House of Commons Hansard #50 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.
Citizenship Act Third reading of Bill C-3. The bill addresses an Ontario court ruling that found the Citizenship Act's first-generation limit unconstitutional. It allows Canadians born abroad to pass citizenship to their children also born abroad, provided the parent has 1,095 cumulative days of physical presence in Canada. Liberals argue this ensures equality and responds to a court deadline. Conservatives and Bloc members contend the bill, which saw committee-passed amendments rejected, devalues citizenship by lacking requirements like language proficiency and security checks, creating "citizens of convenience" and "unfettered chain migration." 34000 words, 4 hours in 3 segments: 1 2 3.
Financial Statement of Minister of Finance Members debate the Liberal government's Budget 2025, presented as a generational investment plan for economic resilience, focusing on housing, infrastructure, defence, and productivity, alongside efforts for fiscal discipline. Opposition parties criticize the budget for a large deficit, increased debt, higher cost of living, and broken promises, particularly regarding the industrial carbon tax. Conservatives propose an amendment for affordability. 9200 words, 1 hour.
JusticeOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
These are obviously important issues, and therefore we deserve important debate.
The secretary of state may start from the top.
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North—Caledon, ON
Mr. Speaker, the rights of victims are very important to the government. That is why we have been taking action. Let me make it very plain and simple for the Conservatives: Child abusers should face the toughest penalties under Canadian law. That is why we introduced Bill C-14. We are making sweeping reforms that would make bail stricter, that would make sentences tougher and that would make sure child abusers stay behind bars.
We also introduced the lawful access provision so we can catch child predators and give law enforcement agencies the tools that are needed, but the Conservatives are against it.
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
Mr. Speaker, Bill C-14 has nothing to do with mandatory minimum sentences for people who possess and produce child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
I have looked far too many victims in the eye to feel comfortable giving the answer that the secretary of state just gave. Victims do not want excuses; they want action. We often hear about charter rights for accused individuals, including pedophiles, but we do not hear about rights for the victims.
If the minister has ruled out using the notwithstanding clause, what is his plan to take sex offenders off our streets?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Mr. Speaker, we have been taking action on the issue since day one. We introduced legislation, Bill C-63, with respect to sexual offences online, but the Conservatives did not support it. We brought the lawful access provision so that pedophiles could be caught, but the Conservatives did not support it.
JusticeOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I am interested in hearing the answer.
The secretary of state may continue.
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North—Caledon, ON
JusticeOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
The hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles has the floor.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, the recent Supreme Court ruling, which determined that a one-year prison sentence for accessing and possessing child pornography constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, is a devastating insult to the victims of crimes like this.
It was a Conservative government that established tougher mandatory minimum sentences for child pornography back in the day. Today, however, the Liberals have confirmed that they were unwilling to use the notwithstanding clause.
Why is this government more inclined to protect the charter rights of pedophiles than the charter rights of children?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Mr. Speaker, we are all about protecting the rights of children. That is why we want to give law enforcement the tools that are needed to catch predators online. We brought forward tougher sentences for child offenders. Child abusers should be put behind bars, and that is exactly where we intend to keep them, through Bill C-14 and the new legislation that we are going to be tabling in the House this fall.
Abdelhaq Sari Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Speaker, the global economy is at a historic turning point. The international trading system is in turmoil, and new tariffs now seem to be the norm. Our country is suffering the consequences: a trade slowdown, job losses and growing uncertainty. Our main trading partner is not as reliable as it once was, which is weakening our economy.
As we look forward to budget 2025, can the Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade explain to the House how this investment budget measures up to this historic challenge?
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalPresident of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade
Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague from Bourassa for his question. We are living in a time of transformation. We are laying the groundwork for some of the most significant investments made in Canada since the Second World War.
Canadians elected an ambitious government, a government that would take action to build a strong and resilient economy. In just a few moments, the House of Commons will be hearing all of the good news. I know all parliamentarians are looking forward to it.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Liberal government spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians in the form of higher taxes and inflation. The Prime Minister tells young Canadians to sacrifice, yet Liberal insiders are thriving. Case in point: as Canadians give up on home ownership, the government handed out over $30 million in bonuses to 99% of housing agency executives, averaging $43,000 per bonus.
Instead of trying to cause a costly election on a costly budget, why not an affordable budget for an affordable life?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, the new government has a very credible plan for building affordable housing. We are focused on delivering that affordable housing, with $13 billion being committed to it in the new budget.
