Debates of May 23rd, 2024

House of Commons Hansard #316 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was quebec.

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.

Petitions

Rising crime in Swan River
Axe the tax, stop crime
Reverse BC drug decriminalization
Tax benefits for volunteer firefighters
Native tree stock for reforestation
Protect southern resident killer whales
Address the housing crisis

Opposition Motion—Federal Intrusions in the Exclusive Jurisdictions of Quebec and the Provinces Members debate a Bloc motion condemning the federal government's repeated intrusion into the exclusive jurisdictions of Quebec, the provinces and the territories and demanding the right to opt out unconditionally with full compensation. The Bloc argues this centralizes power and leads to failures. Liberals defend their collaborative approach and national programs like dental care and child care, arguing they benefit citizens. Conservatives agree on respecting jurisdictions but criticize the Bloc for supporting Liberal spending. The NDP supports co-operative federalism and federal social programs helping Quebeckers. 45300 words, 6 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.

Statements by Members

Lupus Awareness Month in Canada
Food bank increase in Medicine Hat
Honouring artist Virginia Pesemapeo Bordeleau
Northern Ontario mining and green energy
Crime and drug use in Saskatoon
Ukrainian boxer Usyk wins heavyweight title
Canada's critical minerals strategy and jobs
Motor vehicle theft and insurance costs
Heart Lake Turtle Troopers award
Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly
Funding cut to 4-H Canada
Homelessness and food inflation in Canada
Sylvie Brunelle and the Marché de la gare
Recognition of Palestine as a state
Volunteer-run store in Lac-Saint-Jean
Remembering Rex Murphy's life and work
Military veterans wellness program for police

Question Period

The Conservatives argued the Prime Minister is not worth the cost after nine years of failed policies. They highlighted increased homelessness (up 38%) and hunger, with many Canadians skipping meals due to inflationary spending and high taxes. They criticized the government's "obese" nature and called for ending policies like the carbon tax to provide relief. They also raised concerns about corruption and obstructing the foreign interference inquiry.
The Liberals defended their Budget 2024 supports and social programs, including the national school food program, dental care, and affordable housing. They criticized the Conservatives for voting against these measures and their lack of plans on homelessness and poverty. They also discussed cooperation with the foreign interference inquiry, protecting the Charter, and their climate plan.
The Bloc criticized Liberal secrecy on foreign interference hindering the Hogue commission. They highlighted Liberal actions contributing to the decline of French (including anglicizing the APF) and federal interference in provincial jurisdiction on university research chairs and EDI hiring criteria.
The NDP raised concerns about the condition of the St. Lawrence River, lack of a B.C. watershed fund for wildfires, risks of a Trans Mountain spill, mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows, and the closure of rural post offices.

Respect for the Authority of the Chair Members debate a point of order concerning Conservative MPs' tweets about events on April 30, where two Conservative MPs were named and expelled. Andrew Scheer argues the Speaker lacks jurisdiction over statements made outside the chamber and criticizes public comments by the Speaker's spokesman regarding the events. The Speaker will consider the arguments. 1600 words, 10 minutes.

Criminal Code Report stage of Bill S-224. The bill amends the Criminal Code regarding human trafficking, aiming to remove the requirement for victims to prove fear to align with international standards. Supporters argue this is needed to increase low conviction rates, while opponents say it may hinder prosecutions. The bill was amended in committee, prompting motions to restore its original text. 8300 words, 1 hour.

Adjournment Debates

Electoral Reform Promise Elizabeth May accuses the Liberals of breaking their 2015 promise to end the first-past-the-post voting system. Kevin Lamoureux defends the government, stating there was no consensus and that the current system is acceptable. May insists the promise was unequivocal, and accuses the Liberals of lying. Lamoureux maintains there was a genuine attempt to change the system.
Support for Canadian Caregivers Bonita Zarrillo criticizes the government's inaction on caregiver support, highlighting delayed pension benefits and the need for a refundable tax credit. Kevin Lamoureux defends the government's efforts, citing the Canada caregiver credit, disability program investments, and the national child care program, while blaming previous NDP opposition for earlier childcare failures.
Navis Group controversy Michael Cooper accuses the Minister of Employment of a conflict of interest and possibly breaking the law by receiving payments from Navis Group while it lobbied his department and secured federal contracts. Kevin Lamoureux defends the minister, saying he followed ethics rules and accusing the Conservatives of character assassination.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25 Members debate Department of Justice estimates. Conservatives point to rising crime rates, particularly auto theft, blaming Liberal policies like bail reform and questioning the Minister's record. Liberals defend their actions on crime, including new auto theft laws and increased judicial appointments, while criticizing Conservative opposition and their leader's stance on the notwithstanding clause. Other topics include legal aid funding, online harms legislation, MAID advance requests, drug decriminalization, and victims' rights. 38400 words, 4 hours.

