Debates of May 24th, 2024

Canada Labour Code

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that we have the New Democrats to thank for this situation. There would be no anti-scab legislation without the pressure we were able to exert through the agreement between the NDP and the Liberal government. Without us, workers would not have this protection. This is really the fruit of our effort and the labour movement's effort. We are very grateful for the work done by the labour movement.

As far as implementation is concerned, the Liberal government wanted an 18-month delay. We forced it to reduce that delay to 12 months. Let us be clear: Without the pressure that we brought to bear, this bill would never have been introduced and we would never have had this debate. It really is thanks to us that workers in federally regulated businesses in Quebec and across the country will receive this protection.

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Mr. Speaker, powerful paycheques come from powerful unions.

I am proud to be a New Democrat today. I thank the leader of the New Democratic Party for their consistent efforts in making what we knew was possible a reality. For 15 years, New Democrats have tabled this piece of legislation. Eight times we have seen Liberals and Conservatives join forces to make certain that workers are not more powerful.

This is a remarkable day for workers. I thank workers and all my colleagues in the New Democratic Party for this work. However, I am nervous and scared that we could possibly see a Conservative government try to roll back some of these protections and try to force workers back to work, as it often does when it joins forces with the Liberals, with back-to-work legislation.

Could the member speak to how important it is to have powerful unions?

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have to thank my colleague for that great question, and he is right to be worried.

We know that the Conservatives have voted against back-to-work legislation the past. Their leader voted against it eight times in the past. He is in favour of back-to-work legislation. He has opposed anti-scab legislation. He has fought card-check legislation. He has voted against the minimum wage, not once but twice. He vowed to cut workers' pensions and to slash employment insurance to save half a billion dollars for CEOs, which would leave workers out to dry. We know this is a legitimate concern.

We believe very strongly that we not only need to have this anti-scab legislation in place, but also need to be very clear that strong unions have to be supported so that they can fight for good wages for workers. The only way workers get fairness is with strong unions.

Let us be very clear. The New Democratic Party is the only labour party at the federal level. We are proudly founded by unions. We will always defend unions' ability to fight for workers to ensure they get fair wages and fair working conditions.

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

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

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

The question is on the 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.

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

Mr. Speaker, for this historic vote, decades in the making, I would ask for a recorded vote.

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

Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the division stands deferred until Monday, May 27, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Business of the House

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to order made Wednesday, February 28, I request that the ordinary hour of daily adjournment of the next sitting be 12 midnight.

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

Pursuant to order made Wednesday, February 28, the minister's request to extend the said sitting is deemed adopted.

Bill C-49—Notice of Time Allocation Motion

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, an agreement could not be reached under the provisions of Standing Order 78(1) or 78(2) with respect to the third reading stage of Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada—Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Under the provisions of Standing Order 78(3), I give notice that a minister of the Crown will propose at the next sitting a motion to allot a specific number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of proceedings at the said stage.

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

The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I suspect that if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to call it 1:30 p.m. at this time so that we can begin private members' hour.

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

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Bill S‑216. On the Order: Private Members' Business:)

May 16, 2022 — Resuming consideration of the motion of Mr. Lawrence (Northumberland—Peterborough South) — That Bill S‑216, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (use of resources of a registered charity), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Effective and Accountable Charities Act

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask for unanimous consent for the following motion.

That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House, the order for the second reading of Bill S‑216, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (use of resources of a registered charity), standing on the Order Paper in the name of the member for Northumberland—Peterborough South shall be discharged and the bill withdrawn.

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

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

I hear none. The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)

Accordingly, the order for second reading is discharged and the bill is dropped from the Order Paper.

(Order discharged and bill withdrawn)

It being 1:20 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 1:20 p.m.)