44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 28, 2023 10:00AM
- Mar/28/23 3:06:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our thoughts go out to the family of the individual who the member mentioned and to any individuals who are the victims of violent crime. Our government is taking needed action to deal with violent crime, including gun control. However, most importantly it is taking a multipronged approach to it by dealing with mental health, investing in mental health and investing in communities through the building safer communities fund. We know that we need to address the root causes of crime in order to keep Canadians safe.
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- Mar/28/23 3:06:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let us talk about facts. The brutal and horrific stabbing last Sunday marked Vancouver's sixth homicide in 2023, where 40 offenders were arrested for 6,000 crimes in one year. Canadians are afraid to walk city streets and take transit. Violent crime is up 32%. Gang murders are up 92% under this Prime Minister's watch. Ask the family of 16-year-old Gabriel Magalhaes who was stabbed not shot while waiting for transit in Toronto. Will the Prime Minister get serious, put innocent victims first and replace bail with—
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- Mar/28/23 3:07:28 p.m.
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The hon. parliamentary secretary.
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- Mar/28/23 3:07:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, any kind of spike in violence, like the one on the TTC, is concerning to all of us. That is why we work with municipalities, like the City of Toronto and the City of Vancouver, to invest in the root causes of crime. That is why we are making investments in mental health.
We know that we need to be investing in the root causes, but we cannot ignore the impact that guns have on crime. That is why we will proudly take action, as we are with Bill C-21.
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- Mar/28/23 3:08:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, during the eight years that the Prime Minister has been in power, violent crime has increased by 32%. Our streets have become increasingly unsafe, and this government's soft-on-crime policies are making the problem worse. In truth, everyone fears for their safety.
When will the Prime Minister and his government take the problem very seriously?
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- Mar/28/23 3:08:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to feel safe and to be safe in their communities. Since last October, we have been working with our provincial and territorial counterparts on bail reform in cases of serious crime, repeat offenders and knife crime, among others.
We issued a joint press release, and we will move forward.
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- Mar/28/23 3:09:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government will always stand with Canadian workers and families. Measures like $10-a-day child care, support for renters and dental care for children are just a few of the measures we have brought in that are making a real difference in the lives of families across Canada.
The federal minimum wage will increase to $16.65 an hour on April 1. This increase will benefit thousands of federally regulated private sector workers.
Can the Minister of Labour tell us what this change means for Canadians and what other measures we are putting in place to support—
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- Mar/28/23 3:10:03 p.m.
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The hon. Minister of Labour.
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- Mar/28/23 3:10:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. The federal minimum wage will increase for federally regulated private sector workers on April 1, but that is not all. We introduced a tax credit for labour mobility. We brought in paid sick leave for employees in federally regulated industries. We invested in union-led training programs.
That means more money in the pockets of workers across the country.
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- Mar/28/23 3:10:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, for decades senior officials refused to acknowledge the sexual misconduct crisis in the military. While survivors finally received an apology, that culture of secrecy remains.
Just this month, the media reported the existence of documents on sexual misconduct that the Department of National Defence previously denied. The government says it is working to address this crisis, but it is not making the necessary changes for transparency.
Will the minister finally take responsibility and establish that independent civilian oversight of our military to protect the women and men who serve?
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- Mar/28/23 3:11:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from my hon. colleague. Let me reiterate that since I have been appointed, we have put on the table a number of additional reforms, including laying a road map for all 48 of the recommendations of Madame Arbour.
In addition to an official apology, in addition to millions of dollars in supports for victims and survivors as well as the transfer of cases from the military justice system to the civil justice system, we will always support victims of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment.
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- Mar/28/23 3:11:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, many of my constituents who are refugees and former refugees are facing major delays in obtaining travel documents even when they provide proof of urgency.
Between 2020 and 2021, only 15% of applications were processed within 20 business days by IRCC. Many have been waiting for over a year.
The member for Vancouver East and I have written to the minister twice about this issue. When will the minister take action to ensure that refugees and former refugees can access their right to travel?
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- Mar/28/23 3:12:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada has a proud tradition of resettling some of the world's most vulnerable people. Of course we, through the pandemic, resettled more refugees than any other country in the world. We know that when people come here, having the desire to travel and to see loved ones in other parts of the world is a priority for them.
