✔︎ Bill C-34, National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act

Bill

Bill C-34, An Act to amend the Investment Canada Act

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Act is designed to encourage investment, economic growth, and employment, only interceding when an investment is not of net benefit to Canada or would harm national security.

Passed.

Bill Status

At consideration in committee in the Senate

✘ Bill S-210, Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Act

Bill

Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

I voted against Bill S-210 because I believe it to be fundamentally flawed, as it mixes criminal law with administrative enforcement and penalties – criminal law is enforced by police and courts, not monetary penalties and administrative enforcement and penalties. Furthermore, the legislation does not focus on priority issues and additional concerns such as cyberbullying, incitement to self-harm, and child sexual abuse materials.

Passed.

Bill Status

In consideration in committee in the House of Commons

✔︎ Bill C-50, Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act

Bill

Bill C-50, An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Government of Canada has committed to take action to support a shift to a net-zero economy for Canadian workers and communities, including through the introduction of legislation and measures to support the creation of sustainable jobs. A robust federal transparency and accountability framework is required to clearly articulate the government’s approach and ensure coordinated action over time as the net-zero transition evolves.

Passed.

Bill Status

At report stage the House of Commons

✔︎ Bill C-60, Appropriation Act No. 4, 2023-24

Bill

Bill C-60, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Act grants the Head of State, His Royal Majesty King Charles III, certain sums of money toward defraying the various charges and expenses of the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

✘ Bill C-241 (Travel Expenses for Tradespersons)

Bill

Bill C-241, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons)

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

Bill C-241 creates significant issues including concerns around tax fairness between tradespeople and apprentices, a lack of safeguards to contain its scope and related costs, and the Bill exhibits a number of technical deficiencies which could lead to exploitation. We are moving forward with Bill C-19 with a Labour Mobility Tax Credit to allow workers in the building and construction trades to deduct up to $4,000 in eligible travel and temporary relocation expenses giving them a tax credit of up to $600 a year.

Passed.

Bill Status

At third reading in the Senate

✘ Bill C-219, Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights

Bill

Bill C-219, An Act to enact the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights and to make related amendments to other Acts

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

Although Bill C-219 shares our same goal of recognizing the right to a healthy environment in federal law, it differs from the current Government approach, such as integrating procedural rights like public participation into specific environmental statutes as is made possible through CEPA. This not only creates uncertainty as to how Bill C-219 and CEPA would interact, but it can also result in policy coherence issues and challenges when it comes to the interpretation of/with other federal statutes. Overall, this Bill is not well-aligned with CEPA, which recently received Royal Assent, or Bill C-226 (Environmental Racism). I would consider supporting a similar Bill that addresses these inconsistencies and uncertainties and is better aligned with the government’s overall environmental strategy.

Failed.

Bill Status

Bill defeated

✔︎ Bill C-295 (Neglect of Vulnerable Adults)

Bill

Bill C-295, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (neglect of vulnerable adults)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Government of Canada values the many contributions made by seniors to our country, and to all who accompany them on a daily basis and is working hard to ensure their dignity, quality of life and well-being are protected. We recognize that the neglect of vulnerable adults is a serious issue affecting many older persons in Canada, made all the more apparent in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government shares the Member’s commitment to addressing the issue of neglect of vulnerable adults, particularly in long-term care facilities. The federal government also intends to ensure that managers and owners of LTC facilities respect their legal duties.

Passed.

Bill Status

At Second Reading in the Senate

✔︎ Bill C-322, National Framework for a School Food Program Act

Bill

Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Bill generally aligns with the 2021 mandate letter commitment instructing the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to “work with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders to develop a National School Food Policy and to work toward a national school nutritious meal program.” The Bill generally aligns with the ongoing work to develop a National School Food Policy. Supporting the Bill is consistent with the work the government has undertaken over the past year with stakeholders, Indigenous partners and provinces and territories.

Passed.

Bill Status

At at consideration in committee in the House of Commons

✔︎ Bill C-275 (Biosecurity on Farms)

Bill

Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The government will support the Bill while seeking amendments to improve its enforceability and limit the legal risks associated with it. If all of the government's proposed amendments are rejected, the government will support the Bill as drafted.

Passed.

Bill Status

At Second Reading in the Senate

✔︎ Bill C-316, Court Challenges Program Act

Bill

Bill C-316, An Act to amend the Department of Canadian Heritage Act (Court Challenges Program)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

Bill C-316 requires that the Minister of Canadian Heritage establish and implement an independently administered program that provides financial support for Canadians to clarify certain constitutional and quasi-constitutional official languages and human rights.

Passed.

Bill Status

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons