House of Commons Hansard #45 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was amendments.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Canadian Canola Industry Pierre Poilievre requests an emergency debate on unfair Chinese tariffs impacting Canadian canola producers, a $5-billion industry. He criticizes the Prime Minister's "failed diplomacy" and urges action before the PM meets President Xi. 500 words.
An Act to Implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Second reading of Bill C-13. The bill implements the United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Liberals argue this strengthens the agreement, diversifies Canada's trade, and provides expanded market access and opportunity for industries like seafood. Conservatives support free trade but criticize the government for securing no concessions, leaving pork and cattle farmers with unresolved trade barriers and ignoring frozen British pensions. The Bloc supports the principle but opposes investor-state dispute settlement provisions and demands greater transparency and democratic process in treaty ratification. 30900 words, 4 hours.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Bloc MP Christine Normandin raises a question of privilege regarding new forms posted by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner without required parliamentary approval, violating the Conflict of Interest Code. 400 words.
Citizenship Act Report stage of Bill C-3. The bill amends the Citizenship Act to restore citizenship to certain "lost Canadians" and expand citizenship by descent. The Liberal government supports a three-year "substantial connection" requirement for parents. Conservatives and Bloc Québécois propose amendments for a stronger connection test, security screening, language, and citizenship tests. Liberals argue these amendments are inconsistent and could create stigma, while Conservatives contend the original bill devalues Canadian citizenship. 19100 words, 2 hours.
National Strategy for Flood and Drought Prediction Act Second reading of Bill C-241. The bill establishes a national strategy respecting flood and drought forecasting to protect Canadians from increasing extreme weather. Proponents highlight improved coordination and early warning. Critics question its necessity, with some suggesting it's a "duplication" of existing efforts or "greenwashing" due to a perceived lack of budgetary impact and calls for using existing resources. 7900 words, 1 hour.
Aslam Rana Liberal Hamilton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, skilled trade workers are essential for building the homes, infrastructure and economy that Canadians rely on every day. Unions play a critical role in training the next generation of tradespeople and helping to address persistent labour shortages.
Can the Secretary of State for Labour tell the House how budget 2025 is supporting union-based apprenticeship training and helping more Canadians build rewarding, high-paying careers in the skilled trades?
John Zerucelli LiberalSecretary of State (Labour)
Mr. Speaker, the BC Building Trades are in town, and their message is clear: It is time to build.
We agree with them. We are investing in major infrastructure projects across the country. We are building more homes, but none of that happens without the people who are going to do the building. That is why, through budget 2025, we are doubling the union training innovation program, strengthening the Red Seal trades and creating more opportunities for apprentices.
This is about investing in people and investing in our workers, because when we invest in our union workers, we invest in Canada's future. I hope the other parties join us in voting for the budget on November 4.
Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, Quebec has already seen its 15th femicide since the beginning of the year. This morning, we learned that the number of women who are victims of domestic violence has increased by 39% across Canada since 2015. Bailey McCourt died because the system failed to protect her. Gabie Renaud died because the system protects criminals more than it does victims.
Their families are calling for greater protection and fewer slaps on the wrist. As everyone knows, the Conservatives are listening and coming up with real solutions, such as Bill C‑225. Will the Liberal government finally listen to the Conservatives and keep dangerous people behind bars instead of at home?
Nathalie Provost LiberalSecretary of State (Nature)
Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time I have risen in the House, because the issue of femicide victims affects us all in Canada. I am well aware of that. The important thing is to have a broad and integrated approach.
We have already introduced bills that will allow us to take action. We think it is better to support the overall structure. That is how we are going to support the Canadian system, which will prevent violence against women.
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, housing cost is the biggest contributing factor to the affordability crisis. Notwithstanding the promise of Build Canada Homes, new homes will not materialize until years from now, and there would be no federal subsidies to ensure affordability.
Renters are in a crisis now. Corporate landlords are hiking rent far beyond inflation, and ordinary Canadians are being forced out of their homes. Housing profiteers are jacking up rent by 30%, 40% or even 50%.
