Debates of March 22nd, 2024

Government Accountability

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Fortunately, the hon. member is a very credible and capable member and understands that this is a point of debate.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I will be brief with my point of order. Up to 50 military families from CFB Gagetown are using the local food bank every month. Despite that, the carbon tax is—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

This is a similar point to what was raised by the hon. member for Thornhill, so I am afraid we are entering into debate.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, during debate today, there were multiple references to my great province of British Columbia. I would ask for unanimous consent to table this letter from the—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, the New Brunswick premier has written the Prime Minister, calling on him to cancel the carbon tax. I seek unanimous consent to table this—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on a more serious matter, the member for Cambridge, in responding to a question from the Bloc Québécois on the status of small businesses, failed to note that business insolvencies are up 41%. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

I will just wait for everyone unintelligent to yell “debate”, but previous to that, I would just like to point out that we heard a definite concern from the member for Milton about Alberta, in addition to—

[Some hon. members]

Debate.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

I have not even said anything—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It is always in everybody's interest, and I say this to all members quite sincerely, if members want to raise a point of order, that they get straight to the point of the point of order they want to bring up. Otherwise, when we hear the premise and the introduction, it is often getting into debate and it forces the Chair to say that it is a matter of debate, as opposed to either seeking unanimous consent or raising a point of order.

The hon. member should either raise a point of order or seek unanimous consent right away.

The hon. member for Calgary Midnapore.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member of Milton mentioned Premier Smith. I also have some comments regarding Premier Smith. They are that she is also encouraging the government to get rid of this 23% carbon—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I will invite the hon. member to please sit down because this is clearly a point of debate.

The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I just remind members of the House that it costs $80,000 to run the House for an hour. The Conservatives' filibuster has cost $20,000 to Canadians—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I thank the hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby for reminding the House of all of the expenses that are required when we do not take the opportunity to negotiate these things in advance. I do ask members to do this.

I see that the member for Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame is rising to his feet. I do hope that the member will either raise a point of order or get immediately to the request for unanimous consent.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I think we will have consent for me to table this letter that was written by—

[Some hon. members]

No.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. On page 75 of the most current B.C. budget, it does say that the Province of British Columbia is federally mandated to implement the carbon tax. Therefore, I would like unanimous consent—

[Some hon. members]

No.

Public Service Commission of Canada

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table, in both official languages, information that we received from the Public Service Commission of Canada concerning the 2020 to 2023 annual reports.

Government Response to Petitions

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to 18 petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.

Justice and Human Rights

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

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 22nd report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in relation to Bill C-332, an act to amend the Criminal Code, controlling or coercive conduct.

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Public Accounts

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 37th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in relation to the motion adopted on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, regarding “Report 1: ArriveCan” of the 2024 reports of the Auditor General of Canada. That motion reads: “That the committee report to the House that it calls on the government to prohibit any government employee from simultaneously working as an external contractor.”

I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 38th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in relation to a motion adopted on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, regarding “Report 1: ArriveCan” of the 2024 reports of the Auditor General of Canada. That motion reads: “That the committee invites the President of the Treasury Board, Anita Anand to appear for no less than two hours in relation to the ArriveCAN study, and that this meeting occur within three weeks of this motion being adopted.”