Debates of May 22nd, 2024

Intergovernmental Affairs

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, two years after the illegal border blockade at Ambassador Bridge, the Liberals are stiffing the City of Windsor by not paying back the city for the costs of handling the mess.

Canadians are used to being ripped off by big grocery stores and big telecoms, but now they can add the Liberals to that list. Where were the Conservatives while this happened? They were on the sidelines, cheering on this harm.

The Prime Minister asked Windsor to protect our country, so why is he rewarding this attack on the economy, on public safety and on frontline workers by not paying Windsorites back the money they are owed?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows full well that we paid back a significant amount of the costs incurred by the City of Windsor during the Conservative-supported convoy. There is a matter of a dispute around whether its legal fees were to be covered by the federal government.

I know the Minister of Public Safety is meeting with the mayor of Windsor tomorrow, and I am sure that this will be in the discussion. In the meanwhile, we have continued to stand up for Windsor with historic investments in jobs and opportunities for Windsorites that, quite frankly, Conservatives continue to stand against. We will continue to be there for the people of Windsor.

Foreign Affairs

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the University Network for Human Rights published a 100-page report concluding that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor is now seeking arrest warrants for both Hamas terrorists and Israeli leaders. There is no equivalency being made. These individuals may simply be accused of breaking international law, which the court is tasked to uphold.

Will the PM support the ICC's process, as is the will of this Parliament from March 18?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, obviously, we are closely monitoring the processes as they unfold at the ICC. We respect the independence of the court. There is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas. One is a state. The other is a terrorist organization. As we have said from the beginning, all parties have a necessary obligation to comply with international law.

In the meanwhile, an immediate ceasefire is urgently needed. A lot more humanitarian aid needs to get in, and hostages need to be released. We will continue to stand for a two-state solution. We will continue to call for peace in the region.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I wish to draw the attention of members in the gallery to the presence of the Hon. Paul Calandra, Government House Leader, Minister of Legislative Affairs and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the Province of Ontario.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

The House resumed from May 21 consideration of the motion that Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024, be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the amendment.

Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being 3:20 p.m., pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment to the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-69.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the amendment, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #765

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

I declare the amendment defeated.

The next question is on the main motion.

If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives request a recorded division.

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

Vote #766

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

I declare the motion carried.

Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

The House resumed from May 21 consideration of the motion that Bill C-381, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (extortion), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Protection against Extortion Act

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

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-381 under Private Members' Business.

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

Vote #767

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

I declare the motion defeated.

Government Response to Petitions

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 21 petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.

Interparliamentary Delegations

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the reports of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, respecting its participation at the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Accra, Ghana, from September 30 to October 6, 2023, and the bilateral visit to Guyana, November 13 to 18, 2023.

Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I have two reports to present.

I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 21st report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in relation to Bill C-58, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 22nd report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, entitled “Main Estimates 2024-25: Vote 1 under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Votes 1 and 5 under Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization, Vote 1 under Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, and Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Employment and Social Development”.

Mr. Speaker, while I am on my feet, I move:

That the House do now proceed to orders of the day.

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

If a member participating in person wishes the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in the defence of democracy, I would ask for a recorded vote.

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

Call in the members.

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

Vote #768

Committees of the House

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

I declare the motion carried.