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Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Dec/7/22 3:57:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this petition from a constituent speaks to an issue that many people do not want to speak about: public nudity. The petitioner points out that public nudity was not in itself any form of crime until 1954, and asks the House to repeal section 174 of the Criminal Code to specify that public nudity in and of itself is not indecent or obscene.

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Ms. Rachel Blaney (North Island—Powell River, NDP)

Dec/7/22 3:58:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today I am tabling a petition from seniors across Canada who have identified very clearly that single seniors have a much harder time financially and that we need to see significant changes by the government to support them. They note that senior couples can split their pension income, thereby allowing them to pay less tax and qualify for key things like old age security. That is not available for seniors who are single. The petitioners note that the cost of living for a single person is two-thirds of the cost of living for a couple; that single-person households are continuing to grow and are the fastest-growing population in Canada, according to Statistics Canada; that of the six million seniors in Canada, over one-third are single, many of them women; and that this demographic will continue to grow. This group is asking for justice on this issue and I hope they see it.

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Dec/7/22 3:59:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 900 and 902.

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Dec/7/22 3:59:51 p.m.
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Question No. 900—

Questioner: Michelle Ferreri

With regard to the Community Services Recovery Fund: (a) how much of the $400-million fund has been delivered to date; and (b) what are the details of all items financed so far through the fund, including, for each, the (i) recipient, (ii) location, (iii) amount, (iv) project description, (v) date of funding?

Question No. 902—

Questioner: Andrew Scheer

With regard to the government's plan to reduce emissions arising from fertilizer application by 30 percent and its impact on Farm Credit Canada (FCC): (a) will FCC be lowering the amount of credit available to farmers whose projected yields will decrease as a result of using less fertilizer; (b) which crop yields does FCC predict will drop the most as a result of the government's plan; (c) broken down by type of crop, what are FCC's projections related to how much loss of yield that farmers will incur as a result of the government's plan; (d) broken down by type of crop, what are FCC's projections regarding the loss of income as a result of the government's plan; (e) is FCC planning to advise farmers not to plant certain types of crops as a result of not being able to use as much fertilizer, and, if so, which crops; and (f) has FCC received any communication from the government on not publicly discussing the negative impacts of the government's plan on farmers, and, if so, what are the details, including (i) the individuals involved in the communication, (ii) the type of communication, (iii) the date, (iv) a summary?

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Dec/7/22 4:00:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, if the government's responses to Questions Nos. 901 and 903 to 911 could be made orders for return, these returns would be tabled immediately. The Deputy Speaker: Is that agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed.

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Dec/7/22 4:00:08 p.m.
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Question No. 901—

Questioner: Michelle Ferreri

With regard to the targets listed in the mandate letter of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development: (a) have fees for regulated child care been reduced by 50 percent on average, everywhere outside Quebec, and, if not, (i) when will they be reduced, (ii) will they be reduced by the end of 2022, and, if not, why not; (b) how does the minister plan on reducing regulated child care fees to $10 a day on average by the end of fiscal year 2025-26 everywhere outside Quebec, and what are the specifics or metrics to be attained each year between now and 2025-26 to measure whether the target will be met; (c) what are the specific plans or measures related to how the government will create 250,000 new child care spaces; (d) how many spaces will each plan or measure in (c) produce, and over what time period; and (e) what are the specific plans or measures related to how the government will hire 40,000 more early childhood educators by the end of fiscal year 2025-26, including specific details on where the government plans on finding the additional 40,000 educators?

Question No. 903—

Questioner: Adam Chambers

With regard to income tax and the Canada Revenue Agency, broken down by year since 2016: (a) what is the total number of people who filed income tax returns, broken down by income tax bracket; and (b) what was the total amount of revenue collected, from personal income tax, broken down by tax bracket and tax return filed?

Question No. 904—

Questioner: Adam Chambers

With regard to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): what is the total number of employees or full-time equivalents in each (i) division, (ii) enforcement area of the CRA, broken down by year since 2016?

Question No. 905—

Questioner: Gerald Soroka

With regard to government employees on leave, broken down by department, agency, or other government entity: (a) how many employees are on leave as of October 20, 2022, broken down by type of leave; and (b) how many employees were on "Other Leave With Pay" (code 699), broken down by month since January 1, 2022?

Question No. 906—

Questioner: Laila Goodridge

With regard to government programs aimed at addressing drug and alcohol addiction: (a) what programs are currently being developed by the government or are already put in place; (b) for each program in (a), (i) what metrics are used to judge the success or failure of the program, (ii) what is the desired outcome of the program; and (c) what are the details of each poll the government has conducted since 2016 in relation to the programs or the issue of addictions in general, including, for each, (i) the date, (ii) who conducted the poll, (iii) the methodology, (iv) the questions asked, (v) the results and findings?

Question No. 907—

Questioner: Martin Shields

With regard to government advertising to promote COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses: (a) how much has the federal government spent to date on advertising and promoting COVID-19 vaccines; (b) what is the breakdown of (a) by month since the first vaccines were approved; (c) what is the breakdown of (a) and (b) by (i) individual campaign, (ii) advertising medium (television, newspaper, online, etc.); (d) what is the breakdown of all traditional advertising spending promoting vaccines or booster doses by station or publication; (e) what is the breakdown of all social media advertising to promote vaccines or booster doses by social media network, outlet or website; (f) what is the breakdown of (d) and (e) by advertising campaign; and (g) what are the details of any appearance fees that were provided to public health officials, public figures, celebrities, or influencers to appear in such advertisements, including, for each, the (i) name of individual paid an appearance fee, (ii) amount paid, (iii) description of the advertisement, (iv) reason for choosing the individual to appear in the advertisement, (v) start and end dates of advertisements?

Question No. 908—

Questioner: Corey Tochor

With regard to the recovery of overpayments and fraudulently obtained payments to the various COVID-19 related financial relief programs put in place by the government: (a) how much did the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) (i) spend to date, (ii) expect to spend in the future, on recovering the payments; (b) how many CRA employees or full-time equivalents are assigned to files related to the recovery of such payments; and (c) what is the breakdown of (a) and (b) by relief program?

Question No. 909—

Questioner: Corey Tochor

With regard to government procurement and contracts for the provision of research or speechwriting services to ministers, since March 1, 2022: (a) what are the details of all contracts, including the (i) start and end dates, (ii) contracting parties, (iii) file number, (iv) nature or description of the work, (v) value of the contract; and (b) with regard to contracts for speechwriting, what is the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) audience or event at which the speech was, or intended to be, delivered, (iv) number of speeches written, (v) cost charged per speech?

Question No. 910—

Questioner: Corey Tochor

With regard to the consultations conducted by the government on items contained in any government legislation introduced so far in the 44th Parliament, broken down by each bill: (a) which bills contained measures for which the government consulted with stakeholders, including any other level of government, prior to the introduction of the bill; and (b) what are the details of all such consultations, including (i) the bill number, (ii) the measures that were consulted on, (iii) who was consulted, (iv) when were they consulted, (v) how were they consulted?

Question No. 911—

Questioner: Leslyn Lewis

With regard to the government’s participation in the Agile Nations network: (a) what was Canada’s role in the initiation and development of the Agile Nations concept and its charter, signed in November 2020; (b) what were the policy imperatives and rationale to sign the charter; (c) with which stakeholders did consultations on a proposed Agile Nations Charter take place; (d) how was each stakeholder in (c) consulted and what feedback did they provide; (e) what are the terms of Canada’s participation in the Agile Nations network, including the participation length; (f) what are the specific results, outcomes, and measurable objectives expected to be achieved as a result of Canada’s participation in the network; (g) what projects has the government participated in or funded as part of the Agile Nations, including, for each project, the (i) name, (ii) agency or department responsible, (iii) objectives, (iv) project summary, (v) reason the project received funding, (vi) location, (vii) partners; (h) what are the total expenditures related to Canada’s participation in the Agile Nations since 2020, broken down by (i) department or agency, (ii) project (if applicable), (iii) type of expenditure; (i) what are the project details of the Digital Credentials and Digital Trust Services, including the (i) description, (ii) latest status of the project, (iii) anticipated completion date, (iv) implementation risks or issues identified, (v) projected outcomes; and (j) what are the project details of the National Digital Trust Service, including the (i) description, (ii) latest status of the project, (iii) anticipated completion date, (iv) implementation risks or issues identified, (v) projected outcomes?

