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44th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION

Journals No. 390 Monday, December 16, 2024 11:00 a.m.

Prayer

Board of Internal Economy

The Speaker informed the House that, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S. 1985, sbs. 50(4), Mr. Perron (Berthier—Maskinongé) has been appointed a member of the Board of Internal Economy to replace Mrs. DeBellefeuille (Salaberry—Suroît).

Question of Privilege

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable), — That the government's failure of fully providing documents, as ordered by the House on June 10, 2024, be hereby referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs;

And of the amendment, as amended, of Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable), seconded by Mr. Perkins (South Shore—St. Margarets), — That the motion be amended by adding the following:

“provided that it be an instruction to the committee:

(a) that the following witnesses be ordered to appear before the committee, separately, for two hours each:

(i) the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry,

(ii) the Clerk of the Privy Council,

(iii) the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, who respected the order of the House and deposited unredacted documents,

(iv) Paul MacKinnon, the former Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Governance),

(v) the Auditor General of Canada,

(vi) the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,

(vii) the Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada,

(viii) the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the House of Commons,

(ix) the Acting President of Sustainable Development Technology Canada,

(x) a panel consisting of the Board of Sustainable Development Technology Canada; and

(b) that it report back to the House no later than the 30th sitting day following the adoption of this order.";

And of the subamendment of Mr. Kelly (Calgary Rocky Ridge), seconded by Mr. Falk (Provencher), — That the amendment be amended by adding the following:

“, except that the order for the committee to report back to the House within 30 sitting days shall be discharged if the Speaker has sooner laid upon the table a notice from the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel confirming that all government institutions have fully complied with the order adopted on June 10, 2024, by depositing all of their responsive records in an unredacted form”.

The debate continued.

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.

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. 441-02800, 441-02801, 441-02817, 441-02827 and 441-02835 concerning the environment;

— Nos. 441-02802, 441-02803, 441-02809, 441-02812, 441-02816, 441-02819, 441-02822, 441-02824, 441-02850, 441-02852 and 441-02853 concerning foreign affairs;

— Nos. 441-02804, 441-02805, 441-02807, 441-02811, 441-02814, 441-02821, 441-02823, 441-02825, 441-02832, 441-02841, 441-02847, 441-02849, 441-02854 and 441-02855 concerning justice;

— Nos. 441-02806, 441-02810 and 441-02851 concerning civil and human rights;

— No. 441-02808 concerning the correctional system;

— Nos. 441-02813, 441-02818, 441-02830, 441-02838, 441-02842 and 441-02844 concerning health;

— Nos. 441-02815, 441-02837 and 441-02839 concerning the democratic process;

— No. 441-02820 concerning fisheries;

— Nos. 441-02831 and 441-02843 concerning employment and labour.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Ms. Sgro (Humber River—Black Creek), from the Standing Committee on International Trade, presented the 23rd report of the committee, "Canada’s Supply Chains and Expanded International Trade: Challenges and Measures". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-541.

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. 89 to 92, 102 to 105, 126 and 131) was tabled.

Mr. Hardie (Fleetwood—Port Kells), from the Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship, presented the ninth report of the committee, "Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy: Two Years Later". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-542.

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. 28, 31 to 34, 41 to 45 and 48 to 51) was tabled.

Mr. Gaheer (Mississauga—Malton), from the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, presented the 16th report of the committee, "Fighting the phenomenon of vehicle thefts in Canada". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-543.

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. 96, 97, 102 to 104, 107, 119, 125, 129, 131 and 135) was tabled.

Mr. Dubourg (Bourassa), from the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, presented the 17th report of the committee, "Supplementary Estimates (B), 2024-25: Votes 1b and 5b under Department of Veterans Affairs". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-544.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 119) was tabled.

Mr. Dubourg (Bourassa), from the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, presented the 18th report of the committee, "The Persian Gulf War Was a War". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-545.

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. 101, 103, 104, 106 to 113, 120 and 121) was tabled.

First Reading of Senate Public Bills

Pursuant to Standing Order 69(2), on motion of Mr. Baker (Etobicoke Centre), seconded by Mr. Maloney (Etobicoke—Lakeshore), Bill S-276, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, was read the first time and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Presenting Petitions

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

— by Mrs. Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing), three concerning the democratic process (Nos. 441-02963, 441-02964 and 441-02965);

— by Mr. Mazier (Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa), one concerning justice (No. 441-02966);

— by Ms. Zarrillo (Port Moody—Coquitlam), one concerning social affairs and equality (No. 441-02967);

— by Mr. Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), one concerning parliament and politics (No. 441-02968);

— by Mr. Cooper (St. Albert—Edmonton), one concerning health (No. 441-02969);

— by Mr. Masse (Windsor West), one concerning justice (No. 441-02970) and one concerning natural resources and energy (No. 441-02971);

— by Mrs. Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country), one concerning citizenship and immigration (No. 441-02972);

— by Mr. Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot), one concerning social affairs and equality (No. 441-02973) and two concerning natural resources and energy (Nos. 441-02974 and 441-02975);

— by Mr. Casey (Charlottetown), one concerning health (No. 441-02976) and one concerning justice (No. 441-02977);

— by Mr. Zimmer (Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies), one concerning justice (No. 441-02978);

— by Mr. Viersen (Peace River—Westlock), one concerning health (No. 441-02979) and one concerning parliament and politics (No. 441-02980);

— by Mr. Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan), one concerning health (No. 441-02981).

