The Minister made a statement and, with Michael Duheme and Anne Kelly, answered questions.

At 9:18 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:26 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Michael Duheme answered questions.

Dane Lloyd moved, — That given the increased need for police presence at food banks and other charitable organizations to act as crowd control as demand skyrockets, and rising food insecurity as a result of rising food prices, as well as the financial strain that has been put on vulnerable Canadians causing an increased reliance on food banks, and given the incidents at:

(a) Afrique au Féminin, a non-profit women’s organization based out of Montreal has seen an increase of food hampers prepared, from 80 to 90 baskets per week to 450 to 500 baskets every Tuesday, had to call the police to help manage the crowds of people lining up to receive food baskets;

(b) Ugly Potato Day in Surrey, BC, which had 62,000 pounds of vegetables to give away to anyone in need, and had so many people show up that it required police to manage traffic; and,

As well as the planned 23% increase to the carbon tax April 1 by the federal government.

That the committee express its disappointment that valuable police resources are being used at food banks and report its recommendation to the house to spike the hike and axe the tax.

Debate arose thereon.

Jennifer O'Connell moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Chris Bittle, Iqwinder Gaheer, Peter Julian, Joël Lightbound, Ron McKinnon, Kristina Michaud, Jennifer O'Connell — 7;

NAYS: Damien C. Kurek, Dane Lloyd, Glen Motz, Doug Shipley — 4.

Michael Duheme, David Vigneault, Tricia Geddes, Ted Gallivan, Anne Kelly and Jennifer Oades answered questions.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $500, for the study of the mandate and priorities of the Minister of Public Safety, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $500, for the meeting requested pursuant to Standing Order 106(4) to discuss a request to undertake a study of the reclassification and the transfer of Luka Magnotta and other federal offenders, be adopted.