Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2021-03-12 10:05:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen\u2019s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)",
        "fr": "M. Kevin Lamoureux (secr\u00e9taire parlementaire du pr\u00e9sident du Conseil priv\u00e9 de la Reine pour le Canada et du leader du gouvernement \u00e0 la Chambre des communes, Lib.)"
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"6554613\" data-originallang=\"en\">Madam Speaker, it is quite a pleasure to speak to Bill <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> at third reading. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554614\" data-originallang=\"en\">Earlier in the week, I spoke on Bill <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> at second reading. Back then, I emphasized how important the legislation was to the Government of Canada. Since the very beginning of the pandemic, the <a data-HoCid=\"214296\" href=\"/politicians/justin-trudeau/\" title=\"Justin Trudeau\">Prime Minister</a> has made a commitment to have the backs of Canadians. Once again, we have legislation before the House that is absolutely critical with respect to supporting Canadians today and continuing to do so going forward.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554615\" data-originallang=\"en\">When I spoke on the bill earlier in the week, I was somewhat upset and I expressed my feelings about the Conservative Party and how it was filibustering important legislation on the floor of the House of Commons. In fact, I recall citing a tweet by the member for <a data-HoCid=\"252986\" href=\"/politicians/raquel-dancho/\" title=\"Raquel Dancho\">Kildonan\u2014St. Paul</a> about importance of the legislation for workers. However, the Conservatives were filibustering important legislation during the pandemic, and we witnessed that during the debate on Bill <a data-HoCid=\"11003629\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-14/\" title=\"An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 30, 2020 and other measures\">C-14</a>. At the time, I indicated that the only way the House could see legislation passed was if the Conservatives were made to feel ashamed of their behaviour. I am pleased that it would appear as if the Conservatives saw the merit, through a bit of shaming, in allowing the bill to pass. It is important to recognize that.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554616\" data-originallang=\"en\">If we review what has taken place during the week, there are some encouraging signs, at least from some of the opposition parties. However, that is not universally held. I am afraid that the Conservatives still feel obligated to play that destructive force on the floor of the House of Commons, and I will expand on that.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554617\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bill <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> would provide badly needed funds, essential funds, to thousands of Canadians in all regions of our country. To see how we should proceed, all we need to do is look at the desire and what we have seen this week. I will cite a few examples of that. The reason I am doing this is because I want to encourage members of the Conservative Party particularly to recognize the true value of legislation like Bill <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a>, and it appears the member for <a data-HoCid=\"252986\" href=\"/politicians/raquel-dancho/\" title=\"Raquel Dancho\">Kildonan\u2014St. Paul</a> has recognized it, and to see the value in passing it.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554618\" data-originallang=\"en\">The best example I can think of is something that took place yesterday. We had very important legislation, Bill <a data-HoCid=\"10875380\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-7/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)\">C-7</a>, which is literally on life and death, before us. Because we are in a minority situation, it does not take very much to prevent the government from passing legislation. However, in this situation, the Bloc, indicated that it supported the legislation and would assist the government to bring forward closure. Had we not received that support, we never would have been able to advance it through the House of Commons and people would have been denied the opportunity to have access to this through this legislation. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554619\" data-originallang=\"en\">Earlier in the week, we also had some indication from my New Democratic friends about Bill <a data-HoCid=\"10870098\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-5/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)\">C-5</a>, important legislation that is not necessarily as direct as Bill <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> is with respect to the pandemic. Quite possibly it could be somewhat of assistance indirectly during the pandemic. