House of Commons Hansard #320 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.

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.

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives repeatedly link government spending to inflation and call for fixing the budget. They extensively criticize the doubled cost of housing, proposing their plan to build more homes by cutting bureaucracy. They also target the carbon tax, calling for it to be axed, and raise concerns about crime and street drug use.
The Liberals defend their investments in dental care and other supports for Canadians, contrasting their approach with Conservative "austerity". They highlight their housing plan and efforts in fighting climate change and attracting clean investment, including the Canada carbon rebate. They also address the violence in Gaza and the need for a two-state solution, while supporting the International Criminal Court.
The Bloc calls for an immediate ceasefire and an international peacekeeping force in Gaza. They urge the government to recognize the State of Palestine, support international courts, apply sanctions, and take action to end the violence.
The NDP call for concrete action on Gaza, including an arms embargo and sanctions. They raise concerns about the lack of safety for women in the military and the ongoing climate crisis, questioning the military's capacity to help with wildfires.

Petitions

Countering Foreign Interference Act Second reading of Bill C-70. The bill, An Act respecting countering foreign interference, aims to strengthen Canada's tools against foreign threats. It updates CSIS powers, creates new criminal offences, and establishes a foreign influence transparency registry. MPs generally support the bill in principle but discuss potential amendments regarding the registry's scope and the commissioner's independence. Parties agree on the need for quick passage before the next election. 14000 words, 2 hours.

Foreign Hostage Takers Accountability Act Second reading of Bill C-353. The bill aims to impose measures against foreign hostage takers and those who practice arbitrary detention, proposing stronger sanctions and family assistance. Liberals oppose, arguing it could endanger Canadians and conflict with international law. Conservatives support it as needed deterrence. The Bloc and NDP support committee study to address concerns about feasibility and unintended consequences. 8100 words, 1 hour.

Adjournment Debates

Inmate vocational training Scott Reid criticizes the low number of Red Seal certifications obtained by inmates (64 in 4 years). He argues that the government's focus on short, less meaningful certifications doesn't translate to improved employment prospects or reduced recidivism. Darrell Samson defends the program, citing the thousands of certificates earned and job placements obtained.
Campus anti-Semitism Kevin Vuong questions whether the government is turning a blind eye to violent, anti-Semitic protests on university campuses, funded by pro-Hamas entities. Sameer Zuberi responds that the government is committed to combatting hate and has allocated significant funding to anti-hate initiatives and community support.
Oil and Gas Windfall Tax Laurel Collins calls for a windfall tax on oil and gas companies to fund climate solutions and address environmental issues. Vance Badawey responds, highlighting the government's efforts to increase tax fairness and invest in a green economy through various tax measures and incentives.

Department of Health—Main Estimates, 2024-25 Members debate the Department of Health estimates. Discussions centre on the toxic drug crisis, including the impact of decriminalization and safe supply. They review the rollout and success of the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Plans for pharmacare (Bill C-64) covering diabetes and contraception are also discussed. Other topics include health transfers, provincial jurisdiction, mental health funding, and rare diseases. 35300 words, 4 hours.

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

8 p.m.

York Centre Ontario

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks LiberalMinister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, all medication is under the CDSA, with strict regulations.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, is the NDP-Liberal government looking at allowing the so-called safe supply of cocaine?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, prescribed alternatives are under the strict advisement of experts and physicians with their patients.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, is the NDP-Liberal government looking to fund the so-called safe supply of heroin?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, all medications are regulated under the CDSA, and prescriber models, per province, are in place.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, is the NDP-Liberal government looking at allowing the so-called safe supply of heroin?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, prescribed alternatives are a relationship between the physician and their patient. There are strict regulations around it.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, could the minister explain to Canadians what the company called Fair Price Pharma is?

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

May 29th, 2024 / 8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, it is a private company in British Columbia.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, could the minister confirm or deny if this company, Fair Price Pharma, has a dealer's licence for heroin?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, it does not at this time.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, could the minister confirm or deny that Fair Price Pharma has an importation licence for heroin?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, we will have to refer to officials to answer that question.

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

8 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

I would like to let hon. members know that, when there is time used for consultation, it is not taken away from the time of the member to pose their questions.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell Canadians how much heroin Fair Price Pharma has imported into Canada?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, that is a question to refer to officials.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, oddly enough, the answer is 15 kilograms. Can the minister tell Canadians when this 15 kilograms of heroin was imported into Canada?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, this is a question for officials.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the minister would like to tell Canadians that it was in November 2021.

Could the minister tell us if the minister has ever met with someone named Perry Kendall?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have not.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, is the minister aware that Perry Kendall is the founder of Fair Price Pharma?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am not engaged with Fair Price Pharma, but to my knowledge, he is.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, does the minister believe heroin should be distributed via vending machines?

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

8 p.m.

Liberal

Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, no, I do not.

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

8 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS

Mr. Speaker, does the minister believe the distribution of so-called safe supply via vending machines is indeed safe?