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux

Dec/7/22 4:00:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I ask that all remaining questions be allowed to stand. The Deputy Speaker: Is that agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed.

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Dec/7/22 4:00:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I ask that all notices of motions for the production of papers be allowed to stand.

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The Deputy Speaker

Dec/7/22 4:00:39 p.m.
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Is that agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed.

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Dec/7/22 4:01:29 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to share my time with the member for Scarborough Centre. Otherwise, I will be speaking for 20 minutes.

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The Deputy Speaker

Dec/7/22 4:01:29 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Pursuant to order made on Tuesday, November 15, the House will now proceed to the consideration of Bill C-32 at the third reading stage.

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Hon. Diane Lebouthillier

Dec/7/22 4:01:29 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

moved that Bill C-32, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 3, 2022 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022, be read the third time and passed.

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The Deputy Speaker

Dec/7/22 4:01:29 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Is that agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed.

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux

Dec/7/22 4:01:34 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, I thought that might be added incentive. It is really important we recognize something that came out of the Auditor General's report that I would like to start my comments off with this afternoon. When we look at it, whether with respect to the Prime Minister, the ministers or the members on this side of the House, we will find a consistent theme. We want to be there in a real and tangible way for all Canadians with an economy that works for all of us. That has been consistent virtually since we have been in government. We have seen policy decisions from the get-go. Whether it was with respect to cutting the tax rates for the middle class, the complete overhaul of the Canada child benefit program or supporting seniors through the GIS going into the worldwide pandemic, there was virtually a smorgasbord of different programs provided. I know there has been a lot of reflection regarding the Auditor General lately, and I want to use her words with respect to the billions of dollars we have collectively approved to spend through the House. I would like to quote the Auditor General, who said that she found, overall, that the programs were quite effective in meeting the government's objective of first getting support out to individuals and employers quickly, minimizing the increase in poverty or income inequalities, and then also helping the economy bounce back from the pandemic. That comes from the Auditor General. I think there are members who, over the last couple of years in particular, saw the benefit of the government creating the CERB or wage subsidy programs and the supports for small businesses. Whether it was putting money into the pockets of Canadians or providing and protecting the jobs of Canadians, the Canadian government and the Prime Minister, working with an effective and active caucus, one that continuously sought feedback from communities from coast to coast to coast, understood their importance. We implemented budgetary and legislative measures so Canadians would be in a better position to bounce back after the pandemic. That is what this legislation, at least in good part, is about. We, and the Conservatives, talk a lot about inflation. We are concerned about inflation. That is why we have this bill before us. When we talk about the inflation rate, yes, we are lower than the United States. We are lower than many of the European countries, England and others, but it is not good enough. The Conservatives are very critical of our inflation rate. I did a background check and in the last two years of Stephen Harper's government our inflation rate was higher than the U.S.A.'s. Today, our inflation rate is lower than the U.S.A.'s. At the end of the day— Mr. Greg McLean: Because you're not growing our economy. Mr. Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, the member is wrong. There are hundreds of thousands of jobs out there today. On virtually every point, this government has exceeded what Stephen Harper ever did. One of my constituents summed up quite well the comparison between the previous government and this government when he said that he hated to think what the pandemic would have been like if the Conservatives had been in government. I believe Canadians are very much aware we have a national government and a Prime Minister who truly care about providing those important services. That is what allowed us, as the federal Auditor General has said, to bounce back to the degree we have. However, that is not good enough. We believe we can do even more. If we talk about the social programs, things Canadians are very passionate about, I could cite health care and the additional billions of dollars from this government. In fact no government in the history of Canada has invested more money in health care than this government. We have achieved health care accords. We have recognized the priorities of Canadians by looking at long-term health care and mental health. In fact in this very bill we are debating today, we talk about expanding dental benefits for children under the age of 12. For the first time ever, there would be a national program to ensure there are dental benefits for children. In the fall economic statement, we talk about supporting Canadians who are having a tough time with rent. We would provide rental subsidies to support, as best we can, those individuals. We can talk about the debt students have. Students are going through a very difficult time. We would eliminate the interest on federal student loans. It would not be a one-time thing, but permanent. We want to encourage our constituents and Canadians to look at alternatives, such as how to support the housing demands in Canada. We have the intergenerational housing credit for people who want to construct suites for parents, seniors or people with disabilities. The Government of Canada is there to support that sort of initiative. We have a government that recognizes that seniors 75 and older incur different types of costs and that there are limitations for those seniors. In fact we made a campaign platform commitment to give a 10% increase on OAS for seniors over 75, and we are doing just that.

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The Deputy Speaker

Dec/7/22 4:09:20 p.m.
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Order. The hon. member for Montcalm on a point of order.

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Montcalm

Mr. Luc Thériault

Dec/7/22 4:09:26 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to miss anything my eloquent colleague says, but I have had to adjust my earpiece to the maximum volume. There is no one in the interpretation booths, and the sound is bad. When a different interpreter comes in, I can hear my colleague as if he were speaking directly into my ear. It is unacceptable that we are unable to fix our interpretation and sound problems. This is not the first time I rise to mention this. I do not know why there is no one in the booths, but I know that the interpretation system right now is inadequate. I will not be damaging my hearing and I want to be able to hear my colleague, who I like listening to, incidentally, even if I do not always agree with him. I would like—

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The Deputy Speaker

Dec/7/22 4:10:32 p.m.
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I thank the member for his comments. There are three other booths near the lobbies, and there is someone in one of them. The hon. member for Montcalm wishes to add something.

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Mr. Luc Thériault

Dec/7/22 4:10:50 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, here is the problem. The sound is good when there are people in the booths here in the House. The booths in the House are properly equipped for sound. Every time we have an interpreter working remotely outside the House, the sound is bad, and it can damage our hearing. I demand, as a member of House, that my hearing not be jeopardized. Let us fix the problem once and for all.

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The Deputy Speaker

Dec/7/22 4:11:20 p.m.
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I again thank the member. We will try to resolve this problem. We can do another sound check this evening to ensure that everything is working properly. I am not going to allow the hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader to back up and start again, but he could perhaps pick up from the last sentence. The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux

Dec/7/22 4:11:41 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-32

Mr. Speaker, as members know, I would be more than happy to start fresh. However, I will continue on with something I know Canadians from coast to coast to coast are concerned with, and in particular so are my Bloc friends. My friends in the Bloc like the issue of health care, and maybe this is a good way for me to provide some thoughts in regard to it, because I am very passionate about health care. I really believe it is, for me personally over the last 30 years as a parliamentarian, probably the number one concern, because I recognize the true value of having national health care. Whether someone lives in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax, any other municipality in between or up north, I would like to think there is a certain level of quality public health care no matter where. Mobility within Canada is critically important. I say that because I made reference to the fact that the national government gives record amounts of money toward health care. I was a provincial politician for 20 years, and throughout those years, it seems, every year provinces asked for more money in health care. There is an expectation that the national government should do more than be an ATM. In fact I can recall the days when there was a huge tax point transfer. Provinces took a tax point transfer instead of a cash transfer, and I was not a big fan of that. I do not think we should do that, or anything of that nature, into the future. I believe Canadians want a quality health care system. I am very proud of our government, whether it is the Prime Minister or the Minister of Health in particular, and their approach in dealing with health care here in Canada. As a government we continue to support health care. We want to work with all the different stakeholders, and I look forward to that ongoing debate on health care, in terms of this legislation. This is good, sound and solid legislation that would be there to support Canadians. I wish all members would vote in favour of it.

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