The House of Commons website has a feature that allows users to find out how any MP has voted on bills that came before the house. I decided to share with you how Rachael Harder, MP for Lethbridge, voted during the last session, which ended at the end of last month.
I decided that I won’t highlight second readings or things like government business, closure motions, or opposition motions for amendments to other motions. Instead, I’d focus on the votes when bills would get pass or opposition motions that could affect Canadians as a whole.
Here we go.
In October, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole presented a motion to establish an Anti-Corruption Committee related to the Canada Student Service Grant, otherwise known as the WE scandal. That motion was defeated 180–146. The Conservatives and Bloc were the only parties with MPs who voted in favour of it, one of which was Harder. All other parties voted against it.
The following month, Pat Kelly, CPC MP for Calgary–Rocky Ridge, moved to pause audits on small businesses that had received the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until at least last month and to provide more flexibility in the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, and other support programs. That passed 172–152, with only the Liberals and 1 independent voting against it. Every other party voted in favour, including Harder and all her fellow CPC MPs.
A couple of weeks later, Peter Julian, NDP MP for New Westminster–Burnaby, proposed a 1% tax on wealth over $20 million, as well as an excess profit tax on businesses profiteering from the pandemic. The funds raised from those initiatives, according to Julian’s motion, would create a guaranteed livable basic income; a national dental care programme; a universal, single-payer, public pharmacare programme; and Indigenous housing. That motion was defeated 292–27. The NDP, Greens, and 1 independent were the only ones who voted in favour. Harder and her party voted against it.
That same week, Michael Chong, CPC MP for Wellington—Halton Hills, moved for the government to decide on Huawei’s involvement in Canada’s 5G network and develop a robust plan to combat China’s growing foreign operations in Canada. that passed 178–146, with MPs from every party—including 5 Liberals—voting in favour. Harder was one of the ones who voted in favour.
A week later, David Lametti, the justice minister, presented Bill C-3 for third reading. The bill amended the Judges Act and the Criminal Code for 3 main reasons:
- Lawyers who want to become a judge of a superior court in any province must participate in continuing education on matters related to sexual assault law and social context.
- Canadian Judicial Council should submit an annual report on the delivery of and participation in sexual assault law seminars.
- Judges must provide reasons (recorded or written) for decisions in sexual assault cases.
It passed unanimously, with 315 votes, including Harder’s.
At the beginning of December, Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Quebecois, moved to have the government increase health transfers to the provinces during the pandemic. The motion passed 176 to 148, with all but one of the Liberal MPs voting against it, as did all of the independents. All other parties, including Harder and her Conservatives, voted in favour of it.
Later that week, Pierre Poilievre, CPC MP for Carleton, proposed that the federal government proposed reducing restriction on Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility, postponing increases to Canada Pension Plan deductions, and postponing increases to the federal carbon tax and the alcohol escalator tax. All of the CPC MPs, including Harder voted in favour of the motion, as did only 1 BQ MP. All other MPs voted against it, and the motion failed 209–121.
That same day, Jean-Yves Duclos, Treasury Board president, introduced Bill C-16 for third reading and adoption. This bill authorized the spending of over $26 billion more money than had been provided for during the 2020–21 fiscal year. You can see how that money breaks down further here. The Conservative MP, including Harder, were the only ones to vote against it.
Same goes for Bill C-17, except that was for just under $21 billion. Same date, same purpose, and same vote. See the breakdown of spending here.
Later that week, Lametti introduced Bill C-7, which amended the Criminal Code to expand who can access medical assistance in dying, by including those whose death is not “reasonably foreseeable” and allowing for waiver of final consent. It passed 213–106. Harder joined 103 CPC, 2 Liberal, and 1 independent MP in voting against it.
This past February, Tracy Gray, the CPC MP for Kelowna—Lake Country, proposed a motion for the creation of a special committee to “conduct hearings to examine and review all aspects of the economic relationship between Canada and the United States”. It passed nearly unanimously, with only the Green MPs voting against it. Harder, obviously, voted in favour of it.
A couple of weeks later, Chong moved that the federal government call upon the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Olympic Games if the Chinese government continues genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims. It passed unanimously.
The following month, Andréanne Larouche, a BQ MP representing Shefford, moved to ask the federal government to increase the Old Age Security by $110 a month in the next federal budget. That motion passed 183–147. The only MPs voting against the motion were all but 3 of the Liberals and 1 independent. The MPs in all other parties, including Harder, voted in favour of the increase.
Two days later, Ed Fast, a CPC MP for Abbotsford, introduced a motion for the government to introduce sector-specific measures to support workers in the hospitality, tourism and charitable sectors; provide repayable loans to airlines in exchange for consumer refunds, job guarantees, restrictions on executive compensation and restoration of regional routes; and improve support programs for small and medium businesses. It passed 183–151. Only 1 Liberal MP and 4 independents joined all the opposition MPs, including Harder, in passing this motion.
