House of Commons Hansard #38 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was offences.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Military Justice System Modernization Act Second reading of Bill C-11. The bill Bill C-11 amends the National Defence Act, transferring jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences from the Canadian Armed Forces to civilian authorities in Canada. Liberals support it as a critical step to modernize the military justice system and center survivors' rights, implementing recommendations. Conservatives will support its referral to committee, but criticize the government's 10-year delay and alleged inaction on military sexual misconduct, raising concerns about court backlogs and potential political interference. 7000 words, 1 hour.
Arab Heritage Month Act First reading of Bill S-227. The bill designates April of every year as Arab Heritage Month across Canada. It aims to recognize the contributions of over one million Arab Canadians and make it a permanent fixture in the national calendar. 200 words.
Families, Children and Social DevelopmentOral Questions
Toronto—St. Paul's Ontario
Liberal
Leslie Church LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Prescott—Russell—Cumberland for the question.
Good news: Our new government is making the national school food program permanent. This will provide access to the nutritious food that all students need to learn. It will also save families approximately $800 a year on their grocery bills.
We are lowering costs for families so that children can thrive and parents can get ahead.
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Mr. Speaker, the controversial $1-billion loan to BC Ferries continues to take on water thanks to a CHEK News exclusive that shreds the bogus talking point that these ferries could not be built in Canada. We know that BC Ferries was presented a report that showed that Canadian shipyards could build these new vessels, creating thousands of jobs, billions in economic growth and pride in Canada's craftsmanship. Shamefully, they rejected this made-in-Canada option and instead went to Communist China.
With so many Canadian workers at the food bank, can a member remind us again why the Prime Minister is continually selling us out?
Caroline Desrochers LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, we have expressed our disappointment with how this process went. This is a Crown corporation. We were not part of it. However, I will tell the member what we did. We did set a policy to buy Canadian. We are encouraging all Canadian procurement to buy Canadian. We have also launched a defence procurement agency to encourage our companies. We are building Canada with Canadian workers and with Canadian materials. This is how we are building a strong Canadian economy, not by peddling slogans.
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Mr. Speaker, they are cutting cheques to China. The Liberals can pretend that this was all BC Ferries' sole decision, but it was the government that created the Canada Infrastructure Bank, filled it with billions of taxpayer dollars and allowed the loan to go forward with no questions asked. Conservatives believe the loan should be cancelled, because if Canadian shipyards, Canadian steelworkers and Canadian jobs do not qualify for support, what is Canadian about it?
If the government is more comfortable funding shipyards in the People's Republic of China than jobs here in Canada, why not just call it the “Beijing infrastructure bank” and be done with it?
Caroline Desrochers LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, once again the opposition is showing how they just want to divide Canadians. We are standing by Canadian workers. We are standing by Canadian industry. We are investing. We launched Build Canada Homes in order to build affordable homes in Canada. The last time Conservatives were in power, they lost 800,000 affordable homes, so please do not give us a lesson about affordability. You lost 800,000 affordable homes and built six affordable homes—
Marine TransportationOral Questions
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
Again, members will address their comments to the Chair.
The hon. member for Souris—Moose Mountain.
Steven Bonk Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Mr. Speaker, canola is not just a prairie success story; it is a national powerhouse, bigger than our steel, aluminum and auto sectors combined. However, while unfair Chinese tariffs continue to crush the canola sector, the Liberal government is silent; there is not a word, not a plan, not a single success.
When will the Liberals stop abandoning Canadian farmers and finally, for once, stand up for the good people who feed this country?
Sophie Chatel LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, canola is one of the best products in the world.
China's tariffs are completely unfair. As we are resolving this trade dispute, we are there to support our farmers with programs. We have announced $370 million in support, and we have changed the regulations to allow more biofuel in this country, which will use the product from our canola producers.
Zoe Royer Liberal Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, the world is changing. Global challenges are on the rise, and we are witnessing profound shifts affecting peace, prosperity and co-operation around the world.
The United Nations recently turned 80, and leaders from around the globe convened in New York for the UN General Assembly's high-level week.
Could the Secretary of State for International Development update the House on the overall outlook at the UN and the discussions he participated in?
