Debates of Nov. 19th, 2025

Falun Gong

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I bring the voices of Canadians who bring the following. The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a 26-year campaign of eradication against Falun Gong practitioners, who have suffered human rights abuses including mass arbitrary detentions. They have not only suffered that within China but have also been subjected to transnational repression, including bomb threats and shooting threats against Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance and music performance presented globally.

The G7 leaders have condemned transnational repression; therefore, petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to publicly call on the Chinese regime to end its persecution of Falun Gong in China and its transnational repression abroad; continue to impose sanctions to pursue accountability for CCP officials and their proxies; and take stronger measures to protect the Falun Gong community targeted by foreign repression.

Taxation

[Jonathan Rowe, Conservative, Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL]

Mr. Speaker, as Canadians, we pride ourselves on having free health care, but that is not entirely true. Dental care, physiotherapy, chiropractor services and massage therapy are all forms of health care that Canadians have to pay for, but to add insult to injury, thousands of Canadians are actually paying GST and HST on their health care. Even with a doctor's referral, Canadians are paying GST and HST on massage therapy. People in my riding are frustrated about the inequity.

On almost all forms of health care, including dental care, physio and chiropractor services, Canadians do not have to pay GST, but they do have to pay it on massage therapy; therefore I am pleased to present on their behalf a petition to remove GST and HST on massage therapy.

Israel

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present petition e-6662, which was signed by nearly 11,000 Canadians. The petitioners wish to call the attention of the Government of Canada to the actions of the Government of Israel in the West Bank and Gaza, dating back to 1967; its repeated violations of international law; and the continued suffering experienced by the Palestinians to this day.

Until Israel withdraws from the occupied Palestinian territories, petitioners call on Canada to end the sale of military equipment, cancel its free trade agreement and ensure that all who have violated Canadian or international law face justice.

Basic Income Guarantee Program

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, within the Waterloo region are five ridings, and I am pleased to represent the good people of the riding of Waterloo.

Dozens of constituents within the region of Waterloo have signed a petition calling on the Government of Canada to work with Prince Edward Island's special committee on poverty. They are talking about the guaranteed basic income program. A pilot within P.E.I. was suggested. Constituents would really like the Government of Canada to advance this important work to implement a guaranteed basic income program demonstration. I am pleased to present this petition on their behalf.

Agriculture

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise on behalf of constituents of mine from Courtenay, Cumberland, Errington and Parksville who have all signed a petition. They cite that when the Plant Breeders' Rights Act was amended in 2015, farmers rang the bell that the age-old right to save seed on their own farms was being reframed as farmer's privilege, which could be taken away by regulation. They warned that future governments could side with foreign multinationals that want to force farmers to buy seed from them and pay royalties every year, and that the CFIA's proposed regulatory amendment would do just that, starting with fruit, vegetable, ornamental and hybrid varieties.

The thousands of petitioners are calling on the government to abandon this corporate paragraph and say no to proposed changes that would remove farmer's privilege for new varieties of fruit, ornamental and vegetable plants and hybrid varieties.

Climate Change

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

Mr. Speaker, petitioners from my community, as well as others, have petitioned the House to please, in the House, take note of the reality that the signatories and parties to the Paris Agreement, including Canada, have committed to pursuing efforts to limit temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and as far below 2°C as possible. They call upon the Government of Canada to take bold climate action to ensure that Canada pulls its weight in the world.

In summary, petitioners call for Canada to reduce greenhouse gases, and to do so by arresting the growth in oil sands expansion, opposing all new fossil fuel infrastructure and working with the provinces to phase out the few remaining places where there is coal-fired electricity, while investing in the transition to a prosperous, decarbonized economy.

Public Safety

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table a petition on behalf of residents of Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford who are concerned with the rising rates of organized violence, extortion, shootings and intimidation across the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Daylight shootings, murders and other acts of violence highlight a more systemic public safety crisis. The petitioners mourn the tragic death of Darshan Singh Sahsi.

Residents call upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how federal, provincial and local municipalities are working together to prevent further increases in violent and organized crime.

Human Trafficking

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I would like to present today is on behalf of British Columbians who are concerned about human trafficking. They are calling upon the Government of Canada to strengthen the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act to address its shortcomings and put an end to human trafficking in Canada.

Supportive Housing Project

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition I would like to present today is on behalf of angered parents who are concerned about the actions of BC Housing and its proposed safe consumption site across the street from Abbotsford Traditional School.

The petitioners are calling upon the federal government to enforce the decriminalization policies, the protection of children, that were in that agreement with British Columbia and halt all funding to BC Housing until it removes this proposed project and finds an alternative location for this housing project.

Medical Assistance in Dying

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present today.

First, I rise to present the following petition. The petitioners state that it is unacceptable for Canadians to choose medical assistance in dying due to a lack of available services or treatments. This is not a real choice. They point out that allowing MAID for people with disabilities or chronic non-terminal illnesses devalues their lives. It sends the dangerous message that life with a disability is optional.

A recent article in Le Soleil told the disturbing story of a sick man who was basically advised by a social worker to give up the fight and choose death. That is not compassion. It is a betrayal of our duty to protect human dignity.

The petitioners are therefore calling upon the Government of Canada to protect all Canadians whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable by prohibiting MAID for people whose prognosis is more than six months. Offering death is not true compassion. True compassion is offering support, listening and hope.

Duty Exemptions

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I am tabling today has been brought to me by members of the Ukrainian community. They highlight that more than 200,000 Ukrainians have found safe haven in Canada since 2022. While the cost of living is affecting Canadians across the country, it is also deeply challenging for newcomers. Many face emotional and financial pressures, including the high costs of importing personal belongings from Ukraine.

Canada's current duty-free limit for international packages remains at just $20, and that has not changed since 1992. Because of this, Ukrainians are often subject to customs duties when receiving personal items sent by their families, which makes their lives more difficult.

The petitioners urge the government to raise the duty-free limit for packages from Ukraine to at least $150, which is in line with humanitarian principles and reciprocal measures under the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement.

Charitable Organizations

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the third and final petition I am tabling today raises concern about recommendation 430 in the finance committee's pre-budget report. This recommendation calls for the stripping of charitable status from all houses of worship from all faith communities. Petitioners are deeply concerned about this proposal, and although this was not contained in this particular budget, the government has yet to repudiate this recommendation.

Petitioners call on the government never to implement the recommendations of its own Liberal-dominated finance committee, particularly recommendation 430.

Disability Supports

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of Canadians who are concerned about access to disability supports for those living with severe mental illness.

The petitioners note that Canadians diagnosed with conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia continue to face greater barriers when trying to apply for federal disability programs. They believe current forms do not fully recognize the serious and life-altering impacts of psychological disabilities.

The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to improve how disability related to mental illness is assessed so vulnerable Canadians and their families can receive the support they need. I am honoured to table this petition on their behalf.

Questions Passed as Orders for Return

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if the government's responses to Questions Nos. 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 and 408 could be made orders for returns, these returns would be tabled in electronic format immediately.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

[For text of questions and responses, see Written Questions website]

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Motions for Papers

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all notices of motions for the production of papers be allowed to stand.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

The House proceeded to the consideration of Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, as reported (with amendments) from the committee.

Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

There being no motions at report stage, the House will now proceed, without debate, to the putting of the question on the motion to concur in the bill at report stage.