Questions on the Order Paper

Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answers to questions Q-3145, Q-3146, Q-3148, Q-3149, Q-3153 and Q-3159 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-3147 — — With regard to the National Advisory Council on Poverty, broken down by year for each of the last five years: (a) what were the expenditures of the council, in total and broken down by line item; (b) how much remuneration did members of the council receive, in total and broken down by member; (c) what are the details of all hospitality expenses incurred by members of the council, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) vendor, (iv) amount, (v) purpose of the event; (d) how much was incurred in travel expenses by the council; and (e) what are the details of each trip expense by council member, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) origin, (iii) destination, (iv) total cost, (v) breakdown of the costs, (vi) purpose of the trip? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3147.

Q-3150 — — With regard to government expenditures related to the Prime Minister's trip to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024: (a) what are the expenditures incurred to date, in total and broken down by type of expense; (b) how many members were part of the Canadian delegation; (c) what are the names and titles of the delegation members; (d) what was the total expenditure on hotels in the New York City area during that visit; and (e) what are the details of the expenses at each hotel, including the (i) total amount spent, (ii) name of the hotel, (iii) number of rooms rented each night, (iv) rate paid and the number of rooms at each rate? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3150.

Q-3151 — — With regard to legal costs incurred by the government in relation to litigation against the Information Commissioner since January 1, 2021: what is the total expenditure on outside legal counsel, broken down by legal costs paid out to date and by legal costs scheduled to be paid out, for (i) Attorney General of Canada v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1623-22), (ii) Export Development Canada v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1793-22 and Federal Court of Appeal file A-345-23), (iii) Minister of Public Services and Procurement v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-125-23), (iv) Clerk of the Privy Council v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1090-23), (v) Clerk of the Privy Council v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1091-23), (vi) Information Commissioner of Canada v. President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trans Mountain Corporation (Federal Court file T-1399-23), (vii) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1606-23), (viii) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1607-23), (ix) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1608-23), (x) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1653-23), (xi) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1680-23), (xii) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1728-23), (xiii) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1764-23), (xiv) Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T- 2022-23), (xv) Information Commissioner of Canada v. Minister of National Defence (Federal Court file T-2683-23), (xvi) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-272-24), (xvii) Minister of Transport v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-280-24), (xviii) Information Commissioner of Canada v. Minister of National Defence (Federal Court file T-333-24), (xix) Information Commissioner of Canada v. Minister of National Defence (Federal Court file T-334-24), (xx) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-342-24), (xxi) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-344-24), (xxii) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-371-24), (xxiii) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-397-24), (xxiv) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-970-24), (xxv) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1054-24), (xxvi) Minister of Canadian Heritage v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1060-24), (xxvii) Information Commissioner of Canada v. Minister of National Defence (Federal Court file T-1226-24), (xxviii) Minister of National Defence v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1433-24), (xxix) Minister of National Defence v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1434- 24), (xxx) Minister of Indigenous Services v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-1556-24), (xxxi) Information Commissioner of Canada v. Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board (Federal Court file T-1822-24), (xxxii) Minister of National Defence v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-2013-24), (xxxiii) Minister of National Defence v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-2681-24), (xxxiv) Minister of National Defence v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-2709-24), (xxxv) Minister of National Defence v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-2720-24), (xxxvi) Minister of National Defence v. Information Commissioner of Canada (Federal Court file T-2779-24)? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3151.

Q-3152 — — With regard to Parks Canada's national fire management program: (a) as of July 22, 2024, what was the breakdown of firefighting equipment available through the program by (i) type of equipment (e.g., fire truck, water tender, helicopter, drone, portable pump, bulldozer, brush cutter, air tanker), (ii) quantity of each equipment type, (iii) storage location, including the quantity of each equipment type at each location; (b) as of July 22, 2024, what was the breakdown of firefighting personnel under the program by (i) qualification level (e.g., certified wildland firefighter, volunteer firefighter, support personnel), (ii) number of personnel at each location; (c) how much of the equipment and personnel specified in (a) and (b) were actively utilized in response to wildfires occurring in National Parks in 2024, broken down by (i) National Park location, (ii) type of equipment and number utilized, (iii) number of personnel deployed; and (d) for all equipment or personnel not utilized in wildfire responses occurring within National Parks in 2024, (i) what was the reason for non-utilization, (ii) what other roles or assignments were designated for this equipment and personnel during this period? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3152.

