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.
Fred Davies Conservative Niagara South, ON
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the comment from the parliamentary secretary because that is exactly the problem with this legislation. We are not talking about the grandchild. We are talking about the grandchild's children and their children, who may have never had a substantial connection to Canada and who will have access to Canadian citizenship.
Fred Davies Conservative Niagara South, ON
Yes, they will.
Madam Speaker, we need a substantial connection test, one that does not mean some distant relative three or four generations down the road will automatically be entitled to Canadian citizenship. This is someone who does not speak the language, perhaps has a criminal record and has not gone through a security check.
None of that makes sense to me. For that reason, we will vote against this legislation.
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Madam Speaker, I really appreciated my colleague's speech. In committee, he and I worked hard, responsibly and collaboratively on amending the bill.
The party in power tells us every day how important committee work is. It tells us that we have to work together to conduct thorough studies or to examine bills. That is exactly what we did at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. We proposed amendments and the majority of committee members voted in favour of those amendments. Today, we are in a situation where the Liberals are not respecting the work of the committee.
I would like my colleague's thoughts on this. What does this say about the Liberals' view of democratic institutions and the parliamentary tools we have at our disposal to do our job as parliamentarians?
Fred Davies Conservative Niagara South, ON
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the question from the member for Lac-Saint-Jean. We worked well together on the committee, and I always appreciated that we had an opportunity to talk substantially about the amendments we wanted to bring forward to make this piece of legislation better.
I said earlier in my speech that my education as a new MP was unfortunate. The parliamentary secretary to the government House leader said to bring amendments to the committee; that is when we will make the bill better. Well, we did that. We made amendments and made the legislation better. Perhaps we would have had an opportunity to make it the law of the land, but all that time was wasted. Now we are back to where we started, and we will not vote in favour of the legislation as a result.
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Madam Speaker, we have a bill before us, Bill C-14, that takes into account a number of policies on bail reform. Included in Bill C-14 are parts of Bill S-233, or my private member's bill, Bill C-321, which would have made it an aggravating factor in sentencing if the victim of violence was a firefighter, health care worker or first responder.
Would it not send a message to the firefighters on the Hill, the nurses watching and the first responders who put their uniforms on every day to serve our country and community to pass unanimously, at all levels, Bill S-233 today?
Fred Davies Conservative Niagara South, ON
Madam Speaker, the answer is, yes, it makes sense. My son is a firefighter, and I am grateful for his contribution to our community every day. Let us get that piece of legislation through the House.
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Madam Speaker, on a point of order, I know that all members appreciate the sacrifice that firefighters, first responders and nurses have—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
I am sorry, but there is no unanimous consent.
The hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean.
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with one of my colleagues.
It is unbelievable that I am here before the House, just before question period and before the budget is tabled, to once again talk about Bill C‑3. I would remind members that we also discussed Bill S‑245 and Bill C‑71 in a previous Parliament. I have probably given 25 speeches on exactly this issue, which is discussed in Bill C‑3 in particular. As my Conservative colleague just said, we did a thorough and responsible job in committee. We did our job, we listened to the experts and we even heard from the Parliamentary Budget Officer in committee.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
We have a point of order from the member for Cariboo—Prince George.
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions behind the scenes, and I believe if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent—
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, I will continue with my speech.
I do not even need my notes to talk about this bill anymore. As I was saying, we worked hard in committee. We did our job as parliamentarians. Our work was thorough and amendments were adopted by the majority of committee members. Those amendments made this bill better than it was when it was referred to the committee.
The party currently in power has formed a minority government, yet it is behaving like a majority government. The government keeps telling us that it received a strong mandate from the people. It received a minority mandate. Perhaps it should be aware of that. Today the government is presenting the budget, and it should be doubly aware of that fact.
I assume that I will continue my speech after question period, since I have not finished yet.
Kent MacDonald Liberal Cardigan, PE
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Souris Lions Club on celebrating its 70th anniversary. It is a remarkable milestone for one of Prince Edward Island's most dedicated service clubs.
Since 1955, the Souris Lions have shown dedication and community pride. From supporting local families and improving accessibility to organizing blood donor clinics and youth programs, its impact can be felt right across the riding. Each Christmas, the Lions lead their hallmark initiative, the Christmas box program, led by Lion Peter Boertien, with support from day cares, schools, seniors clubs, Girl Guides and countless community donors, over 130 families receive boxes filled with all the fixings for a turkey dinner, including gifts for the children. Under the leadership of President Arie Hoogerbrugge, Secretary Allan Campbell, Treasurer Brian Deveau and with special recognition to Elwood Ching for over 50 years of service, their motto, “we serve”, is a way of life for this club.
I thank every member, past and present, for 70 years of community service.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to invite all members to a luncheon tomorrow at noon in 8-053, 131 Queen Street, to mark 11 years since royal assent for PCEPA, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act. This lunch will be hosted by Andrea and Kathy, long-time anti-exploitation advocates. Through PCEPA, Canada's Parliament recognized that prostitution is a form of sexual exploitation and affirmed that no one ever needs to be bought, sold or exploited for sex in Canada.
Andrea and Kathy will provide a copy of their book When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays? to every single parliamentarian. This book elevates the voices of the survivors. Andrea and Kathy are also joined this week by the National Council of Women of Canada, CEASE Trafficking, Persons Against Non-State Torture, BridgeNorth, EmpowerMen and Men Ending Trafficking. Together, all these groups are saying that we will not turn away from exploitation. They will not remain silent and neither will we.
