House of Commons Hansard #99 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was hate.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Amendments to Bill C-8—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules that three Conservative-proposed amendments (CPC-2, CPC-5, and CPC-15) to Bill C-8, concerning cybersecurity, are inadmissible because they exceed the bill's scope by transferring executive authority to the judiciary, thus declaring them void. 1300 words.
Combatting Hate Act Third reading of Bill C-9. The bill, Bill C-9, aims to address hate crimes by strengthening the Criminal Code and protecting community spaces. Liberal Party members argue the targeted legislation is essential for security. Conversely, the Conservative Party and members of the NDP criticize the bill, warning that its language is dangerously vague and threatens freedom of expression. The House passed the bill following the defeat of a Conservative amendment. 12200 words, 3 hours.
Adjournment Debate - Public Safety Conservative MP Andrew Lawton criticizes the government for appealing court rulings that found the invocation of the Emergencies Act unlawful and a violation of Charter rights. Liberal MP Patricia Lattanzio defends the government's actions regarding the 2022 blockades, stating the matter is before the courts and shouldn't be debated. 1500 words, 10 minutes.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem, led by the hon. member for Oshawa.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT
Mr. Speaker, members must check out season two of Northern Tails on YouTube, a televised puppet show that is Yukon-created and Yukon-produced, which premiered last week in Whitehorse.
This season, the squirrels are definitely in charge of production. Ground squirrel Scout Perry and roving reporter Michael Jay the fox are helping kids find science on the screen and, in fact, everywhere they go outside. Discovery is in the magic of the bog, the tiny, windblown lives of mosquitoes or the peregrinations of the mighty caribou.
This boreal puppet mockumentary, produced by Shot in the Dark Productions, is silly enough for kids, but approved for adults. I thank creators Kelly Milner and her late father Bob Hayes for proving that high-quality, northern-made stories can reach audiences far beyond the Yukon.
As we learn with the puppets how local species are adapting to new climate realities, let us carry that spirit of curiosity and stewardship with us. I thank its creators for supporting the stories that teach us all how to better citizens of the wild.
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil, QC
Mr. Speaker, in 1996, four dedicated women in my community of Vaudreuil recognized the need for a songbird rehabilitation centre in Quebec, so they founded Le Nichoir in Hudson. Three decades later, what started out as a repurposed barn and a handful of volunteers has grown into a permanent, state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility, hundreds of dedicated volunteers and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of thousands of wild birds back into their natural habitats.
To the incredible staff and volunteers who give their time so generously, the students who come to learn and grow through this work, the supporters who stand behind them year after year, director Sue Wylie, chairman Peter McBride, president Wendy Dollinger and the dedicated members of the board, I thank them for their leadership.
This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of the entire Le Nichoir team.
On behalf of the residents of Vaudreuil, I want to express our gratitude for these 30 years of service, compassion and care for our community and environment. I wish the centre many more years of success.
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon South, SK
Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, Colette Bourgonje will be inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour as a builder.
From 1992 to 2014, Bourgonje attended every winter Paralympic Games and three summer Paralympic Games, winning six medals. She is a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, and even has a Saskatoon public school named after her in my riding in Rosewood.
Bourgonje has coached many successful Paralympic athletes in Saskatchewan, like Brittany Hudak, who just won a bronze at this year's winter Paralympics, and Krystle Shewchuk, who was recruited by Bourgonje to compete in the 2019 and 2023 winter Canada Games.
Colette Bourgonje will be recognized tomorrow in Quebec City for the 2026 class of the Canada Games Hall of Honour.
John Williamson Conservative Saint John—St. Croix, NB
Mr. Speaker, criminals are not afraid of this government, but law-abiding Canadians are.
Lawful firearms owners are not the cause of crime. Confiscating legally purchased and heavily regulated property will not stop criminals, it will not stop smuggling and it will not stop gang violence.
