44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 28, 2024 02:00PM
- Feb/28/24 5:31:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are the opposition. We are here to protect all Canadians. They talk about health. They talk about the fact that 3.17 million meals were served by a food bank in Toronto, and 3,000 deliveries made to seniors because they cannot afford to buy food because of the tax implications.
They have to axe the tax. If they care about health, then they should care about feeding the people who cannot afford to eat.
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- Feb/28/24 5:31:38 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, that member voted against the Canada child benefit or her party did. That member voted against dental care for our most vulnerable children and seniors. That member voted against child care. That member regularly obstructs and voted against 130 measures before Christmas that would have supported the very people she professes to want to help.
This will be a recurring debate in this chamber. These people like to talk in slogans with glib lines—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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- Feb/28/24 5:32:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, first of all it is not “these people”—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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- Feb/28/24 5:32:35 p.m.
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That is descending into debate.
Maybe just to finish up the thought, the hon. government House leader.
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- Feb/28/24 5:32:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, those members are good with the fake outrage, but they are also very good at blocking needed supports for the people they profess to care about, but do not. They are very good at obstructing all of the things that this government proposes that will help those very people.
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- Feb/28/24 5:33:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The government is so concerned about this, yet have not asked for a body break. We should have a body break.
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- Feb/28/24 5:33:20 p.m.
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That is not a point of order, but I appreciate the thought.
Questions and comments, the hon. member for Red Deer—Lacombe.
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- Feb/28/24 5:33:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I just want to remind members of this House, many of whom, including the member for Courtenay—Alberni, were not here when I first learned about all-night voting. That was back when Stephen Harper was the prime minister and the NDP moved hundreds, if not thousands, of amendments to a piece of legislation to discuss Canada Post and forced all-night voting. As a matter of fact, if the record is checked, I believe that voting went on for in excess of 24 hours. I even believe the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands has moved a number of motions and amendments that created long-term marathon voting as well.
I just want to remind everybody that this is where we are actually at. The issue that the government House leader does not understand is that it is the agenda that it is trying to get passed that is actually causing the frustration in the House. The government can monkey around with all of the Standing Orders that they want, but it actually has to be an agenda that Canadians want. Canadians are rejecting the government's agenda right now. The polling numbers clearly indicate that the government and its coalition partners do not have the support of the Canadian public so everything it is doing is actually against where the Canadian public is at. If the government would just change its agenda, it would actually have the support of this House and the support of the Canadian public. If it has the support of the public, it will have the support in the House. It does not have the support of the House because the public does not support its agenda. The government can monkey with the Standing Orders all they want, but it is not going to change the fact that the government has bad ideas. That is why those ideas are not getting through the House.
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- Feb/28/24 5:35:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my former counterpart, who was the chief opposition whip. I know of his very legitimate concerns for members and I thank him for pointing out that perhaps he too objects to all-night voting. I know that, in an honest moment, that member would probably agree that it is a very bad idea.
I will say this, though. I do reject the premise that giving that member and his colleagues more time to present their constructive ideas to Canadians is somehow a danger for the rules of this place. We are allowing time for more debate and allowing that member more time to put his ideas across.
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- Feb/28/24 5:35:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I raise this as a technical concern in this place. A vote took place, and the timer associated with the app was not accurate. Those members may think it is user error. For those who do not understand the concept of blockchain technology, that is really rich.
Before we proceed to another vote, the timing issue on the app is of the utmost concern. I did vote early in the process to ensure that I would have time to verify my vote. The 10-minute voting period does indicate an allowance for votes to be cast later in that process. When I did look back at the app, there was 30 seconds left on the screen in the lobby, but three and a half minutes left on the voting app. To further emphasize the seriousness of this technical concern, it was about 20 minutes after the vote finished that I got the confirmation email that said my vote was, in fact, nay.
I raise serious concerns about the ability of members to fulfill their constitutional parliamentary functions in this place, especially on an issue as important as the future of our democracy, which the Liberals are certainly putting at—
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- Feb/28/24 5:37:19 p.m.
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I think that is enough on the point of order. I understand the concern. I am going to talk to the desk for a moment.
I appreciate the input. We will look closely at what transpired. There were 100 or so votes cast in a proper manner. We are going to go back and look at the system while the bells are ringing so that we can make sure the system works as well as possible for the members voting online.
The hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot.
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- Feb/28/24 5:38:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, just to ensure the table has the information that emphasizes some of the technical challenges, including the email that arrived late, I would ask for unanimous consent to table the particular email and therefore indicate—
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- Feb/28/24 5:38:46 p.m.
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I am already hearing a number of noes. I will ask the hon. member to come up to the desk, when the bells are ringing, so he can share that information and we can make sure this does not happen to other members.
It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings at this time and put forthwith the question on the motion now before the House.
The question is on the motion.
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
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- Feb/28/24 5:39:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would ask for, in the preservation of democracy, a recorded vote.
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- Feb/28/24 5:39:46 p.m.
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- Feb/28/24 6:23:13 p.m.
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I declare the motion carried.
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- Feb/28/24 6:23:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 61st report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. The committee advises that, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business met to consider the items added to the order of precedence on Tuesday, February 13, and recommended that the items listed herein, which it has determined should not be designated non-votable, be considered by the House.
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- Feb/28/24 6:24:15 p.m.
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Pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2) the report is deemed adopted.
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- Feb/28/24 6:24:31 p.m.
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There being no motion at report stage, the House will now proceed, without debate, to the putting of the question on the motion to concur in the bill at report stage.
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- Feb/28/24 6:25:04 p.m.
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moved that the bill be concurred in.
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