We hope the Conservatives will support this, if they care about affordable housing. However, they have voted against every affordable housing measure for 10 years now. I do not expect a lot from them, but they are raising it in the House here. Young Canadians need affordable housing. We expect their support on this budget.
Amanpreet S. Gill Conservative Calgary Skyview, AB
Mr. Speaker, after 10 years, Liberal insiders have never had it so good. Canadians line up at food banks while the government let a $50-million IBM contract at the CRA blow past $190 million, and it is on track for $214 million. Young Canadians are told to sacrifice so that Liberal-linked consultants can get rich. Canadians are stuck paying the bill.
Instead of a costly election on a costly budget, why not an affordable budget for an affordable life by cancelling those consultants?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, I have great news for the party opposite. We have an affordability measure that its members may be interested in. It is automatic federal benefits, giving benefits to 5.5 million Canadians who need them the most: the Canada child benefit, the disability tax credit and the GST credit.
On this side of the House, we are laser focused on affordability for Canadians. The other side continues with the rhetoric and same old slogans.
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Liberal government spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians in the form of higher taxes and inflation. The Prime Minister told young Canadians they need to sacrifice. While more families than ever are lining up at food banks, the Liberal government is using Canadian tax dollars to fund a whopping $25 billion a year on outside consultants.
Instead of trying to cause a costly election on a costly budget, why not an affordable budget for an affordable life?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, this is a historic day for our House. I thought we would all be together. This is a historic day for our country.
On this side of the House, we are delivering affordability for Canadians, cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We cut the tax, the GST, for first-time homebuyers. We are focused on affordability. We will deliver for Canadians. We got a mandate on April 28 to deliver affordability. The other side has handed one sheet of paper around all question period using the same old rhetoric.
Giovanna Mingarelli Liberal Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON
Mr. Speaker, the world faces unprecedented uncertainty as the norms and institutions that underpinned global security and prosperity over the last half-century have been tossed aside as a new era of protectionism has begun. I will be blunt: voters in my riding of Prescott—Russell—Cumberland are anxious about what this new world order means for Canada.
Can the secretary of state for financial institutions and the CRA let those people know how budget 2025 will meet this unique and historical moment?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for giving me the opportunity to inform the House that today we will table a historic budget that will spend less on operations and invest more in Canada.
The member opposite may not believe it, but we will build the strongest economy in the G7. This is the largest investment in our country since the Second World War. We will build big, we will build bold, and we will build Canada strong.
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Speaker, first responders, nurses and health care workers serve and protect our communities every day. They put their uniforms on every day knowing that their lives will be on the line. They run toward danger. They mend our broken bones. They hold our hands as we take our last breaths.
What we have just seen from this Liberal government is shameful. Just before QP, I rose and asked for unanimous consent to pass a law that would protect firefighters, nurses and paramedics today, immediately, right now. The Liberals are using our frontline heroes as pawns in their political games.
The minister has the power. Will he give unanimous consent to pass Bill S-233 today?
Sean Fraser LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, I see I have been missed by my friends opposite.
I have good news on the subject that grounds the member's question. This is one where I think we can collaborate in a non-partisan way. The government has just tabled legislation, Bill C-14, that includes protections for first responders by adding aggravating factors to the sentences, which would result in harder penalties for those who commit assaults against our first responders.
If we are going to count on first responders to keep our communities safe, the least we can do is offer the protection of Canada's criminal law. I will work across party lines with that member and with Conservatives in the Senate to adopt measures that would protect first responders as soon as possible.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want coal mines destroying our cherished Rocky Mountains. Four years ago, the minister promised new coal mine selenium regulations that would protect our rivers and lakes from toxic pollution. Now we discover that instead of providing protection, the Liberals are allowing a dramatic increase in the pollutants going into rivers and lakes.
The government is betraying its promise to Canadians. When will the government finally put the health of Canadians and the environment ahead of foreign interests?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear that we are going to continue to fight for clean air and clean waters for our next generations to come. As we continue to build Canada, we are going to build it well, and we will continue to make sure that we are protecting the environment at the same moment that we are building an economy with good jobs for the future. My job as Minister of Environment is to make sure we continue to fight for the environment, and I will do it.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are being bled dry at the pump, at the grocery till, on their credit cards and mortgages, and by cellphone bills that just keep climbing while corporate giants post record profits. Last year, RBC made $16 billion; Rogers, $1.7 billion; Loblaws, over $2 billion; and Imperial Oil, almost $1 billion in the last quarter alone.
How much profit is enough, and will this Liberal government include a corporate excess profit tax in this budget to finally protect Canadians from runaway corporate greed?