The public safety minister confirmed this week that the Liberals will confiscate legally owned property without fair and due compensation. The minister also said the Liberal gun grab will not be optional for police forces. How many tax dollars will be wasted searching the homes of over 2.3 million law-abiding Canadians?
Disarming Canadians and diverting police to the gun grab during a crime wave will not make anyone in Canada safer. Criminals are let off, taxpayers pay the price and law-abiding Canadians are punished. This is what happens when blind ideology replaces good old Canadian common sense.
Steeve Lavoie Liberal Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Mr. Speaker, this year, Autisme Québec is celebrating 50 years of service to people with autism and their families in the greater Quebec City area.
In 1976, parents seeking better specialized services for people with autism launched this initiative, which is now recognized as a essential pillar of the community. Autisme Québec is part of the Fédération québécoise de l'autisme. It brings together parents, loved ones and allies who share the same mission, which is to provide better support, information and guidance. The organization works actively to promote and defend the rights of people with autism and their families. For 50 years, Autisme Québec has been helping to build a more inclusive, more respectful and more compassionate society.
I want to wish a happy 50th anniversary to Autisme Québec and its members and thank them for their commitment.
Costas Menegakis Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to stand today in celebration of Greek Independence Day, a powerful symbol of bravery, courage, unity and the enduring human desire for freedom. On March 25, 1821, the people of Greece rose against centuries of Ottoman occupation, inspired by the Hellenic spirit, a deep love for their homeland and a belief in self-determination. Their struggle was not easy, but through resilience and sacrifice, they secured their independence and inspired movements of liberty around the world.
Greek Independence Day is a celebration of history and a reminder of the values that define a nation: freedom, democracy, the rule of law and cultural pride. These ideals, born in ancient Greece, formed a foundation that continues to shape societies today. May their legacy continue to inspire generations to come.
I wish all my friends in Canada, Greece and across the world a happy independence day.
[Member spoke in Greek and provided the following translation:]
Long live liberty. Long live Greece.
[English]
Long live Canada.
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of a wife and a mother, Kamila. Her husband, Huseyin Celil, a Canadian citizen of Uyghur origin, was detained 20 years ago. He was on a family trip overseas and was forcibly transferred to China. He has been imprisoned ever since, without a fair trial or access to consular officials. It has been two decades since Huseyin's wife and children have heard the sound of his voice. His youngest son, who is currently 19, has never even met his father. Imagine that.
Today, we ask for clemency for Mr. Celil on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. His family deserves a phone call. Huseyin's children deserve to have their father back. Twenty years of incarceration is enough. Let humanity speak.
Community Organizations in Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—LévisStatements by Members
Conservative
Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the commitment of organizations that are having a positive impact in my riding.
First, I want to acknowledge the Saint‑Romuald Lions Club, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and the Lévis Lions Club, which is celebrating its 80th. For decades, their members have been working hard to support the most vulnerable and improve the quality of life of members of our community.
I also want to recognize the Rotary Club of Lévis on the occasion of its 35th anniversary. Through their many initiatives, both in Canada and abroad, Rotary Club members embody the values of solidarity, leadership and service.
All of these committed volunteers are pillars of our community. Their often low-profile work has real and lasting impacts. On behalf of everyone in Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, I thank them. I want to congratulate these three organizations on their anniversaries and I wish them many more years of success.
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Mr. Speaker, we are celebrating Francophonie Month together.
When I say “we are celebrating”, that does not include the Prime Minister, the only one in ages who does not have a francophone speech writer. It also excludes Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, who is unable to say more than a few words in French. On the other hand, it includes more than 380 million speakers across five continents.
In Quebec, this language shapes our culture and forms the very basis of our vision for society. We salute the resilience of the Quebec people, who, for over 260 years, have had to fight to preserve the status of French and who will only succeed in doing so by making Quebec a country. We also salute the courage of the francophone and Acadian communities who fight every day to use French in public.
Long live the French language and long live La Francophonie.
