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44th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION

Journals No. 322 Friday, May 31, 2024 10:00 a.m.

The clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker.

Whereupon, Mrs. Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing), Assistant Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole, took the chair, pursuant to Standing Order 8.

Prayer

Government Orders

The order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs of Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act.

Mr. Vandal (Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency) for Mr. LeBlanc (Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs), seconded by Ms. Saks (Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health), moved, — That the bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Cooper (St. Albert—Edmonton), seconded by Mr. Kmiec (Calgary Shepard), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word "That" and substituting the following:

“the House decline to give second reading to Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, as the bill delays the next federal election so that more departing members of Parliament can collect taxpayer-funded pensions, a measure that is particularly offensive at a time when Canadians are struggling due to the NDP-Liberal government’s inflation, carbon tax and housing costs.”.

Debate arose thereon.

Statements By Members

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, members made statements.

Oral Questions

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was resolved, — That the House condemn the recent violent attacks on Jewish schools in Montréal and Toronto and a firebombing of a synagogue in Vancouver, stand firm with the Jewish people to ensure Canada remains a place where Jews are free to live, worship and pray in peace and security, and call on the government to do more to stop anti-semitic violence everywhere in Canada.

Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) laid before the House, — Government responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

— Nos. 441-02386, 441-02387 and 441-02390 concerning foreign affairs;

— Nos. 441-02388 and 441-02392 concerning health;

— No. 441-02389 concerning the democratic process;

— No. 441-02391 concerning citizenship and immigration;

— No. 441-02393 concerning social affairs and equality;

— No. 441-02394 concerning transportation.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. McCauley (Edmonton West), from the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, presented the 19th report of the committee, "Main Estimates 2024-25: Vote 1 under Canada Post Corporation, Vote 1 under Canada School of Public Service, Vote 1 under Canada School of Public Service, Vote 1 under Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat, Vote 1 under Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board, Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1 and 5 under National Capital Commission, Vote 1 under Office of the Governor General's Secretary, Vote 1 under Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Vote 1 under Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, Vote 1 under Privy Council Office, Vote 1 under Public Service Commission, Vote 1 under Senate, Votes 1 and 5 under Shared Services Canada and Votes 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35 under Treasury Board Secretariat". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-454.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 125) was tabled.

Mr. Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the 40th report of the committee, "COVID-19 Vaccines". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-455.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requested that the government table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 48, 54, 61, 71, 72, 96 and 117) was tabled.

Mr. Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the 41st report of the committee, "Rehabilitation of Parliament’s Centre Block". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-456.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requested that the government table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 79 and 119) was tabled.

Ms. Fry (Vancouver Centre), from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, presented the 10th report of the committee, "Main Estimates 2024-25: Vote 1 under Canada Council for the Arts, Votes 1, 5 and 10 under Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Vote 1 under Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Vote 1 under Canadian Museum of History, Vote 1 under Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Vote 1 under Canadian Museum of Nature, Vote 1 under Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Vote 1 under Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Canadian Heritage, Votes 1 and 5 under Library and Archives of Canada, Vote 1 under National Arts Centre Corporation, Vote 1 under National Film Board, Votes 1 and 5 under National Gallery of Canada, Vote 1 under National Museum of Science and Technology, Vote 1 under Telefilm Canada, Vote 1 under The National Battlefields Commission ". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-457.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 121) was tabled.

Mr. Barlow (Foothills), from the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, presented the 19th report of the committee, "Main Estimates 2024-25: Vote 1 under Canadian Dairy Commission, Vote 1 under Canadian Grain Commission and Votes 1, 5 and 10 under Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-458.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 106) was tabled.

Presenting Petitions

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, petitions certified by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

— by Mr. Waugh (Saskatoon—Grasswood), one concerning health (No. 441-02513);

— by Mr. Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest), one concerning justice (No. 441-02514) and one concerning health (No. 441-02515);

— by Ms. Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe), one concerning employment and labour (No. 441-02516) and one concerning animals (No. 441-02517).

