Mr. Speaker, the final petition I will present today is from Canadians across the country who want to be protected against discrimination. Canadians can and do face political discrimination, and it is a fundamental right of Canadians to be politically active and vocal. It is in the best interests of Canadian democracy to protect public debate and the exchange of ideas. The petitioners are in support of Bill C-257, which would add protection against political discrimination to the Human Rights Act. They are calling on the Government of Canada and the House to pass this bill and defend the right of Canadians to peacefully express their political opinions.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to present a number of petitions to the House today. The first petition is the same as the petition my colleague presented with respect to the human rights situation in Turkey, Pakistan and Bahrain. The petitioners are concerned about officials in all three of these countries committing human rights violations against thousands of Turks, including Turkish Canadians in particular. The petitioners are concerned about the killing of hundreds by Turkish officials, including the killing of Gökhan Açikkollu. Also, the petitioners say that Turkish officials have wrongly detained over 300,000 people without reason and that multiple international human rights groups have confirmed gross human rights violations in Turkey. The petitioners call on the government to closely monitor the situation in terms of human rights in Turkey, to sanction those officials who have committed these violations against these Canadians as well those involved in the killing of Gökhan Açikkollu, and to call on the governments of Turkey, Pakistan and Bahrain to end all human rights violations in their respective countries.

Mr. Speaker, the next petition highlights the ongoing, horrific and unjust detention of Mr. Huseyin Celil. The petitioners note that they were very pleased to see the release of the two Michaels who had been detained for 1,000 days in China. They note that Mr. Celil has been detained for over 5,000 days, that he is a Canadian citizen and a person of Uyghur ethnic origin who had been vocal on advocating for the human rights of Uyghurs. Of course, Uyghurs face ongoing genocide, as has been recognized by the House and most of the parties in this place. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to take a number of steps to support the human rights of Uyghurs and to seek the release of Mr. Celil: demand that the Chinese government recognize Mr. Celil's Canadian citizenship and provide him with consular and legal services in accordance with international law; formally state that the release of Mr. Celil from Chinese detainment and his return to Canada is a priority of the Canadian government of equal concern to the unjust detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor; appoint a special envoy to work on securing Mr. Celil's release; and seek the assistance of the Biden administration and other allies around the world in obtaining Mr. Celil's release.

Mr. Speaker, the next petition is one I had a number of copies of and has been in my desk for a little while. It is, in some respects, a little bit dated, but I think it is always worth a reminder. The petition calls on the Government of Canada to end all COVID-19 mandates. I am pleased to table that as well.

Mr. Speaker, I am going to table a number of petitions that relate to the human rights situation in Hong Kong. First of all, the petitioners note how recent Hong Kong graduates can apply for open work permits under a temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents. In June 2021, there were two pathways, stream A and stream B, announced to Hong Kongers who worked or studied in Canada to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Stream B required graduates to have one year of work experience in Canada and have graduated within the last five years from a Canadian or foreign equivalent post-secondary school. On February 6 of this year, Canada announced an extension and expansion of the open work permit program for eligible Hong Kong residents by extending the open work permit for an additional two years. However, this extension failed to address time constraints that stream B applicants face while pursuing eligibility for permanent residency. The 2016-17 graduates who met the five-year graduation requirement at the time of applying for the open work permit are falling out of eligibility to apply for permanent residency under stream B of this scheme by the time their work permits are received and they have fulfilled the hours of work requirement. The petitioners call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to remove the five-year restriction to include all persons who fulfill the educational credential requirements of stream B.

Mr. Speaker, the next petition is also about the situation in Hong Kong. The petitioners note the injustices that have been inflicted against Hong Kong and how people who have been involved in the democracy movement might have faced politically motivated prosecutions and, as such, they might be considered inadmissible to Canada under the current approach being taken. The petitioners are concerned about people being asked for police certificates and so forth. It would be difficult for those who have been involved in the democracy movement and faced politically motivated prosecutions to get those certificates. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to recognize the politicization of Hong Kong's judiciary; to affirm its commitment to render all national security charges and convictions irrelevant and invalid in relation to section 36(1)(c); to create a mechanism by which Hong Kong people with pro-democracy movement related convictions provide an explanation for such convictions on the basis of which government officials can grant exceptions to Hong Kong people who would otherwise be deemed inadmissible; and to work with the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Australia, New Zealand and other democracies to waive criminal inadmissibility of Hong Kong people convicted for political purposes who otherwise do not have a criminal record. With that, I move, seconded by the member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry: That the House do now adjourn.