I want to thank Andrea and Kathy for their relentless work to end sexual exploitation.
Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to denounce the heartbreaking case of Ms. Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, a 67-year-old Iranian electrical engineer and human rights advocate who has been sentenced to death by the Iranian regime. Her so-called trial lasted 10 minutes and was conducted via video conference. She was prohibited from retaining a lawyer and sentenced to death based on ridiculous evidence: a piece of cloth bearing the words “woman, resistance, freedom” and an unpublished voice message. This is not justice. It is a cruel and calculated act of repression by a regime that continues to persecute its own people, especially women, for daring to speak out. Hers is just one of a multitude of similar cases this year alone in Iran.
We stand in solidarity with all in the Iranian community who continue to suffer under the brutality of the mullah regime, and call for freedom and democracy.
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Mr. Speaker, a good government has a moral and legal duty to safeguard children from all harms. The Supreme Court of Canada has failed to uphold that duty. Its decision to strike down a one-year mandatory minimum sentence for child sexual abuse material offences is sickening.
Let us examine how the scales of justice balance out in this case. On one side of the equation, two individuals made conscious decisions to contribute to and benefit from the torment and torture of hundreds of children. Instead of receiving a punishment that fits their crimes, they may very well walk free after less than a year in prison. On the other side, their innocent child victims are burdened for life with the scars of violent sexual abuse. They will never recover.
Through its silence, this government says that it cares more about the charter rights of perverts and pedophiles than those of precious children. A Conservative government would use the notwithstanding clause to overturn the Supreme Court's ruling. We would fight for the strongest laws against child exploitation. Our children deserve nothing less.
Steeve Lavoie Liberal Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to draw the House's attention to an absolute scientific treasure located in the riding of Beauport—Limoilou: the VITAM research centre, a sustainable health centre of excellence.
VITAM's vision is both simple and inspiring: Healthy minds and bodies living in healthy environments on a healthy planet.
Under the leadership of professor and researcher Jean‑Pierre Després, VITAM is expanding the boundaries of our understanding of health by integrating human, social and environmental dimensions.
VITAM represents the best of what Beauport—Limoilou has to offer: a community dedicated to innovation, compassion and knowledge, where science truly serves the people.
I am deeply grateful to VITAM's researchers and its whole team for their essential contribution to Canadians' health and to the advancement of scientific knowledge in Quebec and Canada.
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
Mr. Speaker, Andrew Moor was a warrior for more competition in the financial services sector and the most respected and passionate advocate for open banking. Under his leadership, Equitable Bank grew from $3 billion in assets to $125 billion. It was deemed Canada's challenger bank.
Andrew and EQ Bank challenged more than their competitors. They challenged the system, they challenged bureaucracy and they challenged the rules. His persistence on open banking always focused on benefits to consumers, increasing access, enhanced service and, of course, lower costs.
A few months ago, Andrew unexpectedly passed away. It is regrettable that the system here moved too slowly for him to see it to fruition, but the road to open banking has been paved with the stones that Andrew laid. While the business community grieves a remarkable leader, we cannot help but think of the family that Andrew cared for deeply and treasured enormously.
Andrew will be missed, but his legacy will endure.
John-Paul Danko Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have lived in Hamilton my whole life. I am incredibly proud of our city's heritage as Canada's industrial centre and the heart of steelmaking. That spirit of hard work and resilience defines Hamilton.
Illegal and unnecessary U.S. tariffs on steel threaten our industry and the livelihoods of hard-working Hamilton families. How we respond is not about politics. It is about people. It is about workers. It is about the future of Hamilton and all Canadian industry. We need every political party and all levels of government working together, united to defend Canadian workers and build new opportunities.
That is why our government is forging new markets for Canadian steel and investing in good jobs right here at home, ensuring Hamilton remains at the heart of Canada's industrial future. We cannot control an unpredictable U.S. government, but we can control how we respond, as we always have, with unity, determination and pride.
Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of Liberal rule, Canadians can no longer afford life in their own country. Under the Prime Minister, we are seeing empty bank accounts, fridges and stomachs. Food bank use in Toronto has doubled since 2023, and the situation is just as dire in B.C. Instead of the fastest-growing economy in the G7, we have the slowest. The Liberals have given us skyrocketing deficits and debt, factory shutdowns and vanishing jobs. Canadians are working harder but getting poorer. Every dollar this government spends raises taxes, inflation and the cost of living.
Conservatives demand a budget that makes life affordable again, one that eliminates hidden taxes on food, work, homebuilding and investments, and that gets our deficit under control. We have had enough empty words and broken promises. It is time to strengthen Canada. It is time to make life affordable for all.
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Speaker, every year, on November 11, we have a duty to remember those who served in uniform and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the armed conflicts Canada has been involved in over the decades.
This year is a very special one for me. I was asked to serve as the poppy campaign's honorary chair for Branch 51 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Drummondville.
I proudly accepted because, as MP for Drummond, I am well aware of how much our veterans need the support of their legion. I accepted the offer because I believe that we collectively owe our veterans recognition and respect for their service.
Poppies are available everywhere until November 11. Look for them in grocery stores, shopping malls and stores of all kinds. They cost very little for the good that they do. A small donation, given at the discretion of each person according to their means, no more, is all that is asked. Most importantly, the poppy is worn over the heart, where we guard the precious memory of the thousands of men and women who stood as a bulwark to defend our values and our democracy.