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Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

May 23rd, 2024 / 7:05 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

Mr. Speaker, I notice once again that I have given the minister a lot of opportunities, and he has not answered any of my questions directly.

He knows the answer to this one, and he is not going to give it, so I will have to give it on his behalf. The Victoria Police Department statement says, “Bill C-75, which came into effect nationally in 2019, legislated a 'principle of restraint' that requires police to release an accused person at the earliest possible opportunity”.

The police laid the blame for this individual being released three times in a row to revictimize Canadians squarely at the feet of the minister. A woman was injured in the process of one of the thefts.

On the issue of the Liberals' draconian Bill C-63, which Margaret Atwood has described as “Orwellian”, has he completed a charter statement for this bill that clearly threatens the rights of Canadians?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I find this line of questioning quite fascinating, given that the main charter issue that is at issue in Bill C-63 deals with very sensitive issues about the protection of freedom of speech, which is protected under section 2(b).

What I will do is always maintain my oath under the Constitution to uphold the Constitution and people's charter rights. This individual works under a leader who has brandished the idea of using the notwithstanding clause to deprive people of their charter rights. Section 2(b) is subject to the notwithstanding clause.

If we are talking about who is actually committed to protecting people's freedoms, including freedom of speech, people on that side of the House should be looking at themselves in the mirror.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, how many cars were stolen in Canada in 2015?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Parkdale—High Park Ontario

Liberal

Arif Virani LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, what I can indicate is that auto theft is on the rise in Canada right now.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, does the minister know the number of cars stolen in 2015?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am aware that auto theft is on the rise in Canada as we speak.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, I will give him one more opportunity. Does he know the number of cars stolen in 2015? It is not a difficult question.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am aware that car theft is on the rise in Canada. That is why we are taking aggressive steps to address it, including in the fall economic statement, including in the budget and including in the national action plan to deal with auto theft, which was announced on Monday.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, for those watching at home who see that the minister does not want to answer questions, I will answer it for him. It is 78,849. Now, does the minister know how many cars were stolen in 2022?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, the number I am being provided with from officials is 105,673.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, he does have answers to these questions.

Can the minister tell us what percentage increase in car theft has taken place between 2015 and 2022?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the member for Thornhill has a calculator and can do that calculation.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, I will ask the minister again for a non-condescending answer.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am aware that car thefts have gone up, and the number of car thefts in Canada in 2022 is 105,673 vehicles.

If the member is committed to combatting auto theft, what I would put to her is that she should get behind the fall economic statement and budget 2024, which deal with auto theft initiatives.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, the answer is 34.1%, and I am sure the Minister of Justice also can find a calculator.

Can he tell us the percentage increase in car thefts from 2015 to 2022 in the province of Ontario, his province and mine?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the number of car thefts is up in various provinces around the country. I do not have the statistics for Ontario.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is 122.5% in Ontario. How about just in Toronto?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am in contact with law enforcement in Toronto, including the TPS, and they have advised me that car thefts are up. I do not have the specific quantum. What I can reflect to the member opposite is that we are taking aggressive steps to deal with car theft in Toronto and throughout the country.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, if he was in contact with law enforcement or if he read the newspaper, then he would know that it is 300%.

How many cars have been stolen from the Minister of Justice?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have never had my personal car stolen.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, that is very clever. How many cars were stolen from the former minister of justice before the current minister?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am aware that the previous minister's car, which was provided to him in his capacity as minister, was taken from him twice.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, it has been three times since 2019. Does the minister not agree that car theft is a problem?

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Liberal

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Mr. Speaker, if the member for Thornhill was listening, I had indicated that car theft is on the rise. Car theft is a serious problem. I have said that at the microphone many times, and we have taken significant steps to address it.

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Mr. Speaker, will the minister answer a question about why he would not support mandatory minimum sentences for those who repeat stealing cars in Ontario, all over Canada and in Toronto?