Q-3154 — — With regard to fires at each place of worship that were caused by arson between 2016-24: (a) for each instance, was the arsonist (i) apprehended, (ii) not apprehended; and (b) for each instance in (a)(i), what were the sentences received? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3154.

Q-3155 — — With regard to wildfires caused by arson, between 2016-24: (a) what charges and sentences were laid for arsonists; and (b) what are the details of each account of which wildfires were determined to be caused by arsonists, including whether or not the perpetrator was apprehended? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3155.

Q-3156 — — With regard to the Order in Council 2024-1112 authorizing Canada Post to transport prohibited firearms: (a) did the government consult (i) Canada Post, (ii) the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, prior to issuing the Order In Council, and, if so, on what date were they consulted and how were they consulted; (b) how is the government addressing the safety issues that Canada Post employees will face as a result of the Order; (c) what safety precautions have been put into place by Canada Post since the Order was issued; (d) why did the government take the position that it is safer for Canada Post employees to transport prohibited firearms rather than firearms owners who have taken the Canada Firearms Safety Course; (e) will the government require Canada Post employees, who will now be required to transport prohibited firearms, to take the Canada Firearms Safety Course in order to ensure safe transport, and, if not, why not; (f) if the answer to (e) is affirmative, how much will this training cost Canada Post; and (g) what mechanisms, if any, are in place so that Canada Post employees, who are uncomfortable with transporting firearms, or are not trained to transport firearms, are not forced to do so against their will? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3156.

Q-3157 — — With regard to government programs aimed at establishing digital credentials or a digital identification (ID): (a) how many employees or full-time equivalents are assigned to working on such a program; (b) how much money has been spent exploring or studying options in relation to such a program in the past five years, in total and broken down by type of expenditure; (c) what is the government's plan for how digital credentials or a digital ID would be used; (d) what options or uses have been studied to date; (e) of the options in (d), which ones have been rejected outright by the government; (f) does the government commit to not establishing any new digital credential or digital ID projects or programs without receiving explicit approval from Parliament prior to starting any such projects or programs, and, if not, why not; and (g) which employees or other individuals has the government authorized to be involved in any related projects or programs, and who is in charge of overseeing the work of the individuals involved? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3157.

Q-3158 — — With regard to complaints received by the CRA related to its assistance by telephone: (a) what is the number of complaints received since January 1, 2022, broken down by month; and (b) of the totals in (a), what is the breakdown by type of complaint, including (i) the line not working or being out of service, (ii) dropped calls, (iii) long hold times, (iv) others? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3158.

Q-3160 — — With regard to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF): (a) how much of the $2 billion promised through the fund has been delivered to the recipients to date; and (b) what are the details of all projects funded through the DMAF to date, including, for each, the (i) location, (ii) amount of funding, (iii) project description, (iv) start date, (v) completion date, or expected completion date, (vi) funding breakdown, if the project is funded by sources in addition to the DMAF? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-3160.

Question of Privilege

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable);

And of the amendment, as amended, of Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable), seconded by Mr. Perkins (South Shore—St. Margarets);

And of the subamendment of Mr. Kelly (Calgary Rocky Ridge), seconded by Mr. Falk (Provencher).

The debate continued.

At 4:00 p.m., pursuant to order made Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

Statement by the Speaker

There being no ministerial statement, the Speaker informed the House that it would proceed to the orders of the day.

Tabling of Documents

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Ms. Gould (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) laid before the House, — Document entitled "Fall Economic Statement 2024". — Sessional Paper No. 8525-441-58.

Question of Privilege

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable);

And of the amendment, as amended, of Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable), seconded by Mr. Perkins (South Shore—St. Margarets);

And of the subamendment of Mr. Kelly (Calgary Rocky Ridge), seconded by Mr. Falk (Provencher).

The debate continued.

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 Mr. LeBlanc (Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs) — Report on the use of arrests without warrant from July 15, 2022, to July 14, 2023, pursuant to the Criminal Code, R.S., 1985, c. C-46, sbs. 83.31(3). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-819-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

— by Mr. MacAulay (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food) — Copy of Order in Council P.C. 2024-1239, pursuant to the Farm Income Protection Act, S.C. 1991, c. 22, sbs. 12(7). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-719-06. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food)

Adjournment Proceedings

At 6:31 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 38(1), the question “That this House do now adjourn” was deemed to have been proposed.

After debate, the question was deemed to have been adopted.

Accordingly, at 6:48 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).