The question is on the motion. If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division or wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

Call in the members.

I declare the motion defeated.

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 1400, 1409, 1413, 1416 and 1418.

With regard to the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, in reference to section 83.05 of the Criminal Code: (a) what procedure is followed by the department to determine whether a state is a state supporter of terrorism; (b) does the Russian Federation meet the criteria under the aforementioned section of the Criminal Code to be designated as a state supporter of terrorism, and what is the detailed explanation for how the determination was made; and (c) what other legislation, criteria, or factors are used by the department to designate a country as a state supporter of terrorism? With regard to the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, broken down by fiscal year since 2011-12: (a) what is the total number of penalties issued to (i) individuals, (ii) corporations; (b) what is the total dollar amount collected through fines issued under the act; and (c) what is the total number of vessels (i) forfeited to the government, (ii) retained pending payment of a fine, (iii) disposed of for the purpose of payment of a fine? With regard to Marine Atlantic's decision to have its new ferry built at a shipyard in China: (a) what is the value of the contract for the new ship; (b) did Marine Atlantic study the economic impact of choosing a shipyard in China as opposed to a Canadian shipyard, and, if so, what is the impact, including the (i) number of jobs created overseas as opposed to in Canada, (ii) approximate dollar value of economic benefits, both direct and indirect, for the economy in China as opposed to the Canadian economy; (c) did Marine Atlantic invite Canadian shipbuilders to submit proposals related to the construction of these vessels, and, if so, which shipbuilders submitted proposals and why were those proposals not accepted; (d) does Marine Atlantic plan on altering its procurement processes in the future to ensure that it purchases vessels built in Canada, and, if so, what are the details of such a plan; (e) what action, if any, has the minister responsible taken to ensure that future vessel procurement involves construction at Canadian shipyards; and (f) will Marine Atlantic be required to pay import duties on the vessel, and, if so, what is the dollar value and percentage that is expected to be paid in duties? With regard to the Vaccine Injury Support Program: (a) how many applications for financial compensation were (i) received, (ii) approved, (iii) rejected; (b) how much has been paid out through the program; (c) what is the average payout for approved applicants; and (d) what types of injuries were approved for compensation, and how many claims were related to each? With regard to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): (a) what is PHAC's Management Response and Action Plan for future pandemic or epidemic events; and (b) what are the details of all emergency preparedness exercises and simulations that PHAC has been involved in, since January 1, 2020 including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) entities and organizations involved, (iv) summary of the exercises or simulations, (v) observations and results?

Mr. Speaker, furthermore, if the government's responses to Questions Nos. 1399, 1401 to 1408, 1410 to 1412, 1414, 1415, 1417 and 1419 could be made orders for return, these would be tabled immediately. The Deputy Speaker: Is that agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed.

Mr. Speaker, finally, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand. The Deputy Speaker: Is that agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed.

