House of Commons Hansard #334 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was voting.

Topics

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Electoral Participation Act Second reading of Bill C-65. The bill seeks to amend the Canada Elections Act to encourage participation [/debates/2024/6/18/chandra-arya-1/], enhance privacy [/debates/2024/6/18/michael-coteau-1/], and safeguard the electoral process [/debates/2024/6/18/sukh-dhaliwal-1/]. Measures include easier voting for seniors [/debates/2024/6/18/lisa-marie-barron-4/] and persons with disabilities. Conservatives [/debates/2024/6/18/ed-fast-1/] and the Bloc Québécois [/debates/2024/6/18/luc-theriault-2/] criticize the bill's proposed election date change, alleging it's a pretext to allow more MPs to qualify for pensions [/debates/2024/6/18/ziad-aboultaif-2/], while the NDP plans an amendment to revert the date at committee [/debates/2024/6/18/lisa-marie-barron-4/]. 29400 words, 4 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives criticize the government's environmental decree for jeopardizing Quebec forestry jobs and interfering in provincial jurisdiction. They condemn the carbon tax for costing families $2,000 annually and causing $30 billion in economic damage, accusing the minister of a cover-up. They also attack the capital gains tax hike, arguing it harms farmers, small businesses, and those saving for retirement, contributing to rising poverty.
The Liberals defend their capital gains tax increase as necessary for the wealthiest to fund investments in programs like dental care and school food, accusing Conservatives of siding with the rich. They emphasize balancing the environment and economy, protecting species at risk and supporting forestry jobs. They also outline actions taken to counter foreign interference.
The Bloc criticizes the government's handling of foreign interference, its failure to transfer funds for seniors' programs and workforce training to Quebec, and Canada Post's hiring of unilingual English speakers in Quebec.
The NDP criticizes leaders for prioritizing party interests over addressing foreign interference. They condemn corporate greed causing high prices. Concerns are raised about the military grievance system and veterans' mental health.

Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1 Report stage of Bill C-69. The bill, C-69, is considered at report stage with deferred recorded divisions on numerous motions proposing amendments. Parties state their voting intentions and apply previous vote results for groups of motions. Most motions are defeated. The House then considers and agrees to the motion to concur in the bill as amended. 1600 words, 40 minutes.

Foreign Interference and Alleged Reputational Harm to Members of Parliament MP Jenny Kwan raises a question of privilege regarding the NSICOP report on foreign interference. She argues that the report's allegations of unnamed MPs working with foreign states like China and India damage the reputation of all members, impeding their ability to function. She proposes sending the matter to committee to identify those involved. Other parties reserve comment. 2000 words, 15 minutes.

Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1 Third reading of Bill C-69. The bill implements provisions of the 2024 budget. Liberals support its focus on the middle class, `social programs`[/debates/2024/6/18/kevin-lamoureux-10/] (like `dental care`[/debates/2024/6/18/don-davies-1/] and pharmacare), and infrastructure. Conservatives oppose the bill, citing increased spending, debt, and `cost of living`[/debates/2024/6/18/jasraj-singh-hallan-3/], criticizing the carbon tax and `capital gains tax increase`[/debates/2024/6/18/jasraj-singh-hallan-3/]. The Bloc opposes `federal interference`[/debates/2024/6/18/mario-beaulieu-2/] and the `open banking framework`[/debates/2024/6/18/gabriel-ste-marie-1/]. The NDP supports measures they influenced but notes bill shortcomings. 27200 words, 3 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.

Criminal Code Report stage of Bill S-224. The bill S-224 proposes changes to the Criminal Code on human trafficking. Originally intended to aid sex workers, it faced concerns it could criminalize helpers. Committee amendments removed its core content. Conservatives support the original bill, stating Liberals "gutted" it and are weak on crime. A vote on amendments is deferred. 1800 words, 15 minutes.

Adjournment Debate - Carbon Pricing Kelly Block argues the carbon tax makes Canadians poorer and hurts the economy, citing a hidden report and missed emissions targets. Julie Dabrusin denies a secret report and defends the carbon tax as effective, stating most families receive more in rebates than they pay and that Canada is on track to meet its 2026 emissions targets. 1200 words, 10 minutes.

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Bill C-65 Electoral Participation ActGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

[Chair read text of amendment to House]

If a member present in the House wishes that the amendment be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

Bill C-65 Electoral Participation ActGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

Conservative

Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK

Madam Speaker, I would ask for a recorded vote.

Bill C-65 Electoral Participation ActGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, June 19, at the expiry for the time provided for Oral Questions.

Message from the SenateGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

I have the honour to inform the House that a message has been received from the Senate informing this House that the Senate has passed the following bill, to which the concurrence of the House is desired: Bill S‑244, an act to amend the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and the Employment Insurance Act with regard to the Employment Insurance Council.

Message from the SenateGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Madam Speaker, there have been consultation between the House leadership, and I suspect if you were to ask for unanimous consent to call it midnight so we could get to the late show, that it would be approved.

Message from the SenateGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

I have received notice from all recognized parties that they are in agreement with this request.

Is it agreed?

Message from the SenateGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.

Carbon PricingAdjournment Proceedings

8:40 p.m.

Conservative

Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK

Madam Speaker, the Liberal government refuses to acknowledge that Canadians pay more into the carbon tax than they get back. However, over a year ago, the Parliamentary Budget Officer published his report, which showed that, taking into account the full economic impact of the government's carbon tax regime, most Canadians were worse off.

