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House of Commons Hansard #4 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was riding.
House of Commons Hansard #4 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was riding.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Canada Health Act First reading of Bill C-201. The bill amends the Canada Health Act to include community-based mental health, addictions, and substance use services as insured services, aiming to address the disparity between physical and mental health care coverage. 300 words.
Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act First reading of Bill C-202. The bill amends the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to protect the supply management system, aimed at benefiting producers and consumers and supporting regional economies. 100 words.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply Members continue debate on the Speech from the Throne, discussing the new government's priorities and opposition concerns. The Prime Minister's plan outlines economic transformation, affordability measures like tax cuts and housing support, strengthening sovereignty, and reducing operating spending growth. Conservatives criticize rising government spending, the absence of a spring budget, and policies on crime and energy, while advocating for lower costs and public safety. Bloc members stress the need to respect provincial jurisdictions and protect supply management. Debate also touches on housing affordability, immigration levels, and the opioid crisis. 56600 words, 8 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Public SafetyOral Questions
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, we cannot conflate the issues of statutory release with bail. We will ensure that, as this is a matter before the Correctional Service of Canada, we work with it to ensure that it has the right measures in place.
I can assure everyone in this House that this is a matter of law, that it—
Public SafetyOral Questions
Ned Kuruc Conservative Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have news from my riding of Hamilton East—Stoney Creek. Yesterday, a Hamilton city bus was caught in the crossfire of a shooting. This comes just weeks after an innocent young lady tragically lost her life by a stray bullet on Upper James simply by waiting for the bus.
Crime is out of control, and this status quo is unacceptable. When will the Prime Minister repeal Liberal Bill C-5 and Bill C-75 so we can bring back safety to the streets of Hamilton and Canada?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to sympathize with the family of the innocent bystander. Her family lives in my riding and I have met with them.
This issue is close to home for me and is one I am committed to in my position. I know the Prime Minister is committed to it. We are going to make changes. This new government is committed to making sure that we hold criminals accountable and make our streets safer. We are going to do the work that is necessary, making bail penalties stricter and sentences stricter, and do all the work we need to do across—
Public SafetyOral Questions
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect our government to keep our borders secure. A strong border leads to safe streets.
Can the Minister of Public Safety provide this House with an update on the implementation of Canada's $1.3-billion border plan?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by congratulating my friend from St. Catharines on his re-election.
Our border is strong, and through our border plan, the single largest investment in our border in Canadian history, we are making it even stronger. We have eyes on the border 24-7, with more officers, drones, Black Hawk helicopters and sensors. Our plan is working.
Earlier this year, we seized more than 46 kilograms of fentanyl, 122 firearms, 33 stolen cars and over $800,000 in cash, and arrested 524 criminals. Canadians elected this government to keep our borders safe and that is exactly what we will do.
Jason Groleau Conservative Beauce, QC
Mr. Speaker, even as Canadians worry about their economic future, the Prime Minister continues to raise doubts about his own financial interests.
His past ties to Brookfield, a company with a presence in several tax havens, raise serious questions. The people of Beauce and Canadians want to know if the Prime Minister still has financial interests hidden in tax havens.
Will he be fully transparent and disclose his past and present assets and financial ties, yes or no?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I welcome my hon. colleague from Beauce.
What he, like any new member of the House, will learn is that the rules and compliance with our code of ethics are non-negotiable. That is why the Prime Minister was proactive and went above and beyond the requirements of the code of ethics, which the member must also comply with.
I hope that he, too, will comply with the code, just like the Prime Minister.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, due to the escalating climate crisis, Manitobans are being uprooted from their communities by raging wildfires. The premier has ordered a province-wide emergency as 17,000 people in northern communities and first nations have fled their homes. Many are being evacuated to Winnipeg Centre, where countless people already suffer with housing insecurity and unmet mental health needs.
Will the government act to ensure that all communities impacted by the fires receive the health and housing resources they need so they can live in dignity?
Eleanor Olszewski LiberalMinister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, I rise for the first time in this House. Our hearts go out to all of the communities that are affected by wildfires from coast to coast to coast.
Last night, the Prime Minister and I received a request from the Province of Manitoba seeking airlift evacuation support for two northwestern Manitoba first nations communities, and of course we immediately agreed to that support. There are a number of communities affected by—
Disaster AssistanceOral Questions
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
Uqaqtittiji, indigenous peoples must give free, prior and informed consent for projects developed in their territories. Last Parliament, I addressed this concern in my private member's bill. The throne speech highlighted one project and one review and ignored UNDRIP. The Prime Minister plans to make Canada an energy superpower. No wonder the AFN is concerned.
Will the minister reverse his colonial approach or will indigenous people's rights be violated?
Rebecca Alty LiberalMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Mr. Speaker, we face a major challenge that requires united efforts to advance nation-building projects, making Canada's economy stronger and one of the fastest-growing in the G7.
The Crown, including the provinces and territories, must consult with indigenous people to support indigenous self-determination. This partnership fulfills legal duties and advances reconciliation.
While we will not comment on provincial matters, we remain committed to collaborating with all to build a stronger Canada.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to rise today for the traditional Thursday question. It is the most anticipated time of the week for Canadians who follow the House proceedings closely.