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554620\" data-originallang=\"en\">In this situation, the New Democrats said that they would like to have unanimous consent to allow that additional debate and ultimately see Bill C-5 passed in the House. Of course, much like with the Bloc's suggestion, the Conservatives outright said that they did not want anything to do with it. Again, it is not to come across as not being grateful for the Conservatives recognizing the importance of Bill C-24, but it is more so to encourage the Conservative Party to look at what other opposition parties are doing to facilitate the passing of important legislation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554621\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bill <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> was recognized the other day by the Conservatives when they stopped debate, allowing it to get out of second reading so it could go to committee. As a result, we are now at third reading stage today. We know that if the Conservative Party wanted to do more, it could.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554622\" data-originallang=\"en\"> For example, look at what the Conservatives did with the Canada-United Kingdom agreement, which is critically important legislation. It would have a direct impact, even during the coronavirus pandemic. The Conservatives requested unanimous consent for a motion with respect to the trade agreement, and we supported it.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554623\" data-originallang=\"en\">It is important to recognize that my New Democratic friends, who have traditionally voted against anything related to expanding trade relations, also supported the motion to see the bill on the United Kingdom trade agreement pass through the House of Commons even though they opposed it. It is important to recognize that. The NDP and the Bloc have, on occasion, have recognized what I have been saying to the House for quite a while, which is that the behaviour of the Conservatives has not been favourable to the House of Commons in passing the legislation that is so badly needed to support Canadians during this difficult time. They have gone out of their way to frustrate the House of Commons and our desire to see important legislation like Bill C-24 passed.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554624\" data-originallang=\"en\">I will continue to remind my Conservative friends that they have an important obligation to Canadians, as the government has since day one, to focus their attention not on an election, but rather supporting Canadians. One of the ways they can do that is by providing support on legislation such as this.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554625\" data-originallang=\"en\">When I spoke on Bill <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> earlier in the week, members of the Conservative Party were somewhat critical of me, saying that the government had just introduced the legislation so how could I expect them to pass it, implying that I was maybe not being as principled on enabling members to speak to important legislation. I want to assure members of the House that I have always been an advocate for members of Parliament to express themselves on legislation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554626\" data-originallang=\"en\">Many would say that I have no problem expressing myself on a wide variety of issues on the floor of the House. I am very grateful for the position that I have been put in by the <a data-HoCid=\"214296\" href=\"/politicians/justin-trudeau/\" title=\"Justin Trudeau\">Prime Minister</a> and the support I get from my caucus colleagues. I often speak on behalf of many of my caucus colleagues in expressing frustration and in expressing support for initiatives that are being taken on the floor of the House of Commons.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554627\" data-originallang=\"en\">The bill was introduced for the first time in February, and nothing would have prevented further discussion and additional debate if in fact\u2014</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"6554613\" data-originallang=\"en\">Madame la Pr\u00e9sidente, je suis heureux de prendre la parole dans le cadre de ce d\u00e9bat \u00e0 l'\u00e9tape de la troisi\u00e8me lecture du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a>. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554614\" data-originallang=\"en\">Plus t\u00f4t cette semaine, je me suis exprim\u00e9 au sujet du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> \u00e0 l'\u00e9tape de la deuxi\u00e8me lecture. J'avais alors rappel\u00e9 l'importance que rev\u00eat cette mesure l\u00e9gislative pour le gouvernement du Canada. D\u00e8s le tout d\u00e9but de la pand\u00e9mie, le <a data-HoCid=\"214296\" href=\"/politicians/justin-trudeau/\" title=\"Justin Trudeau\">premier ministre</a> s'est engag\u00e9 \u00e0 soutenir la population canadienne. Encore une fois, la Chambre est saisie d'un projet de loi d'une importance capitale pour ce qui est du soutien apport\u00e9 aux Canadiens, tant aujourd'hui que dans l'avenir. