Excise Tax Act
Third reading of
Bill C-323.
The bill aims to exempt psychotherapy and counselling from GST/HST. It was amended to include massage therapy. Parties generally support the goal of making these services more affordable, though some raise concerns about definitions and universal access, noting similar measures in government bills C-59 and C-69.
6200 words, 40 minutes.
Bill C-69—Time Allocation Motion
Members debate a motion to limit time on Bill C-69, the budget implementation act. The government highlights budget investments in social programs and economic development, citing opposition delays. Other parties criticize the budget's spending, economic impact, capital gains tax, and the use of time allocation.
4600 words, 35 minutes.
Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1
Report stage of
Bill C-69.
The bill implements provisions of the 2024 budget. Debate focuses on government spending, debt, and their impact on inflation and affordability. Measures for housing, social programs like dental care and school food, and changes to taxes like capital gains are discussed. Opposition criticizes the budget's economic effects and lack of support for farmers and defence, while the government highlights fairness and investments.
41500 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Statements by Members
Question Period
The
Bloc criticizes the government's handling of
foreign interference, particularly the Prime Minister's lack of action and trust. They condemn funding for
dirty oil despite rising temperatures and climate change impacts in Quebec, and demand the cancellation of
cuts to workforce training in the province.
Record of the Proceedings of the House—Speaker's Ruling
The Speaker rules on a question of privilege about an editorial change in the Debates. A Member's word was changed after he admitted misspeaking. The Speaker accepts editors' reason for coherence and finds no breach of privilege.
1100 words.
Bill C‑65—Time Allocation Motion
Members debate Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act. The government invokes time allocation [/debates/2024/6/17/steven-mackinnon-2/] to advance the bill, citing dilatory tactics [/debates/2024/6/17/dominic-leblanc-6/]. Opposition criticizes this, arguing the date change primarily benefits MPs' pensions [/debates/2024/6/17/michael-cooper-1/] and disrupts municipal elections [/debates/2024/6/17/kristina-michaud-4/]. Debate also covers making voting more accessible [/debates/2024/6/17/lisa-marie-barron-1/], online registration risks, and indigenous language ballots.
2900 words, 20 minutes.
Bill C-65—Time Allocation Motion
Members debate Bill C-65, legislation aiming to enhance voter accessibility for groups like students and persons with disabilities. Liberals support the measures, citing democratic benefits. Conservatives criticize the bill, arguing its main purpose is to change the election date to benefit Liberal MPs' pensions and calling for an immediate election. The NDP supports accessibility but plans an amendment regarding the election date.
1600 words, 10 minutes.
Alleged Premature Release of Speaker's Ruling on Social Media—Speaker's Ruling
The Speaker apologizes for a premature tweet about a ruling and addresses an MP's profanity. An MP (Leah Gazan) questions why her language is addressed while racist language is tolerated.
400 words.
Electoral Participation Act
Second reading of
Bill C-65.
The bill amends the Canada Elections Act, proposing changes to increase voter participation and election integrity, such as addressing disinformation and party privacy. Opposition parties strongly criticize a provision to change the election date, alleging it primarily serves for MP pensions.
9000 words, 1 hour in 2 segments: 1 2.
Adjournment Debates
ArriveCan app hourly rate Garnett Genuis asks if Randeep Sarai believes $2,600 per hour was a reasonable rate for Kristian Firth's work on the ArriveCAN app. Sarai avoids a direct answer, stressing the government is addressing procurement issues and holding companies accountable, but Genuis presses him to answer directly.
Foreign interference investigation Kevin Vuong accuses the Liberal government of withholding documents related to foreign interference, protecting implicated party members. Randeep Sarai defends the government's transparency, citing support for the Hogue commission, and emphasizes the importance of cabinet confidences to protect Canada's democratic institutions.
