House of Commons Hansard #94 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was agreement.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act First reading of Bill C-264. The bill seeks to repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, an action supported by the Conservative Party, who argue the current ban hinders the Canadian energy industry and limits resource exports to international allies. 200 words.
Food and Drugs Act First reading of Bill C-265. The bill amends the Food and Drugs Act to reform the special access program, aiming to simplify the process for doctors to access unapproved medications and prioritize clinician decision-making in life-threatening situations. 200 words.
National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Act First reading of Bill C-266. The bill proposes establishing a national framework to streamline and harmonize credential recognition for skilled tradespeople, aiming to reduce regulatory barriers and facilitate labour mobility across Canadian provinces and territories. (Bill C-266) 200 words.
National Framework on the Durability of Electronic Products and Essential Home Appliances Act First reading of Bill C-267. The bill seeks to establish a national framework promoting the durability and repairability of electronic products and home appliances to reduce electronic waste, lower consumer costs, and support a more sustainable circular economy. 100 words.
Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Act Report stage of Bill C-18. The bill, Bill C-18, passed third reading on division. The Liberal government promoted the agreement as a strategic move to boost trade diversification, while Conservatives criticized the lack of urgent results regarding U.S. tariffs and non-tariff barriers. The Bloc Québécois raised concerns about investor-state dispute settlements and requested greater protections for human rights and the environment. 14500 words, 2 hours.
Criminal Code Second reading of Bill C-246. The bill proposes mandatory consecutive sentences for multiple sexual offences, aiming to [end sentence reductions] for perpetrators. Conservatives argue the measure ensures [justice for victims], while the Bloc Québécois supports [submitting to committee] for further study. Liberals, however, contend the proposal is [potentially unconstitutional], noting that the government is already addressing these issues through other legislative efforts like [bail reform legislation]. 5800 words, 40 minutes.
Tim Hodgson LiberalMinister of Energy and Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, what Canadians understand is that when they have good-paying jobs, they can afford things. We are building LNG Canada. We are building Cedar LNG—
The EconomyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
There should not be anyone standing on this side. Only the minister should be standing and responding.
The hon. minister, from the top, please.
Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, through the Major Projects Office, we are building, and we are giving Canadians good-paying jobs. We are helping them afford the groceries they need.
Dave Epp Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON
Mr. Speaker, our farmers and fishermen are being punished with unreliable fertilizer supplies and a rising fuel tax to 17¢ that is driving up the cost of everything. Instead of supporting them, the Liberals have shuttered agricultural research stations and fuelled the G7's worst food inflation. It is outrageous that while he plays economist, one in five Canadians over 50 is now trapped in poverty, choosing between eating and heating.
When will the current Liberal Prime Minister accept responsibility for what he can control and scrap the Liberal taxes and policies that are making life unaffordable for Canadians?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, let me say it once again. Studies show that the impact of the industrial carbon price on the price of food is zero.
However, if we want to talk about how we are supporting Canadians and Canadian food security, the member for Chatham-Kent—Leamington might be interested in what we are doing to support greenhouse production. It is a big thing that is helping farmers in his area. We are supporting greenhouse farmers with investments and tax incentives to increase capacity and production. That will help Canadian food security. If the member wants to talk about taxes, the first thing that this government did was cut them.
Dave Epp Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON
Mr. Speaker, let me tell members what 15 national agriculture organizations wrote to the committee. They wrote that closing agricultural research centres will undermine research that they say is fundamental to keeping food affordable. At the same time, the Liberal government is pushing ahead with its fuel tax, which is rising from 7¢ to 17¢ per litre, while also raising the carbon taxes on steel, aluminum, plastic and farm equipment. All of these Liberal decisions have a direct impact on Canada's agriculture sector, causing production costs to rise, which get passed on to Canadians at the grocery store. These costs are imposed at home, not abroad.
When will these Liberals stop driving up food prices for Canadians?
Heath MacDonald LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue down the path. We must change our direction in regard to research.
Let me quote some of the numbers over the past few years. The research and development system is becoming less diverse. Public investment in agriculture knowledge generation, which includes R and D, has declined by 15%. Private sector outsourced R and D to universities is down 77%. The number of enterprises conducting research and development has shrunk by 30%. If the members on the other side want to continue down this path, it will put us at an unfair advantage politically, economically and universally.
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, a community member wrote to me about what they are seeing every day. They are seeing frail seniors standing outside grocery stores begging for help and Canadians lining up at food banks after a lifetime of work.
The National Institute on Ageing states that one in five Canadians over 50 is now living at the poverty line. Many cannot afford groceries, heating their homes, essential goods and services or even a $500 emergency.
Rising costs are not driven by events abroad. They are the result of policies imposed here at home, which continue to make life more expensive. Are the Liberals really telling Canadian families and seniors that they should just lower their standards and accept that life is permanently unaffordable?
