Shorter summary today, the House is on break this week!
Motions
Situation in Ukraine – Heather McPherson (NDP, Alberta, Edmonton Strathcona)
Heather asked for unanimous consent that the House:
- Condemn the continuation of Russia’s unjustified full-scale aggression against Ukraine
- Call on Russia to end hostilities against Ukraine and withdraw all its troops from the territory of Ukraine
- Call on the Government of Canada to continue to provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine, to conduct the security guarantee agreement with Ukraine in order to increase its capabilities to defend itself from Russian unprovoked aggression
- Support Ukraine’s future membership in NATO
- Call on the Government of Canada to strengthen sanctions against Russia, confiscate the assets of Russian oligarchs and Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine’s rebuilding
- Call on the Government of Canada to exert all possible efforts and provide necessary diplomatic and financial support to ensure the return of Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia
- Call on the Government of Canada to support efforts to bring those responsible for violations of international law to justice
Unanimous consent for this Motion was given.
Bill Updates
S-202 – An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate)
S-202 went up for its Third Reading and passed with 210 voting in favour and 115 voting against.
| Party | For | Against | Paired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 151 | 0 | 1 |
| Conservative | 0 | 114 | 1 |
| Bloc Quebecois | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| NDP | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Green | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | 2 | 1 | 0 |
S-202 is now waiting for Royal Assent.
C-317 – The National Strategy on Flood and Drought Forecasting Act
C-317 went up for its Second Reading and passed with everyone voting in favour. It will now be sent to the Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
C-273 – An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Corinne’s Quest and the protection of children)
C-273 went up for its Second Reading and passed with 209 voting in favour and 115 voting against.
| Party | For | Against | Paired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 150 | 0 | 1 |
| Conservative | 0 | 115 | 1 |
| Bloc Quebecois | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| NDP | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Green | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | 2 | 0 | 0 |
The NDP have a few good things to say about C-273, such as it addressing one of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as it addressing a number of international reports that say physical punishment doesn’t work well with children. They do have some concerns about C-273 though, mostly around the fact that the current protections it would remove allow teachers and parents to use force to move children, such as removing a rowdy child from a classroom or putting one in a car seat. They have concerns that we may see excessive reports of abuse in these situations from passing C-273, but for now want it to go to committee and see what comes up there.
The Conservatives think this topic is too complex to be properly resolved in the time allowed for a Private Members’ Bill. They also mention concerns about taking parenting tools away from parents and opening things up to additional government control.
The Bloc Québécois stated that they opposed the Bill due to the problems teachers are currently having disciplining children, and that losing the ability to use force to restrain children when needed would hurt their ability to teach. They also claim that the committee won’t be able to amend C-273 as it’s a single line and offers no room for amendment. I’m not entirely sure why they decided to support it, I don’t see anything about them changing their minds. Best I can see is they want it to go to committee to see what they have to say about it.
C-273 will now go to the Committee on Justice and Human Rights.