House of Commons Hansard #123 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was workers.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Georgina's Law First reading of Bill S-242. The bill proposes a permanent national framework to combat intimate partner violence and gender-based violence, requiring government accountability while fostering collaboration among provinces and territories to protect women across Canada. 200 words.
Premature Disclosure of a Bill and its Elements to a Third Party Andrew Scheer alleges that the Liberal government fosters improper, cozy relationships with corporate insiders, arguing this trend warrants a privilege motion to investigate government ethics, outsourcing practices, and conflicts of interest. 500 words.
Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 Second reading of Bill C-31. The bill is under second reading debate in the House of Commons. Following tributes for departing minister Steven Guilbeault, opposition members criticized the proposed budget, arguing it fails to address the cost of living crisis. Conservatives also denounced the legislation's defence procurement changes, proposing an amendment to reject the bill based on concerns regarding government accountability and transparency. 7300 words, 1 hour.
Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No.2 Kevin Lamoureux argues against the request by the member for Mirabel to separate division 17 of Bill C-31 for voting, asserting that the air transportation amendments align with budget 2025 commitments and standing orders. 700 words.
Premature Disclosure of a Bill and its Elements to a Third Party Kevin Lamoureux argues against a question of privilege regarding Bill C-31, asserting that the government respected parliamentary procedure by ensuring the House had proper notice before introducing the budget implementation bill. 900 words.
Canada Labour Code Second reading of Bill C-247. The bill C-247 seeks to repeal section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to prevent government intervention in labour disputes. The Bloc supports protecting the right to strike, while the Liberals advocate for keeping this tool to ensure economic stability. Conversely, the Conservatives oppose overturning the section, arguing it is not inherently flawed despite criticizing the government's recent weaponization of it. 7600 words, 1 hour.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition I would like to present today is regarding the ongoing challenges British Columbians are facing regarding recreational access to coho and chinook in British Columbia.
Constituents are calling in good faith on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to leave the current salmon allocation policy alone and to uphold the cultural rights and traditions of all British Columbians to access fish, especially on the Fraser River.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, the final petition I would like to present today is on behalf of Canadian organic growers who are concerned about the closure of the organic and regenerative research program at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre.
Petitioners note that this was the only dedicated organic research initiative within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Therefore, they call on the government to reinstate the program and strengthen public research in organic and regenerative agriculture within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to align with the government's own goals of increasing agricultural exports abroad.
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon South, SK
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure this afternoon to rise and present a petition signed by Canadians from across my province of Saskatchewan, and actually many from my riding of Saskatoon South, who strongly oppose Bill C-9 for its infringement upon the fundamental right of free speech. Many of the people who signed the petition in Saskatchewan in the last couple of months came to Saskatoon as we held a round table, and many of these people are upset with Bill C-9 and what the current government is doing with the infringement of their rights.
William Stevenson Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table a petition today on behalf of fellow chartered professional accountants and other tax preparers who are concerned about how the Canada Revenue Agency authorizes its tax representatives. The petitioners point out that the CRA has moved to an online-only system, through “My Account”, creating real barriers for Canadians. Seniors, those with disabilities and those who have unreliable Internet and digital skills are left behind. It is unfair. Many of these individuals rely on trusted tax preparers to help them meet their obligations. Under the previous system, only a year ago, certified e-filers could securely and efficiently process authorizations on behalf of their clients. That process worked up until a year ago, but now it has become difficult to get the representatives authorized.
The petitioners acknowledge the importance of preventing fraud. However, they believe the current system unfairly penalizes the vast majority of honest taxpayers and tax professionals because of the actions of a small number of bad actors. They are calling on the government to direct the CRA to restore the accessible authorization methods for approved tax preparers and to ensure that fraud prevention efforts are targeted only at those who are bad actors.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to table this petition on behalf of people living in Port Alberni, in my riding. They highlight and want to draw the House of Commons' attention to these facts: that wealth inequality in Canada is rising, with more Canadians struggling to afford the basics of life while corporate profits continue to break records; that austerity measures often exacerbate inequality; that the federal government is implementing austerity measures, including a massive cut of $25 billion to publicly funded jobs and programs that Canadians rely on; that the federal government has cut and plans on further cutting taxes on the wealthy; and that climate change is worsening, causing Canadians a projected $25 billion in losses each year.
The petitioners highlight that a wealth tax could, as per the Centre for Policy Alternatives, generate more than $32 billion in its first year alone. They are calling on the government to reverse the sweeping cuts to Canadian jobs and services and to put forward a bill to fund good-paying jobs, public services and the transition to a sustainable economy by making corporations and the wealthiest Canadians pay their fair share.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of over 1,000 residents of Kingston and the Islands and surrounding communities, I am pleased to present a petition that highlights the limits to freedoms that exist around communication, Internet access, etc., in Iran. In particular, they are calling on the federal government to assist in maintaining Internet access for those who are affected, to advocate for investigations into humanitarian violations, to support international initiatives to protect detained citizens and to facilitate humanitarian pathways for family reunification.