With regard to personnel employed by the Department of National Defence (DND) or the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF): (a) how many individuals are currently employed by (i) DND, (ii) CAF; (b) how many of the individuals in (a) are (i) civilians, (ii) regular forces, (iii) reserve forces; and (c) of the individuals in (a)(ii), what is the breakdown by (i) Canadian Army, (ii) Royal Canadian Navy, (iii) Royal Canadian Air Force, (iv) Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, (v) Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, and what is the rank for each? With regard to the federal civil service, as of April 1, 2023, broken down by department, agency, Crown corporation or other government entity: (a) how many employees or full time equivalents are currently employed; (b) what was the amount spent on salaries, benefits and other compensation in the last fiscal year; and (c) what is the breakdown of (a) and (b), for government entities with both civilian and enlisted or officer employees such as the Canadian Armed Forces or the RCMP, by type of employee? With regard to travellers entering Canada and the ArriveCAN application: (a) how many travellers entered Canada between January 1, 2023, and April 15, 2023; (b) how many and what percentage of the travellers in (a) submitted their information through ArriveCAN prior to their arrival in Canada; and (c) what is the breakdown of (a) and (b) by the type of point of entry used (air, land, sea)? With regard to government interactions and expenditures related to Canada 2020, since October 1, 2022, broken down by department, agency, Crown corporation, or other government entity: (a) what are the details of all expenditures, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) amount, (iii) description of goods or services, including the volume, (iv) related events, if applicable, including the dates, locations, and the title of each event; (b) what are the details of all sponsorships the government has provided to Canada 2020, including the event (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) sponsorship amount, (iv) title, and the purpose of sponsoring the event; and (c) what are the details of all gifts, including free event tickets, received by ministers, ministerial staff or other government officials from Canada 2020, including the (i) date, (ii) recipient, (iii) value, (iv) description of the gift, including the volume and the event date, if applicable? With regard to stakeholder consultations on bail reform conducted by the Minister of Justice or the Department of Justice since October 1, 2022: (a) how many stakeholders have been consulted; and (b) what are the details of each consultation, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) groups and individuals consulted, (iv) names or titles of those who conducted the consultation, (v) summary of the feedback received, (vi) form of the consultation? With regard to the Recovery Fund for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sectors under budget 2021, and the amendment to the contribution agreement for the funds awarded to the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto signed on November 10, 2022: (a) what specifically did the amendment change in the initial schedule and the initial project list; (b) how did the amendment respect the contribution agreement requirements and fiscal responsibility towards the project; (c) how did the amendment represent good stewardship of public funds; and (d) did the amendment reference the need for the Harbourfront to consult with the public on the changes to the schedule and the project list? With regard to the Village at Griesbach administered by the Canada Lands Company, since the acquisition of the property: (a) how does the Canada Lands Company define affordable housing for the purposes of this property and what is the associated dollar amount to be considered affordable for this project; (b) what is the number of units that are (i) under $600 per month, (ii) under $800 per month, (iii) under $1,000 per month, (iv) under $1,500 per month, (v) under $2,000 per month, (vi) over $2,000 per month; (c) what is the total number of units that meet the definition in (a) that are (i) planned, (ii) currently under development, (iii) completed; (d) what is the total number of units that do not meet the definition of affordable and are (i) in planning, (ii) currently under development, (iii) completed; and (e) what is the total amount of funding that has been (i) committed, (ii) finalized, (iii) advanced to the applicants? With regard to the national inventory of wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels, broken down by fiscal year since 2011-12: (a) what is the total number of vessels added to the inventory located (i) on the Pacific coast, (ii) on the Arctic coast, (iii) on the Atlantic coast, (iv) in the Great Lakes, (v) in the St. Lawrence Seaway; (b) what is the total number of vessels removed from the inventory located (i) on the Pacific coast, (ii) on the Arctic coast, (iii) on the Atlantic coast, (iv) in the Great Lakes, (v) in the St. Lawrence Seaway; (c) what risk categories does the government use to prioritize the removal of vessels; (d) what is the current number of vessels in the inventory, broken down by risk category; and (e) does the government have an estimate of the number of abandoned vessels not included in the inventory? With regard to government funding for the removal of wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels, broken down by fiscal year and department or agency since 2011-12: (a) what are the details of all projects or initiatives led by First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities or organizations, including the (i) group receiving funding, (ii) date the funding was received, (iii) total amount of funds committed, (iv) location of the vessel or vessels identified for removal, (v) current status of the vessel or vessels; and (b) what is the total number of Indigenous-led projects or initiatives that were denied funding for the removal of the vessels? With regard to individuals who entered Canada through land crossings in British Columbia: (a) how many individuals entered through irregular or illegal crossings, in total and broken down by month since January 1, 2022; and (b) what is the breakdown of (a) by approximate geographic location of the crossings? With regard to the Department of National Defence (DND) and the government’s announcement in August 2019 titled “Canada negotiates new armoured combat support vehicles”: (a) on what date will the 360 light armoured vehicles (LAV) from General Dynamic Land Systems Canada be put into service; (b) what are the names of each variant type of LAV purchased; (c) how many of each variant type was purchased; and (d) on what date is DND expected to complete the sign off or final approvals for the LAVs which are still at General Dynamic Land Systems Canada? With regard to the increase in the number of public service employees between 2016 and 2023: (a) what was the total number of public service workers as of (i) January 1, 2016, (ii) January 1, 2023, in total and broken down by department or agency; and (b) what was the total number of positions added to the public service between January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2023, broken down by occupational group, level, Treasury Board classification, and department or agency? With regard to government contracts with Baylis Medical since January 1, 2020, broken down by department, agency, Crown corporation, or other government entity: (a) what are the details of all such contracts, including, for each, the (i) date of the contract, (ii) value, (iii) description of the goods or services provided, including the quantity and whether the goods were manufactured by Baylis Medical or by a third party, (iv) manner in which the contract was awarded (sole-sourced, competitive bid, etc.), (v) date on which the goods or services were delivered; and (b) for each of the contracts in (a), did the company live up to its contractual obligations, and, if not, what corrective action was taken by the government? With regard to carbon offsets purchased by the government, since January 1, 2016, broken down by year: (a) how much was spent by each department, agency, Crown corporation, or other government entity; and (b) what are the details of each purchase, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) cost, (iii) amount of emissions that the purchase was meant to offset, (iv) vendor? With regard to expenditures related to the Prime Minister's trip to Montana in April 2023: (a) what were the total costs incurred by the government for (i) accommodations, (ii) per diems, (iii) other expenses, for the flight crew and government officials who travelled to Montana in connection with the Prime Minister's trip; (b) in what city or town did the flight crew and government officials stay at in Montana; (c) how much did the Prime Minister reimburse the government in relation to the flight for this vacation; (d) did the Prime Minister reimburse any other expenses related to this vacation and, if so, how much and what was the reimbursement for; (e) did any government officials travel to Montana in a method other than on the Challenger flight which carried the Prime Minister and, if so, how many officials travelled through other means, and how much was spent on their airfare; and (f) are there any costs incurred or expected to be incurred by the government related to the trip that are not included in the response to (a) and, if so, what are those costs or expected costs, broken down by item and type of expense? With regard to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF): (a) what is the number of individuals in the CAF, broken down by type (civilian, military, reserve) and branch as of (i) January 1, 2016, (ii) January 1, 2020, (iii) January 1, 2023; and (b) what is the number of individuals at each military rank as of (i) January 1, 2016, (ii) January 1, 2020, (iii) January 1, 2023?

Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask for an emergency debate on the urgent and escalating wildfire situation in Canada. I want to first say that our hearts are with the 30,000 Canadians who are still out of their homes and the many hundreds who have lost everything in these fires. I thank the firefighters on land and in the air for their brave and dangerous work keeping all of us safe. More than 400 fires are burning right now across the country from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia. More than 3.6 million hectares have been torched so far this year, and it is only the first week of June. We have a long, hot fire season ahead of us. Local and provincial first responders have been overwhelmed. It is clear that we need to re-evaluate the federal role in wildfire protection and response to develop a more proactive process, instead of the present reactive one, and we must do as much of this as possible as quickly as possible in the next few weeks, before summer truly arrives. This process and support to affected parts of the country should be informed by the urgent debate of Parliament, so I therefore ask for an emergency debate tonight here in the House of Commons.

I wish to inform the House that I have received notice of a request for an emergency debate. I invite the hon. member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay to rise to make a brief intervention.

I thank the hon. member for South Okanagan—West Kootenay for his intervention. The Speaker is prepared to grant an emergency debate concerning the wildfire situation across Canada. This debate will be held later today at 10 p.m., pursuant to the order made on November 15, 2022.

Mr. Speaker, I am rising today to also request an emergency debate for the very serious matter we see happening across Canada today, which is the housing crisis. It is one that the housing minister refuses to acknowledge as something we are going through today. New IMF data was released. It shows that Canadian households face the greatest risk of mortgage defaults as households struggle to cope with increasing interest rates. These high interest rates were caused by high inflationary deficit spending by the government. It made the Governor of the Bank of Canada raise the rates, causing Canadians headaches and all sorts of hardships when it comes to the housing crisis. The finance minister, in November, said she did not want to throw fuel onto the inflationary fire, but then, with the recent budget, threw 68 billion dollars' worth of fuel on that inflationary fire. That made the inflation problem worse and will possibly have the Bank of Canada raise its interest rates once again, which would cause even more hardships. We know that nine out of 10 young people cannot imagine home ownership. Newcomers do not even dream of ever owning a home, as the cost of living is growing because of the inflationary deficit spending by the Liberal government. I would also implore you, when considering this decision, to also consider that we are on the reading stage of the budget, so it only limits the scope. We want to expand it because of how serious the housing crisis is and how much worse it is going to get when people start defaulting on mortgages, according to RBC and this IMF report. I am requesting an emergency debate on this very serious matter.

I wish to inform the House that I have received three notices for requests for an emergency debate concerning the same subject. I invite the hon. members for Regina—Qu'Appelle, Calgary Forest Lawn and Parry Sound—Muskoka to rise and make brief interventions. The hon. member for Calgary Forest Lawn.