Randeep Sarai LiberalSecretary of State (International Development)
Mr. Speaker, Canada has built a strong and enduring reputation as a trusted partner in international development. For over 50 years, we have fought poverty, hunger and disease, and we have been a consistent champion for human rights, dignity and equality.
At the UN General Assembly, one thing that stood out loud and clear was the deep trust our allies and partners place in our country as one that always stands ready to support shared action on global challenges. At a time when the rules-based order is coming under strain, many are looking to Canada as a clear voice for shared progress and co-operation.
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac, ON
Mr. Speaker, if we install automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in police cars to be used when the police are the first on the scene in a 911 call for a heart attack, we can save a lot of lives.
Municipal police across Canada have been saving lives with AEDs for years. RCMP officers are already trained on how to use AEDs. Equipping all RCMP vehicles nationwide with AEDs would save upwards of 300 lives per year. Therefore, after 10 years in government, why have the Liberals not installed AEDs in all RCMP cruisers?
Jacques Ramsay LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, this option has been considered before and is entirely valid. It involves costs and coordination with law enforcement and local organizations. A number of provinces already have similar programs that are producing good results. We can confirm that defibrillators are an effective way to save lives.
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, September's job numbers are out, and it is more bad news. Unemployment remains at a 10-year high, and the situation is getting worse for young people, who face the highest unemployment rate since 2010.
One in six youth is out of work, with many more underemployed and unable to gain experience in their chosen careers. This is not only unfair to them, but it is damaging our economy as their skills and talents go untapped.
What is the government doing to address this unprecedented jobs crisis, especially for young Canadians?
Leslie Church LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour
Mr. Speaker, today's job numbers are actually good for Canadians. They show that there are 60,000 net new jobs, 100,000 new jobs in full-time work and over 28,000 new jobs in manufacturing.
The government is squarely focused on young people and making sure that we are going to have good, career-building jobs for the future. That is why we are making major investments right now in major projects right across the country, building homes at a scale we have not seen since World War II. These are the types of initiatives that are going to create tens of thousands of good jobs for Canadians going forward.
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, higher unemployment for young people is not good news.
Yesterday, I met with the elbows up for climate coalition, a national group of mayors calling for federal investments to prevent and mitigate the ravages of climate change. They explained the real cost of failing to do so, from catastrophic destruction in such places as Jasper to the high cost of food because of crop failure and drought. Folks cannot get insurance, and they need help to retrofit their homes.
Will the government help their communities, take action on the climate and put young people to work through the NDP's Youth Climate Corps?
Wade Grant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, the last two people I talked to were my children, who are 17 and 14. I think about their future. I know the Liberal government has a strong message: We want to fight, protect and build Canada strong while protecting our environment. That is the commitment I have for my children. That is the commitment this side has for all children and youth right across this country. This country will be one that is even better and brighter for them to inherit in this generation and the next generation.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. During question period, the parliamentary secretary claimed that the jobs numbers were good news for young people.
I would like to request the permission of the House to table the actual jobs report—
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston—Etobicoke, ON
moved that Bill S-227, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month, be read the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce Bill S-227, an act respecting Arab Heritage Month. If passed, this bill would designate April of every year as Arab heritage month across Canada.
I want to thank Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak for reintroducing this important bill in the other place, and the member for Winnipeg North for seconding it. I also want to thank the member for Ottawa South, who first introduced it in this House during the 44th Parliament, where it passed unanimously on March 8, 2023, before unfortunately dying on the Order Paper in the other place.
The Arab world spans 22 nations, from the Arabian Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean. It is diverse in geography, climate and culture, yet united by shared traditions and the Arabic language. The first recorded Arab immigrant to Canada, Ibrahim Abou Nader, of Lebanese origin, arrived in Montreal in 1882. Today, over one million Canadians proudly trace their roots to the Arab world.
I urge all colleagues to support Bill S-227. By supporting this bill, we affirm that Arab Canadians are an olive branch on the Canadian family tree. Let us come together to ensure that Arab heritage month becomes a permanent fixture in our national calendar.
Shukran.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I suspect that if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to call it 2:30 p.m.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings