House of Commons Hansard #89 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was veterans.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1 Report stage of Bill C-15. The bill proposes changes to various laws, with opposition parties raising concerns. The NDP seeks to delete clauses related to the digital services tax, underused housing tax, and luxury tax, arguing these repeal measures the Liberals previously deemed essential. The Bloc Québécois criticizes proposed expropriation powers for the high-speed rail project and the elimination of the digital services tax, while Conservatives highlight amendments to limit ministerial powers to exempt entities from laws, which they call "King Henry VIII-style powers." 23300 words, 4 hours.
The House resumed from February 23 consideration of the motion that Bill C-237, An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (Atlantic groundfish fisheries), be read the second time and referred to a committee.
Bill C-237 Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-237, under Private Members' Business.
The question is as follows. May I dispense?
Bill C-237 Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business
Bill C-237 Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I declare the motion defeated.
I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded divisions, Government Orders will be extended by 41 minutes.
The member for Berthier—Maskinongé is rising on a point of order.
Yves Perron Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate you recognizing me. I simply want to inform you that, during the first vote, online voting began before you had finished reading the question to the House. This is not about calling anything into question, but perhaps some vigilance is needed here. This is the first time we have seen this.
Jeff Kibble Conservative Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to request unanimous consent with respect to the second vote. I used the app, but it did not work. It registered on the app that I had voted, but when I followed up afterward, it indicated I had not. Therefore, I am requesting unanimous consent to vote yea in support of Bill C-244 for the second vote.
Bill C-237 Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, entitled “Compensation Disparities Between Unionized and Non-Unionized Workers in Canada”.
The text of the document has been submitted electronically to the table officers.
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I seek the unanimous consent of the House to adopt the following motion:
That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House:
(a) Government Orders be extended by six hours today; and
(b) in relation to proceedings at report stage of Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, later this day, all recorded divisions shall not be deferred, except pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(8).
Business of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
All those opposed to the hon. minister's moving the motion will please say nay.
Agreed.
The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
(Motion agreed to)
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table an e-petition signed by more than 3,300 Canadians who have joined the call to support Bill C-233.
The petitioners say that whereas Canada acceded to the Arms Trade Treaty in 2019, committing to prevent the transfer of arms where there is a substantial risk they could be used in human rights abuses, war crimes or crimes against humanity, a significant loophole in Canada's export laws currently allows Canadian-made weapons, parts and components to be exported to the United States, from where they may be transferred to third countries engaged in armed conflict or with records of grave human rights violations.
Petitioners further note that this loophole undermines Canada's international commitments, risking making Canada complicit in human rights abuses abroad, and allows Canadian arms to be used in conflicts against civilians. They also note that international bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council and independent UN experts, have called on all states to hold arms transfers where there is a substantial risk of their use in violations of international humanitarian law.
The petitioners therefore are calling on the House of Commons to enact legislation to close the existing loopholes in Canada's arms export laws, including removing exemptions for the United States, strengthening oversight and ensuring that Canadian arms are never used to commit or facilitate human rights abuses.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, and I think this has been raised before, members have to be careful that they are not actually reading the petition. It is supposed to be short and concise, stating the principle of the petition and then sitting down.
Arms ExportsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I keep a close eye on that, but it did not strike me as a problem in this case.
The hon. member for Abbotsford—South Langley.
Sukhman Gill Conservative Abbotsford—South Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the good people of Abbotsford—South Langley, who have put forward this petition about the troubling proposal of the Liberal and Bloc amendments to Bill C-9 that would put the religious freedoms of Canadians at risk.
Petitioners are deeply troubled that the amendment would remove the good faith religious defence from the Criminal Code of Canada, which would lead to the criminalization of passages from the Bible, from the Quran, from the Guru Granth Sahib, from the Torah and from other sacred texts and expose individuals to prosecution when expressing sincerely held religious beliefs that the government may deem offensive.
