(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
House of Commons Hansard #131 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was recession.
House of Commons Hansard #131 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was recession.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
The Criminal Code Third reading of Bill S-228. The bill amends the Criminal Code to explicitly define forced or coerced sterilization as aggravated assault. During the debate, members from all parties treated this as a non-partisan issue centered on preserving bodily autonomy and free and informed consent. Acknowledging the traumatic experiences of survivors like Katy Bear, the House ultimately ensured the legislation was carried unanimously. 7000 words, 1 hour.
Opposition Motion—The Government's Fiscal Policies Members debate a Conservative motion characterizing Canada's economy as being in a recession and demanding a reversal of government policies. Conservatives argue that failed government strategies have stifled investment and increased costs for households. Liberals counter by emphasizing positive labour market data and affordability supports, accusing the opposition of unwarranted pessimism. The Bloc Québécois criticizes both parties, focusing on concerns regarding productivity and the government's management of major infrastructure projects and fiscal accountability. 35800 words, 4 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Interparliamentary Delegations Members Ginette Petitpas Taylor, James Maloney, and Terry Sheehan present various reports to the House regarding the activities, bilateral missions, and inter-parliamentary delegation meetings of the Canada-France, Canada-Europe, Canada-China, and Canada-Japan associations. 500 words.
Somali Heritage Month Act First reading of Bill C-283. The bill proposes officially designating July of each year as Somali Heritage Month in Canada to celebrate the cultural contributions and history of Somali Canadians within the nation. 200 words.
Canada Labour Code First reading of Bill C-284. The bill proposes amending the Canada Labour Code to prohibit employers from using outside managers as replacement workers during strikes and lockouts, aiming to strengthen protections for collective bargaining and unionized workers’ rights. 200 words.
Wartime Service Recognition Act First reading of Bill S-246. The bill creates a national framework for formally recognizing Canadian Armed Forces military service as wartime service, establishing criteria and timelines for designation from the Korean War onward and for future conflicts. 100 words.
Concurrence in Vote 5—Department of National Defence Members debate the 2026-27 main estimates, focusing on government spending priorities and requests for departmental funding. Conservatives criticize the government’s $200-million lease for a spaceport in Nova Scotia, alleging a lack of transparency and favoritism toward Liberal insiders. Liberals defend the spending as a strategic investment to achieve space sovereignty, modernize the Canadian Armed Forces, and support economic growth, while the NDP raises concerns regarding the need for better protection against fraud within the financial sector. 27800 words, 4 hours.
Main Estimates, 2026-27 First reading of Bill C-32. The bill, a supply act appropriating money for federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, is introduced, debated in committee of the whole, and passed by the House of Commons. .
Supplementary Estimates (A), 2026‑27 First reading of Bill C-33. The bill authorizes funding for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, completing its legislative passage through the House of Commons after committee review and a final vote. 200 words.
Adjournment Debate - Health Dan Mazier and Matt Strauss demand accountability regarding $300 million in spent funds on the PrescribeIT program and question the independence of Canada Health Infoway. Maggie Chi dismisses these concerns as political obstruction, accusing Conservatives of neglecting a public health emergency involving HIV in Manitoba. 1300 words, 10 minutes.
Bill C-33 Supplementary Estimates (A), 2026‑27Government Orders
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I declare the motion carried.
(Bill read the third time and passed)
A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to be here at the late show.
Canadians across the country are demanding that the health committee investigate the Liberals' $300-million PrescribeIT scandal. When Conservatives called on the Auditor General to investigate, the Liberal Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health moved to turn off the committee cameras. Since then, she has refused to explain herself to the committee. She has refused to explain herself to Parliament. She has refused to explain herself to the media. She has refused to explain herself to her constituents, and she has refused to explain herself to Canadians.
Now the Liberals are pulling an even more disgusting political stunt. They are using Canadians suffering with HIV as an excuse to bury the truth. They are hiding behind an HIV study, a study that Conservatives have publicly agreed to support, to stop the health committee from working and to block an investigation into PrescribeIT. Even HIV organizations are now calling out the Liberals for politicizing this issue. Let us think about that. The Liberals are so desperate to cover up $300 million in wasted taxpayers' money that they are using Canadians suffering with HIV as a political shield.
My question is simple. Will the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health commit today to supporting a full investigation into the PrescribeIT scandal, yes or no?
Maggie Chi LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, our government did the responsible thing by announcing the end of the federal funding for PrescribeIT because the plan was always for the provinces and territories to pay their own way once we got the system up and running. Since we made that decision, we have already seen the Province of Quebec come to the table and sign an agreement to pay to use PrescribeIT across pharmacies in Quebec. With Quebec on board, we are hopeful that other provinces will soon want to follow suit.
