Debates of April 18th, 2024

House of Commons Hansard #302 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was money.

Topics

This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Petitions

National school food programs for Canada

Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services

Fair wages for welfare services staff

Remove GST/HST from massage therapy

Humanitarian crisis in Democratic Republic Congo

Two-way arms embargo Canada and Israel

Bring Canada disability benefit into force

Aircraft noise pollution in Humber River

Recognize gender apartheid as crime

Protect our health care workers

Financial Statement of Minister of Finance Members debate the government's Budget 2024. Government members defend the budget's investments in housing, social programs like pharmacare and a national school food program, and economic initiatives like AI funding. They argue it promotes fairness and addresses affordability. Opposition members criticize the budget, citing increased debt, inflation, and housing costs, arguing it harms the middle class and fails to improve productivity. Conservatives propose an alternative plan to "axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, and stop the crime." The Bloc Québécois criticizes federal interference in provincial jurisdictions. 45700 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.

Statements by Members

National Volunteer Week in Canada

Death of Ronnie King, The Stampeders

Firefighters, PFAS exposure, and cancer

Cheer National Championships in Niagara Falls

Ottawa tourism and economy

Death of Werner Schmidt, educator

Canada-Korea relations strong, growing

Tourism in the Niagara Region

Nova Scotia mass shooting remembrance

Mayor Tony Keats wins award

Budget 2024 criticism from Morneau

Car thefts in Canada increasing

Organ donor awareness at BC Place

Inter-Council Network's 50th anniversary

Guy Rocher's 100th birthday

Carbon tax increase and debt

Death of Wally Firth, MP

Question Period

The Conservatives criticize the government's soft-on-crime policies, highlighting gangsters released on bail and rising auto theft. They condemn the high cost of living, particularly the carbon tax driving up gas prices and affecting farmers. They also focus on the $60-million ArriveCAN scandal, the RCMP raid, and the government's failure to recover funds.

The Liberals defend their Budget 2024, highlighting investments in affordable housing, science and research, agriculture, and small businesses. They support the Canada carbon rebate as an affordability measure. They address crime and justice issues including auto theft and organized criminality. The government also discusses the ArriveCAN investigation and commitment to recover taxpayers' money.

The Bloc criticizes the government's budget as electioneering and interfering in provincial jurisdictions like housing and transit. They question the inclusion of "Halal Mortgages" in the budget, seeing it as contrary to secularism, and call on the government to focus on federal responsibilities. They also raise concerns about freedom of expression in the House.

The NDP criticize the government for giving billions to corporations, cutting services, and catering to big oil which drives high gas prices and delays climate action. They also address funding cuts for survivors and the use of false terms.

The Green Party sought unanimous consent to condemn antisemitism and reject blaming Jewish Canadians for the actions of Israel.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 Second reading of Bill C-380. The bill removes "plastic manufactured items" from the CEPA toxic list. Conservatives argue this reverses a misguided ban that is "bad for health, environment, and pocketbooks", advocating for "waste management and recycling". Liberals, Bloc, and NDP oppose, stating the ban is necessary to address plastic pollution, supported by science, and aligns with international efforts. 7800 words, 1 hour.

Adjournment Debates

Online extortion of children Michelle Rempel accuses the government of inaction on online child sexual extortion, criticizing bail reform and a proposed bureaucracy. Ryan Turnbull cites the online harms bill and efforts by the RCMP to combat extortion, particularly in South Asian communities. Rempel pushes for stronger Criminal Code measures.

Federal Budget and Spending Cheryl Gallant questions the government's spending policies, advocating for a dollar-for-dollar rule to curb inflation. Ryan Turnbull defends the budget, emphasizing Canada's strong fiscal position within the G7, and highlighting investments in housing and social programs to support Canadians.

Thermal Coal Exports Laurel Collins questions Ryan Turnbull on why the government has tripled thermal coal exports, despite promising to phase them out. Collins emphasizes the devastating impact on global emissions and accuses the Liberals of misleading Canadians. Turnbull defends the government's commitment to phasing out coal by 2030 and cites international efforts.

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Climate ChangeAdjournment Proceedings

6:55 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6:58 p.m.)