House of Commons Hansard #152 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was children.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Hungarian Heritage Month Act First reading of Bill C-294. The bill designates October as Hungarian Heritage Month to recognize Hungarian Canadians’ contributions and preserve their heritage for future generations. 200 words.
Alleged Mis-characterization of Members' Remarks Elizabeth May raises a question of privilege, arguing that a Halifax MP’s description of criticism of Bill C-39 as a “wild disinformation campaign” impugns members’ integrity; Liberal MPs dispute that the remarks were improper. 1100 words.
Safe Social Media Act Second reading of Bill C-34. The bill would require social media platforms and AI chatbot services to reduce online harms, remove specified harmful content, protect children and publish safety plans. It would establish an independent commission to oversee compliance and restrict social media accounts for under-16s, subject to exemptions for adequate safeguards. Members broadly support child safety while raising questions about privacy, enforcement, regulatory powers and effectiveness. 14300 words, 2 hours.
Freedom of Speech in Members' Parliamentary Work Members debate whether a medical regulator’s complaint concerning a Thunder Bay—Rainy River MP’s parliamentary opinion on medical assistance in dying interferes with parliamentary privilege and the Speaker’s duty to protect members. 400 words.
Georgina's Law Second reading of Bill S-242. The bill requires continued federal leadership and coordination with provincial, Indigenous and community partners to prevent and address intimate partner violence, with regular public progress reports. Members broadly support sustained national action, while the Bloc raises concerns about provincial jurisdiction and federal bureaucracy. 7600 words, 1 hour.
Alleged Premature Disclosure of Bill C-40 Andrew Scheer argues that leaked details of Bill C-40 may have breached parliamentary privilege, challenges the government’s account of its investigation and policy timeline, and urges the Speaker to consider a committee inquiry. 1200 words.
Evan Solomon LiberalMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, there is a big difference between talking about something and doing something. The opposition had their opportunity—
The EconomyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I understand it is a bit noisy, and therefore it can be confusing.
I will let the minister begin from the top.
Evan Solomon Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, there was an opportunity to vote for the groceries and essentials benefit to put $1,900 in the pockets of Canadians. They voted against it. There was an opportunity for Conservatives to support the national school food program. What did they do to help kids? They voted against it. They voted against dental care and child care. At every opportunity, they talk about affordability, and they do nothing to help Canadians.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, he is absolutely right. There is a big difference between talk and results. The Liberals talked about how they were going to make food affordable, yet what did they do? They delivered 2.35 million visits to food banks. They talked about how they were going to reduce the cost of living, but what did they do? They are 50% over target on inflation numbers. They talked about doubling homebuilding, yet they delivered a 4% decrease in construction, and now they are not even talking about doubling homebuilding.
When will we have an end to all the Liberal talk and actually get some real results?
Evan Solomon LiberalMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, we are delighted to bring some real results that I wish the opposition supported. For example, we took the GST off new homes, saving $250,000 for new homebuyers. They do not support that. We took the federal excise tax off gasoline, saving people 25¢. They do not support that. This is a critical moment in our country. Whether we are building affordable homes or supporting families, for once, the opposition should use this opportunity to work and build this country strong.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are out of money while that minister and the Liberal government are out of touch. They are costing Canadians more. Just yesterday, the Parliamentary Budget Officer realized that the deficit next year will be $7 billion, or 11% bigger than the Prime Minister promised just in the spring. The fastest-growing expenditure is interest on the national debt. The average family of four will spend $6,000 on interest for the debt.
Why is the Prime Minister forcing Canadians to feed debt interest instead of feeding their families?
Evan Solomon LiberalMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, in the last 12 months, 217,000 jobs were created, with 156,000 in the private sector alone. There was 3.3% growth in Q2, which is the fastest in the G7. We have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. Business investment grew in Q2 by 8.9%. I know these are inconvenient facts for the opposition, who, for once, should stop talking down the country and join us to build it up, build strong, build right and build Canadian. They have to try it.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, Bill C-39 is a case of conservative, authoritarian overreach. It eliminates environmental impact assessments for pipelines and nuclear power, gives the green light to projects without waiting for studies to be completed, places workers' right to strike under government control and allows for the seizure of land in Quebec and the provinces.
Simply put, neither Stephen Harper nor the current Conservative leader would have ever dared dream of introducing such a bill. It is no surprise that so many Conservatives are defecting to the Liberals. What is surprising is that the Liberals are staying put. I am genuinely concerned. Do they feel even somewhat torn about failing to stay true to their convictions?
