Debates of March 9th, 2026

Emergency Management

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Winnipeg South, MB]

Mr. Speaker, our national parks are national treasures that all Canadians take pride in.

Two years ago, Canadians across the country watched in horror as a monster fire ripped through Jasper National Park, causing thousands to evacuate and leaving many without their homes and businesses. In this crisis, the town has shown all of us how strong, united and resilient Canadians are.

Can the minister responsible for Jasper recovery speak to the whole-of-government co-ordination that is moving critical recovery and rebuilding projects forward?

[Eleanor Olszewski, Liberal, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, as an Albertan, I understand the special place that Jasper holds in the hearts of Albertans and Canadians.

Last week in Jasper, I announced that our government provided more than $14 million for new housing units to support the people who live and work there. This is in addition to the over $380 million that our government has already provided for recovery.

As ministerial lead for Jasper, I will ensure that Jasper, a place of unparalleled natural beauty, remains a place that Jasperites continue to—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Oshawa.

Public Safety

[Rhonda Kirkland, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week a convicted first-degree murderer was released unescorted in Oshawa for 72 hours. This man tortured, raped and murdered a 14-year-old boy and then threw his body in a garbage room. Durham Regional Police said that he is currently “a significant risk” and told Oshawa residents “to stay vigilant”.

Will the Prime Minister condemn this decision by the Parole Board of Canada and work with Conservatives to ensure that child killers serve their full sentences and are not released and walking our streets?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, the matter this member brings up is a decision that was made by the Parole Board of Canada, which is an independent entity from government.

Let me also say that in order to ensure the safety and security of our children and those who are exploited, we need lawful access as law in Canada. This is why I am concerned when the Conservative Party absolutely does not move forward on important legislation, such as Bill C-2 and Bill C-9, yet pontificates here, because they are doing it for clickbait. What is important is that we pass legislation that is critical for—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.

Foreign Affairs

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on February 28, the United States and Israel launched illegal attacks against Iran.

Lloyd Axworthy, former foreign minister of this country, wrote in the Toronto Star that day, “Canada once rejected America's aggressive, unlawful foreign policy. Today [the Prime Minister] embraced it”. He went on to say, “Under the [United Nations] Charter, cross-border uses of force are prohibited except in two narrow cases”. He points out that Operation Epic Fury applies to neither.

I will ask today, will the Prime Minister belatedly—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, while we support Iran's never obtaining a nuclear weapon, this support is not a blank cheque.

Canada reaffirms that international law binds all parties. All actors, including the United States and Israel, must respect the rules of international engagement. There are established international processes for making determinations about international law, and our immediate priority is going to be on de-escalation, the safety and security of civilians, and working to bring Canadians home.

Canada Post Corporation Act

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-262, An Act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce a bill, seconded by the member of Parliament for Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, that brings long overdue modernization and national consistency to how Canadians can buy and ship Canadian wine, beer and spirits across provincial borders.

As the Prime Minister often reminds us, we should focus on what we can control, and Parliament can control this. Canada should be our own best customer, not a place where our producers face some of their toughest barriers. Right now, it is still easier for a B.C. winery to ship to Texas than to Toronto. That makes no sense for consumers, small producers or a modern Canadian economy. This bill creates a simple national framework for direct-to-consumer shipping. It ensures that Canada Post provides consistent interprovincial service and allows trusted carriers that follow the same standards to compete and offer Canadians more choice and better service. It replaces a patchwork system of outdated provincial rules with a single predictable coast-to-coast system.

This matters for small wineries, craft breweries and distilleries that want to reach customers across the country. It matters for Canadians who want access to the best of every region. It matters for Parliament, because this is something positive, practical and long overdue.

I hope we can move past the prohibition era and the interprovincial trade barriers that still dog our country by working together across all parties to modernize a system Canadians have waited for for far too long. I would gladly work with all parties on accelerating this private member's bill or have the Minister of Finance include this framework in his next budget implementation act. If Parliament can pass this bill, then we can finally free the grapes and raise our spirits to a glorious pan-Canadian toast from coast to coast to coast.

Let us free the beer.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Disability Supports

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of deep concern for the people of Saanich—Gulf Islands and across Canada. Every MP in this place knows of this scandal, that people living with disabilities in this country are far more likely to be living in poverty. We voted and worked in this place to get the Canadian disability benefit through. However, at this point it is not lifting people out of poverty. Therefore, the petitioners are asking the House to look at the reality that the financial pressures from rising costs are disproportionately falling on these same people with disabilities across Canada. Any disability and emergency supports they receive end up occasionally being clawed back and are not treated as benefits they can keep.

The petitioners are very specifically relying on all of these facts and calling on the government to fix the Canadian disability benefit, alleviate the financial pressures and ensure that every person with disabilities across Canada receiving any disability support receive a one-time emergency support of $5,000 tax-free that is not means-tested and cannot be clawed back by any order of government.

Religious Freedom

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to table a petition from Canadians who are concerned that the Liberal-Bloc amendments to Bill C-9 could be used to criminalize passages from the Bible, the Quran, the Torah and other sacred texts. The state has no place in the religious texts or teachings of any faith community. Freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights that must be preserved. Therefore, the petitioners are calling on the Liberal Government of Canada to protect religious freedoms, uphold the right to read and share sacred texts, and prevent government overreach into matters of faith.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I present a petition that comes from many Christians across the country who are concerned about the effects of Bill C-9 and that its effects could criminalize passages of the Bible.

