House of Commons Hansard #287 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was parents.

Topics

line drawing of robot

This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives focus on the RCMP investigation into ArriveCAN and accuse the Prime Minister of blocking access to documents. They condemn the planned carbon tax hike, arguing it increases costs, especially for food, and contributes to increased food bank visits. They criticize the government for doubling housing costs and propose their plan to build homes. They also raise concerns about other tax increases and criticize the Bloc Québécois for voting with the government.
The Liberals address the ArriveCAN situation, emphasizing authorities are reviewing it. They defend programs like dental care, pharmacare, and the Canada carbon rebate, stating it leaves 8 out of 10 families better off. They highlight housing investments and efforts to increase competition and fight climate change, contrasting with Conservative approaches.
The Bloc demands Quebec opt out of pharmacare with compensation. They push for improving seniors' pensions in the budget. The Bloc also seeks accountability for the ArriveCAN scandal and calls for measures to recover funds.
The NDP blame corporate greed for high costs and hurting healthcare, raising concerns about environmental risks from corporate projects. They highlight the housing crisis in the North, high food prices and food banks, and seek a plan for droughts and wildfires.
The Greens raise concerns about wildfires and potential delays or weakening of clean electricity regulations.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further Adjourned Members debate a Liberal motion to extend House sitting hours and end overnight voting. The government and NDP argue it provides more debate time and improves working conditions, necessary due to Conservative obstruction. Conservatives view it as government control, hindering debate, and argue the issue is the government's unpopular agenda, not House rules. Health concerns from long sittings are also raised. 4600 words, 35 minutes.

Employment Insurance Act Report stage of Bill C-318. The bill seeks to amend EI and the Canada Labour Code to provide 15 additional weeks of leave to adoptive and intended parents, equalizing benefits with birth parents. Supporters highlight the importance of time to attach and fairness. The government states similar changes are in Bill C-59, arguing its approach is better, while opposition critics accuse the government of delay and politicization and failing to include Indigenous customary care. 7300 words, 1 hour.

Government Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended Proceedings Members debate a motion changing House procedures to allow more evening debate and prevent lengthy voting sessions. Supporters argue it improves efficiency and staff well-being, while opponents claim it limits debate and is a tactic to avoid obstruction. The debate includes accusations and differing views on work ethic. 4400 words, 1 hour.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

Mr. Speaker, hopefully we will get an answer on this, because I know, working on the subcommittee and as the chair, that I saw a lot of cancellations of committee meetings due to the fact that resources were tight. Committees are where we find out about some of the horrible things that are happening, sometimes in the community and sometimes because of the government's actions.

I wonder how much time would be cancelled from committee work, where we are unfolding and finding out all of the information on government programs and scandals. How much would the government be taking away from committee work to be able to resource this?

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, the answer is this: not nearly as much as was taken away by making interpreters work for 30 hours straight.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

So no answer—

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Questions and comments, the hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have a rhetorical question for my colleague, which is simply this: What boss would force their employees, the interpreters, administrative assistants, clerks and parliamentary security staff, to work 30 hours straight, but would run off after one hour of voting? I am not pointing fingers at anybody in particular, like the member for Carleton, but it does seem to me that is an abusive boss.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, to extend the hypothetical situation, what kind of boss says that he is not letting anyone leave the chamber until Christmas, that he is going to make sure that everyone stays in the House and votes until Christmas until he gets his way, then five minutes later, hypothetically, goes to a fundraiser on the Island of Montreal, and on his way back visits a McDonald's franchise and makes a big, gaudy spectacle of coming in here with bags of french fries and hamburgers for the skeleton crew that is left behind?

While 158 or so Liberal members and people from the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party were here protecting the things Canadians hold dear, the guy who wanted to keep us here until Christmas and was not going to flinch flinched awfully fast.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON

Mr. Speaker, we are the opposition. We are here to protect all Canadians. They talk about health. They talk about the fact that 3.17 million meals were served by a food bank in Toronto, and 3,000 deliveries made to seniors because they cannot afford to buy food because of the tax implications.