That same day, Mary Ng, the minister of international trade, introduced Bill C-18 for third reading and adoption. This bill would implement a trade agreement between Canada and the UK. It passed 305–25. All of the NDP and Green MPs opposed the bill in this vote. Harder voted with all the CPC, Liberal, and Bloc MPs.
About two weeks later, Jagmeet Singh, leader of the NDP, proposed a 4-point plan to remove profit from long-term care:
- Nationalize Revera, a for-profit long-term care operator
- Transition all for-profit care to not-for-profit by 2030
- Work with provinces and territories to stop licensing new for-profit facilities
- Invest $5 billion over the next 4 years to increase the number of non-profit care homes
The motion failed 305–28, with only the NDP, Green, and 1 independent MPs voting in favour. All MPs with the Bloc, Liberals, and Harder’s own CPC, as well as 4 independents, voted against it.
The following day, Majid Jowhari, Liberal MP for Richmond Hill, moved to have the government designate 1 August of every year as Emancipation Day, in recognition of the abolition of slavery and the contributions that people of African descent have made to Canadian society. That passed unanimously, including a vote by Harder.
During the same sitting, Michelle Rempel Garner, CPC MP for Calgary Nose Hill, moved for the government to a “clear data-driven plan to support safely, gradually and permanently lifting COVID-19 restrictions”. Harder joined 120 CPC MPs and 2 independents in voting in favour of the motion, but all other parties and the other 3 independents voted against it in a finally tally of 212–122 opposed.
The next day, Duclos once again introduced a bill to approve the spending of more money for the 2020–21 fiscal year. Bill C-26 would approve the granting of an addition $13.4 billion. You can see the more specific allocations here. The bill passed in a vote of 213–120, with 119 CPC MPs (including Harder) and one independent opposing it.
Duclos also introduced in that same sitting a similar bill—Bill C-27—which asked for an additional $59.3 billion. It passed 213–118, with Harder being one of the MPs oppositing it.
About a month later, Gabriel Ste-Marie, BQ MP for Joliette, introduced Bill C-224, which would allow provinces to collect federal personal and corporate income taxes on behalf of the federal government. It was shut down 179–155, with all the Liberal and NDP MPS, 1 Green MP, and 4 independent MPs opposing it. Voting in favour was 1 independent, all the BQ MPs, and all the CPC MPs, including Harder.
The next day, Chrystia Freeland, the finance minister, introduced Bill C-14 for third reading and adoption. This bill would introduced fiscal measures designed to help people during the pandemic, including increasing supports for families with young children and waiving interest payments for students for a year. It passed 210–118, with the only opposing votes being all the CPC MPs, including Harder.
Towards the end of April, Freeland presented the federal budget. It passed 178–157, with all Liberal MPs, all NDP MPs, and 3 independents voting in favour. All the Greens, all the Bloc MPs, all the CPC MPs (including Harder), and 2 independents opposed the budget.
At the beginning of May, Rempel Garner moved to call on the federal government to ensure that all adults in Canada have access to a COVID-19 vaccine by the May long weekend. That motion lost 208–119, with only the CPC MPs voting in favour, including Harder.
A couple of days later, Richard Bragdon, CPC MP for Tobique–Mactaquac, sponsored Bill C-228, which was intended to establish federal framework to reduce recidivism. The bill passes 297–32. The only party voting against the bill was the Bloc, which saw all 32 MPs oppose it. Harder voted with the other 297 MPs from the remaining parties in favour of the bill.
That same day, Candice Bergen, CPC MP for Portage–Lisgar, introduced a motion to call upon the prime minister to dismiss his chief of staff for not notifying him about sexual harassment allegations with the Canadian Armed Forces. The motion was quashed 209–122. Voting in favour of it were 2 independent MPs, 1 Liberal MP, and 119 CPC MPs, including Harder.
A week later, Larry Maguire, CPC MP for Brandon–Souris, sponsored Bill C-208 for third reading and adoption. The bill would amend the Income Tax Act to exclude family members from the anti-avoidance rule, allowing the transferring of shares in small business corporations or capital stock of a family farm or fishing corporation. The bill was passed after a vote of 199–128. Voting against it were 127 Liberal MPs and 1 independent. In favour were 4 independents, all the Green MPs, all the NDP MPs, all the Bloc MPs, and all the CPC MPs, including Harder.
That same day, Len Webber, CPC MP from Calgary–Confederation, sponsored Bill C-210 for third reading and adoption. That bill would allow provinces to access Canada Revenue Agency data for establishing provincial organ and tissue donor registries. It passed unanimously.
