Debates of June 18th, 2024

Dental Care

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last month, eligible Canadians were able to begin receiving care under the Canadian dental care plan. In my community of Newmarket—Aurora and across Canada, many seniors who have not been able to afford a dentist are now able to visit participating dental providers.

Could the Minister of Health update the House with respect to how many Canadians have already received care under the plan, and about the newest cohort that can begin applying for the Canadian dental plan?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Newmarket—Aurora for his incredible advocacy, along with the parliamentarians in the House who are standing with vulnerable Canadians who need dental care.

In just six weeks, more than 200,000 seniors from coast to coast to coast were able to receive dental care. To put that in practical terms, the call centre got a call yesterday from an 87-year-old woman, in tears, because for the first time since she was 11 years old, somebody allowed her to get her mouth taken care of.

We are going to make sure that all nine million Canadians everywhere in the country get the care they need.

National Defence

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been saying for years that their grievance system is broken. Today's ombudsman's report confirmed this. On average, Canadian Armed Forces members have to wait 1,000 days to get compensated when there is a mistake with their pay. People are frustrated, they are tired and they are angry. Our men and women who bravely serve our country and keep Canadians safe deserve better.

The government keeps failing our armed forces. Will the minister tell us the steps he will take to implement the ombud's recommendations?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, from COVID-19 to natural disasters and for their excellent work in Europe, our brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces have always been there for Canadians. It is our job to make sure that members of our forces and their families are well supported.

That is why I have accepted all of the ombudsman's recommendations to transform and modernize our military grievance system. As well, we are making significant new investments to support those members, with $100 million for child care, nearly $300 million for a housing strategy and nearly $500 million to digitize the health care records. We and our government will always be there for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Veterans Affairs

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, between 2010 and 2020, 191 Canadian military personnel died by suicide. Instead of addressing mental health challenges, Liberal and Conservative governments have cut funding, putting veterans at risk.

The Burns Way is ready to provide more trained, peer-to-peer support to our brave veterans, particularly for indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ veterans. They deserve nothing less.

Will the minister commit today to funding The Burns Way, yes or no?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I first want to take a moment to thank the members of the veterans affairs committee for the important study they presented last week on women veterans. We certainly recognize that a lot of work needs to be done, and I want to commend all the members who worked on this report.

On the issue of mental health services as well, two years ago the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada ensured that when members of the Canadian Armed Forces or veterans apply for mental health services, they can have access to those services immediately without any assessments. We want to make sure that when veterans are applying for services, they will have the care that they need when they need it the most.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence in memory of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, assassinated in Surrey, British Columbia, one year ago today.

I now invite hon. members to rise.

[A moment of silence observed]

The House resumed from June 17 consideration of Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024, as reported (with amendments) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.

Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being 3:20 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the motions at report stage of Bill C‑69.

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The question is on Motion No. 1. A vote on this motion also applies to Motions Nos. 2 to 31.

(The House divided on Motion No. 1, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #831

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I declare Motion No. 1 defeated. I therefore declare Motions Nos. 2 to 31 defeated.

The question is on Motion No. 32.

A vote on this motion also applies to Motion No. 33.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I believe that if you seek it, you will find agreement to apply the results from the previous vote to this vote, with the Liberal members voting nay.

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

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives agree to apply the vote, with Conservatives voting yea.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting against this motion.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is the birthday of the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, so I would like to say that, in his honour, we accept to apply the vote and we will be voting no.

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Greens agree to apply the vote, and we will be voting against.

[Alain Rayes, Independent, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I agree to apply and will be voting no.

(The House divided on Motion No. 32, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #832

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I declare Motion No. 32 defeated. I therefore declare Motion No. 33 defeated.

The question is on Motion No. 34. A vote on this motion also applies to Motions Nos. 35 to 37.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I believe that if you seek it, you will find agreement from all parties to apply the results of the previous vote to this vote, with the Liberal members voting nay.

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

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives agree to apply the vote, with Conservatives voting yea.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Salaberry—Suroît, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting against this motion.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the New Democratic Party of Canada will agree to apply the vote, and we will be voting no.

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Green Party agrees to apply the vote and will be voting against this motion.