House of Commons Hansard #71 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.
Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act Report stage of Bill C-12. The bill, formerly C-2, undergoes report stage debate with numerous amendments proposed regarding Canada's immigration system and border security. Members raise concerns about its omnibus nature and potential human rights impacts on refugees. The debate also covers asylum claims and the parliamentary process for considering amendments. 11700 words, 2 hours.
Arab Heritage Month Act Second reading of Bill S-227. The bill proposes to formally designate April as Arab Heritage Month across Canada. Proponents, including the Liberal and Bloc Québécois parties, highlight its importance for recognizing the contributions of over a million Arab Canadians and promoting education about their diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. The Conservative Party also supports the bill, emphasizing the value of celebrating heritage while fostering a unified Canadian identity. 7900 words, 1 hour.
Adjournment Debate - Natural Resources Arnold Viersen accuses the Liberals of blocking Alberta's economic growth by not guaranteeing pipeline construction and voting against their own energy agreement. Claude Guay defends the government's commitment to working with Alberta and British Columbia, and accuses the Conservatives of playing partisan games with the MOU. 1400 words, 10 minutes.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem, led by the hon. member for Richmond Hill South.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Mr. Speaker, last Saturday, at Maisonnette des parents, we celebrated the newly acquired citizenship of nearly 200 people in Rosemont—La Petite‑Patrie. It was a time for sharing and discussion. It was an opportunity to learn more about each person's background, their reasons for coming to Quebec, their language learning, their family situation, their job, their education and the administrative nonsense that they had to deal with. It is touching to see the tremendous efforts that these people are making to learn French, integrate and participate in their new community.
We have been holding these get-togethers for years, but, lately, these people have been bringing up new questions. They want to know why political parties and commentators are badmouthing them, why some people are pointing the finger at immigrants and blaming them for the housing, school and health care crises. They are wondering why some people are being discriminated against because of their clothing and they are wondering whether they are truly welcome here.
As parliamentarians, we have a responsibility to recognize the contributions that immigrants make to our society, to defend their rights and to build an inclusive society where everyone has their place.
Marie-Gabrielle Ménard Liberal Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we were stunned and saddened to hear the news of the passing of a grande dame of the theatre, television and cinema. A truly unique woman, Béatrice Picard had us all fooled. Indeed, over the past few years and until very recently, although we knew she was 96 years old, she managed to convince us that she was immortal. That is how we can appreciate the extent of her talent as an actress. Throughout her career, Ms. Picard touched us with the faithfulness of her acting and surprised us with her passion and the ease with which she was able to make all of the roles she played her own. Of course, she also had an enchanting way about her. She could make us laugh ourselves hoarse—yes, I went there—with her unforgettable portrayal of Marge Simpson, which, unsurprisingly, touched so many generations.
We loved Béatrice, we admired her and we will never forget her.
Chris Lewis Conservative Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, as the holiday season quickly approaches, I reflect on so many amazing people and organizations in Essex that make Christmas a little easier, special, brighter and joyous for so many people in need. Essex is compassionate. Essex is generous. Essex truly cares. I am extremely thankful to represent a community committed to leaving the world a better place than we found it.
Finally, I want to wish a happy anniversary to my amazing wife, Allison. It has been 27 years of laughs and friendship, tears and stories, and children and grandchildren. It is unique, to say the least. I thank Allison, and I love her.
Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas, Essex.
Chi Nguyen Liberal Spadina—Harbourfront, ON
Mr. Speaker, last week I joined hundreds of residents from across my riding to celebrate the magic of the holiday season with the lighting of our 33-foot tree in the community square at Harbourfront Centre.
Harbourfront Centre and the public spaces around it are vital gathering places. They bring people together and create a sense of belonging in vertical neighbourhoods like mine. Even in a fast-paced city, these traditions remind us that community is still at the heart of who we are in Spadina—Harbourfront. The holiday season offers a moment to pause and reflect, and to recognize the diversity and resilience of our communities, especially after a year marked by global economic shocks and challenges felt by many.