Questions on the Order Paper

Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the returns to the following questions made into orders for return:

Q-2546 — — With regard to the communities which comprise the federal electoral district of Carleton, since fiscal year 2005-06: (a) what are the federal infrastructure investments, including direct transfers to municipalities and First Nations, broken down by fiscal year, total expenditure, and project; (b) what are the federal infrastructure investments transferred to regional districts, broken down by fiscal year, total expenditure, and project; (c) what are the federal infrastructure investments transferred to Island Trusts; (d) what are the federal infrastructure investments transferred to First Nations, broken down by First Nation, fiscal year, total expenditure, and project; (e) what is the funding of highways, broken down by fiscal year, total expenditure, and project; and (f) what other infrastructure investments are provided through the funding of national parks, highways, the Building Canada Fund, Infrastructure Canada, the Gas Tax Fund, Small Crafts and Harbours, etc., broken down by fiscal year, total expenditure, and project? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2546.

Q-2547 — — With regard to government contracts for veterinary services provided by veterinarians in all federal departments, broken down by fiscal year, since 2017-18: (a) what is the total number of contracts signed; (b) what are the details of all contracts signed, including the (i) agency contracted, (ii) value of the contract, (iii) number of veterinarians provided, (iv) duration of the contract; and (c) what is the total amount of extra costs incurred as a result of relying on contracted services instead of employing veterinarians directly? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2547.

Q-2549 — — With regard to loans and other repayable contributions made by government departments and agencies since November 4, 2015, excluding student loans and those made as part of emergency pandemic relief programs such as the Canada Emergency Business Account: (a) how many instances have occurred where loans or repayable contributions were made and the recipient did not repay the amount owed in accordance with the terms of the agreement, in total and broken down by program under which the funding was provided; (b) what is the dollar value of the loans and contributions in (a); (c) what is the breakdown of (a) and (b) by type of situation or reason (late payments, business insolvency, etc.); (d) of the amount which was not paid back in accordance with the terms of the agreement, how much (i) has been recovered to date, (ii) has not yet been recovered but is expected to be recovered, (iii) has been written-off, by the government; (e) what is the breakdown of (d) by funding program; and (f) what are the details of all instances where the amount written off by the government was in excess of $1 million, including, for each, the (i) recipient, (ii) original amount of funding, (iii) amount written off, (iv) purpose of the funding, (v) date the funding was provided, (vi) date the funding was written off, (vii) reason for the amount being written off? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2549.

Q-2550 — — With regard to the cost to the government to administer remittances for the Goods and Services Tax and the Harmonized Sales Tax, broken down by year for each of the last three years: (a) what is the total amount spent to administer the remittances; and (b) what was the total amount spent to administer remittances to businesses generating (i) under $30,000, (ii) between $30,000 and $60,000, (iii) between $60,000 and $100,000, (iv) between $100,000 and $500,000, (v) over $500,000, in revenue? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2550.

Q-2551 — — With regard to government investments in businesses that included a commitment to create more than 100 jobs as a result of the investment, since November 4, 2015: for each investment, what was the (i) recipient, (ii) amount of the federal investment, (iii) promised number of jobs created, (iv) number of jobs created to date, (v) date of the investment? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2551.

