Motions
So we’ve got a Budget Bill coming through the pipes and of course everyone has a statement to make about it, so we’ve got some Motions to cover!
First up we’ve got Pierre Poillievre (Conservative Leader, Ontario, Carleton), who wants to change the Motion to adopt the government’s budget to:
The House reject the government’s budget statement since it will cost every Canadian household $4,200 and it fails to make Canada work for the people who’ve done the work, namely:
- Bring home powerful paycheques with lower taxes, including scrapping the carbon tax
- Bring home lower prices by ending inflationary debt and deficits that drive up inflation and interest rates
- Bring homes people can afford by removing government gatekeepers to free up land and speed up building permits
This is nothing but sound bites. Zero substance here. “Powerful paycheques” means nothing, “government gatekeepers” means nothing.
An amendment to Pierre’s amendment was proposed by Jean-Denis Garon (Bloc Québécois, Quebec, Mirabel) that would change the text to:
The Budget fails to:
- Immediately reform employment insurance and increase old age security for seniors aged 65 to 74
- Fight climate change by ending fossil fuel subsidies
- Increase health transfers to 35%, preferring instead to interfere in the jurisdictions of Quebec and the provinces, such as by creating dental insurance without giving Quebec the right to opt out with full compensation
This one’s a bit better. We did have a Bill that would increase EI fail due to not receiving a Royal Recommendation, so opposing the budget for not having those measures makes sense. Pretty sure you wouldn’t need one to end fossil fuel subsidies though.
Jean-Denis’ amendment went up for a vote and was defeated, 32 in favour and 282 against.
| Party | For | Against | Paired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 0 | 145 | 4 |
| Conservative | 0 | 111 | 2 |
| Bloc Quebecois | 30 | 0 | 2 |
| NDP | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Green Party | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Independent | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Pierre’s amendment then went up for vote and was defeated, 106 in favour and 204 against.
| Party | For | Against | Paired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 0 | 146 | 7 |
| Conservative | 106 | 0 | 5 |
| Bloc Quebecois | 0 | 29 | 2 |
| NDP | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Green Party | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Independent | 0 | 3 | 0 |
The Motion to approve the government’s budget then passed 172 in favour and 142 against.
| Party | For | Against | Paired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 147 | 0 | 6 |
| Conservative | 0 | 111 | 3 |
| Bloc Quebecois | 0 | 28 | 3 |
| NDP | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Party | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Independent | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Bill Updates
C-46 – The Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 3
A Motion was passed for C-46 with unanimous consent to have it pass its Second Reading, skip the committee phase, and pass its Third Reading. It will now move on to the Senate.
C-228 – The Pension Protection Act
C-228 completed its run through the Senate without amendment, and will now be up for Royal Assent.
C-233 – Criminal Code (Violence against an intimate partner)
C-233 also came back from the Senate without amendment and is ready for Royal Assent.
Closing Fun
And that’s all we’ve got, see you all next week!