House of Commons Hansard #31 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-9.

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 condemn the government's economic mismanagement, citing alarming deficits and collapsing investment. They highlight job losses, escalating food prices and the burden on seniors supporting families due to Liberal taxes and inflation. They also criticize the Public Safety Minister's failed gun confiscation program.
The Liberals highlight Canada's strongest credit rating and commitment to spend less to invest more, emphasizing tax cuts for 22 million Canadians and growing wages. They focus on nation-building projects, housing initiatives, and a defence industrial strategy. Other priorities include seniors' benefits, modernizing Canada Post, implementing a firearms compensation program, and respecting Indigenous rights in project development.
The Bloc criticizes the government's interference in the Canada Post negotiations, blaming its incompetence for a crisis that drastically reduces service. They highlight the lack of consultation and the negative impact on Quebeckers, accusing Liberals of adopting Conservative policies.
The NDP criticizes the government's push for Canada Post privatization and a bill violating Indigenous rights.

Petitions

Canada Post Members request an emergency debate on the government's proposed cuts to Canada Post services, including ending daily home mail delivery and closing rural post offices. They highlight the ongoing national strike and its impact on Canadians. 700 words.

Members' Access to Federal Penitentiary—Speaker's Ruling Members debate a question of privilege concerning an MP's alleged obstruction during a federal penitentiary visit. The Speaker rules that the right to visit isn't parliamentary privilege and the incident doesn't constitute a breach. 1300 words.

Combatting Hate Act Second reading of Bill C-9. The bill aims to combat hate and protect access to religious or cultural places. Liberals say it strengthens laws against hate-motivated intimidation, obstruction, and the display of hate symbols, creating a new hate crime offence. Conservatives argue it is "duplicative," lowers the definition of hate, removes safeguards, and fails to address rising crime or anti-Christian bigotry. Bloc members voice concerns about protest rights and a religious exemption, while NDP members cite "vague language" and the bill's failure to address white nationalism. 21300 words, 3 hours.

Adjournment Debates

Youth unemployment crisis Garnett Genuis criticizes the government's policies for high youth unemployment rates and prolonged job searches. Annie Koutrakis defends the government's investments in skills training, apprenticeships, and programs for young people, emphasizing the need for skilled trades and a growing economy.
Assault weapons ban Andrew Lawton criticizes the Liberal "buyback" program as ineffective and targeting law-abiding gun owners. Jacques Ramsay defends the ban as necessary to public safety, citing mass shootings and expert opinions. Lawton questions the prohibition of specific firearms like the Plinkster, while Ramsay emphasizes the government's commitment to removing assault weapons.
Budget Delays and Inflation Greg McLean criticizes the government for being seven months late in presenting the budget, citing incompetence and disregard for taxpayers' money. McLean warns that deficits financed by printing money will cause inflation. Jacques Ramsay says the budget will be tabled on November 4, and will focus on fiscal discipline and economic growth.
Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

I will allow the member to start over without naming names.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Rebecca Chartrand Liberal Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB

Mr. Speaker, no project will move forward without honouring section 35. As the Prime Minister has said, meaningful consultation and co-operation are at the heart of our new government approach to nation building.

The indigenous advisory council brings first nations, Métis and Inuit, from day one, to strengthen treaty and constitutional duties, not replace them. With capacity funding and the double $10 billion indigenous loan guarantee, indigenous people will help shape and share in the projects.

Following the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reaffirm our commitment to a lasting, respectful partnership.

EmploymentOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Conservative

Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora—Kiiwetinoong, ON

Mr. Speaker, northern Ontario was hit with devastating job news this week when Kap Paper in Kapuskasing announced plans to close its mill, affecting 200 jobs directly and many more indirectly. The company is blaming a lack of federal supports for this decision, saying that although a program was announced months ago to help, nothing is going to be available in time to save this mill.

This is completely ridiculous. It is incompetence at its worst. Why have the Liberals broken their promise to these workers by making big, grand announcements and then leaving northern Ontario abandoned?

EmploymentOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Québec

Liberal

Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Mr. Speaker, the closure of Kap Paper is a gut punch to workers, their families and, of course, their communities. The federal government is at the table and willing to help. The province needs to come back to the table.

That being said, along with the Minister of Jobs, I am meeting with the executives from Kap Paper this afternoon, and we are in solution mode.

Canada Post CorporationOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

NDP

Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is siding with Canada Post executives to help privatize the postal service. What does that mean? It means cuts to services for seniors, the disability community and rural areas, as well as attacks on well-paying union jobs.

Today, postal workers said no more, rallying on Parliament Hill to tell the Prime Minister to make no more cuts to Canada Post.

Why does the minister not stop what he is doing, actually do his job, protect public services and stop attacking workers?

