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.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise with respect to the recreational boating study previously cited.
Conservatives are entering a dissenting report because we believe that a rose by any other name smells just as sweet and that the carbon tax by any other name is just as painful. That is why we are tabling a dissenting report calling for the removal of the industrial carbon tax, to give boaters and boat manufacturers a break.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, entitled “Distribution of Federal Student Grants”.
The report has been submitted electronically to the table officers.
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, entitled “Certificate of Nomination of Anton Boegman to the Position of Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner”.
The committee recommends the nominee to the position of foreign influence transparency commissioner.
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec Centre, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to Bill C-8, an act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other acts.
The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, in relation to the motion adopted on Tuesday, February 24, regarding eliminating forced labour from Canadian supply chains.
I also have the honour to present, in both official language, the eighth report, in relation to the motion adopted on Thursday, February 12, regarding Canada-Taiwan trade-related co-operation.
David McKenzie Conservative Calgary Signal Hill, AB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-264, An Act to repeal certain restrictions on shipping.
Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present a private member's bill that would repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act. For almost a decade, the Liberal west coast oil tanker ban has stifled our energy industry and held back our country. In 2026, Canadian energy is more important here at home and around the world than it has ever been. Our allies and trading partners are anxious to purchase energy from a reliable and stable partner. Canada is that partner, and the world needs more Canadian energy.
Hundreds of tankers safely navigate the St. Lawrence River and Vancouver Harbour every year, yet the west coast oil tanker ban was put in place to suppress the Canadian petroleum industry. In fact, it killed projects like the indigenous-owned Eagle Spirit pipeline and has cost our country billions of dollars.
This private member's bill is about nation building. It is about leveraging our abundant resources to help our allies, our friends and our families. It is about taking action here at home so we can have success around the world. Conservatives want Canada to be an energy superpower.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Marcus Powlowski Liberal Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-265, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (List of Therapeutic Products Pre-approved for Special Access).
Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce my private member's bill, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act with respect to the list of therapeutic products pre-approved for special access. My PMB would reform the special access program, which would allow doctors to access medications that are not approved yet by Health Canada.
I will give an idea of the problem the bill seeks to address. A pediatric ICU doctor recently told me about spending six hours trying to resuscitate a child, the first four hours of which were spent trying to access a drug which is available only through this program, even though that drug is considered first-line therapy in the United States. This should not have happened. It should not happen in the future. The bill would reduce the red tape associated with this program and also leave the decision in life-threatening situations as to whether to use a drug not yet approved by Health Canada to the clinicians, not to bureaucrats in Ottawa.
I would like to thank SickKids, the sick children's hospital in Toronto, which co-wrote the first draft of the bill with me. I would also like to thank all the other children's hospitals that had a lot of input. I would like to thank the member for Kitchener South—Hespeler, an ICU doctor, for seconding the bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Bill C-266 National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility ActRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Richmond East—Steveston, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-266, An Act to establish a national framework respecting skilled trades and labour mobility.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present my first private member's bill.
Movement of skilled labour across Canada is essential to the country's economic development, productivity, infrastructure, delivery and competitiveness. However, regulatory barriers, as well as inconsistencies between certification processes across provinces and territories, hinder skilled trades and workers' mobility, and they delay national development priorities like housing, transportation, infrastructure and energy projects.
On this World Plumbing Day, and as a former aircraft maintenance engineer, I understand the challenges trades workers face when they try to take their skills on the road. My bill would help these workers take their skills from the Pacific Salish Sea to the Atlantic. While respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction over training, certification and labour market regulation, my bill, an act to establish a national framework respecting skilled trades and labour mobility, calls on the government to work with provinces, territories, trade skills associations and unions to modernize, harmonize and streamline credential recognition.
I look forward to a spirited debate on this important issue for Canada's future.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Bill C-267 National Framework on the Durability of Electronic Products and Essential Home Appliances ActRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Abdelhaq Sari Liberal Bourassa, QC
moved for leave to introduce C-267, An Act to establish a national framework to promote the durability of electronic products and essential home appliances.
Mr. Speaker, I feel a great sense of responsibility as I rise today to introduce my very first bill as a member of Parliament. This bill seeks to establish a national framework on the durability and repairability of electronic products and essential home appliances.
Every year, millions of Canadians have to replace appliances that could be repaired. This is very expensive for families and contributes to the rapid growth of electronic waste. The purpose of this bill is to better inform consumers, encourage manufacturers to design more durable products, and promote a more transparent and responsible marketplace.
By working with the provinces, territories, manufacturers and consumer advocacy groups, we can promote products that are designed to last and easier to repair. This will help reduce household expenses, support the circular economy, and encourage more sustainable consumption.
I invite my colleagues to support this initiative.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to table a petition today on behalf of the Mission Self Advocacy Group. Its members state that Canadians with disabilities face disproportionately high rates of poverty, and existing federal income supports, including the Canada disability benefit at $200 per month, are insufficient to meet basic living costs. Individuals with permanent and lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy are required to repeatedly reapply for benefits, creating unnecessary administrative burdens, delays and stress with little or no public benefit. Reducing unnecessary administrative barriers would improve accessibility, efficiency and fairness, while ensuring federal programs serve their intended purpose.
Therefore, the signatories of this petition call upon the Government of Canada to increase the Canada disability benefit to $500 per month, to implement a one-time application process for individuals with permanent disabilities and to significantly reduce administrative and paperwork requirements associated with the Canada disability benefit so that essential supports are accessible, dignified and effective for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition I would like to present today is on behalf of the streamkeepers on the Miami River in Harrison Hot Springs. Streamkeepers throughout the province of British Columbia are committed volunteers who deserve certainty for funding and support from the salmon enhancement program beyond the current budget end of March 31, 2026. The salmon enhancement program collaborates with the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation on training that ensures that community volunteers are able to protect and improve aquatic health, habitat status, land use and stock assessment within their communities.
Therefore, the petitioners are calling upon the Government of Canada to not cut program funding for the salmon enhancement programs across British Columbia, which educate thousands of young people on salmon habitat and life cycles.
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
Mr. Speaker, I rise for the eighth time on behalf of the people of Dauphin, Manitoba, to present a petition on the rising rate of crime. The residents of Dauphin and the Parkland region are demanding that the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies that have fuelled a surge in crime throughout their communities. Since 2015, there has been a 54% increase in violent crime and a 75% increase in sexual assaults across Canada. Petitioners are deeply concerned by what they read in their local newspapers, including a November report that Dauphin RCMP members are searching for a wanted man with three separate arrest warrants. Our once-safe communities have now turned into places where people fear for their lives because the government's catch-and-release policies have allowed violent repeat offenders to be out on bail instead of in jail.
The people of Dauphin and the Parkland region demand that the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies, which directly threaten their livelihoods and their communities. I fully support the good people of Dauphin.
Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Richmond Hill South to present a petition where petitioners are concerned that over the past decade, diversity, equity and inclusion, DEI, mandates have become embedded across federal departments, agencies, granting councils and federally funded institutions.
Figures released by the current government indicate that more than a billion dollars has been spent on DEI-related initiatives and programming within the federal sphere. These DEI requirements risk undermining trust in public institutions, discouraging excellence and diverting public funds away from frontline services, innovation and high-quality research. Petitioners are also concerned that Canadians' trust in public institutions depends on the assurance that public service employment and research funding are awarded on the basis of merit and value to taxpayers, rather than adherence to ideological tests or identity-based criteria.
Therefore, the petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to prohibit DEI quotas and targets in federal hiring and promotion; eliminate DEI requirements in federal research funding; ban DEI compliance offices and mandatory DEI training in the federal public service; prioritize federal support for post-secondary institutions that uphold merit-based hiring and promotion and do not maintain DEI compliance offices; and strengthen transparency through annual reporting and Treasury Board audits to ensure merit-based standards.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise to present a petition from Canadians committed to advancing peace and human rights, especially given the conflict right now in the Middle East. The petitioners note that Canada pledged itself to these principles with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. They highlight that justice, equality and freedom are essential to preventing conflict while a lack of respect for these rights fuels violence worldwide.
The petitioners further stress that Canada has lost vital civilian-led capacity for research, education and training in peace operations with the closure of the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. They cite also that the current spending obligations and commitments by the federal government on NATO and military spending should prioritize peacekeeping. Therefore, they call upon the Government of Canada to establish and fund a new centre of excellence for peace and justice to support conflict resolution, diplomacy and peacebuilding for Canadians and the international community.
Arpan Khanna Conservative Oxford, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am rising once again to submit petitions on behalf of Oxford residents, with a thousand more signatures, raising concerns with the Liberals' attack on faith in Bill C-9. The petitioners are very concerned about the Liberal-Bloc amendments to Bill C-9, which could be used to criminalize passages from the Bible, the Torah and the Quran. Faith plays a huge part in our communities. It is the backbone of a strong, vibrant country.
The petitioners are calling on all members of the House to stop this attack on faith, to stand with faith communities, religious freedom and freedom of expression, and to stop Liberal censorship. Once again, I call on the House to stand with these faith communities.
William Stevenson Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on behalf of Yellowhead residents. Natural health products are used by millions of Canadians. They include vitamins, probiotics, herbal remedies, protein powders, body care products and many other items. People rely on these products to prevent or address illness and maintain well-being. Regulatory changes by Health Canada have increased their cost and restricted accessibility.
Canadians want the freedom to make choices about their own health and the products they use. They also expect natural health practitioners and retailers to be able to provide guidance without facing excessive penalties. Therefore, the residents of Yellowhead and people across the country are calling on the government to guarantee the right of every Canadian to access and use natural health products, ensure costs are not increased, safeguard the ability to share information and support Bill C-224.
Andrew Lawton Conservative Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON
Mr. Speaker, once again I rise to present a petition on behalf of the folks of Elgin, St. Thomas and London, as well as people across the country, who are calling on the Liberal government to withdraw the divisive and toxic Bill C-9, which takes aim at religious freedom and freedom of expression. The petitioners continue to be concerned with comments made by the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture that quoting certain scriptures should attract criminal prosecution, which is why they do not trust the Liberal government at this current juncture to stand up for these fundamental freedoms.
The petitioners call on the government to stand firmly behind religious freedom and freedom of expression, withdraw Bill C-9 and unequivocally avow to uphold the right to share, read and pray as people of faith in this country see fit.
Tamara Kronis Conservative Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present a petition on behalf of Canadians who are opposed to Bill C-9. They are concerned that this broad and overreaching piece of legislation would restrict freedom of expression and freedom of religion. They call upon the government to not restrict debate on it and to withdraw the bill.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, if the government's responses to Questions Nos. 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775 and 776 could be made orders for return, these returns would be tabled in an electronic format immediately.
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnRoutine Proceedings
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Speaker, I would ask that all remaining questions be allowed to stand.
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnRoutine Proceedings
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
[For text of questions and responses, see Written Questions website]