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to table a petition today on behalf of residents of Perth—Wellington who are advocating for Canadians living with disabilities. They are calling for an increase in the lifetime contribution for the RDSP and, further, that these contributions be indexed annually to the rate of inflation.
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise to table a petition from constituents of the riding of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, because the constituents tell me their MP would not table it.
The petitioners note that Canada acceded to the Arms Trade Treaty in 2019, committing to prevent the transfer of arms where there is a substantial risk that they could be used in human rights abuses, war crimes or crimes against humanity. They also note that a significant loophole in Canada's export laws currently allows Canadian-made weapons, parts and components to be exported to the United States, from where they may be transferred to third countries. They note that international bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council, and independent UN experts have called on all states to halt arms transfers where there is a substantial risk of their use in violations of international humanitarian law.
Therefore, the petitioners are calling on the House of Commons to enact legislation to close existing loopholes in Canada's arms export laws, including removing exemptions for the U.S., strengthening oversight and ensuring that Canadian arms are never used to commit or facilitate human rights abuses.
Arms ExportsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec
Before we return to petitions, I just want to remind members to not provide extraneous information to the House that has nothing to do with the context of the petition, such as referencing whether another member did or did not want to table a petition.
The hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting an e-petition that has the signatures of just under 5,000 Canadians, raising an issue that seems pretty much a no-brainer.
The death benefit from the Canadian pension plan has been frozen at the same level since 1998, at $2,500. Obviously, the cost of living and the cost of a funeral, the cost of dying, in this country have more than doubled since 1998.
Since many Canadians outlive their savings, the petitioners are asking the House of Commons to consider that the CPP top-up death benefit really applies only to people who have never received CPP. The number of people who are suffering and who are living below the poverty line calls us to consider this: that the House of Commons and the government increase the CPP death benefit.
Petitioners have calculated the inflation-adjusted 2025 value of where the benefit was in 1998, so they are calling on the government to increase the CPP death benefit to $6,400 and to provide tax deductions and credits for families for funeral expenses and other final expenses, to help all Canadian families afford a dignified funeral and burial for their loved ones.
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. 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035 and 1036 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
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all remaining questions be allowed to stand.
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnRoutine Proceedings
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
Agreed.
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnRoutine Proceedings
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all notices of motions for the production of papers be allowed to stand.
Premature Disclosure of a Bill and its Elements to a Third PartyPrivilegeRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK
Mr. Speaker, I rise on the question of privilege that the Bloc Québécois raised the other day. I would like to add a few comments for the Speaker's consideration.
I think the specific situation described by the hon. member for Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères speaks to a worrying, broader trend with the Liberal government and its cozy relationships with corporate insiders. At the root of it is a Prime Minister who remains invested in Brookfield through what is called “carried interest”, despite that company's extensive presence in many fields where the Prime Minister and his ministers have control of powerful policy levers that can greatly influence Brookfield's asset prices and revenue streams.
The House's ethics committee heard last autumn about Brookfield executives being able to call up the Prime Minister and secure private meetings with him. That is something the average Canadian certainly cannot do. The government's first major bill in the present Parliament, Bill C-5, was about empowering Liberal ministers to waive red tape for select insiders, rather than getting out of the way of economic development for the benefit of all Canadians.
The Major Projects Office, established to provide a concierge service for the Liberals' approved insiders, is being staffed with friends of the Prime Minister from Bay Street whose salaries are being topped up by banking and corporate interests and who very well may stand to benefit from the decisions their loaned-out employees are making. The Prime Minister's approach to bureaucracies he does not like has not been to fix them to work better but to add another layer of bureaucracy and bring in corporate friends to run them.
The list of examples goes on, including now the Bloc's observations about Air Canada's getting an inside track on changes to the handling of air passenger complaints. Of course, the Liberals' proposed fix for air passenger complaints is to replace Canadian public servants with European-modelled consultants, adding to the Liberals' unrelenting, multi-billion-dollar addiction to outsourcing as it hands out contracts, hand over fist, to well-placed, friendly consulting firms.
There is an age-old saying in this town: “Whenever the Liberals are in office, it is all about who you know and the PMO.” That is probably more true now than it has ever been. These are issues that, quite honestly, vigilant committees need to stay on top of, though I know the Liberals' engineered majority on committees will make sure these issues will not see the light of day. That is why a question of privilege and the proposed referral to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs would be quite timely.
I would urge the Speaker to find a prima facie case of privilege in this case so we can get the wheels in motion on a study about yet another apparent cozy corporate crony relationship to the Liberal government and its parliamentary proposals.
Premature Disclosure of a Bill and its Elements to a Third PartyPrivilegeRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec
I thank the official opposition House Leader. It is noted.
It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, Employment; the hon. member for Courtenay—Alberni, Fisheries and Oceans; the hon. member for Riding Mountain, Health.
Jill McKnight Liberal Delta, BC
moved that Bill C-31, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, be read the second time and referred to a committee.
