Debates of Feb. 28th, 2024

Fisheries and Oceans

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the lobster industry is a crucial part of the economy in the Atlantic provinces. Last week, Conservative MPs from Ontario and Alberta saw fit to shockingly attack this industry, the economy of our region and, by definition, the women and men who make the industry thrive.

Can the Prime Minister tell fishers from my region why, contrary to the opposition, we will always promote this important industry abroad?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Halifax West for her advocacy on behalf of Atlantic Canadians.

On this side of the House, we are proud that Canadian lobster is being exported around the world, bringing $2.6 billion to our economy and supporting the livelihoods of communities across the Atlantic.

Last week, Conservative leadership demonstrated that it does not care to understand the economic importance of this industry for our east coast. Atlantic Conservative MPs who stand with their constituents should demand an apology from their leader and their deputy leader for the disdain they showed toward hard-working Atlantic—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley.

Emergency Preparedness

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, people across northwest B.C. are deeply concerned about the ongoing drought. Last summer saw record wildfires across Canada. Farmers could not get their crops. Wild salmon were stranded on their way to spawn. Right now, with very little snow in the mountains, next summer could look even worse. While the Conservatives remain silent around the harsh impacts of climate change, the Liberals appear to be satisfied with business as usual.

Is there a concerted national plan to address the droughts and wildfires we expect this summer and, if there is, what is it?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, last year was one of the worst wildfire seasons on record. We saw droughts. We saw floods. We know that the impact of climate change is real right across the country, something that the Conservative Party continues to deny. The reality is that our Minister of Emergency Preparedness was there to engage with ministers across the—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Order.

Colleagues, it is important not to be disruptive in the House and to cause disorder in the House. This applies to all members from all sides. I encourage you, please, to conduct yourselves accordingly, to allow questions to be asked and for answers to be given.

The right hon. Prime Minister, from the top, please.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Conservative MPs just demonstrated their complete lack of respect for their constituents who face the direct impacts of climate change in floods, wildfires and droughts right across the country. The fact is that they have no solutions, no plan to deal with it.

Our Minister of Emergency Preparedness has already engaged with partners across the country in provision of what may be a very bad season for climate impacts and for wildfires. That is why we are going to continue to fight against climate change while we grow the economy and be there to support Canadians from coast to coast to coast, something that Conservatives have no plan for.

Climate Change

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, to the Prime Minister, who is so concerned about the wildfires and the zombie fires still under the snow, the wildfire season has already started and yet, quietly, on Friday, February 16, Environment Canada posted an extension to consultation on clean electricity regulations. The David Suzuki Foundation has posted a warning. Does this mean more delay? Does this mean that clean electricity regulations are to be weakened?

Can the Prime Minister assure all Canadians that we have more than rhetoric to throw at the wildfires in this country?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, following consultations that started in August 2023, we recently released an updated draft of the clean electricity regulations. A net-zero grid will serve as the basis for climate actions across the economy, like helping Canadians switch to electric transportation and heating. Our government is committed to working closely with all provinces, territories and partners on delivering the benefits of a clean grid in a way that ensures reliability and affordability for all Canadians.

National Microbiology Laboratory

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I am tabling, in both official languages, documents from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service related to the investigation into the activities and subsequent termination of the employment of two scientists at the National Microbiology Laboratory.

These documents are being tabled in accordance with the memorandum of understanding agreed to by the government and three opposition parties in the House in October 2022. They have been reviewed and vetted by the ad hoc committee of parliamentarians, with the support of an independent panel of arbiters, in accordance with the terms of the memorandum of understanding. This process has demonstrated that the parties of this House can work together to ensure accountability and transparency to Canadians.

I would also draw members' attention to the departmental statement that will be issued by the Public Health Agency today, which outlines the actions that have been taken by the agency since 2019 to address and highlight these documents.

Oral Questions

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Hope, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. During question period, the member for Elmwood—Transcona issued a repulsive, vulgar and unparliamentary remark to members of the Conservative opposition.

I would like you to ask him to withdraw that remark.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, in the course of expressing concern for the tongues of certain Conservative members that I feared would get stuck in the backside of their leader as he exited the chamber, I did indeed use unparliamentary language, and for that—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member is an experienced member of this House. His language evokes an image that is clearly unparliamentary. I will ask the member to withdraw those comments forthwith.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I unconditionally apologize for the comments, although I insist—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The Chair has heard the hon. member apologize, which is appropriate.

That brings us back to the original point; the hon. member was in the middle of, I hope, withdrawing his comment.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

I do, Mr. Speaker. I withdraw the comments.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I think we just witnessed a very disgraceful, disrespectful display in question period today, which is clearly against the Standing Orders. The members across the aisle here owe an apology to the member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley, who gets to ask a question just like everyone else in this House.

I ask that you, Mr. Speaker, consider what you might do in the event that this occurs again.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I will take that matter under advisement.

The House resumed from February 27 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—ArriveCAN App

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being 3:23 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the Leader of the Opposition relating to the business of supply.

The question is as follows. Shall I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

[Chair read text of motion to House]