Petitioners say that the state has no place in the religious texts or teachings of any faith community and that freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights that must be preserved. Therefore, the petitioners call on the Liberal Government of Canada to protect religious freedom, uphold the right to read and to share sacred texts, and prevent government overreach into matters of faith.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

Mr. Speaker, residents from Richmond Centre—Marpole and hundreds of thousands of Canadians across the country are standing against Bill C-9 and for the protection of religious freedom in Canada.

The petitioners note that the Liberal-Bloc amendment adopted at committee would remove the good faith religious defence from the Criminal Code. They warn that this change would allow the state to persecute individuals for sharing passages from sacred texts, such as the Bible, the Quran, the Torah and other religious teachings, if they are deemed offensive.

Canadians understand that freedom of expression and freedom of religion are cornerstones of a free society. People of faith should never have to wonder whether expressing their beliefs will bring the power of the state to their—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Is the hon. member doing a summary, or is he reading a statement? The point of this part of the day is to summarize petitions, and I know there is a tendency to go a little further, so I would ask the member to summarize the petition rather quickly.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

Mr. Speaker, therefore, the petitioners call on the Government of Canada to withdraw Bill C-9 and protect the rights of Canadians to read, share and speak their religious convictions freely.

I have another petition to present.

The petitioners are seriously concerned about Bill C-9 and amendments adopted at the justice committee. The petitioners believe that these changes remove long-standing protections for good faith religious expression. They fear that this would allow the state to intrude into religious teachings, sacred texts and the peaceful expression of deeply held beliefs. They affirm that freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights in Canada, and they should be protected from government overreach.

Therefore, the petitioners call on the Government of Canada to withdraw Bill C-9 and to uphold and protect religious freedom, including the right to read, share and teach sacred texts without fear of criminal sanction.

The last petition I am presenting is on the same theme.

Petitioners warn that removing the good faith religious defence from the Criminal Code risks criminalizing the reading and sharing of sacred texts, including the Bible, the Quran and the Torah. They believe that this opens the door to persecuting Canadians for expressing deeply held religious beliefs. They remind the House that freedom of religion and freedom of expression are fundamental rights of a free and democratic society.

Therefore, the petitioners call on the Government of Canada to withdraw Bill C-9 and to protect religious freedom by preventing government intrusion into matters of faith.

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to table two petitions on behalf of Canadians who are concerned about the implications of Bill C-9.

The petitioners believe that freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights that must be preserved. They believe that Liberal Bill C-9 is an infringement on those rights. As such, they call on the House to withdraw Bill C-9 and prevent government intrusion into matters of faith.

Telecommunications

[Jason Groleau, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table a petition from the people of Saint‑Martin, in Beauce, who are concerned about the persistent failure of the cellular network in the region. The petitioners note that a number of areas in Saint‑Martin have a weak or even entirely unavailable cellular network. The difficulty they have in making reliable phone calls to their families, businesses and emergency services has created social, economic and public safety challenges that are affecting the quality of life of the people of Saint‑Martin.

The people of Saint‑Martin are asking telecommunications providers and relevant authorities to take steps and concrete measures to improve their cellular network. They are calling for this issue to be treated as a regional priority.

Religious Freedom

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition directed to the Government of Canada. The petitioners are concerned that the Liberal-Bloc amendment to Bill C-9 would potentially criminalize the reading or the teaching of certain passages of the Bible, the Quran and the Torah. Petitioners want the government to take note of that, immediately withdraw the amendment and also shelve Bill C-9.

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition, as many people have reached out to my office and contacted me repeatedly from various faith communities concerned about Bill C-9. This petition calls for there to be free expression, and the protection of freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of belief, which are fundamental rights.

I cannot help but think of Canada's 13th prime minister, Sir John G. Diefenbaker, when he said, “I am Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship God in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Is the member quoting from the petition?

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, it is in the spirit of the petition.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Diefenbaker was a great orator; that is for sure.

The hon. member for Courtenay—Alberni.

Wildland and Forest Firefighters

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table a petition that was collected by the National Union of Public and General Employees.

The petition first highlights that wildland and forest firefighters across Canada perform life-threatening public safety duties, including wildfire suppression and evacuation. They protect communities, ecosystems, property and critical infrastructure during increasingly severe wildfire seasons. The petitioners also highlight that climate change has led to longer, hotter and more destructive wildfire seasons, placing wildland and forest firefighters at a growing risk to their physical and mental health. However, they routinely deploy across provinces and territories, and internationally, to provide emergency response. Despite performing the same dangerous work as other firefighters, wildland and forest firefighters are excluded from the firefighter category in the national occupational classification, which is a misclassification that limits their access to recognition, benefits and protections available to other firefighters and public safety workers.

The petitioners therefore call on the government to immediately correct the miscalculation of wildland and forest firefighters in the national occupational classification by recognizing them as firefighters. They also ask the government to remove any and all federal barriers that prevent wildland and forest firefighters from being recognized as the firefighters and public safety workers that they are.

Arms Exports

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to table a petition from the residents of Victoria. They asked me to table this petition because the MP for Victoria would not do so.

The petitioners note that Canada acceded to the Arms Trade Treaty in 2019 and that the promise was made to Canadians that Canadian arms, components and weaponry would not be used in human rights violations and against humanity. However, they note there is a significant loophole, in that exports to the United States do not require any permitting. In fact, the vast majority of the exports to the U.S. do not require any permitting and therefore do not require risk assessments. There have been credible reports indicating that Canadian arms have been used in various conflicts, including in Gaza, Israel, Sudan, Yemen and so on, killing civilians, which is in violation of international humanitarian law.

Therefore, the petitioners 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.