House of Commons Hansard #153 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was culture.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Alleged Premature Disclosure of Information Concerning Bill C-39—Speaker's Ruling Members hear the Speaker rule that a media-only briefing on the Pacific Link pipeline policy does not constitute a prima facie breach of privilege, though members should receive timely information. 600 words.
Opposition Motion—Funding of the Cultural Sector Members debate the Bloc Québécois motion urging the government to uphold CRTC levies on streaming services and deliver a promised $600 million to the cultural sector. Bloc and NDP MPs argue the levies would make digital platforms contribute to supporting Quebec and Canadian culture, while Liberals say court challenges blocked payments and defend direct funding and a new policy approach. Conservatives question the cost and the government’s record of delivering its commitments. 43900 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Alleged Mis-characterization of Members' Remarks Members debate a privilege complaint over remarks describing opposition to Bill C-39 as a “wild disinformation campaign,” with the NDP arguing the comments impugn MPs’ integrity and the Liberals saying the complaint is untimely and based on conjecture. 900 words, 10 minutes in 2 segments: 1 2.
Canada Labour Code Second reading of Bill C-247. The bill would repeal section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which allows the federal government to intervene in labour disputes and limit strikes. Supporters say this protects workers’ charter rights and bargaining power; the Liberal speaker argues that safeguards and mediation reforms are preferable to repealing the provision. 5200 words, 35 minutes.
The EconomyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Members are not allowed to suggest that the Prime Minister is not here. Members do not have the right to say where the Prime Minister is. He may be here.
The hon. Leader of the Opposition may continue.
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is once again signing meaningless declarations that will not feed any Canadian and that will not house any young family that wants a home. However, he did not say a single word about a report from Food Banks Canada that says Canadians are going hungry and that there has been a 9% increase in food bank visits.
Why will he not come back here and deliver affordable food for Canadians?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that the Prime Minister is always there to defend Canada's interests at home and abroad, but what Canadians are concerned about today is that the Leader of the Opposition—
The EconomyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I would ask members to tone it down.
The hon. Minister of Finance may continue.
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Speaker, my Conservative colleagues seem really interested in my answer, so I will continue. As I was saying, what is concerning for the people watching at home is that the Conservative leader has been in the House for over 20 years, so he has had many opportunities to vote for measures that would have helped Canadians. Unfortunately, the Conservative leader did not.
On this side of the House, we will always fight for Canadians.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is again off signing unenforceable and meaningless declarations overseas while he fails to feed a single Canadian or house a single young couple here at home. In fact, since Food Banks Canada released a damning report that revealed that here in Canada there is a 116% increase in the number of people relying on food banks, which is at a crisis level according to the organization, the Prime Minister has not uttered a single, solitary word.
Why not stop spending our money abroad, and bring home affordable food at home?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, Canadians know better. They know that the Leader of the Opposition speaks a good game, but when it comes to voting in the House, they know that he did not vote in favour of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. That is the measure that is putting food on the table. That is the measure that is helping 12 million Canadians.
On this side of the House, we know what we need to do. We are going to fight for Canadians every single day.
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Battle River—Crowfoot Alberta
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, Liberals have sent immigration out of control. We now learn that the Prime Minister cannot even keep track of the number of people here in the country. In June, he claimed that the population had gone down, but then Statistics Canada said this month that there are 300,000 more people in Canada than the Prime Minister had said.
How can the Prime Minister tell The New York Times that we need an increase in immigration, when he cannot even keep track of the number of people already here?
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Saint-Maurice—Champlain Québec
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, Canadians have heard the Leader of the Opposition, again and again, saying many things. One thing they know is that the Prime Minister has taken back control of the immigration system in the country. Not only did we do that, but we also ensured that we would have a sustainable level of immigration.
We know, on this side of the aisle, that the people who come to our country choose Canada, contribute to our society, build families here and contribute to the greatness of the country.
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Battle River—Crowfoot Alberta
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, immigrants themselves are not to blame. They are hard-working, law-abiding and decent people. What is to blame is the Liberal government, which has destroyed the system. The asylum claim backlog is up 2,500% since the government took office. Temporary foreign worker permits are up 135%. The number of temporary residents is up 260%. The Liberals have lost track of 300,000 people.
If the Prime Minister cannot even keep count of the number of people here, how can he claim that we need to bring more immigration in?
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Thunder Bay—Superior North Ontario
Liberal
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite might want to speak to his caucus about not demonizing immigration. In fact, so often we hear from members on the opposition bench about how immigrants are stealing Canadians' jobs. They are forgetting about the hard work immigrants do to build a life here, to contribute to our economies and in fact to build businesses. He should speak to the members of his caucus who continually ask for more temporary foreign workers while ignoring the need for sustainable immigration levels that we can manage, that help our economy grow—
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Battle River—Crowfoot Alberta
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, if anyone should be apologizing to immigrants, it is the Liberal government, for completely destroying the system and allowing corporate power brokers to use vulnerable immigrants to drive wages down and rents up.
