House of Commons Hansard #107 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was students.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Conservative Members and Bloc Québécois members debate the government's recent budgetary policy excluding students at private vocational institutions from federal student grants. Conservatives argue this policy is discriminatory and ignores the vital role private colleges play in addressing critical labour shortages in rural and underserved areas. Liberals defend their broader investments in youth employment, while Bloc members criticize federal overreach in education, advocating for provincial jurisdiction over such decisions. 25200 words, 3 hours.
Admissibility of Committee Amendments to Bill C-11—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a point of order regarding Bill C-11, an act to reform the military justice system. After reviewing six amendments adopted by the Standing Committee on National Defence, the Speaker declares them inadmissible because they violate either the parent act principle or exceed the scope of the bill as approved at second reading. Consequently, these amendments are declared null and void, and the bill is reprinted. 1500 words.
Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act Report stage of Bill C-10. The bill proposes establishing an independent commissioner to oversee the implementation of modern treaties with Indigenous peoples. Proponents argue this body provides necessary accountability and transparency regarding federal commitments. However, Conservative members oppose the legislation, characterizing it as unnecessary bureaucracy that duplicates existing oversight mechanisms. They argue that the government should prioritize fulfilling its obligations through current departmental structures rather than incurring additional costs to address persistent implementation failures. 15300 words, 2 hours.
Use of Federal Lands for Veterans Members debate a motion from the Liberal Party instructing the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates to study repurposing surplus federal property to support veterans. While Liberals argue this planned study will create a necessary road map for better services, Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois oppose the motion, labeling it an inefficient use of legislative time that interferes with committee independence and misuses private members’ opportunities. 6500 words, 1 hour.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my colleague's discussion on this very important issue.
What does she think about the fact that in rural communities like Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay there are hardly any choices for people to further their education? This will further limit the choices that my constituents have.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Kelly DeRidder Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, my colleague is absolutely right. This is going to limit choices for those who cannot take a traditional path. In rural communities, that would be exponential because they cannot necessarily work a job and go to school at the same time. That is what these career colleges are doing for people. When people cannot take a traditional path to education and change their life, they go to a career college.
This is a very bad decision by the government, and it needs to reverse course.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Winnipeg North Manitoba
Liberal
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as I have clearly indicated, as a government, we have been very much focused, not only on one day, but every day of the year, on being there for young people. Yesterday, as has been already talked about, we had the major announcement that the youth summer jobs program is opening up. There are 100,000 young people who will benefit, potentially, under that program in itself. There are many different programs. However, this is not what we were supposed to be debating today. The Conservatives want to change the agenda, play a bit of a game.
Does the member support the appointment of Annette Ryan as the Parliamentary Budget Officer of Canada?
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Kelly DeRidder Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, what I am finding to be extraordinary here, in the time that I have been able to serve in the House of Commons, is that every time we hold the government to account, we are being told that we are playing games or we are obstructing government. The fact is that this is absolutely not a reality. What we are doing is speaking on behalf of the 42% of Canadians who voted for His Majesty's loyal opposition, ensuring that they have a voice at the table as well. While we are holding the government to account on this particular item, it is very important that the government reverse course here and help those Canadians who need to take different educational paths here in Canada.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Mr. Speaker, I want to continue this discussion in the House, a very important discussion for all of Canada, in particular for people living in rural communities. What we are talking about is the Liberal government's changes in budget 2025, which unfairly exclude career college students from federal grants.
This obviously undermines affordability and Canada's workforce needs. It also undermines skills training, which everybody in the House is talking about every day, and which we are going to need if we are going to build the housing and the infrastructure that our country needs imminently.
What this policy does is create two classes of students, based solely on where they actually study. It should not be up to us in the House to decide who gives a better education or what education anybody should have in the first place. I know that when my kids decided to go to school, I wanted them to be able to decide for themselves where they were going. As an institution, we are really promoting all types of education so that we have well-rounded communities in Canada.
With this policy, students are penalized for choosing hands-on, employment-based education. It is agreed on this side of the House, and I am sure that everybody in the House actually agrees with this, that many of the programs that are essential to moving forward as an autonomous country are only offered in career colleges. Public colleges are great, obviously. We have some of the best institutions in the world, but when people live in smaller communities, rural communities, such as Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, public colleges and universities are quite a drive away and not accessible to everyone. They do not offer some of the very important programs that are needed.
I will give an example: dentistry or dental hygienists. Right now, I would like to go see the dentist myself and go see the hygienist, but it is a six- to eight-month wait in all of the dentists' offices in and around where I live. If we go to even more rural communities in Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, it will be an even longer wait. That is just one example of what is happening.
Career colleges play a key role in rapid workforce training. Cutting grants for this particular segment of people who want to be able to further their education would obviously discourage enrolment, reduce the number of graduates and worsen the workforce gaps that we talk about every day in the House.
As for affordability, many students rely on these grants to afford career college programs. Many people understand that this is not a choice between going to a public school and going to a career college. It is not a choice. Many people do not have transportation, particularly in rural communities. We do not have a SkyTrain that we can take to a bigger city like Kelowna. We do not have mass transit. Sometimes the career college that happens to be down the street from one's house or nearby is really the only opportunity people have to further their education and then be able to put food on the table for their family. This is not a fun choice. This limits upward mobility and access to opportunity. I discourage this policy.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings at this time and put forthwith the question on the motion now before the House.