Also that day, Matt Jeneroux, CPC MP from Edmonton–Riverbend, sponsored Bill C-220, also for third reading and adoption. This bill would amend the Canada Labour Code to extend bereavement leave by an additional 5 unpaid days. This passes unanimously.
A couple of weeks later, Alain Therrien, BQ MP for La Prairie, moved to tell the government that they should make every effort to ensure that voters aren’t called to the election polls during the pandemic. The motion passed almost unanimously, with only 1 independent MP opposing.
That same day, Lametti, presented Bill C-15 for third reading and adoption. This bill would direct the federal government to take all necessary measures to ensure that federal laws are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. It passed 210–118. Voting against the bill were all CPC MPs (including Harder), as well as 1 Green MP and 1 independent.
The next day, Ziad Aboultaif, CPC MP for Edmonton–Manning, proposed the removal of tax barriers and regulatory barriers for the fossil fuel industry in Canada. The motion failed 212–119. Harder and the other 117 CPC MPs voted in favour of it, as did 1 independent MP.
At the beginning of June, Sonia Sidhu, Liberal MP for Brampton–South, sponsored Bill C-237 for third reading and adoption. The bill would develop a national framework designed to support improved access for Canadians to diabetes prevention and treatment. It passed unanimously.
That same day, Chong sponsored a motion to demand an unredacted version of all documents related to the transfer of Ebola and Henipah viruses to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in March 2019, as well as the subsequent revocation of security clearances for and employment termination of Dr. Xiangguo Qiu and Dr. Keding Cheng. That motion barely passed: 179–149. All but 2 of the Liberal MPs, as well as 1 independent voted against the motion. All other MPs, including Harder, voted in favour of it.
Also that day, Scot Davidson, CPC MP for York–Simcoe, sponsored Bill C-204 for third reading and adoption. This bill would prohibit exporting of certain types of plastic waste to foreign countries for final disposal. This bill passed 179–151. Voting in opposition were 1 independent MP and all but 1 Liberal MP. Harder was among the other 179 MPs from all parties who voted in favour of it.
A few days later, Singh moved to call on the federal government to drop its appeal of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal regarding residential school survivors, accelerate implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, meet with St. Anne’s residential school survivors, and provide survivors and families with the resources to assist with trauma. That was passed 271–0. While 119 Liberals voted in favour of the motion, several abstained, including the prime minister and several members of cabinet. Harder was one of the 271 who voted in favour of it.
Two days after that, Brad Vis, CPC MP for Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon, introduced a motion for the government to examine a temporary freeze on home purchases by foreign buyers, replace First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, strengthen policing of money laundering, implement tax breaks to increase supply of purpose-built market rental housing, and overhaul housing policy to increase housing supply. It passed 180–147. Voting in opposition were 2 independents and all but 1 of the Liberal MPs. Harder voted with the majority in favour of the motion.
That same day, Stéphane Bergeron, BQ MP for Montarville, moved a 6-point plan to address tax evasion:
- Eliminate tax exemptions for corporations that income in tax havens
- Tax income reported by shell companies created abroad by Canadian taxpayers for tax purposes
- Require financial institutions to disclose an annual list of their foreign subsidiaries and how much tax they’d have been subject to had their income been reported in Canada
- Tax digital multinationals based on where they conduct business rather than where they reside
- Establish global registry of actual beneficiaries of shell companies
- Launch a strong offensive at the OECD against tax havens with the aim of eradicating them
The motion passed 180–148. Most of the Liberal MPs, as well as 1 independent, voted against it. All other parties, as well as 1 Liberal MP and 3 independents voted in favour. Harder voted in favour as well.
Halfway through June, Jack Harris, outgoing NDP MP for St. John’s—East, introduced a motion to establish a federal dental care plan as soon as possible for families earning under $90,000 a year who aren’t covered by a dental care plan. Voting in favour of the motion were 10 Liberal MPs, 1 CPC MP, all 23 NDP MPs, 1 Green MP, and 1 independent. All other MPs, including Harder, voted against it.
A few days later, James Bezan, CPC MP for Selkirk–Interlake–Eastman moved to have the minister of national defence censured for being misleading regarding the withdrawal of fighter jets from the Middle East, being misleading about his military service record, presiding over the wrongful accusation and dismissal of a vice-admiral, and covering up CAF sexual misconduct allegations. The motion passed 169–151, with only the Liberals and 2 independents opposing.
That same day, Duclos once again introduced a bill asking for more money, for third reading and approval. Bill C-33 would’ve approved $82.7 billion in additional spending. You can see where it would be spent here. It passed 208–118. Harder joined 116 of her CPC peers, as well as 1 independent, in voting against the bill.