Steven Guilbeault Liberal Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, a few months after I turned 25, I embarked on my first overseas trip, one that, without my knowing it, would set the course of my entire life. I was heading to Berlin for what was then a little-known gathering: the very first conference of parties on climate change, COP1. History was being made, and I was lucky enough to be in the room.
Like many of my peers at the time, I was setting off for the old world with my backpack, but unlike them, I was not going to be backpacking across Europe. Instead, I slept on a gymnasium floor with 600 young people from all over the world in what had, a few years earlier, been East Berlin.
We had a common goal: to convince governments around the world to agree on an ambitious plan to tackle climate change.
The experience made me realize not only how crucial the climate crisis and, as I would later discover, the nature crisis are, but also how important international collaboration is to finding solutions to these complex issues.
Over the next two decades, I channelled this conviction into environmental work with NGOs, advocating for change, mobilizing support and building bridges between science, civil society and public policy. It was this experience that ultimately led me to politics.
In 2019, then prime minister Justin Trudeau asked me to join the Liberal team to help accelerate action on climate change. When I became environment minister, my mandate included developing Canada's first comprehensive climate plan to meet our international obligations. We also developed the country's first comprehensive adaptation plan to prepare and protect Canadians from the dangers of a changing climate, changes that we can no longer avoid, and those plans were working.
These plans, through policies, regulations and legislation, have been designed to ensure that Canada makes its fair contribution to reducing pollution and protecting Canadians from the devastation we are already seeing in communities from coast to coast to coast.
Before making the final decision to run, there was one thing I asked: the ability to distance myself from the decision by the government to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline. As an environmentalist with deep understanding of the scientific consensus on the urgency and need to rapidly reduce heat-trapping gases, I had opposed a number of oil and gas projects and had criticized the Trudeau government for moving ahead with the purchase of TMX.
Many of my political opponents have used these positions to try to portray me as anti-development. That has always made me smile a little, because throughout my professional career, I have championed numerous development projects across the country, such as wind and solar projects, public transit and active mobility initiatives, the electrification of our public transit system, including boosting sales of electric vehicles, and, more recently, the high-speed rail project.
I was onstage in Edmonton in 2015 when then NDP premier Rachel Notley announced her climate leadership plan. Again I was roundly criticized by some environmentalists for doing so, but I have always believed in collaborating with provinces within the framework of the scientific reality of climate change.
Much has changed since then. Just 10 years ago, for every dollar invested worldwide in fossil fuel production, another dollar was invested in clean and renewable technologies. Today, that ratio is two to one in favour of renewable energy. Last year, global electric vehicle sales reached nearly 23%.
There are not many reasons that lead people to enter politics. In my case, it was a desire to pursue my quest for a better environment, for the fight against climate change, and for nature protection. These intense, demanding and deeply meaningful seven years have been among the most formative of my life. I leave proud of what we have accomplished together.
After nearly seven years serving as the member for the beautiful riding of Laurier—Sainte‑Marie, the time has come for me to seek new avenues to continue my life's work. I will therefore be resigning my seat in the House later this summer.
I am profoundly grateful to my children, family, friends, staff and constituents, as well as volunteers, many of whom have come to Ottawa today to be with us and who have made this work possible. They gave me far more than I can ever give back. Mr. Speaker, I will not mention the fact that some of them may be here in the House, because you would tell me I am not allowed to do that.
The journey that began in Berlin more than 30 years ago is not over. It is simply continuing in another direction, with the same urgency and renewed hope.
The fight for our planet is the struggle of our generation, and I fully intend to keep fighting. It has been the honour of my life to represent my community and my country.
Shuv Majumdar Conservative Calgary Heritage, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am a rookie in the chamber, a new member of Parliament having served barely, not even, three years. However, I can acknowledge that public service comes at a price, a cost to our friends, our family and all our loved ones.
The hon. member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie certainly has committed himself to this service. We could say that he has very deep convictions. Perhaps we would not agree on anything. Probably we would not agree on anything, but his deep convictions might have been taken a bit too literally by him over the years. In fact, as colleagues may know, the hon. member was arrested in Lakeview in my riding, scaling former premier Ralph Klein's home, and was taken into custody. In a sense, he may have served more time in Calgary than I have.
Let me just say that it is a complex issue, because we know that his policies have caused hardships for over a decade. His policies have caused so much hardship for so many families across this country that the price that has been paid by millions of Canadians for his determination has been a very heartbreaking one for all Canadians to bear witness to, but rest assured that his legacy lives on with the current Liberal Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has kept the tanker ban in place. The Prime Minister has kept the “no more pipelines” ban. The Prime Minister has kept the net-zero doctrine. He has kept the EV mandate. The Prime Minister has made sure that his legacy of plastic lids on coffee has been maintained, and in Calgary we cannot use compostable bags. He has kept the industrial carbon tax.
One must ask, as I conclude, if the member draws some satisfaction from the Liberal Prime Minister's carrying on his legacy.