Q-2552 — — With regard to the benefits received by Canadian Armed Forces veterans classified as wartime service veterans and benefits received by veterans who fought under the “special duty service” classification: (a) what are the benefits received by (i) wartime service veterans, (ii) special duty service veterans; (b) how many veterans are receiving “special duty service” benefits for the (i) Persian Gulf War, (ii) Bosnian War, (iii) Afghan War; (c) what is the cost of benefits provided to wartime service veterans in (a) for (i) 2013, (ii) 2014, (iii) 2015, (iv) 2016, (v) 2017, (vi) 2018, (vii) 2019, (viii) 2020, (ix) 2021, (x) 2022, (xi) 2023; (d) what is the cost of benefits provided to “special duty service” veterans in (a) for (i) 2013, (ii) 2014, (iii) 2015, (iv) 2016, (v) 2017, (vi) 2018, (vii) 2019, (viii) 2020, (ix) 2021, (x) 2022, (xi) 2023; (e) what would be the increased cost to provide “wartime service” benefits to Persian Gulf War veterans if benefits were applied for the year (i) 2018, (ii) 2019, (iii) 2020, (iv) 2021, (v) 2022, (vi) 2023; (f) what would be the increased cost to provide “wartime service” benefits to Bosnian war veterans if benefits were applied for the year (i) 2018, (ii) 2019, (iii) 2020, (iv) 2021, (v) 2022, (vi) 2023; and (g) what would be the increased cost to provide “wartime service” benefits to Afghan War veterans if benefits were applied for the year (i) 2018, (ii) 2019, (iii) 2020, (iv) 2021, (v) 2022, (vi) 2023? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2552.

Q-2553 — — With regard to inmates in facilities operated by the Correctional Service of Canada, broken down by location, since 2015: (a) how many inmates were on opioid agonist therapy, including sublocade, suboxone or methadone as of January 1 of each year; (b) of the inmates in (a), how many were also concurrently accessing the needle exchange program as of January 1 of each year; (c) how many inmates in total used the needle exchange program each year; and (d) how many inmates accessed other forms of treatment and services, broken down by year and type of treatment and service? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2553.

Q-2554 — — With regard to Health Canada (HC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) or the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the COVID-19 vaccines: (a) when did the (i) Chief Public Health Officer, (ii) Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, (iii) Chief Medical Officer at Health Canada, (iv) Minister of Health at the time, become aware that the COVID-19 vaccines did not prevent transmission of SARS CoV-2; (b) when were any of the federal health agencies in Canada made aware of this information and by who; (c) when was the information described in (a) delivered to (i) the Office of the Prime Minister, (ii) the Privy Council, (iii) the Cabinet, (iv) the members of the House of Commons; (d) what federal entity, ministry or minister first initiated the concept of “COVID-19 vaccine passports”; (e) on what date did the federal government implement vaccine passports for (i) federal employees, (ii) travel restrictions for all unvaccinated Canadians; (f) in 2021 and 2022, did any personnel from HC, PHAC or NACI engage with or share information about the vaccines’ inability to stop transmission of SARS-CoV-2 with any person involved with (i) the World Health Organization’s Strategic Group of Experts, (ii) Vaccines Together, (iii) the International Vaccine Institute, (iv) Dr. Hanna Nohynek, the World Health Organization’s Chair of Strategic Group of Experts on Immunization; and (g) if the answers to (f)(i) through to (f)(iv) are affirmative, what were the summaries of those discussions or correspondences in relation to the transmission question and the validity of vaccine passports? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2554.

Q-2555 — — With regard to government contracts for psychological services and social workers within all federal departments, broken down by fiscal year, since 2017-18: (a) what is the total number of contracts signed for (i) psychological services, (ii) social workers; (b) what are the details of all contracts signed, including the (i) agency contracted, (ii) value of the contract, (iii) number of psychologists or social workers provided, (iv) duration of the contract; and (c) what is the total amount of extra costs incurred as a result of relying on contracted services instead of employing psychologists and social workers directly? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2555.

Q-2556 — — With regard to government contracts for medical services and nursing services within all federal departments, broken down by fiscal year, since 2017-18: (a) what is the total number of contracts signed for (i) medical services provided by a doctor of medicine, (ii) nursing services provided by registered nurses or nurse practitioners; (b) what are the details of all contracts signed, including the (i) agency contracted, (ii) value of the contract, (iii) number of medical doctors, registered nurses, or nurse practitioners provided, (iv) duration of the contract; and (c) what is the total amount of extra costs incurred as a result of relying on contracted services instead of employing medical doctors, registered nurses or nurse practitioners directly? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2556.