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554615\" data-originallang=\"en\">Lorsque j'ai pris la parole au sujet du projet de loi au d\u00e9but de la semaine, j'\u00e9tais quelque peu contrari\u00e9 et j'ai exprim\u00e9 mes sentiments \u00e0 l'\u00e9gard du Parti conservateur et de sa fa\u00e7on de faire de l'obstruction pour emp\u00eacher l'adoption de projets de loi importants dont la Chambre des communes est saisie. D'ailleurs, je me souviens d'avoir cit\u00e9 un gazouillis de la d\u00e9put\u00e9e de <a data-HoCid=\"252986\" href=\"/politicians/raquel-dancho/\" title=\"Raquel Dancho\">Kildonan\u2014St. Paul</a> sur l'importance du projet de loi pour les travailleurs. Cependant, pendant la pand\u00e9mie, les conservateurs ont fait de l'obstruction \u00e0 l'\u00e9gard d'importants projets de loi, comme nous en avons \u00e9t\u00e9 t\u00e9moins pendant le d\u00e9bat sur le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"11003629\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-14/\" title=\"An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 30, 2020 and other measures\">C-14</a>. \u00c0 ce moment-l\u00e0, j'ai indiqu\u00e9 que la seule fa\u00e7on pour la Chambre de faire adopter un projet de loi, c'\u00e9tait en amenant les conservateurs \u00e0 avoir honte de leur comportement. Je suis heureux de voir qu'apr\u00e8s avoir \u00e9t\u00e9 un peu montr\u00e9s du doigt, les conservateurs semblent avoir reconnu l'importance de permettre l'adoption du projet de loi. Il est important de le reconna\u00eetre.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554616\" data-originallang=\"en\">Si nous passons en revue les \u00e9v\u00e9nements de cette semaine, il y a quelques signes encourageants, du moins de la part de certains des partis d'opposition. Toutefois, ce n'est pas universel. Je crains que les conservateurs ne se sentent encore oblig\u00e9s d'agir comme une force destructrice \u00e0 la Chambre des communes et je vais en dire davantage \u00e0 ce sujet.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554617\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> permettrait de fournir des fonds essentiels \u00e0 des milliers de Canadiens qui en ont d\u00e9sesp\u00e9r\u00e9ment besoin dans toutes les r\u00e9gions du pays. Pour savoir comment nous devrions proc\u00e9der, il nous suffit d'examiner la volont\u00e9 des gens ainsi que ce qui s'est pass\u00e9 cette semaine. En voici quelques exemples. Je proc\u00e8de ainsi parce que je tiens \u00e0 encourager les d\u00e9put\u00e9s du Parti conservateur, surtout, \u00e0 reconna\u00eetre la vraie valeur d'une mesure l\u00e9gislative comme le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a>, tout comme semble l'avoir fait la d\u00e9put\u00e9e de <a data-HoCid=\"252986\" href=\"/politicians/raquel-dancho/\" title=\"Raquel Dancho\">Kildonan\u2014St. Paul</a>, et l'importance de son adoption.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554618\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le meilleur exemple qui me vient \u00e0 l'esprit est un \u00e9v\u00e9nement qui s'est produit hier. Nous \u00e9tions saisis d'une mesure l\u00e9gislative tr\u00e8s importante, soit le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"10875380\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-7/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)\">C-7</a>, qui porte litt\u00e9ralement sur une question de vie ou de mort. \u00c9tant donn\u00e9 que nous sommes en situation minoritaire, il ne faut pas grand-chose pour emp\u00eacher le gouvernement d'adopter un projet de loi. Toutefois, dans ce cas-ci, le Bloc a indiqu\u00e9 qu'il appuierait la mesure l\u00e9gislative et qu'il aiderait le gouvernement \u00e0 imposer la cl\u00f4ture. Si nous n'avions pas re\u00e7u cet appui, nous n'aurions jamais pu faire adopter le projet de loi par la Chambre des communes, et les gens se seraient vu refuser l'acc\u00e8s \u00e0 l'aide m\u00e9dicale \u00e0 mourir accord\u00e9 gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 cette mesure l\u00e9gislative.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554619\" data-originallang=\"en\">Les n\u00e9o-d\u00e9mocrates ont laiss\u00e9 entendre cette semaine qu'ils allaient appuyer le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"10870098\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-5/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)\">C-5</a>, un projet de loi important qui n'est pas n\u00e9cessairement aussi direct que le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> en ce qui concerne la pand\u00e9mie. Il est tout \u00e0 fait possible que le projet de loi puisse apporter une certaine aide indirecte pendant la pand\u00e9mie.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554620\" data-originallang=\"en\">Dans les circonstances, les n\u00e9o-d\u00e9mocrates ont dit souhaiter obtenir le consentement unanime pour permettre la poursuite du d\u00e9bat et enfin l'adoption du projet de loi C-5. Bien s\u00fbr, comme dans le cas de la suggestion du Bloc, les conservateurs ont carr\u00e9ment dit qu'ils ne voulaient rien savoir. Qu'on me comprenne bien. Je sais gr\u00e9 aux conservateurs de reconna\u00eetre l'importance du projet de loi C-24, mais il s'agit ici de les encourager \u00e0 regarder ce que font les autres partis d'opposition pour faciliter l'adoption de projets de loi importants.