House of Commons Hansard #15 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was liberals.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Government Business No. 1—Proceedings on Bill C-5 Members debate Bill C-5, the one Canadian economy act, seeking to remove federal barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility, and expedite approval for projects of national interest. Liberals argue it addresses global challenges and builds on provincial efforts. Conservatives criticize the government for creating delays and propose repealing existing laws, questioning the bill's transparency and effectiveness. Bloc members express concern over potential federal excessive power and jurisdictional overreach. 16900 words, 2 hours in 3 segments: 1 2 3.
Resumption of Debate on Government Business No. 1 Members debate Bill C-5, the "one Canadian economy act." Liberals argue it strengthens the economy by addressing interprovincial barriers and project approvals. Conservatives criticize its impact on labour mobility and warn of potential corruption from ministerial discretion. The Bloc Québécois views it as a centralizing power grab that bypasses environmental and provincial laws, opposing time allocation. 10700 words, 1 hour.
Testimony by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources in Committee of the Whole Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs alleges the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources misled the House by denying Bill C-5 allows politicians to pick national interest projects, arguing the bill grants this power. 1300 words.
Vince Gasparro LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that the new government is committed, like I said in the previous question, to taking the fight to the bad guys. We are committed to hiring 1,000 new CBSA workers and 1,000 new RCMP personnel.
This comes back to the strong borders act. I expect the hon. member to support us in making sure that the police services have access to the resources they need.
William Stevenson Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Mr. Speaker, it has been five years since the Liberal government pushed through its order in council targeting responsible firearms owners with a confiscation scheme. Zero individuals have had their firearms bought back, yet gun crime has gone up 116%. As a person with an RPAL, which, by the way, if the minister still does not know, is a restricted possession and acquisition licence, I am baffled by the statistics.
Why will the Liberal government not focus on criminals, make our streets safe and leave our responsible firearms owners alone?
Jacques Ramsay LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, the firearms buyback program is a serious program to keep our communities safe. Some 12,000 weapons have already been bought back and 10,000 have been destroyed. The buyback program provides fair compensation to businesses, and soon to firearms owners.
We will be going to the RCMP depot soon to meet with members of the Canadian firearms program and to hear their concerns in order to implement the program as quickly as possible.
Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba Liberal Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC
Mr. Speaker, the people of Mont-Saint-Bruno—L'Acadie often tell me how important it is to protect Canada in an increasingly dangerous world. From east to west, from the Arctic to Quebec, we have to deal with the global situation and create a strong Canada.
Can the Minister of National Defence share with the House the investments that the new government is making in defence?
David McGuinty LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Mont-Saint-Bruno—L'Acadie for his hard work. Our government has just presented a plan for the reconstruction, re-equipment and reinvestment in the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Prime Minister announced a generational investment of more than $9 billion, which means that we will meet NATO's spending target of 2% of GDP this year.
When it comes to an issue as important as Canada's defence and security, Canadians can trust their new government.
Tako Van Popta Conservative Langley Township—Fraser Heights, BC
Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of the tired, old Liberals, the cost of housing has doubled, putting the dream of ever owning a home out of reach for so many Canadians. It has also aggravated the homelessness crisis, which, incidentally, the current housing minister, when he was the mayor of Vancouver, said he would eliminate.
Today, with 28,000 British Columbians without secure housing, many of them living on the streets, will the minister acknowledge that 10 years of big spending announcements and photo ops has failed to deliver real results for Canadians?
Jennifer McKelvie LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, I joined the government because we have a credible plan for affordable housing. We are building on the past success of the government in that regard. Our first measure includes a cut to the GST for new homeowners. We are also looking to launch “build Canada homes”, and we will be working alongside our municipalities to decrease development charges while making sure that municipalities remain whole.
Clifford Small Conservative Central Newfoundland, NL
Mr. Speaker, fishermen and farmers feed families. This season, Chinese tariffs on harvests from the land and the sea are impacting the livelihood of those who depend on markets in China. These tariffs are a direct result of the Liberal government's bungling of trade relations with China. The tariffs range from 25% on lobsters to 100% on canola.
My question for the Minister of International Trade is this: When can farmers and fishermen expect the Liberal government to fix the mess it has made so they can get relief from Chinese tariffs?
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, we will always defend our national interest in the best interest of Canadians.
