House of Commons Hansard #120 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was victims.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Military Justice System Modernization Act Third reading of Bill C-11. The bill, C-11, proposes modernizing the military justice system by transferring jurisdiction over sexual offences to civilian authorities, a recommendation of Justice Arbour. While Liberals contend this is vital for reform, the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois criticize the government for using its majority to reject committee amendments that would have permitted victim choice between court systems. Opposition parties argue this change disregards survivors' agency by mandating a singular legal path. 15600 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Food and Drugs Act Second reading of Bill C-265. The bill, introduced by the Liberal Party, creates a pre-approved drug list to expedite the special access program for patients facing life-threatening conditions. While proponents emphasize reducing bureaucratic delays, Conservative Party members expressed concerns regarding potential loophole exploitation by pharmaceutical companies and the inclusion of controlled substances. The Bloc Québécois also noted the need for better federal-provincial consultation. 8700 words, 1 hour.
Rebecca Alty LiberalMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Mr. Speaker, the one thing that is clear is the Conservatives have not read the Musqueam agreement, the full litigation principle number 14 or the Canadian Constitution. Section 92 shows that provincial authority is private property and private property is provincial authority.
The member opposite yesterday was talking about the “secret” agreement of Musqueam. Again, it is available on the website. There are sections 5.1 and 5.2 that he should read.
John Williamson Conservative Saint John—St. Croix, NB
Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court is considering whether to hear a New Brunswick land claim case involving private property across half the province. Supporters of the claim openly argue that aboriginal title should apply to private land. They believe that government should use expropriation powers to transfer it. The Liberals directed government lawyers to not defend private property rights in the Cowichan Tribes case in British Columbia.
Will the Prime Minister reverse this directive or will he abandon his responsibility to defend the rights of property owners on Canada's west and east coasts?
Rebecca Alty LiberalMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member opposite flagging the New Brunswick Court of Appeal. They reached a very different conclusion from Cowichan. Therefore, we now have two courts in Canada taking opposite approaches. That divergence is exactly why clarity from the courts is required, and that is the clarity that we are seeking in the Cowichan case, which we appealed, the Government of British Columbia appealed, the Cowichan appealed, the Musqueam appealed, the Tsawwassen appealed and the City of Richmond appealed.
It is active litigation before the courts.
John Williamson Conservative Saint John—St. Croix, NB
However, Mr. Speaker, Canadians are demanding clarity from the government on its legal strategy and that the government stand up and defend private property, but the Liberals are putting private property rights at risk in Canada. In 2019, the Liberal government removed arguments to support fee simple private property rights in the Cowichan case. We cannot blame government lawyers for following ministerial directives. The federal government must ensure fee simple property ownership takes priority in legal cases.
Will the Prime Minister protect private property rights in all future negotiations and legal cases with first nations, yes or no?
Rebecca Alty LiberalMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Mr. Speaker, I encourage the member opposite to read all of litigation principle number 14. He has only read the first sentence.
However, what I will talk about is the Cowichan case and the current status. As far back as 2017, Canada argued that private landowners should be notified of litigation. However, the courts ruled against that. Since the ruling last summer, we consented to the Montrose application, and we are now awaiting a ruling from the judge on that. Montrose has applied to the British Columbia Supreme Court to reopen the trial and be added as a party. That will allow an impacted private property owner to be heard at trial.
Roman Baber Conservative York Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, after one year, Canadians see that all the promises are broken and all the fancy speeches were just an illusion. With the Prime Minister, it is more costs, more taxes, more debt and more unemployment. The Prime Minister is just another Liberal.
After a decade of deficits, taxes and debt, Canada has the lowest investment per worker, the second-lowest productivity and second-highest unemployment in the G7. The Liberals will add $1 trillion of debt by the turn of this decade, but Canadians will pay this credit card through more inflation and more taxes.
Why will the Liberal Prime Minister not stop swiping the national credit card so Canadians can afford to live?
Ryan Turnbull LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, the member said “more taxes”. This government has only reduced taxes. We have cut, capped and suspended many taxes and we have enhanced tax deductions for millions of Canadian families, workers and businesses.
We have also protected federal benefits that Canadians rely on and added new benefits like the groceries and essentials benefit, which will help families with about $1,900 this year to help with the cost of groceries. We are also making it easier for Canadians to file their taxes so they can access those benefits through automated tax filing. That shows a clear commitment to addressing—
FinanceOral Questions
Roman Baber Conservative York Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, the member should tell that to the 2.2 million Canadians at the food bank. The Liberals' $1 trillion of new debt means less growth and fewer jobs. In April, Canada lost 18,000 jobs. The unemployment rate is up. In the first four months of this year, Canada lost 111,000 full-time jobs. Youth unemployment is at 14.3%. Young Canadians already cannot afford rent, groceries or homes. Now they cannot even find a job. Liberal insiders are getting rich while Canadians are getting poor.
Will the Liberal government stop maxing out the national credit card so Canadians can afford the basic necessities of life?
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives talk about jobs, but in reality, they do not want us to do anything. Listen to what the Conservatives say. Their policies, in one word, suck.
Let me tell members something. When we look at what this government has done over the last year, we see that we have been building major projects, looking to expand export opportunities and bringing billions of dollars in investment. Those things are going to create the jobs that Canadians want, not only today, but also into the future.
