Debates of June 5th, 2024

Indigenous Affairs

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, indigenous tourism is a pillar of the government's tourism growth strategy, and Canada has the potential to become a leader in the world when it comes to authentic indigenous tourism. That is why NACCA will be delivering new funding to support large, scaled-up indigenous tourism projects. It will enable indigenous communities to scale up their projects and grow their own economy.

While Conservatives have always looked down on indigenous communities, we will continue to support indigenous tourism growth through an indigenous-led process.

Air Transportation

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, air passengers who have been grossly mistreated by the big airlines are having to wait years to have their complaints heard. The backlog of complaints is over 70,000 right now. We just learned of a couple from British Columbia who finally received compensation, only to have Air Canada turn around and sue them. The Liberals promised the strongest air passenger protections in the world, but the reality is the new rules make it easier for the airlines to sue their customers.

Strongest in the world? What world is the minister on?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians work very hard to save some money to travel to go see their loved ones and to take well-deserved vacations. That is why they deserve good service from the airline companies. The Conservatives did not do anything at all until we came here and put rules in place. The airlines have to do better, way better.

The Environment

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is World Environment Day. I am so honoured that visiting Ottawa the next few days are British Columbians who work night and day to protect our southern resident killer whale population, yet the government makes decision after decision after decision that further threatens their survival.

There are only 75 whales of this population left in the Salish Sea. The approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline and building the Trans Mountain pipeline increase the risk of spills and the certainty of increased noise. Also, there is the doubling of the Roberts Bank port in Vancouver over the objections of scientists who told the government it would threaten the survival of the southern resident killer whales.

Does the government understand the goal is to protect, not exterminate?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate a happy World Environment Day to the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, to all Greens, to Liberals, to NDP members and to the Bloc Québécois. Unfortunately, the Conservatives continue to deny the existence of climate change altogether, but just last year, the government announced important measures to help this country continue to lead the way in the fight against climate change. We published draft methane regulations to support cleaner energy; we introduced the world's first-ever cap on oil and gas emissions; we finalized our new EV availability standard to increase the supply of ZEVs across the country, and we committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver on a clean, green economy of the future.

Presence in Gallery

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

I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano and Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, representing the International Civil Aviation Organization as council president and secretary-general, respectively.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

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

I would also like to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Barb Ramsay, Minister of Social Development and Seniors for the Province of Prince Edward Island.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

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

I would also like to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order, with the support of the whips and House leaders of all recognized parties in this place, to recognize an important event that took place outside of these four walls last week: the annual soccer game between members of Parliament and the pages. It is important to let the record show that, despite the different capacities and the variety of ages of the MPs, we were able to eke out a very strong 5-3 win against the pages. I want the record to show that.

We are two weeks out from our summer break, and I think I speak—

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

That is not a point of order. Just after we said congratulations to the pages for their great job in singing O Canada, it is a shame that we have to say that they lost at soccer. I really think the hon. member should apologize for that.

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I was going to wrap up by saying thanks to our pages and everyone who was involved. I know we cannot table objects, but we do have something that we will be presenting to the pages outside of this place.

The House resumed from June 3 consideration of the motion, and of the amendment.

Finance

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

It being 3:20 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment to the motion to concur in the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Finance.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the amendment, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #796

Committees of the House

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

I declare the amendment defeated.

The next question is on the main 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, we believe that for this important issue it should be a recorded vote.

And before the Clerk announced the results of the vote:

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately the member for Ottawa South's photo is not showing up, so I do not think we can count his vote today.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #797

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

I declare the motion defeated.

The House resumed from June 4 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Measures to Lower Food Prices

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

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford relating to the business of supply.

The question is on the motion. May I dispense?