Over the course of the past year and a half, we have made significant investments to add staff to our department. We have adopted new technologies and relaxed administrative burdens to speed up processing times so people can be more quickly reunited with their loved ones.
I would be pleased to continue my work to expedite processing times, including for refugee travel documents, so more people can connect with those they care about most more quickly.
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- Mar/28/23 3:13:28 p.m.
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I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, President of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly.
Some hon. members: Hear, hear!
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. If you will indulge me, before I get to my specific motion, I would like to recognize the tireless work of Senator Leo Housakos, Senator Peter Boehm and former senator Jim Munson in support of autistic Canadians and their families. I also recognize the member for Don Valley East, members from all parties in this House who helped us get to this point and, most importantly, my son Jaden, who inspires me every single day.
As we approach World Autism Month in April, there have been many consultations, and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:
That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House, Bill S-203, an Act respecting a federal framework on autism, be deemed concurred in at the report stage on division and deemed read a third time and passed on division.
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All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay. It is agreed.
The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
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- Mar/28/23 3:15:52 p.m.
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The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent on a point of order.
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- Mar/28/23 3:15:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on a completely different note, after that nice moment courtesy of my colleague from Alberta, I want to go back to the study I cited during question period.
The study is from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and it is called “Fueling Unfairness: Carbon Pricing and Small Businesses”.
I seek unanimous consent of the House to table it.
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- Mar/28/23 3:16:12 p.m.
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Does the hon. member have unanimous consent?
Some hon. members: No.
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- Mar/28/23 3:16:12 p.m.
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The Chair would like to make a statement regarding the period for questions and comments following speeches in the House. A series of points of order were raised on this topic on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. That day, some members immediately left the chamber after completing their speeches and were therefore unable to take part in the period for questions and comments thereafter.
The Chair thought it necessary to return to the House regarding this matter, given the numerous concerns expressed.
The provisions in the Standing Orders governing the period for questions and comments were adopted by the House on November 29, 1982, following the recommendations of the third report of the Special Committee on Standing Orders and Procedure. They were further modified on February 18, 2005, becoming the current Standing Order 43. In its report, the special committee expressed its intention that questions and comments exchanges be “short and sharp”. Our current practices have maintained this spirit.
The current iteration of Standing Order 43 includes references to both speeches and questions and comments periods. It shows those proceedings should be interpreted as complementary, as they enhance the qualities of each other. Setting aside time for questions and comments enriches debate and allows for a constructive exchange of views, instead of only a series of set speeches.
With respect to the events of last Wednesday, the issue raises concerns on what becomes of the period for questions and comments when the member who just completed their speech is unavailable.
This happens frequently when debate has been interrupted for another proceeding, resuming several hours or sometimes several days later. It is a well-established practice, in those cases, that the questions and comments period may only continue if the member having made the speech is present. This is the way my predecessors have consistently ruled.
These were not, however, the circumstances that occurred last Wednesday. Instead, members were leaving immediately after the conclusion of their speech. Many members, as well as the Deputy Speaker, expressed some concern that this resulted in the questions and comments period not taking place. While this does not appear to have been a widespread practice in the past, it was something contemplated by one of my predecessors.
On October 28, 1985, Speaker Bosley stated at page 8076 of the Debates:
I said quite precisely to the House that when a normal period of interruptions such as a lunch period, overnight period or adjournment of the debate has caused a problem then it seemed to me to be unreasonable or to be against the spirit of what was intended by the Report to allow the question and comment period to continue in the unavoidable absence of the Member.
If the...Member is interpreting from that that he thinks that I believe that the question and comment period can be obviated by a Member making a speech and leaving the chamber then he has not interpreted me correctly.
Based on this, it is the expectation of the Chair that members having just completed a speech take part in the ensuing period for questions and comments.
Furthermore, should a member making a speech not be available immediately thereafter, and while the content of the member’s speech is still fresh to all, the Chair shall still recognize other members wishing to ask questions or comment on the speech, for the duration of the prescribed period.
The Chair invites the House leaders to discuss this matter further should they feel it necessary. Perhaps the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs may also want to study the matter and make recommendations back to the House.
I thank members for their attention.
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