On top of this, the government has a secret report, which shows that the carbon tax regime also has a costly impact on our GDP, lowering future GDP growth by tens of billions of dollars. After it was revealed at committee that the Liberals had put a gag order on the Parliamentary Budget Officer in a desperate attempt to protect their false narrative and prop up their failed carbon tax, Conservatives put the pressure on, and the report was made public.

What is even worse is that they have hidden this number for years. Let us stop to think about that. The Liberal government has been hiding the fact that the carbon tax will cost Canadians $30 billion by 2030. This works out to $1,824 per family in extra annual costs. Despite both of these reports showing that Canadians are worse off with the carbon tax, the Liberals are doubling down, to the detriment of Canadians and our economy.

Their claims are false. Canadians are not better off paying a carbon tax. The carbon tax has proved to be ineffective in reducing Canada's carbon emissions to targeted levels. The government has missed every target it has set. In fact, the environment commissioner has reported that the government will miss its targets for 2030. However, even if we reduced our emissions to zero, the natural disasters would not suddenly cease to happen.

We are not in a bubble protected by the government's carbon tax. In fact, the effects attributed to climate change would even continue to happen if Canada reduced its emissions to zero. Despite all these factors, the government continues to push its disastrous carbon tax, making Canadians poorer and tanking our future economic prospects.

Can the government explain why it refuses to accept the fact that its carbon tax has done nothing but cause misery for Canadians?

Carbon PricingAdjournment Proceedings

8:45 p.m.

Toronto—Danforth Ontario

Liberal

Julie Dabrusin LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Madam Speaker, sometimes it is hard to know where to begin after hearing a speech like that, but let me begin with the part about the secret report. There is no secret report. The Parliamentary Budget Officer himself said today at committee that the government is not muzzling him. He specifically stated that. It makes no sense to say that documents are being hidden when all of the data, that information, was specifically provided to an independent costing officer to inform them as they prepared their public reports.

Environment and Climate Change Canada, like all departments of this government, routinely gives the PBO access to large datasets to support it in the creation of high-quality analysis. There is co-operation in preparing those reports. Just last week, Environment and Climate Change Canada published the data that was provided to the Parliamentary Budget Officer on carbon pollution pricing in relation to national and provincial gross domestic product for the 2022-30 period. That is the dataset we have been talking about.

We have disclosed the information, and the PBO has specifically said that he is not muzzled. He said there may have been a misunderstanding because he was speaking in his second language. It is very clear that everybody has the data now.

Let us talk a bit more about these pieces. I am so tired of hearing about carbon pricing costing more. Over 300 economists from right across our country have signed a letter to us parliamentarians specifically telling us that this is not true and that it works. Let us talk about both of those things.

First of all, pricing carbon pollution does work. It is simply incorrect to say that we are not meeting targets. We are on track to meeting our 2026 target. That was stated by the environment commissioner.

Let us go a few steps further. We put in a national inventory report with the UN last year for the 2023 inventory of our greenhouse gases. That report showed that last year, we had the lowest emissions in over three decades, except for the pandemic years. We are showing amazing progress in turning that ship around. It was a big ship to turn around because the Conservative government that preceded us did absolutely nothing. It did not have a plan to curb Canada's emissions.

We have put in place a plan. Our emissions are coming down. We are doing the hard work, and it is being done in a very efficient way with carbon pricing.

Let me talk briefly about the fact that carbon pricing includes a rebate. I am going to highlight that because I think we do not talk about it enough.

Most Canadians, eight out of 10 families, get back more through the carbon rebate than they pay in carbon pricing. As of April 15, 2024, a family of four will receive quarterly payments, which I am going to list here. It is $450 four times a year in Alberta; $300 four times a year in Manitoba; $280 four times a year in Ontario; $376 four times a year in Saskatchewan; $190 four times a year in New Brunswick; $206 four times a year in Nova Scotia; $220 in P.E.I.; and $298 in Newfoundland and Labrador. That is four times a year, plus a rural top-up to make it even more.

Carbon PricingAdjournment Proceedings

8:45 p.m.

Conservative

Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK

Madam Speaker, the Liberal government has lost itself in its own ideological mess of narratives. Its insistence on misleading Canadians, despite their own lived experience dealing with the carbon tax, reminds me of a famous quote: “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

Canadians are not buying what the government is selling. After nine years of the Prime Minister, life has never been so expensive. His inflationary taxes have driven up the cost of everything. Mortgages have doubled. Rent has doubled. Food prices are up, forcing families to pay $700 more for groceries this year, while millions of Canadians are lined up outside food banks.

Canadians are tired of the government and its broken promises and failed policies. They are ready for change and a government that will actually take action for Canadians.

When will the government call a carbon tax election and allow Canadians to decide whether or not they want to axe the tax?

Carbon PricingAdjournment Proceedings

8:50 p.m.

Liberal

Julie Dabrusin Liberal Toronto—Danforth, ON

Madam Speaker, once again, over 300 economists and people from universities right across our country wrote to parliamentarians and said that carbon pricing does not cost Canadians more. They get more back through the rebate than they pay. Yes, it is effective. It is a market mechanism. It is effective and it works.

More to the point, climate change costs Canadians, and that cost is going to continue to go up if we do not tackle it now. That is what the Conservatives are going to do. They are going to let the planet burn, and they are going to force us to pay for it.

Carbon PricingAdjournment Proceedings

June 18th, 2024 / 8:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 8:51 p.m.)