According to this, the Government of Canada is being called on to withdraw Bill C-9, to protect religious freedoms and to defend the right to read and share sacred texts free from the government's interference.
Sukhman Gill Conservative Abbotsford—South Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition as well. I am honoured to rise on behalf of the good people of Abbotsford—South Langley, who are deeply troubled with the proposed revisions to the salmon allocation policy, changes that would severely limit recreational fishery opportunities for the coho and chinook salmon of British Columbia.
Petitioners further emphasize that such changes would have serious consequences for the tourism sector and for the millions of dollars that recreational fisheries contribute to and conserve in the area.
Jeff Kibble Conservative Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on behalf of British Columbian fishers and anglers, calling on the Minister of Fisheries to implement 100% clipping and coded wire tagging programs for hatchery chinook and coho salmon.
Coastal communities in B.C. are being hit hard by salmon retention closures, even as tens of millions of hatchery chinook are released each year. The problem is straightforward. Too few hatchery fish are being marked and tagged, making it difficult for managers to implement marked selective fisheries where hatchery fish can be retained and wild fish released. B.C.'s low marking rate remains a key barrier to retention opportunities.
This would protect wild fish stocks while allowing selective retention hatchery fish, supporting coastal communities, a way of life, over 9,000 jobs and a $1.2-billion industry. I am pleased to present the petition and I urge the minister to act with urgency.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of many constituents, I rise to present a petition expressing their deep concern that Canada is off track to meet its targets under the Paris Agreement. These are not political targets but are based in the science, which demands that for the security of humankind, all life on the planet, our children and our grandchildren, we hold the global average temperature increase to no more than 2°C.
I will not read the petition, but many steps need to be taken that constitute bold climate action. The petitioners ask for the government to act swiftly.
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of individuals who also support the member for Cloverdale—Langley City's bill, Bill C-218, an act to amend the Criminal Code with respect to medical assistance in dying.
They understand that the Government of Canada intends to expand medical assistance in dying, or MAID, to individuals whose only medical condition is mental illness. Mental illness, they say, is treatable; recovery is possible, and experts agree that it is currently impossible to predict when a mental illness is truly irremediable. They are calling on the government on behalf of families and communities who are concerned that people who could recover through treatment and support may instead lose their lives.
Bill C-218, the right to recover act, would amend the Criminal Code to ensure that mental illness alone is not considered a grievous and irremediable condition for the purpose of MAID. Therefore, they, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to pass Bill C-218 to stop the expansion of MAID to those whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness.
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to continue to stand in the House, as are many on this side of the floor, in support of residents and citizens of Canada who are very concerned about the amendment put forward by the Liberal and Bloc parties to amend Bill C-9, which could be used to criminalize passages from the Bible, the Quran, the Torah and other sacred texts.
The state, they say, has no place in the religious texts or teachings of any faith community. Freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights, and we need to preserve them.
Therefore, they, the individuals, the undersigned, call on the Liberal Government of Canada to protect religious freedom, uphold the right to read and share sacred texts, and prevent government overreach into matters of faith.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured today to table a petition on behalf of residents from Port Alberni, Parksville, Qualicum and Courtenay in my riding who are concerned about rising inequality, austerity and the erosion of public services. These petitioners note that while corporate profits continue to reach record highs, more Canadians are struggling to afford the basics of life. They warn that austerity measures, particularly the government's planned $25-billion reduction to publicly funded jobs and services, would only deepen inequality and undermine the programs that Canadians, especially seniors and people living with disabilities, rely on and are entitled to.
This petition also highlights that climate change is already costing Canadians billions of dollars each year and that a fair tax on extreme wealth would generate significant revenue to fund good-paying jobs, public services and a just transition to a sustainable economy.
Last, these petitioners are calling on the House to reconsider sweeping cuts to jobs and services and to bring forward legislation that would ensure that corporations and the wealthiest of Canadians pay their fair share.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time, please.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings