House of Commons Hansard #277 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was illness.

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 criticize the government's record on the cost of living, focusing heavily on the housing crisis (doubled costs, lack of building, military housing issues). They link rising crime rates, including auto theft and extortion, to "catch-and-release" policies (house arrest, bail) and inadequate resources like port scanners. They also attribute increasing food prices to the carbon tax.
The Liberals highlight efforts on building housing, including eliminating the GST on new apartments and investing in military housing. They address crime by linking auto theft to organized crime, contrasting with Conservative approaches. They emphasize increasing competition in the grocery sector, rolling out the Canadian dental care plan, and defending the carbon price as fighting climate change while supporting Canadians.
The Bloc discusses medical assistance in dying, proposing Quebec could authorize advance requests. They criticize federal immigration failures, seeking for Quebec to repatriate all powers, noting Ottawa owes $470 million for asylum seekers and Quebec exceeded capacity.
The NDP criticize the government for letting corporate greed increase grocery prices and allow airlines to treat disabled passengers unfairly. They also highlight the underfunding of health benefits for Nunavummiut and the need for promised mental health funding.

Petitions

Alleged Misleading Comments by the Prime Minister Alain Therrien raises a question of privilege, alleging the Prime Minister misled the House about responsibility for inviting Yaroslav Hunka in September 2023, arguing the PMO's role was downplayed after the Speaker was blamed. 800 words, 10 minutes.

Criminal Code Second reading of Bill C-62. The bill extends the temporary exclusion of medical assistance in dying eligibility for persons suffering solely from a mental illness by three years, until March 17, 2027. The Liberal government states more time is needed for system readiness, citing provincial and medical concerns. Conservatives call for an indefinite pause, arguing the system is unprepared and irremediability cannot be determined. The Bloc supports the principle but questions the delay length. 13500 words, 2 hours.

Criminal Code Second reading of Bill C-332. The bill amends the Criminal Code to criminalize controlling or coercive conduct in intimate relationships. Supporters argue this pattern of behaviour often precedes physical violence and is a major risk factor for femicide. Criminalizing it would provide tools for intervention and help victims, particularly marginalized women, access support. 7500 words, 1 hour.

Adjournment Debates

Seniors and affordable housing Bonita Zarrillo says seniors are being displaced by luxury condo development and criticizes the Liberals' record on affordable housing and transit funding. Chris Bittle cites the government's investments in affordable housing and transit, and welcomes Zarrillo's community applying for funding, saying the government is ready to work across party lines.
Rape by Hamas on October 7 Michelle Rempel questions why the government took so long to condemn the rape and torture of Jewish women by Hamas and calls for UN Women to be reformed. Chris Bittle reiterates that the government condemns the violence and supports investigations, highlighting Canada's feminist foreign policy.
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International TradeOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Liberal

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?

International TradeOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime 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—

International TradeOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

The hon. member for Courtenay—Alberni.

HealthOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

NDP

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?

HealthOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime 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.

HousingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Independent

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?

HousingOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime 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 GalleryOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

The Speaker 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.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

The Speaker 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.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

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

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

There is no unanimous consent.

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

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—

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

No.

Presence in GalleryOral Questions

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

I have already heard the noes coming from members.

The House resumed from February 5 consideration of the motion.

FinanceCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker 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 HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion carried.

The House resumed from February 6 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Auto TheftBusiness of SupplyRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker 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?

Opposition Motion—Auto TheftBusiness of SupplyRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

No.