First, I would like to begin by thanking the people of Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière for allowing me to continue serving as their representative.
Business of the HouseOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Colleagues, when leaving the House, please do so quietly, because this is an important question that alerts us to what will come next week.
The hon. member has the floor.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would not want my new colleagues to miss out on the unique opportunity to hear the Thursday question. It is a very important moment this week.
As I was saying, during the election, I promised to be the voice of the people of Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière, to speak for those in my riding who are struggling to make ends meet and for the young families who cannot pay their mortgage.
I will ask the Liberal House leader if this week's agenda provides for a budget to be tabled soon. It is particularly vital that a budget be tabled this spring, especially after we learned this week that, despite all the fine words in the Speech from the Throne, Liberal spending is worse under this Prime Minister than under Justin Trudeau.
I have another important question. The Prime Minister claims he wants to take action quickly, immediately, with an ambitious agenda. Can the Liberal House leader tell us when the parliamentary committees will start meeting? When will we have the first meeting of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs?
As a sign of good faith, I will assure the Liberal leader of our full co-operation. We would consent to a budget being tabled tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, and to calling—
Business of the HouseOral Questions
Steven MacKinnon LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the Thursday question seems to have grown enormously since the election. I have some advice for my friend from Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière: Be concise and hire an editor. I would like to acknowledge his constituents, as well as my own constituents in Gatineau.
My fellow Quebeckers across Quebec can rest assured: This new government has a grand vision, a plan for the country's growth, for jobs in Canada, for major new projects. Of course, it will take time, in keeping with our best democratic traditions.
First of all, we must debate the important speech delivered by His Majesty King Charles III. That is what we will be doing in the coming days. Today, we are continuing with the address in reply to the Speech from the Throne. The vote on the amendment to the amendment put forward by the member for Beloeil—Chambly, another Quebecker, will happen tonight. Finally, the amendment put forward by the leader of the official opposition will be put to a vote on Monday evening.
It is the government's intention to continue tomorrow with the third appointed day of the address debate. The fourth, fifth and sixth appointed days will be scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Furthermore, pursuant to the special order adopted on Tuesday, May 27, I would like to designate Thursday, June 5; Monday, June 9; Tuesday, June 10; and Wednesday, June 11, for consideration of the estimates in committee of the whole.
These and many other very important parliamentary initiatives will be rolling out according to the rules in due course, and I look forward to exchanging with my hon. colleagues on all of them.
The House resumed consideration of the motion for an address to His Majesty the King in reply to his speech at the opening of the session, of the amendment and of the amendment to the amendment.
Will Greaves Liberal Victoria, BC
Mr. Speaker, as a coastal community, we in Victoria are surrounded by the evidence of climate change: rising sea levels, intensifying storms, smoke-choked skies and forests devoured by wildfires. We live it. We breathe it. We see the damage mounting with every passing season. As I speak, the province of Manitoba is under a state of emergency, and I extend my sympathies to the people being evacuated from their homes and to their representatives in the House.
Tomorrow, it could be anywhere. The climate crisis is not a future threat. It is a present reality. It is costing us more than just our natural spaces. It is taking our livelihoods, our health and, if we fail to act, our children's future. I am proud to stand with a Liberal government that understands what is at stake. That is why we are acting with urgency and ambition. We will draw on the wisdom of indigenous knowledge, the strength of modern technology and the power of a united Canada to protect more lands, more waters and more of the natural infrastructure that sustains us.
We have an opportunity to lead the world in sustainable economic growth and to leave our children a country worth not only inheriting but celebrating. Canada truly has the power to be the strongest economy in the G7. By investing in our resources, our skills and our people, we can show economic leadership in sustainable ways.
Canada is an energy superpower, which is clear to those of us in the west because Canadian oil moves through the Trans Mountain pipeline and goes to market on tankers that sail past my riding every day. In fact, under the Liberal government, Alberta oil output is at record levels while it maintains some of the highest standards for oil production in the world.
Despite the opposition's rhetoric, our government takes Canadian jobs seriously. Today, we are supporting jobs while preparing our economy for the energy system of the future.
That means scaling up clean technology and renewable energy projects and building the national west-to-east infrastructure to support them. Our platform is clear: A prosperous future must also be a sustainable one.
However, sustainable growth is not just about GDP or emissions targets. It is about ensuring that no community is left behind. In Victoria, the toxic opioid crisis has pushed entire blocks of our downtown core, such as Pandora Avenue, to the brink. A vibrant part of our city has been hollowed out by a national drug crisis that continues to take lives and dignity at a staggering pace. People in the grip of addiction are dying in plain sight. Some are beyond the reach of help; others are begging for it. This is not just a housing crisis. It is a drug crisis, a mental health crisis and a call to action for improved national coordination. We must offer real solutions that restore safety and dignity, both for those living on the streets and for the communities around them. That too is what economic leadership looks like. As a proud—
Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech from the Throne
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Questions and comments, the hon. member for Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, to the member for Victoria, congratulations on your first speech in the House of Commons. As a fellow British Columbian—