The question is on the motion.
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Mr. Speaker, I would like to request a recorded division.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with DisabilitiesCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the division stands deferred until later this same day, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
moved:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 111.1(2), and in accordance with subsection 79.1(1) of the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. P-1, the House approve the appointment of Annette Ryan as Parliamentary Budget Officer for a term of seven years.
Appointment of Parliamentary Budget OfficerRoutine Proceedings
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
The question is on the motion.
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
Appointment of Parliamentary Budget OfficerRoutine Proceedings
Appointment of Parliamentary Budget OfficerRoutine Proceedings
Gabriel Hardy Conservative Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Montmorency—Charlevoix to present a petition on the overabundance of striped bass in the St. Lawrence River.
Residents and fishers say that the striped bass population has increased sharply in recent years, creating a major ecological imbalance and putting a lot of pressure on the other species that our fishers depend on for their livelihood. Now they are having trouble catching their quotas.
The petition highlights a regulatory inconsistency. Striped bass fishing is allowed downstream but not upstream in the St. Lawrence River, which is where overabundance is an issue. In particular, residents are calling for collaboration with scientists to demonstrate that there are stocks in the river and to implement adaptive management measures, including expanding the recreational striped bass fishery and holding transparent consultations with fishers.
Despite the Government of Quebec sending a favourable opinion to the Minister of Fisheries, I must point out that today is the fifth time a petition has been presented in the House and no response has been given yet.
I therefore urge the government to act without delay.
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present three petitions on behalf of my constituents in Perth—Wellington.
The first petition is from constituents who are concerned about the export of live horses and are calling on the government to take action on the matter.
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is on amendments to Bill C-9, which constituents are concerned will impact the freedom of religion in Canada.
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Third and finally, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition over the concern about the thousands of acres of prime farmland that could be taken out of production in Clearview Township due to the Arctic over-the-horizon radar.
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I would like to present, as my colleague from Montmorency—Charlevoix has done, a petition concerning fisheries and the abundance of striped bass in the St. Lawrence River.
When I was young, there used to be striped bass fishing competitions and we would see monster-sized fish. That fishing has disappeared over time and striped bass have been reintroduced. Now, the overabundance of striped bass is harming the entire ecosystem in the St. Lawrence River near Côte-du-Sud, in my region.
I call on the government to take action following the tabling of this petition.
Bruce Fanjoy Liberal Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of over 42,000 Canadians, representing every part of this country, east, west, north and south. It is calling on all leaders of federal parties to seek and maintain top security clearance for the protection of our country.
This petition was initiated by a retired high-ranking RCMP officer who spent much of his career doing national security investigations. I am honoured to present this petition on behalf of him and 42,000 Canadians.
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise on behalf of the people of Winnipeg South Centre. Of course, a primary function of our responsibilities is to bring their voices here to the floor.
With that, I am presenting a petition today in the same vein as my colleague from Perth—Wellington, who rose a few moments ago. My constituents have asked me to raise the issue of banning the export of live horses for slaughter overseas. In undertaking my parliamentary responsibilities, I am proud to rise today to deliver that petition.
Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT
Mr. Speaker, it is my honour today to rise and table a petition initiated by a constituent of my riding in the Yukon. It calls on the House of Commons and the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to take measures to address prolonged screening delays faced by permanent residency applicants. This petition reflects the lived experiences and concerns of many individuals navigating these processes.
I would like to thank Zahra and Seyedsaber Kazemi who initiated this petition, as well as signatories for the hard work and advocacy put into this cause.
Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT
Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition from my constituents on international debt relief. This petition is part of a national campaign from 60,000 Canadians. It is called Turn Debt Into Hope, where petitioners, as part of the Jubilee 2025, have called on public, private and multilateral creditors, along with political leaders, to stop the debt crisis by cancelling and remedying unjust and unsustainable debts without economic policy conditions; to prevent debt crises from happening again by addressing their root causes and reforming the global financial system to prioritize people and planet; and to establish a permanent, transparent, binding and comprehensive debt framework within the United Nations.
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake, SK
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a couple of petitions.
The first one is signed by Canadians who oppose the Liberal government's firearms buyback and confiscation program. The petitioners note that the program targets law-abiding, licensed firearms owners and does nothing at all to address gun smuggling or gang violence, which is responsible for the sharp rise in crime. This program diverts resources from measures that would actually reduce violent crime. The public safety minister has also admitted that this is costly and ineffective.
Therefore, petitioners call upon the government to end the buyback program and prioritize public safety through real reforms, including stricter bail for dangerous and repeat offenders.
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake, SK
Mr. Speaker, the second petition I am presenting today is signed by Canadians who are deeply concerned about the Liberal government's planned expansion of medical assistance in dying to persons whose sole underlying condition is mental illness.
The petitioners call on the government to support the right to recover act, Bill C-218, and halt this dangerous expansion. Hope is always possible and that is why we are urging Parliament to prioritize suicide prevention and improve access to mental health supports for vulnerable Canadians.