As we look to the new year, let us carry forward a spirit of hope, generosity and determination. From my family to theirs, I wish all Canadians peace, joy and good health this holiday season. Happy holidays.
Michael Guglielmin Conservative Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, week after week, parents in Vaughan—Woodbridge tell me they fear their children will never be able to afford a home. Home ownership is a key milestone in adulthood. It is a rite of passage for Canadian families, yet under Liberals, that dream is slipping away.
After promising half a million new homes, the Liberals now admit their new housing bureaucracy will deliver only a fraction of that. Build Canada Homes will cost $13 billion yet will add only 5,200 homes per year. This failure is pushing families out of the communities they love. Last year alone more than 35,000 families left the GTA because they could not find affordable housing, and it is no wonder. Government-imposed costs and delays now make up between 30% and 50% of the price of a new home.
Conservatives have a real plan: cut the GST on new homes, help reduce development charges, tie federal infrastructure dollars to building more homes, and get government out of the way so builders can build. We will restore the promise and hope of home ownership for young Canadians.
Abdelhaq Sari Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Bourassa for the trust they placed in me during the last federal election. Serving the people of my riding is an honour, a responsibility and a privilege that I take very seriously.
Since becoming a member of the House of Commons, I have been fully involved in issues such as public safety, standard of living and community development. I have also worked with local organizations, businesses and municipal partners. I am very proud to have helped secure additional funding for the Montréal-Nord sports centre, a very important facility for our young people and families.
This first parliamentary session is just the beginning. I love this experience and I am committed to continuing my work with determination, transparency and a focus on community. I will always be at the service of my constituents.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year, and once again, thank you, grazie mille, mèsi anpil—
Riding of BourassaStatements by Members
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Speaker, what constitutes a free society? What are the identifying characteristics that separate nations whose people live in freedom from those whose subjects live under tyranny and fear?
I can think of no guiding principle more fundamental to this question than the existence, or lack thereof, of free speech and free expression: the legal ability to express oneself without fear of government coercion, oppression or use of force. This why I am so concerned by the Liberal government's Bill C-9, which would open the floodgates and abandon the guardrails on prosecuting and criminalizing speech in Canada, including the reading of sacred and ancient religious texts such as the Bible, the Torah and the Koran.
Make no mistake; once we cross this Rubicon, once we accept the premise that governments and politicians in the House have the subjective right to determine what we may or may not say, or what religious texts we may or may not read, we have lost the plot. Free speech is a western value, a Canadian principle and a human right, and we must always defend it.
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
On November 18 a fire destroyed an apartment building in Pierrefonds on the corner of Gouin and des Sources boulevards, injuring one person and displacing 92 of our neighbours.
My thoughts go out to all of the residents and families affected.
I want to recognize the courageous response of our firefighters.
A number of local restaurants offered free meals.
My team and I have been conducting a food and clothing drive with local groups. Sun Youth has contacted the people impacted and put them in touch with On Rock Community Services.
Thanks to our residents' generosity, donations have already started coming in. More than 50 large bags of essential goods have already been collected.
I give a big thanks to everyone who stepped up and donated. It is beautiful how our community has come together in this moment of crisis.
Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Hope, BC
Mr. Speaker, for 40 years Chilliwack's Alano Club has provided a safe, clean and sober place to meet seven days a week for people in recovery from addiction. This consistent availability ensures that help and support are always accessible for vulnerable people in need. It has become a vital resource for groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Al-Anon.
Chilliwack's Alano Club is more than just a building; it is a place for community and fellowship where members and visitors can enjoy a reduced-price breakfast or lunch. Friends and families can gather for coffee or to play board games. Christmas parties, holiday dinners and weddings are held there too, all in an environment free from drugs and alcohol. Alano is a hub dedicated to healing and recovery, recognizing the importance of social activities for people on their journey to live a clean and sober lifestyle.
On behalf of all the people who have been helped by Chilliwack's Alano Club, I thank it for the difference it is making in people's lives. I congratulate Chilliwack's Alano Club on 40 years of serving our community.
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, a grande dame has left our midst. One of our most distinguished actors, Béatrice Picard, passed away yesterday at the venerable age of 96, yet we all feel that she has left us too soon.