Duclos presented a similar bill (C-34) that same day, but for $23.97 billion. It, too, passed with 208 votes in favour, but only 117 votes against this time. Like the previous bill, Harder voted against this one.
A week later, Steven Guilbeault, the minister of Canadian heritage, introduced Bill C-10 for third reading and adoption. This bill would implement nearly a dozen amendments to the Broadcasting Act, including the regulating of foreign online broadcasting within Canada. The bill passed 196–112, with 2 independents and all the CPC MPs, including Harder, voting against it.
That same day, Lametti proposed Bill C-6 for third reading and adoption. It functionally would criminalize the formalized practice of conversion therapy. It passed 263–63, with 1 independent and 62 CPC MP, including Harder, opposing the bill.
The following day, Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of environment and climate change, sponsored Bill C–12 for third reading and adoption. This bill would require national targets for reducing greenhouse gas national emissions, aiming to attain net-zero emissions by 2050. It passed 204–114, opposed only by 1 independent and every CPC MP who was voting that day, including Harder.
The day after that (which happened to be the last day of the session), Philip Lawrence, CPC MP for Northumberland–Peterborough South, proposed Bill C-206 for third reading and adoption. This bill would extend the carbon tax exemption of qualifying farming fuel to include marketable natural gas and propane. It passed 181–150. Opposing the bill were 149 Liberal MPs and 1 independent. In favour of the bill were 4 independents, all the Green, NDP, and Bloc MPs, as well as all the CPC MPs, including Harder.
Finally, Freeland proposed Bill C-30 for third reading and adoption. This bill would formally implement the budget, which Parliament approved back in April. It passed 211–121. Opposing the bill were 2 independents, 1 NDP MP, and all 118 CPC MPs who were present, including Harder.
Here’s a chart summarizing the votes:
| Establish Anti-Corruption Committee (WE scandal) | ✓ |
| Pause CEWS audits on small businesses | ✓ |
| Increase flexibility for wage subsidy, rent subsidy, & others | ✓ |
| 1% tax on wealth over $20 million | ✕ |
| Combat China’s growing foreign operations in Canada | ✓ |
| Improve education of judges regarding sexual assault | ✓ |
| Increase health transfers to provinces during pandemic | ✓ |
| Reduce restriction on large employer emergency financing | ✓ |
| Postpone increase to CPP deductions | ✓ |
| Postponing increase to carbon tax and alcohol escalator tax | ✓ |
| Spend $47 billion more on the 2020–2021 budget | ✕ |
| Expand access to medical assistance in dying | ✕ |
| Establish Canada–US economic relationship committee | ✓ |
| Call on IOC to move Olympics if China continues genocide | ✓ |
| Increase Old Age Security by $110 a month | ✓ |
| Support workers in hospitality, tourism, charitable sectors | ✓ |
| Approve trade agreement with UK | ✓ |
| Remove profit from long-term care | ✕ |
| Designate 1 August of every year as Emancipation Day | ✓ |
| Create federal plan for lifting of COVID-19 restrictions | ✓ |
| Spend $72.7 billion more on the 2020–2021 budget | ✕ |
| Allow provinces to collect federal income taxes | ✓ |
| Financial support for families and students during pandemic | ✕ |
| Federal budget | ✕ |
| Access to COVID-19 for all Canadians by May long weekend | ✓ |
| Establish federal framework to reduce recidivism | ✓ |
| PM dismiss chief of staff (CAF sexual harassment allegations) | ✓ |
| Exclude family members from income tax anti-avoidance rule | ✓ |
| Allow provinces to access CRA data for donor registries | ✓ |
| Extend bereavement leave by an additional 5 unpaid days | ✓ |
| Ensure voters aren’t called to election polls during pandemic | ✓ |
| Ensure federal laws are consistent with UNDRIP | ✕ |
| Remove tax barriers & regulatory barriers for O&G industry | ✓ |
| Improve access to diabetes prevention and treatment | ✓ |
| Demand unredacted documents, re: virus transfers to WIV | ✓ |
| Prohibit export of plastic waste to foreign countries | ✓ |
| Drop appeal of ruling regarding residential school survivors | ✓ |
| Examine temp. freeze on home purchases by foreign buyers | ✓ |
| Fight tax evasion | ✓ |
| Establish federal dental care plan | ✕ |
| Censure minister of defence for misleading statements | ✓ |
| Spend $106.67 billion more on the 2020–2021 budget | ✕ |
| Regulating of foreign online broadcasting within Canada | ✕ |
| Criminalize the formalized practice of conversion therapy | ✕ |
| National targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions | ✕ |
| Farm fuel carbon tax exemption for natural gas & propane | ✓ |
