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.
Sima Acan Liberal Oakville West, ON
Mr. Speaker, the world wants what Canada has to offer. From our economic potential to the strength of our international relationships, Canada has a great deal to bring to the table. We are engaging with partners around the world, advancing our interests and demonstrating what Canada can achieve.
Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell the House how Canada's economic potential is helping to strengthen our diplomatic relationships and attract greater international interest in Canada?
Anita Anand LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, we are entering a new era of Canada's foreign policy. Over the last year, we have signed more than 20 security, defence and economic partnerships. At the recent investment summit, we catalyzed $500 billion of investment.
We are building Canada's national resilience. We are building Canada's strategic autonomy. More trade and more investment means a more prosperous Canada.
Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister promised what he called the most ambitious housing plan since the Second World War, Canadians can be forgiven for assuming that meant more homes, not fewer, but the Liberals' own housing agency, the CMHC, says that housing starts are down this year and that Canada is on track to build fewer homes this year than last year. It says the key risk is that we will not build enough.
Is it still the Liberal government's promise to build 500,000 new homes per year, or has the Prime Minister abandoned that target?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, we are very focused on delivering affordable housing for Canadians, as seen by Build Canada Homes start-ups. We have over 19,000 homes now under way with Build Canada Homes, affordable non-market homes that are scaling up. We are going to continue to extend that work, and we are going to give Canadians every opportunity to buy or rent an affordable home. We are going to scale this work as aggressively as possible, and particularly if we have support from the members opposite, we will be able to go faster and farther.
Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, for all the talk and all the announcements, by the minister's own admission there are only 19,000 homes, but only 2,000 are actually under construction. That is all talk and no action.
This week, the Liberals announced a new housing project, and I thought maybe we are going to get some progress. The announcement was $7.8 million for affordable housing, but, oops, it is gender-equitable affordable housing in the Dominican Republic.
Why are Canadian taxpayers paying for gender-equitable housing in the Dominican Republic when they cannot afford a home at all?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, clearly the member opposite is not paying attention. Not only do the member opposite and his colleagues not support investing in affordable housing, but they voted against Build Canada Homes. They voted against—
HousingOral Questions
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
Mr. Speaker, the noise from the other side illustrates that the members of the opposition do not care about affordable housing. They do not care that Canadians need housing. This side of the House continues to advance, to push hard for affordable housing to be delivered and to work with provinces and territories.
Last month, we launched the Canada rental protection fund, $1.5 billion for 7,000 affordable rental homes that are protected. Are we going to see support from the other side? I do not think so.
Dan Muys Conservative Flamborough—Glanbrook—Brant North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised Canadians the most ambitious housing plan since the Second World War, yet his own government's numbers tell a different story. According to CMHC, housing starts dropped 11% in the month of September. After a year and a half of more spending, more bureaucracy and more Liberal promises, fewer homes are being built, while home ownership slips further out of reach.
How many more young Canadians must give up on the dream of home ownership before the Liberals admit their plan has failed?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, there are some basic facts around the housing market that we are challenged with as a country right now and that many other countries are challenged with. The world is struggling with uncertainty, and we have to focus on delivering on affordable housing. If we look at the results across the country, we have successful cities that are increasing their housing starts. We have some markets that are slow. We are intervening. We put GST on the table across the country right now. In Ontario, one can save up to $200,000 on a new home. That is significant action. That is not being supported by Conservatives. On this side, we will continue to take action on housing—
HousingOral Questions
Gabriel Hardy Conservative Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, I had a really interesting meeting this week with Quebec real estate professionals. They explained how CMHC's programs, which are run by the Liberals, encourage the construction of rental housing.
What does this mean? It means that developers are being encouraged to build rental housing; new single-family homes are at a disadvantage in the programs; existing homes that come onto the market cost a fortune; and when our young people want to purchase a home, the price is so high that they cannot get financing.
Will the Liberal government acknowledge that its plan to help people access home ownership is not working?
Caroline Desrochers LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we focus on the facts. We say this every day. I invite the member to be in the House on November 5, when we will be proposing even more measures to help with housing affordability.
The cost of housing is coming down, as the Minister of Housing has said several times. Housing construction has increased, including in Montreal. We are signing agreements across Canada to build more housing. We launched the Canada rental protection fund to maintain the affordable housing stock.
We on this side of the House are working to maintain affordability. Where are the Conservatives? Obviously, they are nowhere to be seen.