Stephanie McLean LiberalSecretary of State (Seniors)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians elected a government they know they can rely on to support the social fabric of this country, including the support of our seniors. That is why we introduced legislation to reduce taxes for nearly 22 million Canadians. We made the national school food program permanent. We launched the Canada disability benefit. We ensured that old age security would continue for those who are 65.
This is what seniors like Dava Houston are saying. They are seeing a lot of talk from the Conservatives about the grocery rebate helping no one, but as a senior, they disagree. This benefit is specifically targeted to help those on fixed incomes—
SeniorsOral Questions
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON
Mr. Speaker, one in five seniors cannot afford necessities, such as food and housing. Women, renters and seniors with health challenges are being hit the hardest, living in conditions comparable to the poverty line. The Liberal government often blames global pressures when the fact is that Canada has the worst food price inflation in the G7.
The Prime Minister's rebranded carbon tax, now increasing to 17¢ a litre, is a policy entirely within his control. Will the Prime Minister take responsibility, scrap the taxes and cut the regulations that are driving up food prices and start making life more affordable for the Canadians who are struggling?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, just yesterday, I heard a Conservative member of Parliament say that helping people was ideological. Maybe they should get together and talk to each other, because if you think that helping people fix their teeth is ideological, feeding a hungry kid at school is ideological, cutting taxes is ideological or having child care that costs people $16,000 less a year is ideological, then I actually think that you are out to lunch.
SeniorsOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
This is certainly not referring to me. The member did not mean me.
The hon. member for Richmond Centre—Marpole.
Chak Au Conservative Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC
Mr Speaker, what happens abroad may be beyond our control, but the Liberal policies making life more expensive are not.
Our seniors are paying the price. Seniors are being forced to work, with retirement slipping further out of reach. The National Institute on Aging reports that one in five Canadiens over 50 is now living on the poverty line, yet the Liberals are making it worse by sneaking in carbon taxes that drive up the price of essentials.
When will the Prime Minister take responsibility for what he can control and scrap the Liberal policies that are making life unaffordable for Canadians, including seniors?
Peter Fragiskatos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, the member talks about seniors who are struggling in his community. They are struggling in my community, too. We have to acknowledge that. At the same time, what do we do to help those seniors?
We put forward a serious plan for the future, an opportunities agenda, which is focused on getting our resources to market and building up the infrastructure to do it. That is how we build an opportunities agenda that has purchasing power attached to it, because it leads to jobs. We talk about the programs and pensions, which the Conservatives want to cut, by the way, but all of that relies on a strong economy, which is exactly what the government is focused on delivering.
Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, according to the National Institute on Ageing, one in five Canadians over the age of 50 is now facing a poverty-level standard of living. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is stubbornly sticking to his fuel tax, which will increase from 7¢ to 17¢.
Can the Prime Minister finally take responsibility, stop denying reality and axe his taxes that are making Canadians and Quebeckers poorer?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, I will say it again: Studies clearly show that the industrial carbon pricing does not affect food prices. There is zero impact. I want to make this very clear to everyone watching.
We are investing in our agricultural producers across the country to ensure that there is food, good food, for everyone here at home.
Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, the only thing that is zero is their score.
Canada has the worst food inflation in the G7. On top of that, this government continues to increase the industrial carbon tax on steel, aluminum, plastics and agricultural equipment, which is driving up costs throughout all supply chains.
When will this government eliminate its taxes on food so that Canadians can finally have an affordable life?
Nathalie Provost LiberalSecretary of State (Nature)
Mr. Speaker, I disagree that our score is zero. All we have been doing since we were elected is giving purchasing power to Canadians, especially seniors.
I will say it again. The Canada child benefit, although not for seniors, still represents a significant boost in purchasing power. The recent Canada groceries and essentials benefit is giving people back some purchasing power to cope with the current global situation. Everyone knows that.
Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba Liberal Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC
Mr. Speaker, our government is working to help Canadians from all walks of life find a decent place to live. With the support of a number of partners, a seniors project recently opened in Drummondville.
Can the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure tell the House what this project has to offer seniors? How is Build Canada Homes going to help other projects get off the ground?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, the Drummondville project is an important milestone in affordable housing for seniors, with 100 units now open. This new building reflects our efforts to make housing more accessible. It represents tangible progress in meeting the needs of the region's seniors.
I encourage my colleagues to support the Build Canada Homes legislation so that we have more tools.
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
Mr. Speaker, a peer-reviewed study published yesterday in a world-leading scientific journal found that closing a supervised drug consumption site led to no increase in deaths and no increase in emergency room visits. In fact, after the drug site closed, users were more likely to access life-saving addiction treatment. Every single drug consumption site in Canada exists only because the health minister approved it under federal law.
The minister claims to follow science, so does she accept the science that proves consumption sites are not the solution to addiction?
Marjorie Michel LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, because I have said it several times, there is no single solution to this crisis. We know that. Various studies have shown a variety of results.
Mental Health and AddictionsOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
The interpretation was not working, but it is back now.
The minister can start again from the top.