House of Commons Hansard #51 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was fish.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising Act First reading of Bill S-211. The bill creates a national framework to limit sports betting advertising. It aims to reduce promotion to youth and vulnerable groups, addressing concerns about the abundance of ads overshadowing sports and protecting Canadian families. 200 words.
Budget Documents Distributed to Members Gabriel Ste-Marie raises a question of privilege regarding incomplete paper budget documents distributed to MPs, arguing it violates their right to full information and impedes their ability to perform parliamentary duties. 800 words.
Financial Statement of Minister of Finance Members debate the government's budgetary policy, with the Leader of the Opposition criticizing the increased national debt, rising cost of living, and the industrial carbon tax. The Bloc Québécois calls the budget a "sham" for ignoring Quebec's needs and climate action, while Liberals defend it as a transformative investment in economic growth, social programs, and infrastructure. 14400 words, 2 hours.
Fisheries Act Second reading of Bill C-237. The bill seeks to amend the Fisheries Act to harmonize recreational groundfish fishing periods across Atlantic Canada and Quebec and to create a monitoring system for catches. The Conservative sponsor argues the bill would allow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to fish seven days a week, like other Atlantic provinces, and would encourage better enforcement to eliminate illegal fishing. Liberal and Bloc members express concerns about the bill's potential impact on commercial fisheries, its shift from stock-based to species-based management, and the possibility of new costs or fees for recreational fishers. Bill C-237 8700 words, 1 hour.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, a lot of Canadians do not seem to know that between the day a budget is tabled and when it is voted on, the government can make changes to it.
I desperately hope the answer will be “yes” to this question: Are the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance prepared to be flexible, work in the spirit of the national interest and be prepared to make changes to the budget before it comes to a vote?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, of course we are always listening to Canadians.
I would stress to the hon. member that this is a budget that invests historically in climate competitiveness in this country, in getting Canada to net zero by 2050 and in making sure that Canada remains a leader in the worldwide fight against climate change.
I would invite the member to compare us to any country around the world, especially our neighbours to the south, to put this in perspective and to understand, as I know she will, that this is a historic effort on a historic issue, and that it is a historic budget.
Presence in GalleryOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I would like to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the following people.
We have the 2025 Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering prize winner, Dr. David Wishart.
Also with us are the winners of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's John C. Polanyi Award; Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research; Synergy Awards for Innovation; and Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships.
The House resumed from November 4 consideration of the motion that Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), be read the third time and passed.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It being 3:19 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at the third reading stage of Bill C‑3.
Call in the members.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I declare the motion carried.
(Bill read the third time and passed)
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division, the time provided for Government Orders will be extended by 11 minutes.
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, a treaty entitled “Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement” done at Ottawa on September 24, 2025.
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and in accordance with the enhanced transparency requirements set out in the amended policy on tabling of treaties in Parliament, I am pleased to notify the House of Commons of the government's intent to initiate negotiations for a Canada-Philippines free trade agreement. The Government of Canada intends to commence negotiations with the Philippines no earlier than 90 days from the date of this notice.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to three petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, entitled “Implementation of the Official Languages Act”.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, regarding membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the eighth report later this day.
Bill S-211 National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising ActRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill S-211, An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Bill S-211, which was swiftly passed by colleagues in the other place. I believe we can agree it would be responsible to see the same happen here in the House.
Sports betting is legalized in Canada, yet constituents in Waterloo have shared, and every MP has received, concerns regarding the abundance of advertisements, which often overshadow the sport itself. Bill S-211 will add limitations around gambling advertisements to reduce its promotion to youth and vulnerable groups.
As heard through testimonies at the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications, Bill S-211 addresses a growing concern of families and loved ones who feel this pressure in their lives.
Bill S-211 provides a clear path forward. It is time to act before additional harms are caused.
I would like to thank Senator Marty Deacon for her care in crafting this bill, as well as my friend, the MP for Etobicoke—Lakeshore, for his support and for seconding Bill S-211 in this place.
I look forward to working with all colleagues to move the bill forward into law to protect the future of Canadian families and bring back the simple fun of watching sports.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Madam Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and, if you seek it, I think that you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion:
That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House, the hours of sitting and the order of business of the House on Thursday, January 29, 2026, shall be those of a Friday, provided that any recorded division deferred to, or requested on, that day in respect of a debatable motion, other than an item of Private Members' Business, be deferred until Monday, February 2, 2026, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.
Business of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay. It is agreed.
The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
(Motion agreed to)
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Madam Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.
Procedure and House AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.
There being no dissenting voice, it is agreed.
The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
(Motion agreed to)
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Madam Speaker, I rise to present a petition from Canadians who are deeply concerned about ghost gear: abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, which is among the deadliest sources of plastics pollution.
The petitioners note that ghost gear kills fish, marine mammals, seabirds and turtles; damages habitats; creates microplastics; and even hazards navigation and active harvesters, hurting coastal communities. They point out that dedicated funding for retrieval, prevention, repair and recycling works. It also creates skilled jobs and partnerships with indigenous communities, small-business fishers, harbour authorities and recyclers, especially in rural and remote regions.
Therefore, the petitioners are calling on the federal government to reinstate and expand a permanent multi-year ghost gear fund with streams for rapid retrieval response, prevention and innovation. This would include gear marking, tracking and whale-safe ropeless pilots; end-of-life management, repair and recycling; and community capacity indigenous guardians programs.
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Madam Speaker, I would like to present a petition calling on the Minister of Health and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to stop the ostrich cull in Edgewood, B.C. This petition also calls for greater transparency from the CFIA.
There are over 40,000 signatures on this petition, almost double the number of signatures on most e-petitions. These petitions are set up so that signers have to take extra steps to do them, so when over 40,000 people sign them, it really means something. I urge the ministers to listen.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Madam Speaker, today, I rise to table multiple petitions for the people of Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford.
My first petition is calling for an alternative location for a supportive housing project planned for Martens Street across from the Abbotsford Traditional School.
Throughout this process, there has been a lack of transparency, public input and consideration of alternative locations, and no disclosure of plans has been provided by BC Housing. This project would be in proximity to vulnerable students, children aged 11 to 18, and would be less than 60 metres from fields and playgrounds. It would also contain a safe consumption room, which would increase the risk of children being exposed to hard drugs such as fentanyl.
These residents call upon the Government of Canada to restrict funding to BC Housing unless an ideal alternative location is selected for supportive housing and the consumption of drugs, not in proximity to a school. The petition also calls upon the Government of Canada to uphold its own rules for preventing children from being exposed to toxic substances that are harmful and deadly.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Madam Speaker, the second petition I would like to present today is on behalf of residents in my riding who are concerned that existing flood protection infrastructure, including dikes, levies and drainage systems, is aging and inadequate to withstand current and future flood risks. Effective flood mitigation requires substantial investment in modern, climate-resilient infrastructure. The flooding events of 2021, four years ago, caused widespread damage to homes, businesses and agricultural lands such as Canada has never seen in its history.
These residents call upon the Government of Canada to invest in the necessary infrastructure to protect Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley and the entire supply chain of Canada.
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East, ON
Madam Speaker, I rise today to present a petition signed by concerned Canadians who wish to draw the attention of the House to what they characterize as inconsistencies in the treatment of former members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, by the IRCC.
They are asking the government for a review of the process for determinations of inadmissibility, a clear and transparent process, and affirmation of procedural fairness for individuals' applications based on the merits of each case.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Madam Speaker, I am rising to present an e-petition that has garnered over 1,424 signatures from concerned Canadians.
The petitioners are asking this House to look to our obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, consider the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the context of the rights and freedoms of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and consider that the targeting of this group is a form of genocide. In addition, the targeting and removal of federal rights and freedoms from the 2SLGBTQIA+ group constitutes a practice that must be declared illegal and not allowed to take place within Canada. They are asking that Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ federal human rights be protected from being diminished or revoked with the use of the federal notwithstanding clause. As a community, we understand and accept the petitioners' concerns, but there is growing push-back on basic human rights toward this community.
This federal House is asked by these petitioners to stop this practice and protect Canadian rights.