Debates of Feb. 7th, 2024

International Trade

[Ben Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, after months of debate in this House, albeit without the support of a single member of the Conservative Party, we voted to advance the new Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement. President Zelenskyy and the thousands of Canadian Ukrainians I represent in my riding of Winnipeg South Centre expect our government to be there for them, and we have been every step of the way.

Can the Prime Minister tell Canadians why this deal is important for Ukraine and Canada? Will he reaffirm Canada's unwavering support for our ally as it fights to defend the interests of democracies around the world?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the President of Ukraine asked us for a modernized Ukrainian free trade deal with Canada that would deal with investments, digital services and a range of things that are necessary for Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery from the war.

The Conservative leader yesterday again shamelessly strong-armed his MPs who represent Ukrainian communities to betray them and play straight into Putin's hands.

On this side, the members for Winnipeg South Centre, Etobicoke Centre, Kingston and the Islands, University—Rosedale, Winnipeg South, Markham—Thornhill, Scarborough Southwest, Ahuntsic-Cartierville and the entire Liberal caucus—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Courtenay—Alberni.

Health

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians spend over a billion dollars out of their own pockets on mental health services every year. With the cost of everything only going up, Canadians are making a difficult choice. Do they put food on the table or get the therapy they need?

The Liberals promised $4.5 billion in mental health funding, but they are still well over a billion dollars short, even with the bilateral agreements.

Our communities need support. It cannot be left to Conservative premiers. Will the Prime Minister commit to delivering direct mental health funding to community-based mental health organizations in the upcoming budget?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am certain that the member for Courtenay—Alberni is not proposing that we work around the outstanding government of the Province of British Columbia. We are working hand in hand with provinces to deliver mental health services across the country with our historic health accords, worth $200 billion, which include significant transfers for mental health and accountability so Canadians can see real results.

We are moving forward and stepping up on making sure that Canadians have proper access to mental health care. We will do it through partnership with the provinces who want to and with clear data from the provinces that are resistant. We need to make sure we are delivering mental health right across the country.

Housing

[Kevin Vuong, Independent, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, whistle-blower information from HSBC documents shows rampant mortgage fraud by people using fake high salaries from fake jobs in China to get mortgages and buy houses in Canada. How is it possible for a person with no income to buy four houses?

These frauds fuel real estate bubbles and the information supports FINTRAC findings on Chinese money laundering in Canadian real estate. How can the Prime Minister make housing more available and affordable when fraudsters are buying up multiple homes? Why is the government ignoring the damage created by money laundering and mortgage fraud in Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, just a few days ago, we reinforced and extended our foreign homebuyer ban to make sure that homes in Canada are used by Canadians to live in, not as investment vehicles for foreign entities or foreign owners.

This is part of our broad plan, which invests in more housing, that increases supply and ensures that families are able to afford the future they want to build for their kids in their communities right across the country. We are stepping up on housing. We will continue to do so while the Conservatives have no plan.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I wish to draw to the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Ville Tavio, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development for Finland.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

In addition, in recognition of Black History Month, I also wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of Zanana Akande, the first Black woman to serve as a cabinet minister in Canada.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and, if you seek it, I believe, or at least I hope, you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion. I move that, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, for today's sitting, the ordinary hour of daily adjournment shall be midnight, and after 6:30 p.m., no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair, and when no member wishes to speak on the motion for the second reading stage of Bill C-62, an act to amend the Criminal Code, medical assistance in dying, No. 2, or at midnight, whichever is earlier, the debate on the said motion shall be deemed adjourned, the House shall adjourn until the next sitting day, and the debate, pursuant to Standing Order 38, shall not take place.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

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

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

There is no unanimous consent.

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise on behalf of the people of Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

On a point of order, during question period, the Prime Minister said that people do not just leave house arrest and steal a vehicle. I would like to table—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I have already heard the noes coming from members.

The House resumed from February 5 consideration of the motion.

Finance

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being 3:21 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion to concur in the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Finance concerning the extension of time to consider Bill C-323, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (mental health services).

Call in the members.

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

Vote #628

Committees of the House

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I declare the motion carried.

The House resumed from February 6 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Auto Theft

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Edmonton Mill Woods relating to the Business of Supply.

The question is as follows. May I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.