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey Newton, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important work of the Tradesman Association of British Columbia, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the skilled trades and strengthening our construction industry. Through education, safety training and professional development, the association helps tradespeople build successful careers while promoting high standards of workmanship and safety.
On March 28 and 29, the association will host its 10th annual construction expo in Surrey, welcoming thousands of visitors with free public admission. Led by president and founder Mr. Raman Sharma, this expo connects industry professionals with families and homeowners, showcases innovation and green building and supports local businesses. I commend Mr. Sharma and the Tradesman Association of BC for its leadership.
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canada's auto industry is in crisis. Since the Liberal government took office, production is down 50%, exports are down 50%, and thousands of jobs are gone. The Liberal Prime Minister thinks we should surrender, but Conservatives say we should act.
We put forward a new auto pact, with real solutions to make it easier to build and buy Canadian, restore free trade and protect blue-collar paycheques. It is about more than the jobs of today. It is also about the jobs of tomorrow and the next generation of workers who are dreaming of a future in the skilled trades. It is about the good-paying jobs that have formed the foundations of our communities for generations.
Instead of supporting our plan to protect Canada's auto industry, the Liberal government voted against it. They have no plan to secure tariff-free access to the U.S. market. They only show up with empty words instead of working with Conservatives to support common-sense policies.
Canadian auto workers were watching that vote yesterday, and they see that only Canada's Conservatives are serious about protecting Canadian jobs and Canadian sovereignty.
Ginette Lavack Liberal St. Boniface—St. Vital, MB
Mr. Speaker, March 20 was the International Day of La Francophonie. In honour of the occasion, I want to draw the House's attention to the vitality and resilience of francophone communities across the country, especially those in Manitoba. French is alive and well in every part of the province. We see it at our festivals, we hear it in our schools and we experience it in our organizations, businesses and communities.
Of course, I am especially proud of my riding of St. Boniface—St. Vital, where we can see, every day, through our culture, creativity and sense of community that French is thriving. The French language continues to evolve with us within open, diverse and forward-looking communities. People can live in French, work in French, laugh in French and, yes, sometimes even stumble over their words in French. In the end, what matters is that French is alive and well. Although it is a few days after the fact, let us take some time to proudly, enthusiastically and joyfully celebrate our francophone community.
Grant Jackson Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Mr. Speaker, we are three months into the new year and Canadians are seeing more of the same from the Liberal government. The Prime Minister has made promise after promise to improve Canada's finances but, as the months go by, the government has failed to deliver a single positive economic outcome. The Liberals promised the best G7 economy, but instead, Canada sits at last place. In fact, Canada's economy is the only shrinking economy in the G7. It also has the highest household debt and the highest food inflation.
The Liberals promised more jobs, but in the first two months of 2026 alone, Canada has lost more than 100,000 jobs. They want to chalk these problems up to global factors, but if they want someone to blame, they should look in the mirror. Our fellow G7 members deal with the same global factors we do, yet these problems are worse here in Canada than they are anywhere else in the world.
Canadians are done with these Liberals passing the buck. It is time for them to step up and deliver the results they promised or get out of the way so that Conservatives can deliver it for them.
Eric St-Pierre Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Mr. Speaker, today it gives me great pleasure to welcome to the Hill some incredible organizations from Honoré-Mercier, including SARA d'Anjou, 1,2,3 GO! Rivière‑des‑Prairies, the Rivière‑des‑Prairies youth employment centre, the Anjou—Saint‑Justin youth employment centre, Aîné‑es J'écoute en actions, the Pointe‑de‑l'île de Montréal chapter of the AQDR, La Maison des jeunes de Rivière‑des‑Prairies, the CFHI, Regroupement Jeunesse en Action, the CDC de RDP, Le Phare, SAC Anjou, the RDP soccer club, ASEC Montréal, AIEM and the Anjou women's centre, along with members of several seniors' clubs, including Il Faro, Parc Cipriani, Le Fiamme d'Oro, the Rivière‑des‑Prairies Abruzzese folklore group, Résidence la Seigueurie d'Anjou, Résidence Au Fil de l'Eau and the A.I.A.P.A.