For the past month, the Conservatives have been blocking the health committee from discussing issues that matter to Canadians, like the public health emergency that has been declared in that member's home province of Manitoba because of the sharp rise in HIV infections. It is disgraceful behaviour by the members opposite who have been engaged in this endless obstruction. The member for Kitchener South—Hespeler on the health committee openly stated that he did not believe we could take any actions as parliamentarians to help Manitoba.
Well, I am sorry, but when a public emergency has been declared, on this side of the House we are all hands on deck, while the members opposite are busy making clips for their social media.
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
Mr. Speaker, this is a very simple question. Does the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health support investigating the $300 million spent on PrescribeIT, yes or no?
Maggie Chi Liberal Don Valley North, ON
Mr. Speaker, once again, the Conservatives would rather obstruct the health committee and block our motion to study the public health emergency in the member's home province of Manitoba than help Canadians.
The member opposite claims we are blocking the work of committee. This is quite rich, considering that a Conservative committee member was filibustering by making a speech about the Magna Carta and described the public health emergency in Manitoba as a facade.
Canadians elected our new government to focus on resolving the challenges our country faces. I invite the members opposite to put down their phone, join us and get to work.
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to be here so late. I am hoping that if some of the Liberals get sleepy enough, perhaps they will accidentally answer the questions and provide some light on what has gone on at PrescribeIT.
We are here for this particular adjournment proceeding question because, on May 28, I pointed out to the health minister that she said in the House that she had spoken to the board of Canada Health Infoway, and subsequently that caused its million‑dollar CEO, Michael Green, to be fired. The only problem is that the chairman of that board said that the Minister of Health had never spoken to the board, so there was a clear discrepancy. We raised as a question of privilege at the committee that somebody was clearly not telling the truth.
The minister responded during that question period, saying she meant that she had spoken with her representative on the board, so in a follow-up question, I asked if her representative had spoken to the chairman of the board. She said she was “not going to get into who said what”. Well, why on earth not? This matters. It is important, because it has to do with how the organization is governed.
The next thing the minister said during that question period was that “Canada Health Infoway is a separate entity from the government.” Is that true? How can it possibly be true? If the minister appoints the board chair, subsequently appoints a direct representative of herself on the board and then gives instructions to that representative to fire the CEO, how on earth can the organization be said to be independent?
I think, honestly, that this is how organizations come to be poorly governed. This is how they come to blow $300 million on a program that did not work but that should have been billed successfully for $5 million.
The minister is making a Schrödinger’s cat out of responsibility. If she does something good, such as fire the million‑dollar CEO, that is because she is in charge, but if the organization does something bad, then suddenly it is at arm's length and she has no control over it. This cannot go on. Is she responsible for what goes on at Canada Health Infoway, or is she not? Is she responsible for how it spends taxpayers' money, or is she not? Does she have the power to fire the CEO, or does she not?
I will tell the House who has the power to fire all of us: the taxpayer. Why will the minister not say who said what in the chamber, so the taxpayers can make a decision about who needs to be fired? Why will she not come to committee to answer these questions instead of sending attachés who, frankly, do not answer these questions when we ask? However, I am hopeful tonight, so here we go.
Maggie Chi LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, as the minister has stated, any future funding must align with Canada Health Infoway's mandate and deliver value for Canadians. That means supporting the modernization of Canada's health care system and improving how health information is shared across the country.
Our government will remain focused on making sure Canadians have access to a modern, connected health care system that works for them.
Matt Strauss Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
Mr. Speaker, I asked several very specific questions. I asked whether Canada Health Infoway is independent or not. I asked whether the Minister of Health has oversight on its funding or not. I asked whether the Minister of Health has the power to fire the CEO of Canada Health Infoway or not. I have asked whether the minister would come to health committee to explain these things in more detail. The member did not answer even one of those questions.
It is 11 p.m. It costs money to keep the chamber open. Tens of thousands of people voted for me so I could ask these questions. Tens of thousands of people voted for the member so she could answer these questions. Why will she not just answer them and respect the House, respect the Speaker and respect the mace?
Maggie Chi Liberal Don Valley North, ON
Mr. Speaker, I do want to remind folks again that the member opposite continued to obstruct our health committee on the very important study on HIV in Manitoba, the member's colleague's own province. He openly stated that he did not believe that we can take any action as parliamentarians to help Manitobans. That is, frankly, just disgraceful. It is shameful.
On this side of the House, we will always work to improve the health of Canadians. We will always take a public health crisis as urgent.
HealthAdjournment Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).
(The House adjourned at 11:21 p.m.)