Béatrice Picard was a fixture of Quebec's theatre scene for over 60 years. She played iconic roles in over 40 plays at the Duceppe theatre, which will forever be linked to her name. Examples include French versions of The Death of a Salesman and Harold and Maude, a role she only recently performed. She brought our big and small screens to life, and brought down the house with her acclaimed roles in Survenant, Un gars, une fille, Symphorien and The Simpsons.
Perhaps more than anything, Béatrice Picard was also the epitome of graceful aging. As a spokesperson for Les Petits Frères and the Salon des aînés de Saint-Jérôme, Béatrice Picard was engaged. She generously donated her time and energy in the service of others. Yes, a grande dame has left our midst.
On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, Quebeckers and more personally, the Duceppe family, I offer her loved ones and her family our sincerest condolences. To Béatrice, I say thank you for everything.
Kody Blois Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Mr. Speaker, the Hants County Christmas Angels is a long-standing tradition in Kings—Hants, dating back to 1977, that is truly the definition of community and Christmas spirit. Every year, this volunteer organization seeks to raise funds to support local families in need. This year was exceptional. Over the course of a day filled with local musicians and local performances, $93,108 was raised for families in need right in Hants County.
I would like to congratulate hon. chair Lisa Bland, 2025 coordinator Lianne Perry and the entire volunteer board of directors for their contribution to this significant effort.
To everyone who contributed and supported this wonderful holiday tradition, my thanks for making Hants County and our communities across Kings—Hants an even greater place to call home, especially at this time around the Christmas season.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish a merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone back home in Kings—Hants.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, after a decade of Liberal obfuscation and obstruction, Albertans have had enough. We need a pipeline to the Pacific, but yesterday, the Liberal member for Calgary Confederation voted against a motion that would have reassured his constituents that hope was possible—
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, they are applauding him for doing that.
It reminded me of the time a few years ago when another Liberal MP for Calgary told Albertans that he would bang on the table for pipelines. He then betrayed his constituents by supporting the Liberal tanker ban and the Liberal “no more pipelines” bill. It seems like history is repeating itself. However, that Liberal member went on to lose his seat in the next election, while Albertans went through unnecessary hardships and lost jobs because of Liberal anti-energy ideology.
Alberta has the right to develop its natural resources, and voting in favour of yesterday's motion would have been a step in the right direction. It would have reassured the province that the government could do something better, but the member did something opposite. He should do better. What a shame.
Doug Eyolfson Liberal Winnipeg West, MB
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the vital role that Deer Lodge Centre plays in our community and to recognize the ongoing support of the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation.
As the third-largest health care facility in Manitoba, Deer Lodge has long been a trusted place of care for families, offering rehabilitation, chronic care, dementia care, mental health and bariatric services. Its roots stretch back to 1916, when it first opened to support returning World War I soldiers. That deep commitment to serving veterans continues to guide its mission today. Deer Lodge remains a place where both aging veterans and younger service members receive specialized, compassionate care. The foundation strengthens this connection by raising funds that enhance comfort, expand programs and foster innovative care.
I am grateful to the staff, volunteers, families and donors whose dedication ensures Deer Lodge remains a compassionate, community-centred place of healing and dignity.
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac, ON
Mr. Speaker,
In this week before Christmas, one might wonder why
Write a poem at all, and not just use AI.
AI knows meter and rhyme and all their uses
Can make Clement Moore's verse sound like Dr. Seuss's.
AI seems to do everything better than you can,
Flies drones and drives safer than a real human.
Its advantage in word search is very well sealed.
It found me 29 words that rhyme with “Brookfield”.
But there are things too bizarre for AI to know,
Like what draws Katy Perry to Justin Trudeau.
You can ask, but AI can't give you directions
Why Jagmeet Singh lasted through three elections.
And AI can't explain to me or to you
Why the Grits won't vote to support their own MOU.
Some places there are, where AI just can't fudge it.
It's going to take humans to balance the budget.
Which is why this poem was still written by me
(But the partisan bits are from ChatGPT).