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554621\" data-originallang=\"en\">Les conservateurs ont compris l'importance du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a>. Ils ont arr\u00eat\u00e9 de retarder les travaux et ils ont permis au projet de loi de franchir l'\u00e9tape de la deuxi\u00e8me lecture et d'\u00eatre renvoy\u00e9 au comit\u00e9. De ce fait, nous en sommes aujourd'hui \u00e0 l'\u00e9tape de la troisi\u00e8me lecture. Nous savons que le Parti conservateur peut faire mieux, s'il le veut.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554622\" data-originallang=\"en\">Pensons par exemple \u00e0 ce qu'il a fait dans le cadre du projet de loi sur l'accord entre le Canada et le Royaume-Uni, qui est une mesure l\u00e9gislative d'une grande importance et qui aurait une incidence directe, m\u00eame pendant la pand\u00e9mie de COVID-19. Les conservateurs ont demand\u00e9 le consentement unanime pour une motion concernant l'accord commercial, et nous l'avons donn\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554623\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il est important de tenir compte du fait que mes amis n\u00e9o-d\u00e9mocrates \u2014 qui ont l'habitude de voter contre tout ce qui touche de pr\u00e8s ou de loin \u00e0 l'\u00e9largissement des relations commerciales \u2014 ont aussi appuy\u00e9 la motion pour que la Chambre adopte le projet de loi sur l'accord commercial avec le Royaume-Uni malgr\u00e9 qu'ils y \u00e9taient oppos\u00e9s. Il est important de le souligner. \u00c0 quelques occasions, le NPD et le Bloc ont fait le m\u00eame constat que moi-m\u00eame, c'est-\u00e0-dire que le comportement des conservateurs n'aide pas la Chambre \u00e0 adopter les dispositions l\u00e9gislatives qui visent \u00e0 offrir aux Canadiens l'aide dont ils ont cruellement besoin pour traverser la crise actuelle. Les conservateurs ont fait des pieds et des mains pour causer de la frustration dans cette enceinte et aller \u00e0 l'encontre de notre d\u00e9sir de faire adopter une mesure l\u00e9gislative aussi essentielle que le projet de loi C-24.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554624\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je vais continuer de rappeler \u00e0 mes amis conservateurs qu'ils ont une obligation importante \u00e0 l'\u00e9gard des Canadiens, tout comme le gouvernement depuis le premier jour d'ailleurs, soit celle de centrer leur attention non pas sur la tenue d'\u00e9lections, mais sur les fa\u00e7ons dont ils peuvent soutenir les Canadiens, et l'une de ces fa\u00e7ons, c'est d'appuyer les projets de loi comme celui-ci.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554625\" data-originallang=\"en\">Quand j'ai parl\u00e9 du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"11128475\" href=\"/bills/43-2/C-24/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19\">C-24</a> plus t\u00f4t cette semaine, les d\u00e9put\u00e9s conservateurs ont \u00e9t\u00e9 quelque peu critiques \u00e0 mon \u00e9gard, disant que le gouvernement venait tout juste de pr\u00e9senter le projet de loi et que je ne devais pas m'attendre \u00e0 ce qu'ils l'adoptent. Ils sous-entendaient que je ne respectais pas le principe voulant que l'on doive permettre aux d\u00e9put\u00e9s de prendre la parole au sujet des projets de loi importants. Je tiens \u00e0 rassurer la Chambre et \u00e0 dire que j'ai toujours d\u00e9fendu le droit des d\u00e9put\u00e9s d'exprimer leurs opinions sur les mesures l\u00e9gislatives.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554626\" data-originallang=\"en\">D'aucuns diront que je n'ai aucun scrupule \u00e0 m'exprimer sur une vaste panoplie de sujets. Je suis tr\u00e8s reconnaissant au <a data-HoCid=\"214296\" href=\"/politicians/justin-trudeau/\" title=\"Justin Trudeau\">premier ministre</a> de m'avoir confi\u00e9 ces fonctions et aux coll\u00e8gues de mon caucus du soutien qu'ils me t\u00e9moignent. J'exprime souvent tout haut le m\u00e9contentement de mes coll\u00e8gues ou leur soutien pour telle ou telle initiative.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"6554627\" data-originallang=\"en\">Ce projet de loi a \u00e9t\u00e9 pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 en f\u00e9vrier, et rien n'emp\u00eachait qu'il soit discut\u00e9 et d\u00e9battu plus avant si ce n'est...</p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2021/3/12/kevin-lamoureux-1/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/kevin-lamoureux/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/4032/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "11184195",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Government Orders",
        "fr": "Ordres \u00e9manant du gouvernement"
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "Employment Insurance Act",
        "fr": "La Loi sur l'assurance-emploi"
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2021/3/12/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2021%2F3%2F12%2F"
    }
}