House of Commons Hansard #294 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was indian.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Indian Act Second reading of Bill C-38. The bill amends the Indian Act to address new registration entitlements. It aims to rectify historic inequities, including those related to enfranchisement and gender discrimination. The proposed changes allow for individuals with a family history of enfranchisement to gain status, permit deregistration, enable natal band reaffiliation for women, and remove offensive language. It is seen as an incremental step towards reconciliation and self-determination. 8100 words, 1 hour in 3 segments: 1 2 3.
Unparliamentary Language Members raise points of order regarding alleged unparliamentary language, including one member allegedly calling another a "terrorist," and debate decorum and respect in the House. 600 words.
Special Service Medal for Domestic Emergency Relief Operations Act First reading of Bill C-386. The bill establishes a Special Service Medal for Canadian Forces, RCMP, firefighters, and first responders involved in domestic emergency relief operations like wildfires and floods. 200 words.
Witness Responses at Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates Mark Gerretsen responds to questions of privilege regarding a witness's testimony at a committee studying ArriveCAN, arguing the standard practice is to refer the matter to the Procedure and House Affairs Committee or summon the witness to the bar for censure. 1300 words.
Bilingual Documents in the House MP Mark Gerretsen argues against a question of privilege claiming translation delays on a government amendment, stating the member did not raise it at the first opportunity and text was provided in both official languages. 800 words.
Witness Responses at Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates Members debate a motion to find Kristian Firth of GC Strategies in contempt for refusing to answer committee questions about the ArriveCAN app contracts. The motion proposes ordering him to appear at the Bar of the House for admonishment and to answer questions. While most agree on the contempt, Liberals propose studying the procedure for questioning at the Bar first. 9600 words, 1 hour.
Government PrioritiesOral Questions
The Speaker 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—
Government PrioritiesOral Questions
The Speaker 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—
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—
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—
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—
Government PrioritiesOral Questions
The Speaker 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 for 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—
Government PrioritiesOral Questions
The Speaker 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—
Government PrioritiesOral Questions
The Speaker 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—
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—
Public Service Commission of CanadaRoutine Proceedings
Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne Québec
Liberal
Sherry Romanado LiberalParliamentary 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 PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Hamilton Mountain Ontario
Liberal
Lisa Hepfner LiberalParliamentary 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 80 petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
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 with respect to controlling or coercive conduct.
The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
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 Thursday, March 7, 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.”