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, Friday will mark three years since the passing of my father, the Hon. Jim Carr. My dad loved Canada, its people, its culture, its kindness and tenacity, and all that it gave him. He taught me from a young age that those with whom we disagree are merely our opposition, not our enemies. He conducted himself with integrity, honesty and compassion. Seldom a week goes by without someone coming up to me to share a fond memory of him, and each encounter ends with some variation of the same: “He was a good man,” they say.
Whenever the time may come that I look back at my own parliamentary career, I hope I will be able to genuinely say that I have lived up to the standard that he has set for us all. In the Jewish faith, upon one's passing, we have an expression of condolence that we offer: May their memory be a blessing. On that account, I can say with all my heart that, with him in my mind, I stand eternally blessed.
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, on what should have been the proudest moment of her life, Maria Corina Machado was not even there. Unable to attend the ceremony after months of hiding and fighting the regime in Venezuela, her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Quoting her mother, she said, “our journey towards freedom has always lived inside us. We are returning to ourselves. We are returning home.”
For years, Venezuela's iron lady has boldly opposed the socialist Maduro dictatorship and the economic collapse it has engendered and inflicted on the once proud and free nation. At great personal cost to herself, Machado has inspired millions both in her country and around the world. The Nobel Prize awarded for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the Venezuelan people is, therefore, a victory not only for herself but for all of those who have suffered under decades of socialism.
May we all be inspired by her courage and determination to stand up for freedom over socialism and for the people all around the world.
Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
Mr. Speaker,
'Twas two weeks before Christmas.
I still can't hold back the smile.
Even we didn't believe we'd be back on this side of the aisle.
Canada needed someone smart, a proven young steed.
That ruled out a guy who blew a 22-point lead.
The Conservatives were lost with the carbon tax dead,
While visions of Trudeau on a yacht danced in their leader's head.
The Bloc dreamed of kingmaking, of holding great sway,
But His Majesty's loyal opposition? Oh, mon Dieu, not even for a day!
The NDP, well, they were reduced to seven.
My gosh, even Nova Scotia now has 11.
Now, for a “new” government, we sure have a lot of grey hairs,
But we won four in a row, so... “Who cares?”
A trade war with friends, what's ahead is a fight.
Christmas came early. Canadians chose right.
There'll be no Christmas election, of that I'm now certain,
Thanks to two Conservatives hiding behind that curtain.
Now, I've thrown a lot of jabs, but I promise they're in jest.
To each and every one of you, I truly wish you all the best.
I hope you all could hear me, with my voice raised up.
All we hear in this place these days are heckles—
I hope the Speaker doesn't wake up!
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, who suggested that the Liberals open our borders to massive, uncontrolled immigration that has inflated housing prices, taken jobs away from Canadians and put pressure on the health care system while causing a decline in the French language? It was Mark Wiseman, the ultra-Liberal corporatist at the head of the Century Initiative, who suggested tripling Canada's population.
Why is it that every time someone introduces policies that hurt Canadians, the Prime Minister gives that person a promotion?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, first of all, since we are on the subject, we want to send our best wishes to our ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, who has done a tremendous service for our country and continues to guide and advise us well.
The policy the Leader of the Opposition is referring to has never been and will never be the policy of the Government of Canada.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the person who suggested this radical, Liberal policy is Mark Wiseman. He advocates for tripling Canada's population to 100 million “even if it makes Quebec howl”. This is someone who has shown contempt for Quebec and who cannot negotiate on behalf of Quebec. This is someone who proposed a policy that inflates the cost of living, takes away jobs and puts pressure on our health care system.
Why does the Prime Minister want to appoint him as ambassador to Washington?
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalPresident of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade
Mr. Speaker, allow me to echo my colleague in thanking Ms. Hillman for her service to Canada. I had the privilege of working very closely with Kristen over the past few months. I am very grateful for her friendship and for what she has done for Canada. I understand that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to extrapolate a series of things that are not true. He knows full well that the policies he is referring to have never been and will never be the federal government's policies. I understand that he is trying to get a sound bite broadcast on Le Téléjournal tonight. Unfortunately, it will not be the right one.