House of Commons Hansard #72 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was border.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
National Framework on Sickle Cell Disease Act First reading of Bill S-201. The bill establishes a national framework on sickle cell disease to improve awareness, research, screening, diagnosis, and care standards, particularly for disproportionately affected racialized communities. 200 words.
Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act Report stage of Bill C-12. The bill strengthens Canada's immigration system and borders by amending the Customs Act and Oceans Act to enhance border security and combat transnational organized crime and money laundering. While the Liberal government emphasizes its commitment to hiring 1,000 CBSA officers and modernizing immigration, Conservatives argue the bill is incomplete and fails to address staffing shortages, bail reform, and the chaotic immigration system. The NDP strongly opposes the bill, particularly its one-year bar on refugee claims and what it calls sweeping, unprecedented powers to cancel applications, which they deem a "Trump-style agenda." 15100 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Business of the House Members debate the passage of Bill C-14, which Conservatives link to "fixing Liberal bail". The Liberal House leader offers to pass C-14 and moves to expedite Bills C-4, C-13, and C-12, and adjourn the House. 700 words.
Living Donor Recognition Medal Act Second reading of Bill C-234. The bill establishes a national medal to recognize living organ donors in Canada. Members from various parties support the initiative, highlighting the importance of acknowledging these heroes for their courage, generosity and profound humanity. Proponents believe this recognition will raise awareness and encourage more people to give, ultimately saving lives and reducing transplant waitlists. 3100 words, 25 minutes.
Tim Hodgson LiberalMinister of Energy and Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, it is easy to dream up conspiracies about everything when one has never built anything. We should be proud that good, hard-working people from the business community want to come to this government and work to build this country strong.
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Mr. Speaker, the holiday season is a time to be generous toward those who are less fortunate. For the Liberals, that does not seem to be a priority, because they are cutting $25 million from homelessness assistance programs in Quebec. Last Thursday, the minister confirmed that he is ending the encampment and crisis response program as of March 31.
How can the government announce cuts to homelessness programs in the middle of winter, when the crisis has never been so bad?
Marjorie Michel LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to point out to my colleague across the way that the Canadian government brought in the Canadian dental care plan, which is having an impact on the lives of Canadians. Nearly six million Canadians, including the least fortunate, are already covered by this program. Many people are now able to see dentists and hygienists for the first time in their lives. I invite my colleague across the way and all my colleagues to connect with their constituents and encourage them to enrol in the dental plan.
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Speaker, I think the minister was reading from the wrong notes.
This $25 million per year is paltry when set against an $80-billion deficit. It makes no sense to cut funding for the fight against homelessness. This means tens of thousands of dollars less for each of our community organizations at a time when they are concerned that the crisis is affecting increasingly vulnerable people, particularly women, who now represent about 30% of people experiencing homelessness, double what we saw before.
Is now really the best time to cut funding to Quebec and to our organizations?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague; this is an important issue. The homelessness situation in Canada and Quebec is of particular concern to us.
That is why we have had a strategy to combat homelessness for several years now, backed by significant investments. I invite my colleague to review the 2025 budget, which, I would remind her, she voted against. This budget provides $1 billion for transitional housing to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. I invite her to rethink her position on the 2025 budget and to support our efforts to combat this very serious problem.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, here in the House, all members are subject to the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. The Conflict of Interest Act states that “no public office holder shall personally solicit funds” if it places them “in a conflict of interest”.
However, Quebec's anti-corruption squad is currently conducting a criminal investigation into the Liberal flim-flammery in Ottawa. The Liberal member for Laval—Les Îles appeared on TVA two weeks ago and promised that he would make a statement explaining his possible ties to this matter.
Does the member for Laval—Les Îles have the courage to stand up and explain to Quebeckers what his possible involvement was in this affair?
EthicsOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Unfortunately, I was a bit distracted during the question. I really did not hear the question. I will listen to it properly this time, but it seems like it could be problematic.
EthicsOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It was one of your colleagues who was heckling me, so let us be careful with the sarcasm.
The hon. member can start from the beginning.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, listen to this question carefully.
Here in the House, all members are subject to the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. Well, the Conflict of Interest Act states that “no public office holder shall personally solicit funds” if it places them “in a conflict of interest”.
However, Quebec's anti-corruption squad is currently conducting a criminal investigation into the Liberal flim-flammery in Ottawa. Two weeks ago—
EthicsOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
This question is not about the government caucus. It has no connection with the administration of the federal government either. As I see it, the question appears to be off topic. However, I will let the government decide whether to answer. Since no one wants to answer, we will move on to the next question.
The hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I will ask a question again. Right now, Quebec's anti-corruption squad is investigating the Liberal flim-flammery in Ottawa—
EthicsOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
This has nothing to do with government administration. I am not aware of what Quebec's anti-corruption squad is currently investigating. It seems to me that this is the same question as the previous one.
The hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I will ask another question. The fact remains that the whole affair is currently being covered by the media. It is being discussed everywhere. We saw the member for Laval—Les Îles make a statement on TVA saying that he would be issuing a statement to explain his involvement in this scandal, which is currently under investigation by Quebec's anti-corruption squad.
