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.
Eric St-Pierre Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Mr. Speaker, on October 8, the Prime Minister announced a $2-billion national heat pump program to help one million homeowners. Low-income households can obtain rebates of $10,000, allowing families to save $1,400 a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 megatonnes.
Could the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature explain why this program is a step in the right direction for making life more affordable for Canadians?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Honoré-Mercier for his commitment to the environment and to our work together.
As the heating season begins, we know that heating affordability is extremely important to Canadians. That is why the Prime Minister was in Sherbrooke to announce the national heat pump rebate program, which is open to all homeowners and will offer rebates of up to $10,000. It will help people who heat their homes with oil or electric baseboards—
Natural ResourcesOral Questions
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are losing faith in the parole system, and it is time for the Liberal government to take responsibility.
Zakaria Amara, the ringleader of the Toronto 18 terrorist plot who wanted to bomb Parliament, who wanted to bomb National Defence bases and who wanted to bomb CSIS, was recently granted full parole. No wonder the people of Canada have lost faith in the parole system.
When will the Liberal government take responsibility and reform parole?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, let us be very clear. The parole system works independently of government. It is people who are tasked with ensuring that parole is administered in a manner that is based on the information before them. Like the previous Conservative government, we continue to ensure the independence of the Parole Board, and the decisions it makes are fully independent of our government.
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
Yes, Mr. Speaker, those independent decisions are based on the laws that this House passes and this House must act now.
Another reason Canadians are losing faith: Christopher Roulston, a designated dangerous offender who is doing time, an indeterminate sentence for sexual assault with a weapon and uttering threats, was recently granted day parole. He is a dangerous offender, a terrorist.
When will these Liberals take accountability, stop blaming independence and reform parole?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, what is clear is that the Conservative Party members come up with allegations. They come up with types of law reform that they are looking for, but when this government brings forward law reform, like we did in Bill C-14 on bail and sentencing, like we did with Bill C-16 on victims' rights and like we did on protecting vulnerable communities, they vote against it or they stall. This is doublespeak.
I will invite the member opposite to ensure that when we have legislation in front of the House, like Bill C-22, they pass it and they co-operate on—
Public SafetyOral Questions
Kathy Borrelli Conservative Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, recently I spoke with Tina from my community, whose nine-year-old son was murdered by Douglas Lambier. In the 21 years since her son's murder, her life has never been the same. While his parole was recently denied by the government, Mr. Lambier has been allowed to have a 60-day unescorted absence to attend a program.
Why is the Liberal government allowing a murderer who the Parole Board deems unfit to rejoin society to have a 60-day unescorted absence?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, let me express my condolences to Tina, her family and her community. What the individual has done is unspeakable, but let me be very clear. The decision of the Parole Board is independent. It makes decisions based on the facts in front of it. That is the way that the Conservative Party, when it was in government, implemented the Parole Act, and we continue to do the same.
Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma, ON
Mr. Speaker, we know that keeping first nations children connected to their families, cultures and communities is essential to their well-being and to the strength of future generations. That is why supporting first nations leadership in child and family services is so important.
On October 7, our government signed a historic agreement with the Saskatoon Tribal Council that recognizes the importance of first nations leadership in child and family services and supports communities in determining what is best for their children.
Can the Minister of Indigenous Services share how this new government has stepped up to the plate to help indigenous children get connected to their family, cultures and languages while supporting first nations in exercising their inherent jurisdiction over the care and well-being of their children?
Mandy Gull-Masty LiberalMinister of Indigenous Services
Mr. Speaker, I want to first sincerely congratulate Tribal Chief Arkan and the Saskatoon Tribal Council on a historic milestone, reclaiming what has always been theirs: the authority to make decisions for their children. This landmark regional agreement, Māmowōhkamātowin, will see $269 million deployed over seven years, which will put predictable, flexible funding where communities need it the most. Investing in prevention, housing, post-majority supports and first nations representative services, we proudly—
Indigenous AffairsOral Questions
Michael Kram Conservative Regina—Wascana, SK
Mr. Speaker, for decades, Canada's airports have been operated by non-profit airport authorities, with local governance and real accountability. Recently, the transport minister announced his intention to hand over control of Canada's major airports to foreign-owned, for-profit corporations. Even worse, the minister would not say whether this decision would lead to higher costs.
Canadians already pay some of the highest airfares in the world. How much more will Canadians have to pay to fly as a result of this latest Liberal boondoggle?
Mike Kelloway LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, indeed, it is important now more than ever to modernize airports. We are looking at modernizing airports. That will make them competitive, employ Canadians and do more business within those airports. We are not talking about the Government of Canada giving up land and other assets.
I will say this. For the member and other members around who have regional airports, the idea is to do well here so we can invest around Canada in regional airports and connect every Canadian.
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister called Bill C-39 “the most consequential legislation” in decades. This is true. It tramples on environmental protections and indigenous and workers' rights while handing ministers king powers to override constitutional safeguards in the name of the so-called national interest. Our constitutional rights are not an inconvenience.
Are the Liberals, with the help of the Conservatives, really trying to build a strong Canada, or are they just working together to build a pipeline to the courts?
Mike Kelloway LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, indeed, building Canada strong is focused on building Canada strong, working with every region and working with first nations. It is not just about the duty to consult. It is the right thing to do, working together to build up the country. By the way, if we look at the bill, it is not about changing standards. That is sacrosanct. What it is about is changing processes. We can do both and we will do both.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
During question period, I finally received an acknowledgement of receipt of the letter the Minister of Jobs and Families referred to yesterday. I therefore seek the unanimous consent of the House to table this letter now—
JusticeOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
First of all, that is not a point of order, I have to say. Second, the member does not have the unanimous consent of the House to table the document.
The House resumed from October 7 consideration of the motion that Bill S-210, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, be read the third time and passed.
Bill S-210 Ukrainian Heritage Month ActPrivate Members' Business
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It being 3:17 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill S‑210, under Private Members' Business.
Call in the members.
Bill S-210 Ukrainian Heritage Month ActPrivate Members' Business
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I declare the motion carried.
(Bill read the third time and passed)
Michael Coteau Liberal Scarborough—Woburn, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association respecting its participation in the bilateral mission to Ethiopia and South Africa, which went to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa, from February 12 to 20.
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey Newton, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports of the Standing Committee on Health.
The sixth report is entitled “Antimicrobial Resistance: Confronting a Silent Pandemic”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
The seventh report is in relation to Bill C-224, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act, natural health products. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House, with amendments.