Sean Fraser LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, I disagree with my colleague. As the member is well aware, this bill is designed to attract investment throughout the country in order to create good-paying jobs across the country and strengthen Canada's economic growth for future generations. The House now has an opportunity to advance legislation that will help build a stronger and more competitive economy. It is a shame that the parties on the other side of the House are opposing this bill, which is so important for Canada.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, Bill C-39 is an authoritarian shift to the right that will have a lasting impact on the environment, labour relations, relations with Quebec and the provinces, and even reconciliation with indigenous peoples. Environmentalists are against it. Unions are against it. We heard from them yesterday in committee. Many first nations are against it. Oddly, the only ones in favour are the Conservatives. That speaks volumes and should give the Liberals pause. Only the member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country had the courage to criticize Bill C-39.
Is he the only Liberal who has principles?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, it is true that Bill C-39 will have a major impact. It will help us build major electricity and clean energy projects. In fact, it will also help us build projects such as Alto that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I thought the Bloc Québécois supported this project, but now it does not. It makes no sense.
Will the Bloc Québécois help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make life easier for Canadians?
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday in committee, the unions were unanimous: Bill C‑39 is an attack on workers. According to the machinists' representative, the employer will always put the lowest offer on the table knowing that the government will intervene. The Canadian Labour Congress representative said that she did not believe for a minute that the bill will improve the collective bargaining process and that it will embolden employers to hold out and not get a deal.
How can the Liberals be even more anti-union than the Conservatives?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for my opposition colleague, and I thank her for her question. However, that is not our vision at all. What we are trying to do is encourage the parties to reach an agreement, because we believe that the best agreement is always the one that is reached at the bargaining table. That is our aim here.
The objective of Bill C‑39 is to get major projects built across the country. I want to point out that the last time we were in the House, the member's leader mocked the project in Churchill Falls, saying that our major project was in Newfoundland and Labrador, as though the Churchill Falls project would have no impact whatsoever on Quebec. That is a very narrow-minded view that I find quite baffling.
To quote the CEO of Hydro-Québec, Churchill Falls is the largest renewable energy project in North America. Prosperity—
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister made big promises that he was going to buy Canadian. However, in his first year in office, he increased U.S. purchases by $7.8 billion. This week, we learned that he cast aside the Commissionaires, the single largest employer of veterans in Canada, in favour of an American company, to save just 1%. That company is linked to ICE and Donald Trump.
Why is the Prime Minister casting our veterans aside to favour an American company?
Peter Fragiskatos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, the member raises the question of veterans, ultimately. I would remind him of the Conservative record on veterans and the endless cuts we saw under Conservative leadership.
We can leave that aside for a moment. The decision, as articulated yesterday, was taken through a transparent and open process. I leave that to the member to consider.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister made big promises that he was going to buy Canadian. Then we learned that in his first year in office, he spent $7.8 billion more than the previous year on American companies, with Canadian tax dollars. This week, we learned that he cast aside the Commissionaires, the single largest employer of veterans in Canada, to favour an American security firm linked to Donald Trump and ICE.
Why did the Prime Minister, after making his big promise, cast aside our veterans to favour an American firm at Canadians' expense?
Jill McKnight LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. As highlighted yesterday by the Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency, the CRA followed a fair and open procurement process for guard services. It selected a registered Canadian—
Public Services and ProcurementOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It is hard to understand the minister's answer with some of the comments coming from across the way.
I would ask the minister to start over from the top, please.
Jill McKnight Liberal Delta, BC
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. As highlighted yesterday by the Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency, the CRA followed a fair and open procurement process for guard services. It selected a registered Canadian business headquartered in Ontario that employs thousands of Canadians.
Our government will always stand with Canadian workers and Canadian businesses as we build the strongest economy in the G7.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals promised elbows up, and instead, they elbowed aside our veterans. Now their excuse is that they cannot control any of it, that all these billions of dollars for purchases are going out the door and the elected government has no authority to do anything about it at all, that this is just a bunch of self-determining bureaucrats.
That is not what the Prime Minister promised. He said he was going to ensure that our Canadian tax dollars went to Canadian firms. At the front of that list should have been Canadian veterans. The Commissionaires should be protecting us.
Why did the Liberals favour an American firm instead of Canadian veterans?
Jill McKnight LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the CRA followed a fair and open procurement process. I, of course, share the view that veterans have the right opportunities to find rewarding employment of their choosing when they are ready. It is at the core of the national veterans employment strategy. Again, as has been stated, this was a contract decision made by the CRA.
Our government has worked and will continue to work with veteran employers as we build the strongest economy in the G7.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister told Canadians he should be judged by their experience at the grocery store. For Becky, her experience has been a nightmare. She said she works hard, but she still cannot afford to put food on the table for her and her son. She is not alone. There have been more than 2.3 million visits to food banks in Canada in one month. The number of Canadian families forced to use a food bank is up 116% since 2019.
Will the Prime Minister admit that relying on a food bank is now a reality for many Canadians, or does he truly believe that affordability is the best it has been in a decade?