They have to axe the tax. If they care about health, then they should care about feeding the people who cannot afford to eat.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, that member voted against the Canada child benefit or her party did. That member voted against dental care for our most vulnerable children and seniors. That member voted against child care. That member regularly obstructs and voted against 130 measures before Christmas that would have supported the very people she professes to want to help.

This will be a recurring debate in this chamber. These people like to talk in slogans with glib lines—

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, first of all it is not “these people”—

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

That is descending into debate.

Maybe just to finish up the thought, the hon. government House leader.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, those members are good with the fake outrage, but they are also very good at blocking needed supports for the people they profess to care about, but do not. They are very good at obstructing all of the things that this government proposes that will help those very people.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The government is so concerned about this, yet have not asked for a body break. We should have a body break.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

That is not a point of order, but I appreciate the thought.

Questions and comments, the hon. member for Red Deer—Lacombe.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB

Mr. Speaker, I just want to remind members of this House, many of whom, including the member for Courtenay—Alberni, were not here when I first learned about all-night voting. That was back when Stephen Harper was the prime minister and the NDP moved hundreds, if not thousands, of amendments to a piece of legislation to discuss Canada Post and forced all-night voting. As a matter of fact, if the record is checked, I believe that voting went on for in excess of 24 hours. I even believe the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands has moved a number of motions and amendments that created long-term marathon voting as well.

I just want to remind everybody that this is where we are actually at. The issue that the government House leader does not understand is that it is the agenda that it is trying to get passed that is actually causing the frustration in the House. The government can monkey around with all of the Standing Orders that they want, but it actually has to be an agenda that Canadians want. Canadians are rejecting the government's agenda right now. The polling numbers clearly indicate that the government and its coalition partners do not have the support of the Canadian public so everything it is doing is actually against where the Canadian public is at. If the government would just change its agenda, it would actually have the support of this House and the support of the Canadian public. If it has the support of the public, it will have the support in the House. It does not have the support of the House because the public does not support its agenda. The government can monkey with the Standing Orders all they want, but it is not going to change the fact that the government has bad ideas. That is why those ideas are not getting through the House.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:35 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my former counterpart, who was the chief opposition whip. I know of his very legitimate concerns for members and I thank him for pointing out that perhaps he too objects to all-night voting. I know that, in an honest moment, that member would probably agree that it is a very bad idea.

I will say this, though. I do reject the premise that giving that member and his colleagues more time to present their constructive ideas to Canadians is somehow a danger for the rules of this place. We are allowing time for more debate and allowing that member more time to put his ideas across.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

February 28th, 2024 / 5:35 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I raise this as a technical concern in this place. A vote took place, and the timer associated with the app was not accurate. Those members may think it is user error. For those who do not understand the concept of blockchain technology, that is really rich.

Before we proceed to another vote, the timing issue on the app is of the utmost concern. I did vote early in the process to ensure that I would have time to verify my vote. The 10-minute voting period does indicate an allowance for votes to be cast later in that process. When I did look back at the app, there was 30 seconds left on the screen in the lobby, but three and a half minutes left on the voting app. To further emphasize the seriousness of this technical concern, it was about 20 minutes after the vote finished that I got the confirmation email that said my vote was, in fact, nay.

I raise serious concerns about the ability of members to fulfill their constitutional parliamentary functions in this place, especially on an issue as important as the future of our democracy, which the Liberals are certainly putting at—

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:35 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I think that is enough on the point of order. I understand the concern. I am going to talk to the desk for a moment.

I appreciate the input. We will look closely at what transpired. There were 100 or so votes cast in a proper manner. We are going to go back and look at the system while the bells are ringing so that we can make sure the system works as well as possible for the members voting online.

The hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:35 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, just to ensure the table has the information that emphasizes some of the technical challenges, including the email that arrived late, I would ask for unanimous consent to table the particular email and therefore indicate—

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:35 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I am already hearing a number of noes. I will ask the hon. member to come up to the desk, when the bells are ringing, so he can share that information and we can make sure this does not happen to other members.

It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings at this time and put forthwith the question on the motion now before the House.

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.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:35 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, I would ask for, in the preservation of democracy, a recorded vote.

Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedGovernment Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

5:35 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was adopted on the following division:)

Vote #653

Government Business No. 35—Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended ProceedingsGovernment Orders

6:20 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to)