Canada Post CorporationOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Louis-Hébert Québec

Liberal

Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, it is because we realize on this side and know full well that Canada Post is an essential institution to the fabric of our nation that we are taking the necessary steps to put it on the path to financial viability. Canada Post is an institution worth saving. It is an institution, at this time, that needs saving. It is losing $10 million a day. It needs to modernize. This is why we are taking the steps to make sure we provide service all across the country.

Canada Post CorporationOral Questions

October 1st, 2025 / 3:05 p.m.

NDP

Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

During question period, the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs provided information about section 35 of the Constitution. The bill actually does not respect section 35 and is in violation of indigenous—

Canada Post CorporationOral Questions

3:10 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

That is a matter of debate; it is not a point of order.

The House resumed from September 25 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Food TaxationBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:10 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

It being 3:10 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Foothills relating to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #39

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

I declare the motion lost.

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. In keeping with the spirit of how we were operating last week, we note that the member for Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay was not in her seat when you read out the vote. She came in right afterward as you started calling the question on it.

Perhaps you could canvass the member to ask whether she voted from her phone, but it would appear that her vote should not count since she did rise and vote in the chamber.

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

Was the hon. member in her seat when the vote began? I did not see, personally.

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

Conservative

Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC

Mr. Speaker, I was here for the question.

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

What I am trying to ask the hon. member is this: I assume the member is saying she was in the chamber when the question was read, but was she in her seat when the vote began?

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

Conservative

Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC

Mr. Speaker, I could clearly hear you say the question.

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

Was the member in her seat when the voting started? Yes?

We are all hon. members here. We will take the hon. member's word.

The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader is rising on a point of order.

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, it is important that everyone clearly understand the rule. The member opposite was not sitting in her seat as you were reading the question. I believe that if you put it to the member in that fashion, she might have been there at the very tail end, but she was not in her seat while the question had started to be read. If members have to be in their seat at the time at which the question is being read from the beginning, then her vote should not count.

Your clarification on the issue would be helpful.

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

Just to clarify, the rule is that the member has to be able to hear the question but not necessarily be in their seat. However, when the vote begins, they must be in their seat. The hon. member said that she was in her seat, and we obviously give her the benefit of the doubt on that, so we will move on.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division, the time provided for Government Orders will be extended by 12 minutes.

Public SafetyPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to present a petition on behalf of the constituents of Riding Mountain.

The people of Swan River are experiencing an alarming increase in violent crime that has threatened the safety and well-being of families across our region. A recent report by Manitoba west district RCMP found that over an 18-month period, just one offender in Swan River was responsible for 107 offences.

Petitioners continue to suffer consequences from the soft-on-crime Liberal policies, like Bill C-5, which repealed mandatory jail time for serious crimes and Bill C-75, which forces judges to release repeat violent offenders right back onto the streets. Petitioners in the Swan Valley want to see the end to the Liberals' reckless catch-and-release policies so that criminals can stay behind bars.

This is why the people of Swan River are demanding jail, not bail, for violent repeat offenders. I support the good people of Swan River.

FirearmsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Conservative

Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to lay before the House today.

The first petition is from citizens in my riding in the community of Blackstock in the Township of Scugog with respect to the public safety minister's gun confiscation plan.

The petitioners point out that the government is trying to ban and confiscate the hunting rifles and shotguns of law-abiding hunters and sport shooters, and that Canada already has one of the most sensible and responsible regimes for controlling firearms anywhere in the world. Moreover, the petitioners note that it is not legal firearms that are the cause of gun violence in this country, but illegal firearms flooding across the border.

The residents of my riding who signed this petition therefore call on the government to repeal Bill C-21 and all relevant orders in council, regulations and other laws concerning the prohibition and confiscation of firearms; cancel the gun confiscation program; apologize to legal firearms owners in Canada; and compensate them for the loss of the use and enjoyment of their firearms.

Charitable OrganizationsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from citizens and residents of Canada who are calling on the Government of Canada to reject recommendation 430 of the FINA pre-budget report, reaffirm Canada's commitment to an open culture and support each citizen's freedom to promote the common good through advancement of religion without punitive financial measures.

Sustainable FinancePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:30 p.m.

Bloc

Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to present this petition signed by Canadians who are concerned about the Prime Minister's inaction on sustainable finance.

These petitioners draw the attention of the House to the fact that 10 years ago, in a speech, the Prime Minister referred to what he himself called the “tragedy of the horizon”. Among other things, he called for climate risk to be integrated into the global financial system, while denouncing politicians who make short-term economic decisions without considering the more severe and costly consequences of climate change.

Ten years later, Canada still has not taken the steps needed to hold the financial sector accountable in the face of the climate crisis. The petitioners, much like 65% of Canadians and 73% of Quebeckers, are in favour of climate regulations. The Prime Minister called for such regulations 10 years ago, he promised to bring them in during the election campaign, and now he needs to take action.