National vacancy control legislation would stop this gouging cold. Will the Prime Minister bring back a national vacancy control, like the one we used to have before the war, to protect renters?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, the government is very focused on affordable housing, in particular, non-market rental housing. We are starting with $1 billion that, with the support of the House on the budget, we can dedicate to transitional supportive housing for people who are homeless or people who are in shelters. If we get them into transitional homes and supports, they can move into permanent housing.
We are focused on the tens of thousands of units of affordable rental housing that we want to build across this country. We count on the member's support in the House to do that.
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
Uqaqtittiji, Iqaluit residents are protesting high grocery prices. In Cambridge Bay, even with the subsidy of $7.39, 12 bruised oranges cost $26.76. No one can afford these prices. The North West Company is profiting from our tax dollars while Inuit families are going hungry.
Will the minister accelerate the nutrition north review so that Inuit families can finally afford food?
Rebecca Alty LiberalMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Mr. Speaker, the government has promised to overhaul nutrition north, and work is moving ahead. We are expanding beyond retail subsidies by codeveloping support for local harvesters and community food programs. Over 5,500 harvesters have received fuel, gear and safety support, and dozens of community freezers and sharing programs are running across the north. In the Northwest Territories, a managed reindeer herd supplies hospitals and community feasts, keeping country food moving year-round.
That is how we are delivering food security and affordability, led by the north and built to last. We will continue to work with our partners.
The House resumed from October 27 consideration of the motion and of the amendment.
Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It being 3:11 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment of the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes to the motion to concur in the third report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
Call in the members.
And the bells having rung:
Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
No.
Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I declare the amendment carried.
The next question is on the main motion, as amended.
The question is as follows. May I dispense?
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
[Chair read text of motion to House]
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.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, I believe if you seek it, you will find consent to apply the results of the previous vote to this vote, with Liberal members voting no.
Chris Warkentin Conservative Grande Prairie, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives agree to apply the vote, with the Conservatives voting in favour.
Yves Perron Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting in favour of the motion.
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, the New Democrats agree to apply the results of the last vote to the current vote, with the New Democrats voting in favour.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Green Party also agrees to apply the vote and will be voting yes.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I declare the motion, as amended, carried.
Accordingly, the third report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics is referred back to the standing committee.
I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded divisions, Government Orders will be extended by 18 minutes.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to the question of privilege raised last Friday by the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes concerning the posting of new forms on the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.
If what the member alleges is true, then that is a clear violation of the rules established by the House, which could lead to a finding of contempt of Parliament as a result of a serious infringement of the House of Commons' rights and powers. That is all the more concerning because it would mean a violation of an explicit requirement in the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons that stems from a deliberate choice by the House.
Section 30 of the code states that the commissioner must submit any proposed guidelines relating to this code to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, which, after study, tables a report in the House. Subsection 30(2) states the following:
(2) Any guidelines and forms approved by the committee shall be reported to the House and shall come into effect when the report is concurred in by the House.
This confirms the practice of requiring forms to be submitted to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs for approval and, ultimately, to the House itself. The fact that forms were published on the commissioner's website without review and approval also appears to violate subsection 30(3), which requires the forms to remain confidential until they are reported to the House.
However, I will say that I went on the commissioner's website and could not find the forms referred to by the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes on Friday. Therefore I was unable to see the violation raised by the member first-hand, but in any event it is important to remember that this requirement in section 30 of the code is not a simple administrative detail. It is meant to ensure that the tools and mechanisms used for its interpretation and application are validated by democratically elected bodies. Although the commissioner performs his duties independently, he is not above the rules established by the House.
As a member of Parliament and a member of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, I believe it is important that the committee look into this matter in order to prevent a precedent from being set and to ensure that instruments for interpreting the code cannot be amended or introduced without parliamentary oversight.
Mr. Speaker, I am therefore asking you to find that there is a prima facie case of breach of parliamentary privilege, and I believe that it must be referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.