I also want to acknowledge the presence of Gerlando Guarraggi and wish our colleague Samiha a happy birthday.
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake, SK
Mr. Speaker, we cannot control what happens abroad, but the Liberals do control the policies here at home that are making life more expensive for all Canadians. Canada now has the highest food price inflation in the G7 and the only shrinking economy.
While fuel prices are soaring, Canadians are paying even more at the pump because of Liberal policies. Gas in Canada averages $1.70 per litre. Members can compare that to $1.45 in the United States. That is nearly 26¢ more per litre. The Prime Minister's industrial carbon tax and fuel standard are already driving up costs, yet he still plans to raise the fuel standard to 17¢ a litre.
These costs affect all Canadians. Higher costs to produce and ship food push grocery prices even higher. The Prime Minister cannot hide behind global factors. These are Liberal costs imposed at home, and it is Canadians who are paying for it.
Emmanuella Lambropoulos Liberal Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Speaker, on March 25, 1821, the Greek War of Independence began with an insurrection led by such revolutionaries as the heroic Theodoros Kolokotronis, Laskarina Bouboulina and Rigas Feraios, who wrote that it is finer to live one hour as a free man than 40 years as a slave and prisoner.
Today, Greeks around the world celebrate Greek Independence Day to honour the women and men who fought with courage, pride and determination for the freedom of their people, for future generations of Greeks and for the liberation of Greece.
As modern-day Greeks and people of Greek origin, we owe our freedom to these heroes and remember them year after year by holding various events in their honour. This year is particularly special for Montreal's Greek community as it marks the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal's 120th anniversary.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the various celebratory events, including this Sunday's Greek Independence Day parade.
[Member spoke in Greek]
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Battle River—Crowfoot Alberta
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Auditor General condemned the current Liberal Minister of Justice, the current Liberal Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and the current Liberal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship for causing chaos on the international student file. The fact is that they allowed 150,000 suspected cases of fraud to go uninvestigated. The Prime Minister gave them promotions so that they could continue to wreak havoc in the system.
Will he fire them or will he continue with the same Liberal incompetence?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I am blessed with a strong cabinet that is working hard for a strong Canada. Canada's new government is regaining control of the immigration system. Asylum claims are down by a third. The number of international students has fallen by 70%. We have a strong Canada and a balanced immigration system.
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Battle River—Crowfoot Alberta
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the new Liberals are the same as the old Liberals. The numbers the Prime Minister just gave can be compared to the even more miserable numbers of his justice minister. In fact, compared to the Harper government, which had the last sane policy on immigration, asylum claims are now up 2880%, temporary foreign workers are up 178% and international students are up 39%.
Yesterday, the Auditor General condemned the current Liberal justice minister, the Liberal heritage minister and Liberal immigration minister for allowing 150,000 cases of fraud to go uninvestigated.
Will the Prime Minister fire them, or will he just continue with the same Liberal incompetence?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I am blessed with a strong cabinet that is working hard for a strong country.
We are taking control of the immigration system. Asylum seekers are down by a third, foreign students are down by 60% and temporary foreign workers are down by 50%. The population equilibrated, is equal.
We are investigating 100% of the fraud cases since the new government came to office. We have the system under control.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, it is all illusion. It is the same old Liberals, the same old failures.
Look at the economy. The Prime Minister likes to blame world affairs for his failing economy. The G7 countries have the same world economy, yet he has delivered the second-highest unemployment in the G7, the worst household debt in the G7, the worst housing costs in the G7 and the only shrinking economy in the G7. We have had 100,000 lost jobs in the last two months alone.
Why is it that, after the Prime Minister promised that he would be the first, he is the worst in the G7?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, let us take a look at what has happened since this summer. The United States has lost 6,000—
The EconomyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
These are important issues that we are discussing, and Canadians are watching.
The right hon. Prime Minister may begin from the top.