Debates of Feb. 14th, 2024

Public Safety

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the impact of the toxic drug and overdose crisis on our communities is absolutely devastating. We are using every tool at our disposal to work with partners to end this national public health crisis. Unlike the opposition, we are following an evidence-based approach while working in partnership with stakeholders, experts and people with lived and living experience.

We take the safety of all Canadians seriously, which is why, from the beginning, we have approached this from both the public health and public safety perspectives, hand in hand with the B.C. government in this case.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister would not condemn the racial slurs, but he did issue a vicious condemnation of his own record. I will read what he said about life in Canada after eight years of his prime ministership. He said, “Yeah, grocery bills suck. Rent sucks. Mortgage renegotiations, oh my God, how are we going to deal with it?”

This is life after eight years. What is his slogan going to be in the next election: “Vote for me and life will still suck”?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, did he just say “vote for me and life will suck”? I think that is what he said.

The reality is that we have put forward smart, responsible solutions to fight climate change and grow the economy, to lift over half a million kids out of poverty, and to invest in the economy of the future and good careers, whether in zero-emission vehicles, whether in mining or forestry or whether in advanced manufacturing. We will continue to bring more women into the workforce with initiatives such as child care. We are moving forward on dental care, which the Conservatives voted against, for seniors and young people. We are going to be there to invest in a better future for Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, he actually spoke the truth, maybe by accident. He said that, after eight years, life sucks for the very middle class and those working hard to join it to whom he promised so much. He taxed their grocery bills with a quadrupling carbon tax. He doubled housing costs after promising to lower them. He unleashed a crime wave across the country. Now that he admits life sucks under his leadership, why will he not accept our common-sense plan to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians understand that these are complicated times and that governments need to step up with real solutions. Responsible leadership is about recognizing the challenges people are facing and putting forward solutions to fix them. Whether it is a housing accelerator that is getting half a million homes built over the coming years; whether it is child care that is saving thousands of dollars for families right across the country, as we help more women get into the workforce; whether it is fighting climate change in a way that puts more money into people's pockets and builds stronger careers for the future, we are putting forward solutions. He is doing nothing but attack—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Richmond Hill.

Health

[Majid Jowhari, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians want access to health care systems and services that allow them and their family and loved ones to get the care they need when they need it. While the Conservatives voted against payments through our Canada health transfer, our government signed a bilateral funding agreement with Ontario, investing more than $3.1 billion over the next two years. Can the Prime Minister please update the House on the working together agreement and how it will help the health care system and impact the lives of Canadians?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's service to his constituents.

These specifically tailored agreements will address unique health care challenges faced by provinces and territories. Thanks to this federal funding, Ontario will add hundreds of new family physicians and nurse practitioners, expand health care education programs, remove barriers to foreign credential recognition and open five new youth wellness hubs to improve access to mental health services.

Unlike the Conservative Party, which is too busy fighting for a privatized health care system, we will keep making bold investments and will work with the provinces and territories to deliver real—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Victoria.

Climate Change

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are worried about the climate crisis. We know that coal is the dirtiest source of electricity, producing more emissions than any other fossil fuel does. The Liberals promised to ban thermal coal exports, but under the Liberals, exports have more than tripled. These are more broken promises.

The Liberals have no plan to phase coal out and no plan to support workers. Canadians across the country are facing extreme weather. Will the Prime Minister end thermal coal exports?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, yes, phasing out coal from the electricity sector is the single most important climate action any country can take. We are committed to ending thermal coal exports by 2030, as well as ending coal-powered electricity generation. The Minister of Environment is actively working on achieving these targets, and we will have an update in due course.

Justice

[Alain Rayes, Independent, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after question period, every member will have the opportunity to rise to vote on the NDP's Bill C‑273 to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code, which allows an adult to use corporal punishment on a child for so-called educational purposes.

More than 65 countries in the world have done this and 27 others have initiated the process. It is what the UN committee on the protection of children has called for. Call to action 6 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is calling for it, as is the Canadian Medical Association.

Can the Prime Minister confirm that his government will support this initiative to protect our children?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the question. This is an issue we are all concerned about.

I can assure everyone that the government is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the protection and physical safety of children across the country. We therefore support Bill C‑273 and its important purpose of protecting our children against violence and abuse. We look forward to hearing the experts during study in committee of this important legislation that we will support in a few minutes.

(Bill S-1001. On the Order: Government Orders:)

S-1001 — February 6, 2024 — Mr. Sorbara (Vaughan—Woodbridge) — Second reading and reference to a legislative committee of Bill S-1001, An Act to amalgamate The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Ottawa and The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation for the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall, in Ontario, Canada.

Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Ottawa-Cornwall Act

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion.

I move:

That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, Bill S-1001, An Act to amalgamate The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Ottawa and The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation for the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall, in Ontario, Canada, be deemed read a second time and referred to a committee of the whole, deemed considered in committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage and deemed read a third time and passed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

It is agreed.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

(Bill read the second time, considered in committee of the whole, reported, concurred in, read the third time and passed)

The House resumed from February 13 consideration of the motion that Bill C‑62, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), No. 2, be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the amendment.

Criminal Code

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being 3:23 p.m., pursuant to order made on Tuesday, February 13, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment of the member for Laurentides—Labelle.

Call in the members.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The question is as follows. Shall I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

[Chair read text of amendment to House]

(The House divided on the amendment, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #640

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I declare the amendment defeated.

The next question is on the main 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.