Gabriel Hardy Conservative Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals want facts, so here are a few: 85% of Quebeckers feel pessimistic about home ownership, while nearly 70% of Quebeckers believe that buying a home in their area is impossible and that the situation has gotten worse over the past five years.
The Liberals' answer to that problem is more red tape and even fewer results. Their programs are being designed around large-scale real estate projects in big cities, but circumstances are different in regions like mine. Our businesses are looking for workers. Our young people want to settle in the regions. Families want to own their own home, not continue renting for the rest of their lives.
When will the Liberals realize that their programs are not working and design their policies to reflect what ordinary people, like those in Montmorency—Charlevoix, are facing?
Caroline Desrochers LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, I would once again invite the member opposite to make sure he has his facts straight before making statements like that in the House.
The minister and I spent the summer touring the regions of Quebec. We visited Carleton‑sur‑Mer, Chicoutimi and the Gaspé. We made announcements, and some projects are currently in the construction phase. We took the needs of the regions into consideration to ensure that Build Canada Homes includes the regions and can build what they need. It is extremely important that we revitalize the regions, keep people in the regions and build the necessary infrastructure.
We are here at work with real programs. The Conservatives just vote against everything we do.
Grant Jackson Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Mr. Speaker, starting November 3, under a new Liberal policy, corporations will not have to prove they tried to hire a Canadian first. Instead, the Liberals are siding with corporations and institutions that do not want to put in the work to hire and train Canadians. They are doing this after 68,000 Canadians lost their jobs last month.
Can the immigration minister tell those 68,000 people why their government decided they do not even deserve to get a first look?
Leslie Church LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour
Mr. Speaker, we will always favour Canadian labour and Canadian workers. What we are doing is ensuring that candidates with strong Canadian work experience for job offers in high-wage occupations are prioritized. It is a simpler process for key in-demand fields and for ensuring that we can recruit top, skilled talent. We are talking about health care. We are talking about engineering, technology and the skilled trades. This is core to our ability to build a strong economy, for our economic success and for supporting Canadian businesses right across the country.
Grant Jackson Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Mr. Speaker, everything that member just said is wrong based on the immigration minister's announcement. The rule for giving a Canadian job to a temporary foreign worker before November 3 is simple. Before they hire from abroad, they must prove they tried to hire here. That is the whole rule, and it protects Canadians from wage suppression, but the Liberals have announced that they are scrapping it. That is nuts.
In the middle of an affordability crisis, which part of trying to hire a Canadian first did the immigration minister think was too tough to manage?
Lena Metlege Diab LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, I welcome that question. In fact, I have been waiting to answer that.
We have a clear focus building the strongest economy in the G7. Let me tell you what the Canadian Chamber of Commerce just posted:
We welcome these changes to Express Entry and applaud the government and Minister Diab’s endeavour to reduce red tape in the immigration system, while also ensuring that international talent remains in Canada to fill labour gaps. In particular, eliminating the LMIA requirement for qualifying job offers—
LabourOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I know that the minister was telling me so that everyone could hear. I should also mention that we cannot mention proper names even if it is our own.
The hon. member for Calgary Nose Hill.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, as we sat here, some sombre news just broke. BioWare, an Edmonton software firm, which produced beloved video games like Mass Effect and created jobs for Edmontonians, is being shuttered.
The immigration minister just scrapped the last safeguard that forces IT corporations to try to hire Canadians before offering the job to somebody from outside the country. What does she have to say to those people from BioWare who just lost their jobs and who might not get a look because of her policy decision?
Lena Metlege Diab LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, let me set the record straight. The member has been in that seat for 10 or 11 years, and she knows better. She is continually misleading Canadians.
This is a measure for permanent residents who are already here. This is cutting red tape and making it simpler. It is better. It is good for businesses. It is good for employers. Skilled individuals will be using it. This is not for temporary foreign workers.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, I want every person in this place to listen to what the immigration minister just said. She just said this: Scrapping this last safeguard is “good for businesses”. It is good for the corporations.
We need policy that is good for Canadian workers. That is what we need. This policy will scrap the last safeguard against corporate fraud in immigration in this country. It is unconscionable. How can she defend it?
Leslie Church LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour
Mr. Speaker, it must be a rough day on opposition benches when the Conservatives take aim at Canada's immigration system and TFWs in ways that they know are incorrect. They know that, for the temporary foreign worker program, its use is down 50% in the last year and TFWs make up less than 1% of our workforce.
However, the changes the government introduced are not about that. They are about highly skilled, top-wage earners coming into this country in fields where we have an immediate workforce need. This is the talent and skills we want to attract, and that is what we are doing.