frozen assets remaining in the possession of the respective financial institutions. At this time, due to the low amount frozen, the RCMP has not initiated forfeiture proceedings under section 83.14 of the Criminal Code.
To date, no criminal charges have been laid by the RCMP in relation to the activities of Samidoun. The RCMP is not able to confirm or speak to any ongoing investigations against people or organizations with suspected or confirmed ties to Samidoun.
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
With regard to the government's listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code effective on June 19, 2024: what specific action has the government taken since the listing to shut down IRGC operations in Canada, including details and values of any assets seized to date from the IRGC, and details of any charges laid or other legal action taken to date against those who are aiding the IRGC in Canada?
Question No.3104—Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Pickering—Uxbridge Ontario
Liberal
Jennifer O'Connell LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, under the Criminal Code, financial institutions are not allowed to provide financial services to entities that meet the definition of a terrorist group, and must notify the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, CSIS, of the freeze. The RCMP federal policing national security's role is to conduct a review and determine if any enforcement actions are necessary. This requirement is not just a legal formality but a crucial part of the broader strategy to identify, disrupt and deter the financial streams that could potentially fund terrorist activities here and abroad.
The RCMP plays a central role in the terrorist listings enforcement framework, working in close collaboration with financial institutions to ensure these obligations are met effectively. This partnership is underpinned by a collaborative approach, whereby the RCMP does not merely act as an enforcer but also assists and educates financial entities on best practices for identifying and reporting suspicious activities. This includes offering guidance on compliance with the relevant laws and regulations, such as the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, and its associated regulations, which mandate the reporting of terrorist property.
To date, no financial institutions have reported the freezing of any assets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, to the RCMP.
To date, no criminal charges have been laid by the RCMP in relation to the activities of the IRGC. The RCMP is not able to confirm or speak to any ongoing investigations against people or organizations with suspected or confirmed ties to the IRGC.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
With regard to the Framework for Cooperation on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism between Canada and India, signed by the current government: (a) is the framework still in effect; (b) has any information been shared between the law enforcement or security agencies of Canada and India since June 18, 2023; and (c) was any information shared at any time between the law enforcement or security agencies of Canada and India regarding individuals who were subsequently murdered or who have faced credible threats against their life?
Question No.3108—Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Winnipeg South Manitoba
Liberal
Terry Duguid LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water
Mr. Speaker, following the 15th meeting of the Canada-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, JWGCT, in February 2018, the Framework for Cooperation on Counter Terrorism was published through a joint statement. It remains in effect.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, as the national police force, has the authority to share information with other international police forces to further investigations in accordance with existing policy and applicable legislations. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Act, with the Minister of Public Safety’s approval, also allows for information sharing with foreign partners, including police forces. The scope of sharing for all agencies depends on a number of requirements, including compliance with the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act (ACMFEA). Given the specific mandate and operational requirements, and in order to protect the safety and security of Canadians, CSIS and the RCMP cannot disclose any details related to information sharing.
In order to respect and preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations and prosecutions, details related to co-operation between law enforcement and security agencies of Canada and India cannot be disclosed.