Last week, I sat down with the Minister of Commerce from China, Minister Wang, to talk about some of these issues that we are working though, whether it is canola, beef or pet food. These are some of the issues that came up at the table. We agreed to launch the JETC, the joint economic and trade commission, to work through some of these issues, because we know we need to continue to open new markets for Canadians.
Clifford Small Conservative Central Newfoundland, NL
Mr. Speaker, it is time for the minister to go to sea in a gale wind on a fishing boat or to get some dirt under his nails on a farm with our hard-working farmers. Clearly he has no respect for the people who toil to feed their family and everybody else's family, and who play such a crucial role in food security for Canada.
Will the minister get relief from Chinese tariffs, or are fishermen and farmers just collateral damage in a trade war that the Liberals do not know how to fight?
Joanne Thompson LiberalMinister of Fisheries
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to my colleague across the aisle a repeat of what was said in the last answer: The fact is that Canada is working to protect workers.
Rather than slogans, misinformation and negativity, the Liberals are actually doing the work of opening dialogue actively on the ground, to ensure that the workers in Canada are protected. We will have Canadians' backs.
Fares Al Soud Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, the new government is working to build new economic and security relationships. One of the most important sectors of economic and export potential is defence. Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced a $9.3-billion investment. This is a generational investment that will create thousands of jobs.
As part of the new government's plan to expand into new export markets, can the Minister of International Trade tell the House how he plans to help diversify defence and trade?
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the hon. member for Mississauga Centre on his recent election win.
I recently attended CANSEC, Canada's largest defence trade show, and it had over 40 international delegations present. It was an opportunity for me to meet with industry leaders, connect with international delegations, and see world-class innovation first-hand. The industry supports over 200,000 jobs in communities across the country: Mississauga, Brampton and many others, including Halifax.
We have what the world needs, and I look forward to showcasing Canada's aerospace and defence companies in global markets to grow exports and create jobs here at home.
Gabriel Hardy Conservative Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, almost every major medical association has recognized physical activity as a primary solution for preventing and healing the vast majority of chronic illnesses in our society, including cancer, cardiac disease, lung disease, diabetes and so on.
Our country is more sedentary than ever. Our young people are moving less and less and hospitals are at a breaking point.
When will the government take a leadership role on physical activity so that we can shift to prevention instead of always waiting to treat illness?
Madeleine Chenette LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Sport)
Mr. Speaker, indeed, prevention is very important for our constituents. We will always work in collaboration with the health care sector to find what it takes to truly improve our health through sport.
We can be proud of all of our sport-related accomplishments. On average, I walk 8.2 kilometres a day. I am an example of health through movement.
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and Pierre Poilievre both want to roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Modi to attend the G7 summit in Canada, knowing that Modi refused to co-operate with the RCMP in the investigation of the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and other homicides on Canadian soil.
The Prime Minister will not say if he knew that Jagmeet Singh's life was in danger or that he was under surveillance by gang members suspected of working for the Indian government. Poilievre's excuse is that he refused to get the security clearance, but the Prime Minister has none.
Will the Prime Minister rescind the invitation and demand India's full co-operation in the Nijjar murder and other cases?
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, the member has raised several issues at the same time. Let me just say the G7 is a huge opportunity for Canada to exercise leadership on the world stage. Our sovereignty, our security and prosperity are tied to global security.
At the same time, Canada is a country of the rule of law. We have cases before the RCMP. We will continue to have those investigations. We will continue to ensure that Canadians are safe at home and abroad.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, Israel has bombed dozens of sites in Iran, including residential homes, causing hundreds of casualties, including children. Netanyahu is leading the region into yet another war in which civilians will pay the price. Canadians with loved ones throughout the Middle East are terrified of what comes next. We need de-escalation, diplomacy and rule of law.
Will Canada condemn this latest escalation and finally commit to real nuclear disarmament, or will they stand with the Conservatives against international law?
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I will begin by saying Israel has the right, absolutely, to defend itself within the bounds of international law. At the very same time, we have a responsibility to de-escalate this situation. Our minister has been very clear that this escalation will not help.
We have several priorities. We want to ensure hostages are released. We want to ensure humanitarian aid is delivered. We want an immediate ceasefire. Canada will exercise every diplomatic tool we have to ensure that peace, in our ability, is brought to the fore.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114 and the motion adopted by the House on Thursday, June 5, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, regarding the membership of committees of the House.
Procedure and House AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
Pursuant to order made Thursday, June 5, the report is deemed concurred in.
(Motion agreed to)
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
The House resumed consideration of the motion.