Q-2557 — — With regard to the Canadian Forces Housing Agency, since January 1, 2021: (a) how many Canadian Armed Forces personnel are on a waitlist for military housing, broken down by month and year; and (b) what is the average time military members are on the agency’s waitlist? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-2557.

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. LeBlanc (Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs), seconded by Ms. Saks (Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health), — That Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs;

And of the amendment of Mr. Cooper (St. Albert—Edmonton), seconded by Mr. Kmiec (Calgary Shepard), — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word "That" and substituting the following:

The debate continued.

Questions on the Order Paper

By unanimous consent, Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answer to question Q-2548 on the Order Paper.

Government Orders

The debate continued.

Private Members' Business

At 1:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C-317, An Act to establish a national strategy respecting flood and drought forecasting, as reported by the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development with amendments.

Mr. Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis), seconded by Mrs. Romanado (Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne), moved, — That the bill, as amended, be concurred in at report stage.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on division.

Accordingly, the bill, as amended, was concurred in at report stage.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(11), Mr. Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis), seconded by Mrs. Romanado (Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne), moved, — That the bill be now read a third time and do pass.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 98(4), the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Returns and Reports Deposited with the Clerk of the House

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), papers deposited with the Clerk of the House were laid before the House as follows:

— by the Speaker — Report of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled "Costing Asylum Claims from Visa-Exempt Countries", pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S., 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-1119-119. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration)

— by the Speaker — Annual Report of the Pay Equity Commissioner for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the Pay Equity Act, S.C. 2018, c. 27, s. 416 "117(2)". — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-1291-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women)

— by Ms. Bibeau (Minister of National Revenue) — Summary of the Corporate Business Plan for 2024-25 to 2026-27 of the Canada Revenue Agency, pursuant to the Canada Revenue Agency Act, S.C. 1999, c. 17, sbs. 49(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8562-441-839-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

— by Mr. Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement) — Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2024-25 to 2028-29 of Defence Construction (1951) Limited, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S., 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). — Sessional Paper No. 8562-441-835-05. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)

— by Mr. Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement) — Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2024-25 to 2028-29 of the Canada Lands Company Limited, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S., 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). — Sessional Paper No. 8562-441-840-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)

— by Mr. Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) — Response of the government, pursuant to Standing Order 109, to the 36th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, "Hydrogen’s Potential to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-393), presented to the House on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. — Sessional Paper No. 8512-441-393.

— by Mr. Holland (Minister of Health) — Interim Order Concerning the Sale of Certain Natural Health Products Containing Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine, pursuant to the Food and Drugs Act, R.S., 1985, c. F-27, sbs. 30.1(6) and (7). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-1018-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Health)

— by Ms. Joly (Minister of Foreign Affairs) — Reports of operations under the Export and Import Permits Act for the year 2023, pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act, R.S., 1985, c. E-19, s. 27. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-137-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development)

— by Mr. Miller (Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship) — Document from the government concerning federal immigration targets, in response to the motion adopted by the House on Monday, February 12, 2024. — Sessional Paper No. 8530-441-38.

— by Mr. Rodriguez (Minister of Transport) — Report on Transportation in Canada for the year 2023, pursuant to the Canada Transportation Act, S.C. 1996, c. 10, sbs. 52(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-79-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities)

— by Mr. Rodriguez (Minister of Transport) — Interim Order for the Protection of the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2024, pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, S.C. 2001, c. 26, sbs. 10.1(7). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-1223-19. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities)

— by Mrs. Valdez (Minister of Small Business) — Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2024-25 to 2028-29 of the Business Development Bank of Canada, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S., 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). — Sessional Paper No. 8562-441-833-04. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology)

Adjournment

At 2:08 p.m., the Assistant Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).