Provinces must deliver the services related to newcomers: health care, jobs and housing. However, the Prime Minister wants to concentrate all the power in his hands, where he has let the system run out of control.
Why not allow Alberta, Quebec and the other provinces more control so they can ensure that we protect health care, housing and jobs for all Canadians?
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Thunder Bay—Superior North Ontario
Liberal
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we have done with the temporary foreign worker program. We have worked closely with provinces and territories to ensure that flexibilities are there for provinces that need short-term labour availability when there are no Canadians to take the jobs.
What does not help is an opposition party that demonizes immigration and demonizes immigrants, making it harder for people to get the workers they need, for people to land in our communities and contribute to their fullest. Enough is enough. They need to stop speaking out of both sides of their mouth.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, Bill C-39 continues to bring people together, but against the bill: Fifty-six scientists from the Royal Society of Canada are speaking out against it today.
They are calling on the government to eliminate the provision that allows projects to be authorized before proceeding with environmental assessments. They are calling for the elimination of the one-year deadline for assessing projects; they are denouncing the absurdity of allowing the minister to suspend environmental laws; and they are calling for the reinstatement of the five-year sunset clause to prevent abusive powers from becoming permanent.
Who is the government going to listen to: science or the oil companies?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, the principle behind Bill C-39 is simple: one project, one review, one year.
The idea behind Bill C‑39 is to ensure that major projects are built in Canada, that they are carried out with respect for the environment and workers' rights, while also ensuring stability and predictability, which our country needs to attract investment and to build infrastructure.
That is exactly what we are doing. I invite the Bloc Québécois to come to its senses and support Bill C‑39.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, scientists are not the only ones speaking out against Bill C-39 today. Does Stephen Guilbeault need to get his act together too?
Stephen Guilbeault called on the government to “stop funding the destruction of nature”. He criticized Bill C‑39 for allowing the minister to circumvent the Species at Risk Act, and he criticized the fact that the Liberals continue to subsidize fossil fuels to the tune of billions of dollars.
Will the Liberals remember the days when some of them had principles, and will they stand up against the Prime Minister's pro-oil drift?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, what is absolutely mind-boggling when listening to the Bloc Québécois is that they can say that and, at the same time, mock the Churchill Falls project, which is the largest renewable energy project. I would like to recall what the president of Hydro-Québec said about the Churchill Falls project ensuring prosperity for a generation of Quebeckers, affordable electricity rates in Quebec, and clean, renewable energy.
I cannot comprehend in what kind of world the Bloc Québécois is unable to rally behind a project that holds such promise for Quebec.
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is a bad time for a bad bill.
Today, 56 Royal Society of Canada scientists spoke out against Bill C‑39. Today, Steven Guilbeault asked the Liberals to stop destroying nature. On Monday, a group of female senators, including Michèle Audette, raised concerns about indigenous rights violations. Unions are speaking out against the limitations on the right to strike. The simple truth is that everyone is condemining Bill C‑39.
Is there a Liberal who will stand up and speak out against this bill?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, it bears repeating that there has been no easing of environmental standards. What we have is the efficiency to build the major projects we need to transition to a net-zero economy. Let us talk about electricity projects, such as Churchill Falls, the largest renewable energy project in North America. We are also working with Hydro-Québec to make our country and our economy strong.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the veterans minister talked about creating employment opportunities for veterans. This week we learned the Liberal government awarded a $12-million security contract for the CRA to an American firm with ties to ICE instead of a Canadian not-for-profit that employs veterans. The difference between the two bids was less than 1%.
The Liberals have been in here this week talking about the procurement process, but we are looking for an answer to a very simple question: What part of this decision included the employment of veterans?
Public Services and ProcurementOral Questions
Saint John—Kennebecasis New Brunswick
Liberal
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, the member knows better. Let us be clear. This government will always stand with veterans. That is why veterans are prioritized when it comes to hiring at the CRA and across the public service.
When it comes to operational security matters at the CRA, they are handled independently by the experts at the agency, not politicians.
We will always stand with veterans.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, for days the Liberals have been leaning on this claim that it is an independent procurement process while ignoring their responsibility to have a framework in place that prioritizes the employment of veterans and buying Canadian. That is what they have been talking about, a buy Canadian strategy. Instead, they picked a U.S.-owned company with ties to Donald Trump's ICE and in the headlines for all the wrong reasons instead of prioritizing employing Canadian veterans. Why did they not hire veterans or buy Canadian?
Public Services and ProcurementOral Questions
Saint John—Kennebecasis New Brunswick
Liberal
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, we have always supported and will always support veterans, including with respect to employment opportunities. The process the CRA undertook was independent, which resulted in the contract going to a Canadian subsidiary with over 10,000 workers.
Let us talk facts. This contract was about for 60 employees, of whom 33 have been rehired, including 12 veterans.