My question now is on the Prime Minister's decision to choose Mark Wiseman as the next Canadian ambassador to the United States, knowing full well that he claims to be the co-founder of the Century Initiative, which advocates increasing Canada's population to 100 million by 2100, and that he has said that he does not care what Quebeckers think about it. What is more, Mr. Wiseman is against supply management.
Can the Prime Minister change his mind and not appoint Mark Wiseman as ambassador?
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalPresident of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade
Mr. Speaker, our colleague is lucky. After four tries, his question was deemed in order. However, he is having some difficulty with the facts. He talks about people who are not in government and public policies that are not government policies. He knows full well that our government supports supply management and that we will not negotiate this issue with the Americans under any circumstances. Despite his efforts, his facts are still a little off.
Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, food banks are overwhelmed, but the Prime Minister is living on another planet.
While Canadians are struggling to put food on the table, this Liberal Prime Minister spent $736,000 of taxpayers' money to travel on a private jet when a government plane was available at a third of the cost. Meanwhile, 86% of Canadians are cutting back on meat because they cannot afford it.
When will he stop making us pay for his whims while people are struggling to put food on the table?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, the ones living on another planet are the Conservative members, like my esteemed colleague, who voted against a budget that provides such direct assistance to their constituents. Take, for example, the Canadian dental care plan, which is helping at least 20,000 people in the member's riding. Another example is the Canada child benefit, which has reduced child poverty in Canada by 38%.
I invite the member to visit the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in my region to discuss the impact these policies have had on the lives of Quebeckers, policies that she has consistently voted against.
Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am going to talk to him about the consequences of his own policies.
One 75-year-old senior in my riding spends half of her income on rent and medication. In front of a grocery store shelf, she realized she could not afford anything and left the store in tears. She admitted that she felt ashamed, that she had worked all her life and that she never imagined she would one day have to ask for food.
That is the reality of their useless policies.
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, the theatrics are remarkable, but votes speak louder than theatrics. The member voted against an increase in the guaranteed income supplement, which helps the most vulnerable seniors. She voted against the Canada child benefit, against the Canadian dental care plan and against a tax cut for 22 million Canadians. She voted against affordable housing.
Next year, I encourage the Conservatives to rethink their approach and figure out how they can truly help their constituents, instead of engaging in theatrics in the House every day.
Doug Eyolfson Liberal Winnipeg West, MB
Mr. Speaker, the early learning and child care program is already providing families across Canada with thousands of dollars of savings each year. In my home province of Manitoba, the program saves families an average of $2,800 a year.
Last month, the Minister of Jobs and Families announced an extension of child care agreements with Saskatchewan and Ontario, ensuring that families in those two provinces continue to have access to this incredible program.
Could the minister please update us on the status of early learning and child care in Alberta?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, we have good news, and just in time for Christmas. Tomorrow we will be signing the extension of the early learning and child care agreement with Alberta. Now all the provinces and territories have agreed to continue this important program. This means that in Alberta, child care costs have been reduced to $15 per day, which saves families, on average, $7,600 per year. That is money that families have to put on mortgages, to buy groceries, to save for their children's education or even to pay for hockey.
Merry Christmas to Alberta.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Speaker, Conservatives asked the Liberals 17 times at the justice committee to start working on the bail bill. We moved 17 motions to get to bail, and 17 times the Liberals blocked it. They voted against our jail not bail act. They voted against our three strikes motion. Now they are blocking their own bill.
At what point will the government stop voting against every single measure to finally scrap Liberal bail?
Sean Fraser LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. member that what he calls Liberal bail is supported by the Canadian Police Association, the Ontario police association, the police chief in my community and the police chief in his community. In fact, when his police chief showed up at committee, he urged all members, including the Conservative Party, to actually accelerate the process.
The member is citing revisionist history. If we go back and look at the tapes, we will see that he and his colleagues spent the entire fall filibustering, talking about kittens and puppies, not crime and safety.
We are here to defend Canada's communities and the people who call them home. I wish the Conservatives would get out of the way and do something to promote public safety in this country.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the minister should actually show up at the justice committee and see what his colleagues are doing. We showed up, ready to fix the Liberals' broken bail system, but after more than 17 attempts to prioritize Bill C-14, the answer from the Liberals is always no. It is clear the government is unwilling to take even modest steps toward keeping Canadians safe. Still, today, it continues to block tougher bail measures at every turn.
When will it stop obstructing, so we can finally scrap Liberal bail once and for all?
Sean Fraser LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, after several months of obstruction and delay, and getting in the way of measures to improve public safety, my hon. colleague has finally realized that people are seeing that it is he and his colleagues who have been delaying and denying justice, preventing it from advancing in this country. Right now, not only do we have an opportunity to move forward on bail and sentencing reform, but he is actively delaying legislation that is meant to help communities that are seeing their synagogues defaced, their mosques attacked, and their communities face harassment in the form of assault in our grocery stores and on our university campuses. We can combat hate and reform the bail system at the same time. I wish he for once would co-operate.