It is time the Conservative Party wake up, get on side and be a little more—
FinanceOral Questions
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
Order. I am just going to remind the parliamentary secretary, who is an experienced member, not to use language that could be considered unparliamentary.
The hon. member for Dufferin—Caledon.
Kyle Seeback Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Mr. Speaker, the unemployment rate in Japan is 2.4%. In Germany, it is 3.7%. In the United States, it is 4.2%. In the United Kingdom, it is 4.7%.
After the Liberals have been running our economy, Canada is at 6.9%. We shed 47,000 jobs in April alone. That is 47,000 families that now have to figure out how they are going to pay their rent or their mortgage and put food on the table.
After doubling the national debt and spending so much money, how have the results for Canadians been so terrible?
Ryan Turnbull LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, whether it is investing in skilled trades workers, small craft harbours or sports from playground to podium, or improving access to the disability tax credit, we are building Canada strong. That is a Canada not just for a few Canadians, but for all Canadians.
We are doing that in a fiscally responsible manner. We have $11 billion less of a deficit. We have a AAA credit rating. We are in the best fiscal position in the G7. We have also had the largest increase in foreign direct investment in 20 years. The PBO just confirmed that we have strong fiscal anchors. That is—
FinanceOral Questions
Kyle Seeback Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Mr. Speaker, I almost do not even know where to start with that statement. The member said the Liberals reduced the deficit by $11 billion. That is not true. Under Justin Trudeau, the deficit was $30 billion. It is now $65 billion. That is not less, it is more. If they do not know that is more and not less, maybe that is why we have such a problem. When they say they are going to do things, they do not seem to understand that if they write something down, it does not mean it actually happens. That is why we have the highest unemployment rate in the G7.
Will the Liberals at least apologize to the 112,000 Canadian families that lost their jobs and are now going to food banks?
Karim Bardeesy LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, we have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We have the highest foreign direct investment in this country in 18 years, at almost $100 billion. We have the highest exports on record, including a 31% increase in exports to Europe. These are signs of our resilience and the strength of our economy. Our plan is starting to work, despite the trade action that is being launched. We really seek the other side's support in getting on board with these investments that can create jobs for young Canadians.
Giovanna Mingarelli Liberal Prescott—Russell—Cumberland, ON
Mr. Speaker, in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape where partnerships matter more than ever, Canada must work closely with allies, while also building new relationships with like-minded countries.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs update the House on how Canada is expanding its presence on the global stage, including through new forums and partnerships, to strengthen alliances, attract investment and support economic growth for Canadians?
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I think everyone in this House knows that our government is significantly engaging around the world to do three things. We want to open markets for Canadian goods and services while attracting investment. We want to create jobs for young people and all Canadians. We want to ensure that our economy is resilient.
Just last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs was in Armenia representing Canada at the European Political Community Summit. This was the first time Canada has participated in this forum. We attracted investment. We will continue to create jobs. We will continue to build Canada strong.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal's PrescribeIT program has been a total debacle, costing taxpayers $300 million for a program that effectively no one used and that the government has since been forced to cancel. We have learned that the CEO of the program was being paid $1 million a year, including pocketing a $215,000 bonus. This happened under the health minister's watch.
Will she accept responsibility for this latest outrageous abuse of taxpayer dollars?
Maggie Chi LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, PrescribeIT was launched by the previous government in 2017 in consultation with provinces and territories. The program was always intended to become self-funded over time. When it became clear that it was not having the expected uptake and there was no path toward financial sustainability, our new government made the responsible decision to end funding to the program and redirect resources to make sure we maximize benefits for all Canadians.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Mr. Speaker, the previous government is the same old Liberal government, and the buck stops with the minister. However, the minister has admitted that she asked no questions as 300 million tax dollars went up in smoke. In addition to the CEO, several other executives were paid handsomely and walked away with $60,000- and $70,000-bonuses.
Who else got rich while taxpayers got hosed as the minister was asleep at the switch?
Maggie Chi LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I will reiterate that the program was intended for pharmacies and clinicians to do e-prescribing. After consultation with and requests from provinces and territories, when it became clear that the uptake was not there, our new government decided to end the funding to the program and redirect resources to make sure that it benefits all Canadians.
Burton Bailey Conservative Red Deer, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is week three of Liberal obstruction at the health committee on the $300-million prescribeIT scandal. The Liberals are desperately shielding their buddies and covering up a decade-long disaster of failed programs that did not fill prescriptions but padded the pockets of Liberal insiders.
Now the Liberals want to reward failure by giving Canada Health Infoway even more cash to blow in the future. Canadians are done with the Liberal money-laundering schemes.
When will the Liberals end the obstruction so Conservatives can get accountability for Canadians?
Maggie Chi LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, Canada's new government was elected with a clear mandate to ensure that programs and policies are delivered smarter, faster and more effectively for all Canadians. We are refocusing our spending and Canada Health Infoway's mandate so we can support the development of national health data standards while allowing our health sector partners to deliver solutions that work for all Canadians.
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Mr. Speaker, this week the Standing Committee on Public Safety heard critical testimony from various witnesses on Bill C-22, including the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. They highlighted that investigations on child sexual exploitation are taking too long and that the bill would help law enforcement get the necessary information quicker.
Can the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Public Safety tell the House how this bill is part of our government's broader public safety initiative?